| Sudden Death of Thomas McManus
Thomas McManus, one of the most prominent residents of
Pre-emption township, passed away at his home five miles southwest of
Reynolds at 1:50 o'clock Saturday afternoon, May 15, 1915. The cause of
death was heart disease and the suddenness with which the end came
plunged his many friends into deepest sorrow.
Mr. McManus had been a life long resident of Pre-emption
township, being the son of Michael and Ella McManus, pioneers of that
township, Mr. McManus never married but made his home on the home farm
with his sisters, Misses Ella and Mary. He was an industrious and
progressive farmer and gave great thought and study to the development
and improvements of his farm land, comprising several hundred acres, all
well equipped with modern buildings and those things which make
farm-life comfortable and profitable. No farmer residing in the
Pre-emption community enjoyed a wider acquaintance or the high esteem of
his neighbors more than Thomas McManus.
Death at all times is sad, but when it comes to us as it did to
Thomas J. McManus, it is felt more keenly by relatives and friends. For
Mr. McManus was apparently in good health until the last illness, which
lasted only a short time. He had been ill and under the doctor's care
only since Friday evening, when he suffered a severe attack of
gastritis. The members of the household did not realize the seriousness
of the attack, nor did Mr. McManus himself, for he arose as usual
Saturday morning.
Obituary
Thomas J. McManus was born a mile and a half east of Pre-emption
January 31, 1863, and died May 15, 1915. At the early age of three he
move with his parents to the farm three and a half miles southwest of
Pre-emption, which he has ever since made his home. He was the eldest of
five children. His father and mother have already preceded him in death.
Those left to mourn are two sisters, Mary and Ella at home, two
brothers, Patrick of Taylor Ridge and Francis of Pre-emption, and four
nieces and two nephews.
Thomas McManus was a cheerful and generous person, meeting
everyone with the same genial smile. He had always been a faithful
member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, at which place a Requiem High
Mass was celebrated Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock by the Reverend
Father Welch of Aledo assisted by Reverend Father Murtaugh of Sheffield,
Illinois. Father Welch preached an eloquent sermon. Interment was made
in the Catholic cemetery.
(Aledo Times Record, Thursday, May 20, 1915, p. 4) |
