Edward McEvoy from Ireland birth about 1838
I am trying to confirm a family story about Edward McEvoy (alt McAvoy, McAboy) born about 1838 in Ireland. According to family lore there was a fire on a bitterly cold winter day.Edward McEvoy saved the family, but caught an illness which killed him in February of 1881 or 1884 in Prarie du Chien, Crawford, Wisconsin.By 1900 census Esther McEvoy, his wife, had moved to St. Paul, but may have taken the family somewhere else in between.
According to the death certificate of Edward's son, Joseph, in 1954, Joseph had lived in Ramsey County for 70 years, suggesting that the family moved to Minnesota shortly after Edward's death; however, due to a fire in the Commerce Department in 1921, most of the 1890 census was destroyed.
Edward bought a farm on the north east corner of Crawford County near "Rolling Ground" in 1875-1880.
It is thought that Esther bought a house in 1884 in the main part of Prarie du Chien.
Edward's grave is in the St Gabriel Cemetery, Prarie du Chien, Crawford, Wisconsin. Looking at it, it has a triangular top similar to those of confederate soldiers, but I haven't been able to locate any Civil War records for him.
I hope to find out whether the story is true or not and if it is, what family did he help. I hope to also find an obituary that may also help confirm the story or not.
Thanks
Wendi