Iowa
Old Press
Eddyville Tribune
Eddyville, Wayne co. Iowa
March 10, 1911
EARLY SETTLER PASSES AWAY
Settled in the Town of Eddyville, Iowa, in 1855
WAS A FORMER MAYOR
Served in the War of the Rebellion. Oldest Odd Fellow in This
Section
William P. BRODRICK, who passed away at his home on North Fifth
street at 8 o'clock, Tuesday morning, February 28, 1911, was born
in Hammondsport, New York, on April 27, 1829. When a young man he
came as far as Indiana, and while there he was united in marriage
to Johan Whitsel in 1850. Five years later, in 1855, they moved
to Eddyville, and this place had since been the home of the
subject of this sketch.
Mr. Brodrick was a shoemaker by trade and he conducted a shop at
this place for some years, but when the civil war broke out he
enlisted July 15, 1862, in Company F, 18th Iowa Volunteers, later
being promoted to a second lieutenant. He served eleven months
and seventeen days. While in the service he met with an injury
which cost him an eye. He was discharged June 13, 1863, and
returned to Eddyville and again conducted his shoe shop, later
engaging in the grocery business. That he was one of those loyal
citizens who have the best interests of their town at heart is
attested by the fact that he has held various public offices of
trust and responsibility, his fellow citizens being so well
pleased with his services that he was several times elected to
the offices of mayor and justice of peace, as well as serving on
the public school board for a number of terms.
He was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in this section of the
state. He joined the I. O. O. F. order while in the east 57 years
ago, entering the Eddyville lodge about three years later. In
lodge work as in local affairs,
Mr. Brodrick had always shown a willing spirit, and he had filled
the chairs of the I. O. O. F. order as well as being sent to the
Grand Lodge on one or more occasions.
Mr. and Mrs. Brodrick were the parents of thirteen children,
seven sons and six daughters, seven of whom have passed away. The
children were as follows: Frank, the eldest, who died in Ohio;
George, who died in Kansas some years ago, and Mattie, Lizzie,
Willie, John and Harvey, who died in childhood and are interred
in the Highland cemetery at this place. Alice, wife of A. J.
Bellis, of Springfield, Missouri; Charles Brodrick, of
Lineville; Nettie, wife of P. P. Davis, of McCook, Nebraska; Bert
and Miss Ella, who are at home, and Addison J. Brodrick, of the
Havre (Montana) Plaindealer. Mr. Brodrick was the last
of seven brothers and sisters. He was bereft of his helpmate on
June 18, 1896.
He had been ailing the past year. Since Christmas he has been
gradually failing, but he was only confined to his bed about two
weeks, his death being due to a complication of diseases. He was
81 years, 10 months and 1 day old at the time of his death. The
funeral was held from the family home at two o'clock last
Thursday
afternoon, and in accordance with his last request, the services
were in charge of the Odd Fellows. The remains were laid to rest
in the family lot in Highland cemetery. The many friends of this
old and venerable settler and former business man unite with the Tribune
in extending sympathy to the bereaved children.
[transcribed by H.B., August 2005]