Michael Minahan, a merchant of Neola, was born in County Cork, Ireland, September 1, 1845, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (McCarty) Minahan, natives of the same county. At the age of twenty-six years Mr. Jeremiah Minahan, a farmer by vocation, was married, and in 1874 he came to America sailing from Queenstown on the vessel named Berlin, and ten days later landed in New York. A few days afterward he came on to this county, locating in York Township, where he made his home with his son (our subject) until his death, October 13, 1878, but spending his last days with another son. He left a wife and four children. The children are: Dennis, residing in Neola Township; Michael, the second born; Hannah, the wife of Frank McManus, in Norwalk Township, and James, a resident of Chicago. The mother survives, and is living with her daughter, Mrs. McManus.

Mr. Michael Minahan was brought up in farm life. At the age of eighteen years he came to America, landing at New York in May, 1868. In a short time he went to Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he remained a year and a half, working for the Lake Shore Railroad Company. Next he was in Cleveland, Ohio, until the spring of 1871, when he came to Iowa; and finally he came by stage, by way of Grand Junction, to Council Bluffs, and went to Atlantic, Iowa, and was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company until the fall of 1872. In the spring of 1873 he bought eighty acres of land buy very little improved, in York Township, this county. He built thereon a frame house 18 x 24 feet and a story and a half high, and the usual farm buildings, and began and carried forward a thorough improvement of the premises. To his ordinary work as a farmer and stock-raiser he dealt extensively in cattle, Durham stock. He has added to his original purchase of land until he now has 200 acres of fine land, well improved, 120 being under the plow. In the fall of 1887 he rented the farm and moved into Neola, engaging in the grocery trade. Here he bought a home, which he now occupies; and in the store he includes dry goods in his trade, and carries on a general mercantile business. He has a good stock, and his reputation stands high for honesty and liberality. He now has a partner named Pogge. They do a business of about $20,000 yearly, being live and energetic men.

Mr. Minahan was married January 17, 1878, to Mary Stewart, who was the daughter of Benjamin F. and Ellen (Crampton) Stewart, natives respectively of Ohio and Ireland. Mr. Stewart was a fireman and a policeman in Cincinnati for many years. In 1878 he came to Iowa and lived in Neola until his death, July 23, 1886, leaving his wife and five children. The children are: Morris, residing in Council Bluffs; Mary, the second born, and wife of Mr. Minahan; Ellen, wife of Barney Jungerman, and living in Neola Township; Francis, residing in Omaha; and Eva, now the wife of William Tanner, and living in Wyoming Territory. Mrs. Minahan was married at the age of twenty years, and there are now in the family the following children: James, who was born in York Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, February 18, 1879; Kate, born July 10, 1883; Nellie, October 11, 1885; Annie, October 12, 1887; Frances was born in Neola, March 10, 1890.

Mr. Minahan in his political views is a straight Democrat. He has been Clerk of York Township for eight successive years, and School Treasurer two years. At present he is City Councilman, and takes great interest in the advancement of the interests of the town. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Neola, and stand high in the estimation of the community.