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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
THOMAS LYONS, one of the most intelligent and well-informed citizens of Pleasant Grove Township, was born in County Down, in the North of Ireland, in March, 1825. He came to America when a young man, in 1848, located in Philadelphia, and engaged in merchandising for three years; then disposing of his business he went to Michigan, and after a residence of four years in that State came to Iowa in 1855, and located. On April 18, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna J. Lester, born in his own county, in Ireland, and they became the parents of three children, of whom David is the present representative of this county in the General Assembly of Iowa; Anna is deceased; Jane is the wife of James Sturgeon and lives in Nassau, Iowa. Mr. Lyons is an uncompromising Republican, and his position as leader of the party in this section of the county has never been disputed. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Chnrch. Mr. Lyons' first purchase of land, on coming to this county, was forty acres; later on be added a quarter section, and at the present time is the owner of 160 acres of some of the finest soil in the township. His land is in the highest state of cultivation, with first-class improvements. Thomas Lyons is a scholar and a student, and possesses a large fund of information on all topics of general interest. He has the happy faculty of being able to express himself readily and forcibly. He is of genial disposition, and his home is one of genuine hospitality, where friends and acquaintances delight to go, and where they receive a generous welcome.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy