Mr. Francis May 1825-1895

MAY, THEISEN, HEFFERNEN

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 3/30/2020 at 10:11:12

Cascade Pioneer, published in Cascade, Iowa on Friday, June 14th, 1895

A NOTABLE CITIZEN GONE
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After a Lingering Illness Francis May
Pays the Debt of Nature
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It is with deep regret we announce the death of our esteemed citizen, Francis May, who passed to his eternal reward Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock. To review his life is to record the history of Cascade for nearly forty two years during which time he had been closely identified with every movement that tended toward the up building and promotion of the business interests of the community. Francis May was the architect of his own achievements. Arriving here in an early days a poor and friendless man relying entirely upon his own resources, and with the correct faith in the future of the then straggling village, he went directly to work and laid the foundation of that substantial and capacious character that made him a valuable and indispensable citizen and in succeeding years capped his labors with immeasurable success. He was unostentatious in his dealing, of whatsoever nature, yet a wide-awake and public spirited man. No enterprise or movement for the welfare of the community appealed to him in vain. His hand and his purse were generously extended to every worthy cause, as witnessed in his active labors in the building of the Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade & Western Railroad, and as the prime factor in the founding of the parish of St. Mary’s Church. As an alien born beneath the flag of monarchy, he reverenced the coming privileges of this free land, and appreciating the advantages of its broad resources and opportunities, unselfishly, unstinted contributed an ample share of his accumulations and efforts to enhance the growth and prosperity of the town and vicinity-and likewise the happiness of the people.

Francis May was born in the village of Steinsel in the country and Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, September 15th, 1825 and received his education in the common schools of his native town. In the year 1845, he commenced learning the carpenter’s trade. He emigrated to the United States in 1848, came directly to Cascade and worked at his trade for two years after which he removed to Galena, Illinois, and while there in 1852 was married to Elizabeth Theisen. In the spring of 1853 he returned and permanently located in Cascade and followed the occupation of builder until 1856, when he engaged in the brewery business which by careful and clever attention grew to be an extensive and profitable concern. Mr. May, being possessed of more than ordinary business ability, successfully conducted the large store building on National Street, and in 1867 purchased a farm and took up the role of agriculturist as a diversion. In 1868, he conducted a liquor rectifying establishment, and from 1869-1875 was in the mercantile business, and also managed and agricultural implement warehouse. In 1873, he built a large malting house and his residence, and in 1876 the fine stock barn near the river. These improvements required an outlay of a vast sum of money, but notwithstanding this, on June 28, 1878, he laid the corner stone of a huge brewery, of solid masonry, that stands as a mute yet eloquent tribute to the pluck and enterprise of that young Luxemburg carpenter, who had left the shores of his nativity with a bare pittance, hardly sufficient to carry him to his destination in the new world. The business had increased to such proportions that the building of the great structure was necessity, and while the unjust and meddlesome prohibitory law enacted in 1884 deprived it of considerable of its value, it was not an unprofitable investment by any means.

Mr. May as will be seen, by his review of his record conducted many branches of business enterprises was a resourceful man and accumulated wealth, but did not hoard it. On the contrary, he constantly used his surplus means in making improvements that have been and are today a credit to the town and community and he consequently afforded continual employment to mechanics and laborers. He was the unequaled advocate of home improvements, not alone by voice, but by action and by material productions. He deserves the encomiums of his fellow citizens for his unparalleled work in the interest of Cascade.
Personally-Mr. May was of an unassuming disposition, and a just and warm hearted man, of broad and liberal views. He was an earnest and devout Catholic, and the church in the early days of its formation in Cascade received its strongest nourishment from the hands of the deceased, and he was ever al liberal contributor to its welfare. In the first stage of the municipal government, as a member of the council, his judgement and practical methods were essential and indispensable.

He was a devoted to his family and though his mind and attention was taken up with his extensive business ventures, he never neglected his duty toward wife and children, but zealously planned for their welfare and comfort, of his family there survive him his wife and children: Mrs. John Heffernen; Herman N., the merchant; Miss Clara, Frank and George.

The funeral services were held Tuesday morning from the residence to St. Mary’s Church, and thence to the Catholic cemetery. The services were conducted by the Rev. Father F. X. Fuerestein.