McGuire, Peter 1821-1913

MCGUIRE, FARRY, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Callinan (email)
Date: 7/14/2007 at 01:30:08

Peter McGuire was born May 9th, 1821 in Killeshandra, County Cavan, Ireland. Death came to him on June 4th 1913, after a short illness of pneumonia, at his home in Monona, Clayton County, Iowa. He was the oldest of seven children, four brothers and three sisters.

In 1847 the McGuire family, parents and children, emigrated to America. For four years they lived at Mariden Conn. They came to Iowa in 1851 and settled on a farm in Grand Meadow township, Clayton Co. where the parents died. Peter continued farming on the old homestead until about twenty years ago, when he retired from an active life, to spend his remaining years in quietude. A man of unusual intelligence, his mind was a store-house of knowledge, and he was gifted with a wonderful memory, that never failed him. Though he lived to such an advanced age, his physical ailments were few, owning to the simple life he led. To study nature was his delight, and no flower or bird was beneath his notice. And as was said of another, "He looked through nature up to Nature's God." His was a blameless life and those who knew him best, most respected him. To do good rather than to accumulate riches was his object, as his pastor so beautifully said, "His whole life was a living sermon." The remains were interred in the Catholic Cemetery at Clermont beside his parents.

He leaves to mourn his loss two sisters Miss Bridget McGuire of Monona and Mrs. James Smith of Palmyra, Neb. and many other relatives and friends.

Card of Thanks
Miss Bridget McGuire and relatives desire to thank the many neighbors, and friends, who so kindly assisted at the death and burial of their brother and uncle, Peter McGuire.

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(Son of James McGuire 1797-1873, and Catherine Farry 1797-1859)