O'Leary, John P. 1854-1920

OLEARY, WHITTLE, RUSSELL, MULLEN, COLLINS, DOODY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/21/2022 at 17:45:53

Elkader Register, Thur., 11 Mar. 1920. Monona column.

The funeral of Mr. O'Leary was held at St. Patrick's Church here yesterday. Solemn High Mass was offered by Father McNamara and Father Taken, of Elkader, as deacon and Father Horsefield, of McGregor, sub deacon. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining St. Patrick's Church. Many friends from Elkader and elsewhere attended, while every member of Mr. O'Leary's family came, many from great distances.

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Added by S. Ferrall 8/22/22:

J.P. O'Leary Meets Death in Train Wreck
The community was shocked last Thursday morning on receipt of news that J.P. O'Leary had been killed in a train wreck at Farmington, Minn., the evening previous. The news was all the more startling as Mr. O'Leary had been around Monona for the past few weeks in perfect health. On account of sickness in his son James' family he had volunteered to accompany the car of goods to Rosemount, Minn., for him, and left with the car Tuesday.

There were two other emigrant cars in the train belonging to Will Hinman of Luana, two boys accompanied these cars. Max Hinman and Henry Kamps. The train had reached Farmington in a snow storm, and when a few miles north of that town, the road became blocked, the train backed into the station again.

Mr. O'Leary accompanied the train crew and the other boys to the restaurant near by where they had supper and the Luana boys and Mr. O'Leary returned afterwards to the train, the former two going on to their car which they boarded, while Mr. O'Leary stepped into the caboose to get his overcoat, while inside a Rock Island freight train which runs a part of the way on the Milwaukee track at this place, came into the station at a lively rate of speed, not being aware of the other train's presence. The engine of the incoming train striking the rear end of the Milwaukee train with terrific force, literally demolishing the caboose, and shaking up the other cars in frightful shape.

Mr. O'Leary had no warning of the impending danger and no doubt was killed instantly, as his body was taken from the wreck badly crushed and bruised. The two boys in the other car suffered a severe shake up, but were not seriously hurt.

The remains of Mr. O'Leary were brought to Monona Friday evening and taken to the home of his niece, Mrs. E.W. Russell, and the funeral was held at St. Patrick's church Monday.

Mr. O'Leary was a familiar figure about Monona, having lived here over fifty years, he was known to almost every man, woman and child in the neighborhood. He was an honest up-right man, always on the side of right, as he saw it, and an advocate of a square deal for everyone. His word was as good as his note, and his honesty in dealing with others had made him a host of friends who respected him for what he was.

There were three things that stood uppermost in his life, his home, his church and his country and to these he gave the most careful consideration. His home life was an ideal one, no man could do more than he did for his family, his most earnest desire was to please and serve his wife and children, and that his aim was accomplished is proven over and over again.

He was a devoted member of the Catholic church and did his full duty as a man and a Christian toward that institution. He was a law abiding citizen and believed in the principles of the government under which he lived and was a staunch supporter of those principles. He died as he lived, striving to help others who needed assistance, and his many virtues will live long in the lives of those who knew him.

Obituary
John P. O'Leary was born in St. Louis, Missouri, Nov. 13, 1854, came to Monona with his parents in June 1854, and since that time has resided continuously here. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis O'Leary, pioneers of this county.

He was married to Sarah Whittle, March 17, 1874, at Monona, Iowa. There were eleven children born to them, nine sons and two daughters. Two of the sons preceded the parents in death, John died in 1905, and Joseph died in 1913; two of the eleven children dying in infancy. Mrs. O'Leary died in December 1915.

He is survived by the following children: May (Mrs. John Mullen) of Minneapolis; Dennis, George, James and Francis of Rosemount, Minn.; Dan of Hopkins, Minn., and Hattie (Mrs. Rich Collins) of Monona.

He is also survived by 18 grandchildren; one brother Dennis O'Leary of Wallace, Idaho, and one sister Mrs. Dan Doody, of Monona.

The requiem high mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's church, Monona, by Father McNamara, assisted by Father Horsfeldt of McGregor and Father Taken of Elkader, at 10 o'clock Monday morning March 8th. Burial in the family lot in the Catholic cemetery beside his wife.

The pall bearers were John Grady, Ed Ryan, Pat Ryan, J.F. Wagner, Robt. Elliott and John Geraghty.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were Dennis O'Leary, Wallace, Idaho; D.F. Hagerty, Grass Range, Mont.; Jerry Hagerty, Stillwater, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Evans, Duluth, Minn.; F.J. Uriel, Mary O'Leary, Mr. and Mrs. James Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. John McLaughlin, Peter Dunn and Mr. and Mrs. John Whittle, of Elkader; James McLaughlin of McGregor and Dan O'Leary of Dubuque.

~Monona Leader, March 11, 1920; pg 1