Patrick F. McElligott was born in Adams township, where he now owns two hundred acres of fine land. His birth occurred on the 21st of January, 1871, and he is a son of James and Ellen (Behan) McElligott. As he grew from childhood to manhood he did more and more of the work that falls to the lot of the farmer and by the time that he started out in life for himself he was an efficient agriculturist. He now owns two hundred acres of land situated one mile west of Ryan. Conditions here are admirably adapted to the raising of fine stock and he has taken advantage of the opportunities afforded and breeds and raises full blooded Hampshire hogs and black Polled Angus cattle. In all that he does he is prompt and energetic, and as he manages his affairs excellently his labors yield him a good return annually and his assets are steadily increasing.
     Mr. McElligott was married on the 4th of January, 1905, to Miss Sarah Ward, a daughter of John and Anna (Thornton) Ward, natives of Ireland and New York respectively. In the '40s her father crossed the Atlantic and settled in East Beekmantown, New York, where he resided for a number of years and where his marriage occurred. In his family were eleven children, ten of whom survive: Mary, the wife of James McGown, residing near Brushton, New York; Catherine, who married George Snyder, of Winona, Minnesota; James, who married Katie Dugan and lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Margaret, residing in Ryan, this state; Agnes, deceased; Anna, also a resident of Ryan; Bridget, who lives in Elkhart, Illinois; Nellie, the wife of Milton Byrnes, of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. McElligott; John, who married Louise Till and resides in Chicago; and William, a druggist of Ryan, and also postmaster of that town. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ward have passed from this life, the former dying October 4, 1881, and the latter on New Year's day, 1914. Mrs. McElligott was born on the 13th of March, 1872, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Joseph, who was born December 15, 1905: Agnes, born March 31, 1907; and Patrick, born October 18, 1910.
      Mr. McElligott is a democrat and has held a number of local offices. He is serving his second term as township trustee and for the last two terms has also been school director. He takes a keen interest in everything relating to public affairs and is efficient in the performance of his official duties. Fraternally he belongs to the Foresters at Ryan, and religiously both he and his wife are Catholics. Since his farm came into his possession he has made many improvements, including the erection of a fine residence and other necessary buildings. His land is naturally fertile and is kept in an excellent condition and his place is one of the best developed and most valuable properties in his locality. He is held in equally high esteem as an agriculturist and as a man, being considered one of the upright and useful citizens of his county.