Biography - Abram Gallagher

ABRAM GALLAGHER. The township of Holland, being practically unbroken by large towns and villages, gives fine opportunities for the cultivation of extensive farms and among them we are pleased to make mention of the properly belonging to the gentleman whose name we have just mentioned, he is notable as being the Supervisor of the township and at the same time is one of the most prominent and extensive fanners of Shelby County.

Our subject was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 7, 1839, being a son of Jacob and Sarah (Middlesworth) Gallagher. The grandfather of our subject on his father's side was born in the green Isle of Erin, and when he emigrated to this country made his home in Pennsylvania and later removed to Ohio. The father of our subject was born in Ohio and came to Shelby County in 1839, making his home first in Shelbyville Township and afterward in Holland Township, where he passed the remainder of his days.

The parents of our subject had ten children, all of whom attained their majority and are named a.s follows: Abram; William, who died in Shelby County: Henry, who resides in Holland Township; Elizabeth, who married first Adam Deel and afterward Murray Locke and died in Holland Township; Eliza, who became Mrs. John Burke and resides in Holland Township; Charlotte, who married W. B. Lantz and lives in the same township; Mary C., who became Mrs. William Ragan, of Shelbyville; Martha, who married Silas Ragan and died in Holland Township; Douglas, who also resides in that township; Newton, who lives in the same vicinity.

Abram Gallagher received his early training in the district schools and upon the farm and grew to a vigorous and useful young manhood. On May 9, 1865, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ewing, a daughter of Thomas Ewing and a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where she was bereaved of her parents and was thus an orphan when she made her way to the state of Illinois. After marriage this young couple made their home where they now reside, possessing at that time some two hundred acres of land which they have now increased by purchase to four hundred acres. Here Mr. Gallagher is engaged quite largely in stockraising, in which line he is successful.

Two children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher. They are still living and bear the names of Minnie and Clement. The early political training of Mr. Gallagher led him to affiliate with the Democratic party, but he is now independent in his views and casts his vote where he believes that it will do the most good for the community. His freedom from party ties does not, however, deprive him of the political support of his neighbors and he is now serving his second term as Supervisor of Holland Township, and formerly held the Offices of Township Clerk, Road Commissioner, School Director and School Trustee. In religious matters he is a believer in the doctrines which are set forth in the Unitarian Church.

Extracted 09 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, page 473.

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