Manuel Goveia, father of Joseph DeGoveia, died at 3:10 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at his home on Caldwell Street. Mr. Goveia, who was past 80 years of age, was born in the Island of Madeira and came to this country and this county as a young man. For many years he lived on a farm north of Jacksonville, but with advancing years he came here and has lived for a long time on Caldwell Street. Mr. Goveia was a man of industrious and temperate habits and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was honest and straightforward in all his dealings and has gone to the other world leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. A suitable obituary and a notice of the time of the funeral will be given tomorrow.

Jacksonville Daily Journal, Friday March 22, 1912

Brief mention was made Thursday, of the death of Manuel Goveia, which took place Wednesday afternoon at 3:10 o'clock. Mr. Goveia was born in the Island of Madeira November 22, 1826, and was therefore 85 years, 3 months, and 29 days of age. November 25, 1848, he was married to Miss Annie Correa, in the West Indies Islands where they had both fled because of religious persecution. After a short residence there, they determined to come to this country with it's many opportunities for advancement and betterment. They settled in this county and for a good many years the family home was on a farm north of the city. By strict industry and good management Mr. Goveia prospered and he and his wife raised a large family, whose members all felt the influence of a good home. They were the parents of twelve children, one of whom died in infancy and another, Mrs. Mary DeFreitas passed away two years since. The others are: John, of Lynnville; Mrs. Ellen Smith of Virginia Samuel, of Chicago; Mrs. Lizzie King, of this city; George, of the Arcadia precinct; Mrs. Carrie Estaque, of Springfield; Joseph, Frank A. and Mrs. Annie Baptist of this city; and Mrs. Sophia Oliver of Aurora. In addition to these, there are over 60 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mrs. Goveia died March 8, 1898, and later Mr. Goveia was married to Mrs. Mary Almeida of Springfield, who survives him.
Submitted by Donald K. Goveia