Grundy County IL Archives Obituaries.....McNellis, John 1889
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 23, 2006, 12:26 am

Morris Herald, Oct 24, 1889
Death of John McNellis

John McNellis, long and favorably known as a citizen of this place, passed 
quietly away on Thursday of last week at tbe age of 79 years, 4 months and 23 
days. His wife died in 1887, and two children survive, Mrs P L Garrity, of 
Chicago, and Michael, of this place. Mr McNellis was born in the county of 
Donegal, Ireland, on the first of June, 1810. In 1835, at the age of 25 years, 
he left Ireland and came to America. Being poor, he worked here and there at 
odd jobs, such as he could pick up, until he finally reached Morris in the 
year 1844 where he settled down and remained until his death. He gradually 
worked into business here and at one time kept a grocery store where he 
disposed of coffee, tea, sugar, tobacco, liquor, and such other articles as 
the people demanded. For some years he owned and operated the distillery at 
Aux Sable but in the making of high-wines, he made no money. In buying and 
selling grain, he did, however, accumulate quite a fortune, which he lost more 
rapidly than he had gained it. During the last few years of his life he was 
out of business and was in very reduced circumstances. For many weary months 
he was confined to his bed with disease and was only relieved from suffering 
by death. During all the many years Mr McNellis lived in Morris, he sustained 
a good character. He was fair and honest in all his dealings, truthful and 
just in his statements showing himself to be a man who had due regard to the 
rights of his neighbor as well as of his own rights. He was one of tbe most 
liberal citizens tbat Morris has ever had. The deserving poor always found in 
him a friend and a helper. He gave freely also to the churches of the place, 
believing tbat in building up of christian churches he was helping to create 
centers of influence which could not fail to make the people of the community 
better. He, himself was a faithful and honorable member of the Catholic 
church, but he was broad enough to recognize the good in all churches and was 
ever ready to help any church along when he could. His funeral services were 
held in the Catholic church last Sunday afternoon, and were attended by a 
large concourse of relatives and friends. 

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