John A. Feeney

FEENEY, FLYNN

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 7/6/2014 at 20:13:59

MICHAEL FEENEY, LOCAL PIONEER, ANSWERS CALL
Father of John A. Feeney, Well Known Grocer, Dies at Age of 70 Years.

Death summoned a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Davenport today when Michael M. Feeney, father of John A. Feeney, the grocer, passed away at 10:10 o'clock at the family home, 1201 Farnam street. Death terminated a nine month's illness occasioned by stomach trouble.

For the [rest of line unreadable] was entertained for his recovery.

During all his sickness, however, he displayed a wonderful vitality, and frequently rallied out of apparently fatal attacks. Last night a decided change for the worst occurred, the family was summoned, and Mr. Feeney gradually grew weaker until the end came peacefully this morning.
Mr. Feeney was 70 years of age. He was a pioneer in Davenport, having resided in this city since May 30, 1866. He was an interesting character with a host of friends, and he loved to regale them with reminiscences of his early life in Davenport.
Mr. Feeney was born on January 12, 1847, in County Sligo, Ireland. There he resided for nineteen years, when he set sail for America, landing in New York on May 30, 1866. A few months later he moved to Davenport to make this city his permanent home.

On Feb. 8, 1869, he was married to Mary A. Flynn in St. Margaret's church by the Rev. Henry Cosgrove, afterwards Bishop of Davenport. Fourteen children were born of the union, twelve of whom survive. Mrs. Feeney, the mother, passed away on may 7, 1896.

Mr. Feeney was a pioneer street car man in Davenport. Forty-five years ago he was general foreman of the street car barn. Then he went into the wood and coal business in which he was actively engaged until the mills shut down some years ago.

He loved to term himself one of the city builders of Davenport, and he frequently proudly referred to the fact that he had built the first sidewalk outside the city limits of Davenport at a point which is now in the vicinity of Eastern avenue.
The twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, who survive to mourn his loss are: John A., Thomas J., Mary E., James J., Frank W., Joseph L., Charles W., Mrs. Gertrude Kennedy of Des Moines, Raymond G., corporal with Battery B, Ralph M., Louis A., and Robert Emmet Feeney. Nine grandsons and three grand-daughters also survive.

The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock Saturday morning with services at Sacred Heart cathedral. Interment will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Source: The Davenport Democrat, Davenport, IA 23 April 1917.