Margaret Skelly Tracy 1841-1943

TRACY, SKELLY, WHITISH, MURPHY, ROMAN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/6/2011 at 02:44:35

Oldest Lady is Called
Mrs. Margaret Tracy, 102, Dies Sunday at Home of Daughter, Mrs. Whitish
Mrs. Margaret Tracy, 102, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning. She is the mother of Mrs. Tom Whitish of Estherville with whom she made her home.

Mrs. Margaret Skelly Tracy was born at Janesville, Wis., and received her education in the schools there. When 26 years old, she was united in marriage to John Tracy, also of Janesville. They were engaged in farming for a few years near Janesville.

Mr. and Mrs. Tracy came west to Independence, Iowa, in a covered wagon and remained a few years and returned to Wisconsin in 1865. In 1888, they came again in a covered wagon and settled near Larchwood, Iowa on a farm. They had lived there for two years when Mr. Tracy passed away and left Mrs. Tracy with eight children to care for.

Mrs. Tracy has survived five wars. One son served in the Spanish American and contracted malaria and passed away soon after. Other wars she survived are the French and Indian War, Civil War, World War I and the present conflict.

Seven years ago she came to Estherville to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Whitish. A sister, Mrs. Nellie Murphy of Sioux Falls has been in Estherville recently helping to care for her.

Despite her age, she had been enjoying good health. She kept active as much as possible, although she hasn’t been able to be around much because of a lapse of memory.

She was preceded in death by her husband and four children.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Tom Whitish, Estherville; Mrs. Nellie Murphy, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Mrs. Lucy Roman of Denver, Colo., and one son, Ambrose Tracy of California. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Rosary was recited Monday evening at 9 at the Sternborg funeral home. Services were held Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. with the Rev. Father J. J. Keane officiating at St. Patrick’s church. Burial was at Larchwood. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 2, 1943)

Aged Woman Dies
Mrs. Margaret Tracy passed away Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Maggie Whitish at Estherville. She was known as “Grandma Tracy” to everyone at Larchwood and was a long-time resident here until four years ago when she took up residence with her daughter. Grandma Tracy was 102 years old the 10th of June. She leaves to mourn her loss three daughters and one son and many other relatives. Interment was made in the Larchwood cemetery Tuesday morning. (Lyon County Reporter, Rock Rapids, IA, September 2, 1943)