Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/563 Surname: Coonan, Gilbertson, Jackman, Mulroney, Shea, Beck, Nolan, Kane, O'Halloran, Streit ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democart, Thurs.,March 5, 1936 M. F. Coonan Dies At Ripe Age Friday Son of Pioneer Emmetsburg Family Passed Away Friday Night After Long Illness. Funeral Monday. GAVE CITY NAME His Father Called It Emmetsburg After Irish Patriot. Martin F. Coonan Former Businessman and Sportsman. Martin F. Coonan, 87, son of Martin Coonan, founder of Emmetsburg, died at 11 o'clock Friday night at his home in this city, after a lingering illness of several months' duration. Mr. Coonan had been in failing health during the past two years. Funeral rites, in charge of the Martin funeral home, were held in Emmetsburg Monday. Services were conducted in St. Thomas church by the pastor, Rev. M. McNerney. There was a large attendance of old neighbors and friends. Interment was in St. John's cemetery a short distance south of this city. The pallbearers were Robert Mulroney, P. C. Jackman, Leo Shea, Curt Beck, Thomas Nolan and Ed Kane. Martin Francis Coonan, son of the late Martin and Catherine Coonan, was born in Boston, Massachusets, September 18, 1849. Hence he was in his 87th year at the time of his death. His parents came to our county from Morris, Illinois, in 1858. Mr. Coonan, Sr., was named postmaster of Emmetsburg by President James Buchanan in 1860. Mr. Coonan also gave Emmetsburg its name, naming the town in honor of the illustrious Irish patriot, Robert Emmet. Martin Francis Coonan underwent the rigorous life of pioneer days. From his tenth year he lived in our community. Over 70 years ago he drove an ox team to Fort Dodge and hauled salt back to the old town, the site of which was northwest of this city, on the banks of the Des Moines river. Mr. Coonan was united in marriage to Miss Lena Gilbertson at Sheldon June 20, 1897. She, two sons and three daughters, survive him. The sons are Leland and Milton Coonan of Des Moines, and the daughters, Mrs. Frank O'Halloran of Evansville, Indiana, Mrs. M. J. Streit of Algona, and Miss Lorraine, who lives in this city. The passing of Martin J. Coonan from our midst is, of course, sad but, nevertheless, major news to the people of this community. Mr. Coonan was so closely identified with the very beginning of our history here that the name itself is inseparable from that of our city. For many years Mr. Coonan followed the stack feeding and shipping business. In addition to his business affairs he devoted considerable of his time to the ownership, training and racing of horses. His were among the best known and most successful racing steeds of his day. He often times rubbed elbows with the most famous names in racing circles. Mr. Coonan likewise took a keen interest in local business and other affairs. He was progressive and did his part to establish Emmetsburg as one of the leading cities in northern Iowa, an enviable position that the town held until closely after the turn of the century. Mr. Coonan had many friends in this community. His acquaintances extended also beyond the confines of our county. Mr. Coonan reitred from active participation in business and other affairs a couple of decades ago but he never lost interest in the welfare of his friends and neighbors. He followed closely every event of local, state and national significance and he was well informed. He was a familiar figure on our streets and he always had a word of cheer and encouragement to those whom he casually met. His immediate family knew him as a good father who did everything to provide them with the comforts of life. He gave his children the best of educational and other opportunities that his means could afford. The family circle was a happy one. Its standard of citizenship was the highest. The sons and daughters, since reaching maturity, have taken their places among the upright and honorable citizzens in the various communities in which they live. To the sorrowing widow and to the estimable sons and daughters the Democrat joins with numerous friends in offering sincere sympathy.