Mary Elizabeth (Treadgold) McGrath (1864-1952)

KIRKHAM, MCGRATH, NORRISH, PARNHAM, TREADGOLD

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

October 27, 1864 --- July 16, 1952

MRS. MCGRATH, 87, DIES HERE WEDNESDAY

Wife Of Former Prominent North Central Iowa Attorney Has Lived Here For 64Years

Mrs. J. W. McGrath, 87, died early Wednesday morning at her home.

Mrs. McGrath's health had been failing for several years and for the passed six weeks she had been growing steadily worse. Her death was not unexpected.

Mrs. McGrath's maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Treadgold and she was born in England.

She was the widow of the prominent Eagle Grove and Wright county lawyer, J. W. McGrath, and came to Eagle Grove in 1887 with her husband when he was graduated from the law college of the State University of Iowa.

The family home was at 505 South Iowa Ave. where Mr. McGrath died in January [December], 1934. They were the parents of three children, Mrs. Edith Kirkham, Earl J. McGrath and Evert R. McGrath who survive.

She is also survived by six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Robert Norrish of Hamilton, Ill. On account of frail health Mrs. Norrish will be unable to be present for the funeral services.

Services will be Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Wilson's Chapel and Rev. Harrison G. Dawes will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill cemetery.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 17, 1952

FRIEND PAYS TRIBUTE TO MRS. MCGRATH

Several years ago Mrs. McGrath requested that Mrs. Ida Fisher, her close friend of many years, assemble these facts of her life for use on this occasion.

Mrs. J. W. McGrath, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Parnham Treadgold, was born October 27, 1864 in the village of Grantham, England. She was christened Mary Elizabeth.

In 1870 the family came to the United States and located near Morrison, Illinois, where relatives and friends had settled some time before.

Her early education was first in the rural school near her home, then high school in Morrison and two years in a Normal Training College in Fulton, Illinois, where she prepared to teach.

In the spring of 1884 she moved with her parents to Emmetsburg, Iowa, where they built a home on land they had earlier purchased.

On September 1, 1886, she was married to John Ward McGrath and they went to Iowa City where he was a senior law student in the State University. Seven months later he received his degree in law and passed the state bar examinations and they immediately came to Eagle Grove, where he established an office for the practice of law. He passed away December 29, 1934.

Four children came to their home, Edna who died at the age of two years and seven months, Edith, Earl J. and Evert R., all of whom reside in Eagle Grove.

Mrs. McGrath was a member the Methodist church of Class 16. She was a charter member of Eagle Chapter Order of Eastern Star, which she served as Worthy Matron and continued a life long member.

She was one of nine women who in November 1893 organized the Equality Club, and was a past president and Member Emeritus of that organization.

Always keenly interested in Civic affairs, she aided in many of the early projects for the betterment of Eagle Grove and was one of the group who brought about the establishment of the Public Library.

Probably her greatest contribution to civic improvement was her service in directing the restoration of the cemetery. The grounds had become unkempt, the graves sunken and the records had been carelessly maintained. The Cemetery Association became a department of the Equality Club and for ten years Mrs. McGrath served as its Secretary and Treasurer. As such the proceeds from the tax levy were placed in her hands and under her guidance a new section was purchased and platted, the old part graded and landscaped, a drainage system installed, the shelter and tool house were built, and perpetual care established. The cemetery was re-surveyed and a new system of keeping records established.

She gathered seeds from the trees she admired and planted them in her back yard and when the seedlings were ready for transplanting had them set out in the cemetery. When the place had been made into the spot of beauty it now is, it was placed in the care and responsibility of the City.

The beautiful blue spruce, the maples and other varieties of trees from the seeds she planted will be a memorial to her for many decades to come.

Her death came on the morning of July 16th. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Lillian Norrish of Hamilton, Illinois, the three children mentioned and six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 18, 1952 at the Wilson Chapel with Rev. H. G. Dawes officiating. Interment was held on the family lot in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 24, 1952