Bridget Ellen Nolan Washington

NOLAN, FITZGERALD, WASHINGTON, BESELIN, BALL

Posted By: Christie Hansen (email)
Date: 3/25/2007 at 22:52:15

Death Calls Mrs. M T Washington
Lived Close to Ruthven and in Town for Over 40 years. Parents Members of Irish Settlement
Mrs. MT Washington of Ruthven, whose serious condition was mentioned in a couple issues of the Democrat, died at the hospital in Spencer Wednesday morning. She had not for some time been enjoying the best of health but she was able to be about until quite recently. Two weeks ago she was taken to Spencer for special treatment but her condition proved hopeless. The funeral will be held Saturday forenoon. The services will be conducted in the Catholic church at Ruthven to which she belonged for more than 40 years. Father Coleman will officiate. All of the members of the family will be present. The burial will be in the parochial cemetery. Many from this community will doubtless attend.
Bridget Washington, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. James Nolan, members of the original Irish colony, was born several miles northwest of this city May 19 1860. She was almost 68 years of age. She grew to womanhood in this community. The members of the family were widely known by the pioneers of our county. February 10, 1885, she was united in marriage at Milwaukee WI, to Mr MT Washington. She had for some time been living with an aunt in that city. Mr & Mrs Washington subsequently made their home on their farm a couple of miles east of Ruthven. Mrs. Washington’s death is mourned by her husband, five sons and 2 daughters. The sons are Edward of Spencer, John of Ruthven, and Vincent, George and William of Omaha. The daughters are Mrs. Roy Beselin of Omaha and Mrs. Vern Ball of Ruthven. Two sons, Charles L and James, died during the World War. The former was in the service in the Navy and the latter in the army. Both were interred with military honors....(apparently a typo here, next line is as follows) only brother, James F Nolan of Ruthven is also among the mourners.
Mrs. Washington lived in our county from childhood. She grew up in the warm regard of the early residents of the community. As new settlers came, they soon learned to esteem her. She became an honored wife and the affectionate mother of a large family of creditable sons and daughters. She was stongly attached to her church and she was at all times a leading and influential memeber in its many undertakings. She was mild, unassuming, kind, considerate and obliging. Timely community enterprises could always count on her for assistance and encouragement. When her two sons, splendid young men, made the supreme sacrifice during the World war, she and her good husband accepted the heavy burden with Christian resignation, feeling that theirs was a real contribution to the cause of true patriotism. The people of Ruthven and vicinity and many in Emmetsburg and throughout the county will often recall Mrs Washington’s many virtues as a Christian lady and her strong influence and earnest efforts for the welfare of society. The large number who knew her will learn with deep sorrow of her passing and offer sympathy to the sorrowing husband, sons and daughters.

written on the back of this clipping by Marge Washington Ball “mother died 2 May 1928" Clipping from Emmetsburg Democrat

Her husband was Michael Thomas Washington.
Her parents were James P Nolan & Anastasia Fitzgerald.