Person:Edward Connelly (2)

CONNELLY, Edward (d. 1910)

DEATH CALLS AN AGED PIONEER OF BELLINGHAM BAY
Edward Connelly, 92 Years Old, Dies at Home of Daughter, Mrs. Harry Osier - realized the end was at hand. Left the hospital to die at home.
Came to Puget Sound in 1874, moved to Fairhaven in 1877, locating in Happy Valley, owner of valuable property.
Edward Connelly, among the last of the South Bellingham pioneers, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Osier, at Twenty-Fourth and Donovan Streets, of old age at 1:45 o'clock this morning. He was 92 years old, conscious to the last and knew for a week that the end was at hand. Saturday night, April 23, while talking with friends at the house he was seized by a fit of coughing and when the family wanted to send for a doctor he objected, saying: "It is no use, my time is run, this is the last." When his daughter asked what he meant he replied: "Never mind, you will see in two or three days.
Goes to Hospital
After much persuasion he was induced to go to St. Joseph's Hospital on Tuesday. He remained but a day and a half. Telling the sisters that nothing could be done for him he ordered a carriage, walked to it himself, stopped in South Bellingham to tell one of his friends that he had not much longer to remain on the earth and went on out to the home of his daughter. His wish was to die at home and be buried from the house. Mr. Connelly was known to everyone in South Bellingham and to thousands of people on the North Side of the city. He was famous for his wonderful vitality. He had scarce a gray hair in his head and his whiskers retained their bright color up to death. He was never before known to have even a cold. His humorous, cheerful buoyant disposition was never hidden at any time. These characteristics, so well sustained, brought him local fame.
Born in Ireland
Edward Connelly was born in the County of Galway, Ireland. He came to America in 1862 and settled in Pennsylvania, later sending for his wife and three children. The family lived there more than ten years. Filled with the spirit of the pioneer he left the old state in 1874 and came to Puget Sound, making his first home in Renton. After a short time he sent for his family and in October, 1877, with his wife and five children, two were born in Pennsylvania, he came to Bellingham. Going to Happy Valley he purchased 160 acres from Michael Padden, who discovered Lake Padden, and gave his name to Lake Padden. In 1885 he pre-empted a claim near the lake and later homesteaded 160 acres on East Fairhaven. This tract was involved in a contest in 1891, but the case won by Mr. Connelly. Long ago his property went to his children. He will be buried from the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in South Bellingham, but the date of his funeral will not be set until the arrival of his son and daughter from Spokane. He is survived by Mrs. Harry Oeser, of this city, Mrs. S. A. Hoyt of Spokane, and his son, Patrick E. Connelly. Stokes & Wickman are directing the funeral arrangements.
(From The American Reveille, May 2, 1910)

Edward Connelly, who has been a resident of Bellingham for more than thirty years, died this morning at the age of ninety-three years. Death was due to old age. He has been a resident of Fairhaven since 1877 and had resided in Seattle three years before coming here. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Annie Oeser and Mrs. Kate White of Spokane, and one son Pat Connelly, of Spokane and one brother in Ireland, where Mr. Connelly himself lived until he was 21 years old. There are eleven grandchildren, many of whom live in this section. Mr. Connelly's death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Oeser, on Twenty-fourth street, south side. Mr. Connelly was one of the most interesting of the early pioneers and his life was an eventful one. He was attracted to this country by the coal mines at Renton near Seattle, having previously worked in the mines of Pennsylvania.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 2, 1910) Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

father = John Connelly
mother = Anna Mangan