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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [MAYO] Obit of Patrick Joyce of Mayo, 1896
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2003 18:17:38 -0600


FYI- I am not related...

Palo Alto Reporter; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; May 29, 1896

Saturday morning, at 9:25 o'clock Mr. Patrick Joyce passed to his eternal
home. For weeks he has hovered on the border land of eternity and when the call
came he quietly passed to the other shore. We presume that the real cause of his
sickness dates back to the time when he erected the brick block which bears his
name. During the erection of the building he overexerted himself and since that
time his health gradually declined. Last June he quit active business and in the
early fall he went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., for his health, but received
little or no benefit from the trip. After his return home his decline was
gradual but sure.
Mr. Joyce was born at Louisbourg, in the county of Mayo, Ireland, Nov. 16,
1839, and had he lived until his next birthday he would have been 57 years of
age. At the age of eighteen years he determined to leave his native land and
seek his fortune in America. Accordingly he proceeded to Liverpool and set sail,
reaching New York City July 13, 1857, after a voyage of two months. A short time
after landing he went to Kentucky, where he resided four years, but returned to
New York in 1862 and remained another year. In 1863 he moved to Lansing, Ia.,
where for several years he was engaged in business. In 1871 he came to Palo Alto
county and entered upon a business career at the old town. In the fall of 1874
he moved his business over to the new town and by close attention to business
soon built up a large and lucrative trade. In 1890 he erected the large three
story brick on the site of his old store, and continued doing business in it
until last June, when he retired from active business.
Mr. Joyce was married to Miss Ellen O'Meara at Lansing, June 21, 1868, and
to them has been born four children-two sons, William and Joseph who survive him
and two daughters who preceded him to the better land.
Mr. Joyce was a man who always took an active interest in everything that
tended to advance the welfare of Emmetsburg and her citizens, and was always
willing to lend a helping hand in every good cause. He served a number of years
on the city council and was chosen mayor in 1884. He was strictly honorable in
all his dealings with his fellow men, and sought the same integrity in others
that he himself possessed. In his death Emmetsburg loses a respected and honored
citizen, the community, a kind, neighbor; and the church, an earnest, prayerful
citizen.
The home life of Mr. Joyce was certainly an ideal one, and it was always
open to his many friends. His hospitality knew no bounds, and on many an
occasion his home was open to the young people, and they always found a hearty
welcome from him. His death is a hard blow to his faithful and loving wife and
to his two sons who are called upon to mourn the loss of a fond parent.
The funeral took place Monday morning and was the largest one ever held in
the county, there being over 200 teams in the procession. It left the residence
at 10 o'clock and was headed by carriages containing 24 of the prominent
citizens, who acted as honorary pall bearers. These were followed by the city
council and then the A.O.H. in a body, who acted as a guard of honor. The sad
procession solemnly wended its way to Assumption church where the services were
held. Here in the presence of the large assembly solemn requiem high mass was
celebrated, Rev. J.J. Smith as celebrant, assisted by Fathers McInery, Kelly and
Costello. The sermon was delivered by Father Carroll, of Ruthven, in a very
impressive manner. After the church services the people sadly followed the
remains to the cemetery where all that was mortal of Patrick Joyce was laid to
rest.

Cathy Joynt Labath
Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm
Iowa Old Press
http://www.IowaOldPress.com/


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