For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 591
P. F. CARROLL....At the age of twenty-two years, P. F. Carroll, now a prominent farmer of Muscatine county, landed on American soil from his native country, Ireland, and has ever since made his home under the friendly protection of the stars and stripes. Here he found fortune and friends, and today no man in Wilton township is more highly respected. He was born on the Emerald isle, September 28, 1862, the son of John and Mary ( Ferrigan ) Carroll. The father died in Ireland in 1890, and the following spring the mother came to America and is now living at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There were ten children in the family, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : P. F., our subject ; Paul, now living in Scotland ; Kathrine, wife of Pat Mathews of New York city ; Bridget, now Mrs. William Butler, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; John, of new York city ; Margaret, wife of Robert Steel, of Albia, Iowa ; Thomas, of Nevada ; and Peter, of Cedar Rapids.P. F. Carroll was educated in the national schools and at the age of fourteen entered the civil service under Queen Victoria of England. After an experience of two years he decided to change his occupation and went to Scotland, where he engaged in mining for four years. Returning to his own home on a visit, he decided to seek his fortune on the western shores of the Atlantic and accordingly came to America, landing in New York city, where he spent two months. His first regular occupation in this country was as a farm hand in Iowa county, Iowa. After spending one year on the farm he became connected with railway service, continuing in various capacities for thirteen years, and becoming foreman in the department of car inspection. In 1897 he severed his connection with the railraod and came to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 19, Wilton township, where he has since lived. He has greatly improved the place, providing it with all the conveniences for successful operations, and as a general farmer he secures a good income.
In 1889 Mr. Carroll was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. Kelley, who was born in Muscatine county in 1863, the daughter of Frank and Bridget ( Fiehaly ) Kelley, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Seven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll : James P., of Parnell, Iowa ; Catherine M., at home ; John F., at home ; Margaret A., attending school in Iowa City ; Mary A., at home ; Monica, deceased ; and Esther B.
Mr. Carroll suffered the greatest bereavement of his life in the loss of his beloved companion, who was called from earthly scenes December 6, 1903. She was a woman of many estimable traits of character and as head of a household, wife and mother, discharged every duty with unswerving fidelity to the highest interest of the family. Mr. Carroll and his family are consistent members of the Catholic church and earnest workers in its behalf. Politically he is identified with the democratic party. He has served to the entire satisfaction of the people of the district as member of the school board but has never been an aspirant for a public office, as his attention is mainly directed to his private affairs and to looking after the comfort of his children.
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