BIOGRAPHY - PATRICK O'MARA
Patrick O'Mara, who is successfully operating three hundred and sixty acres of fine land on section 14, Pella township, was born in Grundy county, Illinois, on the 15th of May, 1860, a son of Patrick and Nora O'Mara, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Thomas Gallahue on another page of this work.
Patrick O'Mara remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, acquiring his education in the common schools of Grundy county. When he had reached man's estate he began farming a rented tract of land in Grundy county, being thus engaged for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Ford county and here again rented a farm. He now operates three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on section 14, Pella township, the fields annually returning golden harvests in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He is recognized throughout the community as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, the neat and thrifty appearance of his place giving proof of his capability and energy in its management.
In 1890 Mr. O'Mara was united in marriage to Miss Katie Gallahue, a daughter of Peter and Julia Gallahue, who are mentioned at length in the sketch of Patrick Gallahue, which appears on another page of this volume. Seven children have been born unto our subject and his wife, six of whom still survive: John Raymond, Nora Cecelia, James C., George T., Johanna M., Peter Arthur, and Leo, who has passed away.
In his political views Mr. O'Mara is a democrat and has held the offices of school director and road commissioner for several years, while for two years he has acted as collector, discharging his public duties in an efficient, energetic and conscientious manner. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Catholic church at Piper City and are widely and favorably known by reason of their sterling traits of character and genuine personal worth. For almost a quarter of a century he has been a representative of agricultural interests here and has therefore been an active factor in the development and upbuilding of Ford county.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 813-814.
