John Lillis 1834-1896

LILLIS, HALLIGAN, VOLZ, KINALLEY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 3/14/2010 at 13:43:45

Davenport Daily Leader
9 Jan 1896
Page 4

Sudden Death Comes to a Respected Citizen of Davenport.

Mr. John Lillis Answers to the Final Summons -- The News a Sad Shock to the Community -- Biographical Sketch of His Career -- Forty-four Years a Resident of Davenport.

The news of the unexpected and sudden death of Mr. John Lillis is a sad shock to his family and friends, as well as to the community at large, among whom he spent the last four and forty years of his life. His demise will therefore awaken widespread sorrow and sympathy in this city and county. Mr. Lillis was yesterday apparently in average good health, although during the day he complained of a feeling of tightness or oppression about his chest. He was however out and about as usual, calling on his daughter, Mrs. T. F. Halligan during the day, and in the vening partook of a hearty supper at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J. F. Volz, where he had been making his home at 616 East Sixth street. After supper Mrs. Volz decided to visit Mrs. Halligan, leaving the children with a neighbor, and Mr. Lillis walked downtown with Mr. Volz, to whom he said he would go home a little before 8 o'clock and take the children from the neighbor's care. Mr. Volz later went to meet his wife at the residence of Mrs. Halligan, who had been indisposed during the way, and it was there that the sad tidings were brought that is chronicled in this article.

It was about 8 o'clock when J. F. McCabe, who is head salesman with T. Richter & Sons, while going home along Case street, between Iowa and LeClaire' noticed Mr. Lillis lying prostrate upon the sidewalk, in a position indicating that he had fallen backward as he was walking eastward towards his home. About the same time N. W. Nelson appeared on the scene. Mr. McCabe stooped down and discovered that life was not yet extinct, and leaving Mr. Nelson hurried to send for assistance, telephoning from the Tinnian house at Fifth and Rock Island for the city ambulance. While he was on this mission, Michael O'Connor came along, and then for the first time was discovered the identity of the stricken citizen, Mr. O'Connor being a young friend of the deceased. Mr. McCabe, who had also sent word to the relatives of Mr. Lillis, returned and the ambulance soon followed. It was evident by this time that Mr. Lillis had breathed his last, and the remains were conveyed to Undertaker Halligan's establishment, 209 West Third street, to await the arrival of Coroner McCortney. The coroner having arrived pronounced life extinct. The remains were taken to 727 Perry street, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Halligan, from which place the funeral will be held.

John Lillis was born in the County Clare, Ireland, June 9, 1934, and was therefore 61 years, 6 months and 29 days old. He came to America in 1845, landing at Quebec, and living for some time with his parents at Kingston, Canada. On their leaving Canada, they came to Davenport in 1851, so that Mr. Lillis was one of the old settlers of this city, although in years he was not much past the average of life. After being engaged in several lines of business, he established his well known grocery at 428 Brady street, which he conducted with great success for a quarter of a century. Eight years ago he retired, his son Wm. M. Lillis continuing the business at the old stand. Mr. Lillis later established a commission house in Chicago, and after some time returned to Davenport, his old home, to pass the remainder of his days. His wife, to whom he was married on Jun 10, 1857, died on April 18, 1892.
Mr. Lillis was prominent in public life in the late 60's, being city clerk under Mayor Donahue in 1867 and 1868. He was also a member of the city council for the Fifth ward for several years. He made an excellent public official, and stood high with the business community. He was a member of the Catholic Knights of America, and of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective society of Iowa, both mutual benevolent insurance associations, and also one of the directors and stockholders of the Washburn-Halligan Coffee Co.
There survive to mourn his loss, one son, Wm. M. Lillis,the Brady street grocer, and three daughters, Mrs. T. F. Halligan and Mrs. J.F. Volz of this city, and Mrs. M. J. Kinalley, of Chicago. His aged mother, no in her 93rd year still survives, living with Michael Lillis, brother of the deceased at Long Grove in this county, and another brother, Patrick H., resides at Winterset, Iowa.
The funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) morning with services at Sacred Heart cathedral at 9 o'clock. Interment in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

At a post mortem examination this morning, conducted by Coroner McCortney, assisted by Dr. DeArmand, it was learned that the death of Mr. Lillis was due to cardiacal degeneration, with attendant complications.

The Davenport Leader
14 Jan 1896
Page 1

Friday at Sacred Heart cathedral requiem services were held over the remains of Mr. John Lillis at 9 o'clock. Vicar-General Davis officiating. Father Davis also preached an eloquent funeral sermon, in which he called to mind with words of commendation the services the deceased had rendered the pastors of old St. Marguerite's church, now Sacred Heart cathedral parish, and also the kindly sympathy shown to himself as cathedral pastor. The services were attended by a great concourse of relatives, friends and acquaintances, testifying to the widespread esteem in which the late Mr. Lillis was held. The funeral cortege to the grave was a long and imposing one, the remains being laid to rest in St. Marguerite's cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs. Guy T. Ahrens, John McIntyre, Thomas O'Shaughnessy, Michael Feeney, James F. Gorman and Edward Grace.