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Honorable James McCann
Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, 1894 Reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, Massachusetts, p. 231

HON.JAMES McCANN, one of the best known citizens of Dubuque, represents his district in the State Legislature and takes a prominent part in public and political affairs, his name being inseparably connected with the history of this community. He was born in Ireland on the 27th of August, 1840, and is a son of Patrick McCann, who in 1845 came to America, landing at New York City, whence he made his way to Dubuque. His death occurred here in 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Morgan, is still living in Dubuque, and is now (1894) seventy-five years of age. Our subject was a child of only five summers when with his parents he crossed the ocean and became a resident of Dubuque, where the greater part of his life has since been passed.

He was educated in the common schools and at the age of fifteen years began working on his father's farm. Where was employed until twenty years of age, but in 1860 he abandoned agricultural pursuits and made an overland trip to Colorado, in the hope of more rapidly acquiring wealth in that state. He there engaged in gold mining for five years, and for three years and a-half had charge of the Smith & Parmalee gold mine. In 1865 he returned to his old home and resumed farming, which he successfully carried on until 1874. He then opened an agricultural implement store and was engaged in business along that line for seven years.

The official career of Mr. McCann began in 1881, when he was elected Sheriff of Dubuque County, and so ably did he discharge the duties of the office that he was four times re-elected, serving in all for eight years. In 1889 he embarked in the real-estate business, which he conducted for two years. In 1891 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Dubuque County in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly of Iowa. Two years later he was re-elected, and is now serving as State Representative with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He received the caucus nomination of his party for the office of Speaker of the House, but the Republicans being in the majority he was defeated. He has taken quite a prominent part in politics, and is recognized as one of the leaders of the Democracy in Iowa, and is now Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the Third Congressional District. In the fall of 1892 he aided in the organization of the Excelsior Brass Works, and was made President and General Manager of the same, which position he held until July 10, 1893, when be sold his interest in the enterprise.

On the 22d of February 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. McCann and Miss Catherine A. Dawson, of Dubuque, daughter of Nicholas Dawson, who is numbered among the honored pioneers of this city in 1837. Mrs. McCann died April 22, 1893, leaving six children, three sons and three daughters, James A.; Lucy M., who is now engaged in teaching; Frank N., a contractor of Dubuque; Charles V., Ruth and Stella. Mr. McCann is a member of the Catholic Church, and with his family resides at No. 1573 Main Street.