Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-05-30
OBITUARY.,

Died. in Santa Fe, New Mexico. on
Thursday, May Sth, Rev. Owen Kelley.
The funeral of Father Kelley took
place from st. Bridget's church. Ridge
way, in this county, on Wednesday.
May the l4th. The remains were sent
from Santa Fe to Ridgeway, the home
of the departed. They were received
with honor and grief at the station.
and borne to the home of his father.
Mr.. James Kelley. On Tuesday the
body was removed to the church, where
it remained until the end of the fu-
neral services.
At 10 o'clock, Wednesday, the time
announced for the funeral, an i'm
mense throng was assembled at the
church. The editice could not contain
the people, and many were compelled
to remain outside. The solemn tone
of the organ with the voices of the
choir chanting the Dies Irae, gave
notice that the Requiem Mass was
about TO be commenced. From the
sacristy came robed in the black vest
ments of the dead, the officiating
priests, Rev. Father Hishen, celebrant:
Rev. Valley, deacon; Rev Mccormack,
sub-deacon. The mass icing ended
Father O'Keefe assembled the pulpit to
say a few words over his departed
friend. He most earnestly and pa
thetically spoke of his long friend
ship for Father Kelley and his family,
and then eloquently paid a merited
tribute to Father Kelley, for his sin
cere and Jealous life. He told of his
virtues and his short labors in the
ministry; how his every act was one
of self denial and devotion. Eloquent
ly he placed before his hearers in vivid
manner, his suffering, borne unknown
to all but himself, his desire to serve
God unostentatiously and in peace;
how he labored when he should not;
he suffered when no one knew, but
bore all resignedly, saying as his
Master, not my will but thine be
done.
After the sermon Rev. Mccormack
performed the absolution ceremonies,
when the corpse was borne to the
hearse and the funeral cortege was
formed. Without exception, it was
one of the largest burial professions
that has been seen in southwestern
Wisconsin, more than one hundred
and seventy-tive conveyances being in
line.
At the grave yard Father Valley
read the last service, and as each
clergyman scattered the clay upon the
grave, saying, be mindful man that
thou are dust and unto dust thou shall
return, tears were flowing, and as
each clod of earth fell with a dull hol-
low sound upon the coffin, a feeling of
intense sorrow and loneliness came
over all.
Father Owen Kelley was born in the town of
Ridgeway, "a years ago. He was the son of Mr..
James Kelley an old settler of Iowa county,
well and widely known. After doing his share
as other boys with his parents ON the farm. at
the age of II he came to Mineral Point. For
two years he attended the Sisters school of ST.
Joseph attached to st. PsuPs Catholic church.
Then expressing desire to enter the holy min
istry his parents aSsented, and he entered the
seminary of st, Francis near Milwaukee Hay
ing stu died there two years, he entered St
Joseph's college, where he completed his classics
and philosophy. Being so far advanced the
time was at hand that he should affiliate himself
to some diocese. He chose the arch diocese of
Chicago. Being received, acting according to
the instructions of the bishop, he was appointed
to the Sulpician seminary, of Baltimore. He
studied there for three years, and having passed
a most brilliant examination in theology, he
was called to ordination and was ordained
priest. He said his frs mass in Ridgeway and
in few days began his work, For a few
months he was appointed as assistant to the
Polish church in Chicago, afterwards to South
Chicago, Father Van de La ar pastor. For four
years he faithfully did his work, through much
suffering from his health; but he uttered no
complaint. He went south for his health then
west and returned apparently improved But
again he was compelled TO go; and for three
years he wandered lonely and alone over Col
orado, Arizona, California and New Mexico,
but obtained no relief. Al last he yielded, and
we were notified that Father Kelley was dead.
He has gone, but he has left behind him actions
and deeds that will not be forgotten. We can
only silently drop prayer. May he lest in
peace.