David Toomay was born near Middleton, Cork County, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1843 and died at his home in northeast Ray County, Missouri on February 21, 1917. He came to America at the age of 9 years, with his father (John Toomey), one brother (Edward "Ned" Toomay) and one sister (Joan "Anna" Toomay-later married Patrick Foley). He made the entire trip from his native country to Peoria, Illinois, by water coming by way of New Orleans. From Peoria he went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he joined two of his older brothers (Michael Toomay and Timothy Toomay) and remained there two years. In the year of 1856, the four brothers, Michael, Timothy, Edward and David came to Missouri and all established their permanent homes, and the deceased has spent more than sixty years in the home place where he died.
He is the youngest of five brothers, three of whom have preceded him to the grave; Daniel Toomay died at an early age in New York City, Timothy Toomay died in 1896, and Michael Toomay died May 1, 1914. Edward Toomay, the surviving brother, now lives in Chula Vista, California. The only sister, Mrs. Anna Foley, died in Illinois some years ago.
In August, 1870, David Toomay was married to Elizabeth Jones who bore three children, one of whom died in infancy. The two who still survive are Mrs. Mary Ann Metz, of Cowgill, MO and Marvin Toomay, of Braymer, Mo. This wife and mother died October 23, 1873, during the infancy of her youngest child, Marvin, who was only 19 days of age.
On March 17, 1874, he was again married to Rebecca Moad, who died April 25, 1915 and who bore ten children seven of whom survive. They are John D. Toomay of Bogard, MO, James M. Toomay, of Dawn, MO, Nora J. Toomay, who has always been at home with her father; Daniel Toomay of Kansas City, MO; Sadie E. Cramer of Cowgill, Mo; Mayme E. Boman, of Blue Springs, MO and Lottie M. Lungren of Norborne, Mo. The children who preceded their father to the grave are Bessie Elizabeth who died at the age of eleven months; Elmer David, who died at the age of two years and an infant son,
the youngest child, died in 1889.
If the personal experiences of the life of David Toomay were properly written, they would make a most interesting history of this community and also of the last few years of the Civil War. During the days of the guerilla warfare in this part of the state, he was many times compelled to hide himself away and to dodge the paths of robber bands and assassins, and the fact that he survived the circumstances which seems little less than a miracle.
On July 19, 1864, he was making his way on horseback to join the State militia that was a day of terror for this community Quantrell's band of raiders was committing depredations on every side-fear was in the heart of every citizen-death and danger stalked every pathway and lurked in every thicket. He happened to fall into this band at a place not more than six miles northwest of his present home place-he was captured and robbed after which he was fired upon, was wounded by four bullets and left for dead in the roadway-the most serious wound was one that passed through his neck just far enough back not to prove fatal. After the band had passed out of hearing, he regained consciousness and made his way into the shade of a thicket, where a woman of the neighborhood found him, brought him a cup of cold water and gave other assistance that helped him recover.
Later that year, before the wound in his neck was healed, he enlisted in the United States Army and at St. Joseph, Mo, he became a member of Company H 44th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and entered active service for his country.
In November, 1864, he was taken prisoner when a part of General Schofield's army was defeated and captured in the battle near Franklin, Tennessee. During the six months following, he was in Andersonville prison and survived the horrors and hardships that volumes of history have not been able to properly describe. During the war and his confinement in prison, he received injuries and suffered illness form which he never recovered.
He has been faithful to his country, his family, neighbors and friends. The circumstances of his early age instilled deeply in his mind the principles of thrift and industry. As a pioneer he possessed to a marked degree all those excellent qualities which command the highest respect and admiration of intelligent men and women. In all his business dealings, it can without exception be said of "Uncle" Dave that he has "always blown the very dust from his bright balance to be just."
If the records of his business dealings with his fellow men be examined with closest scrutiny, there will be found not one page but that is clean and free from anything that requires excuse or apology.
He was never connected with any church as a member, except that he was baptized and christened in the Catholic church in his native Land (Ireland). He has never placed one obstacle in the way of the religious life of his family or any others. None was ever shown more respect to ministers of the gospel than he and no purse strings have been more loosed than his in regard to the churches of his community. During his entire life, he gave very little expression as to his religious standing, but since we have been taught that God is just, we are consoled, and do not fear that He will disregard the life and good qualities of this excellent many and the prayer of his children and friends is:
"O thou who keepest in thy ken
The times of flowers, the dooms of men,
Spread thy protecting wings above
Be tender unto him we love."
The funeral took place at Little Union Church Friday, the services being conducted by Rev. W.F. Burris-and was attended by a great out-pouring of people. The pallbearers were four sons of the deceased: Marvin, John, James M., and Dan, and four nephews, Jurd, David T., James W. and Raymond.
The honorary pallbearers were old comrades in arms, John and Albert Michael, Faith Blevins, A.J. McKnight, Henry Cramer, James Hatfield, Frank Smith and John Mount.
The Burial took place in Little Union cemetery where a number of other relatives were buried.
