Biography - Newton J. Gallagher
NEWTON J. GALLAGHER, a prosperous and wealthy farmer and stock-raiser,
residing on section 28, Holland Township, Shelby County, was born in this
township, September 29, 1855. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Middlesworth)
Gallagher who were born in Fairfield County, Ohio. For particulars in regard
to the ancestry of this gentleman our reader is referred to the biographical
sketch of Abram Gallagher, his brother, which will be found elsewhere in
this volume.
The subject of this sketch is the eighth in a family of ten children, and
his home has always been in Holland Township, where he lives on the old
original homestead which was entered by his father from the Government about
forty-five years ago.
His education was given him in the public schools of this county, and he
received thorough and systematic training upon his father's farm, gaining
health and strength for life's duties. He owns four hundred acres of
excellent farming land upon which are good improvements and a fine large
brick house which is an ornament to the township.
Our subject was united in marriage April 3, 1881, with Miss M. Lettie Allen,
who was born in Holland Township, Shelby County, August 20, 1860. She is a
daughter of Jedediah and Mary (Hege) Allen. This worthy couple were born in
Ohio and came as pioneers to this county, and their daughter, Lettie is the
third in a good family of eight. To Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher four bright and
healthy children have been born, all of whom are living. They are by name
Floyd, Ray, Ossa Fleta and Fred. The religious belief of the family is that
of the Methodist Episcopal Church with which both Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher
were long connected, and where she is still prominently identified. Her
husband is not now a member of the church although a believer in
Christianity and he gives liberally of his means for the support of the
Gospel. His early political convictions were in accordance with the
doctrines of the Democratic party and he voted with that organization for
many years, but he has recently been more interested in the farmers'
movements and now votes with the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association. Mr. H.
Gallagher is very pleasantly and comfortably situated, having sufficient of
this world's goods to provide abundantly for himself and family without
being burdened by cares. His value in the community is appreciated by his
neighbors who consider him one of the solid and efficient members of the
social and industrial community which makes its home in the township of
Holland.
Extracted 09 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 493-494.
