OBIT:  Magehan, M. D.; 1864; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich 
millich84@hotmail.com 

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/
_________________________________________ 


The Alleghanian
Ebensburg, Pa.
Thursday, 11 Feb 1864
Volume 5, Number 20


Michael Dan Magehan, Esq. 

Died after a short illness on the 6th inst., at his residence in this place, Michael 
Dan Magehan, Esq., a member of the Cambria County Bar, aged about 58 years.  
See obituary elsewhere.
- - - - - - - - - - -

M. D. Magehan, Esq., Dec.d. 

We had intended writing a biographical sketch of the subject of this notice, 
whose sudden death on Saturday last will cause many a tear and heartfelt sigh 
of grief throughout the state, but the following tribute, from the pen of a 
gentleman intimately acquainted with the deceased is infinitely superior in every 
respect to any we could have prepared and spares us the sad alternative:
(Communicated)

Mr. Editor:  Michael Dan Magehan, Esq., the oldest member of the Ebensburg 
Bar is no more! He died at his residence in this borough on Saturday morning the 
6th inst., at 9 o'clock, after an illness of only four days.  He was born in 
Allegheny Township in this county in August, 1805, and at the time of his death 
was about 58 years and 6 months old. When he was about twenty years of age, 
he entered the law office of Gen. Wm. R. Smith (now a resident of Wisconsin) 
who was then a prominent and leading member of the Huntingdon Bar and after 
having qualified himself for the active duties of his profession, he was admitted 
as a practicing attorney of the several Courts of this county in October, 1827.  
He soon rose to a high eminence in his profession, especially as a criminal 
advocate and took rank with the foremost members of the Bar in this and the 
surrounding counties.  In a year or two afterwards, during the administration of 
Gov. Wolfe, he was appointed by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth his 
deputy for Cambria county, and was continued in the same office for several 
years.  In 1844 the people of his native county elected him as their 
representative to the lower branch of the Legislature and reelected him to the 
same responsible position in October, 1845.  As a ready and fluent debater on 
the floor of the House, which then numbered amongst its members many able 
and experienced men, he acquired a reputation of which his constituents (his 
"frosty sons of thunder" as he delighted to call them) felt a just and manly pride.  
That the subject of this brief notice was gifted with more than ordinary ability 
will be conceded by all who enjoyed his acquaintance.  He had a strong hold on 
the affections of the people of Cambria county and this was to be attributed to 
the warm impulses of his kind and generous heart more than to any other cause.  
From a long and intimate personal acquaintance with the deceased the writer of 
this imperfect tribute to his memory is well satisfied that he never cherished in 
his heart a fixed feeling of resentment against a single human being.  If he had 
his enemies and who has not, like angels' visits, they were few and far between.  
That he had none in this community in which he spent the best portion of his life 
and where he was best known was fully attested by the vast concourse of people 
of all ages who sadly followed his remains to their final resting place on last 
Sunday afternoon.  Living, he was respected; dead, let his memory be cherished; 
and whilst his untimely loss to his bereaved family is irreparable, let them, as 
well as his legion of friends and acquaintances indulge in the pleasing and 
Christian hope that when his immortal spirit winged its flight to another world, it 
might with truth be said, "O Death! Where is thy sting!  O Grave! Where is thy 
victory?"
[Signed]  Amicus