Mr. Jeffery Power 1827-1900

POWER, CORCORAN, BERESFORD, SPELLMAN, MORRISSEY

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 5/29/2020 at 12:40:40

The Anamosa Eureka, Anamosa, Iowa, Thursday, July 12, 1900

Jeffrey Power, of whose death brief mention was made in our last issue, was born in the year 1827, near Tramore, in the County Waterford, Ireland. Waterford has been noted in history as the home or headquarters of the ancient family since the year 1188, when Robert De La Poer, marshal to Henry H., got from him a grant of Desles, or that entire county

From the 13th to the 17th centuries many of them were erected barons of Curraghmore and viscounts of Desles. They Angliezed the Norman name to “Power.” The Beresfords, by inter marriages, became entitled to similar names.

Tramore is a beautiful bay of the Atlantic, situated on the southern coast of the country. Billows of the great ocean roar and roll in between the steep, beetling cliffs that rise up on either side of the narrow inlet. At length these heaving’s, swelling waves break and run in soft tangle up to one’s feet on the shifting sands of the beach. It is famous as a bathing resort in the summer season. From a row of white canvas boxes standing along in the strand, bathers, beyond number, are continually passing in or out to partake of the healthful benefits of a plunge in the salt sea water. Off in the distance, beyond the “metal man” standing on a tall pier at the entrance to the bay with an outstretched arm warning passing sailor away from danger, may be viewed the flapping sails of numerous ships as they cross or recross the Atlantic, plying between the Old and the New world. The place is pleasant and memorable for anyone who visits it, for only a few days. The inhabitants “to the manor born” might say of it more truly than Tom Moore wrote of the vale of Avoca:

“Oh! The last rays of feeling and life must depart
Ere the bloom. Of that valley shall fade from my heart.”

In that delightful spot Mr. Power spent twenty-four years of his youthful life, breathing in the briny breezes fresh from the bosom of the Atlantic, his ears forever filled with the music of the wild waves as they beat against the rock hound shore. Whilst here, growing to physical manhood, his mental facilities were not neglected in either secular studies. He received an education far ahead of his contemporizes in that early age and nation. Then, with the vigorous ambition characteristic of his race, he crossed the water in the hope and consciousness of being someday able to better his prospects and his position in the western world. He first settled in Wisconsin, where he made his home until 1872, when he moved to Iowa. He occupied a farm in Jackson Township, this county. About ten years ago, the approach of advancing old age admonishing him that his days of usefulness are nearing their end, as well as the very comfortable feeling that he had accumulated a sufficiency of this world’s goods to keep him independent for the remainder of his existence, he wisely decided to quit farming work and move to town, he prepared to enjoy all the happiness earth could afford in the evening of a well spent life. Forty years since he had married Miss Mary Corcoran at St. Paul, Minn. Three children had been born to them- Mrs. Kate Spellman, Mrs. John Morrissey and John D. Power. All are past the period of parental care. With good reason might the old parents think that, life’s toll now being over and so well indeed done.

Mr. Power had been somewhat failing in health during the winter and spring. About two months since he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis this affected his right side. From that he railed sufficiently to be able to get up, and became hopeful of complete recovery. Some three weeks ago he was suddenly seized with an attack of congestion of the lungs, from which he gradually sank in spite of the best efforts of physicians, friends and nurses until Sunday, the 24th of June, when he passed peacefully away at 7 P. M.

The funeral took place on the 20th of June from St. Patrick’s Church, after a requiem mass by Father Gorman, of the college, Dubuque, assisted by the local pastor, Father Power.
"Men may come men may go
But I go on forever.”

Mr. Power’s bones should warm if mingles with the bones of his ancestors of many, many previous generations in the graveyard on the hilltop at the head of Tramore Bay, within hearing of the dashing waves as they resound against the “storm wall.” Instead, he will sleep his last sweet sleep of peace and rest under the shadow of the crucifix in Holy Cross Cemetery. Little difference to him now far apart are his ashes from the ashes of his forefathers, Little difference to any of us where we shall be buried if we live as stainless and die as preparedly as he did his record in the Book of Life on the great judgement day will read better than any unworthy notice written on paper or ever spoken by fleshly lips.

Under the direction of Mr. M. Gavin, as master in charge, the following members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which society deceased was a respected brother, acted as pallbearers: J. C. McCarthy, Thos. McGuire, John McManus, Tim Hanson, F. O’Rourke and Thos. Neville.