Margaret Hickey McNally 1856-1932

HICKEY, MCNALLY, DOERNING, GRETHEN, CLENNON, JOYNT, MART, FREDERICK

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 9/23/2006 at 15:57:47

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Thursday, March 12, 1932

Death of First White Child in County
Mrs. Patrick McNally, Who Passed Away Near Mallard Thursday.
Burial Saturday in Emmetsburg.
Her Father, James Hickey, First County Judge.
Had Powers of Dictator.

THE EARLY HISTORY
Of Family Very Interesting at This Time. Ten Sons and Daughters Survive Mrs. McNally.
Devoted Wife, Affectionate Mother, Loyal Friend.
Large Attendance at Funeral.

Mrs. Margaret Hickey McNally, daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. James Hickey, who was the first white child born in Palo Alto county, passed away Thursday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ben Doerning, who lives southwest of Mallard. She had been bedfast for about a year and a half. She received the best of medical and other care but her condition was hopeless. She waited patiently but hopefully for the final summons. The funeral was held Saturday forenoon. Services were conducted in the Assumption church to which she belonged from early childhood until her last fatal illness. Very Rev. J.T. Finnegan officiated. At the close, he spoke briefly and in a highly complimentary manner of her long and useful life and her admirable traits as a wife and mother. The burial was in the family lot in St. John's cemetery. Six grandsons were the pall bearers. They were Ralph Grethen, Harold Clennon, Gerald McNally, Irvin Joynt, and Arnold and Herman Doerning. A large number of relatives and old neighbors were present at the funeral.

Margaret Hickey was, as stated, the first white child born in this county. The date was October 14, 1856. Hence she was almost 76. Her parents came to Palo Alto a few months after the arrival of the members of the Irish colony from Kane county, Illinois. Mr and Mrs Hickey spent the late fall and winter months with the colony. The following year they located on Section 35 in Great Oak township. Later it was known as the Chas. Gibbs place. It is now the home of Mrs. P. Jennings. It is situated a short distance northwest of the old Burns bridge. A large oak tree stood a short distance from the old cabin. Hence the name of the post office and township. When the first stage route thru this county was established, Mr. Hickey was named postmaster of Great Oak. Postoffices had also been established at Soda Bar in Nevada township and on the John Nolan farm on the southwest shore of Medium Lake. Mr Hickey, in the first annual election held December 20, 1858, was chosen county judge. The position carried many and unusual responsibilities and he had to make frequent trips to Ft. Dodge. The daughter, Miss Margaret, attended the first local schools in the county and she also attended school at Fort Dodge for some time. The trip to and from that place was made by stage. When she grew up she assisted her father in handling the mail and her mother in caring for the younger brothers and sisters. November 24, 1879, she was married in the old town of Emmetsburg to Patrick McNally. Mr and Mrs. McNally lived on a farm for five years when they located in Emmetsburg. In 1888, they built a home in the southwest part of this city where they subsequently resided. Mr. McNally passed away July 5, 1923. Mrs. McNally continued to reside in the family home and provided as best she could for her growing up boys and girls until September, 1930, when her condition became such that she had to be given the constant care of her daughter, Mrs. J.B. Doerning, who lives near Mallard. She is survived by ten sons and daughters. They are Mrs. T.P. Joynt [Mary Theresa], W.P.[William Patrick], R.F.[Robert Francis] and Miss Sara McNally of Emmetsburg, Mrs. J.B. [Rosa Ellen] Doerning and Mrs. P.J. Grethen [Annie Josephine] of Mallard, Mrs. J.J. Clennon [Margaret] of Sioux Falls, Mrs. N.W. Mart [Agnes Loretta] of Fairmont, Minnesota, Mrs. E.J. Frederick [Alice Cecelia] of Osgood and James J McNally of Sibley. All were present at the funeral.

There are 39 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, four sisters, and four brothers. The brothers and sisters are Mrs. L.E. Conway, Mrs. A.D. Ruddy, Mrs. H.E. Ferguson, Miss Alice Hickey, Thomas, Dan, and John Hickey, all of Vernon township, and P.J. Hickey of Oran, Iowa.

Descendants of Myles McNally
 

Palo Alto Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen