Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/531 Surname: O'Brien, Daily, Curry, Hand, McEvoy, Jennings, Roach, Geelan, Ryan, Mulroney, Carmody ------------------------- >From "The Democrat" - June 21, 1905 MRS. WM. O'BRIEN'S SUDDEN DEATH Thursday morning about three o'clock Mrs. Wm. O'Brien met with a very sudden death at her home in this city. She was taken with hemorrhage of the lungs. Mr. O'Brien was aroused and she told him that she was smothering. The attack was so sudden and severe that he could do nothing for her. He ran to the home of Mrs. Carmody just across the street and then for his son Peter, but when Mrs. Carmody reached her bedside she had expired. The shock was a very severe one to the aged husband and the other members of the family. Several days before Mrs. O'Brien had a slight hemorrhage, the first in her life, but she quickly recovered. However, none of her folks thought of danger. Wednesday she did not feel very well. Still, when she retired at a late hour, neither she nor her husband, dreamed that they were to experience such a sudden, such a sad awakening. The funeral took place Saturday morning. It was very largely attended, the deceased having been among the oldest and most widely known residents of the community. The services were held at Assumption church, Very Rev. J.J. Smith officiated. The internment was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were E.P. McEvoy, Alex Jennings, Michael Roach, Michael Geelan, Edward Ryan and P. Mulroney. Ann Daily was born in the county of Kings, Ireland in 1832,(to Thomas and Ann Curry Daily). When 20 years of age she came to the United States. In 1856, she was married at Wilmington, Illinois, to William O'Brien. In 1873 they came to Palo Alto county and located on a farm in Great Oak. They were thrifty and became prosperous. Fifteen years ago they came to Emmetsburg to spend their remaining days. The surviving members of the family are the husband, four sons, and one daughter. The daughter, Mrs. J.J. Hand, lives in Great Oak. Two of the sons, John and Patrick, are well-to-do farmers in Great Oak. Peter conducts a restaurant in this city and William J. is the senior member of the well known mercantile firm of O'Brien & Geelan, of Whittemore. Though the family consists of the number of sons and daughters stated and 21 grandchildren, this is the first death its members are called upton to mourn. Providence has indeed been generous to them. Mrs. O'Brien was a plain, frugal, and upright Christian woman. She was unusually loyal to her convictions and spent her long, active, and useful life primarily in devotion to the practice of the duties of her faith and in discharging the manifold obligations that the true wife and loving, zealous mother owes to those who are nearest and and dearest to her. Her taking off, under the circumstances mentioned, was, of course, painful to those who loved her so long and so fondly, but they have the consolation of knowing that Providence had in many ways been exceedingly kind to her and had given to her many favors not bestowed on others. The Democrat extends its sincere sympathy to the surviving husband, sons and daughter.