Obituary.
    Mr. John Hand, one of the old and esteemed residents of Great Oak township died Sunday night, about 12 o'clock. For some years Mr. Hand had been feeling the weight of his years, and it took but little to cut asunder the slender thread of life. A few days previous to his demise he took cold, which together with his age carried him away.
    Mr. Hand was born in the county of Cavan, Ireland, in the year 1818, and had thus attained the ripe old age of 78 years, when death summoned him to the other shore. In the year 1847 he left Ireland and came to America, settling in the vicinity of New York City for a number of years. Later on he removed from New York State to Allamakee county, this state, where he continued to reside until 1873 when he again moved westward and settled on a farm in Great Oak township, this county. Since then he has been a continuous resident of Palo Alto and has always taken a keen and active interest in everything pertaining to her welfare. He was a capable, intelligent citizen and took his position on questions of public policy after due thought and consideration. It was due to this fact that his judgment was always respected and won for him the well wishes of his fellow men.
    The funeral took place from Assumption church Tuesday morning, at 10:00 o'clock, the services being conducted by Rev. Father Costello. His six sons, John Hand, Thomas Hand, P.V. Hand, P.H. Hand, James Hand and T.E. Hand were the pall bearers and theirs were the hands that sorrowfully laid the remains of their beloved father in its final resting place in the cemetery of this city.

[Additional Information: John Hand was married to a woman named Margaret, surname unknown. His daughters, not mentioned in the obit, were Mary Hand, Bridget Hand O'Brien, Elizabeth Hand, Margaret Hand Egan. Bridget, Elizabeth and Margaret were all born Allamakee Co., IA]