Leahy, James 1846 - 1906

LEAHY, MEEHAN, MCCANN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/4/2017 at 12:27:52

Elkader Register, Thur., 26 Apr. 1906. Volga City Views column.

This morning our community was startled to learn of the death of James Leahy, which occurred at 8:30 last evening. He had apparently been as well as usual recently, in fact was fishing part of the day yesterday and in the evening was in the sitting room with the family as usual when they noticed a strange noise from him. On going to him they found him unconscious and they were unable to arouse him, death coming about fifteen minutes later. Physicians state that death was due to embolism, or clot in a blood vessel.

James Leahy was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, May 1st, 1846, and came to this country with his widowed mother and three other children in 1860. He served three years as a boilermaker's apprentice in Syracuse, New York. When the war broke out he tried to enlist, but was to young. In 1864 he came to Iowa and through the agency of an uncle, purchased sixty-five acres of timber land in Fairfield township, Fayette county. His mother came with him and lived with him until her death a few years ago. He worked hard and practiced strict economy, gradually adding to his land so that at the time of his death he owned over 500 acres with all of the improvements needed on a first class farm.

On April 12th, 1871, he was married to Miss Anna Meehan, of this county, and twelve children were born to them in the years that followed: Mary A., Katie, who died at the age of ten years, Timothy, Maggie, Hannah, Richard, Julia, James F., Agnes, John, Ella and J. Raymond, who died in infancy. Mrs. Leahy died February 21, 1896, and he was married to Miss McCann, of Dubuque, January 10th, 1901.

Mr. Leahy was well liked by all who knew him. He was an honest and upright citizen, a good and generous neighbor, a kind friend always ready to help any needy person both financially and otherwise. His handshake was always sincere and his smile contagious. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community.

The funeral will be held Saturday, April 28th, at 9 a.m., at Wadena. Rev. Father Hetherington will be in charge of services.