Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Wednesday, Jan 30, 1918 MARRIED FIFTY YEARS Mr. and Mrs. Myles McNally of this city celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. The invited guests consisted of their close relatives and eight or ten intimate friends. A sumptuous dinner was served at six o'clock and games, music, and other amusements were enjoyed during the evening. The writer had the good fortune to be invited and he can not recall an occasion in Emmetsburg during recent years that proved more enjoyable. It is needless to say that Mr. and Mrs. McNally treated their guests most hospitably. During the evening congratulatory remarks were made by Fathers Farrelly and Veit, P.H. Donlon and others. Mr. McNally responded in a manner that showed he was very grateful for the high compliments that were paid to him and Mrs. McNally. J.J. Kane was one of the pleasing entertainers of the evening. After playing several Irish selections and a few Irish airs on the flute, he sang "Sherman Marching Through Georgia." As he personally took the memorable trip, he rendered the selection with more than ordinary fervor. At the close he won the hearty applause of all present by dancing an Irish jig. M.M. Maher, William McNally and Miss Mildred McNally also proved that they were in the same class with Mr. Kane as scientific steppers. After the serving of a midnight lunch, the many guests returned to their homes with many pleasant memories of teh occasion. All expressed the sincere wish that Mr. and Mrs. McNally would have the happiness to celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary. Mr. McNally was born at Newport in the county of Mayo, Ireland, in 1842. Mrs. McNally, whose maiden name was Maria Kane, was born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland in 1844. Her only brother, Martin B. Kane, is engaged in business at Ayrshire. Mr. and Mrs. McNally were married at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, January 27, 1868. A short time after their marriage Mr. McNally went to New York and thence to the Isthmus of Panama where he crossed over to the Pacific side and went North to California. He spent two years working in the gold and coal mines of that state, after which he returned to Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. McNally moved to Iowa in May, 1873. They located on a farm in Emmetsburg township. They had a large, well improved farm and became prosperous. Nineteen years ago they moved to this city. Mr. McNally enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, and served three years and four months. He and John J. Kane, who subsequently married his sister, were together during the siege of Vicksburg and in this and many of the other important engagements during the great conflict, they proved their unflinching courage and their heroic devotion to the flag of our country. After coming to Palo Alto county, Mr McNally and Mr. Kane were close neighbors for many years. Mr. McNally served ten years as a member of the board of supervisors of our county, six years of which he was chairman. He proved himself capable, thoughtful and conscientious. The heavy indebtedness of the county incurred during pioneer days was wiped out during his official career. He was one of the charger members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of this city and was for three or four terms county president. He has always taken an exceptionally active interest in the affairs of the land of his birth and has for over thirty years been an earnest advocate of home rule for Erin. Mr. and Mrs. McNally have one son and four daughters. Their son, William McNally, resides in this city. The daughters are Mrs. M.M. Maher, Mrs. E.F. Murphy and Mrs. Art Beaudry of Bonesteel, S.D. and Mrs. Richard McNally of Ayrshire. All were present at the family home on Sunday. Mrs. McNally has two sisters and six brothers. The sisters are Mrs. J.J. Kane and Mrs. John Joynt, Sr. The brothers are Patrick, John and Edward of Emmetsburg, Alex of Rockwell, Iowa, Charles of Austin, Minnesota, and Thomas of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. McNally are among the most upright, deserving, helpful citizens of our county. They have given the best years of their lives to the upbuilding of our community and they have won well deserved rank with the substantial and honored residents of this section of the state. The Democrat congratulates them on their happiness in celebrating their golden wedding and sincerely hopes they may have the satisfaction of celebrating their seventy-fifth anniversary. Cathy Joynt Labath Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm