Neary, Margaret J. (Mrs. Edward), 1848-1938

NEARY, GALLAGHER, STEPHENS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Sioux Center News, April 14, 1938:

PIONEER ROCK VALLEY LADY PASSES ON

ROCK VALLEY:—Mrs. Neary, a pioneer of Rock Valley and vicinity passed away from this life about 9:30 o'clock Thursday night.

Mrs. Neary was born in Ireland on May 19, 1848 and passed away on April 7, 1938, having attained the ripe old age of 89 years, 10 months and 19 days. She was confined to her home much of the last few years but was always cheerful and glad to see friends drop in. She was a very staunch adherent of the Catholic religion.

Her husband and two sons preceded her in death and her earthly remains were laid beside them in the family burial plot at Vail, Iowa. Funeral services were held at the St. Mary's Church at 8:00 o'clock Saturday morning and interment made at Vail, Iowa the same day. Rev. W. Hyland of the local parish conducted the services and accompanied the relatives with the funeral cortege to Vail.

She leaves to mourn her passing, a brother Daniel Gallagher of Rock Valley, three daughters, Mrs. Mary Oakey of Fargo. N.D., Mrs. Victor Nelson. Duluth, Minn., and Mrs. Kate Akin of Rock Valley, beside several grand children and great grandchildren .

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From the Rock Valley Bee, April 15, 1938:

MARGARET NEARY PASSED AWAY

Mrs. Margaret Neary passed away at her home in Rock Valley last Thursday evening, April 7, following a lingering illness. Mrs. Neary was born in Ireland, March[sic] 19, 1848, and had attained the advanced age of almost ninety years. She came to this country with her parents when she was about twelve years old. The family located at Girardville, Penn., where she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage with Edward Neary January 29, 1874. They resided at Girardville about ten years and then moved to Crawford county, Iowa, where Mr. Neary died. Later Mrs. Neary moved to Rock Valley where she resided until her death, a period of about forty years.

Mrs. Neary was a woman who was highly thought of and respected by all who knew her, and her death is much regretted by her children, who were all here during her late illness, and she will also be missed by many friends and other relatives.

[Survivors and funeral information as in the Sioux Center News obit.]

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RESEARCH NOTES

A similar obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, April 15, 1938, Rock Valley news.

Her death certificate gives her full name as Mrs. Margaret Jane Neary; birth date May 19, 1848 in Ireland; parents Andrew Gallagher and Mary Stephens; resident of the U.S. 78 years and of Rock Valley 40 years; last worked as a housekeeper in March 1931; died at 9:30 a.m. April 7, 1938; causes, “arteriolar sclerosis with gangrene of extremities; senility.”

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found this information: Mrs. Neary had a son, Edward, who died in 1911; see his obit. Her husband was Edward Neary, born about 1850 died Oct 29, 1884 Vail, Crawford, IA. In 1880 the family was living in Bulter, Schuykill, PA. Ed was 30, Margaret was 29, children were Katie 6, Andrew 5, Mary Agnus 4, and Maggie 1. Son Edward was born 1881.