Mary Elizabeth Tilton Whelan, 1852-1917

WHELAN, TILTON, ALDRICH, MCNEIL, LINDSEY

Posted By: Merllene Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/6/2010 at 16:21:03

Mrs. M. K. Whelan Dead
Died at St. Paul Early Tuesday Morning
Mrs. M. K. Whelan died at a hospital in St. Paul early Tuesday morning after an illness extending nearly two years. Her sickness developed while in California a year ago last winter and she was brought home at once by Mr. Whelan who has been constantly at her side during her extended illness. Coming back to her home in Estherville it was though would benefit her but it did not and she was taken to a hospital in St. Paul for treatment and Mr. Whelan accompanied her and remained where he could visit the hospital every day and note her condition. For a time it was thought she showed signs of improvement but later she commenced to fail and gradually grew worse until she passed away. Mrs. Whelan was a noble woman, loved by her neighbors and friends and her death is mourned by many Estherville people who know her well. Her remains will be brought to this city this evening and funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the family home on north Seventh street. Interment will be made in Oak Hill cemetery. We hope to give a more extended obituary in our next issue. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 26, 1917)

Mary Elizabeth Whelan
Another vacancy of the “circle” of pioneer residents of Estherville was caused by the death of Mary Elizabeth Whelan, wife of Hon. M. K. Whelan, of this city, at St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 25th, at 3;15 o’clock a.m.

Mary Elizabeth Tilton, a daughter of June Aldrich Tilton and Cornelius Tilton, was born at Newark, Illinois, where she resided with her parents during her girlhood days attending the public schools, a small academy of which she was a graduate and later a student at Beloit.

Her early life was that of the ordinary care fee daughter of well-to-do farmer folks. Arriving at woman’s estate she was ambitious to carve her own way in the world and in 1882 came to Estherville with her mother and resided here until her death except when traveling for pleasure or health. On locating in this city she entered on a successful business career with Miss Edna Kelly and later took over the entire business and through this and social functions in which she was active soon became well and favorably known to a large circle of acquaintances. On July 1st, 1883, she was united in marriage to M. K. Whelan, then sheriff of this county.

Mrs. Whelan was of a literary turn of mind and social in disposition; a constant reader of books and current literature, she always took an active and keen interest in public affairs and was able to discuss them intelligently with anyone. Though not engaged in literature as a public writer her literary tendencies found frequent expression in contributions to the several societies of which she was an active and aggressive member, and through correspondence descriptive of scenes and places visited in travel.

Of an artistic temperament, she early became a connoisseur of paintings and a number of fine paintings of still life adorn her home, the results of the work of her leisure moments. She was the organizer of the local chapter of P.E.O. and always took an active interest in this sisterhood. Of revolutionary stock, she early became a member of the D.A.R. and espoused the patriotic work of this order and as a member of the Eastern Star was interested in the benevolent features of its work.

Her literary artistic and social work was her recreation; she was essentially a home maker and a home lover and when absent her mind constantly reverted to the pleasure of return.

About eighteen months ago, without apparent cause, she suffered a nervous breakdown; everything that affection could suggest or skill employ was done for her relief but to no avail; while her physical condition failed to rally her mental faculties remained clear until the minute of her decease, and her interest in the affairs of herself and family continued active until near the end. Shortly before her decease she said to the attending physician,”I have done my best.” She died as she had lived without a murmur of complaint and with the consciousness of a life well spent, lay down to rest as one to sleep without repining or regrets, with a firm reliance in the justice of the Great Creator.

She leaves to mourn her departure an affectionate, indulgent and devoted husband and two sisters, Mrs. Helen McNeil, of Stoughton, Wis., and Mrs. F. S. Lindsey, of Crowley, Montana, to whom this community extends the poor consolation of sympathy for an irreparable loss.

Her remains were carried to the family residence embowered in lilies and roses, a tribute from her sorrowing friends and neighbors. Religious services were held at the home on Friday, the 28th, in charge of Rev. R. C. Mitchell, of the Presbyterian church and the sisterhood of the P.E.O. concluded the services with the beautiful burial ceremony of the order. She was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery beside her mother amid the embracing foliage of oak and fern to await the companionship of her husband, relatives and friends who survive her. The absence of Mrs. Whelan from her home and social circles is deeply mourned but the remembrance of her presence will long remain and our minds oft revert to the vacant chair in the lonely household. – Contributed (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 10, 1917)