STACK, Robert - 1909 - Putnam

Robert Stack died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Maloney on West Columbia Street, City on the morning of January 22, 1909. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland in the year 1819 and was 90 years of age at his death. Mr. Stack came to this country in 1847, landing at New Orleans. He was married to Joanna Brown in 1853, at Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Stack and wife took up their residence at Greencastle as soon as they were married and spent the remainder of their lives in this city. Mrs. Stack having died Jan 19, 1880, from this marriage were 9 children, 5 of whom now survive their father, viz: Mrs. James Maloney, City; Mrs. O.G. Williams of Chicago; Mrs. C.H. Pierce of Portland; J.D. Stack of Trinada, Col. who is now superintendent of the Colorado Southern Railroad and M.W. Stack of Denver, Colorado.  

Mr. Stack and one Mr. Zigler were the first persons to take up a collection for the erection of the Catholic Church in Greencastle. When he and his young wife settled in Greencastle, there were only a few log cabins on the present site of the city.

Mr. Stack was known by almost every man, woman and child in his vicinity and was generally known as “Uncle Bob.” He took up construction work when he first arrived in this country, and when about 20 years of age he went into business for himself as a contractor. He was very successful, and it was with great pleasure he would recall the work he did in the early days on railroads in this part of the country. Having moved north from New Orleans, he was one of the contractors and constructors in the building of the old Madison Railroad which was the first to cross Indiana also a contractor and builder in the construction of the Monon Railroad.

He was associated in business for many years with the late Col. Morris of Indianapolis and most of the early railroads were built under their supervision.

Mrs. Stack had bee in failing health for several years and during his closing years has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. James Maloney, where he died from old age.

The funeral of Robert Stack, was held at 9 o’clock Monday morning at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. The services were conducted by Father McLaughlin. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery. -kbz