Francis O’Neal, Sr.

Walnut Leader, Friday, June 14, 1912, page 2, column 1

Death of Francis O’Neal, sr.

Francis O’Neil, sr., one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Hanaman township, died at his home in Deer Grove Tuesday afternoon at 3:45 o’clock. Death was due to Bright’s disease, with which he had been suffering for the past year. The funeral services were held at St. Mary’s church, Tampico, and the interment took place in St. Mary’s cemetery.

The deceased was one of the well known and old citizens of Hahnaman township, who settled there in the early days, and by dint of hard toil overcome the many difficulties, and wrestled from the poor, swampy land a beautiful farm and a competency. For more than forty-five years Hahnhman township was his home, where he was respected and honored among his fellow citizens. He was born seventy-five years ago in the county of Mayo, Ireland, and came to America when but a lad nineteen years of age. After spending a short time in New York he came west, eventually settling in Hahnaman township, and a few years ago retired from the farm and moved to Deer Grove.

He was married September 5, 1876, in New York, to Winnifred Senner, and five children were born to this union, all of whom survive him. They are William, Henry, Francis, jr., Timothy and Mrs. Wm. Drew.

[Note: The different spellings for his name and twp are just as they appeared in the newspaper article.]