farms of Sherman township. For a number of years he has paid special attention to the breeding of horses, and as he uses sound judgment and has a thorough understanding of market conditions, he generally succeeds in receiving a fair price for animals raised upon his farm. Since coming into possession of his place he has made many improvements, erecting new buildings and fences, tiling the land and adding many modern accessories and equipments, so that his farm is now one of the attractive features of the landscape in Sherman township.
On the 12th of February, 1890, Mr. Carmody was united in marriage at Colo to Miss Margaret Moroney, a daughter of John and Mary (Moloney) Moroney both of whom were natives of Ireland. Mrs. Carmody was born in England, March 25, 1862, and was brought by her parents to America in 1863. The family lived for a number of years in Illinois and the father became connected with the railroad business but later engaged in farming. He moved to Iowa in 1887 and settled in Nevada township, Story county. Four. children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carmody : John P., who was born October 23, 1891, and is now attending business college at Des Moines; Patrick Joseph, who was born February 1, 1893, and is now living on the old homestead in Story county; Delia, who was, born June 16, 1895, and died June 3, 1896; and Mary Kathryn, born September 16, 1896, now a pupil in the public schools.
Mr. Carmody is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen, ever ready to extend his assistance to any worthy cause that aims to develop his part of the county or to increase the neighborly feeling of the people. He belongs to the liberal element of the democratic party and in local affairs often votes irrespective of party lines. He is now serving as township trustee, a position for which he is well qualified, being thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the township, and for four years he has been a member of the school board. In religious belief he follows the faith of his ancestors and gives his sincere adherence to the Catholic church.
MATTHEW C. REAGAN.
Among the retired farmers who are now engaged in business in Maxwell is Matthew C. Reagan, a native of the Keystone state, having been born in Fayette county on the 17th of February, 1847, a son of James and Rachel (Shaffer) Reagan, who were also both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. The parents migrated to Iowa in 1856, locating on a farm of eighty acres in jasper county, which the father had acquired through a land warrant as a soldier in the war of 1812. The winter of 18567 was a very severe one and in the spring he was forced to trade his farm for a forty acre piece and a team of horses,