Mary (Collins) Conway 1835-1908

CONWAY, COLLINS, NOLAN, KING

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/27/2010 at 16:45:52

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
18 Mar 1908
Page 5

Mrs. John Conway is Dead.

Passed Away at the Home of Her Son James in Emmet County.

Mrs. John Conway died at the home of her son, James Conway, in Emmet county, Sunday, after an illness of two or three weeks. The remains were brought to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Nolan, north of this city Monday. The funeral took place yesterday. Services were held at Assumption church at 10 o'clock. They were conducted by her pastor, Father Kelly, of Graettinger. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. There was a large procession, many coming from a distance to attend.

Mary Collins was born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1835. In 1855 she was married at that place to John Conway. In 1856 they moved to West Osgood, Canada, where they remained until the spring of 1870 when they came to Palo Alto county and settled on a farm near the present town of Osgood. Mr. Conway died a number of years ago. There are five sons and two daughters living. Lawrence lives in Vernon township, James in Emmet county, John in Minneapolis, and Thomas at Estherville. Another brother, Michael, resides at some point southeast of here. The oldest daughter, Mrs. Charles Nolan, lives just north of this city and another daughter, Mrs. Frank King, resides in Minneapolis. All the members of the family except Michael are present to attend the funeral.

The deceased came to this locality when settlers were few and when neighbors had to depend upon one another for many accommodations that are not necessary in this age of advantages. Hardships were numerous but they were borne with that spirit of cheerfulness and resignation that was so characteristic of the average pioneer. She was a friendly, generous, benevolent woman and was ever ready to give a helping hand to those needing her assistance. Her death will be sincerely mourned, not only by those who were bound to her by the strongest of human ties, but also by the many who knew her for nearly forty years and who had learned early to prize her helpful and enduring friendship.