Encyclopedia Dubuque
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LYONS, Michael E.
LYONS, Michael E. (St. Louis, MO, 1861--Dubuque, IA, Dec. 1,1932). MAYOR. A son of Daniel and Margaret (O'Callaghan) Lyons, Michael was educated and reared to early manhood in McGregor, Iowa. Thrown upon his own resources early in life, he managed to attend the public and parochial schools, and for a time the high school at McGregor. After quitting school in 1876, he worked on a farm for three years. He then went to St. Louis and was a street car conductor in that city from 1879 to 1883.
Lyons came to Dubuque and engaged in the retail liquor business, in which he continued until 1906. For three years he was president of the Saloon Dealer's Association. He also served as head of the Iowa Liquor Dealer's Association.
While in business he made profitable use of spare time by studying law with the Sprague Correspondence School, successfully receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1904. From 1904 to 1906 he served as alderman from his ward. In 1906 he was elected city auditor and was re-elected in 1908 and 1910.
Lyons was elected mayor in 1912.
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Source:
"Irish in Iowa," Online: http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/irelandbios6.htm#lyons