Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 191

PETER DALLAS, a farmer residing on section 14, Bloomington Township, was born in Scotland in 1819, and was the third in a family of five children born to Alexander and Janet ( McIntyre ) Dallas, who were natves of the same country. The father was a gardener by occupation, and came to America in the year 1836, settling in Allegheny County, Pa., where he followed that same line of work until his death, which occurred in 1873, at the age of eighty-seven years. His excellent wife had departed this life four or five years previously, dying at the age of seventy-five years.

The education of our subject was received in the schools of his native land, where he also learned gardening with his father. In 1838, resolving to try his fortune in America, he set sail from Liverpool, on the 15th day of October, in the American sailing-vessel "Bangor," under the command of Capt. Dyer, and after a pleasant voyage of two months landed at New York, on the 15th day of December. From there he went directly to Pittsburgh, making the journey in a stage across the mountains, and after reaching that city engaged in gardening in one of its suburbs. He rented forty acres of land, on which he carried on his line of business, but the place is now thickly covered with houses.

While residing in Pittsburgh Mr. Dallas was united in marriage, in 1842, with Margaret Andrews, a sister of James Andrews, who was a partner of Capt. Eads, who erected the bridge at St. Louis, and also built the eddies at New Orleans. Mrs. Dallas is a daughter of John and Mary ( Caird ) Andrews, who were natives of Scotland, but emigrated to Allegheny County,Pa., in 1840. The father engaged in farming in his native land, but after coming to this country lived a retired life. His death occurred in 1884, at the age of ninety years, his wife having departed this life many years previously, dying in Scotland in 1836. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dallas six children were born, four of whom are now living: Mary, is now the wife of Mr. McIntoch, a farmer of Goshen Township; Alexander is married, and resides in Cass County, Iowa; Jane, now Mrs. Lewis, is a resident of Muscatine; Maria, who was a successful teacher in the Muscatine schools for twelve years, is now a stenographer in New York City; Margaret and Annabel, twins, died at the age of eighteen months. The mother of these children died in May, 1853, and in 1854 Mr. Dallas married Letitia Cotton, of Philadelphia, Pa., by whom he had three children: Caroline, who died at the age of sixteen; Jessie, who became the wife of William Gilbert; Matilda, who died in infancy.

In 1858 Mr. Dallas was again called upon to mourn the death of his companion, and later married Margaret Anderson, a daughter of James and Margaret ( McCoy ) Anderson. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Sophia, who engaged for two or three years as a teacher in Muscatine County, is an expert stenographer, being employed as reporter at the court-house of Muscatine; Katie, who also taught school for several years, is now Mrs. Rowe, of Red Oak, Iowa; Beatrice, Willie, Charley, George and Janet are at home.

In 1861 Mr. Dallas left Pennsylvania, and removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating in Goshen Township, where he purchased 480 acres of partially improved land. He immediately began its cultivation, and to that farm added improvements valued at $7,000. For twenty years he made that his home, and then sold out, purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land on section 14, Bloomington Township. His farm is pleasantly situated about three miles from the city of Muscatine, and though much of it had to be cleared after his removal, it is now under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Dallas also raises some stock of good grades, and is one of the prominent men of the township. As a citizen he casts his vote with the party that he thinks will administer the best laws. He has filled various offices of public trust. He takes great interest in advancing any enterprise which has for its object, the good of the community, and is one of the prominent citizens of Bloomington Township. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are universally respected by all.


Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page