Morning World-Herald (Omaha, Nebr.), December 10, 1917, p. 1, col. 2 & p. 3, col. 3

JAMES H. M'SHANE DIED AFTER EVENTFUL LIFE

Pioneer Contractor Is Dead After Living 55 Years in Omaha.

His Building Activities of Half Century Covered the Whole West.

James H. McShane, pioneer telegraph and railroad construction contractor and a resident of Omaha since 1869, died yesterday afternoon at his home, 1906 Chicago street, after an illness of several months.

Death came only five days before he would have attained his seventy-sixth birthday, on December 14. His death is the first break in a family circle comprising his wife and thirteen children.

Mr. McShane had been indentified with the history of Omaha since 1862 and since 1869 had made his home in the city without interruption.

Born at Springfield, O., December 14, 1841, he came to Omaha in September, 1862, and for two years was connected with the Pacific Telegraph company in the maintenance department, during which time he made several trips across the plains in charge of wagon trains in the extension of the lines westward.

Building Telegraph Line.
In 1864 he went to Virginia City, Mont., in charge of a wagon train and during the next three years he was engaged in construction of the Virginia City-Helena telegraph line, working with his uncle, Count John A. Creighton and his brother Edward Creighton, who, with former Senator Millard and John S. Collins, were prominently identified with western telegraph construction.

He was present in Omaha in 1863, when the first earth was turned for construction of the Omaha-Ogden division of the Union Pacific railroad, and was also present at the ceremony of driving the golden spike at Promontory, Utah, May 10, 1869, which marked the completion of the rail line to the Pacific coast.

In 1867 Mr. McShane left Virginia City and joined the Union Pacific as a construction contractor, to begin a period of nearly fifty years' work in railway construction that has covered Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho, with excursions into Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. In every one of these states his name is known as one of the most potent forces among those who built up the railway systems which made possible the rapid spread of civilization in this territory.

In 1869 he returned to Omaha to make his home and the record of his residence is unbroken from that time.

Leaves Thirteen Children.
In 1877 he was married to Miss Ann E. Taggart of New Lexington, O., who, with their thirteen children, survives.

Six of their sons are in the service of the United States, five in the military branch. Arthur, John, Thomas, George and Robert are the five represented by the stars on the service flag which hangs in the Chicago street home. The family prizes a personal letter written to Mr. McShane by President Wilson when the chief executive was shown the record of his sons.

The other children are Margaret, Mary, Alice, Elizabeth, Catherine, Edward, James and Leo. Except James, who is living at Miles City, Mont., all residents of Omaha.

Besides his own family he is survived by two brothers, John A. McShane of Omaha and F. J. McShane of New York city, and two sisters, Mrs. Catherine Furay, wife of the late Major John B. Furay, and Mrs. Martin Cannon, both of Omaha.

The McShane family has been one of the most prominent in the history of Omaha and while Mr. McShane never cared to enter the arena of politics, he has been recognized as one of the solid forces for advancement in social and civic life of the city.

Gave Much to Charity.
Always broadly philanthropic, his charities were enormous though he was at pains to keep them from publicity. Friends who knew him for years like to tell of his almost rough-and-ready aid to men on the verge of despair. Many of these men were just at the turning point and from the day of his unaffected Samaritanism they date their "start in life."

Arrangements for the funeral are not yet complete, but it is announced the service will be from St. Philomena's church. Details will be announced later.

NOTE: A photograph of Mr. McShane accompanied the obituary.

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Morning World-Herald, December 13, 1917, p. 4, col. 5

HUNDREDS PRESENT AT J. H. M'SHANE FUNERAL.

Thirteen Children, Five of Them in U.S. Army Uniform, Attend.

Archbishop and Father Stenson Pay Tribute to Pioneer's Virtues.

Hundreds of friends of the late James H. McShane, pioneer railroad and telegraph constructor, whose death occurred Sunday, attended the funeral servies yesterday at St. Philomena's church, Tenth and William streets.

Five sons of the deceased man who now are in the United States army were present with their mother and other members of the immediate family. All of the thirteen children were present.

Eulogizing the character and loyalty of the pioneer Omahan, the Rev. James Stenson declared that Mr. McShane was a man "of sterling worth and splendid character." He emphasized Mr. McShane's part in the upbuilding of the city and touched upon the unswerving loyalty with which he had given six sons to the service of the country when war broke out.

Archbishop Harty conveyed to the bereaved family the sympathy and condolence of the clergy and community. "The nobler, superior, higher part of James Henry McShane liveth in the presence of God," he said.

Interment was at Holy Sepulcher cemetery, where Father Stenson performed the last rites. Pallbeares, chosen from among the life-long acquaintances of Mr. McShane, were:

Andrew Murphy, T. J. Fitzmorris, J. I. Woodard, Edward Phelan, A. V. Johnson, Henry Sterner, E. E. Howell, J. E. Dunley.