KEARNEY, David 1824 - 1896

KEARNEY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/30/2019 at 23:44:44

David Kearney
May 5, 1824 – March 7, 1896

New Hampton Tribune, New Hampton, IA., Tues., Mar 10, 1896, p.4, col.3
David Kearney
Another old pioneer in the person of David Kearney passed to the “great beyond” Saturday night, at his home in this city. His illness dated from only a few days prior to his death and the approach of the “grim monster” was almost unheralded. He was one of the class to which we have referred in speaking of pioneers, and his work in developing Chickasaw County and making it what it is, is not unimportant. His residence in this county dates from 1857. Owing to the delay in the arrival of a daughter from Nebraska, the funeral will not occur until tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock, from St. Joseph’s church in this city’ Requiem mass will be celebrated by Rev. Slattery assisted by Revs. Nelson and Reilly. The interment will take place at St. Ignatius cemetery in Utica Township. Obituary next week.
New Hampton Tribune, New Hampton, IA., Tues., Mar 17, 1896, p.4, col.4
Obituary
KEARNEY – Died, at his home in this city, March 7, 1872 [1896], David Kearney, aged seventy-two years and two days. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for their works shall follow them.” Most fitting, indeed, can these consoling words be said over the deceased, whose life exemplified the teachings of his divine faith in the sacred duties of husband and father. In his removal from us, society loses an honest and respected citizen home a good temperate husband and father, and church a devout member. He was every ready to assist in the edification of his religion, and the last time he was able to leave home he went to the post office to send assistance to an orphan home in New York, of which he has long been a solicitor and contributor.
Deceased was born in the county Tipperarie, Ireland, March 5, 1824, where he remained with his widowed mother till 1849. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth, with that “great gift, a mother’s blessing,” he set sail for America, as many of his countrymen had done, to earn a home by labor and economy, and on April 26 he landed in New York a poor and homeless exile. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McGinnis, of Pittsburg, Pa., where they lived until 1856, when they moved to this county, where they endured the hardships of poor people in a newly settled country. When he entered his land here he missed the stage and was obliged to walk most of the distance from Jacksonville to Galena, Ill. He continued his agricultural pursuits in Jacksonville township until 1892, when failing health caused him to move with his family to New Hampton, where he has since resided.
Two sons and nine daughters blessed their union; one son and six daughters survive him. Two of his daughters are in the Mercy Convent Cedar Rapids, his son and two married daughters live near here, a married daughter lives in Nebraska, and his daughter, Maggie and two grandchildren live with his wife. All of his family, including his son-in-law, John Murphy, of Minnesota, and his grandson, David Conley, of Nebraska, were present at the funeral. Deceased has long been in poor health, but for the past year enjoyed comparatively good health. He was sick but about a week, but the sudden summons did not find him unprepared, for like a good Catholic, he was always prepared to die. The funeral ceremonies were held March 11 at St. Joseph’s church, where solemn requiem mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Slattery, assisted by Rev. Father O’Reilly as deacon, Rev. Father Nelson as sub-deacon, and Rev. Father Gunn master of ceremonies. Rev. Father Gunn master of ceremonies. Rev. Father Slattery delivered a very impressive funeral sermon, portraying life as a battlefield and the Christian as soldier, who, if he be faithful to the duties of his religion, will be victorious, but as he may be wounded in the conflict he recommended his soul to the prayers of his friends. His mortal remains were followed by a long concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives to St. Ignatius cemetery, where three of his daughters are interred. Rev. Father O’Reilly performed the last ceremony and his remains were consigned to mother earth, there to await the reward of a faithful servant, the crown of eternal life. May his soul rest in peace.