James F. Regan

James F. Regan needs no introduction to the readers of a history of Allamakee county, for his name has been an honored and respected one in this part of Iowa since pioneer times, his parents having been among the early settlers. He is today a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, his holdings comprising one hundred and forty acres of the farm in Union City township, upon which be was born in 1870. He is a son of Maurice and Mary Regan, natives of Ireland, who as children came to America with their parents and settled in Connecticut. At an early date the father came to Iowa, settling first in Dubuque and going from there to Allamakee county, where he took up his residence in 1855. Here he purchased land and was quiite an extensive owner at the time of his marriage in 1866. From that time on he added to his property as his financial resources permitted, accumulating finally six hundred acres of excellent land. This farm he operated and developed along practical and modern lines, erecting upon it substantial improvements and installing all the necessary equipment, and making it one of the finest and most valuable agricultural properties in this section of the state. He died in 1910 at the age of seventy-one, and in his passing Allamakee county lost one of its most honored and successful pioneers--a man who for more than half a century had been a leading factor in the promotion of agricultural development and general progress. He was survived by his wife who died upon the homestead, May 24, 1913, having reached the age of sixty-five. In their family were four children: Ella, the wife of Thomas O’Brien, a harness maker in Waukon, Iowa; James F., of this review; Nora, who died in infancy; and Maurice, who owns and operates two hundred and eighty-five acres of the old homestead.

James F. Regan was reared upon his father’s farm and from his early boyhood assisted in its cultivation, acquiring in this way a thorough knowledge of the best and most effective agricultural methods. When the homestead was divided he received as his share the one hundred and forty acres which he now owns, and he has since steadily carried forward the work of its improvement and development. It is a well managed and profitable property, substantially improved and equipped with the most modern machinery and reflecting everywhere the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner, who is a most able and successful agriculturist.

Mr. Regan married on the 19th of October, 1909, Miss Mary Lyons, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Thomas and Helena M. Lyons, the former born in Iowa and the latter in Wisconsin. They now reside in Hanover township, Allamakee county. In their family were five children: Nellie, the wife of Wallace McMullen of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph, who died when he was three years of age; Catherine, the wife of John Schulte of Waterloo; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review; and Thomas, who lives at home. Mr. And Mrs. Regan have two sons: Maurice, who was born in 1910; and James, born in 1912. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.

During the years of his active career--years in which success has steadily attended well directed labor, unremitting industry and perseverance--Mr. Regan has proved himself a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, his work being a valuable supplement to that begun by his father a half century ago. He has, moverover, been accorded a high place among  progressive and able agriculturists of this vicinity and has commanded and held the regard, esteem and confidence of all who have been in any way associated with him.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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Research notes: James F. Regan was born to Maurice O’Regan and Mary (Waters) O’Regan. At/about the turn of the century their surname was shortened to Regan. - contributed by Diana Diedrich

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