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I recently came across an obituary from a newspaper in Iowa (I cannot read the whole title of the paper) on April 8, 1916, of J.M. Duffy, my great-great-grandfather. He married Margaret Mungovan. I believe I have his full charts but I cannot find them (if I do, I'll post a follow-up), though his children's names are listed in the obituary.
Pardon the end of the article--there were a couple words I could not make out.
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Thursday, April 8, 1916
J. M. DUFFY, IOWA COUNTY'S OLDEST CITIZEN, PASSES AWAY IN HIS 73RD YEAR.
—
Was York's First Immigrant.
J. M. Duffy died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Tiernan, in Parnell on Thursday, April 6th, 1916. He was in his 73rd year and for the past several months his health was such as to demand almost daily care, on this account he left the old home in York and moved to Parnell where he resided with his daughter. His wife and other children were daily visitors at the home and at no time was there lacking that care or attention his condition demanded.
The funeral services were held on Saturday at ten o'clock at St. Michael's church, Holbrook, and were conducted by Father Gaule, who celebrated the High Mass and preached an eloquent sermon, referring to the sturdy qualities and the well known virtues for which the deceased was so widely known.
The interment was in the family lot in St. Michael's Cemetery and the pall bearers were H. D. Hanson, Michael Gaffey, Michael Donohoe, James Welsh, John Kelly and Frank McGillicuddy.
There was an immense gathering at the funeral; the procession was more than a mile long and all the old neighborhoods from Windham to Parnell and from Oxford to Williamsburg were represented.
Joseph Duffy was born in Johnson County on the 16th of September, 1843; his parents were Mr. and Mrs. Michael Duffy, who were among the first set [] in Johnson Country. In [1844] the family moved to what is now York township, thereby becoming the first settlers in York township and among the very first in the county. The pioneer family suffered all the privations and hardships incident to life on the frontier but they were never disheartened; returning springs brought with them new hope and other settlers and it was not long until the old Duffy homestead was known from Iowa City to Montezuma; the subject of this sketch was the oldest of the family of five sons and three daughters; and in April 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Mungovan, of Windham. The home was rounded a short distance from the old homestead and here, through all these years, in was maintained without a break; it was blessed by eleven children, all yet living, five sons and six daughters: Michael H.; Laurance J., of Greene township, Patrick and Joseph at home; Mrs. J. F. Carroll and Mrs. James Tiernan, Parnell; James, of Washington; Mrs. N. Delaney, Mrs. T. H. Giblin and Miss Nellie, of Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Leroy Hanson, York Township. These together with the mother are left to mourn the death of as kind a husband and father as ever lived. Besides these there are four brothers and one sister, Patrick, Richard and Michael of York township, Peter, of New Hampton and Mrs. Robert Cooney, of York township.
In the passing of Joseph Duffy, Iowa County loses its oldest citizen; no other person had resided here for so many years; he was here before Iowa was a state, and his home was always in the vicinity of his childhood. He was always known as "Joe," and his genial, open-hearted disposition was ever a joy and a delight to his acquaintances. He knew the early history of the community better than any person living and he was often called [upon] to settle a dispute as to some [happening] in the early days; his memory was remarkable and he could [recall] names and dates with surprising [ ] and correctness. He attended [–rst] school built in this county [ ] as a young man in his teens [ ] the real tide of immigrants began to flow in this direction–and Joe had a warm welcome for all.
As a man and a citizen, Joe Duffy [–ked] nothing that the best should [–e]; he was honest with himself and [ ] neighbors, and the duty which he [–d] his Maker was never neglected; [he was] an obedient son of the Catholic Church and his adherence to her faith [and] teachings was like that of a child [to his] parent. His word was as good as [ ] bond and his love for his wife [and] children was proverbial.
The old pioneer has passed away, and all his friends and neighbors mourn; in the old home there is grief, and sorrow sits in the homes of his sons and daughters. He will be missed by all, home, church and state, but most by those whose long years of acquaintance with him endeared him to them like a brother.
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