Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 458
M HEALY, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 20, Bloomington Township, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in the month of September, 1822, and was the second of a family of five children born to Andrew and Bridget (Dunphy) Healy, who were also born in County Kilkenny. The father engaged in the occupation of farming throughout his life, his death occurring on the 4th of February, 1830, at the age of forty-two years. Mrs. Healy survived her husband for about eighteen years, dying in 1848, when forty-eight years of age. Their children were: Patrick, who is married, and engaged in farming in the old country; John, who came to this country with our subject, but returned to Ireland, where he was married, after which he again came to America, settling at Sag Harbor, N. Y., where he worked in a factory until his death, which occurred in 1884; his family still reside at Sag Harbor. Thomas came to America in 1850, settling in Pennsylvania, and was there married, after which he came to this county, in 1860, locating in Moscow Township, where he yet resides; James, who came to this country in 1852, took up his residence in Pittsburgh, Pa., and there worked on a steamer until his death, which was caused by drowning, in 1854.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received a liberal education in the National School of Ireland. In the month of January, 1842, on the Emerald Isle, he was united in marriage with Bridget Macacy, a native of County Kilkenny, and a daughter of James and Catherine (Finn) Macacy, who were also born in Ireland. The death of the father occurred in September, 1839, at the age of fifty-two years, he surviving his wife about five years, her death having occurred in 1834. The young couple began their domestic life in their native land, and there resided until the spring of 1847, when they resolved to make their home in the New World. Bidding good-by to friends and native land, on the 25th of March they set sail from Liverpool, and landed at New York in June. Settling in Pittsburgh, Mr. Healy there tended a furnace until 1859, when he came to this county, locating in Moscow Township, where he purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land, which he immediately began to improve and cultivate, and still owns 100 acres of his original purchase. In 1867 he removed to Bloomington Township, where he purchased land and developed a farm, but in 1875 he took up his residence on section 20, the same township, where he still makes his home. By subsequent purchase he has increased his possessions until he now owns 1,400 acres of fine arable land in this county, 100 of which is in Moscow Township, the remainder being located in Bloomington, Seventy-Six, and Lake Townships. In connection with the cultivation of his land he engages quite extensively in buying and shipping cattle, annually feeding from sixty to seventy head. Starting in life in limited circumstances, his success is all due to his own honest efforts, his industry, and his perseverance.

In 1883 Mr. Healy was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who was called to her final home in August of that year. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are yet living; Anna, now Mrs. Spellman, resides in Adair County, Iowa; Catherine has devoted her life to religious interests, and is Sister of Charity; Thomas is married, and resides in Union County, Iowa; Andrew is married, and resides in Seventy-Six Township, this county; James is married, and resides in Union County, Iowa; John is married, and resides in Bloomington Township; William, Clara, Edward, and Francis are at home. Mrs. Healy was a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Churchof Muscatine, and was beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Healy is also a member of the same church. Politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and takes great interest in political affairs. In September, 1888, he revisited his native land, and again went to the old school in which he was educated, and was upon the old play-ground where so many joyous hours of his boyhood were passed. He ranks among Muscatine County's best citizens, and is one of the prominent men of the community in which he resides, being held in high regard by all who know him.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page