Posted on: PaloAlto County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PaloAltoObits/532 Surname: Higgins, McGowan, Hand, Kelsh, McCormick ------------------------- Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa 22 Feb 1922 JOHN J HIGGINS PASSES AWAY He Was in a Very Serious Condition Since September John J Higgins, who was in a very serious condition since early September, passed away at this home in this city Sunday morning about 7 o'clock. For several months herealized that permanent relief could not be given him and was prepared and willing to yield to the inevitable. The funeral was held yesterday. It was very largely attended by friends and neighbors in this city and community and by a large number who lived close to him when he was a resident of the Ayrshire neighborhood. The Knights of Columbus, of which he was a member, attended in a body. Services were conducted at the Assumption church, Monsignor P.F. Farrelly celebrating a solemn requiem mass. He was assisted by Fathers Savage and McNerney. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The active pall bearers were Carl and Leo Berger, Daniel and William Higgins and William and Charles Joynt. The honorary pall bearers were T.H. Conlon, John Burns, James Degnan, J.T. Maguire, Joseph Kibbie and John O'Brien. John J Higgins was born at Dyersville, Iowa, November 24, 1856. His age was 63. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary McGowan of that place on April 14, 1885. He and Mrs. Higgins located in this county in 1893. They lived on a farm in Great Oak township until March 1919. Mr. Higgins is survived by five sons-John, Charles, Edmund, Harold and Bertrand- and four daughters-Mrs. John Hand of Borup, Minnesota, Mrs. Leo Shaney of Emmetsburg township and Misses Mary and Margaret, who are at home. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. M.J. Kelsh and Mrs. Frank McCormick- and one brother, J.D. Higgins of this place. his sister, Mrs. C.J. Berger, died last April. Mr. Higgins was an upright, worthy citizen in every way. He appreciated and encouraged honest effort on the part of others to improve social, religious and material conditions about him and he was tasty and far seeing in any improvement he undertook. He built up an exceptionally fine farm home and he bought a neat, comfortable residence for his wife and family when he located in this city. He was a genial neighbor and a cheerful, obliging, warm hearted friend. He and Mrs. Higgins were the parents of nine most exemplary sons and daughters. This is, after all, one of the best evidences of parents as members of society. His faith in providential desire to direct, bless and reward human effort was strong and abiding. He was devoted to his church, revered its teachings and practiced humbly and devoutly its precepts. Among his special traits were his sociability, his good-nature, and his joviality. He could generally see the bright as well as the humorous side of things and he was eager to make them helpful to his friends and companions. His death will be sincerely mourned by all who mingled with him as well as by the members of his household, who were very dear to him. All have the sincere sympathy of our many citizens in their bereavement. Link: Palo Alto County, Iowa USGenWeb Project URL: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm>