REGAN, James 1867-1909

REGAN, HOLMES, WHALEN, SULLIVAN

Posted By: Matthew Whalen (email)
Date: 11/18/2012 at 17:09:30

James Regan (1867-1909) (From a Waukon newspaper, June 1909)

Called in Manhood’s Prime
At 2:0 o’clock Tuesday morning, June 8, James Regan passed to the Great Beyond, as briefly mentioned in these columns last week, at the home of his brother P. J. Regan, in Great Fall’s Montana, whither he had gone the Tuesday before to see if the change of climate would be of benefit to his failing health. He was surrounded by his brother and family, brother-in-law D. A. Holmes, who accompanied him on his trip, and a cousin Charles Regan, when the final summons came. Death was so unexpected that those around him could scarcely determine that it was so near until he was gone. It was so peaceful and he died with the greatest Christian resignation, his last words being: “It is hard to leave my little family, but when it is God’s holy will I am resigned.” Thus speaking he closed his eyes and died.

Deceased was born in Center township, May 2, 1867, and always lived there until two years ago, when he moved onto his new farm in Makee township. He was the youngest son of Daniel and Mary Regan, both deceased. Last winter he had an attack of pleuro-pneumonia, since which time he never regained his strength, but gradually failed. That the great change of climate was too severe on his weakened heart is very evident as a hemorrhage caused his death.

Mr. Regan had a thorough country school education and finished by taking a complete business course in Waukon. Along with that he had great energy and ambition and worked hard so as to have a nice home for himself and little family. But alas! He had to leave those loved ones all too soon.

Mr. Regan was married to Miss Nina Celestial Holmes in 1896 and to them six children were given to brighten the home that was so soon saddened by the death of a true, loving husband and kind, devoted father. He also leaves to mourn his great loss three brothers and three sisters, and numerous other relatives and friends.

The funeral occurred Friday morning at 10 o’clock from St. Mary’s Church, Lycurgus, and was one of the largest ever seen there. The following priests took part in the Solemn Requiem Mass: Rev. Cornelius Regan, brother of the deceased, celebrant, Rev. Dean Haxmeier of Lansing, deacon; and Rev. Father Walsh of Waukon, sub-deacon; the latter giving a most consoling sermon. The Solemn Requiem Mass was sung by the Lansing juvenile choir. St. Mary’s Court, C. O. F., of Lycurgus, of which deceased was a member, attended in a body, furnishing the pallbearers, and there was a goodly attendance of brothers from St. Patrick’s Court, Waukon.
May the soul of this noble young man, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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Note: James Regan’s surviving siblings were: Charles E. Regan, Julia Regan Whalen (Mrs. Patrick Whalen), Eleanor Regan, Peter John (P. J.) Regan. Rev. Cornelius Stephen Regan, and Mary Regan Holmes (Mrs. Devillo Holmes).

I believe the Charles Regan listed as a cousin is the son of Michael Regan and his first wife Julia Sullivan. This Charles was living in Great Falls, Montana, in the 1900 Census, in the household of Peter (P. J.) Regan noted above.