John H. Morrissey 1859-1926

MORRISSEY, GRIFFIN, TILLA, JUDGE, CROSBY, HARMAN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/15/2011 at 18:53:30

J. H. Morrissey Passed Away Last Sunday
Had Been Confined to His Bed Since Last October
Funeral Held Yesterday
Has Lived in Estherville for the Past Forty Years – Was Well Known in This City
John H. Morrissey passed away at his home on East Lincoln street Sunday [August 1, 1926] evening at 7:30 after an illness of many months. Mr. Morrissey was well known to Estherville people having resided here for the past forty years. He was a familiar figure on the streets of this city, prior to the time when he was taken ill and his many friends in this city will regret to learn of his passing away. In October, 1925, he was forced to give up his work and has been confined to his bed most of the time since then. Loving hands and tender care did all that was possible to make his last days on this earth the most pleasant. Expert physicians were engaged and everything possible was done to prolong his life but he had worked too hard and did not have the physical strength to battle for his life any longer. John Morrissey was born in Plainfield, Ill., February 6, 1859. He came to this county forty years ago and settled on a farm near Estherville. Twenty years ago he gave up farming and came to Estherville where he acted as sand house keeper for the Rock Island railroad. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Griffin in October, 1890. To this union three children were born, Bernard, at home, Mrs. Nellie Tillea, of this city; and Mrs. Bess Judge, of Boone. All of the children were at home at the time of their father’s death. Mr. Morrissey was liked and admired by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Having lived here the greater share of his life he was known to practically every person in the city. He was a cheerful and optimistic person, one whom it was a pleasure to know and converse with. He had a faculty for looking on the brighter side of everything and made a great many friends because of this. During the long months that he has been confined to his bed he has been content to take things as they come and never was impatient or complained of his illness. He was a friend to everyone and was always ready to help a person in need. Besides his wife and children he is survived by three brothers, Lawrence and James Morrissey, of Plainfield, Ill., and William Morrissey, of Joliet, Ill. All three were in attendance at the funeral. Funeral services were held from the Catholic church Tuesday morning at 9:00, Rev. C. P. Conway officiating. The body was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery, south of town. The sympathy of the many friends of this family is extended to the bereaved relatives in their hours of sorrow and grief. Out of town relatives in attendance at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin, of Clarion, E. M. Crosby, of Worthington and Mrs. M. Harman, of Council Bluffs, besides the three brothers of the deceased. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, August 4, 1926)