Patrick Behan is living retired in Ryan, where he is widely known and highly respected. He was born in Ireland, August 15, 1844, a son of William and Nora (Brazell) Behan, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle. The family emigrated to the United States in 1855 and made their way to Iowa, settling on a farm in Adams township, in Delaware county. The father cultivated his land until his demise, which occurred February 13, 1862. His widow survived for many years, dying in 1894. They were the parents of nine children as follows: Mary, who married James Duggan; Ann, the widow of Robert Montgomery and a resident of Iowa City; David, who had the distinction of being the first volunteer soldier to enlist in Adams township and who passed away in 1912; Ellen, the widow of James McElligott; Nora, who is a nurse in a hospital at Dubuque; Kate, the deceased wife of Thomas McNulty, her demise occurring in Oklahoma; Patrick and Morris, twins, the latter of whom is deceased; and Margaret, the wife of Frank McNulty, of Kansas.
     Patrick Behan was a boy of eleven years when his parents brought him to the new world and he quickly adapted himself to the new conditions of life found here. He had only a common school education but his native intelligence and sound judgment have enabled him not only to win financial success but have made it possible for him to watch with understanding the many changes and diverse movements in modern life. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company E, Second Iowa Infantry, and served for a year and a half, during which time he was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. He became the owner of a good farm in Adams township and devoted his time and energy to its cultivation until he retired in January, 1914, when he removed to Ryan, there erecting a commodious residence.
     Mr. Behan was married April 20, 1868, to Miss Ann Gannon, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Carr) Gannon, both natives of Ireland. In 1855 they brought their family to the new world and the father carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred April 28, 1862. The mother survived for more than two decades, dying April 28, 1884, on the anniversary of the death of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Behan were born nine children: Mary Ann, who married Michael Schealy, of Buchanan county, Iowa; Catherine, the wife of John Vinton, of Nebraska; William, residing in Masonville, this state; Rose, who married John Cashmann of Minnesota, Margaret, the wife of John Callon, of Winthrop, Iowa; Elizabeth who married George Vinton, of Nebraska; Hannah, the wife of Thomas Cummings, of Minnesota; Rev. P.J., pastor of St. Patrick's church at Cedar Rapids; and John D. who married Lillian McElligott, of Illinois, on the 28th of January, 1914. John D. Behan is engaged in farming, renting two hundred acres from his father, five miles west of Ryan, and he owns forty acres of land. In addition to cultivating his fields he devotes a great deal of attention to raising and selling high grade stock. All who know Patrick Behan agree that the case and comfort which he is now enjoying are well merited, as his life was for many years a very busy one and his activities were guided and directed by excellent judgment.