John Mohan 1829-1907

MOHAN, OKEEFE, OCONNOR, MCCARTY, STEIL, CARNEY, PALMER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 15:05:58

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
23 Jan 1907
Page 5

Death of John Mohan.

Mr. John Mohan, one of Emmetsburg's pioneers, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John D. McCarty, early Saturday morning. He had been ill but a few days. He was taken with pneumonia and, much sooner than was anticipated by his relatives and friends, became its victim. The funeral was held Monday forenoon. Services were conducted at Assumption church by Very Rev. J. J. Smith. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were P. J. McCarty, John J. Steil, John Lynch, Edward Ryan, T. J. Duffy, John O'Connor.

The deceased was born at Navan, in the county of Meath, Ireland, June 24, 1829. His parents died when he was a small boy. He came to the United States in 1850 and located at Hudson, New York. In 1854 he was married to Bridget Mullen. They located near Portage City, Wisconsin. She died some years later. In 1863 he was married to Anna O'Keefe, who survives him. In 1880 they came to this county, subsequently residing here.

Besides the wife, there are six daughters living. They are Mrs. Philip O'Connor, of Graettinger, Mrs. Joseph James, of Madison, Wisconsin, Mesdames J. D. McCarty, Joe J. Steil, J. J. Carney, and W. S. Palmer, all of this city.

Mr. Mohan was one of the best known old gentlemen in the county. His long residence in Emmetsburg gave him a wide acquaintance and he was observing, genial, and friendly. His opportunities in early life were rather limited. Nevertheless, he had a keen, discerning mind and he had an exceptionally retentive memory. He was present at the great political demonstration at Tara, in 1843, at which Daniel O'Connell, the Irish liberator, was the central figure, and he frequently, in his conversations with his fellow countrymen, recalled the important gathering and spoke of the interesting details connected with it. He was a man of good habits and he was scrupulously honest. He lived to a ripe old age, leaving to those who survive him the memory of a life of sobriety, sincerity and industry.