Michael Whalen 1845-1924

WHALEN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/1/2010 at 17:19:43

The Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
7 May 1924
Page 1

Michael Whalen Died Thursday

Mr. Michael Whalen of Ayrshire died at Mercy Hospital at Council Bluffs on Thursday, May 1. He had been there for about a week. The body was brought to his home at Ayrshire Saturday. Funeral services were conducted at the Sacred Heart Church there Monday morning and the remains were interred in St. John's cemetery here. Rev. E. J. Smith had charge of the services. The pall bearers were John McGuire, J. S. Martin, Dan O'Brien, Martin Kane, Tom Fagan and John Degnan. Mr. Whalen had been suffering from Bright's disease for several years, and it finally caused his death.

The funeral was largely attended by people from Ayrshire and vicinity and also from Emmetsburg.

Michael Whalen was born in the County Kerry, Ireland on December 25, 1845. When only a child he came to America with his parents. They located in Almakee county where they resided until 1870 when they moved to Palo Alto county. They took up a homestead in Silver Lake township where they lived for many years. After his parents died, Mr. Whalen and his sister Kate continued to reside on the farm until 1898 when they moved to Ayrshire and established their home and subsequently lived there. They adopted John Lenihan, who now lives at Fenton when he was a child and raised him to manhood.

Mr. Whalen was an honest, industrious and upright man. He was neighborly and found real pleasure in doing a kindly act to anyone, whenever he could be helpful. He was kind to his sister and they enjoyed each others company and lived happily together. His sister will find it lonely without him. To her and also to Mr. Lenihan the Tribune extends sincere sympathy.