Page 15

EARLY FAMILIES OF ST. MARY'S

Jasper Crock Family

     Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Crock and five children moved to Cedar County and became members of St. Mary’s church in 1906. They farmed in Cedar County until their retirement. Jasper Crock passed away in 1952 and his wife in 1963. Their children were Clarence, Leander, Adeline, Norbert and Raymond.

     Adeline joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1916, and took the name Sister Mary Philomena. She spent two years as a nurse in the Leper Colony in British Guiana. She now lives at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

     Clarence married Nellie Cessford in 1924. They have five children, Lucille, Marie, Paul, Leona and Robert. Paul married Geraldine Reihsen of Belle Plaine and they have five children and are members of St. Mary’s church, Mechanicsville. The children are Linda, Paula, Donna, Regina, Richard and Mary. Clarence passed away in 1971 and his wife resides in Mechanicsville.

     Leander married Inez Glasgow of Mechanicsville in 1921, with Father Sheey performing the ceremony. They had four children Laurence (Jack), Louella (Pat), Betty and Herbert.

     Herbert married Alreta Cruse in 1948, and they reside on the home farm. They have five children all baptized at St. Mary’s. They are Alan (Butch), Douglas, Ellen, Bill and Alice.

     Norbert married Edith Cosgriff of Davenport in 1927. They farmed near Tipton before moving to the Mechanicsville area. The children’s names are Adeline, Edward of Tipton and Genevieve (Mrs. Herbert Platner). The Platners are members of St. Mary’s church and their children are Gerald, Larry, Diana, Tom and Teresa.

     Raymond Crock married Dorothy Brennan of Tipton and they have made their home in Tipton and are members of St. Mary’s church, Tipton, Iowa. Their children are Donald, Laura, Raymond Jr., Mary Jean and James.

Mr. and Mrs. John Crock

     John Crock was an early member of St. Mary’s parish, having migrated from Ohio in 1899. He first obtained emplo9yment in the West Liberty area and in 1902 he married Catharine Sullivan, West Liberty. They moved to a farm 6 ˝ miles southeast of Mechanicsville, farming there until 1947, when they retired and moved to Iowa City. The farm is now known as the Robert Wethington home. A daughter, Verna, was born in 1903, and is now living in Iowa City.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Crock

     Peter C. Crock came to the Mechanicsville area from Harrietsville, Ohio, in the early 1900’s. In 1915 he married Anna C. Fisher, daughter of the Godfrey Fishers, who had migrated to Mechanicsville from Lancaster, Ohio, in 1885, and were one of the early families of St. Mary’s parish. The Peter Crocks farmed in this community until their retirement. Peter Crock was one of a group of men from the parish who helped tear down the old rectory and then with teams of horses, dig a new basement. He then helped build the new rectory. The house is now known as the Dean Kurth residence.

     Their son and family, the J. Edward Crocks are now living on the farm a mile north of Mechanicsville. J. Edward Crock married Agnes Dusek in 1955 and they have 4 children, John, Marcia, Carol and Tom.

History of the Fisher Family

     St. Mary’s parish roll increased October 23, 1885, on the arrival of Godfrey Fisher and his wife, Emily Walshire Fisher, and their 9 children from Rushville, Ohio. They settled on a farm northeast of Mechanicsville where 2 more children were born. Two nephews of the Fishers, John Thimmes and John Schoor, also of Ohio, came and made their home with the Fishers until they reached manhood.

     Tragedy struck the family in 1889 during an epidemic of diphtheria when 4 Fisher children died within a week. Since there was no Catholic cemetery at Mechanicsville at that time, they were buried in the Catholic cemetery at Lisbon. To curb the epidemic the Fisher home was burned intact. Neighbors and friends from afar rallied and helped build a new home for the large family.

     Godfrey Fisher died in 1914 at age 70 and his wife, Emily, in 1921 at age 75. It is interesting to note that all of their children married, were farmers, reared their families, and died in St. Mary’s parish.

     The family included:

     Elizabeth Fisher (1868—1945) married George Dennis (1850-1923) an English immigrant. Their children included George Jr., (1890-1960); Fred (1891-1918), Edward Miller (1896-1953) and Mrs. Galen (Emma) Finnegan. Fred Dennis entered the service of our country during World War I and lost his life while serving in France. The American Legion Post 309 of Mechanicsville was named in his memory.

     John Fisher (1871-1928) married Mayme Schindhelm (1873-1943) of Iowa City. They had no family.

     Fred Fisher (1873-1946) married Mabel P. Deck (1879-1962). Their children included Mrs. Charles (Sylvia) Young (1898-1972), Mrs. David (Gladys) Ward, Harold, Virgil and Harmoline Fisher.

     Mary Magdalene (Maggie) Fisher (1874-1963) married Ray Saum (1847-1929). Two children were born to this union, Mrs. John (Marie) Dauber (1899-1961) and Arthur Saum.

     Edward Fisher (1876-1959) married Margaret Scott (1885-1951) and to this union 13 children were born, 4 dying in infancy. The family included George Edward (1904-1967), Mrs. Maurice (Margaret Moffit (1906-1949); Mrs. Charles (Irene) Boylan, Earl (1909-1951); Leo (1911-1943), Leonard, Ralph, Raymond and Mrs. James (Arlene) Davies.

     George A. Fisher (1882-1967) married Bessie Robinson (1885-1967). Ten children were born in this family. Laurence and Leone died in childhood. The living are Mrs. Adelbert (Bertha) Reid, Mrs. Leo (Alice) Driscoll, Mrs. David (Eldora) Driscoll, Mary Fisher, Albert George, Mrs. Ervin (Bessie Mae) Johnson, Mrs. Ralph (Marjorie) Vavra and Mrs. Lewis (Allene) Turner.

     Anna Fisher (1884-1969) married Peter C. Crock (1888-1968). To this union was born one son, John Edward Crock.

     For 87 years the Fisher family has been continuous on the rolls of St. Mary’s parish, Mechanicsville, and many more parishioners not bearing the name, were direct descendants of Godfrey and Emily Fisher. Here in 1972 over 30 parishioners attend St. Mary’s that are direct descendants to this pioneer parish family.

Hudacheck Family

     Michael Hudachek (1845-1931) was born in Czechoslovakia and came to America in 1860. He married Frances Dvorsky (1851-1931) and lived in Johnson County, Iowa. The children were Frank, Edward, Thomas, Joseph, Mary (Mrs. John Sedlacek), William, George, Rose, Anne Hudachek Koss and John.

     Edward Thomas (1878-1947), son of Michael and Frances Dvorsky Hudachek married Anne Vislisel, daughter of Martin and Helen FIjkes Vislisel. They lived five miles northwest of Mechanicsville on a farm now owned by Edward and Paul Hudachek. This is the former McCluskey farm. The children are William Lewis, Elsie (Mrs. E. M. Walshire), Helen (Mrs. John Thuerauf), Daniel, Christine (Mrs. Alfred Krummel, Lillian (Mrs. Ralph Krummel), Lafe, Paul and Edward.

     William Hudachek (1882-1961) son of Michael and Frances Dvorsky Hudachek, married Christine Vislisel, sister of Mrs. Edward Hudachek. They had 2 children, Martin and Quiteen. Mrs. William Hudachek is 90 years old and lives in the Clarence Nursing Home.

The McAllister Family

     Neice McAllister and his wife Nancy Craig McAllister, left Ireland and moved to Canada in 1825. They lived in Canada until 1852 when they moved to Iowa upon the urging of Mrs. McAllister’s brother, Thomas Craig, who lived near Lisbon.

     The Neice McAllisters had 3 children, Thomas, married Elizabeth McCluskey, Mary (Mrs. Samuel S. Pfautz), and …

Page 16

Margaret (Mrs. Oliver Ferguson).

     Thomas McAllister and Elizabeth McCluskey were married at St. Mary’s church, Iowa City, by Father Mathias Michels in 1857. The McCluskey family lived northeast of Mechanicsville on the farm now owned by the Hudachek Brothers.

     Thomas McAllister was nearly 30 years of age when he settled in Iowa. He bought 160 acres of unbroken land on which he built one of the first brick farm houses in the country. The brick was made by Thomas McAllister at a kiln near his home. It was to this house that the pioneer Catholics came for Mass. They came on horseback, wagon, walking, and on a crude handcar that traveled on the newly laid railroad tracks. Their spiritual leader was Father Emonds.

     Thomas and Elizabeth McAllister had 7 children: John (1858-1933); James (1859- ); Bernard, married Joanne Foley and moved to Howard County, Iowa; Thomas (1866-1887): Mary (1863-1949); Nancy (1868) became a Sister of Charity; Sister Mary Bernard and was educated in Davenport and Dubuque, Elizabeth (1870-1947) married Michael J. David; and Agnes Casey, who was adopted at the age of 11.

     Agnes Casey attended Valley country school west of Mechanicsville. She attended Mt. Mercy Jr. High and Academy. She married Lewis E. Hudachek at St. Mary’s church by Father Lawlor in 1925. They moved to the McAllister farm vacated by John and Jim McAllister who moved to Mechanicsville.

     Lewis and Agnes Casey Hudachek had 2 children, John and Mary. John, born in 1930, graduated from West Point Military Academy and has made a career of the army. He has 2 sons and 2 daughters. Mary, (Mrs. Robert King) has 2 sons and 2 daughters and resides in Fairfield, Connecticut.

     In 1964 Lewis and Agnes Hudachek sold their farm to Edward and Louise Walshire Poduska, their niece. Agnes Hudachek passed away in 1968 and is buried in Mechanicsville.

     Edward and Louise Walshire Poduska now reside on the original McAllister farm and they have 6 sons: Patrick John, Edward Michael, David Thomas, John and James Timothy.

The O’Malleys

     John O’Malley (1816-1899) and Mary Harety (1853-1914), both born in Ireland were married in Columbus, Ohio. The young couple came west with a crew of laboring men that built the railroads, that later became the road from Clinton to Cedar Rapids. He laid the tracks and she cooked the meals for the men.

     After settling in Lisbon, Mary continued to board and lodge the railroad workers and with their savings John and Mary O’Malley purchased land northeast of Lisbon. They raised a large family: Anna (Mrs. Tom Helpin); Hanna (Mrs. William J. Phillips); Peter, Mary, Kate, Ellen (Mrs. William Conklin); Emma (Mrs. Mort Hatcher); John, Thomas and Cecilia (Mrs. Edward F. Walshire).

     Thomas O’Malley was baptized by Father Emonds with Michael and Mary Kearns as sponsors. He married Mary Cavanaugh and they operated a large farm northeast of Lisbon, now owned by William Hudachek. The children were John, Everett, Agnes and Lawrence.

     Ellen O’Malley was baptized by Father Lowery and sponsors were Richard Kerwin and Elizabeth McAllister. Ellen married William Conklin at Mechanicsville in 1893, with Father Kissane performing the ceremony. William died in 1939 and Ellen in 1948.

     Cecilia married Edward Fred Walshire at St. Mary’s church. They had 5 children: John, Edward M. (Ted), Paul, Mary and Cecil.

The Walshire History

     John Walshire, born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1843 married Magdaline Fisher, also of Lancaster in 1869. They moved to Iowa in 1877 and had 7 children. John Walshire died in 1911, at the age of 68, with Father Glenn conducting the services at St. Mary’s. Magdaline Fisher Walshire resided in a log cabin house in northern part of Mechanicsville until her death in 1931.

     The Walshire children were Aaron, who died in 1908 leaving a son, Arthur (1893-1960); George F., who died at the age of 12 and Allan, who died at the age of 9, both of diphtheria; a daughter who died in infancy, Lewis, who died in his 20’s (1893-1919); David Edgar and Edward F.

     David Edgar married and had 4 children: Lawrence, Tipton; Lucille (Mrs. Fred Peruccini), Davenport; Violet (Mrs. Roger Moravek), Cedar Rapids; and Donald, who married Mary Rose Crock, Mechanicsville, and they have 8 sons, Keith, Allan, Loren, Mike, Dennis, Brian, Jeff and Vince.

     Edward F. moved to Iowa with his family at the age of 5. He graduated from Mechanicsville High school and was married to Cecilia Elizabeth O’Malley at St. Mary’s church by the Rev. James Kissane. Edward died in 1944 and his wife, Cecilia, in 1923. They had 5 children: William and John Walshire, Mechanicsville; Herbert Paul Walshire, Solon; Mary Rita (Mrs. James Ward), Clarence; Cecil Ray Walshire, California, and Edward Marvin (Ted) Walshire, who married Elsie Hudachek and had 4 children: Everett, Tom and Louise (Mrs. Ed Poduska), all of Mechanicsville, and Lewis.

     Michael Merritt was born on a farm north of Mechanicsville in March, 1864. He had 3 sisters, Mrs. Julia Pugh, Summit, South Dakota; Mrs. Bridget Farley, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Miss Mary Merritt, Mechanicsville, and one brother, John, Mechanicsville.

     He was married to Cecilia Cavanaugh on Sept. 8, 1886. Their children were Mrs. Leo (Winifred) Crock who died in May, 1954, and Edmund Merritt who died Oct. 17, 1928.

     Descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Crock are Francis Crock who married Bessie Wethington. Their children are: Jeanette who is married to Dale Finley – children, Mark, Mary, Kristi and Scott of Terre Haute, Ind.; James, married to Delia Sparks – children, Barbara, Joan and Lee; Duane married to Judy Hackman – son, Craig, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

     Daughter, Mary Rose married to Donald Walshire – 8 sons (listed in Walshire history).

     Edmund Merritt was married to Genevieve Smyth who with an infant daughter passed away in 1926. He married Fay S. Burk in 1927. They had a son, Edmund.

Picture of Mr. and Mrs. John Kerwin

Mr. and Mrs. John Kerwin

     Mr. John Kerwin was born at Mechanicsville April 16, 1865, the day after President Lincoln was shot. Mrs. Kerwin (Julia Broderick) was born January 1, 1871, at Clarence. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Kerwin operated a dress shop in Clarence.

     The couple was married at Clarence on September 23, 1908, by the Rev. Gillespie in the Catholic church which served that community at that time. From their marriage until 1920, the couple lived on the Kerwin family farm three miles southwest of Mechanicsville where Frank Thomson now lives. Upon retirement, they moved to Mechanicsville. Their home was what is now the Grant Armstrong residence.

     Mr. Kerwin was a member of St. Mary’s Parish since it was established in 1872.

     Mr. and Mrs. Kerwin literally “opened the door” toward a new Church and Rectory for St. Mary’s of Mechanicsville. Their generous contribution of approximately $35,000.00 was willed to the church after their deaths.