E.P. McEvoy 1835-1912

MCEVOY, CONWAY, BRADLEY, OCONNOR, FINN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 9/23/2006 at 16:29:26

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
13 Mar 1912

E.P. McEVOY PASSES AWAY
He Had Been Ill Only Four Days-Was Victim of Pneumonia
LIVED IN COUNTY 41 YEARS
He Served as Secretary of the County Mutual Insurance Company for 20 Years.

Tuesday evening of last week, at 10:15 o'clock, E.P. McEVOY of this city, whose dangerous illness was reported in last week's Democrat passed away. The previous Friday he was able to be about as usual. He called at several business houses in town and attended to his usual duties. He feldt hearty and was happy and in excellent houmor. However, he caught cold during the day. Soon after returning home he went to bed. In a short time he was the victim of a well developed attack of pneumonia. Medical assistance was promptly summoned, but hsi heart was weak and his condition soon became hopeless. his advanced years had told on his once rugged constitution. Making careful spiritual and temporal preparation for the final summons, he sank into the slumber that knows no waking. The funeral was held Saturday forenoon. His brother, John McEVOY, of Ottawa, Canada, had wired that he was coming and the family decided to wait for him. The exercises were held at Assumption church. A requiem high mass was celebrated by Father CONWAY. The Knights of Columbus of which Mr. McEVOY was a member, attended in a body. The sacred edifice was filled, many coming from a distance to attend the funeral. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The active pall bearers were six nephews of the deceased-L.E., J.P., M.J., John E., John J., and Thomas CONWAY. The honorary pall bearers were representing the K.C. organization were M.F. KERWICK, P.H. DONLON, E.J. HIGGINS, M.F. BRENNAN, T.J. DUFFY, and W.I. BRANAGAN. The various business organizations to which Mr. McEVOY belonged, the K.C. council and relatives and friends sent beautiful floral offerings as tokens of friendship and the esteem in which they held him. Mr. McEVOY was born in St. Scholastique, Quebec, July 1, 1835. Hence he was in his 77th year. His education was received in the schools of his native country. He spent his early life on a farm. January 16, 1861, he was married at Osgood, Ontario, to Miss Catherine Conway. Mrs. McEVOY died March 17, 1909. In March 1871, Mr. and Mrs. McEVOY came to Palo Alto county and settled on a farm about five miles northwest of Emmetsburg. In 1881 Mr. McEVOY was appointed to fill a vacancy as a member of the board of supervisors, serving the remainder of the term. In 1887 he was nominated by the democrats for county treasurer, but was defeated by Mr. HARTSHORN by a few votes. In 1880 he was nominated again and elected. He served for four years. In his official capacity he was prompt, courteous and faithful and the hundreds of new acquaintances whom he made during his term of office became his lasting friends. Mr. McEVOY was however, best known as secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance company of Palo Alto county. April 3, 1886, he and J.C. BAKER formed the association. He remained secretary until he was called by death. To his industry, judgment, nad careful management the organization is largely indebted for the prosperous condition in which it is today.

The surviving members of the family are two sons and two daughters. One son, James Jr. lives at Ft. Dodge. The other son, Edward J. and the two daughters Mrs. M.R. BRADLEY and Miss Josie McEVOY, reside in this community. There are two sisters and one brother living. The brother, John M. McEVOY, and one sister, Mrs. P. O'CONNOR, reside at Ottawa, Canada. The other sister, Mrs. Anthony FINN, lives at Gilmore.

Mr. McEVOY was one of the best know [sic] citizens of our county and we are sure there is no exaggeration in saying that no man in northern Iowa stood higher in the estimation of his fellow men. He was exemplary in his habits. His conduct was at all times above criticism. However, he was not narrow in his views, but was willing to allow others a reasonable degree of latitude in their social customs so long as they did not trespass on the ordinary rules of decorum. He was humble. He never made a display for the purpose of attracting attention. He was willing to let others seek wordly honors for he well knew that they are in reality of little value. He was even tempered. He very seldom lost his self control. He was genial and pleasant and he had the faculty of making those about him feel at ease. He was industrious to a degree that was noticeable. until his last illness he was constantly at some thing that was useful to himself or others. He was prompt, painstaking and obliging. He took pleasure in being accommodating. He was a man of strong religious faith and fervor. He would never neglect what he considered a duty to his God or to his church. Though steadfast on his devotion to his obligations as a Catholic, he would not say anything unkind of those who might not agree with him. He was one of the best husbands, a loving, provident father, and a loyal friend. As a neighbor he was never too interested in his own affairs to lend a helping hand to others or to sympathize with those in misfortune, for he had a heart as tender as that of a child. For forty years he was an active, prominent, influential worker in Palo Alto county. He has passed from the midst of those who knew him so long, so intimately, and so favorably, but the influences of his ennobling, his truly Christian character will have a lasting effect with him and who had occasion to prize him for his many virtues. The sons, daughters and other relatives have the sympathy of our many citizens in their sorrow.

Attended Mr. McEvoy's Funeral
Among the relatives who came from a distance to attend the funeral of the late E.P. McEVOY were:
M.T. McEVOY of Mondamin, Iowa
Dr. Richard McEVOY of Missouri Valley
Wm. KELLY of Blair, Nebraska
Mrs. M. DUGGAN , of Dubuque, Iowa
Mr. and Mrs. A. FINN of Gilmore
J.M. McEVOY of Ottawa, Canada
Miss Catherine O'Brien of Letts, Iowa
Mr. nad Mrs. J.F. BIGGINS of Livermore
Mrs. LACEY of Livermore.