Sunday, January 29, 1899 pg. 1 DIED Monday, Jan. 23, 1899 at 6 o'clock a.m. OWEN McCARTHY Owen McCarthy, pioneer and prominent business man, and one of the pillars of the Gate City, and Infant wonder, died very suddenly at his beautiful home on Woodard street Monday morning. The immediate cause of death was heart failure. Mr. McCarthy had 2 accute attacks. The first was so serious that Drs. Acheson and Wilson were summoned to the bedside of the sick man. Mr. McCarthy rallied, and there were encouraging signs that he might recover. The second attack closed forever the career of the most remarkable man that has ever lived in the past and present of this city. He was one of the typical pioneers that blazed the path of progress in the Lone Star State. With the great tide of immigration which turned its face this way and within a few years has built up an empire, came Owen McCarthy. He first commenced business at the corner of Main street and Rusk avenue. He possessed tremendous energy and was gifted to a large extent with the tact which has pushed his nationality to the front in all of the avocations of life. His success was immediate, and McCarthy's hardware house was as well known throughout this section as that other old landmark, the Star Store. In his prime, Mr. McCarthy was a wonderful business man. All during the pioneer perioed he was the leading hardware dealer of Denison, for D.W.C. Davis moved over to Sherman and left McCarthy master of the situation. In the 70's his hardward and impliment house was burned. On the site he erected a handsome 2-story business house, which is at present occupied by Madden, Graham & Co. Mr. McCarthy, in the early portion of 1880, erected a business house at No. 405 Main street, where he has ever since carried on the hardware business, the only break being the fire of 2 and a half years ago. Having plenty of money, he was for the past few years indifferent to business duties, and left nearly all to the care of his gifted daughter, Miss Ollie McCarthy, assisted by Mr. Ira Wyatt. The best side of his life has never been told. He was until within the last few years a great lover of woodland sports. The writer then was a constant companion, have sat at the campfire and roamed the forests and prairies throughout all seasons. Mirth and good cheer always went hand in hand with McCarthy to the woods. He was generous to a fault, a delightful companion and a true disciple of dog and gun. His physical decline began when he turned his face forever against the woods, and was resigned to the sham contentment of city life. Yet the love of nature did not entirely desert him, for it found expression in his beautiful gardens with its wonderful collection of flowers. At the time of death, the deceased was aged 58 years, 3 months and 21 days. He was born in Ireland and left there when a mere lad. He was industrious and when he arrived on these shores hard work fell to his lot. He was without friends and scant means, and the world gave him many a hard knock, but he acquired an experience which stood him well in hand in future years. From New York he drifted to what was then the almost unknown west and located in Chicago. After remaining there a few years, he turned up in Kansas, where the foundation of a successful business career was laid. Mr. McCarthy came to Denison in the spring of 1872. He was married in Kansas, the fruits of the union being 3 children, 2 daughters and a son. No children were ever more devotedly attached to a parent, and their love was returned in full measure by the father. They had only to express a wish and it was his pleasure to gratify it. The deceased was born and raised in the Catholic faith. He was also a Mason in good standing, but never affiliated with the lodge her. LAID TO REST The funeral of Mr. McCarthy took place Wednesday forenoon from the family residence at the corner of Woodard street and Burnett avenue. The remains were held for the presence of Owen McCarthy, Jr., who arrived from Ft. Clark Tuesday night. There was a large turn out of friends and mourners. It may be a delusion or a beautiful legend that the dead look down from the regions of immortal life on mundane things; if this be true then Owen McCarthy must have been made happy at the expressions of sorrow and the presence of so many of the old timers who came to say farewell and pay the last respects to one they had known so well in life. In the parlor where the dead man lay, there was a profusion of flowres. It was Mirabeau the great French orator and tribune who gave expression to the beautiful sentiment that has lived through 3 centures, "When I die cover me with flowers, as I loved them in life." It was eminently proper that the most noticeable tribute to the dead man was flowers, for during life he had passed the greater portion of his existance among them. We do not know who arranged the floral tributes, but exquisite taste was displayed. There were wreaths, ferns and palms, the most noticable a harp from which 2 doves, emblematic of purity, seemed ready to take flight to a better realm. At no funeral within the recollection of the writer was there ever such a lovely collection of flowers. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. Father Crowley. The pall bearers were F.D. Ungles, Tom Fox, Tom Foley, Barney Williams, Judge T.J. Crooks, Robias Porter, B.C. Murray and R. Polk Burhans. At the grave the last rites were performed by Father Crowley. And thyus closed the earthly career of a good citizen, a devoted and loyal parent. Peace to his ashes. THE McCARTHY WILL There has been no authoried statement of the contents of the McCarthy will given to the public. It is reported, however, that Miss Ollie is given the building, No. 205 Main street, together with the stock of hardware, and the homestead; Mrs. Ed Moulton and Owen, Jr., the Madden Graham & Co. building; Miss Orilla, a niece, 2 farms and $2500 in cash; and the wife $500. Owen is to receive only $35 per month until he is 35 years of age. A life insurance policy of $15,000 is to be equally divided between the 3 children. The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, June 24, 1900 pg. 1 To The Public Notice is hereby given that I am the duly appointed guardian of the person and estate of Owen McCarthy, Jr., and further notice is hereby given that no contract made or entered into by said Owen McCarthy, Jr. will be valid and binding upon him or his estate, and no such contract will be recognized or will be carried out by me, unless approved by me as such guardian, and his support and maintenance will be provided for by me, and all contracts necessary to be made to secure such support and maintenance must be made by me and me alone as such guardian. Thomas Fox Guardian of the person and estate of Owen McCarthy, Jr. Denison, Tex., June 19, 1900  Irish American Roots Calvary Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
