Obit: McGinnis, Peter #2 (1833 - 1914)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Contact:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: McGinnis, Welch, Phillips, Jorgenson, Short, Isham, Bruley, Shafer

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  September 3, 1914

McGinnis, Peter (29 Jun 1833 - 28 Aug 1914)

Peter McGinnis died last Friday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kate Welch, after a long illness.  In the death of Mr. McGinnis Clark County loses another of its valued pioneers and a man who has always been held in high esteem by his friends and neighbors. He was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. on June 29, 1833 and was united in marriage to Julia Welch in 1855.  He made two trips to California, one in 1849 and the other after his marriage, but in 1869 came to Wisconsin and located in La Crosse.  He lived there three years and then brought his family to Clark County, locating on a farm in town of Sherwood.  They lived there until ten years ago when they removed to Neillsville.  Shortly after, Mrs. McGinnis died and Mr. McGinnis made his home with his daughters, spending five years with Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Jorgenson and the past five years with his daughter, Mrs. Welch.

Deceased was a man of high character and lived an exemplary life.  He was honorable in his business dealings and kindly and charitable in his private life and as a result was respected and esteemed by all.  Deceased was the father of twelve children, two of whom, Mrs. John Short and Mrs. Isham, are dead.  The surviving children are Mrs. Kate Welch and Mrs. Emery Bruley of this city, Mrs. Shafer of Merrill, Mrs. J.E. Phillips of Milwaukee, Mrs. L.C. Jorgenson of Green Bay, Miss Lillian of Minneapolis, Miss Agnes of Seattle, Frank of Portland, P.F. of Waukesha and Will of Washington.  Deceased is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and 22 grandchildren.

The funeral was held Monday, services being conducted at St. Mary’s Church and interment being made in the Catholic cemetery.  The children who were here for the funeral were Mrs. Shafer, P.J. McGinnis and wife, Mrs. J.E. Phillips, L.C. Jorgenson and wife and Miss Lillian McGinnis of Minneapolis.