LAWRENCE DOLAN
Lawrence Dolan, a native of Ireland, was born on Whit-Monday, 1843. His father displayed a great interest in educational matters and gave the use of his home for a school room during the winter seasons. As he was a highly educated man, he gave his children good instructions in the various branches, and the subject of this sketch acquired an education that has been ever useful to him. In 1864, he left his native land for America, locating in New Haven, Connecticut, where he was engaged with Frederick Jones, in an axle manufactory, and later with J. R. Sargent and Company, hardware factory. He remained in Connecticut until 1866, when he came to Iowa and located in Harrison county, where he taught school for about a year, and afterward spent three years on the plains between Omaha and Salt Lake City. In July, 1869, he came to Cass county, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, on section 22, Pleasant township, and erected a house 12 x 18, with eight foot posts. In 1883, he erected a commodious residence, with plans of the latest style in architecture. He now owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, finely improved, and raises a large amount of fine stock and is one of the most prosperous, enterprising and substantial farmers of Pleasant township. Mr. Dolan was married June 14, 1869, to Catherine Caffey, who was born in the town of Kilbeggin, county of West Meath, Ireland. They have six children--Charles C., Bridget C., Mary A., Ellen J., Patrick T. and Theresa M.
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. 814-815.
