For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 512
ANDREW HEALEY....There are many active and enterprising farmers in Seventy-six towhship, but it is doubtful whether a more efficient member of the farming community is to be found than Andrew Healey, whose name introduces this review. He has all his life been connected with agricultural and stock-raising interests and, having made a fair start early in life, has progressed steadily along the lines of his chosen work.He was born at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1852, and is a son of Michael and Bridget ( Makesy ) Healey. The father was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1847, making his home at Pittsburg for twelve years. In 1859 he decided to seek his fortune farther west and was attracted to Moscow township, Muscatine county. He was an ambitious and industrious man and became one of the successful farmers of the county. From his youth up he was a stanch supporter of the Catholic church and after becoming a citizen of the United States gave his allegiance to the democratic party. He died in 1896 and his remains were interred in St. Mary's cemetery. The mother of our subject was born in County Carlow, Ireland, within three miles of the spot which was the birthplace of her future husband, and they were married on the Emerald isle. She was called to her final rest in 1883, and was laid to rest beside her husband in St.Mary's cemetery. There were twelve children in their family : Anna Mary, the wife of John Speelman, of Adair county, Iowa ; Kate, a member of the Sisters of Charity, at Elgin, Illinois ; Thomas, who died at Creston, Iowa, in 1894 ; Andrew, our sibject ; James, of Fruitland township, Muscatine county ; John, of Pike township ; William, of Lake township ; Clara, of Muscatine ; Frank and Edward, deceased ; and two who died in infancy.
Andrew Healey received his education in the district schools and grew to manhood on the home farm, evincing a decided taste for agricultural pursuits, which gave abundant promise for his future. At eighteen years of age he went to Texas, where he remained for three years. However, he was attracted to his native county and at twenty-three years of age began farming on his own account in Moscow township, three years later removing to Seventy-six township, where he now lives. He has develped his farm from its wild state, has erected a commodious dwelling, barns and numerous outbuildings and made the place one of he most valuable properties of its size in the township. He added to the acreage from time to time as his resources permitted and is now the owner of five hundred and thirty acres on section 10, Seventy-six township, four residences and a blacksmith shop at Ivan. He is now feeding one hundred and forty-four head of cattle, two or three hundred hogs and has two or three hundred head of one-year-old steers which he will later feed for the market. He keeps a pure blooded Belgian horse and makes a specialty of fine cattle, being one of the most successful men in this line in the township.
In 1876 Mr. Healey was united in marriage to Miss Mary White, who was born in Muscatine, and ten children have blessed their union : Michael and John, both farmers of Seventy-six township ; Anna and Kate, twins, the former being the wife of Edward Connell, of Wilton township, and the latter living at home ; Clara, now Mrs. John Shumacher, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Andrew Jr., ar Home ; Edward, who is a clerk in the employ of the Great Western Railroad, at Des Moines ; Elizabeth, of Muscatine ; and Mark and Marie, at home.
Mr. Healey was allied with the democratic party, and although he has not been a seeker for office has served with general acceptance as trustee of his township for three terms and also for several terms as a member of the school board. He is connected with the Catholic church and is also actively identified with the Corn Belt and Beef Productive Association of America. As a citizen he is patriotic and progressive and can always be depended upon to lend his support for the advancement of any movement that will forward the interests of he community.
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