Myles Mahan 1820-1900

MAHAN, REILLY, DONAHUE, MAHER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/14/2010 at 12:01:05

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
7 Nov 1900
Page 5

Myles Mahan Dies Suddenly.

Friday noon our citizens were pained to learn of the sudden death of Myles Mahan, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the county. Though he had not been in the best of spirits for some time, he had been about as usual and retired early Thursday evening. During the night some member of the J. P. Mahan's family, with whom he was stopping, visited his room and he appeared to be resting easily. In the morning it was thought best to let him sleep as long as he wished, so no effort was made to disturb him. During the forenoon he was discovered dead in his bed. Heart failure is supposed to have been the immediate cause of his death.

The funeral was held Sunday. Services were conducted at the Graettinger Catholic church by Father Kelly, and the remains were brought to this city for burial during the afternoon. There were over 100 teams in the procession.

Mr. Mahan was a native of the county of Limerick, Ireland, where he was born August 15, 1820. He came to Massachusetts about 1848 where he was shortly afterwards married to Mary Ann Reilly. They lived in Kane county, Illinois, for several years and moved to Palo Alto county in 1850. The original Irish colony had settled on the "patch" the previous year and among its members was Edward Mahan, the brother of the deceased. Previous to that time the only white settlers in the county were William Carter and Jeremiah Black, who lived in the present neighborhood of West Bend. Of that strong, hearty, frugal, courageous band of early settlers, only four or five remain. Mr. Mahan assisted in the organization of the county in the fall of 1858 and since that time he has been inseparably associated with its growth, progress, and development. he was a strong, vigorous, industrious, energetic man and made for himself and family a splendid farm home. He was the soul of honor, was generous to a fault, and was intensely loyal to his convictions. He hated hypocrisy, and those for whom he professed friendship had never any occasion to doubt his manifestations of good will. He led a most exemplary life and always enjoyed the confidence, esteem, and regard of those among whom he mingled in the affairs of life. Mrs. Mahan died twelve years ago. There are four sons, John P., Myles E., James M., and Patrick. The daughters are Mrs. Chris Donahue, Mrs. Maher, and Miss Essie Mahan. They are among our most respected citizens. The memory of the good life and the praiseworthy deed of their aged, beneficent, and honored father will be long and fondly cherished by them. The profound sympathy of all is extended to them.