• back to obits •

Obituary of
John Scanlon
(1857 - 1897)

John was the second eldest of Michael J. and Mary (McDonnell) Scanlon's 14 children. He was born on August 26, 1857 on the family farm in Seven Mile Creek Township, Juneau County, Wisconsin. John worked on the family farm before opening a dry goods store called Scanlon Bro's with his brother Thomas in about 1883. The store was located in the small town of Lyndon Station, in neighboring Kildare Township. It was in business until the early 1900's. John died in July 1897, so apparently Thomas carried on by himself for a few years. John married Julia E. Smyth in 1892, they had no children. He died of hepatitis and periarditis at the age of 40. Related Items: Pictures of his siblings. Ads for the Scanlon Bro's dry goods store he ran with his brother Thomas. Obituaries for his mother Mary McDonnell and father Michael J. Obituaries for his sister Catherine and brothers Thomas F. and James P. A 1923 biography of his brother Michael J.

The Mauston Star (Mauston, Wisconsin) Thursday, 15 Jul 1897 OBITUARY RECORD. John Scanlon.       On Sunday morning [July 11] many of our citizens were shocked to hear that John Scanlon, their old friend, had just expired, after a sickness of little more than one week.1 Mr. Scanlon was born in Seven Mile Creek in 1857. He went to Lyndon Station in 1883 and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother Thomas, where he has since resided.       Mr. Scanlon has served his town as Chairman for the past three years and was elected this year for the fourth time. He was well liked by the members of the board and considered one who thoroughly understood what was best for his town as well as county. It was his aim to do right by all.       We doubt very much if there was another man in the county who had more friends than did John Scanlon. He was generous to a fault. His friends can call to memory many kind favors received, as he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to his fellow beings in the hour of adversity.       The death of Mr. Scanlon has cast a gloom over his town, the people realizing that they have met with an irreparable loss. There are left to mourn a wife, father, Michael Scanlon; five sisters,2 Mrs. A. M. McIntyre,3 of this city; Mrs. W. B. Galvin,4 of Saco, Montana; Mrs. Wm Troy,5 of Seven Mile Creek, and Miss Marie Scanlon,6 of Lyndon Station; three brothers, Thomas, of Lyndon Station; M. J., of Minneapolis, and William E., of Nickerson, Minn., all but M. J. being present at the funeral which was held Tuesday [July 13] forenoon from St. Mary�s church. High Mass was held by the Rev. Fr. Campbell, of Necedah, Rev. Fr. Nevins, of Lyndon Station, delivering the toughing tribute to the memory of the deceased.       The remains were followed to their last resting place by the Catholic Order of Foresters,7 of which he was a member, besides two hundred and fifty carriages, all filled with sympathizing friends and neighbors, who paid their last respects to one will not soon be forgotten. May he rest in peace. 1 According to his death record, John died of hepatitis and pericarditis, and had been ill for 10 days. It is possible that John suffered from hemochromatosis, a recessive hereditary disorder which causes the body to accumulate too much iron. The mutation causing this disease common among people of Irish descent. It is easily treatable, but left untreated it causes damage to the liver, heart and other organs, leading to an early death. The disease was given its name in 1889, and often goes indiagnosed, even to this day. 2 Only four of John's sisters were living at the time of his death, not five. Five of his sisters did reach adulthood, but Catherine, wife of Leo J. Smyth, had died the year before. 3 Julia, wife of Andrew M. McIntyre. He was a farmer in Lindina Township. 4 Margaret E., wife of William B. Galvin, a lumber merchant. 5 Agnes M., wife of William J. Troy, a farmer. 6 Maria V. She married Jeremiah S. Foley about a year and a half later. He was in the lumber business, and the family moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida. 7 The Catholic Order of Foresters (COF) is a national Catholic fraternal organization whose purpose is the financial, social, physical and spiritual well being of its members. It was established in 1883 at Holy Family Church in Chicago, IL, with 42 members. It was founded by a shipping clerk named Thomas Taylor, to replace collections taken up for widows and orphans after a wage earner died. He hoped to sign up 1000 men who would contribute $1.00 each when one of them died, this goal was reached in 1887.

Transcribed by Erica DeCoursey 2005