Gillmore, Thomas Bernard -- 1829 - 1932

GILMORE, JONES, KEEFE, STEADMAN

Posted By: Shawn Hughes (email)
Date: 2/14/2010 at 12:38:10

Thomas Gilmore, 103, Winneshiek's Oldest Resident Passes to Reward

Centennarian reads without glasses. Noted as a singer till just before death.

Cheerful, courageous and happy to the last, death stilled the hand of Thomas Gilmore, 103 years old, the most aged resident of Decorah and Winneshiek County at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Courtney 302 Center Ave last Wednesday night.

The last of the original Irish pioneers of this country, Mr. Gilmore settled in Winneshiek County some 78 years ago. It was more than 80 years ago he came to this country, the United States straight from Sligo, Ireland not far from Londenderry and helped to construct railroads through what was then wilderness that later became the states of Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota as far north as Austin, Minnesota.

Noted as a singer- Not many months before death stilled his voice forever, Thomas Gilmore sang old Irish melodies in a voice that had always won favor and applause. Though more than 100 years old, this centenarian could read without glasses as well as most men half or a third his age and never used false teeth. he had been in splendid health until the past years and had only for a few months was he really ill.

He settled on a farm twelve miles northwest of Decorah in 1853, operated it successfully until extreme age called a halt. While working his farm he married Kate Jones of a well known family. Their oldest daughter, Mrs. Henry Courtney for twelve years gave her father the tender care his condition required, the mother having passed away some years ago. Thomas Gilmore comes of a noted race of musicians and soldiers. In our Civil War there were two major generals of the clan and a band master. But as a diligent farmer, good citizen and singer, the man in Winneshiek though not so famous is not less worthy to confer dignity upon his race.

Funeral Services today- Funeral Services were conducted by Father Hogan in Decorah Friday, and burial was in St. Bridget's cemetery in Bluffton. Among out of town attendants at the funeral were Mrs. W.S. Steadman of Des Moines, a daughter and her husband; David Gilmore of Sioux City, a son; Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Courtney, Chicago; Theo Raker, two daughters and a son, Austin, Minn; Clarence McKenzie, and Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Gilmore, a son and John Murtha of Cresco.

Bernard and Mary Gilmore of Ireland were his parents. There were ten children, six of whom are living. They are Mrs. Steadman of Des Moines, Mrs. Courtney of Decorah, T.B. Gilmore of Cresco, David Gilmore of Sioux City, Mrs AL (Mae) Jones, and Mrs Florence Keefe of New Orleans. The children proceeded their father in death were: Mary Ellen, John. Leo and Catherine.