Person:Catherine Quinlan (1)

Obituary : Now and then while crossing this bridge called life, we are

called upon, as if by voice of destiny to chronicle the departure from among us those whose memory remains a rich legacy to the dear ones bereft; and now we wish to place on paper, respecting Mrs Catherine Fitzgerald, late of Melrose, Iowa a few kind words.

    It is fitting that such be done, especially so as regards the deceased,
    She and her husband, Patrick F Fitzgerald, came to this (Monroe) county

many years ago. They came here to make their home. They were eminently successful. There was a competence.

    Mr Fitzgerald died at his home on his large farm in Cedar Township,

Secember 19, 1892, having nearly approached the allotted time of man. He was deserved classsed as one of the most active industrious and loyal pioneer citizens.  ? Fitzgerald, their generosity and benevolence, is attested by numerous "settlers'.

    They and their family by honest and intelligent effort written their own

record indelibly on our country's history.

    Far away in County Limerick, Ireland, in the long ago, Mr and Mrs

Fitzgerald were born.

    Discountented under the Irish sky, ambitous to succeed, they emigrated to

America, where the opportunities they embraced in a marked degree.

    They had eight children, four sons and four daughters namely: Michael

Fitzgerald residing near Lovilia, Iowa: Margaret Barron near Fonda, Iowa; Mary Shovlain, near Weller Iowa; James Fitzgerald, at Souix City, Iowa; William Fitzgerald, near Melrose, Iowa; Ella Ward and Anna Luttrell at Melrose, Iowa; Thomas Fitzgerald who died at Melrose, Iowa April 25, 1906.

    Together the Fitzgerald family braved and endured the trials and

experienced the triumphs ascribed the early pioneers.

    They had the utmost faith in Iowa's soil and the entire surroundings.

This faith as shown by time was justified.

    Mrs Fitzgerald was a devoted daughter of the religion of her fathers and

on its bosum she expired at the home of one of her children, Mrs John Luttrell, at Melrose, Iowa on February 6, 1907; having then attained the venerable age ofeighty-three years.

    The funeral largely attended was from the late home to the Catholic Church

a little ways away , where Rev Father Thomas H Brownrigg officiating, a requiem mass was said for her spiritual welfare. Here too her pastor spoke in tenderest terms, elevating, ennobling, characteristic of the dead lady's deeds and words in life. Nor were these manifestations of kindness and consideration so extended her by her pastor, relatives, physician, friends, and neighbors undeserved.

    By her word well done, she merited the splendid recognuition thus worthily

bestowed.

    The beautiful and impressive services at the church over, the remains were

followed by the funeral train to the graveyard at Weller, where aside her husband's they repose. The church choir rendered especially appropriated music and Miss Margaret Rooney "Nearer My God To Thee" as a solo in suuch a sweet and touching tones as to bring tears to the eyes of nearly all present.

    The survivors have lent them the consolation that their mother lived in

the hope that the union hereafter shall never be dissolved.

    The near and dear ones left have our sympathy in their ver great loss.
    May her soul rest in peace  and her reward be eternal.  (Added to the

family history disc 17 Jul 1997 by S/P)

Note : Other references and contact people found under notes for Sylvester

Barron, son-in-law of Catherine and some information under husband Patrick

Last will and testament on file in Monroe Co., photocopy in possession of

Sharon Pohlman

No Fitzgerald or Barron on the 1850 or 1860 Census record for Cedar Township

of Monroe Co, Iowa. ** Patrick and Catherine are listed in the 1860 US Census, along with their children Michael, Thomas, Margret, and Mary A. ** The Fitzgerald's first appear on the 1870 cenus records. Information on Catherine shows 38 years old, {occupation}; keeps house, {race}; white, {Place of birth}; Ireland, {Father and mother both foriegn born} under the space for cannot read, and cannot write there are no marks at all. This census was taken August 18, 1870. By the 1900 census records Kate Quinlan Fitzgerald living with John Luttrell and daughter Anna Fitzgerald Luttrell.

As referred to earlier; all documents "signed" by Caterine show her "Mark"

instead of her actual signature.

Possible parents; From the LDS library in Seeley Lake; From County Limerick

records; Source, Batch # 73353505, Serial Sheet 30: Catherine Quinlan born 5 May 1824, Tipperary, Thurles, Thurles R C Parish; Parents Lawrence Quinlan--Mary Kelly