Michael Mooney 1815-1905

MOONEY, BRENNAN, KERNAN, HEALY

Posted By: Anne Marie Spehar (email)
Date: 7/23/2005 at 17:07:21

On Sunday morning at half past three o'clock occured the death of one of our pioneer settlers. Mr. Michael Money, or as he familiarly called "grandfather." His illness was of short duration, less than 48 hours from the time he was struck with paralysis at the breakfast table Friday morning until he breathed his last on Sunday morning. Mr. Mooney was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, where he lived until 1839 when he emigrated to America with his wife and family. Traveling over several states of the Union, he last cast anchor in Allamakee county, settling upon the farm which he owned and lived on until the time of his death. There were but eight families in Lafayette township when he first came her and by industry, frugality, and good management, he overcame every obstacle that crossed his path, one being the burning of his home in '52 by a prairie fire when all he could do was to save his family, the youngest being less than a month old. His good wife preceded him in death 27 years ago. During life and on his death bed he was surrounded by his family with the exception of one daughter, Mrs. James Brennan of Columbus, Georgia. The other members are Mr. John Mooney, Mr. Thomas Mooney, Mrs. P. Kernan, and Mrs. Thomas Healy. Besides his numerous grandchildren, six of whom were his pall bearers, he leaves fourteen great grandchildren to follow his remains to the grave. He was laid beside his wife in Wexford cemetery on Monday after a Requiem Mass celebrated by Father Laffan. He was in his 90th year being born Feb. 2, 1815, the year of the celebrated battle of Waterloo. The choir from Harpers Ferry was in attendence, besides a number from outside the parish, and Father Laffan preached a splendid funeral service, paying eloquent and deserved tribute to the departed. May his soul rest in peace. "

-transcribed by Anne Marie Spehar, granddaughter of Mary Mooney Birdsell Mohn