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.

Discontented under the Irish sky, ambitious 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 of eighty-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 such 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 very 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)

Notes

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 Census record for Cedar Township of Monroe Co, Iowa.

Patrick and Catherine are listed in Cedar, Monroe, Iowa in the 1860 US Census, along with their children Michael (age 11, born in Maine), Thomas (age 8, born in New York), Margret (age 4, born in Illinois), and Mary A (age 1, born in Missouri).

1870 census: Information on Catherine shows 38 years old, {occupation}; keeps house, {race}; white, {Place of birth}; Ireland, {Father and mother both foreign 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 Catherine 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

1. ↑ Catherine Quinlan, in Ireland. Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915. (Ancestry.com (database online)).

   baptized 5 May 1824 in Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland
   parents: Lawrence Quinlan and Mary Kelly
   
   This might be her baptismal record.

2. ↑ Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, in United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).

   Patrick Fitzgerald, age 22
   Catharine Fitzgerald, age 22
   both born in Ireland

3. ↑ Jackson, Monroe, Iowa, in United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

   Kate Fitzgerald, born May 1830 in Ireland
   with daughter and son-in-law Anna and John Lutrell

4. ↑ Monroe, Iowa, in Iowa, United States. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925: [database on-line]. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007).

   Catherine Fitzgerald, age 80, born in Ireland, widowed

5. ↑ Obituary.