Sunday’s Obituary: James McGovern

James McGovern, a well known local railroad contractor, died on 20 May 1880. He was born about 51 years ago in Ireland in the County Cavan. He was not married but did have siblings locally.

His obituary reads:

James McGovern, brother of John R. McGovern, Manheim Township, and of Patrick McGovern, all well known railroad contractors, died yesterday about 4 p.m., from a complication of ailments from which he suffered for a number of years. Deceased was an unmarried man, of about 51 years of age. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and came to America when a young man. He has been engaged on railroad work in all parts of the country and helped to build the Lewistown and Sunbury road. He went to Brazil on the ill starred Collins expedition and lost health and money in the venture. Returning to Lancaster, he suffered acutely from rheumatism at intervals and was much shattered in bodily health. Some weeks ago, while staying at his sister’s Mrs. Redman’s, his left arm and leg were paralyzed. For all that, his death yesterday was sudden and unexpected to his relatives and friends, who left him an hour previous in about his usual state of health. He will be buried at 9 a.m. tomorrow from the residence of his sister Mrs. Redman, at the extreme upper end of North Queen Street; high mass at St Mary’s church. Mr. McGovern was a jovial good natured and industrious man, who had many friends and no enemies.

Source:

Lancaster daily intelligencer. (Lancaster, Pa.), 21 May 1880. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress.

Sunday’s Obituary is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

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