Owen McCaffrey

MCCAFFREY, DUNN, DOUBRAWA, DUNLAP, SEAMONDS, CRANEY, ODOWD, CULLINAN, NELSON, KEEGAN, BURNS, DEVITTE, LEHY, GALLEY, HOLMES, BOWDEN, DUFFEY, SKELLEY, CARROLL, BRANEA, DRISCOLL, GIMBLE, ANDERSON, BURNETT, COREY

Posted By: Patrick Turner (email)
Date: 4/2/2003 at 09:20:42

Maquoketa Sentinel Obituary April 20, 1923

Owen McCaffrey:

Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky came the word Sunday morning from DesMoines that Owen McCaffrey, one of our most prominent and highly respected citizens has passed away very suddenly at the home of his son, Dr. Eugene McCaffrey in that city. Mr. McCaffrey had not been in good health for some time, although none but his family and a few of his most intimate friends were aware of the fact. His local physician advised him some time ago to consult a specialist and as he was feeling very good on Satursday last, decided to go to Des Moines for consultation with his son and a prominent specialist there. Accompanied by his wife they departed on the three o'clock train Saturday afternoon, reaching Des Moines and the home of their son in the evening. Mr. McCaffrey was apparently feeling fine on his arrival and the evening was spent in pleasant and jolly visitation. About 11:30 o'clock he retired and about 11:50, his wife was awakened by a heavy gasp made by her husband, where upon she immediately called her son in from a near by room, who hurried to the bedside of his father only to find that life was no more, death having come almost instantly from an attack of angina pectoris. Dr. McCaffrey attempted to resuscitate the father, but all efforts proved futile. Long distance phone calls to members of the family advised them of the sad news, and it was but a short time until our entire city had learned of the passing of one of our foremost citizens.

"Mac" as he was familiarly known, was a selfmade man, building from a small foundation, one of the most prominent wholesale and retail enterprises in the state. His jovial manner, strict attention to business, and general merchandising ability coupled to being success and his counsel and advise in local business circles will be greatly missed. As a husband and father, his devotion was marked and sincere, his love for home folks daily exempified and as a neighbor and friend, none better or more loyal could be desired.

Mr. McCaffrey was born in Buffalo, N.Y., March 6, 1852, being left as an orphan when a child of three years. He with a baby sister were brought to Iowa by their grandmother McCaffrey and his early boyhood home was near Cascade. His first buriness experience was as a buggy salesman which he followed for some time, until coming to Maquoketa in the 1870's. He became associated with the late M. S. Dunn in the clothing business under the firm name of Dunn & McCaffrey, disposing of his interest about 1883, to enter into the cigar manufacturing business with the late F. Doubrawa. Mr. McCaffrey withdrew from this firm in 1886 and established a wholesale and retail cigar and tabacco store, his business increasing year by year until he became one of the largest tobacco wholesalers and jobbers in Iowa. He was the originator of the famous "Maquoketa" cigar which is conceded to have been the greatest advertising medium our city has ever had, the first automobile ever used for commercial purposes being used by one of his salesman in introducing the McCaffrey line of goods. His heart was in Maquoketa and although he had since established a chain of stores in Mason City, Des Moines and Sioux City, he always contended that "there was no place like the Timber City".

He was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Dunlap, Dec 17, 1884, to which union five children were born, three of whom with the wife and mother are left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and devoted father. He was a prominent member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in this city and also of the St. Edwards Council Number 707 Knights of Columbus order at Clinton. In politices he had alway been affiliated with the Democratic party, and had on several occasions served as delegate to the state and national conventions and in 1918 was honored with the appointment as fuel administrator for Jackson County. He was one of the orginal incorporators of the American Savings Bank, had always been its vice president and a director, taking an active interest in the management of that institution. Mr. McCaffrey was a member of the local Kiwanis club and was a regular attendant of the meetings of that organization. He was also a stockholder in the Sentinel Company, and we feel the loss of his friendship and co-operation keenly. He was also one of the incorporators and active supporters of the Maquoketa Hydro Electric Company.

Besides his devoted wife, there survived three children, William of Mason City, Mrs. Mabel Seamonds at home, and Dr. Eugene of Des Moines, also three grandchildren.

The funeral was held Tuesday morning from Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:00 o'clock. A solenn requiem Mass was sung by Rev. L. P. Craney, celebrant, Rev. Thomas O'Dowd of Charlotte, Iowa, deacon, Rev. W. E. Cullinan of Delmar, Iowa, sub-decon and Rev. J. J. Nelson of De Witt, Master of ceremonies. After the Mass, a touching funeral sermon was preached by Father Nelson, a lifelong friend of the deceased. About fifty members of the Knights of Columbus attended in a body, Delegrations from the Councils of Clinton, De Whitt, Bellevue and Cascade in addition to the local members were in attendance. The pall berarers were officers and directors fo the American Savings Bank, of which institution Mr. McCaffrey was vice president. Interment was made in Sacred Heart cemetery.

Amoung those from a distance here to attend the funeral were: Thomas Keegan, Mrs. As Burns, Mr.& Mrs Frank Devitte, Mrs. Delit Lehy of Masonville, Iowa; Mrs Frank Galley of Winthrope, Iowa; J. A. Holmes and wife of Perry, Iowa; P. E. McCaffrey of Youngstown, Ohio; O. Keegan, Mrs. Johanna Bowden and daughter Miss Anna of Chicago; O. B. Duffey, Dr. Eugene McCaffrey, wife and little son of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Skelley, Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Carroll, Dr. L. Branea, Miss Angelia Driscoll, Miss Elizabeth Gimble, Miss Genevieve Carroll of Davenport; J. A. Anderson of Elwood; W. D. McCaffrey and wife, J. Burnett of Mason City; C. M. Corey of Algona; J. E. Lawry, Mrs Mary Garnes of Cedar Rapids; Ben Esmay, Miss Katherine Cullen of Clinton; M. W. Burnett, Jas Gilroy, W. C. Rutenbeck of Lost Nation; Jas. Digman, Thos. Kelly, Jas. L. Linamen, Mr. DeCook, F. M. McMannus, J. F. Waters, Ed McGonegal, Mrs. Callahan, Miss Klise, A. Fitzpatrick and son Louis, Mrs. McGarry, John O'Mera, Art Goodall, P. F. Kelly of Delmar; Nick Godes of Preston and Chris Hickson of Otter Creek