Ahern, Timothy 1836 – 1903

AHERN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/24/2019 at 10:18:06

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer May 19, 1903, FP, C5

Run Over and Instantly Killed by the 12:50 Passenger Monday.
After riding on the cars for twenty-five years or more in his capacity as road master on this division, Tim Ahern’s life was instantly snuffed out in front of the Cresco depot yesterday. According to the collective account of those who saw the accident he had got off the train, as was his custom, and talked with several, the last one being Thomas Walsh whom he left to jump on the train which was pulling out. He struck the trunks which had just been unloaded on the baggage trucks and was knocked from the platform, the hind one of the forward passenger coach, and fell on the track the hind truck of the last coach passing over his body, crushing in his chest, grinding off one arm and cutting his head. His form almost lifeless, was dragged from the track by Ed Craghill, and taken to Meverden’s undertaking rooms. The appearance of the remains would indicate that the wheels caught him by the left hand and gradually pulled him under by the arm, the wheel finally leaving his arm at the shoulder and passing over his chest, crushing it in fearfully although not cutting the clothing. The remains will be prepared for burial and sent to his home in Calmar.
The deceased was about 67 years of age and leaves a wife and daughter residing at Calmar a son at Conover and a married daughter at Owatonna. He was an uncle of Dr. J. J. Ahern of this place.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer May 22, 1903, FP, C3

The funeral of Tim Ahern took place at Calmar, Wednesday forenoon D. A. Lyons, John McHugh and M. J. White from Cresco attended

Transcriber’s Note: His gravestone in St. Aloysius Cemetery shows he was born September 29, 1836 and died May 18, 1903.

Source: Decorah Republican May 21, 1903 Page 3 Col 3

TIM AHERN DEAD.
The Genial Roadmaster Killed by the Cars at Cresco.
KNOCKED UNDER TRAIN BY TRUNK.
Was in Decorah Only a Few Hours Before the Fatal Accident Occurred.
The shocking news came to Decorah shortly after noon Monday that Tim Ahern, the genial and widely known roadmaster of the Iowa & Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.Paul railway, had been killed by the cars at Cresco but a little time previous. Scarcely could the news be credited because but a few hours before he had been in Decorah, attending to business matters and visiting and joking with his friends as was his wont. After leaving here he had started for the north end of his division where extensive construction work was being carried on under his supervision. At Cresco he stepped off the train for a few minutes, and when he climbed back on he stood on the bottom step of the smoking car, leaning well out. A truck piled with baggage had not been moved away yet, and it was so close to the cars that it just cleared them. On this Mr. Ahern struck and was hurled off the car. The rear coach struck him and prevented his being thrown immediately under the train, but in such a manner that he rolled under it before it could pass and the wheels on the rear truck of the coach passed over his chest, cutting him in two and causing instant death.
Mr. Ahern was one of the oldest employes of the Milwaukee railroad and one of the most capable. Although he was past seventy years in age—in fact was well beyond the limit where most men are considered of service—he continued to retain his position through his clear-headed mastery of the details of the roadmaster’s end of the railroad business and because of a force of character that was impelling in its command over those under him, yet won their respect, admiration and loyalty Mr. Ahern commenced working for the Milwaukee company as a section hand in the early days of its career and was foreman of a section at Dundas, Minn., on the north end when the south end had reached Calmar on its way up to meet the line that was building from the twin cities. His advancement was rapid and came as a recognition of merit. How many years he has been road master we do not know, but through it all he has given his heart and soul to a work that he loved and in which he took a pride.
Although someone, during his later years, gave him the title of "Colonel,” it was an appellation that was not won by any connection with a military organization, although he might have justly acquired some such distinction through his ability as a general in handling men. But to all men he was known as Tim Ahern, and no thought of disrespect ever entered into the free use of the familiar contraction of his name. In disposition he had that sunny character so peculiar to one of his nationality. With it he combined sturdy good sense backed by education, both self-acquired and through schoolastic{sp} study, that made him a man of more than ordinary intelligence in other lines than those of his occupation. He was one of those men, too, who had the happy faculty of gathering around him the younger men and making them his friends as he was their friend.
Mr. Ahern leaves a wife, one son and two daughters to mourn his death, and in their grief they are joined by a host of friends wherever the deceased was known.
The funeral was held yesterday at the Catholic church in Calmar and was the largest in the history of the town. Head officers and railroad officials from all divisions, as well as trainmen were present in large numbers to pay their last tribute to the deceased.

St. Aloysius Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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