(NICHOLAS NERNEY died Attleboro, Mass, August 20, 1931 age 88)
ATTLEBORO LOSES COLORFUL FIGURE IN
PASSING OF NICHOLAS NERNEY
Death Comes Peacefully to Popular Civil War Veteran Over Whose Services of Street Lamp Lighter Two Communities Once Bidded Against Each Other
Attleboro August 21 - The dwindling ranks of the Grand Army were reduced one more yesterday afternoon when death claimed Nicholas Nerney, 13 Florence Street, one of the last known and most highly respected citizens of the community. Death came peacefully with members of his family gathered around him.
For nearly 40 years as a motorman of the old Interstate Street Railway Company, and previous to that a "street lighter", Mr. Nerney had been always a familiar figure in the life of this city. Up to a short time ago his daily walks to and from the Grand Army Hall to his home were a round of greetings from his friends who considered his daily "visit" with Nick Nerney an event. Jovial to the very end, Mr. Nerney had the rare quality of hiding his ills behind a smile as he cheerfully inquired of the welfare of his friends.
"Nick" Nerney was born in England Jan 5 1843 and came to this country when a child with his parents John and Dorian (SP:Dorinda)Nerney. The family located in the Simmons Crossing section and later lived in the Deantown and in West Street where Mr. Nerney's father for some years conducted a cobbling shop. The old stage coach made the Nerney home and cobbling shop one of its regular stops, though there are few living who can recall it.
Served With Distinction When the Civil War borke out, Mr. Nerney enlisted and served nearly three years with distinction in the Peninsular campaign, Black Water, the seige of Norfolk and other important engagements.
On his return from the war he was married to Miss Elizabeth O'Connor in Valley Falls on August 20 1863. He death yesterday came on the anniversary of his marriage. He had survived Mrs. Nerney by several years, his greatest sorrow being that she could not be with him in his declining years. If he had other sorrows they were carefully screened by his jovial and hearty nature. Three sons and a daughter survive him, Robert and Joseph Nerney and Miss Annie Nerney of this city and Raymond Nerney of Plainville. (His other daughter Emma Wrightington was not listed here because she died IN 1928)
Following the war, Mr. Nerney served as lamp lighter for the town of Attleboro with such efficiency that Pawtucket sought his employment, which at that time led to a controversy between Pawtucket city officials and the Attleboro Board of Selectement Mason Short, Stephen Carpenter and ALbert Everett. There was considerable bidding back and forth for the services of Mr. Nerney in the humble but then very important post, and it is on the records of this town that an appeal to civic pride, heeded by Mr. Nerney, led him to retain his local position.
Was Street Car Motorman In the early days of the street railway here Mr. Nerney took a position as motorman which he retained until after the failure of the Interstate Consolidated Street Railway and the forming of the succeeding company, now doing business but largely with busses(sp). At that time, Mr Nerney was retired along with several other veteran employees of the line. During his career as a railroad man he was never called "on the carpet" never had an accident or brought his car into a terminal behind schedule except where weather conditions made "time" impossible. For years he operated the old Attleboro branch line car between this city and North Attleboro, taking hundreds to work in each community. His departure from this duty was akin to a testimonial of trust and popularity thatall who knew or traveled with "Nick" Nerney really felt.
Loved Fast Horses In recent years Mr. Nerney has spent the greater part of his leisure time at the Grand Army post headquarters but in his younger years he was a lover of horses, especially the fast drivers.
The funeral will be held from his late home MOnday morning, with a requiem mass at St. John's Church at 9 o'clock. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The services will be attended by members of the Grand Army, the Sons of Union Veterans and auxillary, the Women's Relief Corps, the Grand Army Dining CLub and other patriotic organizations. Mr Nerney was at one time as active member of Pennington Lodge A.O.U.W. and that order will also be represented at the funeral.
SECOND OBITUARY
NICHOLAS NERNEY
Nicholas Nerney who died yesterday afternoon at his home, Florence Street, was born in Ashton Under Lyne Lancashire, England January 5 1843 the son of John and Dorinda (Holden)
Nerney. The family came to this country and settled in Attleboro in 1844. He received all the education the public schools of the time offered. While learning the jewelry trade he enlisted with several other young men of Attleboro in Co. H 40th Regiment Mass Volunteers and served creditably throughout the Civil War, the crowning incident being one of a guard of honor while the body of President Lincoln lay in state in Albany, N.Y.
After the war Mr. Nerney made several sea voyages before resuming the jewelry trade which he dropped to be for years the official lamp lighter of this town.
When Attleboro started one of the first electric street railways he was one of the first to be employed as a motorman. During his more that thirty years he made a wide circle of friends by his unfailing courtesy and thoughtful consideration of others. His advanced years compelled his retirement a few years ago.
He was an active member of Wm. A. Streeter Post G.A.R. and received the keenest enjoyment from his associations with the old comrades.
Mr. Nerney married Elizabeth O'Connor on August 20, 1868. He is survived by his sons Robert, Raymond and Joseph, a daugher Miss Annie Nerney of this ciry and grandchildren of Attleboro and Providence. A brother William Nerney of North Main Street and a sister Miss Sarah Nerney of West Street are also survivors.
Services will be held Monday morning from St. John's church at 9 o'clock with a requiem high mass.
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