Gorman, Patrick 1828-1913

GORMAN, MCMAHON, MARTIN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/21/2024 at 14:18:40

Sioux City Journal, Tuesday, October 21, 1913
Page 12

DEATH OF PATRICK GORMAN
One of First Settlers in Perry Creek Valley
Was Eighty-Five Years Old
Homesteaded in 1868 and Lived To See Country Become Rich Agricultural District — Funeral Tomorrow at 9 A.M. at St. Boniface.

Patrick Gorman, one of the earliest settlers in the Perry Creek Valley, died late Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. K. Martin, 710 1/2 West Seventh street. He was 85 years old.

Besides his daughter, Mr. Gorman is survived by a son, James F. Gorman, of Denver, Colo., who was with him when he died.

The death of Mr. Gorman marks the passing of one of the few remaining pioneers who homesteaded in the agricultural district about Sioux City in the 60s. The few who took homesteads in this vicinity previous to Mr. Gorman can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Mr. Gorman was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, on September 15, 1828. He came to the United States when he was 21 years old, settling in New York state.

The Erie Canal was then under construction, and Mr. Gorman became one of the subcontractors. When the canal was finished, Mr. Gorman moved to Columbus, Ohio, and later moved to Galena, Illinois.

Harkening to the call of homesteads in Iowa, Mr. Gorman moved to this state in 1868. He took up a homestead of 320 acres about fifteen miles north from Sioux City, in what is known as the Perry Creek valley, and what is now Liberty township, Plymouth county.

This same original homestead, named by Mr. Gorman “Ellendale farm,” was owned by him at the time of his death. In 1868 there was but one other homestead between Sioux City and the Minnesota line. It was owned by Charles Beuttner, and adjoined Mr. Gorman’s homestead about a half mile away.

In 1885, Mr. Gorman retired from actual farm work and moved to Sioux City. He had been a resident here ever since, and was widely known both in Sioux City and among the farmers in the surrounding territory.

Mr. Gorman was a lifelong democrat and up until the time of his death evinced an active interest in the political affairs of the day.

The funeral services will be held at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning at the St. Boniface Catholic church. Rev. Honoratus Bonzelet will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 1913
page 4

LIBERTY (Special Corresondence)
Mr. and Mrs. Frank McMahon went to Sioux City Tuesday to attend the funeral of Patrick Gorman on Wednesday.

The friends of Mr. Patrick Gorman were sorry to hear of his death and many of them attended the funeral which was held in Sioux City on Wednesday.