Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 943
EDWARD and THOMAS LEHAN

The attention of the reader is now directed to a short sketch of the careers of Edward and Thomas LEHAN, father and son, respectively, who for many years have, in a most efficient manner, been caring for the drug business of this section. The Rexall Store is an up-to-date and attractive store, which would do credit to a much larger city than the town in which it is located. Both father and son have the gift of a genial and kindly disposition, which is so essential to the success of any business dependent upon public approval and patronage.

Edward LEHAN was born in County Cork, Ireland, on June 18, 1847, being a son of Jerry and Elizabeth LEHAN, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle. They emigrated to this country in 1863 and located at Salem, Massachusetts, where he passed the remainder of his life. The mother had died in her native land prior to the time Edward and his father came to this country. Edward LEHAN stayed for a timem with his father in Salem, Massachusetts, and later came to this state, locating at Cedar Rapids, where for a number of years he was an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He decided to quit the railroad and settle down to a business, deciding upon Dunlap as the field for his future endeavors. This was in 1865 and his first venture was in the grocery business, which he soon gave up and for the next three or four years engaged in the retail liquor trade. That branch of the retail trade did not suit him, and he entered the retail drug field, where he remained for about 15 years, or until his retirement from the active duties of life in 1902. He continues to make his home in Dunlap, where he is known to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

In May 1867, Edward LEHAN was united in marriage to Margaret McDONALD, daughter of Owen and Mary McDONALD, both natives of Ireland, who had emigrated to this country when Edward's wife was a small child. They located at council Bluffs, and it was at that point Mr. Lehan met and married her. To them was born an interesting family of whom Jeremiah, the oldest, Edward, and Alice the youngest of the family, are deceased. The others are: Mary, wife of E. E. SULLIVAN of Panama, Iowa; J. W., a physician practicing his profession at Greeley, Colorado; Katherine, wife of M. J. O'CONNELL of Boone, this state; Nellie, Bessie and John remaining under the parental roof and Thomas, a short sketch of whose career follows hereafter. Both father and son are active in Democratic Circles, and both have been for some time members of the city council of Dunlap. Edward LEHAN and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church.

Thomas LEHAN is a native son of Dunlap, born in this city on May 19, 1880. He received his elementary education in the common schools of his native town, later attending Highland Park College at Des Moines for two years, where he took his training in pharmacy, fitting himself for a trained assistant to his father. After returning to Dunlap, he took charge of the business and, upon the father's retirement, he and his brother, J. W., succeeded to the business. Thomas purchased the interest of his brother in 1909 and has since operated the business alone.

Thomas LEHAN chose as his wife Bessie BARSBY, daughter of Albert and Marcella (Putnam) BARSBY, to whom he was united in marriage on September 15, 1909. The Barsbys were natives of Michigan and were early settlers in this county, where the mother still lives. The father, who was a veteran of the Civil War, is deceased. To Thomas LEHAN and wife have been born two children, John and Paul. Mr. Lehan holds his fraternal affiliation with the Knights of Columbus and has served the local organization as financial secretary for some time, being the present incumbent of that office. Mr. Lehan is numbered among the representative citizens of Dunlap, giving his support to all movements for the advancement of his fellow citizens.

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