Foley, Michael 1831 - 1906

FOLEY, NALLY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/15/2012 at 17:42:38

Note: Two papers have his age 75 or 76 and one 70. I will estimate 75 years.

Michael Foley, residing on the Broken Kettle , died Monday morning, aged about 76 years.

Mr. Foley was one of the pioneer residents and well known through out the county.

The funeral will be held this morning at St. James' church in this city.

Le mars Globe Post
Wednesday, January 2, 1907
Le Mars, Iowa

Death of a Pioneer

Michael Foley a well known wealthy farmer living on the west half of section nineteen, Johnson Township, died Monday morning, December 31, 1906, after an extended illness with stomach trouble. For twenty-five day previous to his death it is said he was unable to partake of food.

Mr. Foley was a native of Ireland and was seventy years of age. He came to this country when a young man and was for a number of years engaged in in the transportation traffic on the Ohio River at Louisville Kentucky.

About twenty-five years ago he came west and was so fortunate as to homestead what is now the town site of Maurice, Sioux County, Iowa. For his relinquishment of the land he received a very liberal sum from the railroad desiring to past through the place, the proceeds of which he judiciously invested in good Plymouth county land. Here he and his faithful wife have toiled for twenty-three years their efforts accumulating one of the finest half section farms in this part of the country worth in itself a comfortable fortune. But over and above this they viewed with their greatest pride their family of four sons and five daughters all of them grown up and some of them at the head of another generation.

Mr. Foley held a high place in the regards of the community in which he lived and labored so many years, and there are many to regret and sympathize with the sorrowing family in the passing from earth of his citizen.

Father Hurley went from here to Le Mars where the funeral was yesterday morning. Interment was also made in that city.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, January 3, 1907
Akron, Iowa

The Funeral of Michael Foley

The funeral of Michael Foley which was held at St. James’ church on Wednesday morning 11 o'clock, was one of the largest attended funerals which has been held In Le Mars, old friends coming from nearly every township in the county to pay a last tribute to his memory and a large number came from the vicinity of his old home at Maurice.

The services were conducted by Rev. Father Hurley of Akron and Rev. Father E. O'Farrell of Le Mars.

He was born In County Galowy, Ireland 75 years ago and came to America in 1862 and remained in New York for a number of years where he followed the occupation of a sailor. He went to Pennsylvania from New York and In about 1866 was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Nally. Shortly after his marriage he went to Kentucky and resided there for about ten years when he came to the northwest, buying the half section farm upon which the town of Maurice is now located. He sold a quarter section from this farm in 1878 to the railroad company who platted the townsite, then went to the vicinity of Adaville where he bought 244 acres of land and began the accumulation of competence for his family,

How well he succeeded In his efforts by his holdings in farm land which is the finest In Plymouth and Sioux counties for he kept adding to bis farms until he owned 1160 acres of the finest land in Iowa. He was a man of exceptional energy and foresight and,foresaw the value of the futile lands in Iowa. He was one of the most devoted husbands and father and a most genial companion and as a neighbor and friend was most loyal and true.

He is survived by his aged wife who was a most loyal helpmate to him In his life and who Is now most sorely bereft. Ten children were born to them all of whom survive him. They are Mrs. Ed Byrne of Brookings. Mrs. James Gale, Mrs. Ed Hoffmann, Mrs. Will Welch, Mrs. Frank Hoffman Miss Ella Foley and Thomas, Michael, Patrick and James, all living In this county.

Le Mars Globe
Wednesday, January 9, 1907
Le Mars, Iowa