Patrick Walsh 1855-1916

WALSH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/20/2019 at 08:04:44

16 March 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser

P.T. WALSH IS DEAD AT HOME IN DAVENPORT
WEALTHY RAILROAD CONTRACTOR DIED EARLY TODAY
BEGAN CAREER AS LABORER
Won Position and Wealth, Bringing Old Associates Up with Him--His Career

(Special to the ADVERTISER)
Davenport, Ia., March 16-Patrick T. Walsh, one of the most prominent railroad contractors in the country, and one of Iowa's wealthiest sons, is dead at his home here, aged 62 years.

Mr. Walsh had been suffering from stomach trouble for two years, and spent some time in Chicago consulting specialists, and receiving treatment. He returned home two weeks ago, and was taken to Mercy hospital, returning home Wednesday morning, apparently much benefited. During the supper hour last night, however, he was stricken with apoplexy, and did not regain consciousness. He passed away at 8:45 o'clock this morning.

The funeral arrangements were not announced today.

Had Mr. Walsh lived until tomorrow, St. Patrick's day, he would have been 62 years of age.

He was born in Davenport on March 17, 1855, and was educated in the Davenport schools. Until 30 years ago he worked as a stone cutter at the Rock Island arsenal. Then, because of labor troubles, he lost his position, and took up the contracting business in Davenport. He rose rapidly in this work, and as he succeeded and extended his operations, he remembered his old friends, teamsters, hostlers, water-boys and time-keepers at the arsenal, and extended to these a helping hand. Many of them are now wealthy men.

For many years Mr. Walsh had been prominent as a railway contractor, and in connection with this work he is known from coast to coast.

Surviving him are his wife, two sons, Thomas J. and Ed Walsh and three daughters, Mrs. Eugene J. Walsh, and Misses Katherine and Gertrude Walsh.