The many friends of Edward Courtney will regret to learn of his failing health. He is not expected to live many days more, all hope of recovery having fled. He lives in Vernon Township on what was known as the Dixon farm, removing from this city many years ago. No better citizen or a more respected family can be found in this county.
Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Saturday, Dec 25, 1880

At ll:00 o'clock Sunday morning Edward Courtney expired at his home in Julien Township after a spell of severe sickness. He was one of the early citizens of Dubuque, and was respected by every one. In his more active days, twenty years ago, he followed his business, that of plastering, and accumulated considerable property. When he conceived the purpose of moving to the country he exchanged city property for what was known as the Dixon farm, which was his home when death summoned him. He was about 65 years of age, and leaves a wife and family to lament him.
The remains were buried yesterday at the monastery.
Dubuque Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec 28, 1880

OBITUARY
The funeral of the late Edward Courtney took place last Monday. The remains were followed from the family residence in Vernon township, to the Monastery cemetery by a large concourse of sorrowing friends who knew deceased when living to honor him for the many virtues of head and heart. Among those present from this city was John Nagle, G. Fleming, Samuel and David Kennedy, Mrs. Lynch and daughter, and others, who braved the bitter elements to pay this last tribute of respect to a dear friend. He was
65 years of age and a better man never lived. He was honest and upright, possessing all the noble traits of character a neighbor or friend could desire.
Mr. Courtney was a native of county Cavan, Ireland, and emigrated to America when a mere lad to eventually find himself in the west. The years 1855 and 1860 he was the owner of property back of the Diamond House. During his residence in the city he followed the occupation of plasterer, a trade he was skilled in. Among other buildings in the city, he plastered the Graffort House. Some fifteen or twenty years ago he made a trade of his city property for the Dixon farm in Vernon Township, near Julien. The farm was run down but by his industry and energy he soon brought it up to a high state of cultivation, draining low lands and erecting substantial barns and buildings. Several years ago, he revisited Ireland and the place of his birth, and more recently Bridgeport, Ct, where lives a sister he has seen but once in forty years the family becoming separated when small soon after landing in America. He frequently recalled those visits abroad with pleasant recollection, and the trip appeared to do him much good. For several years he has been in poor health, but not until recently did he consider his end near. Becoming convinced of that fact, and receiving no encouragement from the attending physician, he arranged his worldly affairs by ordering accounts settled up and bills paid, to leave the estate as clean as possible for his wife and family, of which latter all are at home except George, a rover in the west, and his daughter in Davenport, married to a man named Germain.
Thus has passed away a good man whose virtues and good deeds will keep his memory green long after men of less distinction are forgotten.
Dec 29, 1880