Hon. M.F. Healy 1863-1929

HEALY, KERNDT, COUGHLIN, JOYCE, ARCHER, ROURKE, DUNCOMBE, BOTSFORD, KELLEHER, BURNQUIST, THOMAS, VAUGHAN, LEO, GRAU, MARSH, SULLIVAN, STUART, BIRMINGHAM, SHARON

Posted By: Ann Krumme (email)
Date: 1/9/2009 at 15:32:25

HON. M. F. HEALY, NOTED IOWA DEMOCRAT, DIES.
Fort Dodge, Ia., June 24, --(AP)—

Funeral services for M. F. Healy, Iowa democratic leader, who died at his home here yesterday, will be held Wednesday.

Mr. Healy, a delegate to eight democratic national conventions, led the campaign in Iowa for Alfred E. Smith in the presidential battle last year. Although blind, Healy carried the battle for a Smith delegation for Iowa and then, as a national convention delegate, he seconded the nomination of the New York governor.

The first skirmish won, Healy aided in organizing the Iowa Smith-Robinson club and carried on an active campaign in behalf of the candidates.

Loss of his sight several years ago did not prevent his continuation of an extensive law practice. He was famous in Iowa courts for his ability as an orator.

Healy, who was 66 years old, was born at Lansing, Iowa. He had lived in Fort Dodge for the last 47 years. A widow, four daughters, two sons, two brothers and five sisters survive him.

---The writer learned of the death of Mr. Healy Sunday afternoon shortly after relatives had been apprised by telegram off his passing, which though not unexpected, was not thought to be so near at hand. The news came in the sense of a personal loss to us, having known deceased from boyhood up to young manhood when he left Lansing forty-seven years ago. He was born on a farm in Taylor township, almost within the shadow of St. Joseph’s church. It was always a pleasure to meet and greet him on his return visits, and when he did not come early in May of this year, we made up our mind that we had seen him for the last time at Homecoming last year. We hope to be able to give in our next an extended and appropriate obituary from one of the Fort Dodge papers and in the meantime trust that Mike has already entered into the joy of the Lord.

~Allamakee Journal & Lansing Mirror,
Wednesday, June 26, 1929
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M. W. Kerndt and sister, Miss Katherine, left Monday evening for Fort Dodge, to attend the funeral of their brother-in-law, the late M. F. Healy. Their brother G. M. is also in attendance, going down Saturday.

~Allamakee Journal & Lansing Mirror, June 26, 1929, Town Talk column
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Moritz Kerndt, wife and son Tommy and Miss Anna Kerndt visited their sister, Mrs. M. F. Healy and family, at Fort Dodge, a couple days last week. They found Mr. Healy in a very weakened condition and he passed away on Sunday afternoon.

~Allamakee Journal & Lansing Mirror, June 26, 1929, Town Talk column
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HON. M. F. HEALY PASSES AWAY SUNDAY, JUNE 23.
FORT DODGE MESSENGER, JUNE 24

Michael F. Healy, distinguished member of the Fort Dodge bar, nationally known democrat and orator, died at his home 1218 fifth avenue north, Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. He was sixty-six years of age.

Although Mr. Healy had been in failing health for six months and confined to his bed for the past ten days, the end came quickly and without warning sufficient for all the members of his family to reach his bedside. Late Friday afternoon, a paralysis developed which greatly aggravated his condition but from which it was thought he might recover, at least temporarily. There was no improvement Saturday and Sunday a change for the worse made him sink rapidly. His last few hours were peaceful and comparatively free from pain.

His devoted wife, two daughters, Ruth Healy Coughlin and Katharine, his son Thomas M., two brothers, William and Robert, three sisters, the Misses Kate and Annie Healy, and Mrs. Ella Joyce were with him at the last. His daughter, Mrs. Walter Archer with her husband and daughter came late last night from Rock Island and early this morning, the Rev. Kerndt Healy, oldest son, arrived from Notre Dame, Indiana. Another daughter, Mrs. John Rourke of Providence, Rhode Island, will not be able to come. She was here less than two months ago and enjoyed a very happy visit with her father.

In the death of Mr. Healy, Fort Dodge loses one of its outstanding citizens. Since April, 1882, when, as a young lawyer, he decided to cast his fortunes here, he has been prominently identified with and influential in the life of the community. He had rare gifts, a brilliant mind, that soon won him a leading place in the legal profession of the state. A keen sense of humor and genial personality made him welcome in every gathering and his ability as an orator attracted national attention on more than one occasion. His courage was unfailing and he was loyal to his friends. But not until twelve years ago, when he was stricken with blindness, was his true character demonstrated. The resignation and philosophy with which he accepted his fate were inspirational to all who came in contact with him. He had always been a great student, particularly of Shakespeare, and it was no little hardship to have reading cut off from his activities, but his wonderful memory stood him in good stead and he had consolation and pleasure in reviewing long passages of the classics which he had mastered in his younger days. There was no bitterness in the acceptance of his fate and his attitude proved helpful to others undergoing that or similar troubles.

Born in Lansing, Iowa, April 1, 1863, Mr. Healy was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Healy. He was the eldest son of a family of nine children. As a boy he attended Columbia college, Dubuque, going later to Notre Dame University, to Harvard college and to Michigan University, from which he was graduated. The family moved to Fort Dodge and Mr. Healy, just graduated, came with them. Older citizens will remember Mr. and Mrs. Healy, splendid type of people with the gracious dignity that their son inherited.

It was in the office of the late John F. Duncombe that Mr. Healy first started the practice of law and Mr. Duncombe was influential in enlisting his young assistant’s interest in the democratic party, an interest and zeal that was unflagging. In his legal career he was identified at various times with many members of the Fort Dodge bar, the late A. N. Botsford, his brother, the late Thomas D. Healy, D. M. Kelleher, B. B. Burnquist, Seth Thomas, Robert Healy and his last partnership was with his son, Thomas M. Healy.

In the face of tremendous odds, Mr. Healy continued to take charge of his practice until last March. Since then he occasionally went down to his office and he never relinquished the hope that he would soon be in the harness again.

Thirty-seven years ago, Mr. Healy was married to Miss Mary Kerndt of Lansing, Iowa. Six children were born to them, all of whom survive. There are five small granddaughters who delighted their grandfather’s heart, Michaela and Sheila Rourke, Mary Ruth and Marjorie Coughlin, and Eleanor Archer. Two brothers and five sisters survive. They are Robert, Will, Misses Kate and Annie Healy, of this city, Mrs. Ella Joyce of Minneapolis and Mrs. Mary Vaughan of Los Angeles, and Sister M. Leo, order of Drexel, New Orleans. Mrs. Vaughan is on her way here and will arrive for the funeral. The others with the exception of Sister Leo are all here. She will be unable to come.

Nine times Mr. Healy was a delegate to national democratic conventions where his gifts as an orator won him recognition and prestige. One of the most notable events of his career took place in New York at the national convention in 1924 when he seconded the nomination of Alfred E. Smith. The impression he made at that time was unforgettable to the thousands who heard him and saw him being led to the platform by his youngest daughter, Katharine. Metropolitan newspapers devoted columns to the incident and the terms “blind and silver toned orator” lost their triteness and became truly descriptive.

Just about a year ago Fort Dodge radio audiences were thrilled when they heard Mr. Healy’s voice in Houston, Texas, seconding the nomination of Joseph Robinson for the vice-presidency.

There is not a county in the state that has not heard “Mike” Healy speak, and then he did not accept half the invitations that came to him for special occasions, such as commencement exercises, Memorial Day ceremonies as well as gatherings of his party. He spoke many times in Des Moines, Chicago and Minneapolis, and his power to hold and sway an audience never weakened. His last formal address was made to the Des Moines Pioneer club at the Des Moines club in January. The last time he was heard in Fort Dodge was also in January when he spoke at a meeting of the local Art Federation, of which he was an officer. He was really sick at the time and those who heard him marveled again at the fluency of his speech, beauty of diction and remarkable memory which made it possible for him to recite long passages from many classics. He made three Memorial Day addresses in May, 1928.

Mr. Healy was interested in amateur dramatics and often took part in local productions. Since he became blind he gave a splendid interpretation in “The Truth About Blades.” He had distinct dramatic ability and it was often said the stage lost a great actor when Mr. Healy took up law.

Mr. Healy had a life membership in the local B. P. O. E. Chapter and Knights of Columbus. He was president of the Webster County Bar association.

Funeral services will take place Wednesday morning at 8:30 from the home and at 9 o’clock from Corpus Christi church, where Mr. Healy was a devoted member. The service will be simple, at the request of Mr. Healy himself. The requiem mass will be read by his son, the Rev. Father Kerndt Healy, of Notre Dame. The Rev. Father Charles O’Donnell, president of Notre Dame College, will probably preach the funeral service.

Among relatives and friends who will attend the funeral are: Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Joyce, of Minneapolis; Dr. Thomas Joyce, Portland, Oregon; G. M., Wm. M. and Miss Katherine Kerndt, Lansing, Iowa; Mrs. Hugo Grau, Milwaukee; Wilbur Marsh and John T. Sullivan, Waterloo; Albert T. Stuart, Boston; E. H. Birmingham, Sioux City, and many others.

Among the many telegrams of condolence received by Mrs. Healy on the occasion of the death of her husband was one from former Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York, in the interest of whose presidential candidacy Mr. Healy had been an ardent worker. Mr. Smith said: “Have just learned with deep regret of the death of your esteemed husband. Please accept for you and your family my sincere sympathy. I know he leaves a host of sorrowful friends. Mrs. Smith joins me in sending our condolences.”

A telegram was also received from Senator Dan Steck from Washington, D. C.

TRIBUTE FROM A PERSONAL FRIEND.
Iowa lost one of her best citizens in the death of Michael F. Healy which occurred at Fort
Dodge, last Sunday. He was a strong force for good, honest, forward looking moral citizenship; for family life; for education which included religion and moral training; for honesty in government; for the freedom of the citizen from vexatious laws and regulation.

He was best known as the leader of the minority party of his state. That was because his sacrifices, his brilliant oratorical powers, devoted to state and national politics, were more in the public view and were known to a wider circle than those devoted to his Church and in the support of social and welfare movements.

“Mike” Healy was more than a politician. He was a great citizen of a great state and interested in all the great problems of the community, the city and county and the seemingly unanimous opinion of those who lived and worked with him in all the years of his manhood concede him leadership in every one of them. All are proud to have claimed him as a friend.

The father of Mr. Healy was a pioneer of Northeastern Iowa, who educated and gave to the state four sons and five daughters. The sons were all good lawyers. “Tom” second son, we knew as a state senator of the general assembly and in the senate. Robert, a great lawyer, was a leader of the Republican party, Michael and the other son were of the Democratic faith, all earnest and forceful independent citizens of the state.

M. F. Healy was a leader and a friend of freedom for Ireland. He was the forceful opponent of racial and religious intolerance and used his powers as an orator in behalf of advocacy of one and denunciation of the other. The files of The Messenger will show many columns of his contributions to these and other causes.

Mr. Healy’s great claim to praise was as a husband and father—the creator of the ideal Catholic home.

The character of that home can be judged from the fact that a favorite son has been ordained as a priest of Holy Mother Church, and the care that the “best little wife in the world,” as he so often expressed it, and his daughters gave him such aid and loving kindness when the affliction of losing his sight came upon him. It was through this that he was able to carry on since, as well as before, all the duties of his profession and other activities. They did his seeing for him.

We and the publisher of The Messenger feel deeply the loss of Mr. Healy. He was a personal friend whom we have known and loved and admired for all the years of our connection with this paper. We have associated with him in political conventions, in the Irish movement and the Knights of Columbus and Church activities, and always found him loyal and friendly and steadfast. To us his death is a personal loss.

Our heartfelt sympathy we extend to his family, knowing that whey will be consoled by the thought that he did well the things that divine providence gave him to do and that a merciful God will reward him in everlasting life and for that we will join our prayers with theirs.—Fred Sharon in “The Davenport Catholic Messenger.”

~Allamakee Journal and Lansing Mirror, 'Waukon news' column, July 3, 1929