Aged Lady Found Dead

Mrs. Patrick Mullin Expires in Shed While Getting Kindling

Mrs. Patrick Mullin, 79, a well known resident of Washington county since 1878, was found dead in a woodshed at the residence of the Mullin home on west Colfax street by her son, James P. Mullin, on Monday morning. Although Mrs. Mullin had not been well for several months, it was thought that her infirmities were merely accompaniments of old age and her unexpected death came as a shock to her husband and family of five children. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at the Catholic church, of which Mrs. Mullin had been a devout member throughout her life. Rev. G. Spichen, S. J., of Omaha officiated in the absence of Father C. A. Beyersdorfer.

Mrs. Mullin was born in Limerick county, Ireland, on December 23rd, 1841, and was married in Ireland, to Patrick Mullin on January 28th, 1872. In 1876, the young couple emigrated to American, locating for a time at Salem, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Mullin moved to Nebraska in 1876, locating on a homestead near O’Neill, where they lived until 1878, when they came to Washington county. The couple lived on a farm five miles west of Herman from 1878 until 1904, when they moved to Blair, where they have resided since. In spite of their advanced ages, the couple insisted at all times on maintaining their home in Blair, though their children had attempted to persuade them to do otherwise a number of times.

Mrs. Mullin is survived by her husband and five children, Thomas Mullin, of Belvidere, South Dakota, Ellen, of Kansas City, Missouri, Mary and Rose of Los Angeles, California, and James P. Mullin, who farms south of Blair. Except for the daughters in Los Angeles, who were unable to attend, all the children were present at the funeral.

Pilot 23 June 1926

Mrs. Pat Mullin passed away suddenly of heart failure Monday morning. Jim came in from the farm a little after 8 o’clock and found no one in the house. He went out in the back yard and saw the shed door open so went in and found his mother lying there dead. She had evidently gone out after some wood and when she stooped over her tired old heart gave way. She had been dead but a few minutes for the body was still warm. The funeral service will be held at the Catholic church at 10 o’clock tomorrow, Thursday, morning. A priest from Omaha will officiate in the absence of Father Beyersdorfer in Chicago. Johanna O’Brien was born December 23rd, 1841, in County Limerick, Ireland, so was in her 85th year. When a girl of ten years she came to this country and on January 28th, 1872 she was united in marriage to Patrick Mullin at Salem, Mass. In 1877 they came to this state, settling at O’Neill, coming to this county two years later and locating on a farm five miles west of Herman, which wa their home for about a quarter of a century. In 1904 they moved to Blair and retired from active work. Two sons and four daughters were born to them, one daughter, Agnes, Mrs. Thos. Lawless passed away eight years ago. Those surviving are Thomas J. of Belvidere, S.D., Ellen, Mrs. Lee Smith, of Kansas City, Mo., Mary, Mrs. M. W. Couch and Miss Rose, of Los Angeles, Calif. There are but four grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Thos. J. Mullin have an only daughter and Mr. and Mrs. James Mullin have two daughters, Frances and Mary, and an only son, James, jr. Mr. Mullin will greatly miss his companion of the past 54 years and will probably make his home with Jim on the farm, his eyesight being so poor he can’t see to get about much by himself. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of all who know them.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the news article date was used.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~