John A. Foley Biography


	This biography appears on pages 656-659 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN A. FOLEY. 

	In a history of the pioneer development of Lake county it is 
imperative that mention be made of John A. Foley, who was one of its 
early settlers and was actively interested in the work of reclaiming 
and improving the land for the purposes of civilization. He was born in 
Galena, Illinois, on the 1st of June, 1855, and is a son of Michael and 
Anna (McDonnell) Foley, who were farming people. The father went to 
California in the early days during the gold rush but afterward 
returned to Illinois and purchased a farm in Gilford township, Jo 
Daviess county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 
his death. 

	John A. Foley was educated in the public schools of that part of 
the state and continued to assist his father in the work of the home 
farm until he came to the west in 1877, when twenty-two years of age. 
He settled near the old town of Madison and afterward came to what is 
now the homestead place of the family, on sections 29 and 30, 
Farmington township, Lake county. He preempted a quarter section of 
land and secured a tree claim. There were few neighbors and the work of 
development and improvement seemed scarcely begun in the county. He met 
the usual hardships and experiences of pioneer life but managed to 
continue his work and as the years went on wrought a marked 
transformation in the appearance of his place, which he carefully and 
systematically conducted until he met death in 1902, being struck by 
lightning on the 1st day of August of that year, his remains being 
interred in the cemetery at Madison. 

	On the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. Foley had married Miss Ann 
Mead, a daughter of Morris and Alice (Breen) Mead. To them were born 
three children: John C., who manages the farm for his mother; Mary 
Alice, who is teaching at Beresford; and Loretta Anna, a graduate of 
the Normal School at Madison. 

	The family are Catholics in religious faith and Mr. Foley was a 
member of that church. His political allegiance was given to the 
democratic party and he was always loyal to any cause or principle in 
which he believed. He worked hard to provide a good living for his 
family and was devoted to their welfare and happiness. 

	After the death of her husband Mrs. Foley took the management of 
the place and has since directed the work of the farm, which has been 
developed into one of the prettiest and most attractive farms of Lake 
county. Upon the place are found sixty head of registered shorthorns, 
one hundred and fifty head of Poland China hogs and sixteen head of 
good horses. They have their own lighting plant, the latest improved 
farm implements and all modern conveniences. There is also a good 
orchard in bearing. Mrs. Foley has had the able assistance of her son 
John, who has largely relieved her of the care of the place. The Foleys 
are numbered among the leading families of Lake county, occupying a 
prominent position in social circles as well as in business 
connections.