Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/10654 Surname: Brennan, Breene, Currans, Hughes, Neibauer, Jackman, O'Brien, Rutledge, Mulroney, Coakley, Kliegl, Hammes, Phillips, Branagan, Thompson ------------------------- Emmetsburg Thursday Reporter, January 21, 1937 Martin Brennan, Sr. Martin F. Brennan, prominent Palo Alto county pioneer, was taken by death at his home in fourth ward Sunday morning following an illness with which he had been confined for several weeks. Funeral services were held in the Assumption church Wednesday morning, with Father Cassidy as celebrant at a solemn requiem mass, assisted by Father Finnegan, of Salix, as deacon, Father Kellly, of Graettinger, as sub-deacon, and Father McEvoy, of Ruthven, as master of ceremonies. Burial was made in St. John's cemetey. The honorary pallbearers were: Peter O'Brien, T. F. Rutledge, Joe Mulroney, Tim Coakley, P. C. Jackman and Robert Mulroney. The active pallbearers were George Kliegl, John Hammes, Lou Phillips, W. T. Brannagan, Mart Thompson and P. T. O'Brien. The local Knights of Columbus council, of which Mr. Brennan was a member for many years, attended the services in a body. The Foy Funeral Home was in charge. The deceased was born in Canada 83 years ago. Ten years later he came to Palo Alto county, and lived here continuously since that time. He was prominently identified with the first Irish settlers of this locality and continued to be an influence for the betterment of the commmunity during his 73 years of residence here. After locating in the town of Emmetsburg Mr. Brennan was for several years employed at the brick and tile factory located southeast of this city. His employers placed great confidence in his work, trusted him with complete charge of kiln firing, and sought and followed his advice in matters of labor problems and mangement policies. Later he was appointed day policeman here and his efficiency was recognized throughout the 20 years he held the position. He always enforced the law with courage and justice. During the last several years he owned the Emmetsburg Floral Company, and assisted in its operation which was under the management of his daughter, Mrs. Alice Currans. The two of them developed the establishment into one of the most successful of its kind in this part of Iowa. Through hard work and conscientious management Mr. Brennan prospered from the time he took up farming in the pioneer days here. Mrs. Brennan preceded him in death a few years ago. Surviving are: two sons, Martin Jr., and James, highly successful attorneys, the former of Milwaukee, Wis., and the latter of San Francisco, and three daughters, Mrs. Wm. Hughes, of Havre, Mont., and Mrs. Mike Neibauer and Mrs. Alice Currans, of Emmetsburg. In the death of Mr. Brennan there passes a unique character who will be greatly missed form the city of Emmetsburg. His long, useful life has come to an end after he had several weeks to peacefully contemplate eternity and what it holds in the way of reward for an honest soul such as his.