John W. Lawlor 1865-1915

LAWLOR

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/2/2016 at 22:31:58

From the April 28, 1915, edition of the Dubuque (IA) Telegraph Herald

City Clerk Lawlor In Eternal Sleep

Died At Alpine Street Home Wednesday Morning After Long Illness

A Faithful Public Servant

Gave Life to Service of the City - His Death is Mourned by Many

John W. Lawlor, for the past twelve years committee clerk and purchasing agent for the Dubuque city council, died at his home, 87 Alpine street, at 12:30 o'clock Wednesday morning. The funeral will be held from the family residence to the Cathedral at 9 o'clock Friday morning and interment will be made at Mt. Olivet. Rev. Father Casey, who comforted deceased with spiritual advice during his last illness, will officiate at the church and cemetery.

John W. Lawler was one of the best known, though unassuming, men in the city of Dubuque. For a dozen years he had been committee clerk for the city council, was private secretary to various mayors, was purchasing agent and general information bureau for all city officials and any others who had occasion to call at the city hall.

Friend of All

He was liked by those with whom he came in contact, because he was always courteous and always accommodating to a degree which amounted to almost a fault. The lowliest street laborer had the same treatment from him as the highest official had, as can be testified to by hundreds who now mourn his untimely death.

Mr. Lawlor's work was exacting, because he was a public servant. What he did must be right or it was all wrong. He was universally right. His work required long hours every day and it required him to meet all classes of people under all kinds of circumstances. John Lawlor died those things right, did them as a diplomat.

The constant strain finally broke his health. A year ago he was not well. He stayed at his post till in October when Mayor Saul demanded of him that he take a rest, to let his son take a part of the burden. This he did, but his vitality was gone. He consulted eminent physicians at home and abroad and received no guarantee of his recovery for he had been attacked by tuberculosis and it was realized that the end of his career on earth was but a matter of time. However he was ever hopeful, cheered members of the family and assured them that he would eventually be about again.

Born in Montreal

John W. Lawlor was born in Montreal, Canada, Jan. 3, 1865, so at the time of his death was but a little more than fifty years old. He came to Dubuque in 1884 and in 1893 was married to Miss Hannah McCarthy of Bernard. He is survived by his wife and eight children: John, Frank, Charles, Clement, Louis, Edmund, Genevieve and Roselle.

Mr. Lawlor was an adherent of the Catholic faith, was a communicant of the Cathedral. He was a member of the Eagles, of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Independent Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America.