Peter H. Mulligan, present postmaster of Tolono, has been so long identified with the citizenship and farming activities of southern Champaign County as to require no special introduction.
Mr. Mulligan was born at Tolono July 4, 1865. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Lynch) Mulligan, were both natives of Ireland. The father came to this country when a young man, lived in New York about three years, spent another two years in Indiana and then joined the early settlers of Champaign County, establishing his home on a farm near Tolono. There he followed his vocation as a farmer until his death in 1895. His wife had passed away January 4, 1895. They had seven children: Margaret, of Tolono; William, of Tolono; Thomas, of Champaign; Peter H.; Ellen, who died in infancy; Lewis, of Tolono; and Daniel, deceased.
Peter H. Mulligan grew up on his father’s farm in Champaign County. He learned the lessons as taught in the district schools and was at home helping his father in the fields until the age of twenty-three. He and his brother Lewis then rented 160 acres of land for a couple of years, after which he bought the farm he still owns in Tolono Township. Mr. Mulligan has lived in the village of Tolono since 1912, and in 1913 received appointment as postmaster and has given all his time to the capable administration of that office.
In April, 1903, he married Elizabeth Sandwell, a native of Philo Township. Their only child died in infancy. Mr. Mulligan is an active Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.