Bridget left Ireland with a 2 year old daughter and another infant daughter in 1850 bound for the United States. According to family lore, she was accompanied by three brothers, all blind, who earned their passage by providing musical entertainment for the ship's passengers. Nothing more is known about these siblings.
Bridget joined her husband in Loran, IL. The family then left for Grant County, WI. They stayed there a short time and then crossed the river to begin life in Peosta, IA. A few years later, Patrick bought a farm in Black Hawk County, IA near Waterloo. Four more children were born to them in between these moves.
After Patrick died, Bridget continued to live on the farm with her children but eventually it was sold and she resided for the most part in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, IA. She died in Fort Dodge, IA and it is thought she was visiting there when stricken. She was taken by train to Independence, IA for burial in St. John's Cemetery. Bridget had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi so at the time of her burial she was dressed in a floor length, belted, brown robe similar to a nun's habit.
Her oldest son, Eugene, died in 1880 of dropsy. His burial site is unknown though it could be in this cemetery. Records indicate "a Mr. Keefe" is buried in a plot within the cemetery but no other information is available.
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THE EVENING MESSENGER
Wednesday, December 4, 1895 - p. 8
Mrs. Bridget Keefe died last night of old age, she being past 80 years old. The remains will be taken to Independence for burial on the night train.
Bridget joined her husband in Loran, IL. The family then left for Grant County, WI. They stayed there a short time and then crossed the river to begin life in Peosta, IA. A few years later, Patrick bought a farm in Black Hawk County, IA near Waterloo. Four more children were born to them in between these moves.
After Patrick died, Bridget continued to live on the farm with her children but eventually it was sold and she resided for the most part in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, IA. She died in Fort Dodge, IA and it is thought she was visiting there when stricken. She was taken by train to Independence, IA for burial in St. John's Cemetery. Bridget had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi so at the time of her burial she was dressed in a floor length, belted, brown robe similar to a nun's habit.
Her oldest son, Eugene, died in 1880 of dropsy. His burial site is unknown though it could be in this cemetery. Records indicate "a Mr. Keefe" is buried in a plot within the cemetery but no other information is available.
****************************
THE EVENING MESSENGER
Wednesday, December 4, 1895 - p. 8
Mrs. Bridget Keefe died last night of old age, she being past 80 years old. The remains will be taken to Independence for burial on the night train.
Bridget left Ireland with a 2 year old daughter and another infant daughter in 1850 bound for the United States. According to family lore, she was accompanied by three brothers, all blind, who earned their passage by providing musical entertainment for the ship's passengers. Nothing more is known about these siblings.
Bridget joined her husband in Loran, IL. The family then left for Grant County, WI. They stayed there a short time and then crossed the river to begin life in Peosta, IA. A few years later, Patrick bought a farm in Black Hawk County, IA near Waterloo. Four more children were born to them in between these moves.
After Patrick died, Bridget continued to live on the farm with her children but eventually it was sold and she resided for the most part in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, IA. She died in Fort Dodge, IA and it is thought she was visiting there when stricken. She was taken by train to Independence, IA for burial in St. John's Cemetery. Bridget had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi so at the time of her burial she was dressed in a floor length, belted, brown robe similar to a nun's habit.
Her oldest son, Eugene, died in 1880 of dropsy. His burial site is unknown though it could be in this cemetery. Records indicate "a Mr. Keefe" is buried in a plot within the cemetery but no other information is available.
****************************
THE EVENING MESSENGER
Wednesday, December 4, 1895 - p. 8
Mrs. Bridget Keefe died last night of old age, she being past 80 years old. The remains will be taken to Independence for burial on the night train.
Bridget joined her husband in Loran, IL. The family then left for Grant County, WI. They stayed there a short time and then crossed the river to begin life in Peosta, IA. A few years later, Patrick bought a farm in Black Hawk County, IA near Waterloo. Four more children were born to them in between these moves.
After Patrick died, Bridget continued to live on the farm with her children but eventually it was sold and she resided for the most part in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, IA. She died in Fort Dodge, IA and it is thought she was visiting there when stricken. She was taken by train to Independence, IA for burial in St. John's Cemetery. Bridget had a great devotion to St. Francis of Assisi so at the time of her burial she was dressed in a floor length, belted, brown robe similar to a nun's habit.
Her oldest son, Eugene, died in 1880 of dropsy. His burial site is unknown though it could be in this cemetery. Records indicate "a Mr. Keefe" is buried in a plot within the cemetery but no other information is available.
****************************
THE EVENING MESSENGER
Wednesday, December 4, 1895 - p. 8
Mrs. Bridget Keefe died last night of old age, she being past 80 years old. The remains will be taken to Independence for burial on the night train.
Gravesite Details
There is no stone on Bridget's grave.
