JONES, Elizabeth (Duffy) 1838-1927

DUFFY, JONES, NOLAN, DONLON, BURNS, OBRIEN, RYAN, FLEMING, HAND, KEENAN, HOPETON

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 7/31/2004 at 16:55:44

Mrs. Peter Jones, one of the oldest residents of Iowa, passed away at her home in this city last Friday afternoon. While she had been an invalid
for many years, her condition was not considered serious until Thursday afternoon. Her death was the result of advanced age as she was rounding
out her ninety-ninth year.

The funeral was held Tuesday forenoon. Services were conducted in the Assumption church of which she was a member for 54 years. Father Murtagh
celebrated a requiem mass. He was assisted by Father Kelly of Graettinger. The good pastor paid a high tribute to Mrs. Jones as a wife, mother and home maker. He spoke with much feeling of the troublesome conditions in her
native country when she was a young woman. She was by law deprived of desirable educational opportunities and could not enjoy religious
liberty. This was true of all people in Ireland at the time. Still, she clung to her faith with a fervor that never faltered.

She was the mother of fourteen children. They grew up dutiful, useful members of society. The burial was in the family lot in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were Charles Nolan,
P.H. Donlon, John Burns, John O'Brien, Edward Ryan, and M.J. Fleming.

Elizabeth Duffy was born in the parish of Amiskens in the county of Cavan, Ireland, May 15, 1838. She was closing out her ninety-ninth year. She grew to early womanhood in her home community. She was united in marriage to
Peter Jones on November 28, 1847. She claimed her father and brother erected the edifice in which they were married. When young Mr. and Mrs. Jones were accustomed to walk eight miles to attend midnight mass at Christmas time.

Mr. Jones' grandfather had a 999 year lease on the farm on which they lived. Mr. and Mrs. Jones sailed for America June 28, 1849. They embarked at Liverpool. They were on the ocean seven weeks, finally reaching Castle Garden, New York. The quarantine officers found that Mr. Jones had
typhoid fever and he had to be taken to Ward Island, where he was detained for ten weeks. They had no money when they landed in America. A rascal on the vessel who knew them secured considerable of their cash and disappeared. Mrs.
Jones found work in a button factory where she was kept busy during her husband's illness. When Mr. Jones recovered his health he found employment, but for several months his income was only $1 per week.

In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Jones sailed for Philadelphia. From there they went over land to Pittsburg where they took a boat down the Ohio river. They landed at St. Louis. Mr. Jones
found work in a rolling mill in that city for three years when they moved to Parksville, Missouri. In 1854, they decided to come north and live in Iowa.

The trip was made by boat up the Mississippi river. At Keokuk, the vessel was damaged. Mr. Jones was appointed watchman for ten days while the vessel was undergoing repairs. Lansing, this state, was reached in November. Mr. and Mrs. Jones located on a farm near Wexford, Allamakee county, where they remained for seventeen years.

Mr. Jones accompanied by his neighbors, John
Hand and James Keenan, came to Algona in September, 1870. They walked from there to Emmetsburg. Each secured a farm in Great Oak township. Mr. Jones moved his family to this community in 1872. Sixteen years later they
gave up farming and located in Emmetsburg. They built a fine home in the third ward, occupying it until Mr. Jones' death nine years ago. Mrs. Jones subsequently made her home with her son James, who still lives on the place.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones were parents of fourteen children. Five are living. They are R.E.
of Miami, Florida, P.D. of Hollywood, Florida, Bernard of Mason City and Mrs. Elizabeth Hopeton and James P. Jones of Emmetsburg.

Mrs. Jones was a strictly home woman. She was a wonderful worker. Her industry never tired until a few years ago when, because of her advanced
years, she became practically helpless. She was very devoted to her church, contributed generously towards its support and performed creditably and cheerfully her duties as a member of society. She was an ample provider, a faithful wife, a loving mother. Her attachments to her friends was exceptionally strong. She could not do too much for them. For 41 years
the writer and family knew Mrs. Jones as an obliging neighbor and as a staunch business supporter. She prided herself in meeting her obligations promptly. She was generous and ardent in her hospitality. The members of the
household were earnestly devoted to their aged parents. This is an admirable trait in any family. Mrs. Jones' son, James P., who lived with her during her declining years, took care of her after she became practically helpless,
manifesting a self-sacrificing spirit that won for him the admiration of all who knew him. No gentleman could do more for his aged mother.
Providences will certainly reward him for all that he did, during the long years of her
advanced life, to make her comfortable, to console her, and to relieve her sufferings. The memory of the affection, the attention and helpful deeds of one of the best mothers almost a centenarian will ever be treasured by the sons and daughters who mourn her death. They have the heartfelt sympathy of all our citizens in their bereavement.

-source: Emmetsburg Democrat (Palo Alto co. IA)
Jan 5, 1927