Rielly, Thomas C., 1848-1922

RIELLY, REILLY, SHEVELIN, SHEVELAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2017 at 20:30:41

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 13, 1922:

T. C. RIELLY PASSED AWAY FRIDAY MORNING

T. C. Rielly passed away at his home in Rock Valley Friday morning [Jan. 6] following a lingering illness of several months. He contracted last summer what he thought was a cold in his throat. He sought medical assistance at once but obtained no relief. Then he went to Chicago and later to Rochester, Minn., and was advised of the nature of his disease which was a cancer. Everything that medical skill could do for him was done, but the disease would not yield to treatment and he failed gradually until the final summons came, and he passed peacefully on to his reward.

The subject of this sketch was born in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland, June 15, 1848, and was seventy-three years, six months and twenty-one days old. His early life was spent in his native land, Ireland where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage in 1876 to Catherine Shevelin. Four years later, in 1880, he came with his family to America and settled at New Richmond, Wis., where the family resided ten years and then moved to Sioux County and settled on a farm northwest of Rock Valley where he resided continuously until four years ago when he retired from the farm and moved to Rock Valley.

He leaves his wife ad ten children, five girls and five boys, Mrs. P. Tuynman, Catherine, Margaret, Rose and Mary; Thos., John, Pat, Will and Edward.

Mr. Rielly was a man who was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a kind and loving father and husband and obliging neighbor and friend. He was a devout member of the Catholic church at Rock Valley and a member of the K. C. [Knights of Columbus] Council at Sheldon. He will be greatly missed not only in the home, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church in Rock Valley Monday morning conducted by Father O' Rielly, assisted by Father Bradley of Hawarden and Father Masterson of Cherokee. High Requium Mass was observed. The pall bearers were P. A. Cummings, D. J. Scanlan, L. Murphy, M. McNamara, Thos. Higgins and James Keegan. The services were largely attended by friends and neighbors who in this way expressed their respect and esteem for the departed and their sympathy for the bereaved family.

[Followed by a long list of those from a distance who attended the funeral, and by resolutions of sympathy from Court St. Anne, No. 215, Catholic Daughters of America.]

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An obituary in the Alton Democrat, Rock Valley news, January 14, 1922, contains similar information but provides several additional or different details:

Thomas C. Reilly, one of Rock Valley's prominent and highly esteemed citizens, died at his home Friday morning Jan. 6, 1922, from the dreaded disease of cancer of the throat, after everything that medical skill could do to stop the inroad of the malady that had been preying on his vitals for a period of eight months.

The deceased was born June 15, 1848 in Belmullet, county Mayo, Ireland, and at the time of his demise was 73 years 6 months and 21 days old. He grew to manhood in the land of his birth and on April 6, 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Shevelan, in whom he found a genial and helpful companion, who shared with him in all the vicissitudes of life.

Young and vigorous, and possessed with a spirit of determination to succeed in life, and to better their condition, they emigrated to America in 1880 and located near New Richmond, Wis., where they resided for eleven years. In 1890 he came with his family to Sioux county and located on a farm west of Rock Valley, this he pursued with signal success during the active years of his life and by frugality and industry, he acquired a competency. About two years ago he purchased a fine home in town and retired from the activities of farm life, and enjoyed the fruits of his incessant toil.

He was the father of an interesting family of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, namely Patrick J., Thomas J., John F., Edward M. and William A., Mrs. Hannah Tuynman, Margaret, Catherine, Mary, and Rose all of Rock Valley who survive him. Bridget who for several years was a successful teacher in the Rock Valley school preceded him to the spirit world some three years ago. Two of the children having died in infancy.

He was devoted to his family, his home was his castle, and devoted his best energies to make it an ideal home having a zealous care for the development of his family, promoting their success through the stimulation and constant endeavor, and wholesome living, and the influence of his life will linger with his devoted family as the beautiful strains of sweet music. He was recognized as a good neighbor and esteemed highly for his uprightness of character, and thoughtfulness and appreciation of the rights of others. [Next 3 lines are too furry to read] of those with whom he associated. [followed by expressions of sentiment]

He was a devoted member of the Catholic church and identified with the order of the K. of C. at Sheldon, from the council of which he was a member, was present at the funeral to pay their respects to a departed brother.

[Same funeral information as in the Bee.] Floral tributes covered his bier, contributed by the Knights of Columbus and Catholic order of Foresters, attesting the esteem in which he was held in the community. His remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery south of town.... He leaves two sisters in Ireland, and one at New Richmond, Wis., a companion and ten children to mourn his passing. All were present at the funeral except his sisters and son Edward, who is studying for the Priesthood at Los Gatos, Cal. [followed by a list of out-of-town attendees]

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index spells his surname Rielly.