William Derrig d. 1904

DERRIG, MCDONNELL, RYAN, FARGEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/23/2006 at 15:22:18

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Wednesday, February 24, 1904

William Derrig is Dead.

After an illness of some duration, Mr. William Derrig died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sara McDonnell, of this city, Saturday evening. He had not been strong for a year or more, though he retained unimpaired his mental facilities until the last, notwithstanding the fact that he was 84 years of age. His remains were taken to Spring Green, Wisconsin, Monday evening for interment. Services were conducted at St. Patrick’s church at Loretto, a short distance from Spring Green, Tuesday, after which the burial took place in the parochial cemetery. Mrs. McDonnell and Miss Sadie attended the funeral.

The deceased was a native of Kelogue, Mayo county, Ireland. In 1847 he came to the United States and located at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where he was married January 2, 1852, to Bridget Ryan. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where they lived for four years., when they moved to Sauk county, subsequently living on a farm near Spring Green. Seven years ago last October Mrs. Derrig died an in September, 1899, Mr. Derrig came to this city to spend his remaining years with his daughter, Mrs. McDonnell. There are four sons and two daughters living. John lives in Idaho. Matthew lives at Rosebud, South Dakota, William in Oregon and Charles at the old home in Wisconsin. Besides Mrs. McDonnell, there is one other sister, Mrs. Fargen, who resides near Flandreau, South Dakota.

The deceased was a quiet, unassuming, and most exemplary old Irish gentleman. His long and eventful career was spent in the performance of the duties of the worthy son, the devoted husband, the provident parent, the charitable, upright Christian citizen. The lives of his sons and daughters bear unmistakable evidence of that attention, care, and zeal which only the worthy and painstaking parent can exercise. The memory of the life and deeds of him who has just passed away will be long and tenderly cherished by the surviving members of the family as well as by all others who has an opportunity of profiting by his well spent life.