JAMES J. DOLAN
James J. Dolan, the other member of the firm of Reynolds and Dolan, is a native of Iowa, having been born in Davenport, on the 8th day of June, 1859, his parents being John N. and Elizabeth O'Connor, both natives of Roscommon, Ireland. Mr. Dolan, Sr., came to this country when he was only nine years of age, and located in Ohio, but afterwards came to Iowa, as a carpenter and builder. He was quite successful and acquired a comfortable property. The subject of this sketch, James J., received his education in St. Anthony's and St. Marguerite's school at Davenport. After leaving school he learned telegraphy, and was employed at Davenport, in the office of A. R. Swift, superintendent of telegraphy, of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, and at the age of fifteen years was receiving $50 per month. During his leisure hours he studied art and law. He started an art gallery in Davenport, but finding it was not a lucrative business, he abandoned the same. He afterwards read law under Congressman Jerry Murphy, Roderick Rose and George E. Hubbell, all of Davenport. While with the latter he was admitted to the bar. He taught school one term in Clinton county, and then went to Atlantic, when the present partnership was formed. He is an active Democrat, and gives some attention to stumping the district.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 388.
