Patrick Costigan
was born in Killkenny County, Ireland, Dec. 27, 1831, and
was a son of Daniel and Lucy (Holehan) Costigan, who died
in Killkenny County. He attended the subscription and
common schools at his native place, thereby obtaining a
good education. In 1850 he emigrated to the United
States, landed in New York and from there went to Ohio,
where he engaged in railroading three years. He was
married there to Mary McMorrow, who was born in County
Letrim, Ireland, and came to America in 1850. Of seven
children born of this union five are living - Anna, now
Mrs. Cornelius Mehan; James, Michael, Lucy and Daniel,
the latter named for his father, the names having been in
the family many years. Mr. Costigan settled in Volga
Township, Clayton County, in 1854, where he owns 333
acres of land, mostly under cultivation. He also owns 120
acres in Guthrie County, Iowa, and 320 in Nebraska,
making a large possession of 773 acres, all of which he
has accumulated by untiring industry and economy. He was
drafted into service in the late war, but supplied a
substitute. In August, 1881, he received an appointment
on the C., M. & St.P. R.R., as section master on
section 47, and still retains the position. He has held
the office of Justice of the Peace since 1864, and has
also served as County Supervisor. The family are members
of the Catholic church. In politics he was formerly a
Republican, but now inclines to the Greenback party. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1119 |