Mary Ann (Martin) Shea 1844-1921

SHEA, MARTIN, EGAN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/25/2010 at 16:46:38

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
9 Mar 1921
Page 1

Mrs. William Shea Called To Reward

She Was One of the Pioneer School Teachers of Palo Alto County.

Mrs. William Shea passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. C. Egan, Monday evening after a rather brief illness, although she had been declining in health for several years. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. Services will be conducted at the Assumption church. Rev. L. J. Savage will officiate. The burial will be in St. John's cemetery.

Mary Ann Martin was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, July 28, 1844. Her age was 76. When she was three years old her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin, came to the United States and located in New Jersey where they remained for three years. In 1850 they moved west and settled in the vicinity of Shullsburgh, Wisconsin. It was in that locality that Miss Martin grew to womanhood. She received a good education and taught in her home community for several years. In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Martin and their daughter came to Palo Alto county and settled on a farm in Great Oak township. Miss Martin taught school in this county for a number of years. She was one of the pioneer workers in the school rooms of this section. She was capable, pleasing and successful and through life her pupils were her fast friends. June 6, 1874, Miss Martin was united in marriage to William Shea. They lived in Nevada township for many years, finally selling out and building a home in this city. Mr. Shea passed away a number of years ago. Mrs. Shea spent some time with her son Leo at Deer Lodge, Montana, but her health failing, she returned to Emmetsburg and subsequently lived with her daughter, Mrs. C. C. Egan. She is survived by three sons and one daughter. The sons are Attorney T. F. Shea of Billings, Montana, Joseph of the Twin Cities and Leo of Emmetsburg. The only daughter, Mrs. C. C. Egan of Great Oak township, is well known to our many local readers. A brother, J. S. Martin, resides in Emmetsburg and a brother, James Martin, and a sister, Mrs. Thomas Shea, live at Ayrshire.

Mrs. Shea was a humble, amiable, warm hearted, Christian woman. She was widely known for her cheery manner, her good nature and her genuine, unaffected hospitality. She was always glad to speak well of her associates and neighbors and to be of substantial service to them when they needed her assistance. Her early experience in school work enabled her to take a special interest in many matters that were not of particular concern to some with whom she mingled. She was a practical, devoted member of her church. She always gave to religion the high place it should hold in the motives and the lives of a people. She was eager to make her home happy and life agreeable to those about her. For fifty years she contributed liberally and willingly, by her sunny nature and her hopeful anticipations, to the elevating, strengthening social and Christian sentiment that has had such influence for good in the activities of the people of our community. All that is mortal of this worthy, honored Christian lady will soon be consigned to a quiet resting place in St. John's cemetery but her edifying example, her earnest admonitions and her kind, helpful deeds will long survive in the hearts of those who knew her well and who respected her for her womanly virtues. The sincere sympathy of all is extended to the three sons, the daughter and the brothers and sister in their bereavement.