Michael Francis McNamara, 1840-1906

MCNAMARA, BOLAND

Posted By: Pat McNamara (email)
Date: 1/5/2015 at 09:17:55

Dubuque Telegraph Herald
16 August 1906

MICHAEL McNAMARA IS DEAD
"Well Know Ex-Supervisor, Dies at
Mercy Hospital Wednesday
Afternoon."

"At a quarter after four o'clock Wednesday afternoon Michael McNamara, one of the best known residents of Dubuque county, passed away at Mercy hospital after an illness of several months.

A coincidence in connection with his death is the fact he will be buried on his sixty-sixth birthday.

Sixty-six years ago next Friday Mr McNamara was born in this city in the vicinity of Jackson Park. His parents wished him to have a Christian education and sent him to the old Cathedral school. He was a student under the eye of Bishop Loras, who had not only baptized him but had united his parents in marriage. After spending his youth in the city among the hills he journeyed to the fair state of Kansas, where he settled at Labette City. This was in 1872.

In '76 Mr. McNamara was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Armstrong. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. McNamara came back to Dubuque county and settled near Ballyclough. Up to about one year ago, when he retired, Mr. McNamara lived on the farm. Before he left Dubuque and while at Labette City he was engaged in the grain and commission business.

Aside from his private life, Mr. McNamara was prominent in Dubuque county politics. From 1890 until 1898 he was a member of the county board of supervisors, having been elected as a democrat. It was during his term of office that the new court house was ordered and built. His name, along with the other members of the board, is engraved on the corner stone of the building to remain.

The surviving relatives, besides the wife, are eight children: Stella, Jennie, of Omaha, Leona, of Lincoln, Lettie, Leona, Frank, Helen, Willard and one sister, Mrs. Kate Boland, of Iowa City.

The funeral will leave the family residence, 1057 Main street at nine o'clock Friday morning for Key West, where high mass will be celebrated by Rev. Father McNamara. Internment will be made in Mt. Olivet cemetery.