The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-01-31
P. R. VAIL DEAD
Former Mayor and Resident Of Ely
Dies at Virginia

Patrick R. Vail, one of the old
est and best known men of the
range country died at his home in
Virginia yesterday morning of
heart failure following a severe ILL
ness of several weeks. While it
has been known since the first of
the year that death was only a
matter of weeks. his passing never
theless was considerable of shock
to his many friends.
Paddy" Vail, by which name
he was Familiarity known, was born
in Shellsburg, Wis. in 1858 and
was at the time of his death 81
years of age The ffty-four years
of his life were fraught with many
hardships and varied experiences.
After the death of his parents when
he was six years of age, he went to
live with an uncle at Ontonagon,
Mich. He attended school only
few years when he was compelled
to hustle for himself, securing en-
ployment in the mines of Ishpem-
ing. In 1878 he went to the
Menominee range where he remain
ed for about ten years. He ran
for sheriff of Iron county in 1886
and was defeated although he ran
ahead of his ticket by 1,175 votes.
Twenty-six years ago he came to
this range. =, He was in business at
Tower for year coming to Ely
when the town was first plated and
engaging in the hardware business.
He was active in both the civil and
political life of the town. When
the city was incorporated Mr.. Vail
was a member of the first city
council and in 1895 was elected
mayor which position he held for
two terms. In 1904 he was again
elected to the mayoralty and served
two years. He served as the first
chief of the Ely Volunteer Fire
Department at the organization in
1889. During his residence here
he also served as member of the
school board and in 1896 he was
sent to the legislature from this
district as representative. He
erected several business blocks and
at the time of his death was heavy
owner of real estate in this city and
vicinity. In 1905 he built the Vail
Hotel which was the finest hotel
building OH the ranges but which
was burned in 1907 and never re-
built.
Six years ago he removed with
his family to Virginia where he has
since resided, he becoming prom
inently identified with that city in
several ways. He was elected to
the senate from the forty-ninth dis
trict in 1906 and served four years.
He built the Virginia Brewery in
company with A. D. Ellefsen of
this city and others and has been
manager and president of the CON-
pany since. The Brewing company
are also owners of several business
blocks in Virginia and other range
towns.
Twenty-four years ago Mr.. Vail
was married to Miss Mary Gleason
of Ironwood and to this union four
children were born. viz: Leonore,
Leo, Nicholas and Byron, who with
Mrs. Vail survive him. All the
children were born in this city dur
ing the residence of the family at
their home on Harvey street at
present owned by the editor and
family. He was member of the
Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows,
Elks, Redmen and Owls. Up to
the hour of going to press no
definite arrangements for the
funeral had been announced but it
is understood that the burial will
be at Virginia.
The funeral will be private it is
understood as during the past two
weeks Mr.. Vail has been the victim
of an attack of small pox and for
which the house was quarantined.
Several from this city have signifed
their intention of attending the
fnporo1