Fitzpatrick, Patrick 1826 - 1910

FITZPATRICK, QUINLAN, WILEY, FOLEY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/21/2020 at 13:23:44

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 10 Mar. 1910.

The subject of this sketch, Patrick Fitzpatrick, was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 4th, 1826, and died March 4th, 1910, aged 84 years. He emigrated to America in a sailing vessel when about eighteen years of age and after a perilous voyage of thirteen weeks, landed in New Orleans, He stayed but a short time in that city, and then went as a fireman on a steamboat and worked his way to Cincinnati, O., at which place he found employment in one of the large distilleries in operation at that date. Here, in 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Quinlan, by the Rev. Edward Purcell. In 1855, with his wife and two children, he came to Clayton county, Ia., and located on the farm which he held up to a short time previous to his death, when he transferred the property to his children. Mrs. Fitzpatrick died Jan. 14, 1899. To them were born seven children, three of whom survive: M. Fitzpatrick, of Elkader; Mrs. Michael Wiley, of West Union; and James Fitzpatrick, of Sawyer, N.D. Deceased came to Elkader to make his home with his son Mathew, Sept. 11th, 1899, at whose home he died.Seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandchild, little Rose Foley, of Superior, Wyoming, survive him.

Mr. Fitzpatrick was a quiet, un-austentatious man, always particular about his personal appearance and a great lover of home. It annoyed him to feel that he was a burden to anyone. His death was due to the natural decline of old age, but he was conscious up to the last moment when he passed away into the sleep that knows no awakening on earth. He held the respect of friends and neighbors during life, and it was his particular request that all just debts should be settled while he lived.

The funeral was held Monday morning at 10:00 o'clock at St. Joseph's church, Rev. J. F. Riley officiating, and preached a very appropriate sermon. The service was attended by many old friends and neighbors. The pall bearers were P. J. Cain, Frank Liddy, John K. Molumby, F. J. Uriell, Thos. Phelan and Peter Dunn. The interment was in St. Joseph's cemetery beside the remains of his wife and two children. May he rest in peace.