Obit: Mahar, Josephine (1860 - 1943)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mahar, Kneser, Behrens, Neverman, Dechant, Stelloh, Zajac, Frantz, Korth, Poole, Van Es

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 10 June 1943

Mahar, Josephine (23 March 1860 - 5 June 1943)

Mrs. Josephine Mahar passed away at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 1943, at St. Joseph’s hospital, Marshfield, after a long illness. Although her health had been poorly for several years, Mrs. Mahar was able to be about in her home until last February, when she suffered a broken hip in a fall.

The departed was born March 23, 1860, to Fred and Sophie (Kneser) Behrens, in Milwaukee, Wis. After her confirmation, at the age of 13, she came to Neillsville with an uncle, William Neverman. To the young woman, who had been reared in a city, Neillsville loomed up as a veritable paradise, with is many beautiful pine trees and fields of pure white snow. Charmed by the beauty all about her and the warm welcome with which she was received in her uncle’s home, she remained for three months instead of three weeks, as she had a first planned. While here, she met Henry Mahar, to whom she married July 30, 1875.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mahar, Irving, Clarence and Merton, all of whom preceded her in death. Mr. and Mrs. Mahar had lived together nearly fifty years when he passed away July 3, 1924. Their home life was ideal, Mr. Mahar being a splendid provider, while his wife was all that could be desired as a homemaker. Her home at all times was model of neatness and cleanliness.

Systematic management was a part of Mrs. Mahar’s life until afflicted by illness. She had made complete funeral service and burial arrangements, even to the obituary, which was written about a year ago from data supplied by Mrs. Mahar and later read to her.

Before the railroad was put through this section of the state, Mr. Mahar conducted a stage line between Hatfield and Owen, Wis. The "Big Spring" at Hatfield, popular to the present day, refreshed his horses for the first stretch of the long trip, the route including stops in Neillsville and Marshfield. After the railroad was established, the couple moved to Milwaukee, where Mr. Mahar worked for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company for 27years. They returned to Neillsville In October of 1923, erecting a home on South Hewett Street, in which Mr. Mahar was privileged to live for only a few months. He passed away on the third day of July the following year, 1924.

Funeral services were held at the Schiller-Terhune Funeral Home at 1:35 and at the Evangelical and Reformed Church at 2:00 Monday, June 7, conducted by the Rev. N. J. Dechant. Fred Stelloh and his daughter, Mrs. Thaddeus Zajac, sang "Asleep in Jesus" and "Lead, Kindly Light." Interment was made in the Neillsville Cemetery. Conrad, George and Rudolph Frantz, J. L. Neverman, Leo Korth and Charlie Poole acted as pallbearers.

Here for the rites were a grandson, Ralph Mahar, and wife, and a granddaughter, Mrs. Kenneth Van Es, all of Milwaukee.