LYNCH, Patrick 1826-1901
LYNCH, PHELAN, CONNELLY, OBRIEN
Posted By: Bruce Kuennen (email)
Date: 11/23/2018 at 11:44:50
DIED — At his home in this city Tuesday. May 14, 1901, Patrick Lynch, aged 75 years.
The deceased is survived by his wife and five children, who are as follows William, who is following in the steps of his father in the railroad contracting , business in Ohio, Mary, (Sister Cortells) of St. Mary's Institute, Prairie du Chien, Elizabeth (Sister Edna) of Sacred Heart Convent, Chicago, and Margaret and John at home.
The deceased had been a resident of the city of New Hampton only since last March, but he had been a resident of this community for twenty-eight years. He removed to New Hampton from McGregor in 1873 As the important events in his life history are briefly set forth in Alexander's history of Chickasaw county, we produce the data pertaining thereto,
"Patrick Lynch was born in 1826 in County Tipperary, Ireland, where be received his education. He came to the United States In '48, and located for sometime in New York city Mr. Lynch has for nearly thirty-eight years been a successful contractor of railroads, and has held contracts on quite a number of them He was the first man to start on the survey of the Troy and Boston railroad in '48. in '49 Mr Lynch was at work on the Albany and Northern railroad, where he remained until '58, when he came west to Illinois and took a contract to build a portion of what was then known as the Chicago and St. Charles air line railroad The next year he built some twenty four miles of the Chicago and Milwaukee road, the first section from Chicago north In '55 we find him with a contract on his hands to construct eighteen miles of the Detroit and Milwaukee railroad, which having finished he removed to Dubuque in '66 and built part of what was called the Dubuque and Pacific railroad, now a branch of the great Illinois Central. In '57 he had a contract on the Iowa Central airline, and in '59 he built a portion (about seventeen miles) of the Albany and Mendota railroad. In '60 and '61 be was at work on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri river road, and in '62 and '63, leaving hie railroad business, he was engaged in the grain and produce trade at Marshalltown, Iowa, and he, during the course of his business, shipped the first car load of produce from that point to Chicago In '64 he took a large contract for grading, and making the heavy cuttings on the McGregor and Western railroad, and at the same time was engaged in buying produce of all kinds and again shipped the first car load of produce from Monona to Chicago- this was in '66. In '68 9 he was engaged in the construction of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri river road again, having quite a large contract. Thirty miles of the I and D division of the C M and St Paul road was built by him in '70 71 He was also a contractor on the Northern Pacific in '72, and built twenty five miles of the St. Vincent branch of the St. Paul and Pacific railroad in '73., M-Lynch located on his present farm in Washington township in the latter year and has since made it is home He I was united in marriage with Elizabeth Phelan, a native of county Kilkenny, Ireland, and the fruits of their marriage were six children"
In 1881 the deceased and John Foley built what is known as "Lynch's Cut" a branch of the C. M & St. P railroad, rosining front Marion to Tama City These business operations closed with the building of the C G W railroad from the New Hampton "Y" to Frederick-burg The deceased Owned the five hundred acres of land within two and one-half miles of New Hampton, and here be retired to a life of rural quiet and rest, surrounded by his family, the two sons Edward and John, the daughter Margaret and the devoted wife. six years ago the son Edward died, and this left the management of the large farm to John, but he was rewarded for faithful industry and loyalty to principle by enjoying the father's confidence and love.
[Poetry omitted.]
Four years ago the illness that was destined to end in death to the deceased, came upon him. Having for one of his intimate friends the brother of Dr Murphy, the celebrated Chicago physician, who a few years ago discovered the famous rest cure for consumption, the services of this eminent physician were engaged It is consoling to the bereaved relatives to know that much benefit resulted to the deceased under Dr Murphy's care But about three weeks ago bronchial pneumonia was added to the already serious compliest one. and Dr Schilling who was in consultation with Dr Murphy was in daily attendance until death relieved him of the burden of pain and set free the spirit that had made its peace with God
Holding the crucifix with the last faint grasp of life and whispering "God's will be done," his spirit took flight just as the Angelus bell rang out the noontide hour All the members of the family were present at the bedside with the one exception of the daughter Mary, a cloistered nun of the Prairie du Chien convent.
Though death did not come like a swift alarm it still found the loved ones unprepared for this new born sorrow It is upon the shoulders of the faithful, devoted daughter Margaret, that the burden of grief falls most heavily. The bereaved and beloved wife can find surcease from sorrow in the thought that only a little while at best is left her in which to mourn. Few daughters can look back upon a fairer, purer, more self sacrificing record of daughterly devotion, love and companionship than that of Margaret Lynch. The name of "father" was ever upon her lips during his lifetime and it is hard for her to believe that he, who had for so many years learned to lean the burdens of his declining years upon her young, strong willing shoulders, has been taken from out her life forever But the bereaved ones shall have to borrow solace from the consoling words of the Apostle John "Our Friend Sleepeth, but I go that I may wake him out of sleep."
The large estate left by the deceased proved him to be a financier of no mean ability, but only to his most intimate friends was the versatility of his knowledge known. He had studied science, philosophy, and higher mathematics; the economy of religion, astronomy, civic and moral law was familiar to him, the art of shipbuilding was known to him even in detail and he had pursued the study of navigation with all the zeal of a practical seamen. In religion he was a devout Catholic and was never faltering in the observance of the ordinances of his faith, the church had in him a strong lay champion, nor was he lacking in talent to set forth the virtues of his faith with due precision and accuracy
It can be said in all sincerity that the deceased was a good husband, a good father, a good Christian and a good man
The funeral was held from St. Joseph's church Thursday morning at 10 a. m. A solemn requiem High Mass was celebrated with Father Slattery of Dubuque as celebrant, Rev Father Malloy of Sumner, as deacon, Rev Father Slattery of the parish as subdeacon Rev Father Slattery of New Hampton, who was the intimate friend as well as the spiritual adviser of the deceased, preached the sermon of eulogy and also administered absolution at the grave The bearers were chosen from among the fast friends of the deceased and were Messrs. James Dillon, James Casey, John Sloan, James Murphy. Peter McAloon and P. M. McAloon, Sr.
The casket was opened at the church to give the large concourse of friends assembled an opportunity to view the remains. It was covered with beautiful floral offerings, and on the breast of the deceased were the emblems of the sacred societies to which he belonged
Interment took place in St. Joseph's cemetery; The bereaved relatives and friends from out of town to be present at the obsequies were
William Lynch of Hoytsville, Ohio, oldest son of deceased, Sister Edna, of the Sacred Heart Convent, Chicago, the daughter Elizabeth of the deceased; Mrs. Connelly and daughter and Mrs. O'Brien of Cresco; Miss Kate Fitzgerald of Charles City and Miss Kate Murphy of Lawler.
Source: New Hampton Tribune, May 21, 1901 accessed at New Hampton Public Library Digital Archives
New Hampton Public Library Digital Archives
Chickasaw Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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