Mrs. John Hand

HAND, MCINTYRE, OBRIEN, EAGAN, MURRAY, MULRONEY

Posted By: Bonnie Hand (email)
Date: 8/10/2008 at 04:02:53

From The Democrat November 18, 1925

Mrs. John Hand Dies at Age of 95
She Came to Allamakee County in 1860 and to Palo Alto in 1872

Sunday evening Mrs. John Hand, one of the oldest residents of our county, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Patrick O'Brien of this city. She was ill for eleven weeks. During the greater part of her life she was strong and hearty. The funeral was held Tuesday forenoon. Services were conducted in the Assumption church, Very Rev. J.G. Murtagh officiating. A large attendance of relatives and old neighbors were present. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were six grandsons--Clement Hand, Carl Eagan, Joe Hand, Melvin Hand, Alfred Murray and Harold Hand.
Margaret McIntyre was born in the county of Cavan, Ireland, August 12, 1830. Her age was 95. She came to America when 18 years of age. She lived in New York City for eight years. She was married at that place in 1850 to John Hand. Mr. and Mrs. Hand came west in 1860 and settled near Lansing, Allamakee county, where they resided for twelve years. In 1872 they moved to a farm in Great Oak township, this county. They were thrifty and became prosperous. Mr. Hand died a number of years ago. In 1899 Mrs. Hand came to this city to make her home. Of late years she lived with her daughter, Mrs. O'Brien. The surviving sons and daughters are John of Clear Lake, South Dakota, James of Great Oak township and Frank of this city. The daughters are Mrs. O'Brien of Emmetsburg, Mrs. Thomas Eagan, who lives near Ayrshire, and Mrs. John Murray of Great Oak township. Three sons--Thomas, P.V. and Peter, and two daughters, Mrs. K.J. Mulroney and Miss Mary Hand, died a number of years ago. There are 47 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.
Mrs. Hand was one of the grand old Christian ladies of Iowa. She came to our state when it was little more than a bleak wilderness. She witnessed its growth and development into one of the greatest commonwealth in the world. She knew well the trials, the disappointments, the heartaches, the sorrows of pioneer life. Like thousands of her time, her opportunities were few, but she was full of hope and energy and she was frugal, careful, painstaking and provident. She raised a large family of sons and daughters who grew to useful, helpful manhood and womenhood. She was kind, warm hearted and cheerful. She never thought of yielding to despondency, although the odds of life might seem clearly against her. She looked forward to brighter, better, happier days. Providence blessed her with health and strength and she had the happiness of surviving to a ripe old age. She was fresh and vigorous to the last. Her surviving sons and daughters can look back with pride on her career covering almost a century spent in the service of her church and community and in devotion to her God and country. Many who knew Mrs. Hand intimately and who admired her for her many womanly qualities join with the Democrat in extending heartfelt sympathy to the surviving members of her family.