Obituary for JOHN P DWYER

Transcribed and submitted by Rebecca Alexander, © 1999, 2000.

The Edgerton (Kan.) Journal, Aug. 23, 1907.

John P. Dwyer Died at His Home
in this City Last Friday

The passing away at his home in this city last Friday morning at 7 o'clock, of Mr. John P. Dwyer removes from our midst one of the oldest settlers of this community and also one of the most highly respected of our citizens. Mr. Dwyer was born in County Cork, Ireland, August 15, 1837, and was at the time of his death 70 years and one day old. At the age of 8 years he moved to London, England, where he resided until 17 years old when he came to America and settled at Lowell, Mass. At the breaking out of the Civil War he volunteered in the 26th Massachusetts Volunteers, but was never regularly enlisted in the service. Shortly after he enlisted an order was received to draft every twelfth man out of each company of this regiment for duty at Fort Warren, to check the English soldiers who were landed on the coast of Massachusetts to force the liberation of some English spies who had been captured by the Union forces. Mr. Dwyer was one of the drafted men and was sent to Fort Warren where he did valiant service for his country.

In 1861 Mr. Dwyer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine OiBrien [sic] at Lowell, Mass., and to them was born twelve children, seven of whom survive their parents. Mrs. Dwyer died in 1887. The surviving children are Mrs. Josie Dwyer, Mrs. Maymie Hale, W.P. Dwyer, Mrs. Anna Larrick and Miss Blanch Dwyer, of Edgerton; Steve Dwyer of Gardner, and Charles Dwyer of Kansas City, Mo.

In 1870 Mr. Dwyer came to Kansas and settled on a farm 3 1/2 mile southeast of Edgerton, where he resided until he moved to Edgerton in March, 1901.

Early last June the deceased was seized with a severe cold which settled upon his lungs and that coupled with stomach trouble was the direct cause of his death. He suffered long but patiently, never murmuring of his afflictions. Mr. Dwyer was a kind father, a good neighbor and while he never made any public demonstrations of generousness was generous hearted and public spirited, and was always ready to assist in every way within his power all meritorious public enterprises.

The funeral services were held from the Church of the Assumption last Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Father Galvin, after which interment was made in the Catholic cemetery, east of town. The bereaved childrtn [sic] and relatives have the deepest sympathy of the community in their sorrow.

The Edgerton (Kan.) Journal
August 23, 1907