Iowa Old Press

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
22 Feb 1922

JOHN J HIGGINS PASSES AWAY
He Was in a Very Serious Condition Since September

John J Higgins, who was in a very serious condition since early September,
passed away at this home in this city Sunday morning about 7 o'clock. For
several months herealized that permanent relief could not be given him and
was prepared and willing to yield to the inevitable.
The funeral was held yesterday. It was very largely attended by friends and
neighbors in this city and community and by a large number who lived close
to him when he was a resident of the Ayrshire neighborhood. The Knights of
Columbus, of which he was a member, attended in a body. Services were
conducted at the Assumption church, Monsignor P.F. Farrelly celebrating a
solemn requiem mass. He was assisted by Fathers Savage and McNerney. The
burial was in St. John's cemetery. The active pall bearers were Carl and Leo
Berger, Daniel and William Higgins and William and Charles Joynt. The
honorary pall bearers were T.H. Conlon, John Burns, James Degnan, J.T.
Maguire, Joseph Kibbie and John O'Brien.
John J Higgins was born at Dyersville, Iowa, November 24, 1856. His age was
63. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary McGowan of that place on April
14, 1885. He and Mrs. Higgins located in this county in 1893. They lived on
a farm in Great Oak township until March 1919. Mr. Higgins is survived by
five sons-John, Charles, Edmund, Harold and Bertrand- and four
daughters-Mrs. John Hand of Borup, Minnesota, Mrs. Leo Shaney of Emmetsburg
township and Misses Mary and Margaret, who are at home. He is also survived
by two sisters, Mrs. M.J. Kelsh and Mrs. Frank McCormick- and one brother,
J.D. Higgins of this place. his sister, Mrs. C.J. Berger, died last April.
Mr. Higgins was an upright, worthy citizen in every way. He appreciated and
encouraged honest effort on the part of others to improve social, religious
and material conditions about him and he was tasty and far seeing in any
improvement he undertook. He built up an exceptionally fine farm home and he
bought a neat, comfortable residence for his wife and family when he located
in this city. He was a genial neighbor and a cheerful, obliging, warm
hearted friend. He and Mrs. Higgins were the parents of nine most exemplary
sons and daughters. This is, after all, one of the best evidences of parents
as members of society. His faith in providential desire to direct, bless and
reward human effort was strong and abiding. He was devoted to his church,
revered its teachings and practiced humbly and devoutly its precepts. Among
his special traits were his sociability, his good-nature, and his joviality.
He could generally see the bright as well as the humorous side of things and
he was eager to make them helpful to his friends and companions. His death
will be sincerely mourned by all who mingled with him as well as by the
members of his household, who were very dear to him. All have the sincere
sympathy of our many citizens in their bereavement.


FRED H. HENRY SUED FOR $14,000
Former Ayrshire Business Man Charged with Assaulting Sister-in-Law

     Belle Plaine, Ia., Feb. 18- E. Naomi Bunch of Des Moines has sued Fred
H. Henry for $14,000 for damages she alleges she sustained through an attack
on her when she was visiting her sister, Henry's wife. Henry declares his
innocence and says the woman had lived at his home off an on, had been
furnished with money and had tried to break up his family.
     The plaintiff will be remembered by the people of Ayrshire and vicinity
as Miss Naomi Kerchner. Mr. Henry was engaged in the lumbering business at
Ayrshire nearly twenty years ago. He was regarded as a capable, successful
business man and was a very clever mixer. He sold his business at Ayrshire
and moved to Belle Plaine. His father, who was one of the leading business
men of that place, died and left practically all of his property to the son.
Hence Fred is quite wealthy. He lost a leg in an accident a number of years
ago. The outcome of the case will be watched with interest by the former
friends and associates of the defendant.
     Mr. Kerchner was the defendant in a very interesting suit in this city
a few years ago. He was fairly well to do and was inclined to be close to
penurious. His daughters alleged, in a petition filed, that he was not
capable of taking proper care of himself and one of them asked to be
appointed his guardian. We believe it was Mrs. Henry. Though greatly
advanced in years, he proved himself very clever on the witness stand and
was more than a match for those who appeared against him. He was successful
and no guardian was appointed. He died some time later.

Attempted Jail Delivery
Another attempt to effect a general delivery at the Boon county jail was
believed to have been nipped Saturday by the officers when Sheriff D.F.
Hanson secured an admission from Don Meredith, one of the six prisoners in
jail that he was responsible for the attempt. Sheriff Hanson said that one
bar of the window in the corridor in the jail had been sawed off at one end
and partly sawed through at the other end. A search in the corridor by
Sheriff Hanson resulted in the finding of three saws.

PETER McMAHON DIED ON SUNDAY
Very Ill Since the Holiday Season. The Burial was on Tuesday.

     Peter McMahon, who was seriously ill at home in this city for many
weeks, passed away last Sunday morning at 6 o'clock. He was very restless
during the night and asked to be taken up so he could sit in a chair. A few
moments after the change was made, he expired. His brother, John, of
Estherville, who had spent a couple of days with him, took the Rock Island
train north ten or fifteen minutes before, little expecting that death was
so close at hand. The remains were taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Frank
Eaton, on Sunday evening where they remained until Tuesday when the funeral
was held. Services were conducted in St. Thomas church, Father McNerney, his
pastor, officiating. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers
were James Brennan, William McNally, Philip Bough, James Meehan, Dan Burns
and Michael Neibeuer.
     Peter McMahon was born at Boston, Massachusetts, September 28, 1873. He
was forty-nine years of age. When he was five years old his parents moved to
Straitsville, Ohio, where they remained for some time. In 1885 they came to
Rolfe, Pocahontas county. He spent most of his life in Pocahontas but
resided in this county off and on for a number of years. On January 7, 1913,
he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Doerning. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon is
survived by his wife and four children- Charlotte, Edward, Emmet and
Veronica. His death is also mourned by his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. J.A.
Hayes, three brothers- John of Estherville and James and Joseph of
Emmetsburg and by one sister, Miss Mabel Hayes.
     Mr. McMahon was a quiet, humble, peaceful gentleman. He was genial,
watchful and warm hearted and he enjoyed the friendship and the good will of
the many who knew him in this city and throughout the county. He had a
devoted, helpful wife and four bright sweet children and he was very much
attached to them. His death is, of course, a severe blow to them, though
some of the children are still too young to realize the great loss they have
sustained. Mr. McMahon was a practical member of his church and he was
anxious at all time to live up to its requirements. His death has occasioned
widespread and sincere sorrow. The profound sympathy of all is extended to
Mrs. McMahon and the fatherless little ones in their sad bereavement

Secures Position in Dubuque High School
     Allan Gowans, son of Mr and Mrs. James Gowans, who completed his course
in Grinnell college in January, has secured a position as a teacher of
history in one of the high schools of Dubuque. He made a great record in
college and will doubtless prove his worth in the school room. The Democrat
is pleased to learn of his success.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O'Brien of Ayrshire attended the funeral of J.J.
Higgins, which was held in this city on Tuesday.




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