Obituary: Portage County, Wisconsin: Thomas Dean SHEA 

Stevens Point Daily Journal, 
Feb. 13, 1899 

Thomas Dean Shea died at his home, 406 Franklin street, at 4 o'clock Sunday morning, aged 80 years. 
He had been ill for the past three years, gradually growing feebler all the while until three weeks 
ago when he had to give up entirely and go to bed. The chief cause of death seemed to be old age, 
although there was also strong symptons of a serious derangement of the liver. 

Mr. Shea was born in County Kerry, Ireland, but came to this country when we was fourteen years of 
age. As a boy he had received a better education than the majority of the early settlers who came 
from Ireland at that time. He lived in Syracuse, N.Y. for a time. He was employed off and on as a r
ailway clerk, bookkeeper and school teacher, and migrated west in easy stages until he reached 
Wisconsin about 49 years ago. 

He settled in the town of Erin, Washington county, and was engaged in keeping a grocery store for 
some years. Here in 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Farrell and in the following year they came to 
Stevens Point, where they have made their home ever since. For nearly 20 years after coming to this 
city he was employed as a cook in the woods and on the river. Later he was employed as janitor at 
the old high school and Fourth ward buildings for eight or nine years, until one slippery morning 
he fell and struck his head on the walk, breaking both ear drums. He has never heard a sound since. 

Though deaf he was a little proud of his sight and took great comfort in books and papers and boasted 
because he did not need to wear glasses. He leaves a widow and eight grown children. 

Mrs. Shea is ill with the grip and worn out with the care of her husband, but hopes to be well again 
in a few days. The children are Mrs. Edward Houlehan of Tomahawk, Mrs. Patrick Mullen of Stevens Point, 
John F. Shea of Walla Loola [sic], Wash., Mrs. Bernard Houlehan of Hurley, Frank of Woodruff, Thomas of 
Chicago, Jas. of Ashland, and Miss Mazzie, who lives at home. All the children, except Mrs. Houlehan of 
Hurley, who is ill, are now in the city, and Thomas is accompanied by his wife. Edward Houlehan is also 
expected to attend the funeral. 

The funeral will be held from St. Stephen's church Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock. 

Stevens Point Daily Journal, 
Feb. 15, 1899 

Funeral of Thos. D. Shea 

The funeral of Thos. D. Shea was held from St. Stephen's church at 9:30 o'clock this morning, Rev. W.J. 
Rice officiating. The pall bearers were Jas. Glennon, Jas. Murphy, Dan McAuliff, Patrick Sullivan, 
Patrick Splawn and Patrick Collins. All the family was present at the funeral except John of Wallula 
[sic], Wash., and Mrs. Bunard of Hurley.


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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> June 2004    

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