Delaware county, like the sate of Iowa as a whole, is chiefly an agricultural region and the foundation of her prosperity in the enterprise and good judgment of her farmers and stock raisers. William P. Hogan is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of this county, as he owns and operates five hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land situated on section 34 and 35, Union township. In addition to the raising of grain he engages in stock raising, this branch of his business proving especially lucrative. His father, Michael Hogan, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1832, but when a youth came to the United  States and from 1850 until his death resided in Iowa. He was a hard worker and a good manager and eventually became the owner of a farm of many hundred acres, which was stocked with high grade cattle. He was married January 7, 1856, to Johanna Kehoe, and they celebrated their golden wedding shortly before his death. His wife came to this country from Wexford county, Ireland, with her uncles, Dennis, Thomas and Patrick Kehoe, in 1852, in 1852, being then a girl of thirteen years. They settle in Castle Grove township, Jones county, Iowa, and she lived there for fifteen years, being married to Michael Hogan in the meantime. She and her husband crossed the line into Delaware county, and settled in Union township, where she lived until called to her reward. One brother, Nicholas Kehoe, of Monticello and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Hopkins, of O'Neil, Nebraska, survive her. She died in 1913 at the age of seventy four years, having survived her husband for seven years, , as his death occurred in 1906 when he was seventy four years of age.

      In the family of Michael and Johanna (Kehoe) Hogan were eleven children. Malachy, who is a resident of Waterloo, Iowa, married Ellen Secrey, by whom he has six children. Thomas, a miner, resides in Arizona. John passed away at Silver City, Idaho. Simon, who is a stock buyer in Hopkinton, married Miss Celia McElmeel, by whom he has four children. Michael, also a farmer, married Miss Lucie King. Nellie married Miles McDonnell and they have seven children. Frank married Miss Kate McGuire. William P., born February 25, 1879, is the next in order of birth. Anna is the wife of Frank Keenen, a farmer, and they have one child. Josie married Benjamin Smith and they have one child.

     William P. Hogan was educated in the district schools and after he put aside his text books he worked upon his father's farm, learning thoroughly the best methods of agriculture. Since the latter's death he has come into possession of the homestead, which comprises five hundred and twenty acres of land, including timber and pasture land, and he devotes his time to the operation of the farm. he follows general farming, as he finds that greater profits can be made when both grain and stock are raised. He is up to date in his farm work and uses the latest machinery whenever it is practicable to do so.  He realizes that farming is both a business and a science and devotes as much thought to the elimination of waste and the efficient management of his farm as does the modern business man to the systemization of his affairs and as regards the purely agricultural side of farm work he keeps in touch with the work of investigators who are seeking to reduce it to a scientific basis. His enterprise and excellent judgment insure him gratifying financial returns from his farm, and he also finds satisfaction in a worthy task well preformed. He is well known throughout the county and those who know him most intimately are his truest friends, which is the best testimony of the genuineness of his worth as a man.