Walsh, John 1862-1931

WALSH, CROWLEY, MCDONALD

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/23/2023 at 16:48:31

LeMars Globe-Post
Monday, May 4, 1931

EARLY SETTLER TAKEN BY DEATH.
John Walsh Was One Of Those Who Broke Prairies.

John Walsh, one of Plymouth county’s early settlers, died at noon Saturday at his home, 520 First St. S.W., after a sickness of several months.

John Walsh was born in Garryowen, Jackson county, Christmas day, 1862, and came to Plymouth county with his parents in 1870. They settled on a homestead in Stanton township and he could tell many tales of the struggles of early days. His father died when he was 14 and he early knew the responsibility of head of a family.

He tried hard to get an education in the rough schools of that day but now with the death of his father, he with his mother, and two sisters, all of whom have preceded him in death, tired through the grass-hopper and prairie fire days to wring a living from the stubborn prairie. He lived to see the prairie blossom like a rose, and the cry of the coyote gave way to the shrill blast of the locomotive. When the first train came through LeMars, the entire countryside was on hand to welcome it.

Mr. Walsh was united in marriage with Mary Ann Crowley in 1886 and their forty-fifth wedding anniversary was April 18.

Besides his widow, he leaves six sons and one daughter to mourn his loss. Mrs. Gertrude McDonald, of LeMars, Edward of Seattle, Wash.; Raymond and Cecil, who is deputy county clerk, of LeMars; Jim and Harry, of Chicago, and Will of Waterloo, all of whom were at the bedside.

During his lifetime, Mr. Walsh was active in township and county politics and served his party several times with honor. During the war he took a leading part in Liberty Loan drives and other work and saws five of his family march off to serve their country. He returned from the farm 16 years ago and took up quiet city life.

He loved to visit his sons and he would beam with pleasure as he told of their successes in their different work. Mr. Walsh was a good father, a good neighbor and a true friend. His policy of “Say nothing about a person unless you can say something good” endeared him to many.

His family and community are going to miss him and he has left a work well done. The funeral will be held Tuesday from St. James church where he was a devoted member.