For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 482
JAMES O'TOOLE....James O'Toole, who occupies the family homestead in Seventy-six township, and is one of the highly respected farmers of the region, was born in this county, May 14, 1859. He is a son of William and Winifred ( Byrne ) O'Toole, both natives of County Wicklow, Ireland. The father came to the Unites States in 1842, and after working in different parts of the east returned to the Emerald isle in 1850, where he was married, and the year following started again for America with his wife in a sailing vessel which required four weeks for the voyage. He settled upon government land in Seventy-six and Cedar townships, Muscatine county, retiring from active labor in 1868, after which he lived with his son James until his death in 1898. Mrs. O'Toole departed this life in 1877. The family circle comprised four children : Patrick, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work ; Mary and Sarah, both deceased ; and James, our subject.James O'Toole grew to manhood on the home farm and after receiving his preliminary education in the district school carried his studies further in the schools of Iowa City. He taught school for some time but, being naturally inclined toward agricultural pursuits, for which he was well fitted by early training under his father, he rented the old homestead, which he now owns and which is to him of special value on account of its associations. His farm comprises three hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Seventy-six township. Here he carries on general agriculture, also specializing in the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs, in which he has attained a high degree of success.
In 1884 Mr. O'Toole was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ryan, who was born in Muscatine county in 1861 and is a daughter of Dennis and Kathrine ( Dalton ) Ryan. The parents were born in Ireland and came to America in the early ' 50s. They spent their latter days at Davenport, Iowa. Eight children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole, namely : William P. who is a graduate of the State University of Iowa ; Phillip J., at home ; Winifred A., also at home ; Mary J.; Edward D and James F., twins ; and Emmett J. and Louis Gerald, also twins.
Mr. O'Toole affiliates with the democratic party and is a stanch upholder of its principles. He has served as clerk of the township for four years and also as a member of the school board. He and his family are sincere believers in Christianity and hold membership in the Catholic church. By many kindly acts he has won the regard of those with whom he has associated and no man in the township is more highly respected by citizens generally than the one whose name introduces this sketch. Generous in sentiment and true in the discharge of every obligation, he has brought up his children under the same favoring influences and they are now a credit not only to their parents but to their state and country.
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