Katherine Finnegan Downs 1866-1904

FINNEGAN, DOWNS

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath
Date: 10/29/2006 at 17:53:18

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Wednesday, May 18, 1904

MRS. J.P. DOWNS IS DEAD
A Victim of Pneumonia- Seven Children Left Motherless

Wednesday morning the unwelcome, though not unexpected news of the death of Mrs. J.P. Downs, of Nevada township, reached this city. She and one of her little boys had been ill for several days with pneumonia. Her condition was considered serious and her family and friends had grave doubts as to her chances for recovery. All earnestly hoped and prayed that she might be spared to her family of seven children, but such was not the will of Him whose ways are oft times mysterious. The dreaded happened and the husband and those who need so much of a mother’s love and tender care are left to pursue life’s lonely journey without her.

The funeral was held Friday forenoon. There was a large procession, in which were represented old friends and neighbors from various parts of the county. The services were held at Assumption church. A requiem mass was celebrated by Very Rev. J.J. Smith. The remains were laid to rest in St. John’s cemetery. The pall bearers were Thomas Kirby, John Shea, Andrew Dunphy, M.F Brennan, G.W. Downs and J.T. Mulroney.

Katherine Finnegan was born near Harpers Ferry, Allamakee county, September 8, 1866. She grew to womanhood in that neighborhood. Her parents were in comfortable circumstances and she was given good advantages. In October, 1886, she became the wife of J.P. Downs of this county. He had previously lived in Allamakee county. The writer well remembers having met the newly mated couple on their arrival in this city. They settled on their farm in Nevada and prospered. Four sons and three daughters were born to them. The sons are Edward, Bernard, Emmet and Willie, The daughters are Sybella, Ellen and Katherine. Her mother and two sisters live in Allamakee county and a brother in Colorado.

The many traits of this good woman who has just been taken from her home, husband and loved ones will long be lined with those of the most exemplary, zealous and dutiful Christian wives and mothers of the community that knew her so long, so intimately and so favorably. Her most ardent ambition was to make her household the abiding place of domestic simplicity, contentment and earnest, unaffected devotion to all that is pure, elevating and ennobling. She was a humble, frugal woman and she had a strong and abiding confidence in the tenents that make religious faith and practice a source of hope and consolation to the home and to society. She tried to do her duty cheerfully, conscientiously, and without ostentation. Those who had the strongest claims to her care, attention and direction will never again, while trodding life’s crowded pathway, feel the touch of her helping hand or be gladdened by her sweet, motherly smile, but the early influence of her maternal example and solicitude will live in their hearts and in their memories though years and decades come and go. May he who gives solace to lonely, wounded hearts in their hours of trying affliction give willingly the much needed consolation to the bereft husband and the motherless little ones.