Bio: Neff, Clara (19 March 1942)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Neff, Geeslin

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 19 March 1942

Story of the Neffs, Local People with Chins Up!

Mrs. Clara (Geeslin) Neff, Milwaukee, gives a Neillsville friend an interesting account of the work and whereabouts of her five children Francis (Sandy), Harriet, Robert, Harry and Homer. This is of particular interest here since the Neff children grew up in Neillsville under the guidance of home-loving parents and an ideal home atmosphere. Such were the impressions gleaned by those who passed the Neff home many times daily over a period of years.

Then came a succession of sad years in the Neff household. The eldest daughter, Madeline was stricken with an illness which proved fatal; Francis also was seriously ill for a time due to an injury; a bad fire broke out in the Neff home; practically ruining the lovely interior and later, the death of the husband and father. Mrs. Neff and her sons lived in West Bend for a time after leaving Neillsville, Wis.

Judging from Mrs. Neff’s letter, they have kept their chins up, though the members of her family are widely separated.

"Harriet is the only one who stays put," wrote Mrs. Neff, "her family of five children is keeping her very busy."

Francis is in Culver City, Calif., where he is engaged in clerical work for MGM, motion picture, producers. The three youngest boys are in the U. S. Naval service. Robert, on submarine patrol, is in the Bermuda Islands; Harry recently celebrated his 21st birthday in Puerto Rico and Homer is in San Diego.

Mrs. Neff is with her daughter and family in Milwaukee at the present time.