Thomas Grey : Short Biography

From the Williamsburg Journal, Williamsburg, IA. Feb 26 1886 front page Death of Thomas Grey died - at his residence in Green Tp, Iowa County, IA. Feb 5th 1886, Thos. Grey, aged 67 years. Mr. Grey was born in the parish of Clonay, County Waterford, Ireland. A.D. 1818. He received his primary education in his native parish, and was sent by his parents, who fondly hoped to fit him for the sacred calling, to a high school in Tipperary. From thence he was sent to the college of Kill where his studious application soon secured for him a position of tutor in the college. He held the position of tutor but a short time when he was suddenly called home on account of the failing health of his father.

On the death of his father, which occurred shortly afterwards, the care of the farm devolved upon young Thomas - the care of a widowed mother and the younger brothers and sisters. Well and faithfully he performed the task assigned him until the death of his mother. Then the lease of title which denoted the earthly possessions of the Grey family was sold and Thomas with his brother Matthew and two sisters emigrated to America. They landed in New Orleans in 1854*, resided in the vicinity of Vicksburg six months, then came to Iowa City, Ia. Residing here a few years, Thomas and his brother Matthew purchased a tract of land in Green tp. on which he resided at the time of his death. His brother Matthew owns a large farm adjoining. His sisters are married, one to Edmond Butler of Green, and the other to Edward Hanson of Troy. In 1859** Thomas Grey was married to Mary Gillon. The fruit of this conjugal union was 5 boys and 6 girls, all of whom are living.

Mr. Grey was suddenly taken ill whilst in the discharge of his ordinary duties, and died before a physician could be summoned. His remains were intered in the Catholic Cemetery at St. Michael's Church on Sunday, Feb 7th, 1886, his sons and nephews acting as pall bearers. The beautiful and impressive ceremonies of the Catholic Church were enacted with their awful yet grand solemnity. The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. Jas. Davis, in his usual effective manner, and many were the tears shed by the auditors as he feelingly referred to the sudden death of the deceased as he enunciated that scriptual injunction, "Remember man, thou art but dust, and to dust thou shalt return." On the death of Thomas Grey, the community at large loses a estimable christian gentleman, a kind and obliging neighbor, a good and faithful citizen, and a prompt and reliable friend.

The Faithful embodiment of Catholic faith and practice, the Church of St. Michael's shall ever revere his memory; for when the church debt was pressing on account of the building of the new church, it was Thos. Grey who manfully stepped forward, and out of his own hard-earned savings proffered to necessary pecuniary assistance. The old settler shall miss him; for he was one of our most industrious and worthy pioneers who were insturmental in making the wilderness of Iowa Blossom like a garden. His family shall miss him; for he was a kind and affectionate husband, a fond and indulgent father - one whose parental sway was maintained more through love than fear. As a man of more than ordinary education, no petty ambitions lured him on, no tell-tale scandals followed in his wake, no envious tounges ever dared ascribe to his acts or motives the shadow or suspicion of a wrong.

Let him sleep, the flat of Fate hath doomed it so! The sun shall rise and the sun shall set, and yet the world shall move on much the same. It's annual cycle shall behold new made graves and the crumbling pedestals that tell the story of the past. The sun shall alike illume the wooden slab that marks the paupers grave, and the granite columns decorated with elegiac verse, that indicates the resting place of the world's war-like heroes; yet, amid these scenes redolent with the odors of the cypress and the mignonette, its rays shall strike aslant upon the grave of no more true-hearted or honest man than that of Thomas Grey. T.J.S. *1854 arrival in New Orleans has to be wrong - he and his brother and 2 sisters are in the 1850 Johnson Co., IA Census, In Iowa City. One census state 'came to US in 1849' ** from Ia. Co. Court house in Marengo - Marriage license and certificate -May 1856