Uriell, Frank J. 1862 - 1936

URIELL, SULLIVAN, OLEARY, RYAN, EIDAM, SHELLEY, GLENNON, CROWE, MCDERMOTT, BERG, KANN, WIEGAND, COLLINS, RUSSELL, HUMPHRY, DUNN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/8/2023 at 12:48:58

Clayton County Register, 04 Nov. 1936.

Funeral services were held here Friday for Frank J. Uriell, who died at the home of his step-son, Dennis F. O'Leary, in Hopkins, Minn., of heart ailment following an illness of about three weeks. Mr. Uriell had reached the age of 74 years, six months and five days.

Mr. Uriell, for years one of the most active business men of this community, was born in Read township on March 22, 1862, the son of Michael and Catherine Ann (Sullivan) Uriell, early Clayton county pioneers. As a boy he spent his days on the home farm and in the township of his birth he received his early education.

After coming to Elkader he conducted a livery business, but his greater activities were in the banking field, and during his activity in that field he helped organize the Elkader State Bank, of which he was a director for many years and of which he was a trustee at the time of his death. Other banks in which he was interested were in Volga City, St. Olaf and Elkport.

In his home community he took a great deal of interest in advancements of any kind, and he was always an active worker in such advancement. He was one of the organizers of the Elkader opera house company, the Elkader fair, and he was one of the leaders in the building of the present St. Joseph's church here.

For 22 years he was secretary of the Clayton County Farmers Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance company, and only three years ago resigned from that office. The success of that company in its field can be credited to Mr. Uriell and his personal efforts in its behalf.

He was a member of the Legion of Honor of the Catholic Order of Foresters and one of the 43 charter members of that group which organized the local chapter February 02,1897. He was a social member of the Knights of Columbus.

During the World War he filled an office which meant a great deal of work - that of food administrator - but he performed his duties there as, perhaps, no other man in the county could have performed them. For a length of time he was county chairman of te Clayton County Red Cross and was always interested in its activities.

Following his resignation as secretary of the insurance company, Mr. Uriell spent his time visiting in the homes of his children, but at frequent intervals he always returned to Elkader, for this place was always his home no matter where else he might be. His friends were here, and here was where he enjoyed to be.

December 29, 1896, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Ryan) O'Leary. To this union three children were born, namely Francis H., Milded and Florence, the first two of whom survive, Francis H., in Washington D.C., and Mildred, in New York City. Florence (Sister Frances Jerome) preceded her father in death. Mrs. Uriell died December 14, 1932. Other survivors are Dennis F. O'Leary of Hopkins, Minn., and Daniel J. O'Leary of Dubuque, step-sons; one grandchild and seven step-grandchildren. A step-son John P. O'Leary, died at Minot, N.D., and a step-daughter, Mayme O'Leary, died at the Uriell home here. Even as a step-father, no man could have made a better father for his own children than did Mr. Uriell for his step-children.

Elkader and Clayton county will long remember Mr. Uriell, not only for his splendid personal traits but for the things he stood for during his long years spent in this community.

Relatives who attended the Funeral services were as follows: Mrs. Daniel O'Leary, Hopkins, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Eidam, Hopkins, Minn.; Joseph Shelley, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. Ella Glennon, Rochester, Minn.; Mrs. J. K. Crowe and son, Graceville, Minn.; Wm. McDermott, Luverne, Minn.; Miss Marie Kann, Minot, N.D.; Mrs. Geo. Wiegand, Dubuque; Mrs. Hattie Collins and Kathryn, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Russell, Ed Ryan and Wm. Humphry, Monona; James Dunn and daughter Stella, West Union.