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Benton County Times; March 28, 1895
Death of John Kanealy
John Kanealy
The death of Mr. Kanealy occurred at the residence one-half mile south of Van Horne Monday morning, at 2:30 o'clock, he being only a few days past his 51st year. Death came sudden, as at time of retiring the evening previous nothing indicated that death was near.
John Kanealy was born in Ireland. April 15, 1844. He came to this country when a young man and about the year of 1870 came to Benton county, stopping in the vicinity of Blairstown. Here he labored on the farm of B. W. Shreeve for a few years. Industrious and economical be soon became possessed of a farm southwest of Blairstown, which in 1880 was exchanged for the farm where he lived at time of death.
Feb. 3, 1875. he married, at Blairstown, Mary Donohue, daughter of James Donohue. By this union there were born seven children, two sons and five daughters. May 11, 1888, [Mrs.] Kanealy died, leaving her husband with a large family of children. This was a severe blow to Mr. Kanealy, and the writer knows her death was keenly felt by the husband. Feb. 3,1891, just sixteen years from his first marriage, he was united in marriage to Annie McAvaney, of Keystone. By this union two children were born. The wife and eight children arc left to mourn their loss.
Last fall Mr. Kanealy was afflicted with abscess of the liver. As winter approached he became confined to his bed and for several weeks his condition was such that his friends were greatly alarmed. Under most skillful medical care he became relieved of the abscess and slowly regained strength. For some time, and in fact, up to within two or three hours of his death, he was hopeful and looked forward to a complete restoration to health. His strength had returned so that he was able to do light work.
The evening previous his friends, Paul Cantwell and Pat Cullen, visited him and he talked about general subjects. He remarked to his friend Cantwell that he hoped to get well, and that it would be hard for him to die. When asked by Mr. Cullen to visit him he said that if he was alive in the morning he would call, if the day was nice. His friends paid little notice to these i words at the time, but recalled them the next morning. During the late hours of night internal hemorrhage set in and soon the spirit of John Kanealy returned to him who gave it. The struggle was short, and in the midst of friends who were hastily summoned.
Few men die who are more universally mourned by his immediate neighbors than John Kanealy. He was a friend, not only in word but in deed. Big hearted, he was ready to step aside for a friend, if by so doing the friend was benefited. Unselfish, openhanded, the deserving found him when in need. He was a life-long democrat, and stood high in the councils of his party in the county. His word was as good as a bond, and he always remembered a friend, he forgave an honest enemy, but he could not forget an intentional wrong. The writer has had occasions to test his friendship and has never asked in vain for a favor. If John Kanealy had an unrelenting enemy we know not where he lives. He held the respect of all regardless of party or caste. Plain, unpretentious, he has left us, his many friends, examples of a good life.
To the widow and children the sympathy of all go out, but they cannot mourn as those having no hope. The husband and father has gone before. Walk the life he has walked, do the good deeds he has done, and there will be a happy meeting.
The funeral and burial were yesterday at Holy Cross church and burying ground, Father Reynolds conducting the services. The body was followed by a procession of over a hundred teams, and was one of the largest funerals ever seen in Benton county. Died — Monday morning at 2:30 John Kanealy passed away, aged 51 years and 8 days. Mr. Kanealy was an old settler and had hosts of friends. He appeared to be gaining in strength and Sunday evening he walked out to his stable, and as Pat Cullen's were leaving, Johny asked Mr. Kanealy if he could not come down and visit him some warm day, Kanealy answered yes, if I live till tomorrow morning. He seemed to have a preadmonition of death. The funeral was held Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. The bereaved ones have the full sympathy of the whole neighborhood. The body will be interred at Holy Cross cemetery, near Keystone, Father Reynolds preaching the sermon.
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