Thomas Grey, 1818 - 5 Feb. 1886

GREY, BUTLER, HANSON

Posted By: Frank Holmes (email)
Date: 3/12/2004 at 21:04:59

Williamsburg Journal
Feb. 26, 1886

DEATH OF THOMAS GREY

Died - At his residence in Greene Tp, Iowa County, Ia. Feb. 5, 1886, Thos. Grey, aged 67 years.

Mr. Grey was born in the parish of Clony County Waterford, Ireland. A. D. 1818. He received his primary education in his native parish, and was sent by his parents, who fondly hoped to attain for the sacred calling, to a high school in Tipperary. From thence he was sent to the college of Kill where his studious application soon secured for him a position of tutor in the college. He held the position of tutor but a short time when he was suddenly called home on account of the failing health of his father. On the death of his father, which occurred shortly afterwards, the care of the farm devolved upon young Thomas - the care of a widowed mother and the younger brothers and sisters. Well and faithfully he performed the task assigned him until the death of his mother. Then the lease of title which denoted the earthly possessions of the Grey family was sold and Thomas with his brother Matthew and two sisters emigrated to America. They landed in New Orleans in 1854 (sic. - already in Iowa City during 1850 census), resided in the vicinity of Vicksburg six months, then came to Iowa City, Ia. Residing here a few years, Thomas and his brother Matthew purchased a tract of land in Greene tp. on which he resided at the time of his death.

His brother Matthew owns a large farm adjoining. His sisters are married, one to Edmond Butler of Greene Tp., the other to Edward Hanson of Troy tp. In 1859 Thomas Grey was married to Mary Gillon (sic. - Thomas Grey married Mary Gillin, May 8, 1856). The fruit of this conjugal union was 5 boys and 6 girls, all of whom are living.

Mr. Grey was suddenly taken ill whilst in the discharge of his ordinary duties, and died before a physician could be summoned.

His remains were interred in the Catholic Cemetery at St. Michael's Church on Sunday, Feb. 7, 1886, his sons and nephews acting as pall bearers.

The beautiful and impressive ceremonies of the Catholic Church were enacted with their awful yet grand solemnity. The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. Jas. Davis, in his usual effective manner, and many were the tears shed by the auditors as he feelingly referred to the sudden death of the deceased as he enunciated that scriptural injunction, "Remember man, thou are but dust, and to dust thou shalt return."

On the death of Thomas Grey, the community at large loses an estimable christian gentleman, a kind and obliging neighbor, a good and faithful citizen, and a prompt and reliable friend.

The faithful embodiment of Catholic faith and practice, the Church of St. Michael's shall ever revere his memory; for when the church debt was pressing on account of the building of the new church, it was Thos. Grey who manfully stepped forward, and out of his own hard earned savings proffered to necessary pecuniary assistance.

The old settler shall miss him; for he was one of our most industrious and worthy pioneers who were instrumental in making the wilderness of Iowa blossom like a garden.

His family shall miss him; for he was a kind and affectionate husband, a fond and indulgent father - one whose parental sway was maintained more through love than fear.

As a man of more than ordinary education, no petty ambitions lured him on, no tell-tale scandals followed in his wake, no envious tougness ever dared ascribe to his acts or motives the shadow or suspicion of a wrong.

Let him sleep, the flat of Fate has doomed it so!

The sun shall rise and the sun shall set, and yet the world shall move on much the same. Its annual cycle shall behold new made graves and the crumbling pedestals that tell the story of the past. The sun shall alike illume the wooden slab that marks the pauper's grave, and the granite columns decorated with elegiac verse, that indicates the resting place of the world’s war-like heroes; yet, amid these scenes redolent with the odors of the cypress and the mignonette, its ray shall strike aslant upon the grave of no more true-hearted or honest man than that of Thomas Grey.

T. J. S.