Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/524 Surname: Laughlin, McCabe, Jackman, Shea, Mulroney, Spies, Kelly, Cretzmeyer ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat, Thursday, August 10, 1933 PIONEER RESIDENT Mrs. Laughlin Came to Old Town of Emmetsburg in 1866 Mrs. John T. Laughlin of this city, one of the pioneer ladies of Palo Alto county, died at her home in Emmetsburg early Sunday morning. She suffered a stroke of paralysis about seven weeks ago from which she never recovered. She rallied at times, but it was evident to those about her that the end was near. At the time of her passing she was 76 years of age. The funeral was held Tuesday morning. Services were conducted in St. Thomas church in this city. A requiem high mass was celebrated by the pastor, Rev. M. McNerney. Burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were Leo Shea, Robert Mulroney, Patrick Charles Jackman, Charles Spies, J. H. Kelly and Dr. F. X. Cretzmeyer. Bridget McCabe was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1857. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. McCabe, died when she was very young. When but nine years of age, with her sister, Mrs. J. T. Mulroney, she accompanied the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shea to the old town of Emmetsburg. This was in 1866. Here she lived under the most modest of circumstance until she reached young womanhood. She was united in marriage June 24, 1878, to Mr. John T. Laughlin, a son of Martin Laughlin, one of the first settlers. Later the family moved to Emmetsburg where they have since resided. Mr. Laughlin passed away in Emmetsburg November 26, 1898. Five sons and four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin. All by one survive her. They are Robert of Mason City, Maurice of Des Moines and Joe, Jean and Lou Laughlin of this city, Mrs. Rene Hughes of Cherokee, Miss Claudia of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mrs. Thos. Martin of this city. A daughter, Miss Cassie, passed away in 1900. A sister, Mrs. J. T. Mulroney of Emmetsburg, also survives. Miss Claudia is a registered nurse and has spent the past several weeks in Emmetsburg caring for her failing mother. All were present at the funeral. In the passing of Mrs. Laughlin, Emmetsburg and Palo Alto county loses one of its finest pioneer ladies. A resident of this place for 66 years, she saw and encouraged our community's growth almost from its very beginning. She knew only too well the many hardships the founders of our community had to bear in order that they might eke out an honorable living and in order that they might provide a few of the necessities of life. There were no luxuries for these pioneering ladies and gentlemen. But there was hospitality - far surpassing that of our day. Mrs. Laughlin was above all else a Christian lady. She was always ready to administer to those less fortunate than herself and she prided above all else her privilege to mould the lives of her deserving sons and daughters. Her works of charity were many and her kindness was greater than mere words. She was always active in the religious and social life of our community. Even in the twilight years of her useful life she kept abreast of the times and took an active part whenever her help was needed. Her absence from the home circle will be a great loss to those nearest and dearest to her. The Democrat joins with many others in our community in extending sincere sympathy to the bereaved sons and daughters and to the loving sister and other relatives.