SHARKEY, Philip 1826-1895

SHARKEY, OMALEY

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 9/14/2013 at 09:15:29

Sharkey, Philip

Philip Sharkey Is At Rest

The death of Philip Sharkey at his home near Floyd last Friday removed from our county one of its best and most respected citizens. His illness was brief and he died just beyond the limit of three score years and ten in a rip and honored old age.

He was born in Ireland, August 1, 1826. His father John Sharkey, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1831 and settled in Vermont where Philip was reared and educated. From Vermont Philip went to Massachusetts in 1846, and in 1854 came west and settled in Floyd County. On October 22, 1858 he was married to Mary O'Maley who still survives him, and by whom seven children were born, five of whom Wm. L., Thos. J., Chas. A., Mary A. and Martha J., are living. Two sons, John P. and George H., died at the age of 18 and 3 respectively.

In his community Philip Sharkey was a useful, popular and influential man. Was school director 15 years, president of the board of education six years, township trustee and assessor two years.

He and all his family were of the Catholic faith and he was a man of most benevolent qualities, kindly and always sympathizing with the poor, the needy and the distressed. No man was ever turned from Philip Sharkey's door hungry. And when the country was new and seed wheat and other grain was scarce he provided from his granary the seed that gave many a young man a start on the road to prosperity.

The funeral services were held last Sabbath at the home and at the Catholic Church in this city, Rev. Father McGrath, assisted by Rev. Father Gunn, of Elma officiating. He was laid to rest in consecrated ground in the cemetery of the Catholic society and was followed to the grave by a very large concourse of people, attesting to the high character of the man and the respect and esteem in which he was held.

When a good man dies the people mourn. Philip Sharkey was a good man, a kind husband, an indulgent father and an honored citizen. He leaves a wife, Mary Sharkey, and five children to mourn his departure from earth's tolls to heaven's joys. He is now at rest in a home that is better than this.

Source: Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.