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Born to Robert Mockler and his wife Sarah (Sally) Morris in Lurgoe townland, County Tipperary, Ireland in November of 1831, John was baptized at Killenaule, Tipperary, Ireland on November 8, 1831. John was the first male child born to Robert and Sally and the first of eight children: James (b. May 1833), Margaret (b. May 1835), Hanora (b. June 1837), Thomas (b. August 1840), Mary (b. May 1842), Bridget (b. April 1844), and Francis (b. March 1846).
John immigrated to the United States in 1864 settling near Boston. He later moved to St. Louis where...
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Born to Robert Mockler and his wife Sarah (Sally) Morris in Lurgoe townland, County Tipperary, Ireland in November of 1831, John was baptized at Killenaule, Tipperary, Ireland on November 8, 1831. John was the first male child born to Robert and Sally and the first of eight children: James (b. May 1833), Margaret (b. May 1835), Hanora (b. June 1837), Thomas (b. August 1840), Mary (b. May 1842), Bridget (b. April 1844), and Francis (b. March 1846).
John immigrated to the United States in 1864 settling near Boston. He later moved to St. Louis where he and his brother James established a boot making business. There he met his future wife, Mary Ann Tansey. John and James moved their boot and shoe making business to Fremont, Nebraska around 1868. John married Mary Tansey in St. Louis on 14 May 1873 and brought her back to Fremont.
Both John and James participated in the establishment of the Catholic Church in Fremont. John was active in local politics in Saunders County and lived for a time outside Snyder, Nebraska where he farmed, and in Weston, Nebraska where he served as postmaster and for a time was a local hotel keeper.
John died October 13, 1908.
His obituary in a Fremont newspaper read:
Headline: "OLD PIONEER PASSES AWAY"
Subheadline: "John Moakler Who Came to Fremont in 1868, Succumbs to Illness"
Main Body of copy:
"After an illness of several weeks during most of which time the end was expected at any moment, John Moakler, an aged pioneer of Fremont, passed away at 3:45 yesterday morning at his home on East First street. The funeral services will be held at the St. Patrick's Catholic church tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
John Moakler was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1832. In the year 1864 he came to the United States, settling near Boston. Later he removed to St. Louis, whence he came in 1868 to Fremont. Here he started in the shoe business with his brother at Fourth and Main streets. Five years later he was married to Mary A. Tanswy (sic) at St. Louis. About twenty-five years ago he purchased a farm in the neighborhood of Snyder [Nebraska] and moved with his family to that place. After ten or fifteen years of farm life, the family moved to Weston, Neb., where Mr. Moakler engaged in the hotel business. During President Cleveland's administration he served as postmaster of Weston. Soon after that he moved again to Fremont, where he resided until his death. He is survived by his wife and six children, James J. of Columbus, J.R. of Napoleon, N.D., Mary E., Sarah and Will, all of Fremont, and Frank of New York city. With the exception of Frank all were at his bedside when his death occurred.
Mr. Moakler was an old-time democrat and for many years cherished an intense admiration for democracy's gifted leader, William Jennings Bryan. During his final illness Mr. Bryan's picture occupied a prominent place in the room and the last hope he expressed was that Mr. Bryan might be the next president of the United States. For more than a score of years Mr. Moakler has been a member of the registration board of his ward.
He was one of the best husbands and the kindest of fathers and ever lent a helping hand to a friend in need. Besides his family he leaves a legion of warm friends to mourn his death." |
