For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 326
PETER BYRNE. Peter Byrne, who represents the third generation of his family in America and is a well known farmer of Seventy-six township, was born in Muscatine county, August 21, 1881. He is the son of Thomas and Catherine (Grant) Byrne, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Iowa. His grandfather, John Byrne, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847. He made the voyage in a sailing vessel, which required six weeks for the trip, in the course of which his wife and daughter died, the former being buried in the ocean and the latter at New Orleans after the vessel arrived in port. It was a severe blow to Mr. Byrne, but he bravely continued his journey and after arriving in Muscatine county located on section 15, Seventy-six township, where he continued until his death. His body was interred in St. Malachy's cemetery and was among the first deposited there.Thomas Byrne, the father of our subject, came to this country with his parents and assisted in establishing the home in Muscatine county. He was a man of great energy and perseverance and became a highly successful farmer. Politically he was in sympathy with the democratic party, and although he was not an office seeker, preferring to devote his life to private affairs, he served acceptably as assessor of his township for seven years and also held other township offices. His wife is still living at the old home. There were eight children in the family: John, a farmer of Seventy-six township; Frances, at home; Peter, our subject; William, an electrical engineer, and Lawrence, both at home; Stephen and Paul, deceased; and Felicitas, at home.
Peter Byrne was educated in the district schools and under his father became thoroughly acquainted with the details of agriculture and stock-raising. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age but since that time he has carried on farming on his own account. He prospered in his work and is now operating two hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivates with a diligence that produces large harvests, yielding handsome returns for labor and time expended.
In January, 1908, Mr. Byrne was united in marriage to Miss Laura Nau of Bloomington township, who has proved to him a true and loving companion. Although a young man, Mr. Byrne has been highly successful in his business operations and has shown a sagacity and clear judgement that point to larger possibilities in years to come. He is the possessor of fine social qualities and has made many warm personal friends in the course of the last eight years, during which he has been very active. He holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, and politically is identified with the democratic party. For four years he served with credit as clerk of Seventy-six township and today is regarded as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Muscatine county.
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