Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 567
PATRICK MOYLAN, residing on section 26, Goshen Township, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1838 and is a son of William and Margaret ( Quirk ) Moylan, who were also born on the Emerald Isle. In 1847 the father left his native land and came to America in order to make a home for his family. Embarking on a vessel at Dublin, he reached this country after a voyage of forty-five days, and for two years worked in Vermont, New York, and Connecticut. In 1849, he came West to Muscatine County, Iowa, and was employed by Mr. Overman to attend the ferry. The following year the family started for America, landing in New Orleans after a pleasant voyage of forty-five days. They then came up the Mississippi, but before landing at Muscatine the mother buried two of her children on the Illinois shore, just opposite the city, who had died from cholera. As there were no railroads they proceeded by stage from Muscatine to Goshen Township, where they were met by Mr. Moylan. The following year, in 1851, he entered eighty acres of land, to which he subsequently added, and developed a fine farm. He was one of the prominent citizens of the township in those early days, and there resided until his death, which occurred in January, 1861, at the age of forty-nine years. His estimable wife survived him until May, 1873, when she too was called to her final rest, dying at the age of sixty years.

In the public schools of Ireland and the district schools of Muscatine County our subject received his education. He was reared to farm life, and has made farming his occupation since reaching maturity. He now owns a fine farm of 131 acres, which is highly improved and cultuvated, and is stocked with a good grade of cattle, and with the pure-bred Poland-China hogs. His farm is pleasantly situated about two and a half miles from Atalissa, which furnished him a convenient market-place. He takes an active interest in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Democratic party. He assisted in organizing the school districts in his township, has served as School Director for six or seven years, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the community.

In the month of September, 1861, in Cedar County, Iowa, he led to the marriage altar Miss Maria McGee, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of James and Eliza ( Fitzpatrick ) McGee, who were born in Queen's County, Ireland. His father followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life, and in 1851 emigrated to this country, locating in Cedar County, Iowa, where he entered land and improved a farm. His death occurred in 1880, at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife is still living, making her home with our subject. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Moylan ten children have been born : Edward, Lizzie, Margaret, Fannie, James, Allen, Agnes, May, Eva, and Clara, all of whom are at home, though Edward is engaged in farming for himself. The parents are both members of the Catholic Church of West Liberty, and are numbered among the highly respected citizens of Goshen Township.

Mr. Moylan is one of the early settlers of Muscatine County. He cheerfully endured the trials and privations incident to pioneer life to secure a home. He has witnessed almost the entire growth of the county, has seen the little log cabins give way to commodious and elegant residences, the wild prairie transformed into beautiful farms, and the steam-horse traverse the Indian trail. In the work of civilization and progress he has always borne his part, and aided largely to any enterprise for the public welfare.

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