Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/10624 Surname: Brennan, Brown, Ruddy, Mulroney, Nolan, Berg, Keane, Ward, Sullivan, Conway, Kenny, McNally, Burns, Mester, Brown, O'Connor, Eisenbast, Whittinger, Goran, Maguire, Dickinson, McTigue, Jackson, Molloy, Joynt, Calahan, Doyle, Walsh, Milehan, Kane, Martini, Sherlock, Hoben, O'Brien, Moses ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat, Friday, May 10, 1939 Thomas J. Brennan, Ruthven Died Saturday Morning Thomas J. Brennan, one of the prominent and widely known citizens of Ruthven, and a man closely indentified with the business life of that community, passed away at his home in Ruthven at 6:00 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Brennan had been suffering from anemia. He had been failing in health for some time although he continued active in his duties as assistant in the Ruthven post office within a few days of his death. Mr. Brennan contracted a severe cold in January and never seemed to fully recover. Tuesday of last week he was confined to his room where he remained until the angel of death called him. His death on Saturday marks the passing of a man very closely associated with the business, social and religious life of the Ruthven community. Funeral services were held at the Sacred Heart church in Ruthven at 9:30 p.m. Monday, Rev. E. L McEvoy, the pastor, officiated in a requiem Mass. Present in the sanctuary, also, were Rev. Wm. Molloy of Estherville. The sermon was delivered by Father Kane who used as his text, "Blessed are they who die in the Lord." It was a masterful effort and dealt to some extent with the exemplary life of the deceased. Burial was in the Calvary cemetery northeast of Ruthven. The pall bearers were John Ruddy, John Brown, John, Adrian, Jay and Maurice Brennan. Thomas J. Brennan, son of the late John K. and Margaret P. Brennan, was born at Moingona, Boone county, March 10, 1871. When Thomas was two months old, the family moved to Highland township, Palo Alto county. Here Thomas spent the years of his youth. He attended the district school, known as the Brennan school, where he proved himself to be an outstanding student. On October 17, 1894, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Jennie V. Brown. For a short time after their marriage Mr. Brennan accepted employment as a helper in the Highland creamery. He later was appointed to a position as clerk in the John Mulroney general store. From there he entered the employ of the late J. F. Nolan. Thirty-five years ago Mr. Brennan entered into partnership with the late John Berg and established the Berg & Brennan general store, so well known in Ruthven for more than a quarter of a century. This partnership continued until Mr. Berg's death a few years ago. In June, 1933, Mr. Brennan was appointed assistant postmaster of Ruthven, a position he held until his death. A son and daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brennan. Both survive him. the son is Wm. M. Brennan of Ruthven and the daughter is Miss Margaret Brennan of Madison, Wis. Mrs. Brennan passed way October 7, 1934. Mr. Brennan is also survived by one sister, Mrs. J. C. Brennan, and one brother, James Brennan. There are also six grandchildren. Out-of-town relatives and friends from a distance who attended the funeral were Rev. J. J. Keane, Robert Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sullivan, Mrs. Nora Conway, Mrs. Frank Kenny, Jean McNally, Mr.and Mrs. Bernard Burns, Mrs. J. Burns and Mrs. Catherine Mester of Estherville; Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Brown, Alice and Janet Brown, V. L. O'Connor, Mr. and Mrs. H. Eisenbast of Graettinger; Mrs. C. E. Whittinger; Madison, Wis.; Katherine Brown, Des Moines; Jmes Brown, Iowa City; David J. Goran, Pipestone, Minn; Mr. and Mrs. James Maguire, Kathleen Maguire, Mr. and Mrs. Clare Dickinson, Mr. and Mrs. John McTigue, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Jackson of Spencer; Mrs. Katherine Molloy, Mr. and Mrs. David Joynt, Mr. and Mrs. John Calahan, Mrs. George Doyle, Herbert Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mileham, Mrs. Matt Kane, Mrs. Rose Martini, Len Sherlock, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Joynt, Mr. and Mrs. M. Hoben, Mr. and Mrs. Ausin Hoben, P. T. O'Brien, John Ruddy, Mr. ad Mrs. James Brennan, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Moses and Edward Ruddy, al of Emmetsburg. In the death of Thos. Brennan Ruthven has lost one of its truly outstanding citizens. Mr. Brennan's entire life was a credit to himself and his family. He was a gentleman of excellent ability, was trustworthy and sincere. His code of conduct was the highest. Mr. Brennan enjoyed the confidence and the esteem of all who knew him.. He was truly charitable and Christian in his treatment of others. His famiy life was ideal. Mr. Brennan was well educated, well informed and took his fair part in every public enterprise. He was an honorable gentleman in every respect. His church, to which he gave life long allegiance, found in him one of its staunchest and most sincere supporters. As head of his famiy he provided good example. Mr. Brennan was sincere in his friendship and loyal to all with whom he was associated. His death is genuinely regretted by all who knew him for his many admirable qualities. Sincere sympathy is extended to the worthy son and daughter who are bereaved by his passing.