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Obituary of
Thomas Henry "Harry" DeCoursey
(1866 - 1940)

Harry was the fifth of James W. and Mary (Murphy) (De)Coursey's seven children. He was born on the farm outside Leavenworth and lived in the city all his life. In 1902 he married Elizabeth Ryan, daughter of Michael and Mary (O'Brien) Ryan, both natives of Ireland. Elizabeth's brother was Frank J. Ryan, who for many years was Secretary of State of Kansas. Harry and Elizabeth had no children. Harry spent most of his life working in the family dairy business, except for a period of time from about 1895 to 1903 when he worked for the Kansas City, Leavenworth and Western Interurban Line railroad. Related Items: Picture of his father James from ca 1875. Biography and obituary for his father James. Listings in Leavenworth, KS city directories. An account of his life written by his brother Edwin's grandson Frank E. Pictures of his brother Edwin E. and his family. Obituary for his brother in law Frank J. Ryan. His death certificate.

Unknown newspaper, 22 Apr 1940 Thomas DeCoursey Dies Retired Kansas Creamery Operator was 74 Years Old Thomas DeCoursey, known to his acquaintances as Harry DeCoursey, a creamery operator in Kansas City, Wichita and Leavenworth twenty-five years, died today at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. He was 74 years old. Mr. DeCoursey was foreman of construction in the building of the now abandoned Kansas City, Leavenworth and Western Interurban Line and subsequently was manager of the Leavenworth City Line. Following the retirement of his father, the late James DeCoursey, he took charge of the Leavenworth Dairy and Creamery Company in 1904. He was interested in the American Butter Company until 1916; in the World War period he was associated with the Leavenworth Packing Company at Camp Funston, and in 1919 organized the DeCoursey Creamery Company of Wichita and managed it until his retirement ten years ago. Since the death of his wife in 1934, he had lived at the National Hotel in Leavenworth. He leaves a sister, Mrs. Mary Barrett, Albuquerque, N. M. James H. DeCoursey, a member of the Kansas City, Kansas, board of public utilities, is a nephew.

From "The DeCoursey Family", compiled by Aileen Colitti, 1995 Transcribed by Erica DeCoursey 2002