The mission of bringing our Maher family history to life begins with our oldest known Maher ancestor…Michael Maher.
Let’s begin with what we do know about Michael, based on recorded information. We learn from his gravestone inscription, located in the St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Johnson County, Iowa, Michael was 89 years old at the time of his death in1891. That information tells us Michael would have been born about the year 1802. His stone also tells us he was from County Tipperary, Ireland.
County Tipperary was created and named after the town of Tipperary in 1328, making it the earliest of Irish Counties. (Source: Rootsireland.ie)
County Tipperary is the county where the largest number of people with the surname of Maher resided between 1847 and 1864. During that time it was home to 1244 Maher family members while the next largest Maher population was in County Kilkenny…the number just 387.
Landlocked and rural, County Tipperary is Ireland's largest inland county and one renowned for its rich and fertile farmland, raised bog land and the Galtee Mountains in the south. Eighty percent of County Tipperary is agricultural land.
Given the majority of County Tipperary was agricultural land and that the majority of rural Irish were tenant farmers, it is likely Michael was a tenant and engaged in farming. By the early 1800’s, the potato had become rural Ireland’s primary agricultural crop and most farmers had become totally dependent on it. Michael would have been a grown man and still living and farming in Ireland when the potato crops were attacked in 1845 by a fungus known as the potato blight. Since the potato had become the staple food for the Irish rural poor its failure left people exposed to starvation and death from sickness and malnutrition. The crisis was compounded by the fact that tenants were still expected to pay their landlords or risk eviction.
Starvation and famine fever spread through the land. Government was slow to react to the disaster. Workhouses which were established in 1838 for the destitute poor, became quickly overwhelmed with the influx of destitute and desperate people impacted by the famine. At the height of the famine, 3000 people per week were dying in poor houses.
County Tipperary was hit relatively hard during the famine. Almost 70,000 people died in the county between 1845 and 1850, particularly in the years 1849 and 1850. County Tipperary’s population fell from 435,000 in 1841; to 331,000 in 1851 and to 249,000 in 1861. The rural population that Michael would have been a part of, declined by two-thirds during that period.
The “Great Potato Famine” lasted from 1845 to 1851. It’s believed Michael was still in Ireland until the early 1850’s. It's possible Michael had married and had a family in Ireland. However, given the high mortality rate that was taking place in his country, it's possible his family did not survive. It’s remarkable Michael was able to survive the most deadly years of the famine. He had to have possessed a great deal of strength and resilience to make it through those perilous times. He eventually realized there was little hope for the future if he remained in Ireland. He had heard about the ""Promised Land" across the ocean and so he set sail for America….
When the Irish arrived on the east coast, their hopes were to find employment and save money for their journey west. Instead, Irish immigrants were not welcomed and despised. Like his fellow Irishmen, Michael would have faced discrimination, bigotry and hatred. Irish Catholics were shunned by land lords and shop owners and denied work in the factories. It was not uncommon for businesses to post signs in their windows like the following:
"Dogs and Irish not Welcomed"
Too poor to go elsewhere, the Irish took whatever menial jobs they could find. We can assume Michael arrived in America about 1852 and most likely remained on the east coast for a few years before heading west.
We know he was in Johnson County, Iowa as early as January 1856. That is when he purchased his land in Cedar County. It’s interesting to note that a John Maher also purchased land in Cedar County, a month before Michael did. John Maher, and his wife, purchased their land in December of 1855. The land belonging to Michael and John were just two sections apart. It’s hard to imagine it was merely coincidental…that the two were not related. To date, I’ve been unable to find DNA evidence to determine if there was a family relationship.
Since he was stated as a Johnson County resident on his land purchase agreement, Michael should have showed up in the Johnson County 1856 census. I perused numerous original township census records but was unable to find him.
Michael’s land purchase in January 1856, was for 40 acres in Gower township, Cedar County, IA. The land that would become his homestead, was purchased from Ebenezer and Elizabeth Edwards for just $110.00. (Description: SE qtr of NE qtr of Sec 6, Twp 80, north of 4 West)
One wonders why Michael would choose Cedar County as a place to make a home in his new world. Perhaps he had followed a relative to the area or perhaps he had heard that its natural resources would ensure bountiful harvests and a comfortable and happy home. More likely, the destitute state of his Irish homeland created a hunger, within him, for land and space to raise crops and a family. It is most certain he wanted to make sure his chosen location had the necessities of water, timber and food close at hand.
Cedar County was formed in 1837 from sections of Dubuque County. It was named for the Cedar River which runs through the county. In Cedar County, the Cedar River runs along its west border, entering 9 miles south of the northwestern border and runs southwesterly, passing out of the county near the center of the southern border. The river was belted with timber along with numerous smaller groves throughout the county. The Cedar River together with its streams, creeks, and spring runs meandering through the prairies made the land very good for cropland and stock raising.
Deer were so plentiful in Cedar County, when Michael settled, that they were considered to be a source for daily meals. Wild turkeys and rabbits were unlimited. Native pheasants, quail and prairie chickens were plentiful, and most desirable.
The abundant timber on Michael’s land provided him with an ample supply of logs for fuel, building a home and protection for his livestock. Using hand saws, he split timber into rails for fencing and sawed fallen trees into lumber for a log cabin and other buildings. He had ample timber to be used for fuel to supply a huge fireplace he would use for heating his crude cabin and in which hearty pioneer meals could be prepared.
Water was a must have and fortunately, Michael’s 80 acres property was located 21/2 - 3 miles west of the Cedar River and several of the river’s tributaries or streams flowed through his property. In those days the prairies were high and rolling and there was rich & fertile deep black loam soil upon which he could cultivate in order to provide for him & his family. Little did he know that Cedar County would later be deemed the best agricultural county in the state of Iowa.
One can only wonder if Michael was prepared for Iowa’s extreme and cold winters. He would have been used to weather in his native Ireland where the average temperature was 50 degrees, year round and snow was scarce. He probably quickly gained an appreciation for the forest of trees on his land which protected against Iowa’s winter storms and cold. Acting as a wind barrier, it helped keep the snow from drifting through the cracks of his cabin. He, like many pioneer families, would hang quilts from joists to keep out whistling winds and blowing snow during the winter.
Having come from an impoverished country where food was scarce, Michael was most likely savvy enough to know he needed to lay in a stock of provisions ample enough to make it through the winter. He would have learned first-hand that winter snow drifts would prohibit teams from making trips to get more supplies. Many pioneers in those days existed on small quantities of frozen potatoes, corn bread and coffee, during the winter months.
Hopefully Michael did not have time to get his virgin land cleared and tilled for a spring planting in 1856 because it turned out to be a devastating year for crops. By July of that year, entire fields had been burnt up by sun and were worthless. Corn was dry and sickly. Wheat crops were light and unprofitable. Had Michael experienced a first year like that, he surely would have been skeptical of his decision to settle in seemed to be a God forsaken land.
April 1857 - Taxes Paid
Cedar County, IA record of Michael Maher paying taxes. Record # 08-36-30-24-12
On March 18, 1858, Michael purchased an additional six acres in Cedar County for $42.00. This land stood across the road from his 40 acre farm. He sold it two years later to John O’Donal, for the same amount he had paid for it.
On June 4, 1859, a heavy frost nipped corn. Showers of snow and hail came the next day. By this time, Michael had had a couple of years to experience the unpredictable and sometimes brutal Iowa weather. Somehow, he persevered.
Michael and Mary O’Neil were married on February 19, 1860 by W. Emonds. Witnesses were John Carroll and Anne Galvin. John Carroll was actually Irish born John O’Carroll who lived near Morse, Iowa. It’s not clear what his relationship was with Michael and Mary, however I do know that John was from County Tipperary, Ireland. Historically, the Mahers aka Meagher aka O’Meagher and the O’Carrolls were of the same Irish stock in Ireland. (Source: Irish Families by Edw Mac Lysaght). Anne Galvin was probably from the Irish born Galvins that lived near Nolan Settlement.
Mary’s Irish heritage remains mostly a mystery however, DNA results confirm she had a younger sister, Sarah (O’Neil) Hanson, living in Iowa County, Iowa as early as 1850 and an older brother, James O’Neil, who also lived in Iowa County.
Passenger records from Volume I of the book, The Irish Famine Immigrants 1846-1851 show that James, Sarah and Mary, traveling together, had departed from the northern Ireland city of Newry and arrived in America in 1847. The three of them traveled in the steerage compartment on the Ship Meg Lee. Their relationship with each other was described as “relatives”. They arrived in New York, New York on April 20, 1847.
Graham Township in Johnson County, Iowa was established in 1857 and had previously been a part of Newport Township (established 1847). Michael & Mary were residing in Graham Township, Johnson County during the 1860 census. It is presumed that they remained at that location until their new homestead was cleared and suitable for farming and residency.
Note: Michael & Mary were difficult to find in the 1860 census because their last name was documented as McMahn. However, looking at the actual census, it is clearly McMahan. It’s not unusual for the Maher name to be mis-spelled due to how the communicator pronounced it at the time.
Note:
It’s also noteworthy that two houses away resided:
Patrick Donahoe (or Donahue), age 32, b: Ireland, Farmer
Catherine, age 29, b: Ireland (Catherine Peters)
James, age 2, b: IA
Starting their family late in life, Michael & Mary, raised just two sons of whom many considered of sterling worth. Michael & Mary’s first child Hugh Henry, was born on December 18, 1860. John Martin, was born in April of 1863. While Michael’s senior age did not prevent him from starting a family in the 1860’s, it appears his age did exempt him from serving in the Civil War.
May 1865 IA District 2 Annual, Monthly & Special Tax Assessment List
Michael Maher, living in Gower twp.; Swine Slaughter; Abstract #156; Quantity = 2 at tax rate of .10 each for total of 20 cents.
The 1870 Federal Census for Gower Township, Cedar County, IA reports the following on Michael’s household:
1870 Gower, Cedar, Iowa U. S. Census
Michael Mahar, age 52, Farmer, Ireland; Value of Real Estate: 2700; Value of Personal Property: 650; Male citizen of U.S; Mother & Father of foreign birth
Mary, age 40, keeping house, b: Ireland
Hugh, age 10, b: Iowa
John, age 7, b: Iowa
Michael had to have had a strong character and strong convictions. Undoubtedly, he had experienced a hard life in his native land of Ireland so he was not afraid of hard work. He improved his land, created a homestead and made good business decisions that allowed him to purchase 80 additional acres, located just across the road – to the east of his original forty acres, on Oct 30, 1866 for $2000.00.
By 1870, an agricultural census showed he had created a sustainable farm with a variety of livestock and crops of spring wheat and oats.
# improved acres: 80
# woodland acres: 10
present cash value of farm: $2700
present cash value of farm machinery & implements: $150
# of horses: 2
# of milk cows: 5
# of swine: 16
Value of all livestock: $656
Bushels of spring wheat: 150 Bushels of oats: 1000
Michael and his sons farmed together. Their farm equipment was crude but functional. We know from an equipment inventory they owned a mower, a binder, wagon, sled and a wood saw. This equipment was crucial to maintaining a successful farming operation.
Michael and his sons would have used a Binder machine, like the one pictured above, for cutting grain and binding it into bundles. The horse-drawn twine binder, first marketed in 1880, was the chief method of harvesting small grain in the late 1800’s.
The wood saw was an absolute necessity for survival from the moment Michael stepped onto his new property. Michael would have used it on a daily basis.
1878 History of Cedar County Book shows Michael's post office as Cedar Bluff, IA.
1880 Gower, Cedar, Iowa U. S. Census
M Maher, 62, Farmer, b: Ire Parents born: Ire Ire
Mary, 54, b: Ire Parents born: Ire, Ire
Hugh, 19, works on farm, b: IA Parents born: Ire Ire
John, 17, works on farm, b: IA Parents born: Ire Ire
I’m not sure why, but by 1884, Michael & Mary again owned the six acres they had previously sold, but this time, jointly with Cornelius & Mary Bresnehan. In February 1884, the four of them sold the land, under a quit claim deed, to James Larkin, for just $1.00.
By 1885, Hugh remained on the farm to help his father with the farming but John was no longer living with them.
1885 Gower, Cedar, IA State Census (Twp 80, Range 40, Section 5, S2 NW4)
Mike Mahar, age 70, Farmer, b: Ireland; parents foreign born; shows he is entitled to vote
Mary Maher, age 65, b: Ireland
Hugh Maher, age 24, b: IA Farmer
Michael continued to successfully grow his farm operation. By 1891, he had acquired 9 head of horses, 40 head of cows and calves and 100 head of hogs. Michael's heart was probably full of gratitude and pride. The decision he made to cross the ocean in the mid 1800's was the right one. He realized he was better off with the sacrifices he made to come to Iowa to buy 40 acres then renting just a few in his birth land. And if not for just himself...it also allowed the next generation to be better off.
Michael communicated his last dying wishes on Jan 12, 1891, which was the day before he died. Patrick Donovan and John Peters were witnesses. Patrick Donovan was the husband of Ellen Maher, daughter of John Patrick Maher, Sr. John Peters was son of John & Judith Johanna Maher Peters. During the will administration process, D. Maher was also present and signed a statement that he knew Michael. We know this person was Dennis Maher of Iowa City who was serving as Johnson County Treasurer at the time. Maher DNA results suggest that Michael & Dennis were related…likely a 4th cousin relationship.
In Michael’s will, he stated his son, Hugh, should receive the homestead which consisted of two tracts of land in Gower township, totaling 120 acres. Across the township line, in Cass township, he left 160 acres to his second son, John. He asked the livestock be divided equally and that his machinery be used jointly by his two sons. For his wife, Mary, he asked she be paid $400 a year - $200 by each son from the profits of their farms.
Michael died on Tuesday, January 13, 1891. He was buried at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Johnson County, Iowa. Mary lived another ten years. She and son, Hugh, resided on the homestead in Gower township until she passed away on November 30, 1901. She, too, is buried in St. Bridget’s Cemetery, next to her husband. Their gravesite is adorned with a magnificent stone.
After Michael’s passing, his sons and grandson’s kept his American dream and love for farming alive by continuing to work and care for his “promised land” in America.
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HUGH HENRY MAHER
Hugh Henry Maher was born on 18 Dec 1861 in Cedar County, Iowa, as the first child of Michael Maher and Mary O'Neil. He had one sibling, namely: John Martin. “Hugh” was baptized at St Bridget’s Catholic Church in Nolan Settlement, Johnson County, Iowa. His baptism sponsors were Michael Donaghue and Helena Ward.
Hugh lived and farmed on the original family farm in Gower Township, Cedar County, Iowa his entire life. After his father passed away in 1891, Hugh and his brother would not let all their father had worked for and accomplished, go by the way side. They kept their father’s American dream alive by continuing to farm together.
Hugh and his brother, John, were instrumental in the building of St. Bridget's Catholic Church at Nolan Settlement in Johnson County, IA. They each contributed $115.00. They also donated a large flagstone for the platform at the top of the steps at the entrance to the church. They handled the delivery themselves....hauling it from Cedar Valley on wagons pulled by two teams of horses. This stone measures 5 feet by almost 11 feet and is 7 inches thick. The name MAHER BROS is carved out in big letters on the north side of the stone. According to an architect's handbook, limestone weighs about 157 - 170 pounds per cubic foot, so this piece must have weighed close to 3 tons.
Hugh remained single his entire life. As an adult, people described him as a large red headed man. He seemed to keep to himself and was a devoted farmer. The 1900 United States Census shows him and his mother residing on the home place in Gower township, Cedar County, Iowa. As a faithful son, he cared for his mother until her final day, which occurred one year later.
1900 Gower, Cedar, Iowa Census
Henry H Maher, head, Dec 1858 42 yrs. old, Farmer, IA IRE IRE
Mary Maher, mother, 86 yrs. old, May 1814 2 of 2 children, immigrated to US 1850 - Been in U.S. 50 years. IRE IRE IRE
In May of 1903, Hugh traveled abroad to his parent’s homeland in Ireland. Traveling by himself, he departed New York City on the S.S. Celtic. A United Kingdom Incoming Passenger List shows Hugh, age 41, arriving in Liverpool on May 8, 1903. He spent nearly two months in Ireland. He left the port in Queenstown on June 18, 1903 on the S.S. Oceanic to return home. He arrived in New York City on June 25, 1903. His record of travel shows he had visited Templemore during his stay in Ireland and was returning to his home in "Bluffs", Iowa.
In May of 1905, his first cousin, James Hanson, son of Hugh & Sarah (O’Neil) Hanson, drew him into a saloon sales scheme in Davenport, Iowa in May of 1905. Luckily, no legal charges were made against him.
It was just five years later when he died. He passed away on April 5, 1907, in Iowa City, Iowa at 45 years and 4 months of age due to a kidney disorder (Acute nephritis). He had just returned from Arkansas, the day before, where he had traveled in hopes the Arkansas spa waters would improve his health. He was buried on April 7 1907 in Nolan Settlement, Johnson County, Iowa (St. Bridget's Cemetery).
Obituary, Iowa Citizen, Iowa City, IA Friday, April 5, 1907 front page
Hugh Maher Dead At Nolan
Returned From Arkansas Yesterday and Died at a Local Hospital
Hugh Maher died in this city at a local hospital this morning at half past twelve o'clock after a short illness. Three weeks ago he went to Hot Springs, Ark, returning to this city yesterday morning in a very sick condition. He was 45 years old and was a resident of Nolan Settlement and is survived by his brother, John, of Cedar County besides numerous relatives who live there also.
The remains now lie at Schneider Bros. Funeral Apartments from which the cortege will leave Monday morning at eight o'clock for Nolan Settlement where services will be held in St. Bridget's church, conducted by rev Father McGillan. Interment will be made in Nolan cemetery.
Iowa City Press Citizen, April 13, 1907, Saturday, pg. 4
Hugh Maher was buried in St. Bridget’s Cemetery Sunday. He was born and raised in Cass Township, Cedar County.
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JOHN MARTIN MAHER
John Martin Maher was born in April of 1863 in Cedar County, Iowa, as the second child of Michael Maher and Mary O'Neil. He had one sibling, namely: Hugh Henry.
A transcribed baptism record for John shows he was baptized April 15, 1863 at St Bridget's Church at Nolan Settlement, Johnson County, Iowa. His baptism sponsors were Patrick and Helene (Ellen) Donavan. Patrick & Ellen (Maher) Donavan lived near Nolan Settlement, in Johnson County, Iowa. Ellen was the daughter of John Patrick Maher, Sr. of the town land of Gortagarry in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is supposed that John Patrick and Michael were brothers or possibly first cousins.
According to the 1880 census for Gower, Cedar, Iowa, John was 17 years old, living and working on his parent’s farm, along with his older brother, Hugh.
When he was 31 years old, he married Kathryn Blanche Leahy, daughter of John Leahy and Katherine Murphy, on 31 Jul 1894 in West Liberty, Muscatine County, Iowa (St Joseph's Church). They were married by Father Kirk Patrick. Ella Leahy, Kathryn’s younger sister, was bridesmaid and John Donovan was the best man. John Donovan was the son of Patrick & Ellen (Maher) Donovan. DNA confirms there is a Maher family connection with John Donavan so it’s likely both Johns were cousins.
West Liberty Index, West Liberty, IA Thursday, August 2, 1894
Married - By Father Kirkpatrick in the Catholic Church Tuesday, at 10 A.M., Mr. John Maher of Cedar Bluffs and Miss Katherine Lahey of this place.
The groom is a prosperous and well-to-do young farmer of sterling worth and seems fully deserving of his bright young bride who graduated with honors from our schools in '93 and is esteemed by all who know her.
Kathryn Blanche Leahy was born in West Liberty on Thursday, January 14, 1875.
She was the daughter of John Leahy and Katherine Murphy. She was baptized at St. Joseph's Church in West Liberty on January 24, 1875. She attended and graduated from West Liberty High School in 1893. Kathryn worked as a School Teacher at the West Branch Country School prior to her marriage to John.
John & Kathryn made their home on the 160 acre tract of land in Cass Township his father, Michael, had left him when he died. John’s mother and his brother, Hugh, continued to live on Michael’s original homestead which was located just across the road in Gower Township.
It is said that John & Katherine had Indians for neighbors. The Indians could not speak English so they would just point to what they wanted. When the Indians wanted something, for example, a chicken, John felt it was best to just give it to them.
John and his brother, Hugh, continued to farm together after their father’s death in 1891. By 1899, they had acquired a steam thresher, which made their wheat production much less laborious than the earlier days when their father likely used a hand fed and horse powered thresher.
West Branch Times, West Branch, IA Thursday, 17 Aug 1899
Maher brothers did a very satisfactory job with their steam thresher. Sparks from the engine twice set fire to the roof of an old building nearby but was extinguished both times without serious damage.
John and his family still lived in Cass Township in 1900. In 1916, an Atlas was created for Cedar County, IA by the Anderson Publishing Company. In it, John and Kate and their family are shown in the Farmer Directory section for Cass Township. John is shown as owning 380 acres; 260 in sections 31 and 32. It showed he also owned 120 acres (originally his father’s homestead) in section 6 of Gower Township. All nine children were still living at home at the time.
John did dragging work on the Cass township roads. In 1918, he submitted several receipts for payment to the Cedar County Board of Supervisors. He was paid $3.00 for his work. In 1918 the Cedar County Board of Supervisors appointed John as a judge to serve at the upcoming November general election. John ran and won on the Democratic ticket for township trustee in 1918. He was paid $3.00 a month for serving as trustee.
1920 Cass Township, Cedar County, IA Census
| John Maher | 55 | IA |
| Katie L Maher | 44 | |
| Francis Maher | 23 | |
| Willie Maher | 20 | |
| Thomas Maher | 18 | |
| Robert Maher | 16 | |
| Loretta Maher | 13 | |
| Harold Maher | 11 | |
| Vernon Maher | 8 | |
| Clarence Maher | 6 | |
1925 Cass, Cedar, IA Census
John Maher, head, age 60, B: Iowa Father: Michael b: Ireland Mother: Mary O'Neill b: Ireland; Parents married in Iowa
Kathryn Maher, Wife, age 50 B: Iowa Father: John Leahy b: Ireland Mother: Katheryn Murphy b: Ireland Parents married in Iowa
Thomas, son, age 23, b: Iowa
Robert, son, age 21, b: Iowa
Loretta M., dau, age 19, b: Iowa
Harold P, son, age 16 b: Iowa
Vernon E, son, age 13 b: Iowa
Clarence R, son, age 11 b: Iowa
In November of 1933, thieves made off with one of John's butcher hogs.
Thiefs Steal and Butcher Hog on Farm Near Tipton
A 150 lb. hog, belonging to John Maher, farmer living 2 and 1 1/2 miles SW of Cedar Bluff was stolen and butchered recently. The hog was killed on the premises some distance from the Maher house, after which it was loaded into a car. No ideas as to the identity of the thief or thieves can be found. (Source: Cedar County Post, Lowden, Iowa 9 Nov 1933, pg. 1)
John and his brother, Hugh, were instrumental in the building of St. Bridget's Catholic Church at the Nolan Settlement. They each contributed $115.00 on top of providing a large flagstone for the entrance platform at the top of the steps to the church. They handled the delivery themselves....hauling it from Cedar Valley. They loaded this large stone on two wagons pulled by two teams of horses. This stone measures 5 feet by almost 11 feet and is 7 inches thick. The name MAHER BROS is carved out in big letters on the north side of the stone. According to an architect's handbook, limestone weighs about 157 - 170 pounds per cubic foot, so this piece must have weighed close to 3 tons.
St. Bridget’s second church, 1868-1894, with priest and parishioners.
(From Mary Ellen Wall, who may have gotten it from Margaret Eckrich)
John and Catherine had nine children…seven boys and two girls. One of their sons, Vern, recalled how poor the family was. With nine children, food needed to be stretched as far as it could go. They often ate lard sandwiches. Vern recalled that although the sandwiches were not very tasty or nutritious, they were filling.
John was known as a quiet, kind and honorable man. While he tended to the farm, Catherine ran a disciplined household, keeping her nine children in line. John did the bread making in the family and could make a fine loaf of bread. He built a separate building to bake bread in, so it would not heat up the house. He would bake six loaves a day. He was also a very fine cabinet builder.
There was a love for music in the Maher household. Catherine played the piano and loved to sing. John played the fiddle and danced the Irish Jig quite well.
The John Maher family were devout Catholics. The snow would get very deep in the winter time but that did not discourage John and his family from going to church on Sunday mornings. The entire family would walk cross country, walking over fences to get to St. Bridget's Church.
Farming was never an easy job and income was unpredictable. But, John successfully managed the land and opportunities his father had left him. All seven of his boys followed in their father’s and grandfather’s footsteps with their love for farming. It wasn’t until the 1920’s when John and his sons and other farmers like them began to struggle like never before.
The 1925 census showed the farm John once owned free and clear, was now mortgaged. By that time, son, John Francis, was out on his own – he had married, started a family and with the help of a mortgage, had bought his own farm. Harold and Bill were living with their brother John and his new family in 1925. Mae was married by that time and was living in Chicago. Thomas, Bob, Loretta, Vernon & Clarence were still living at home.
The 1930 U.S. census showed John still as owner of his farm. His boys, Thomas, Harold, Vern and Clarence remained at home to help farm.
1930 Cass, Cedar, IA Census
| John Maher | 65 | IA | Ire | Ire |
| Catherine | 56 | IA | Ire | Ire |
| Thomas | 28 | IA | | |
| Harold | 22 | IA | | |
| Vern | 18 | IA | | |
| Clarence | 16 | IA | | |
The malaise of the Great Depression spread across much of the industrialized world, and soon there was no money to buy the farmer’s products. Panicked and desperate bankers called in their loans. The Maher family, like most farmers, had no money to pay them so foreclosures and bankruptcy sales resulted.
With low prices and plunging farm incomes, the Maher family, like most farm families, at that time, did not have money to buy things. They learned to do without. As they struggled to make ends meet, to sell their goods, to pay the bills John and Kathryn remained optimistic that they would ride it out like they had successfully done during prior difficult times. They had no idea that this time - the extremely hard times would force their farming legacy to come to an end. It had to be heart wrenching for John when the Bank told him he needed to turn over his farm to them. In fact, it must have broken his heart because, not long after, John suddenly died at home of a stroke – cerebral hemorrhage - on 18 June 1934.
He was buried on 20 Jun 1934 in Nolan Settlement, Johnson County, Iowa in St Bridget's Cemetery.
Obituary: Iowa City Press Citizen; Tuesday, June 19, 1934; pg. 3
John M Maher Succumbs Monday
Plan Funeral at St. Bridgets
Solon - Mr. John Martin Maher, 69, died suddenly at 1:10 o'clock Monday afternoon at his home eight miles SE of Solon. A stroke was the cause of death.
Mr. Maher was born in Cedar County and lived in that community all his life.
Survivors are his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Mae Connor of Chicago, Mrs. Loretta Leonard of Iowa City; seven sons; Francis of Atalissa, William of Chicago, Robert of Solon and Thomas, Harold, Vernon, & Clarence at home. There are also thirteen grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 9:30 at St. Bridget’s church, Nolan Settlement. Father J J Hopkins officiating. Interment will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery.
Following John’s death, Kathryn moved around a lot. She lived for a time with different sons and their families. By 1952, she was living in Iowa City, Iowa at 1210 Hamilton Street. Later that year, she moved to an apartment at 604 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City.
She had reached 77 years of age when she died in Iowa City on December 27, 1952. Her cause of death was pulmonary embolism - Heart failure. She was buried alongside her husband at St Bridget's Cemetery in Nolan Settlement on December 30, 1952.
On July 22, 1937, the Lowden, IA newspaper reported that wind of cyclone proportion along with rain and hail caused considerable property damage on the John Maher farm. A large barn filled with hay and machinery and twelve trees were leveled. Despite the storm damage of 1937, John & Kathryn’s old homestead and farm, still stood in good shape as of April 1999. By 2017, the house and numerous buildings had been torn down.
John Martin Maher and Kathryn Blanche Leahy had the following children:
| 1. | "John Francis Maher Sr. was born on 23 Feb 1896 in Cedar, Iowa. He married Clara Agnes DeMean on 25 Apr 1923 in
West Liberty, Muscatine, Iowa (St Joseph's Church). He died on 21 May 1953 in West Liberty, Muscatine, Iowa." |
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| 2. | Mary Ruth "Mae" Maher was born on 08 Sep 1897 in Cedar, Iowa. She married George Henry Stahl on 06 Mar 1921 in Johnson, Iowa. Later, she married William Patrick Conners…presumably in Chicago, Illinois. Mae mysteriously disappeared on 04 Nov 1970 and was never found. She was officially declared dead on 04 Dec 1977 in Cook, Illinois. |
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| 3. | William Joseph "Willie" Maher was born on 08 Aug 1899 in Cedar, Iowa. He married Lena Mae McGill on 06 Jun 1930 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. He died on 21 Jul 1972 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa (Age at Death: 72). |
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| 4. | "Thomas George Maher was born on 31 Jul 1901 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. He married Valetta Golden Amos Lopez on 21
Feb 1968 in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois. He died on 13 Oct 1970 in Moline, Rock Island, Illinois (Age at Death: 69)." |
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| 5. | "James Robert ""Robert"" Maher was born on 10 Sep 1903 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. He married Martha Frances Malek on
23 Apr 1930 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa. He died on 20 Aug 1996 in Tipton, Cedar, Iowa (Age at Death: 92)." |
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| 6. | Girl Maher was born on 10 Sep 1903 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. She died the same day. |
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| 7. | Margaret Loretta Maher was born on 07 Feb 1906 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. She married John S Leonard on 28 Nov 1929 in Nolan Settlement, Johnson, Iowa. She died on 15 Jul 1991 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa (Age at Death: 85). |
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| 8. | Harold Paul "Harold" Maher was born on 13 Jul 1908 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. He married Catherine Marie Fuhrmeister on 08 May 1935 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa (St Mary's Catholic Church). He married Elizabeth Betty Fay on 05 Jul 1959 in Johnson, Iowa. He died on 04 Mar 1974 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa (Age at Death: 65). |
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| 9. | Vernon Edward Maher was born on 20 Nov 1911 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. He married Rosella Mary Kelley on 13 Oct 1945 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa (St Patrick’s Church). He died on 14 Nov 1980 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa. |
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| 10. | Clarence Raymond Maher was born on 23 Sep 1913 in Cass, Cedar, Iowa. He married Mary Loretta Crock on 20 Apr 1938 in Johnson, Iowa. He died on 22 Oct 1992 in Mechanicsville, Cedar, Iowa (Age at Death: 79). |
The Great Depression Information Sources:
https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapathways
https://www.americanhistoryusa.com/great-farm-depression-1920s/
Source: The book, “Michael Maher of Cedar County” by Cynthia Booth Maher, 2019
