McIlrath, James Paul 1859 -1942

MCILRATH, PAUL, MCKEE, MAURER, HOUSEMAN, JACK, CLAYBROOK, THARP, ANTHONY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/6/2005 at 20:12:37

Gilman Dispatch April ?, 1942
USEFUL LIFE OF JAMES PAUL MCILRATH OVER
Funeral Services For Pioneer Are Held Saturday in Gilman
James Paul McIlrath

Wednesday night, April 15, 1942, the long and useful life of James Paul McIlrath came to a close at his home west of Newburg. For many years he had been afflicted, and has been bedfast for almost a year and a half, suffering greatly, but bearing it with remarkable fortitude and patience.

The son of Andrew and Sarah Paul McIlrath, he was born near Cullybackey, Antrim County, Ireland, Feb. 15, 1859, and was 83, after his father's death, accompanied by his mother, brother, and sisters, he came to America, joining his elder brother, John, who had come to this country 10 years earlier. A home was established near Gilman on a farm, and thereafter farming was his occupation as long as health permitted. For the past 45 years he has resided on the same farm, two and one half miles west of Newburg. He purchased this farm Charles Rowe in 1897 and here he later built a modern home and continued to reside and enjoy the fruits of his labor until his death.

MARRIED CHRISTMAS DAY. On Christmas Day, 1889, he was married at Deep River, Iowa, to Miss Emma McKee, and to this union a daughter was born---Sarah, now Mrs. H. J. Maurer of Mechanicsville. Mrs. McIlrath was called to her reward Nov. 1, 1890 and his mother took charge of the home for him and his baby daughter.

On September 18, 1894, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Houseman of Laurel, who survives. To them were born eight children, namely: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Alex Jack of Montezuma; Emma, who is Mrs. Ralph Claybrook of Grinnell; John Wilbur and James Harley of Gilman, Ruby Jean; Mabel, now Mrs. J. A.Tharp; Lucille Helen, now Mrs. Earl Anthony, all of Kellogg. One son, James, died in infancy.

In addition to his wife and children he is survived by 14 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one brother, Thomas, the latter of Marshalltown. A host of other relatives and friends also mourn his passing.

He was a man of industrious and exemplary habits. His kindness and fair dealings toward all made him many friends in the community where he was known where he will be remembered for his many good qualities.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from the Gilman Community church in charge of Rev. Nelson Murdock of Lacey, assisted by Rev. C. L. Duxbury of the Gilman church. Burial was in Prairie View Cemetery.

Pall bearers were Charley Green, Roy Paul, Robert Madill, Tom Paul, H. H. McCulloch and Henry Haak. A quartet coposed of Lloyd Stoaks, Viril Palmer, Marie Hendrickson, Betty Mason sang, accompanied by Mrs. Gordon Rhum at the piano.

Relatives from a distance in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Alex Jack, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Jack, J. C. McIlrath of Montezuma; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jack of Ladora; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Claybrook and family, Rev. W. B. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. McIlrath, Miss Hannah McIlrath, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Madil, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Madill, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Edgington, Miss Beulah Hatcher, Mrs. John Koger, Russell Koger, Mr. and Mrs. James Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. Lovet Bowman, all of Grinnell; Mr. and Mrs. Wendall Claybrook of Searsboro; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Maurer, of Mechanicsville; Mr. and Mrs. John Swanson, Miss Catherine Geisler of Malcom; George L. Paul of Brooklyn; Thomas McIlrath, Miss Sadie McIlrath, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Douds, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Moore, Mr. and Mrs. James Lowry, Misses Elizabeth and Sadie Lowry, Mrs. Annie J. Spence, all of Marshalltown; Patrick Laverty, Miss Matilda Laverty, Mrs. Charity McIlrath, Miss Ruby McIlrath, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Paul, Mr. and Mrs Pearl Shaver of Laurel; Mr. and Mrs. Emory Anthony and family of Chelsea; Mr. and Mrs. Andy Anderson, Sam Barr of Kellogg; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Wisgerhoff of Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parker of Conrad; Mr. and Mrs. John Thorson and family of Melbourne; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Szendre of Seattle, Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Charley Powers, Mr. and Mrs Merlin Flathers, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Renner of Montour; Benton Wymore, Mrs. Lena Wymore and family, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Wymore and family of New Sharon.

Originally submitted on Tue Apr 28 19:50:18 1998 by Kathy Brown, patkatbr@sbt.net