David Halferty In the pioneer epoch in the history of this section of Iowa David Halferty, who was born in countyDown, Ireland, was educated for the substantial development and permanent improvement of Keokukcounty. He saw he wild lands transformed into fine farms, while industrial and commercial interests have been introduced and thus towns have become thriving cities. In the work of progress he did his share and was particularly active as a representative of the agricultural interests of the community. He was one of the oldest settlers of Richland township at the time of his death, which occurred August 31,1902. Mr. Halferty was born on the 9th of November, 1817, in Fairfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, of which state his father, John Halferty, was also a native. His paternal grandfather, Edward Halferty, who was born in County Down, Ireland, was educated for the priesthood, came to this country with a brother at an early day and took up his residence in the Keystone state. From Pennsylvania John Halferty removed to Ohio, becoming a pioneer of Richland county, where he made his home throughout the remainder of his life, dying at about the age of sixty-five years. By occupation he was a farmer. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Nisbet, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was of Welsh and German descent. She died when about seventy years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, and with one exception all reached man and womanhood, there never being a death in the family until all were grown. The sons were all stout and quite large. Three of the children are still living, namely: Zepheniah; Jacob; and Elizabeth, the wife of Allen Armentrout of California. The subject of this sketch was a child of about six years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and in Richland county lie grew to manhood, his education being obtained in an old time log schoolhouse, Samuel Kirkwood being one of his teachers. On reaching man's estate he was married in Knox county, Ohio, November 2, 1843, to Miss Mary Brolliar, who was born in Somersetcounty, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of May, 1824, and was but four years old when her family removed to Stark county, Ohio. Two years later they took up their residence in Knox county, where she was reared and educated, attending school near Ankenytown, which place was named in honor of her uncle, Mr. Ankeny, who was a prominent man of that locality and represented his district in the Ohio legislature. Mrs. Halferty was also the sixth in order of birth in a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Our subject and his wife began their married life upon the old homestead near Ankenytown in Knoxcounty, Ohio, but in 1845 they decided to try their fortune on the other side of the Mississippi and came to Keokuk county, Iowa, by teams, locating at once in Richland township, where a little log house was built in the midst of the forest. Although this primitive dwelling contained but one room the latch-string was always out and many a guest was made welcome within its hospitable doors. Upon this farm Mr. and Mrs. Halferty had lived for fifty-seven years, when he died, and during this time it has been converted from a wild tract to one of great fruitfulness. Throughout his active business life our subject followed agricultural pursuits. He took up land from the government and at one time owned three hundred and sixty acres, but disposed of much of this, though at his death he owned one hundred and thirty acres, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Having retired from active labor he rented a few years before his death the farm, and enjoyed a well earned rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Halferty were born eight children, as follows: Elenora, now the wife of Dr. John Roop, a resident of Nebraska; Jordan A., deceased; Columbus D., who married Alwilda Clevenger; Zepheniah, who married Venishia Stewart; Leonidas C., who married Hattie Powell; Isadora, deceased; Van, who married May Jolly; and Dora, the wife of S. E. Chacey. The parents of these children celebrated their golden wedding in 1893, having for over half a century traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Their married life covered a period of fifty-seven years, and they had twenty-one grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. After attaining his majority Mr. Halferty supported the Democratic party until 1853, when he became a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and thereafter continued a stanch supporter of its principles. From 1857 he was a member of the Baptist church and took an active part in church work. His estimable widow, however, holds membership in the Adventist church. She survives him and resides on the old home. Mr. Halferty was universally respected by all who knew him, and (during the fifty-seven years he lived in Richland township he was never sued or ever brought suit in court, and no quarrel or serious trouble ever arose between him and a neighbor. He retained his mental faculties in full vigor up to the hour of his death and the data for this sketch of his life was furnished by him a short time before his death. Iowa Biographies project