James Hickey 1827-1914

HICKEY, HOGAN, MCNALLY, RUDDY, CONWAY, FERGESON, SINCLAIR

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 9/23/2006 at 15:43:27

Newspaper Probably Emmetsburg Democrat
May 18,1914

James Hickey Dead

In our last issue we made mention of the death of James Hickey, one of the pioneers of Palo Alto county, but lack of time and space forbid our making further comment upon the life of this worthy old gentleman. Mr. Hickey had been enfeebled with age for many years. For several days before his death the family realized that the end was fast approaching. On Monday evening, May 18, he passed away. Funeral services were conducted at St. Thomas Church by Rev. M. McNerney on Wednesday morning and the remains tenderly laid away for final rest in St. John cemetery. The pall bearers were J.J. Mahan, C.T. Nolan, P.C. Neary, M.F. Coonan, J.P. Conway and Alex Cullen.

James Hickey was born in 1827 at Gorman, county Kilkenny, Ireland. When a young man he came to America and located at Philadelphia. In February of the year 1855 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Hogan. The following year they came to Iowa.

They located on a homestead in Great Oak township about three miles south and west of Emmetsburg in September, 1856. Here Mr. Hickey kept a country post office for the accommodation of the early settlers. Two years later he was elected county judge, the first Palo Alto county had had. In 1864 he was elected clerk of the courts. With A. Hood of Fr. Dodge he was selected to make the first government survey of this and the four adjoining counties. He was a capable and conscientious man and hence he was natrually selected by the people to represent them in matters where efficient and honest service was required. From Great Oak, the Hickey family moved to Vernon township where they subsequently made their home and where Mr. and Mrs. Hickey resided up to the time of his death.

Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hickey, eleven of whom survive their father. Their daughters are Mrs. Patrick McNally and Mrs. Anthony Ruddy of this city, Mrs. L.E. Conway and Mrs. H.E. Fergeson of Vernon township, Mrs. E.J. Sinclair of lavoy, Alberta, and Miss Alice Hickey who remained at home with her parents. The sons are Michael of Wyoming, John, Daniel, and Thomas who live in Vernon township and P.J. Hickey of Oelwein, Iowa. The three children who died when young were Mathew, James and Mary. Mrs Patrick McNally who still resides here was the first white child born in Palo Alto county.

The deceased was one of the most prominent figures among the earlier history of this county. His name is a familiar one, not only to the people of this county but throughout the whole of northwest Iowa. He was a strong character and enjoyed the unbounded respect of all who knew him. His sense of honor, honesty, and uprightness was keen and always active and his dealings never made him and enemy. For the opinions of others he had the highest respect and as a citizen his entire life might well be taken as a model. In his active years he was public spirited in all things and was always one of the first to be called upon and counselled in matters pertaining to the public welfare all feeling that he was broad enough to view every question aside from any sordid or selfish personal interests, and his confidence was frequently evidenced by the positions of public honor and trust that were accorded to him. He was a faithful, consistent, and conscientious member and supporter of the faith of his ancestors the Catholic church and a devout and sincere christian. He was a man of generous impulses and never forgot the ways of the early settler. The stranger, even though a beggar, never failed to find food and shelter if he sought it at his hands. The writer knew Mr. Hickey well and regarded him as a warm personal friend and today can recall many, many kind words and helpful acts for which we are personally indebted to him. He lived to the good old ripe age of 87 years, yet his wife and children would fain have him remain longer and though his death was timely they will miss him. To them we extend sincere sympathy and especially to the aged wife whose remaining days will be sad indeed. Mr Hickey lived nobly and died peacefully. Few of us will live so long or so well. May he rest in peace.