Irving A. McShane

Irving A. McShane owns and operates a well improved farm on section 4, Franklin township, and is widely recognized as one of the enterprising young agriculturists of his native county. His birth occurred in Franklin township on the 12th of September, 1886, his parents being Albert and Elizabeth A. (Roderick) McShane. The father, likewise a native of Franklin township, this county, was born a mile and a half southeast of his present home, his natal day being October 1, 1855. His parents were Cornelius and Margaret (Durr) McShane, the former a native of Monongalia county, West Virginia, and the latter of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Cornelius J McShane, the grandfather of our subject, followed farming throughout his active career. He came to Iowa in 1851 or 1852 settling first in Linton township, Allamakee county, where he became a landowner. About two years later he took up his abode in Franklin township, locating on the place on which his son Albert was born and continuing to reside thereon throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred on the 7th of February, 1907, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 29th of January, 1905. The period of his residence in this county covered more than a half century, and in his passing the community lost one of its honored pioneer settlers and substantial agriculturists.

Albert McShane, the father of Irving A. McShane, was the sixth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children. In the acquirement of an education he attended district school No. 3 in Franklin township and later continued his studies at Smithfield and Bear Hollow. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and subsequently worked as a farm hand for about four years. On the expiration of that period he was married and a year later rented a tract of land in Franklin township, cultivation the same for six years. At the end of that time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Franklin township, which he has operated continuously since, all of the land being under cultivation with the exception of a small patch of timber. The place is devoted to general farming, and the well tilled fields annually yield harvests which find a ready sale on the market. Mr. McShane is a stockholder in the Luana creamery and well deserves representation among the substantial citizens of his native county.

On the 30th of March, 1880, Albert McShane was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Roderick, who was born in Jefferson township, Allamakee county, on the 21st of October, 1857. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Sophia Edna, born December 27, 1880, who is the wife of Frank Colvin, a farmer of Franklin township; Henry, whose birth occurred on the 1st of December, 1882, and who follows farming in Franklin township; Irving A., of this review; George, who is at home; Fannie, whose natal day was January 15, 1889, and who is the wife of Herbert McCracken, a farmer of Clayton county; Mary, born March 28, 1891, who is the wife of Joseph Geno, a resident farmer of Jefferson township, this county; Lizzie, who was born on the 30th of July, 1893, and is still under the parental roof; Lottie, who was born on the 5th of November, 1896, and died on the 28th of December, 1900; and Glenn, whose natal day was June 24, 1900. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church. Mr. McShane gives his political allegiance to the democracy but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Allamakee county and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders.

Irving A. McShane, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the district schools of Franklin township. He spent the first twenty-one years of his life under the parental roof and worked for others at different times. Subsequently he continued in the employ of others until March, 1912, and then purchased the farm which is now in his possession and which he has cultivated successfully to the present time. His residence is modern and commodious and his property is well improved in every particular.

On the 29th of September, 1909, Mr. McShane was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nelson, whose birth occurred near Grand Meadow, Clayton county, in 1883, her parents being Christian and Hilda (Torgerson) Nelson. The mother passed away in the winter of 1910 and in 1913 Mr. Nelson was again married. He now makes his home in Clermont. Our subject and his wife had one child, who died in infancy. Mr. McShane is a republican in his political views but doe not consider himself bound by party ties and often casts an independent ballot at local elections. He is a young man of many sterling traits of character, and high regard is uniformly tendered 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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