James Kehoe Dead at 93

Native of Ireland Came Here With Illinois Group 64 Years Ago

James Kehoe, 93, well-known resident of the Blair vicinity for 64 years, died suddenly Saturday of a heart attack. He was found dead, apparently a heart attack victim, at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Dixon 610 West Washington St., with whom he had resided since a short time after they were married.

Native of Ireland but a resident of America since boyhood, Mr. Kehoe had come to Washington county from Illinois in 1883 when several groups – the Gaines, Cooper, Crink and Dixon families – moved to this vicinity together.

Funeral services for the aged Blairite were held at the Campbell Mortuary at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Sidney L. McCaig of First Methodist church officiated and burial followed in Blair cemetery. Among those present from out of town for the rites were Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Gaines of Logan, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. K. H. Weaver of Raymond, Nebr., and John Cooper of Fremont.

Native of Clonmell

Mr. Kehoe was born at Clonmell, Ireland, and when 12 years old came to Iroquois County, Ill., to reside with an uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. James Kehoe. There he received his education and attended Watseka, Ill., high school.

On Mar. 17, 1830, he and Miss Flor Baker were married, and three years later they came to Washington county. Mrs. Kehoe died May 6, 1926. A daughter, Mrs. John E. Sward (?) of San Francisco, died in November.

Surviving Mr. Kehoe are two daughters Mrs. John High (?) of Earl Morgan, Colo. And Mrs. A. E. Dixon (Eunice) of Blair.

#2-20 Mar., 1947 - The Enterprise

JAMES KEHOE DIES AT 93 YEARS

James Kehoe was born in Conmell, Ireland Dec. 19, 1853. He died of a heart attack at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. E. Dixon in Blair March 15, 1947 at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 26 days.

Mr. Kehoe came to America at the age of 12 to make his home with an aunt and uncle, Mr. ad Mrs. James Kehoe of Iroquois, Ill. Here he attended the Watseka, Illinois high school.

On March 17, 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Baker. St. Patrick’s Day would have marked the 67th anniversary of their marriage. To this union three daughters were born.

In March of 1883 the couple left Illinois to settle in Washington County, Nebraska, together with such other families as the Gaines, the Coopers, the Crinks and the Dixons. Mr. Kehoe was the last of this group of old settlers who moved westward from Illinois at that time.

For many years Mr. Kehoe was an industrious and dependable farmer. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him. A man of his word and with kindly consideration of his fellowmen, he represented the finest of characters.

To the very last of his long life he was physically active and mentally alert. He died suddenly with no illness. His wife preceded him in death over 20 years ago and a daughter, Ista, Mrs. John Sward of San Francisco, died last November.

There survives his passing two daughters, Kate, Mrs. John High of Fort Morgan, Colorado; Eunice, Mrs. A. E. Dixon, Blair, with whom the father made his home for many years. There also remain 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

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

Note: Buried Blair Cemetery. Find a Grave # 115877175. Born 19 Dec 1853; died 15 March 1947