John F. Neary 1853-1907

NEARY, MORRISSEY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/7/2010 at 08:51:44

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
12 Jun 1907
Page 4

J. F. Neary Is Dead

Passed Away Early Thursday Morning After a Long Illness

Resided In County 51 Years

Funeral Was Held Saturday Morning and Was Largely Attended.

(photo of John F. Neary)

John F. Neary, whose serious illness had been mentioned in recent issues of the Democrat, passed away at his home in this city at an early hour Thursday morning. For many months his condition had been such that medical skill could do but little to give him even temporary relief from his sufferings, while nothing could be done that would be of any permanent benefit in restoring him to health. He had not been rugged, physically, for several years, although he was able to be about most of the time until February. After that he spent most of his hours at home.

The funeral was held Saturday forenoon and was very largely attended by our business men and citizens in general and by many from the surrounding country. The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus were out in a body. The active pall bearers were Peter O'Brien, P. H. Hand, Thomas O'Connor, Thomas Kirby, T. J. Dudy, and P. V. Nolan. The honorary pall bearers, representing the Knights of Columbus, were E. J. Biggins, Jr., T. W. Millea, Wm. Laughlin, James Dunigan, Joseph Malroney and S. P. Fitzgerald. High mass was celebrated by Very Rev. J. J. Smith. The interment was in St. John's cemetery.

The deceased was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 25, 1853. During the summer of 1856 his parents came to this vicinity with the original Irish colony. At that time there was no Emmetsburg and no Palo Alto county. The first winter all the members of the party lived on the "Patch" as it was known, on the present site of the Riverdale farm. Later his parents made their home in the locality now known as Nevada township. At an early age Mr. Neary became a clerk in Mr. Tobin's store and later was his partner. Some time after he engaged in the mercantile business for himself in the building at present occupied by Mr. Reihsen. He enjoyed a large patronage and prospered. For a year or two he kept a double store, using his own building for dry goods and the building one door south for his grocery stock. Later he took his brother-in-law, Martin Morrissey, as a partner. Ten or twelve years ago he closed out the stock. Subsequently Mr. Neary gave his attention to real estate and insurance, he and Mr. Menzies forming a partnership for the carrying on of this line of business.

Mr. Neary served as a member of the city council for several terms. He was a charter member of the local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and also of Emmetsburg council of the Knights of Columbus. He was state treasurer of the A. O. H. for several terms and figured prominently in the state and national gatherings of the organization. He was a member of the parochial committee of Assumption parish for many years and often served faithfully in an official capacity in various other organizations in the community. He was president of the Hibernian investment company from the date of its organization until the time of his death.

January 7, 1884, he was married in this city to Elizabeth Morrissey. She and three sons and one daughter survive. The sons are John, James and Raymond. The daughter's name is Mary. All are at home. His aged father and his brother, P. C. Neary, live in Nevada township. One sister, Mrs. P. J. Murphy, resides at present at Draper, South Dakota.

Mr. Neary was a most exemplary citizen in every way. Personally, he was a Christian gentleman. His example was at all times edifying. He was temperate in his habits. His convictions on religious subjects were founded on a faith that never wavered and that guided him constantly in his devotion to duty. He was a diligent reader, a close, prudent observer, and a thoughtful student of public affairs. He was self willed and self reliant. He had due respect for the rights of others, but he decided and acted for himself in all matters of importance. He was public spirited. He invariably gave as much as his means would permit to every worthy undertaking. He was a man of taste. He was up-to-date. He never believed in half doing anything. He was in hearty sympathy with the progressive spirit of the age in which he lived. With him, an official position was a public trust. He would not knowingly neglect his responsibilities to those who trusted to his judgment and who had confidence in his integrity. He regarded the Christian family as the cornerstone of society and always raised his voice for the encouragement of the influences that would safeguard it and make it as enduring as possible. In his parental solicitude, he was watchful, far seeing and cautious. He sought to instill into the minds of those who would survive him, principles that would direct them to a higher realization of life's most important obligations and to fill their hearts with sentiments that contribute so much towards making human efforts truly enjoyable, useful, and efficatious for good. The influence of such a career, for fifty-one years, in a community can not be fully realized and it is not surprising that there is widespread and genuine regret when it has been brought to a close.

The sympathy of all is, of course, extended the surviving members of the family in their sorrow.