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Valentine Flood Nagle (1842–1893)

It becomes our sad duty (says the Post) to record the death of Mr Valentine Flood Nagle, solicitor, whose death took place on Monday afternoon at his residence, Albury, after four o’clock. Mr Nagle has not enjoyed good health for many months and his condition some time since was such as to give cause for the gravest fears as to the probability of his enjoying any prolongation of life. Latterly, however, he became much better, and a month since he began to wear the appearance of his old self, and was most hopeful. But the wasting affliction from which he suffered, despite the indications of an improvement, was still present, and after his return from a visit to Wallendool Station about three weeks ago, he seemed to suffer a relapse. On Thursday last he was at his office throughout the whole day, and in the afternoon he walked home with Mr W. S. Channey. He then complained of feeling weary and tired, and abandoned an appointment he had made for the evening. On Friday morning he was unable to leave his bed, and inflammation of the lungs demonstrating itself with the distressing accompaniments; he quickly became much worse, and on Sunday and Sunday night he was in a delirious condition. Dr Kennedy, who attended Mr Nagle throughout, held out but slight hopes of his recovery, and some friends of the family were summoned from Wangaratta. On Monday afternoon he appeared somewhat better; but in the afternoon he sank rapidly, and died, as stated, shortly after four o'clock. The immediate cause of death was inflammation of the lungs, but it was understood that Mr Nagle also suffered from diabetes.

Mr Nagle was born in Tipperary, Ireland in the year 1843 and was 50 years old. He came to the colonies about 30 years ago, landing in Melbourne, and shortly afterwards entered the service of the Government as a clerk in the Titles Office. His elementary acquaintance with law in that office engendered an inclination to qualify himself as a solicitor, and by dint of hard study Mr Nagle soon achieved the desired distinction. He successfully practiced his profession in Melbourne and on hearing of the opening at Albury developed by the departure of Mr Dwyer, he purchased the practice of that gentleman, which he has since carried on with success. Mr Nagle enjoyed the reputation among his follows in the profession of the law as being a highly read man and sound lawyer. As a practitioner in the police court, he was not impressive in court but his law was invariable good. He displayed great patience and exhausting pains in research for authorities, and it was remarkable that his opinions in cases were generally backed up with many of the best authorities on law. During his eighteen years residence in Albury Mr Nagle for a great portion of the time held the post of treasurer of the Albury Hospital, which he relinquished about two years since, when Mr R. A. Potts was appointed. Although not taking any active part in the management of any other institution, Mr. Nagle was always alive to the responsibilities of his citizenship, and his services in an undemonstrative way were always available when the public weal was concerned. He was a strong supporter of athletic sports. He and his brother-in-law, Mr Taffe, were members of the Melbourne Artillery Corps for some time before coming to Albury, and in other respects he displayed great appreciation for the manly exercises, and which in later years he encouraged in his boys. A good citizen and kindly husband and a considerate and thoughtful father, his loss was indeed a sad blow, and the greatest sympathy has been expressed by all classess of the community for Mrs Nagle and the boys and the other members of the family. Some time since Mr Nagle, apprehensive of his failing health, expressed a sincere wish that he might be spared sufficiently long to see his two sons, William and Flood, successfully pass the course of study for the law which they had entered upon, in which case they could take over the well-established connection. But it was not to be, and the boys have lost, in addition to a kind father, a counsellor and a guide, whose advise would have necessarily much effect in moulding and establishing their future. Mr Nagle leaves a family of nine children.

The funeral took place on Wednesday morning, starting from his late residence at about 10 o'clock. The cortege, composed of about 70 vehicles, equestrians, and pedestrians, was fully three quarters of a mile in length, and among those present were visitors from all parts of the district. The whole of the legal firms were represented. On arrival at the cemetery the coffin containing the deceased gentleman's remains, was taken possession of by Messrs. K. McLennan, P. E. Fallon, and Drs Ryan and O'Shaughnessy, who carried the melancholy burden to the extreme end of the Roman Catholic ground, where the grave had been prepared. The burial service was read, not without considerable emotion, by Dr Ryan. All classes of the community were at the funeral, giving ample testimony of the widespread esteem in which the deceased was held, and further tributes of affection were observable in the numerous floral wreaths which decorated the coffin.

Original publication

Citation details

'Nagle, Valentine Flood (1842–1893)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/nagle-valentine-flood-16956/text28839, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1842
Fortfield, Tipperary, Ireland

Death

10 April, 1893 (aged ~ 51)
Albury, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

lung disease

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service
Key Organisations