Edward "Ed" Mulroney 1828-1895

MULRONEY, ONEILL, RAE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/19/2011 at 22:03:08

Death of Edward Mulroney
At the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Rae, in this city on Friday October 11, 1895, Edward Mulroney died after an illness of about three weeks. The funeral services was conducted at the Catholic church by Father Kelley, Sunday and his remains were taken to Emmetsburg for interment. The funeral was the largest ever held in this county, there being nearly three hundred vehicles in the procession. Many of our prominent citizens wen to Emmetsburg to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed. The services at the church were impressive and solemn as were the burial services at the cemetery in Emmetsburg. The Deceased was born in Kelkenny, Ireland in 1828, and came to this country in 1849 at the age of twenty-one. His habits of industry and energy caused him to lead a busy life. In 1856 he was married to Helen O’Neill an excellent lady who died in 1883. Two years previous to his marriage he moved to California where he was actively engaged in business until 1871 when he moved to this county and settled near Mud Lake where he improved and made one of the finest farms in this part of the state, which he owned at the time of his death. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney and we believe all still live. Mr. Mulroney was a man of generous impulses, he possessed a fine mind and always had the fullest confidence of those he came in contact. There was no man ever lived in this county that was loved and respected more than Edward Mulroney. He was a devoted member of the Catholic church and was a Christian of the highest purity and of the highest type of manhood. No man had cause to regret his acquaintance with our departed fellow citizen. His final leaving is a sad loss to the children he leaves behind and they can rest assured that they have the warmest sympathy of the people of our city and county. All who knew him will join in expression of sorrow. His taking away is a loss to the whole community as well as to relatives and friends. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, October 16, 1895)

Edward Mulroney Dead
His Remains Brought to This City Sunday
Saturday afternoon news of the death of Edward Mulroney, Sr., of Estherville, was received in this city. He had been ailing with Bright’s disease for some time. A couple of years ago he went to California to see his son and brother, thinking that the change of climate might benefit him, but he returned last summer. His case was hopeless and he gradually lost strength until death relived him of his affliction. His remains wre brought to this city on a special train Sunday for burial. Two coaches filled with Estherville people accompanied the family of the deceased. The body was interred in the Catholic cemetery at this place. Three sons and one daughter survive. The latter, Mrs. Rae, of Estherville, was dangerously ill at the time of the funeral. One brother resides in California, one at Ft. Dodge and three south of this city. His wife died ten or twelve years ago. He was in the neighborhood of 68 years of age.

Although well known to most of the old settlers of this section, the deceased was never a resident of Palo Alto. Twenty-three years ago he returned from California with his brother Joseph and John Laughlin and soon after settled on a large farm near Mud Lake, Emmet county. He made a good home and was comfortably situated. A few years ago he moved to Estherville, where he made his permanent home until the time of his death. He was a good citizen and his death will be regretted by the many who knew him. (Emmetsburg Democrat, Emmetsburg, IA, October 16, 1895)

A Tribute to Edward Mulroney
The Emmetsburg Tribune pays the following tribute to the memory of our honored and respected citizen, Edward Mulroney, lately deceased:

“In 1871 he moved to this state, settling on the banks of Mud Lake, Emmet county, where he has since resided. The spot selected for his home was an ideal one. He owned a beautiful tract of 240 aces skirting the shore of this beautiful little lake. For many years the Mulroney home was the scene of many social gatherings, and there were no more hospitable people than he and his wife. Since her death, twelve years ago, his life was in a great degree changed; he never overcame the loss of his fond and devoted partner.

Ed Mulroney had a host of friends. He was a man of strong characteristics. Honest in every conviction and was always courageous enough to express himself on everything one way or the other. The generous out-pouring of friends both here and at Estherville was a grand testimonial of the esteem in which he was held. The funeral services was held in the parish church at Estherville on Sunday at 10 a.m. The little edifice was thronged with friends. Rev. Father Kelly preached a very appropriate sermon and in its delivery said some very nice things about his old parishioner of whom he thought so much. The pall bearers were J. J. Klopp, Frank Miller, P. Howe, James Howe, Patrick Riley, A. J. Penn and R. K. Soper. A special train started from Estherville at 11 a.m. with the remains, accompanied by nearly one hundred friends. In the procession was 100 teams. Father Smith assisted by Father Kelly of Estherville conducted the services at the grave. J. F. Neary, John Nolan, Thos. Kirby, Lott Laughlin, T. B. Walsh and John Shea acted as pall bearers here.

The casket was a beautiful one and the floral tributes were exquisite; the counterpiece, a crescent, around which was tied a ribbon upon which was the words “From Barbara, Allie and Davy to Grandpa. The little ones will miss their grandparent who was so kind to them, and with them he spent the last few years of his life.

To his children he bequeathed considerable property and left to them a name untarnished, a priceless heritage for them and for the numerous relatives who are left to mourn his death. May he rest in peace.” (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, October 24, 1895)