JOHN DOWNEY
Former Citizen of Armah Neighborhood Buried Last Week
John Downey was born on the banks of the Potomac, Dec. 27, 1820, and died at the home of his daughter in Portsmouth, Ia., Jan. 7th, 1918, aged 97 yrs. and 10 days. He was the youngest and last of the family. About a month ago he fell down stairs, fracturing his skull from which he never recovered, but retained his faculties to the end. In early childhood he moved with his parents to Altoma, Pa., residing there in '65, when he moved with his wife and family to Dayton Twp, Iowa Co., Iowa. His wife died about 10 years later, leaving him with an almost helpless family of eight children, but together they made a home. About 1878 he married the second time, still residing on his Dayton Twp. farm, until his family left him one by one. He then sold the farm and moved to Victor where he resided until he was again left alone in the world. Since then he has made his home with relatives.
Hale, hearty, jovial, always a kind word for everyone, and if he truthfully could not say anything good he remained silent. "He was uncle to Armah". In the years 1840 and '45, two of his sisters, Mary and Jane, married the two pioneer Wagners, Michael and Jacob, hence he has at present over a hundred direct decendants in Dayton Twp. His body arrived at North English Wednesday morning, Jan. 9th, accompanied by his son Dennis and nephews Amos and Clement Bendon and Wm. Murrin of Perry, Ia. They proceeded to Armah through tunnels of snow which the good people had shoveled out. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Galitz Hurd and it is needless to say, nothing was left undone.
In the absence of Fr. O'Sullivan, Fr. Guinan of Parnell officiated and gave a very appropriate sermon appealing to the living to prepare for the future. The organist was also absent and Mrs. Leo Wagner presided. A Requiem was intended, but the music was missing and appropriate hymns were sung by Mesdames Oswald, Arnold and Austin Wagner and Bertha Hurd.
The pall bearers were the 3rd and 4th generation John and Will Hurd, Harry and Arnold Wagner, Agustus Vandee and Jon Wagner. The first five were great great nephews, the last named a great nephew. The entire choir were nieces and great nieces.
Thus a noble life passes from among men--a beautiful character went forth to meet his maker. He leaves besides the host of relatives of Iowa County two sons, James and Dennis of Shelby County, two daughters, Mrs. Kate Swanson of Laurence, Ia., and Mrs. John Newton of Cuba, Ia. Two granddaughters were present, Mrs. Bessie Bender of Keswick, Ia., and Mrs. Margaret Parks of Davenport, Ia. Two grandsons are with the Regulars, having been in service a number of years (Navy).
May he rest in peace.
Contributor comments:
The town in PA should be Altoona, not Altoma.
Portsmouth, IA is in Shelby County.
Source: John Downey obituary, The Victor Record, Victor, IA, Jan. 17, 1918.
JOHN DOWNEY
Former Citizen of Armah Neighborhood Buried Last Week
John Downey was born on the banks of the Potomac, Dec. 27, 1820, and died at the home of his daughter in Portsmouth, Ia., Jan. 7th, 1918, aged 97 yrs. and 10 days. He was the youngest and last of the family. About a month ago he fell down stairs, fracturing his skull from which he never recovered, but retained his faculties to the end. In early childhood he moved with his parents to Altoma, Pa., residing there in '65, when he moved with his wife and family to Dayton Twp, Iowa Co., Iowa. His wife died about 10 years later, leaving him with an almost helpless family of eight children, but together they made a home. About 1878 he married the second time, still residing on his Dayton Twp. farm, until his family left him one by one. He then sold the farm and moved to Victor where he resided until he was again left alone in the world. Since then he has made his home with relatives.
Hale, hearty, jovial, always a kind word for everyone, and if he truthfully could not say anything good he remained silent. "He was uncle to Armah". In the years 1840 and '45, two of his sisters, Mary and Jane, married the two pioneer Wagners, Michael and Jacob, hence he has at present over a hundred direct decendants in Dayton Twp. His body arrived at North English Wednesday morning, Jan. 9th, accompanied by his son Dennis and nephews Amos and Clement Bendon and Wm. Murrin of Perry, Ia. They proceeded to Armah through tunnels of snow which the good people had shoveled out. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Galitz Hurd and it is needless to say, nothing was left undone.
In the absence of Fr. O'Sullivan, Fr. Guinan of Parnell officiated and gave a very appropriate sermon appealing to the living to prepare for the future. The organist was also absent and Mrs. Leo Wagner presided. A Requiem was intended, but the music was missing and appropriate hymns were sung by Mesdames Oswald, Arnold and Austin Wagner and Bertha Hurd.
The pall bearers were the 3rd and 4th generation John and Will Hurd, Harry and Arnold Wagner, Agustus Vandee and Jon Wagner. The first five were great great nephews, the last named a great nephew. The entire choir were nieces and great nieces.
Thus a noble life passes from among men--a beautiful character went forth to meet his maker. He leaves besides the host of relatives of Iowa County two sons, James and Dennis of Shelby County, two daughters, Mrs. Kate Swanson of Laurence, Ia., and Mrs. John Newton of Cuba, Ia. Two granddaughters were present, Mrs. Bessie Bender of Keswick, Ia., and Mrs. Margaret Parks of Davenport, Ia. Two grandsons are with the Regulars, having been in service a number of years (Navy).
May he rest in peace.
Contributor comments:
The town in PA should be Altoona, not Altoma.
Portsmouth, IA is in Shelby County.
Source: John Downey obituary, The Victor Record, Victor, IA, Jan. 17, 1918.
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