Curran, William Augustine 1852 - 1932

CURRAN, OKEEFE, EGGERTH, FITZPATRICK, BOWMAN, BERNS, MEYER, WESTMARK, PHELAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/14/2018 at 10:14:40

William Augustine Curran was born October 19, 1852, on the home farm near Garber. He was the 4th son of Philip Curran, Sr., and Margaret (O'Keefe) Curran who came from Cold Springs, N.Y., in the year 1847 and who settled in Volga township. There were seven children in this family, five of whom preceded their brother in death, namely: John, Thomas, Nicholas, Maurice and Elizabeth. With the passing of William, this leaves but one member of an old pioneer family, Philip, who lives on the farm adjoining the late Wm. Curran farm.

On April 10, 1882, Wm. A. Curran was united in marriage to Rosa Eggerth in St. Michaels church at Garber by the Rev. B. W. Coile. To this union were born 11 children as follows: John A., who preceded his father in death a number of years ago; five daughters, Agnes E., now Mrs. Bernard Fitzpatrick of Strawberry Point; Mary A., Mrs. Bernard Bowman of Bremerton, Wash.; Margaret E., Mrs. Ed. Berns of Strawberry Point; Caroline, Mrs. Frank Meyer of Guttenberg; Constance M., Mrs. Walter Westmark of Dyersville; five sons, Joseph W., of Marquette; Clem T., Garber; Edmond L., Thos. B. and Wm A., Jr., at home.

Mr. Curran spent his entire life on the home place and was known to be the oldest native resident of Volga township. On April 10th of this year, he with his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

His death occurred Tuesday at noon following an illness of brief duration, caused from heart trouble.

Funeral services were held on Thursday morning at ten o'clock at St. Michael's church in Garber with a requiem mass. The Rev. Wm. Goetzinger, pastor, officiated at the services and also at the grave.

The casket was supported by his five sons and godson, Edmond, Clem, Thos., William and Thomas W. Phelan.

Deceased is survived by his bereaved wife, five sons, five daughters previously named, 28 living grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, one brother, Philip, besides a number of nieces and nephews.

Those from a distance to attend the funeral were Mrs. Paul Fernandez, Kathryn Fitzpatrick and Frank Hutchinson of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Mart Fitzpatrick and family, Greeley; Mrs. Mary Barron, Dubuque; Mrs. Marie Bockenstead and daughter of Wadena; Viola Curran, Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fink and son, Strawberry Point.

(Note: Although the article says his five sons and a godson were casket bearers, his son, Joseph W. Curran, was not listed as a casket bearer in the article.)