CONNELL, Jerry 1852-1909

CONNELL

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/8/2016 at 06:24:14

Jerry Connell Dies Of Pneumonia

Was a Man Held in High Esteem by All Who Knew Him

Jerry Connell died at his home in this city early Tuesday morning after having been sick but five days with pneumonia. The news of Mr. Connell's death was received with sorrow and sincere regret by all who knew him. He was a man of whom it was said with all truth that his word was as good as his bond and the golden rule of doing unto others as he wished to be done by was his guide in his daily dealings with all with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Connell was born in Waterford county, Ireland, April 15th, '52. He remained in the land of his birth until he was twenty years old, at which time he came to Tazewell county, Illinois. He was married here August 12th in '76 and continued to reside there until seventeen years ago when the family came to this county and located on a 200 acre farm in Clay township. Mr. Connell had bought this place a short time before paying a small amount down. The place was raw prairie and swamp land with not a dollar's worth of improvements on it and very few dollar's in the new owner's pocket with which to build shelter for his family. Mr. Connell was a man who inspired confidence and friendship of all who met him. It was these two qualities that helped greatly on the start to carry the family through their first two years in this county. Mr. Connell was a diligent worker and a good manager and he helped to raise to assist him one of the most industrious and faithful families in this county.

The Connell family have had more than their share of sickness and misfortunes since they came here from Illinois. Eight years ago they were visited by a siege of typhoid fever that brought five members of the family into the Grundy Center hospital at one time. The year following one of the boys suffered an attack of appendicitis and a year later another member of the family again came down with typhoid fever. Three years ago last April fire destroyed the large barn on the Connell farm. Mr. Connell's efforts at that time to save some live stock caused him to nearly lose his life. He was frightfully burned about the body and was under a doctor's and nurse's care for seven weeks. He was a sufferer from the injuries he received at that time to the last but he never was heard to make any complaints.

Mr. Connell and family moved to Grundy Center a year ago last March and bought themselves a fine home and they had begun to reap a just reward for an industrious life in the comforts they were enjoying.

Mr. Connell was the father of twelve children. Eleven of these together with the wife survive him. The children are Nora, Mrs. Peter Lynch of Aberdeen, S.D., Martin, Tom, Maggie, Jim, Kitty, Sister Carmelite in St. Joseph's Convent at Ottumwa, Mae, John, Grace and Rose. Three of his brothers and two sisters are living. They are Patrick, James and Will and the sisters are Mrs. Bald and Mary Connell.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. Father Hogan were held at the Catholic church in this city this morning. Hundreds of bereaved friends from all parts of the county were in attendance to pay tribute to one who was held in high esteem by them all.

Father Hogan's sermon was a most eloquent and deserved eulogy of the life and character of the deceased. The church was not large enough to accommodate half of those who went to hear and to take part in the services.

Floral contributions were made by the Hummel, Lynch and Pollard families, by the Sophomore, Junior and Preparatory departments of the high school and by the girls literary society.

Those from a distance who are here for the funeral are, Tom Connell and Tom Cullinan from Delavan, Ill., John Murray and wife from Dunlap. Ill., Mrs. Pat Whaylen and son and John Ryan from Tremont, Ill., Jim Connell and wife and daughter and Mrs. Tom Connell and son from Doran, Minn., Dennis Powers and wife from Livermore, Richard Connell from Omaha, John and Nora Cullinan and Will Callahan from Dillon, Ill., M. Powers and family from Voorhies, William Connell from Farmington, Ill., John Kennedy and wife from Boyington, Ill., Ed and John Powers, Leroy, Ill., Dan Powers, Ulysses, Nebr. Aside from these there were scores of old neighbors and friends from Clay township and Conrad and many from Grant township.

--Grundy County Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 November 1909, pg 1