James Conroy 1829-1913

CONROY, SULLIVAN, CAVENAUGH, WHITE

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 10/30/2010 at 13:01:44

Williamsburg Journal-Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
20 Nov 1913
Page 1

Death of James Conroy

Iowa County's Well Known Citizen Meets Fatal Injuries on a Rail Road Crossing at Marengo.

James Conroy, the oldest resident of Hilton township, died at his home Monday morning from injuries received at nine o'clock Sunday morning while crossing the Rock Island tracks at Marengo. Mr. Conroy was on his way to Mass at Marengo, he was driving a single horse, and the top was up on the buggy and the electric signal that protects the crossing was out of commission. The Denver limited train was passing and caught the horse fairly on the track; the buggy was thrown around and along side of the train and when the man was carried to the hotel it was found that he had sustained a fractured skull and other lesser injuries. He was taken to his home in Hilton but he never regained consciousness and the grand old man of Iowa county passed away at one o'clock on Monday morning.

The funeral services were held in St. Patrick's church, Marengo, on Wednesday morning at ten o'clock and the deep-felt sorrow and regret at the death of this old and beloved pioneer were evidenced by the great throng that assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of a man whose name was almost a household word in Iowa county and whose spotless character and reputation were admired by all men.

A solemn High Mass was celebrated by Father Carroll, with Father Hannon, of Grinnell, as deacon and Father O'Reiley, of Iowa City, as sub-deacon. Father Carroll preached the sermon and in it dwelt at length upon the life and character of the old pioneer who was one of the organizers of St. Patrick's parish fifty years ago. The eulogy was pronounced with feelings of deep emotion and the great audience that over-flowed the spacious church felt, indeed, that a noble life had passed from earth, one around which will cling the everlasting memories of those who loved the man while living and mourn him in his death.

The interment was in the family lot in Calvary cemetery and the services at the grave were attended by a large gathering of sorrowing relatives and friends.

James Conroy was born at Woodford, County Galway, Ireland, in 1829. He came from an old and prominent family and received a good education in his native land. While yet a young man he came to this country and located first at Ottawa, Ill., and it was here he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Sullivan; the young couple decided to move to Iowa and they located in Hilton township in 1856 on a large tract of land that had been purchased a few years previously. They were among the first settlers in Hilton township and the home was known far and near. To Mr. and Mrs. Conroy were born six sons and five daughters; four of the daughters died; the remaining daughter is a resident of Berkeley, California, and the sons are: Dr. E. M. Conroy, Ogden, Utah; Dr. Hugh Conroy, Ottumwa, Iowa; James Conroy, of Streator, Ill., and Frank, John and Lucien, of the home. These, together with the mother, remain to mourn the saddest bereavement that can ever visit a home. Besides these, the deceased leaves two sisters, Mrs. Cecilia Cavenaugh and Mrs. Peter White, of Hilton township. With the exception of the daughter, the children were all present at the funeral of their honored parent.

In the passing of James Conroy the county loses one of its most exemplary citizens; for seven and fifty years his life was spent in this community and during all this period no one ever knew him as other than an upright and God-fearing man. In his sturdy frame reposed the soul of honor and men of all classes reposed in him the utmost confidence and accorded him the fullest measure of their respect and esteem. At different times he served the county in official capacities as member of the board of supervisors and as county treasurer, imparting to each position the reflection of his innate honesty and integrity. He was a devout member of the Catholic church and his life and actions were regulated and controlled by its precepts and obligations. His was a nature at once kindly, thoughtful, gentle and dignified; he loved his fellow-men and his life and actions were open and readable evidences of the upright and Christian life. He was surely one of the county's "grand old men" and no summons from the distant shore ever robbed the community of a finer or more manly character.

The entire county joins in extending sincerest condolences to his grief stricken family and relatives.