Greenan, Thomas 1852-1923

GREENAN, MCCANN, WILLIAMSON, AUGUSTINE

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 12/17/2016 at 11:55:17

COON RAPIDS ENTERPRISE - Fri, Mar 2, 1923 - Thomas Greenan, the subject of this obituary, was the son of James and Jane McCann Greenan, who came to the US from Ireland in the year 1852, the son Thomas being born Feb 2nd on ship board on the Atlantic ocean off the coast of New Jersey before landing at New York.

Upon landing both parents were taken sick and taken to different hospitals, thus becoming separated and not again united for a period of 9 years. During this time the husband kept up a steady search for his wife and child and finally through the assistance of friends from Ireland was rewarded by finding them not far from the place of separation, the son being then 9 years of age.

The parents then came to Illinois and located in Oakville, Salem township, Carroll county, where they engaged in farming and where the son spent his boyhood, received his education and grew to manhood.

In March 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Williamson. He then engaged in farming on his own account which business he followed for a number of years. Being a good judge of livestock and a man in whom the utmost confidence could be placed he was employed by the late A.H. Hawk who was then engaged in the grain and stock business at Chadwick, IL.

In 1892 he and his family moved to Iowa location near Coon Rapids where again took up farming which business he pursued until the death of Mrs Greenan April 25th, 1916, after which Mr Greenan went to South Dakota, taking up his residence with his son, John, near Yale.

His health being not of the best he became desirous of again visiting the haunts of his earlier years and about the holidays he came back to Carroll county to meet relatives and friends. This visit he enjoyed to the fullest extent, having remarked to the writer of these lines at different times that he was having the time of his life.

But the grim reaper had him marked and he was taken with an acute attack of Brights disease and after but a few days illness he passed away at the home of his nephew, John McGinty, at Mt Carroll, IL.

He is survived by three children: J.L. Greenan of Regan, ND; John Greenan and Mrs Rose Augustine both of Yale, SD; 7 grandchildren; and 12 nephews and nieces.

Interment was beside the remains of his wife in the family lot in the cemetery at Coon Rapids, Iowa.