Josephine Martin Nolan 1856-1904

MARTIN, NOLAN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 2/18/2007 at 15:58:10

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Wednesday, November 23, 1904

MRS. P. J. NOLAN IS DEAD
Remains Brought to This City Is Laid to Rest Tuesday.

Thursday morning, the sad news of the death of Mrs. P. J. Nolan at Spokane, Washington, was received in this city. Her dangerous condition had previously been announced in the Democrat. While at times she had temporarily rallied, those about her felt that her recovery was impossible. She realized well that her days were few and she made numerous requests concerning the care of her family and with references to the details of her funeral. Calmly she awaited the last summons, confident that she had done her best in life in her efforts to discharge the manifold and exacting duties of the Christian wife and mother. The remains were brought from Spokane to Livingston, Montana, her home for many years, where the customary services were conducted by her friend and pastor, Father Blair. Monday, the body reached this city for internment. It was taken to the home of her brother, J.K. Martin. The funeral took place Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. A requiem high Mass was celebrated by very Rev. JJ Smith, who had known her since childhood. The sermon, preached by Father Donaher, this Jesuit missionary, was one that has perhaps, on a similar occasion, never been surpassed in an Iowa pulpit. He did a lofty tribute to the most exemplary career of the deceased as a young lady, of her zeal for the perpetuation of everything that was elevating and enobling, of her devoted life as a Christian wife and mother, and of the influence that her uplifting purposes and deeds would leave on those who knew her, who loved her, and who recognize only the highest merit of her efforts for the good of religion and of society. The discourse was full of strong points suggested by the occasion and will doubtless, in years to come, be the subject of laudatory comment by the large number who had the good fortune to hear it. The interment was in the family lot in St. John's Cemetery. A number of beautiful floral offerings -- the gifts of sorrowing friends -- adorned the casket. The pallbearers were W. I. Branagan, M. F. Coonan, M.T. McEvoy, William Laughlin, and Thomas Kirby. Among the relatives from a distance, who were present were Thomas Martin, of Eagle Lake, Texas; J. L. Martin, of Minneapolis; Mrs. John F. Nolan, of Livingston, Montana; Joseph Ryan, of Spokane, Washington; and P. J. Nolan, James and Miss Lettie Noln, of Livingston, the latter three being the husband, son and daughter of the deceased.

Josephine Martin was born in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, August 11, 1856. In July 1866, she came to Palo Alto county with her parents and brothers. Bright, energetic, and of a winsome, cheery disposition, she readily made friends and her wisdom and tact were such that she easily retained them. She commenced teaching school when quite young. Her heart and her soul were in her labors and she won more than local distinction in educational affairs.

She continued in school work for thirteen years. September 13, 1882, she was married in this city to P. J. Nolan, who was one of the most popular and deserving young men in the county. Mr. Nolan engaged in the mercantile business at Ruthven, in which he continued for ten years and prospered. He served as postmaster of that place during President Cleveland's first administration. In 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan moved to Livingston, Montana, where they subsequently made their home. On several occasions they returned to this county to visit relatives and old friends and neighbors. The family consists of three sons and two daughters. The sons are James, Ray and Vincent. The oldest is 20 and the youngest is nine. The daughters are Misses Lettie and Maggie. James is at present, a student in the Catholic seminary at St. Paul. He will soon take up the theological course.

Mrs. Nolan was an intellectual woman, a lady of strong Christian faith and intensely religious fervor, a watchful, earnest, willing helper whenever and wherever her assistance was required. Her ambition and her temperament were such that the community in which life's duties called for was not long in recognizing her praiseworthy motives or her capacity for usefulness. She was self-possessed and could view things about her dispassionately. She was decidedly practical in her observations and in her estimate of individuals, which has proved invaluable to her in the discharge of the many responsibilities that successive years imposed upon her. Whether in the home or in the school room, whether in the social circle or in other spheres where her presence could be of value, she was ever the prudent planner, that timely, helpful, effective worker. Those of her own fireside were, of course, first in her thoughts, and her hopes, in her considerations. To their watchful care and attention, her highest aims, the most ardent anxieties of her deeply solicitous, religious life were consecrated. No labor for their welfare was too much of a tax upon her energy. No sacrifice for their comfort and wholesome enjoyment was greater than she was willing to make. The death of such a wife, such a mother -- what pen can properly announce to the world the loss! Mrs. Nolan has passed from the blissful scenes of home never to return. The solace her presence gave will never again be realized, but her seal, her counsel, her unselfish purposes, and her genuine Christian piety and example will live in the hearts and in the memories of those who survive her.