T. J. DENLY, one of the progressive farmers of Knox
Township, residing on section 9, is a native of Wiltshire, England, born April
23, 1838, the eldest son of John and Sarah (Gilmore) Denly, who were the
parents of ten children – Thomas J., Emily, Daniel, Fanny, Edward, John, Sarah,
Hannah, Martha and a daughter Mary, who is now deceased. Thomas J. was reared
on a farm, and educated in the common schools of his native country. He came to America in January, 1857, and for
two years lived in New York and vicinity. He then removed to Pike County,
Pennsylvania, where he followed farming two years. April 1, 1861, he enlisted
in Company K, Fourth Regular Artillery, and was in the service three years. He
participated in the engagements at Yorktown Peninsula, second battle of Bull
Run, Antietam, Fredericksburgh, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh. He was
honorably discharged at Rappahannock, Virginia, in April 1864. After the war he located in Wayne County,
Ohio. August 23, 1864, he was married to Mary Gilmore, of Holmes County, Ohio,
a daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Young) Gilmore. They have seven children
living – James Alfred, Mary Emily, Ellen Elizabeth, Martha L., Jane, Ira E.,
Fanny E. A son named Wesley E. is deceased.
After leaving Wayne County, Ohio, Mr. Denly settled in Knox County,
Illinois, remaining two and a half years. He then came to Clarke County, Iowa,
and made his home in Ward Township for seven years, and in the spring of 1883
bought the farm where he has since resided. His farm is one of the best located
in Knox Township, and contains 140 acres of improved land under the best of
cultivation. He has a comfortable residence surrounded by shade and ornamental
trees, out buildings for the accommodation of his stock, and a fine orchard on
his farm. This fine property has been acquired by years of industrious toil and
persevering energy. Mr. Denly being a poor man when he commenced life for
himself, and is numbered among the self-made men of Clarke county, where he is
much respected for his fair and honorable dealings. In politics he was formerly
a Republican, but now affiliates with the Greenback party.
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke
County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 237
