LUKE SCANLAN

Luke Scanlan is owner and proprietor of Avondale Farm, one of the best improved farm properties in Delaware county. He was born in County Long­ford, Ireland, on the 18th of October, 1852, a son of William and Sarah (Mills) Scanlan, who were likewise natives of the Emerald isle. The father emigrated with his family in 1867 to America and, making his way into the interior of the country, decided upon Delaware county, Iowa, as his home. Here he began farming in Coffins Grove township, where he continued to reside until his demise. His wife also passed away there. In their family were six children and the four surviving members are: Esther, the wife of Robert Baxter, of Galva, Iowa; Sarah, the wife of David Kennedy, a resident of Prairie township, Delaware county; Luke, of this review; and John, a resident of Prairie township.

Luke Scanlan remained under the parental roof until he had reached his majority, and was a youth of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming on his own account and in 1883 purchased his present place of one hundred arid ninety-one acres, located on sections 34 and 35, Coffins Grove town­ship. He has here erected a modern and substantial residence and good out­buildings, and the Avondale Farm is considered one of the best improved and most productive in Delaware county. Aside from general farming, he raises stock on quite a large scale and also engages in dairying, being associated in business with his son, William H.

Mr. Scanlan was married March 23, 1882, to Miss Bessie Ober Falconer, a daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Pierce) Falconer. Her father is a native of Scotland but her mother was born in Massachusetts. Mr. Falconer emigrated to the new world when a youth of fifteen years and, settling in Massachusetts, there met the lady whom he afterward made his wife. Subsequently he came to Iowa and entered land in Adams township, Delaware county, on which he erected a log cabin. He is still living at the very advanced age of eighty-eight years, but Mrs. Falconer passed away in October, 1906. They had a family numbering fourteen children but only eleven survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Scanlan have become the parents of six children. William H., the eldest, was born February 26, 1883. He was accorded good educational advantages, having attended Leander Clark College at Toledo, Iowa, for four years. He is a republican and is filling the office of township trustee. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and is now on the home farm, conducting business in partnership with his father. Charles E., born March 21, 1884, passed away February 12, 1892. Louie M., whose birth occurred May 31, 1886, died February 11, 1892. James P., born December 3, 1888, passed away February 12, 1892. The three last died within two days. Sara M., born August 29, 1893, was graduated from the Manchester high school, standing second in her class and afterwards engaged in teaching one year but is now pursuing a course in Learider Clark College. Rebecca P., born December 12, 1898, is now a high-school student.

Mr. Scanlan gives his political support to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church, of which his wife and family are likewise members. He is a familiar figure in the community in which he has so long labored, and those who know him respect him for his sterling personal worth as well as for .the business ability which he manifests. In every relation of life he displays the qualities of an upright, honorable manhood.

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