aged 65 years 3 months 12 days

EX-PRESIDENT OF REEDSVILLE VILLAGE DIES
John Nolan, Reedsville postmaster, ex-president of the village, and one of
the most prominent men of the county, died at a Green Bay hospital yesterday
at the age of 64. Death was due to complications from an illness of several
months. He had been a patient at Green Bay for six weeks.
For sixteen years Mr. Nolan was town clerk of Maple Grove and after removing
to Reedsville he served as village clerk for a number of years and was for six
years village president. Later he was named postmaster and filed his resignation
on December 5 last but had not been relieved of his duties at the time of his
demise. Mr. Nolan for years was engaged in business as a stock buyer and was
widely known in the county.
Mr. Nolan’s wife died several years ago. He is survived by one brother, James
Nolan, of Milwaukee, and by two sisters, Mrs. Patrick O’Brien of Colorado and
Mrs. A. Finegan of Minnesota. Mr. Nolan was a prominent leader in democratic
politics in the county. The body was brought to Reedsville today and funeral
services will be held at Maple Grove, his old home, on Wednesday at 9 o’clock.
Manitowoc Herald News, January 3, 1922 P. 8
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Notes from Reedsville:
John E. Nolan, for the past seven years postmaster here, answered his final
summons Monday morning at St. Vincent's hospital at Green Bay, where he had
been a patient about six weeks.
Born and raised in the Town of Maple Grove, he attended the country school and
later the Oshkosh Normal. After teaching for a few years he engaged in the
cattle buying business and has been in same business ever since. While still
living in Maple Grove, he held the town clerk and that of treasurer. Coming to
Reedsville some eighteen years ago, he was elected Village clerk and later
elected President which office he held his appointment here as postmaster.
Failing health compelled him to hand in his resignation December 15, but same
had not been acted upon.
It can truthfully be said that no one ever lost through any dealings with John
and he had more friends than any other person around here, he was everybody's
friend. He was a very charitable man but often only the recipients knew of his
deeds. He ws Venerable Consul of the M.W.A., who attended the funeral in a body
as did the Catholic Knights of which he was secretary. The village flag was put
at half mast when his death became known. The floral offerings were many and
beautiful. He was 64 years old and is survived by a brother and two sisters. The
funeral Wednesday was held from St. Mary's church with burial at Maple Grove.
His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up
and say to all the world, “He was a Man!”
Manitowoc Pilot, Thurs., Jan. 12, 1922
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Notes from Maple Grove:
It has become my sad duty to chronicle the death of one of my dearly beloved
friends and old school teacher that taught me my ABCs away back in the early
80's., John E. Nolan, who passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital, Green Bay, on
Monday morning, January 2, 1822, after a sickness of about six weeks general
breakdown. Mr. Nolan was about 64 years at the time of his death.
He was a member of the Modern Woodman of America and the Catholic Knights of
Wisconsin and both societies attended the funeral in a body, which took place
on Wednesday morning. Services were held at St. Mary's Church, Reedsville. A
requiem mass was said by Reverends Decker and Casy and Gaerthous. Then the
remains were taken to St. Patricks cemetery at Maple Grove and laid to rest by
the side of his wife who preceded him to that heavenly abode (where John is sure
to go) some 30 years ago. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful,
expressing the high esteem in which he was held by people of Reedsville and
vicinity. John had been a live stock buyer and shipper for 40 years in this
vicinity and had dealings with thousands of people in that tie and never a one
ever said he ever got beat. He was known by every one as an honest man in all
his dealings. He held the office of town treasurer in Maple Grove for 18 years
without opposition and didn't resign until two years after he took up his
residence in Reedsville and he paid up more than a dozen men's taxes himself when
they were short of money and waited for it. He was President of Reedsville for
about six years, was postmaster until he resigned on account of poor health on
December 5, 1921. He was always a life long democrat and was a power in politics,
not only of those loud politicians, but he would go about quietly and had a nice
way of gaining votes when there were very small chances for a democrat in this
congressional district.
The late J. H. Davidson had a formidable hold here. John and myself and Billie Link
got out and took off our coats and silently worked for M.K. Reilly of Fond du Lac
and he beat Davidson and Reilly didn't forget him after his election either. He
gave him the Reedsville post office although there were many other applicants.
He is survived by his brother, J. P. Nolan of Racine; two sisters, Mrs. P. W.
O'Brien of Colo., and Mrs. Mary Finnegan, Minnesota and about twenty nieces and
nephews. None of his relatives are living around here. The pallbearers were Pat
Cahill, William Kirby, Joe Krizenesky, Mike Hogan, Joe Zahorik and Charlie Bunsh.
St. Mary's Church was crowded with people of all different religions and faiths,
even the reverends of other churches of different religions, all paying their
respect at the last sad rites of their beloved friends, John E. Nolan.
Manitowoc Pilot, Thurs., Jan. 12, 1922