Patrick Donlon was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1830. He was a son of Thomas and Ellen (Keeffe) Donlon. He followed farming in his native country until October, 1847, when he came to America with his parents. They resided in New Jersey one year, then Patrick went to Worcester, Mass., and worked in the sewing machine shops, and in the iron and steel manufactory, where he made guns, etc., for the Governement. He was married to Mary Cullmane, on June 16, 1852. She was born in Waterford, Ireland, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Ellen (Powers) Cullmane. Of eleven children born of their union, ten are living - Thomas, Malachia, Ellen, John, William, Steven,
Mary, Luke, Annastacia and Josie. Mary died in infancy. Mr. Donlon worked at the sewing machine business after his marriage, until April 16, 1864, when he came to Clayton County, and settled in Cox Creek Township. Two years later he settled on his present farm in Highland Township. He owns 465 acres on sections 12 and
13, all under cultivation, except thirty acres of timber. He is one of Clayton County's most prominent and wealthy farmers. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 839-840 |