McElroy, John, 1846-1915

MCELROY, OREILLY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/10/2015 at 01:41:18

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 29, 1915:

DEATH OF JOHN McElroy

After a lingering illness of several months duration John McElroy, a pioneer resident of this vicinity, passed away at his home in Rock Valley Sunday morning, January 24, just four weeks after the death of his wife who died on Sunday morning, December 27, his death being due to ulceration of the stomach.

The subject of this sketch was born at Lurgankeel, Louth County, Ireland, October 21, 1846, and was at he time of his death sixty-eight years, five months and three days old. His early life was spent in his native land, Ireland, where he grew to manhood. When a young man he came to this country and settled at Belle Plain, New York, where he was later united in marriage in 1865 to Miss Bridget O'Reilly. To this union were born ten children seven of whom, two daughters and five sons, survive their father and who were at his bedside during his last illness. They are Mrs. M. Johnson of Sioux City, Mrs. Kate Morrison of San Francisco, California, Oney and James of Rock Valley, Joe and John of Sioux City, and Charles of Cooper, In.

In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. McElroy moved to Dixon, Illinois, where they resided for three years, and then removed to Carroll, Ia., and from here they moved onto a farm near Rock Valley, where they lived until eleven years ago when they retired from the farm and came to their present home in this city.

The deceased was always a hard working man and a man who had passed through the hardships incident to pioneer life, but he met life's battles bravely. He was kind and generous with his family and was a loyal and upright citizen. His death, although it has been hourly expected for several days past, is nevertheless a great sorrow to his bereaved children who have the sincere sympathy of many friends at this time

Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church in this city Tuesday forenoon conducted by Rev, Father O'Reilly and the remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery southeast of Rock Valley. Beautiful floral tributes were in evidence from the Yoeman [Yeoman?] and Rebekah lodges of Sioux City, and also from the Johnson Biscuit Company of Sioux City, who tried in this way to show their respect for the departed and their sympathy for the bereaved ones.