John Birney (1851-1925)

BIRNEY

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/13/2008 at 18:15:53

JOHN BIRNEY 1851-1925
John Birney was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1851 and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mr. George Davis at Avoca, Iowa, December 9, 1925, at the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 20 days.

He moved from Pittsburg with his parents to Scott county, Iowa, when he was four years old and resided there until he was 21, when he came to Pottawattamie county where he spent the remainder of his life.

In 1870, he was married to Mattie Sinclair and to them were born four children: James, the eldest died in infancy. Those surviving are Mrs. George Davis of Avoca; Mrs. C. I. Cooper of Pilger, Nebraska, and Ray of Hancock.

He was baptized in the Presbyterian faith when a child. During his last illness he sought and found the Saviour and this brought to him great joy. He was always ready to do what he could to help the one in need.

Beside the wife and children there is one grandson; two sisters 83 years old who are twins, and one brother, together with a host of friends, who are left to mourn his departure.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Hancock Saturday afternoon, conducted by the pastor. Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Bingham, Mrs. H.P. Grinyer and J. C. Plahn; with Mrs. William Deatherage as accompanist providing the music. The pallbearers were M. A. Griffith, Melving McKray, Willian Dool, H. VanBeck, Charles Warner and Joe Wasser.

Interment was made at the Hancock cemetery.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald