Madden, John J. 1817-1907

MADDEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/23/2008 at 20:58:23

From: Le Mars Sentinel, October 22, 1907

J J MADDEN DIES AT HOME IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

HELPED BUILD THE FIRST RAILROAD

Born in Ireland Early in the Last Century, Came to America When a Lad and Worked at Mining and Railroading – Lived here Forty Years

John J. Madden, one of the oldest residents of Plymouth County, died at his home in Washington Township, Monday morning at three o’clock. Mr. Madden had a severe spell of sickness last winter and spring, but had regained his health in a great measure during the summer and was able to be out and was extremely active for a man of his great age by being upwards of ninety years old. He was in town last week and greeted many friends, apparently feeling in fairly good health. On Sunday morning he was taken with a sinking spell and a physician was hastily summoned. In the evening he was worse and two doctors were called in consultation. Towards morning he passed peacefully away, surrounded by his family.

J. J. Madden was a native of Ireland, having been born at Birr, King’s County, on November 1, 1817. When a lad of fifteen he went to England, where he worked for ten years and then shipped to America. For many years he worked in the mills at Providence, Rhode Island, and subsequently moved to Fond du Lac, Wis. While in Wisconsin he worked in the copper mines at Lake Superior and then went railroading. He helped to build the Union Pacific Road through the West. It was while railroading that he came to Iowa, having a contract grading on the Dubuque and Sioux City railroad, which is now a part of the Illinois Central Railroad. He homesteaded in Washington Township on the land where he lived until his death, adding to the original track by hard work frugality and industry and died possessed of a good share of the world’s riches. After he lived on the land he continued his work railroading and built the track from here north when the St. Paul and Omaha railroad came through this section of the Country in 1871.

Mr. Madden was united in marriage with a lady whose surname was the same as his own, Miss Bridget Madden of Omaha in the sixties. Five children were born to them, four of whom with the mother are living on the home place. They are Michael, Mary, John and Bridget, one son William died in 1875. Mr. Madden also leaves a brother six years younger than himself, Michael Madden, who resides in St. Louis. Mr. Madden’s mother died her in 1883 at a great age, she being 110 years of age at the time of her death, according to the family records. Mr. Madden had a wide acquaintance in the county, owing to his later residence and was highly respected. He had a cordial greeting for all he met. He was a hard working and industrious man, a good citizen and neighbor, a kind and affectionate father and husband. He was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and a regular attendant at St. James’ Church. He will be missed by many old friends with whom he was intimately associated here for the past forty years. He was another of the old pioneers God rest his soul.

The funeral will be held at St. James Church in this city, Wednesday morning.