In the person of this gentleman is illustrated one of the finest and most intelligent members of the agricultural community of Washington Township. He is one of its leading stock-growers, making a specialty of graded cattle, and occupies a fine farm of 500 acres on section 25. Elsewhere in the tonwhip he owns 100 acres in one body, 400 acres in another andhe has other valuable property. His land has all been brought to a good state of cultivation, mostly through his own efforts, as he was one of the pioneers of this section.
Mr. Law, on the 12th of August 1846, came into this county from Chicago and entered 80 acres of land from uncle Sam. After taking up his land he put up a log house, and at once commenced the improvement and cultivation of his property, and since that time has made his home in this county. His native place was, on the the other side of the Atlantic in County Fermanaugh, the North of Ireland, where he was born Dec. 3, 1822 and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and his parents were stanch Presbyterians. his father, Matthew Law was the son of Andrew Law, Sr., and the latter married a lady of the same name. They spent their entire lives in County Fermanagh and each died before they had attained the age of 60 years.
Matthew Law, the father of our subject, was reared in good circumstances, his father having been successful financially, mostly carrying on farming. Upon reaching man's estate he was married to Miss Sarah Paisley, a native of his own county, and of similar ancestry and religious belief. She was the daughter of Samuel Paisley, who married a miss Johnson, of an excellent Protestant family. Matthew Law carried on farming in County Fermanagh until after the birth of all his children, and indeed until the most of them had reached mature years.
Andrew, our subject, wa then married and later with his wife and his father's family started for America, taking passage June 14, 1846 at Sligo on the ship "Bosphorus" commanded by Capt. Little. After a favorable voyage of six weeks and three days they landed safely in New York City and thence proceeded directly to Chicago via the canal and Lakes. From the future great city they proceeded still further westward to the lead mines of Galena still further westward to the lead mines of Galena, whither the family had been preceded by the eldest son, William, who came here in 1843. They located for time at Weston. The great change incident upon the long journey, and the separation from the friends and acquaintances of his childhood, had a most depressing effect upon the father, and he literally died of homesickness that same year, when only 45 years old. The wife and mother are still living, and at present makes her home with her son Thomas on a farm in the vicinity of Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Although 79 years of age she is still hale and hearty. Matthew Law was a life-long Presbyterian, and to this faith the mother still religiously adheres.
The wife of our subject to whom he was married in his native county in Ireland, was in her girlhood, Ann Crothers. She was born and reared not far from the childhood home of her husband, and was the daughter of William Crothers, a farmer in modest circumstances, who spent his entire life in his native county of fermanagh. The parental household included five children - two sons and three daughters, most of whom are living and making their home in Ireland. The mother died, when comparatively a young woman, in her native Ireland.
Mrs. Law received excellent home training, together with a fair education in the common schools, and and remained with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there were born thirteen children, the eldest of whom, William T., is written of elsewhere in this work; Robert A. married Miss Helen Chappel, and is farming in Jackson County, Iowa; Sarah J. is mentioned in the biography of W.B. Law, on another page in this work; Mary A. is the wife of Edward Palmer, who is farming in the vicinity of Red Oak Iowa; Maggie married David Irvin, a farmer of Woodland Township, this county; Matthew took to wife Miss Tillie Adams, and is also farming in Woodland Township ANdrew J. married Miss Jennie Beaty, and they are also in that township, as is Charles who married Miss L. Belle Sowders; John H. married Miss Elizabeth Smith and is settle dnearhis brothers and sisters; Emma remains at home with her parents; Eliza is the wife of Wililam Adams, also in Woodladn Township; Edward and George remain on the farm with their father.
Mr. Law, after becoming a naturalized citizen, identified himself with the Republican party, to which his sons also give their cordial support. He has held all the local offices, and is a man who exercises no small influnence over the affairs of his community. He is liberal and public-spirited, hospitable, kind, and generous; ever ready to aid the enterprises calculated to advance the interests of the people around him. Both he and hisestimable wife cling to the Presbyterian faith of their forefathers, in which their children have also been carefully trained.
Portraits & Biographical Carroll Co. 1889 Pg 877
