Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 192
JESSE BROGAN, one of the pioneers of Muscatine County, Iowa, was born in Campbell County, Ky., on the 11th of February, 1821, and is a son of John and Margaret ( Dunlap ) Brogan, the former born in 1785, in Pennsylvania, and the latter born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1793. Their union was celebrated June 9, 1812, and they afterward located in Hamilton County, Ohio, where thy resided until their removal to Campbell ( now Kenton ) County, Ohio, where they resided for several years. To them were born the following children: James, born April 10, 1813, died in Kentucky; Eliza, born Feb. 17, 1815, wedded Simeon Tibbatts, and after his death married Thomas Gilman, and died in Ohio, in January, 1840; John, born April 23, 1817, died in Cincinnati, Ohio; Jesse of this sketch; William, born June 20, 1823, died in Kentucky while young; Henry, born Aug. 20, 1825, died in infancy; Mary, born June 18, 1826, died in infancy; Joseph and Wesley, twins, born Sept. 20, 1833, the former now living in Muscatine, the latter in Franklin County, Iowa; Hannah, born Dec.28, 1838, is the wife of Abraham Carroll, a resident of What Cheer, this State.

In 1843 John Brogan, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, left Kentucky, and emigrated to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating in Sweetland Township, where he entered land and developed a farm. Politically, he was a Democrat. His death occurred in 1852, and Mrs. Brogan died in May, 1851. They were both lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, taking an active interest in the work of that denomination, and aiding largely in the advancement of the cause.

The education of our subject was received in a subscription school, which was taught in an old log cabin built by his father and a Mr. Richardson. The seats were made of slabs, the floor of puncheons, and a huge fireplace filled one end of the room. In 1843 he emigrated to Iowa, in which State he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hill, who was born April 10, 1819, and is a daughter of Isaac Hill, of Ohio, who came to this country in 1850. By their union six children were born, four of whom are yet living: Franklin P., born Nov. 3, 1852, died Feb.9, 1858; Josephine M., born March 5, 1854, is the wife of George Lefever, of Sweetland Township; Mary M., born Dec. 31, 1855, wedded J. W. Ransom, of Wichita, Kan.; George H., born May 8, 1857, married Maggie Winnemore, and resides in Sweetland Township; Samuel G., born July 11, 1861, married Rose Eaton, of Sweetland Township. and one child died in infancy. The death of Mrs. Brogan occurred on the 5th of June, 1883. She was a sincere Christian, A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was highly respected by all who knew her. Mr. Brogan was again married , June 11, 1884, his second union being with Miss Julia Webber, who was born in Pennsylvania in January, 1843, and is a daughter of John Webber.

Mr. Brogan was taught the political sentiments of the Democratic party, which he supported until 1874, when believing that the principles of the Greenback party were right, he became one of its number, and has continued to vote with that party since. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, has assisted in building two houses of worship, and has done all in his power to advance the cause of his Master. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace in Sweetland Township for many years, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He is the owner of eighty acres of farm land. Since becoming a resident of Muscatine County he has seen its wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms, and has done his part toward aiding in the growth and development of the community.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page