Benjamin Franklin once stated that after birth, the only things for certain in life are taxes and death. Such was the case at St. George church in Wexford, Iowa. There were three deaths during the first year and a fourth death in 1853.

This started a long tradition at Wexford, where the people took time off from their busy schedules to “Take care of their own” starting with the first burials in the Wexford Cemetery. With every death, old friends, neighbors, and relatives arrive at the cemetery with the needed tools to dig a grave including shovels, spades, picks, crow bars, mauls, and wheelbarrows. Always, the men dug the fresh grave by themselves while the ladies prepare a light snack for the laborers. When the funeral is done, they fill in the grave while the ladies prepare a meal for the mourners. It is a duty and privilege today just as it was then and just as it always will be.

Mr. William Heatly was an original settler who made the long trip with Father Hoare from Wexford, Ireland to Wexford, Iowa. His travels include a boat ride from Dublin to Liverpool, where more than 450 Irish passengers embarked on the ship Ticonderoga for a cost of 5 pounds (~$25) for a month plus a few days trip across the Atlantic Ocean to New Orleans. After traveling 400 miles up the Mississippi and across land to Arkansas, they discovered that all the good land was already occupied, and a suitable place could not be found. After less than a month in Arkansas, the group went to St. Louis, MO for an extended stay, while Father Hoare went in search of land in Northeast Iowa based on recommendations from Bishop Mathias Loras and the good Brothers of Melleray Monastery in Dubuque, Iowa. Father Hoare selected and purchased over one thousand acres of beautiful but rugged land for $1.25 per acre in Taylor and Lafayette Townships of Allamakee County. Two days later (24 Feb. 1851), he acquired 700 more acres of land in the same townships. On 16 Apr. 1851, Father Hoare purchased an additional two plots of one hundred sixty acres of land. Most of the original Irish party stayed in St. Louis with only 18 families following Father Hoare onboard the steam paddle ship Franklin to Lafayette Landing and then three miles by land to Wexford, Iowa. In 1851, William Heatly set eyes on the lush green scenery at Wexford, Iowa. Shortly after arrival, he died and was the first Irishman buried in the cemetery.

In 1851, a Chaneviere child died and was the first person of French ancestry buried at Wexford cemetery. The death of a child can be overwhelming to the parents, family, and community. The Wexford community provided support and prayer to the grieving family. Across time, there have been lots of young lives lost in the Wexford community.

Deaths prior to one year of age are considered infant deaths. Based on the Wexford Cemetery records up to the year 2000, there have been 28 infant deaths between 1851 to 1900, 37 infant deaths between 1901 to 1950, and 10 infant deaths from 1951 to 2000. Deaths from 2 years to 14 years are considered children deaths. Based on the Wexford Cemetery records up to the year 2000, there have been 29 children’s deaths between 1851 to 1900 and 11 children’s deaths between 1901 to 1950. Up until the early 1900’s, the doctor would only be called when problems occurred during childbirth at home and it was a long trip by horse and buggy to rural homes around Wexford. The drop in the number of infants and child deaths can be attributed to a shift from having babies at home to having babies at a hospital and the increased number of doctors and hospitals with better medical techniques and procedures. Modernization and switching from horse and buggy to automobiles produced a faster means of transportation. Today, there is even medical helicopter transport for critical patients.

Based on records sent from Father Hoare to Bishop Loras, Mr. J. Brown died in 1851 and was the first Catholic of English ancestry buried at Wexford cemetery.

Father Hoare reported four deaths and burials to the Dubuque Diocese during the first three years at Wexford. The next death was James McGeogh on 24 September 1853.



The grounds around Wexford Church cemetery are considered sacred or concentrated land. Father Hoare and every Catholic Priest since have prayed over the cemetery grounds requesting God to keep the surrounding land clean of unholy spirits, to bring comfort to those who mourn, and to give eternal life to the souls of the departed.