Ellen (O'Connor) Fitzgerald (1821-1911)

OCONNOR, FITZGERALD, DOLAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/21/2016 at 20:28:39

From Nevada Representative May 16, 1911 (front page)

OBITUARY

Death of Mrs. Ellen Fitzgerald

Mrs. Ellen Fitzgerald, widow of the later Thomas Fitzgerald, died at her home in this city Saturday afternoon, and her funeral was conducted from St. Patrick's church by Father Nichols Monday forenoon. Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Ireland November 24, 1821, and would have been ninety years of age in November next. She had always been sprightly and active until about three years ago, and it is only within that time that she has failed in strength until the end finally came as the result of old age. At her death on May 14, 1911, she was aged 89 years, 5 months and 20 days.

Mrs. Fitzgerald ws born Ellen O'Connor. She gew up in Ireland and emigrated to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where she met Thomas Fitzgerald, also an Irish emigrant, and was married to him about sixty years ago. They moved westward soon after, the last stage of their journey being one-horse covered wagon from Indiana. They arrived in Story county in 1854, and squatted in Indian Creek, soon afterwards buying from the government what is yet the Fitzgerald farm in that township. Here they proceeded to grow up with the country, which they did their fair share toward building. In the middle 80's they removed to Nevada, but soon returned to the farm, where they remained for four or five years longer, and then returned to Nevada for the rest of their days. Mr. Fitzgerald died at their homestead in Nevada on April 24, 1902 and Mrs. Fitzgerald has followed a little over nine years later.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is survived by six children, 10 grand-children and 12 great-grand-children. The children are John of Marshalltown, Lawrence of Nevada, James of Winterset, Michael on the old farm south of Nevada, Mrs. Peter Doland and Miss Kate Fitzgerald of Nevada. Six of the grandsons served as the pall-bearers at the funeral. Relatives and friends at the funeral included the non-resident children and their families, Mrs. Frank Nellings of Mason City, James Quinn and daughter, Mrs. Bullard, from south of Maxwell, Mrs. Flannery and Miss Ella McLaughlin of Des Moines and a host of friends from in and about Colo.