History of Delaware County, Iowa...Captain John F. Merry,
supervising ed. 2
vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1914
William Scanlan, who died in 1909, at the age of
sixty-three years, was actively and successfully identified with agricultural
pursuits in Delaware county for
four decades, owning and operating a farm of eighty-four acres on section 36,
Coffins Grove township. His birth occurred in Ireland on the 22d of
December, 1846, his parents being William and Sarah (Mills) Scanlan,
of whom more extended mention is made on another page
of this work in connection with Luke Scanlan, a
brother of our subject.
In 1869,
when about twenty-three years of age, William Scanlan
crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way direct to Delaware county, Iowa, subsequently settling on a farm
here. He was married in Manchester and operated a rented farm during
the next seven years. On the expiration of that period, however, he purchased a
tract of eighty-four acres on section 36, Coffins Grove township,
where he carried on agricultural pursuits successfully throughout the remainder
of his life. The property is now in possession of his widow and returns to her
a gratifying annual income.
As a
companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Scanlan
chose Miss Isabella Anderson, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Christopher and
Margaret Anderson, both of whom were born in Ireland. They
emigrated to America in 1852 and located first in Pennsylvania, while in 1857 they took up their
abode on a farm in Prairie township, Delaware county, Iowa. Subsequently they removed to Nebraska and in that state spent the
remainder of their lives. To Mr and Mrs Scanlan were born nine children,
five of whom are still living, namely: Artazena, who
is engaged in teaching school; William L.; Retta;
Christina M.; and Howard A.
Mr. Scanlan died June 16, 1909, and was laid to
rest in the Oakland cemetery. With his family he
attended the services of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and in all the relations of life he exemplified the highest principles. His
widow, who still survives, has now been a resident of Delaware county for
fifty-seven years and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its
borders.
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