Donlin, William 1872-1912

DONLIN, KIMBALL

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 4/18/2016 at 19:03:57

A GOOD MAN HAS GONE. DEATH COMES WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF HIS WEDDING. SUCCUMBS TO ATTACK OF ILLNESS. The Name of William Donlin Will Not Be Written in History, but His Memory Will Endure in Hearts of His Friends.
Death is sad in all its forms and the sorrow at the death of William Donlin, a well known citizen, is intensified by the fact that his demise followed within two weeks of the day on which he was married. On Sunday, February 4th, he led to the altar Miss Clara Kimball, of Portland, Oregon. On the Thursday following he was stricken with the dread disease pneumonia. After battling with illness for eight days he succumbed on Saturday shortly before twelve o’clock. His condition was deemed extremely grave from the start, but scant hopes were held for his recovery, although he apparently rallied for a brief space of time on Friday and Saturday morning. A serious illness due to inflammatory rheumatism which befell him a year ago had weakened his constitution and precluded chances for recovery.
William Donlin was born at Lancaster, Wis., on September 9, 1872. His mother died when he was about five years of age. His father married again and Will’s stepmother became is mother in deed, and cared for him as well and faithfully as for her own. His parents came to Plymouth county in 1879 to take charge of the Moore and Loring ranch in Elkhorn township, where they lived for some time, and later farmed in Garfield township and Will’s home was in this county until he died. He attended school and grew up on a farm, living at home until he was twenty-nine years of age. A number of years ago he came to Le mars and engaged in the business of selling pianos, working for various firms at different times. Subsequently he bought out the Heuertz dray line and conducted that business for several years until last year, when he sold out and took a trip to Canada to see a sister and for his health. On January of this year he embarked in another venture, buying out the Delmonico restaurant on Main street, and was stricken by hi last illness. He leaves a large number of relatives besides his wife to mourn hid death in the prime of manhood. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Donlin, reside at Orient, South Dakota. He also leaves a number of brothers and sisters, who are: J. F. Donlin, of Merrill; E. M. George F., Michael T., Arthur F. and Leo A., of Orient, South Dakota; Mrs. R. C. Dugan, Winton Hill, Saskatchewan; Mrs. G. M. Dill, Orient, South Dakota, Marry G. Donlin, who attends school at St. Joseph’s in this city, and Helen Donlin, of Orient, South Dakota.
The deceased was a member of Trinity council, Knights of Columbus, of this city, and was also a member of the fire department, and members of these organization attended the funeral in a body, marching in line. The services were held yesterday morning at St. James church, Rev. Father O’Farrell, the pastor, and Rev. Father Connolly, of Merrill, officiating at the requiem mass.
Many floral emblems were sent as offerings of condolences and a mark of the high esteem in which the deceased was held in the community.
To be as well spoken of as is Will Donlin and to hear the genuine expressions of regret is surely some solace to the bereaved relatives and shows that he did not live in vain. Will Donlin was what is called in every day parlance a white man. Gentle, unassuming, white souled, generous and pleasant, conscientious in his dealing with his fellowmen, he earned the respect and regard of all those with whom he came in contact, and his obituary dropped from the lips of his fellow men the past two days in a paean of praise. He was ever a dutiful son and loving brother, loyal to his friends, faithful to the teachings of his church and an honest and upright citizen. - Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Tuesday, February 20, 1912, page 1, column 1.