Isaac Delaney, of Rushford township, Winnebago county, was one of those unassuming men who has proven his worth both as a soldier and citizen. He was one of the first to take up arms in the defense of hist country at the beginning of the Civil War, and when no longer needed in the ranks of the firing line, dropped the tools of strife and put his hand to the plow in an honest endeavor to redeem the wilderness and make two blades of grass grow where only one grew before.

He is a native of the state of Ohio, and was born October 2, 1843, the son of William C. and Mary A. (McCracken) Delaney, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were among the pioneers of Winnebago county, settling first in Delhi, and later removed to Rushford township, where they passed the balance of their lives engaged in general farming and stock raising, and lived long and useful lives. The death of the father occurred in 1854 and that of the mother in 18--.

Of the large and interesting family which they raising, only two now survive- Isaac and William.

In 1866 Mr. Delaney married Miss Nancy Parcell, daughter of Israel and Betsey (Gettman) Parcell, who were both natives of the state of New York and among the early settlers of Winnebago county. To this union were born three children: Earnest, who lives at home, engaged in the lumber business; Minnie and Bessie, who are both married and live in adjoining counties.

In 1866 our subject settled on his present farm, which at that time was covered with timber. By dint of hard work, he has today a well-improved farm with good buildings. He enlisted in the Third Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery, in August 1861. He served four years in the Army of the Cumberland, engaging in many battles, and was honorably discharged in 1865. A Republican in politics, though he has never held office. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow and the Grand Army of the Republic.