Obituary

  The death of Mrs. Mary Colgan Friday morning at 8:45 brought sorrow to a large group of friends and a devoted family. Mrs. Colgan's failing health has been noticeable for the past year and she has been confined to her bed most of the time for several weeks with a general nervous and physical breakdown. With her passing the world loses a good mother, a neighbor who was always ready to extend a helping hand and a word of cheer. In fact cheer seemed to be her theme of life. Mrs. Colgan always knew how to have fun and make others see the bright side of life. A chat on the street corner, on her back porch or in her garden always meant a good laugh. She loved life and to her it was never dull. She had a peculiar knack with flowers, perhaps because she loved them so, and this hobby was a great joy to her.
  Mary Ann McGinn, daughter of James and Mary McGinn, was born October 7, 1859, in Chillicothe, Ill., and died February 10, 1939, aged 79 years 4 months and 3 days. She was married to James Colgan March 17, 1878. They made their home near Wyoming, Illinois, until 1893 when they came to Adams county to make their home on a farm near Iveyville. In 1920 they move to Corning and this has since been their home. To them were born 10 children, two having died in infancy, and Wm. and Chas. in later years. The living children are Mrs. Margaret Hill, Arthur, and Mrs. John Curry of Corning; James of Anacortes, Wash.; Raymond and Cecilia of Omaha. All the children were here except James, who visited his mother at Christmas time. Mrs. Colgan is also survived by two brothers, John McGinn of Wyoming, Ill., and James of Bloomington, Ill. Both were present for the funeral. Mr. Colgan preceded his wife in death on August 6, 1924.
  Funeral services were held from the St. Patrick Catholic church, Corning, Iowa, Monday, February 13, 1939, at 10:00 a.m. conducted by Rev. Father McGinn, Elkhart, Illinois, assisted by Father M. J. Powers. Burial was made in Calvary cemetery. Father McGinn is a nephew of Mrs. Colgan and it was a great comfort to the family to have him here for the rites.
  Those here from a distance were, a brother, John McGinn and two sons, Jim and Willie and one daughter, Nora from Wyoming, Ill.; a brother, James McGinn and wife of Bloomington, Ill.; Father Walter McGinn, a nephew from Elkhart, Ill.; Miss Mayme McGill, Wyoming, Ill.; Peter Colgan, Mrs. Anna Kinney, Miss Mary Whalin, Pacific Junction, Iowa; Veronica Colgan, Newton, Iowa; Joe Colgan, Greenfield, Iowa; Alice and Elizabeth Colgan and H. L. Wharton, Omaha, Nebraska.
(Adams County Free Press, Thursday, February 16, 1939, p. 6)