Barn Quilts of Grundy County
Iowa's Original Barn Quilt Project

"Gentleman's Fancy" - Jim & Jean Doorley - 32605 190th Street., Hudson, Iowa

 

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Jim and Jean Doorley (a brother and sister) are the current
owners of this farm that has been in the Doorley family since
1899 when it was purchased by their great-grandfather
(Stephen Doorley) to give to their grandparents
(James and Hannah Doorley) as a wedding gift.  
The corncrib was built in 1919 when prices for agricultural
products were very good following World War I.  
The quilt block displayed here is called "Gentleman's Fancy,"
 and was mounted with the help of Jerry Kadner and a crew
of students from the State Training School in Eldora.  
The shamrock is painted in honor of the Irish heritage in this
area of Grundy County.

The Doorley farm is located in Grant Township, which was once the center of a thriving Irish immigrant community known as Murphy Settlement.   The settlement was so named because of the many farmers with the last name "Murphy."   The cultural center of Murphy Settlement was St. Mary's Church.   In 1880, the Doorleys' great uncle Michael had donated the land on which the church sat, and when the land reverted back to the Doorley family, the Doorleys, along with another church member, razed the church and created a small memorial park area known as the St. Mary's/ Murphy Settlement Memorial.