Obituary

  The day's sun had sunk to rest when the message reached town that the life of one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Adair county had gone out.
  He had been in failing health for months, but the fatal climax was unexpected when it came. Although his health showed the inroads of time, he was one who would yield easily to neither age nor ailment. With the awful suddenness that characterizes that dread angel, Death came and peacefully carried to its maker the soul of a loving father and brother, a loyal citizen, and a kind friend.
  Patrick O'Brien was the son of Alice Buckley O'Brien and John O'Brien. He was born at Ballingary, County Limerick, Ireland on April 4, 1846 and died at his home south of Stuart on January 23, 1920. He was the second eldest child of a large family left fatherless at an early age; consequently, much of the work of caring for them fell to his lot.
  The oppressor's hand swept Ireland, and he came to America to secure a comfortable home and competence for his younger brothers and sisters. He landed at Galesburg, Illinois, in November of 1864, with the small sum of eighteen cents. He at once went to work on the railroad, where he worked for two years. He then moved to Rock Island County, Illinois, where he began farming.
  He was married February 18, 1879 to Miss Mary McManus, who preceded him in death eighteen years ago. To this union were born seven children, two of whom are living and lovingly cared for him during his months of illness. They are Thomas P. O'Brien and James V. O'Brien of this place.
  In March 1883, his thoughts were stirred by Horace Greeley's slogan, "Go West, Young Man, Go West." Heeding the call of the wild, he came to Stuart, Iowa and resided on the farm until his death, when he possessed about six hundred acres of land. Farm life at that time demanded greater and more arduous labor than at present.
  Mr. O'Brien was a man of strong character, progressive intellect, and being a great reader, he took eager interest in current events. Among these was the cause independence for Ireland. Just ten years before he tied, he had the pleasure of visiting the sun-kissed mountains and cloudless skies of the little Green Isle which gave him birth. One of his greatest desires was to see the Flag of Freedom floating over Ireland.
  The funeral was held at All Saint's Church in Stuart on Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Reverend Father McNamara celebrated Mass and gave words of consolation and instruction to relatives and friends of the deceased. A very large assembly paid the last early tribute to their departed friend.
  Besides his sons, he leaves to mourn his departure, two brothers, Daniel O'Brien, still in Ireland, and Thomas O'Brien of Stuart; and four sisters: Mrs. Richard Lydon, Stuart; Mrs. Alice Burns, Stuart; Mrs. E.J. Kelly, Menlo; and Sister Mary Alice, Erie, Pennsylvania.
  The remains were borne to Calvary Cemetery and laid to rest. Six of his nephews, John G. O'Brien, John A. O'Brien, Richard Lydon, Daniel Burns, and Patrick Kelly acted as pall bearers.
  Relatives from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Vanderplume, Mrs. L. Vanderplume, and Michael McManus of Creston.
(Stuart Herald, Stuart, Iowa, January 1920)

Death Of Patrick O'Brien

  The death last week of Patrick O'Brien came unexpectedly to his family. He had suffered for three years with asthma, but his condition had not been considered serious.
  Patrick O'Brien was born in Ireland April 4, 1846 and died at his home in Harrison township, Adair County, Iowa January 23, 1920 at the age of 74 years, 8 months, and 19 days.
  He came to America in the battle stricken autumn of 1864, just before the close of the Civil War, going to Galesburg, Illinois, which place he reached with a capital of eighteen cents, and two cousins in his care.
  He remained at Galesburg for five years, when he went to Rock Island County, which was his home for thirteen years, coming from there to Harrison township where the rest of his life was spent, with the exception of one year, that of 1910, when he visited his old home in Ireland.
  On February 15, 1879 at Preemption, Illinois, he was married to Miss Mary McManus. Six children came into the family, four boys, and two girls, of whom only two are living, James V. and Thomas P., both living at home with their father. He left a landed estate of 500 acres of land, valued at about $125,000. His wife passed away in 1902, the father and sons keeping up their home since that time.
  After he came to America, he brought over in succession seven brothers and sisters, all but one, the oldest brother, who remained in Ireland. He always sent money to his relatives across the water every year, and at the Christmas just past sent $100 to a niece there. On the day of his burial, her letter of acknowledgment reached Stuart.
  He was called a good neighbor, and by his many friends, a good man.
  A member of the Catholic Church, the funeral was held at All Saints Church on Monday, with the burial in Calvary Cemetery. The following nephews acting as pallbearers: Messrs. J. G. O'Brien, R. C. Lyndon, E. C. O'Brien, Pat J. Kelley, D. J. Burns, and John A. O'Brien.
  The brothers and sisters who survive him are Dan O'Brien, Ireland; Thomas O'Brien, Mrs. Alice Burns, Mrs. Richard Lydon, Stuart; Mrs. E. J. Kelly, Menlo, Sister Mary Alice, in a convent at Erie, Pennsylvania.
  Friends from away who came to the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Tony Vanderplume, Creston; Mrs. Lew Vanderplume, Mike McManus, Lennox.
(Stuart Herald, Stuart, Iowa, 1920)