Martin K. Whelan

WHELAN, TILTON, MULLEN

Posted By: Merllene Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/6/2010 at 16:19:41

M. K. Whelen [Whelan] and R. I. Cratty, Pioneers, Have Passed Away
Death came to M. K. Whelen last Saturday morning [March 9, 1940] at 6:30 a.m. after a severe stroke a few days before. Mr. Whelen has been in failing health for several years but has been about until very recently. He has been confined to his home for several months.

With the death of Mr. Whelen the rapidly thinning ranks of the old pioneers has lost of its most able men. A man who came to this country and ventured into the wilderness to assist in making a better place to live and materially lend to developing a country that is not surpassed by anyone they [unreadable].

Mr. Whelen came to Emmet county in 1877 during the fall. He taught school at Old Swan Lake, the county seat at that time. He was a sturdy man of Irish descent, a good business man and a great student.

Mr. Whelen was elected to the pointed office of sheriff of the county to fill a vacancy made by the resignation of Robert Roan. He was an outstanding sheriff in the state. Fearless to the last degree and very proficient. He, with his deputy, Thomas Storhow, captured two of the desperate horse thieves during his time in office which won him a reputation over the state. He was sheriff during the time the Milwaukee and old B.C.R. & N. railroads entered Estherville. There were trying days for any sheriff. Mr. Whelen was respected and feared by all.

Mr. Whalen was elected to the office of state representative in 1895. He was a power in the legislature. A fighter for what was right and came out of the legislature a known power in the state, and an outstanding representative for Emmet county. He was appointed postmaster in 1895 and held this office until 1906 to the satisfaction of the community. He held the office of mayor from 1931 and served two terms.

Mr. Whelen had not been in the best of health since he was struck on the head by a revolver in the hands of one of the desperate men who robbed the State Bank when it was located at the corner of Central Ave. and 7th street.

He was in the bank at the time and had in his hand bonds belonging to others. He refused to obey the orders of the robbers and was stricken down by a blow on the head.

Mr. Whelen was born in Millinger, Ireland, February 22, 1853. At the age of 19 he came to this country. He was united to Elizabeth Tilton July 1, 1883. His wife preceded him in death, passing away in 1917. He is survived by no immediate family. A niece, Mrs. Anna J. Mullen of Monrovia, Calif., has been assisting in his care.

The funeral services were held from the Muhlum and Anderson funeral home at two o’clock Monday afternoon. The services were under the direction of the Masonic order of which he has been a member of the highest degree for years. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 14, 1914)

Note: the correct spelling is Whelan.