Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/478 Surname: Murphy, Donahue, Neary, Brechan, Eaton, Clare, Burns ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa 17 Sep 1913 DEATH OF AN EXCELLENT MAN P.J. MURPHY Died Last Week of Blood Poisoning Last Thursday, on our return home from Kansas, we learned with genuine regret of the death of P.J. MURPHY, which occurred on Monday, September 8. Mention was made of his serious illness in the last issue of the Democrat. For several years he had suffered more or less from a sore leg. He underwent an operation at Iowa City several years ago and he secured some relief. However, during the past summer his ailment commenced to annoy him again and the pain became so intense that he could not rest. Another operation was performed and, in a short time, he was able to be about as usual. He said he never felt better, although the wound had not completely closed. During the early part of September the weather became warm and blood poisoning set in. In a short time it was evident to the attending surgeon and to the members of the household that very little could be done for him. The absent members of the family were summoned and they reached his bedside before he passed away. The funeral was held Wednesday forenoon. There was a large attendance of old friends and neighbors. The members of the A.O.H., to which he had belonged for many years, attended in a body. Services were held at Assumption church, Very Rev. P.F. FARRELLY officiating. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers, most of whom were members of the A.O.H., were J.P. CARNEY, Charles NOLAN, John FITZPATRICK, Peter O'BRIEN, Frank A. DUFFY and M.M. MAHER. Mr. MURPHY was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa, October 24, 1859. Hence he was rounding out his 54th year. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to this county and settled on a farm a short distance southwest of Emmetsburg. There he grew to manhood. In November, 1884, he was married to Miss Jane DONAHUE. To this union three children were born, two of whom survive. Mrs. MURPHY died on December 24, 1889. May 4, 1898, Mr. MURPHY was married to Miss Mary NEARY. She and one son, W.A., of Omaha, Nebraska, and the only daughter, Mrs. BRECHAN, of Kimball, South Dakota, survive him. There are four brothers and three sisters. The brothers are L.J. of Sioux City, Daniel and Edward of Emmetsburg and M.L. of Graettinger. The sisters are Mrs. Catherine EATON, Mrs. Chris CLARE and Mrs. Thomas BURNS of this locality. All were present at his bedside before he passed away and remained to attend the funeral. Mr. MURPHY was one of the most conservative, deserving men in Palo Alto county. He was humble, frugal and far seeing. His personal integrity was high. He would not stoop to any act that was unbecoming to a Christian gentleman. He lived within his means. Though many of the closing years of his life were embittered by physical misfortune, he year by year made financial headway and he met his financial obligations as promptly as those of health, strength and much larger means. He was fond, proud of his home and he gave the members of his household the best of educational, social, and religious opportunities. He did promptly, cheerfully and manfully his part as a citizen. He was sympathetic and neighborly and he enjoyed the good will of those who mingled with him in social and business affairs. His death, at a comparatively early age has brought profound sorrow to his household and has occasioned general and genuine regret. The sympathy of all is extended to the relatives and friends in their bereavement. Link: Palo Alto Co, Iowa USGenWeb URL: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm>