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.
