Mahony, Dennis Aloysius (1821-1879)

MAHONY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/5/2007 at 20:28:15

Dubuque Herald, November 6, 1879

OBITUARY

Death of Dennis A. Mahony, Editor of the Telegraph

This community was not unexpectedly surprised to hear of the death of Hon. Dennis Aloysius Mahony, which occurred at his residence on Grand View avenue, at 2 o’clock yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Mr. Mahony’s health had been failing for a long time. In the fall of 1877 he became so feeble that he was unable to attend to the duties of his business, and was confined to his house nearly the entire winter. In the spring of 1878 his health improved and he visited his office nearly every day, writing more or less for his paper. But his health again failed him and he visited St. Louis where he spent several months with his daughter, and from there visited Perry Springs, Illinois in search of his health. He returned to Dubuque late in the summer, but not very much improved in health. Being unable to take very much nourishment, on account of an affection of the digestive organs he gradually grew weaker, and early in October, 1878, he was confined to his house and there remained until he died. For a few months after he was compelled to remain at his home, his active brain labored editorially for the benefit of his paper, but he was soon compelled to desist, and during the past six or eight months he scarcely furnished a line of manuscript for the columns of the Telegraph. For the past month, neither he nor his friends have entertained any hope of his recovery. Knowing that his soul was nearing the day of its flight into eternity, he was calmly resigned to the will of Him who had ever been his guide in matters sublunary. Anticipating his speedy dissolution, he made his will and received the last sacraments of the Catholic church, of which he had been an earnest and consistent member. He was conscious until the end, and able to talk intelligently. He directed what should be done when the grim messenger had called him home. During his last moments he was surrounded by his faithful wife and sorrowing children, and a number of intimate friends. His body now rests in tranquil repose, and will soon be consigned to the element from which it came.

Mr. Mahony was born in Ross, County Cork, Ireland, January 20, 1821. When nine years of age his parents removed to this country and settled in Philadelphia, where he was educated, principally in the public schools. It was the intention of his parents to prepare him for the priesthood, and with that view his studies were prosecuted, but having no taste for clerical robes, he abandoned the idea, and prepared himself for an educator. In the fall of 1843 he came to Iowa and engaged in the work of teaching school, in which he continued for a term of five years, mostly in Jackson County. He taught a Catholic school in Dubuque for a time. In the fall of 1848 he was elected to the legislature from Jackson County, and he was also elected to the assembly from Dubuque County in 1858 for the session of 1859. Mr. Mahony seemed to have a penchant for newspaper work, and contributed largely to the press of Philadelphia, and while teaching wrote many stirring articles for the local press, notably the Dubuque “Miners’ Express.” Mr. Mahony studied law and was admitted to the bar in Iowa City, but practiced very little. Shortly after his return from the legislature Mr. Mahony assumed editorial control of the “Miners’ Express.” In 1851 a partnership was formed between D. A. Mahony, Dr. H. H. Holt, W. A. Adams and A. A. White, who started the Dubuque Daily Herald, of which he became the managing editor, The “Express” was soon after merged into the Herald. He finally severed his connection to the Herald and started the Iowa State Democrat in 1852, which after living a short time was swallowed up by the Herald in 1853. During all these years he won a state reputation as a powerful, vigorous writer, which he was. And while in the legislature he took an active and prominent part in the deliberations of that body, and was acknowledged to be, by the opposition, a leader in the house.
He was a member of the board of education, and did much toward grading the public schools, and his active pen did considerable for the cause of education. He was a man of positive convictions, which led him to differ considerably with the government in prosecuting the war. For this he was denounced as a traitor, and blinded by prejudice on the morning of the 16th of August, 1862, he was kidnapped from his peaceful home in Dubuque and taken to the Old Capitol prison at Washington, where after an incarceration of three months, he was “honorably discharged”, without even being informed of the charges preferred against him. During this period the people of the 3d district, at West Union, nominated him as a candidate for congress, and he received a majority, while in prison, in Dubuque County of 1,457 over W. B. Allison, present U. S. Senator. After he was liberated from prison he returned to Dubuque and did not do much of any business for a year, when he was nominated to the office of sheriff, and to which he was elected by a handsome majority. He served two years, and was re-elected. He had also held the office of county treasurer for one term.
At the close of his last term as sheriff, he, in the company of Stilson Hutchins, (now proprietor of the Washington Post), and John Hodnett, (who had been associated with him in the publication of the Dubuque Herald) established the St. Louis Times, of which he was editor and part proprietor for about fifteen months when he sold his interest to his partners and returned to Dubuque. About this time the project for building the river railroad was being advocated and Mr. Mahony took an active part in aiding the project, both by his tongue and pen, he visiting many of the counties through which the line was projected, to urge the people to lend pecuniary aid to the enterprise. In 1871 he purchased Mr. James Hughes’ interest in the Dubuque Daily Telegraph, which was then a stock company. Latterly he purchased the interest of the remaining partners, and sold a half interest to Michael Brady. Mr. Mahony afterwards re-purchased Brady’s interest. He soon afterwards changed the complexion of the Telegraph from a democratic to a greenback paper. He had been the sole proprietor up to the date of his death.
Three years ago Mr. W. H. Peabody was elected supervisor of the county, but resigned, soon after qualifying. Upon the urgent solicitation of his friends Mr. Mahony was appointed to fill the vacancy, for one year, at his own request. He made a valuable member of the board and inaugurated many reforms in county matters. He was the author of the plan of working criminals and able-bodied paupers for the benefit of the county, and did much toward putting the county upon a solid financial foundation. At the end of the year he retired with honor. Mr. E. R. Lumbert being elected to fill the unexpired term.

Mr. Mahony leaves a family consisting of a widow, three sons and four daughters. Three of his children are buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Garryowen, where the remains of the father will be taken on Friday next.
Mr. Mahony was, indeed, a brilliant and vigorous writer, having an excellent command of language in which to express his thoughts. He was a profound thinker, a splendid logician, and a man of fine impulses, being generous and kind to those whom he considered his friends and seldom spoke disparagingly of any one. He was firm in his political opinions, and when his mind had become set upon a principle it was like adamant-it took a power of argument to convince him of his error. He was honest in his convictions. And his soul was full of patriotism for the perpetuation of the republic, which he so fondly loved. But his work in this land of trouble is over, and may his virtues and nobilness of heart be responsive to retain the memory of a brilliant man who has gone to that bourne from whence no traveler returns.

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