McTaggart, Ellen (Carr) 1853-1935

MCTAGGART, CARR, FUNK, REIMER, PETERS, HEFEL, CASSIDY, MORRIS

Posted By: Michael F. O'Brien (email)
Date: 2/7/2004 at 04:03:03

Mrs. Michael McTaggart Is Laid to Final Rest
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In the passing of Mrs. Michael McTaggart the community loses a dearly beloved and highly respected pioneer, one who has given her life to serve her family, her church and the community in which she lived. Mrs. McTaggart lived an active life up to the day of her death, and has been about the home as usual until a short time before the death angel came. Not feeling quite as usual, her family physician had been summoned, but in a short time she quietly passed to her reward, the reward of an earnest christian woman.

Ellen, daughter of the late Michael and Anne Carr, was born in Franklinville, New York on Nov. 1, 1853, and passed away at the home of her son, Joseph on the home farm in cox Creek vicinity, Friday, April 26, 1935.

At the age of 12 years she came with her parents to Manchester, July 4, 1865, then the nearest town, and a few days later to the home where she has since resided for the past 71 years.

On June 14, 1878 she was united in marriage to Michael McTaggart and to which union 14 children were born, all of whom are living except one son, who died in infancy. Seven years ago the golden wedding was observed. Since the death of her husband on April 15, 1831, she has continued to live with her son, Joseph and wife.

Mrs. McTaggart has enjoyed a remarkable life. Saw the Cox Creek church built and lived in its shadow for almost sixty years. Her father was instrumental in
in having the church built, donating the land for the church location and was the first to be laid away in the Cox Creek cemetery.

She is survived by six daughters, who are: Mary (Mrs. J.P. Funk), Anna (Mrs. Paul Reimer), of Edgewood, Catherine (Mrs. F.W. Peters, Fairbank, Iowa, Lucy (Mrs. Martin Hefel) Buena Vista, Iowa, Eunice (Mrs. P.J. Cassidy) and Martha (Mrs. T.R. Morris), Strawberry Point, Iowa, and seven sons: Michael of Mederville, Iowa, Robert of Edgewood, Thomas of Walt Hill, Nebr., Louis of Fairbank, Iowa, and William of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Joseph and John of this place. All were present at the funeral service with the exception of William. Forty-three grandchildren also survive.

The funeral service was held Monday at Sacred Heart, Cox Creek church, with Rev. Father P.J. Boyle conducting the service. He was assisted by Rev. Father Torpey of Fairbank, Iowa. The mass servers were four of her grandsons and the casket bearers her six sons.

The choir fittingly sang the favorite songs of the deceased, and being a singer herself, she had loved and sang those same songs all during her life.

Father Boyle in expressing comforting words to her loved ones summed her life and passing as a bright light extinguished.

A host of relatives and friends of this vicinity, Elkader, Oelwein, Fairbank, Manchester, Greeley, Fayette, two Sisters of Mercy Hospital, Sister Mary DePaula and Sister Irene of Mt. St. Agnes of Dubuque were present at the services to pay their last respects to this loved lady.