Ozaukee Obituary Garret W. Fagan

Ellsworth News
Ellsworth, Nobles Co., MN
Thursday May 5, 1938

Garret W. Fagan


Fall Late Thursday Afternoon Was Fatal to Aged Ellsworth Community Resident - Funeral Took Place Monday Morning

Garret W. Fagan for nearly 60 years a foremost citizen of the community east of town, died at the Ellsworth Hospital shortly after 4:30 last Friday afternoon, following a fall received the previous afternoon. He had not been in good health for the past three years and especially during the past winter there were times his life was at a low ebb, but with the coming of the warmer days he appeared to rally and managed to get about the farmyard a little at a time. It was on one of these rare trips there that he fell while watching a son at work, a misstep causing him to fall, his son saw him lying on the ground, realizing the aged man was in great pain, the family summoned Dr. P.J. Cress, and the accident victim was taken to the Ellsworth Hospital, where he died nearly 24 hours later. His advanced age of 90 years coupled with his weakened condition, after so long and severe of illness made the outlook for recovery hopeless from the first, although it was thought he might linger for several weeks. He died quietly, having been prepared for death by the administration of the last sacraments of the church of which he had been a most devout member.

The funeral took place from Saint Mary's church Monday at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Hale saying the Requiem Mass and preaching a sermon that paid tribute to the good life of the departed and pointed out the rewards of right living. His text was "If you would have life everlasting, keep the Commandments". The death of this fine man followed closely that of his beloved wife, who died Friday, March 4th , and the same pallbearers were chosen by the children as had served at the funeral of the mother: John Schweitzer, Charles Lenz, John Larkin, Elmer Egan, Edmund Burk and Francis Carey. The many who called at the late home and the large attendance at the funeral Monday forenoon spoke strongly of the great esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. Internment was in Saint Mary's cemetery beside his life's companion.

Deceased was born March 12 1848 at Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and lived but six weeks past the 90-year mark - a life filled with usefulness and good. He grew to manhood in the Wisconsin Community and in 1878, having been interested in the literature sent out by Archbishop Ireland, deceased, now famous for his successful plans to place Catholic colonists from farther east upon the then wild Minnesota land, deceased and his cousin the late Thomas J. Fagan, came to this community and purchased the farm which has since been his. He did not remain here at first but returned to Cedarburg, holding the farm as a investment. On August 12, 1885, he married Miss Mary Burns at Cedarburg, and the young couple came here and started the home which was theirs until death called them both. To them were born eight children, four boys and four girls, a son dying at the age of 18 months and the others growing to maturity, survive their parents. They are: John, Robert, Eugene, and Mary, of the community two miles east of town; Mrs. George (Anna) Boyd, Anaconda, Montana; Mrs Wm. (Rose) Marsh of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Agnes, a teacher in the Little Falls, Minnesota schools.

Deceased was a type of fine, upright Catholic manhood, believing with all his heart in that which was right and never afraid to practice his beliefs. He was a most devoted husband and father, a good neighbor, a generous friend and a loyal citizen. He had several offices of trust in township affairs. In his youth he had more than usual education, was a great reader and had a good memory that faded only in the final few years. He will be greatly missed by his family to whom he leaves the memory of a fine father.

Out of town relatives in attendance at the funeral were: Mrs Joseph Birmingham and Mrs. Mildred Birmingham of Sioux City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wehling, Sioux Falls, SD; and Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Stiegel of Little Falls, Minnesota