Thomas J. Durnan 1869 - 1939

DURNAN, MCGUIRE, HICKEY, SCHMITT, NEWTON, TESTIN, SCHMELTZER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 15:07:13

Thomas J. Durnan, 69, died Thursday morning November 9, 1939 at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. P. J. Hickey, north of town, of a heart attack. He was found in the barn, where he fell dead while harnessing a team of horses.

He was born December 1, 1869 at Aurora, Illinois, the son of Stephen and Bridget McGuire Durnan. He had seven sisters and six brothers. He came with his family to Iowa in 1870 and spent his entire life in and around Fairbank and vicinity. Mr. Durnan was married to Miss Anna Schmitt in the fall of 1904. Four children were born to them. Mrs. Durnan died in April, 1928.

Surviving him are one daughter, Mrs. Elmer Newton, Fairbank; three sons, Phillip J. Durnan, Ossian; James Durnan, Oelwein; and Harry Durnan, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Five brothers, John and James Durnan, Fulda, Minnesota, Charles Durnan, Fairbank; Edward Durnan, Sunnyside, Washington and William Durnan, Northport, Washington; three sisters; twin sisters, Margaret and Mary are now, Mrs. Margaret Testin, Plainfield, Illinois and Mary Testin, Aurora, Illinois; and Mrs. Anthony Schmeltzer who lives in Northern Canada and eight grandchildren. His parents, one brother and four sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning in the Immaculate Conception Church, with Rev. Father W. J. Torpey officiating. Internment was made in the catholic cemetery.

Oelwein Daily Register - 20 Nov 1939