James McNamara 1871-1930

MCNAMARA, FINNIGAN, REMINGTON, DELANEY, COLLINS

Posted By: Betty (email)
Date: 1/13/2003 at 23:42:24

He lived his little life, and never knew the work that God had fashioned him to do, Yet something seemed to whisper all day long:
"Be happy at your labor and be strong!
Humble your post, but let your neighbor see how truly great a working man can be."

James McNamara was born on a farm near Harper's Ferry, Allamakee County Iowa, May 9, 1871 to Patrick and Johanna (Finnigan) McNamara, and died at 8:PM, Thursday, June 26,1930 at the home of his sister Mrs. Kate Remington in Newport, Minnesota at the age of 59 years.

Mr. McNamara came to St. Paul Park from Iowa about twenty years ago and was employed by the Milwaukee railroad. About eighteen years ago, he married Margaret Collins, who with three sons, Clifford, John and James survives the deceased.
Besides his sister, he also leaves 2 brothers, Thomas of Dubuque, Iowa and Michael of Harpers Ferry, Iowa and a brother-in-law Frank Delaney of St. Paul Park, MN.

Mr. McNamara continued in the employment of the Milwaukee railroad until about a year ago when the automatic stop signals replaced the watchmen at the Newport depot. Since that time he has suffered mor or less from the illness which brought about his death.

Funeral services were held Saturday morningfrom the home of Mrs. Remington and at St. Thomas R.C. Church in St. Paul Park. Rev. Father Hart officiating. Internment was made in the St. Thomas cemetery, near St. Paul Park.
Mr. McNamara was a quiet man, of steady habits and a kindly neighbor. He leaves many friends who will join with Community Life in extending sympathy to the bereaved family.
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*Submitter's notes
- I found a marriage certificate that shows James and Margaret were married 10/13/1925 at St. Thomas R.C. Church. This means they had only been married 5 years or if they had been married for 18 years the original marriage would have been a civil ceremony.
- Added Sept 28, 2010: I found the original marriage of James and Margaret Collins McNamara had taken place Aug 1, 1910 married by a JP. The 1925 record with Kate Remington and James Frank Delaney as witness must have been a blessing of the marriage in the Catholic Church. I also found that James and Margaret McNamara had a son Gerald born and died November 3, 1915. I don't know if he was stillborn or died shortly after birth. James' eldest son clifford was born May 28, 1907 this makes me think Clifford had a different mother. Who she was or what happened to her I don't know. Clifford died Aug 12, 1991 in Massac Co. Illinois. I don't know if he married or had children.