McClaskey Misc. Information
Scroll down for:
- Obituary of John W. McClaskey, son of J. William and Maggie Ann (Cochran) McClaskey, 1953
- Obituary of John William McClaskey, blacksmith, 1929
- Obituary of Margaret Cochran McClaskey, 1919
- In Memory of Albert I. McClaskey (see also: McClaskey Murder Write-up, 1921)
- Obituary of Catherine Cochran McClaskey Tipton, 1959
- Obituary of Elizabeth Cochran (McClaskey School house mentioned, She is McClaskey relation)
- Obituary of John Robert McClaskey (my great grandfather)
Thursday, August 13, 1953
JOHN W. McCLASKEY
John W. McClaskey, son of J. William and Maggie Ann (Cochran) McClaskey, was born May 10, 1877, and departed this life on August 5, 1953, at the age of 76 years, 2 months, 25 days, at his home in Green City, MO. He spent 16 years of his early life in Milan, MO, and was educated there.
On February 24, 1901, he was united in marriage with Sadie Catherine Johnson. Seven children were born to them; five sons and two daughters.
His parents; his mother on January 12, 1919, and his father preceded him in death, July 18, 1929. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Ray McClaskey, who was killed in action in the Korean War on Sept. 11, 1952. Also 3 brothers preceded him.
Surviving are his wife and 5 sons: Chester L. and Leo L., both of Green City, MO, Millard F., Clifford C., and Kenneth M., of Milan, MO; two daughters, Mrs. Blanche I. Black of Ottumwa, IA, and Mrs. Mabel K. McKee of Humphrey, MO, and a daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Fern Farley, Harris MO. One brother, Forrest R. McClaskey of Milan, MO also survives, as do 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A grandson, Fred McKee of the US Air Force, stationed in Louisiana and a granddaughter, Mrs. Phyllis Blankenship of Galesburg, IL, were unable to attend.
Mr. McClaskey’s entire life was spent in Sullivan County, where he engaged in farming until about 6 years ago, when he retired and moved to Green City.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, joining at the age of 16 and has always lived a very devoted life. He left the impression with his family that he was ready to meet his Master telling them to be prepared to meet him in heaven.
Mr. McClaskey was known as a fine neighbor; ever willing to lend a helping hand. He was a devoted father thinking always of his children and their joys. He will be sadly missed by the relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held from the Green City Methodist Church Saturday, August 8, 1953 conducted by Rev. W. A. Pollock, Meadville, MO Interment was made in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery under direction of Glenn E. Kent & Sons.
John William McClaskey 1929
MILAN’S OLDEST BLACKSMITH DIED AT HIS HOME HERE JULY 18Milan’s Blacksmith died at His Home Here July 18
Wm McClaskey Had Wielded the Sledge and Melded Plow Shares for Fifty Years
“And he sang: ‘Hurrah for my handiwork!’
and the red sparks lit the air;
Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made;
And he fashioned the first ploughshare”
Milan’s village blacksmith is dead.
Probably, John William McClaskey, WHO DIED AT HIS HOME IN Milan, July 11, 1929, was the oldest village blacksmith working at his trade in Missouri.
He was born in Sullivan County October 4, 1857, and was 71 years, 9 months and 4 days old. He was united in marriage May 2, 1875, to Miss Margaret Cochran and to this union five sons were born, namely: Albert I McClaskey, who died in 1920; A. R., J. W., Forrest R., of Milan, and James A. of Harris. January 28, 1920, he was married to Mrs. Clevenger Williams. He had been in poor health the past twelve years, but was only sick about a week. The immediate cause of his death, being the attack of pneumonia, caused by catching a severe cold.
He had lived in Milan for fifty years and had worked at the blacksmithing trade ever since he located here. He was an honest, hard-working and frugal citizen and lived a Christian life, having been a member of the M. E. Church for thirty years.
A wife, four sons, seventeen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren are left to mourn his departure.
Funeral services were held at the home Sunday, July 21, 1929 at 2:00 p. m. Rev. Wilson Bentley, pastor
*From a Milan newspaper
Margaret Cochran McClaskey 1919
Margaret Cochran McClaskey was born in Adams county, Illinois, September 15th, 1856, and departed this life at the well-known McClaskey home on West Fourth Street in Milan, MO., January 12th, 1919. 63 years, 3 months and 23 days was the span of her life.
She was united in marriage to John W. McClaskey May 2nd, 1875. To this union five sons were born, all are living and were present at the funeral viz.: James A. of Harris, John W., Albert I., Arthur and Forrest R., all of Milan. She also has sixteen grandchildren.
She was one of a large family; five of her brothers and sisters are still living and all in Sullivan County, Viz.: Alex Cochran, Mary Taylor, Sarah Kiser, Elizabeth Riggins and Catherine Tipton; three of the family are deceased, viz.: Robert Cochran, Martha Taylor and James H Cochran. She was the daughter of James H. and Catherine Cochran, both deceased.
Sister McClaskey was a devoted wife and mother, a good neighbor and steadfast friend and Christian. During the last year of her life she was a great sufferer, but bore her suffering with Christian patience.
Her husband, by whose side she has walked for more than forty years, is left most desolate, but he and the sons and grandchildren have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
The funeral service was conducted from the home January 13th, (as she had requested) by her former Pastor, Rev. Chas. H. Brott. A very large company of relatives and acquaintances were in attendance. The body was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery.
CARD OF THANKS
To those who have been with us in our bereavement and by kind words and kindly acts have tried to lessen our sorrow, we extend our sincere thanks.
J. W. McClaskey and Sons
*From a Milan Newspaper
IN MEMORY OF
Albert I. McClaskey, who died at his home in Milan, Mo., November 15, 1920, at 1:30 a.m., aged 41 years, 4 months, and 5 days.
THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH
Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of this brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black and long.
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate’er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
Week in, and week out, from morn til night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton riding the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.
And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door;
The love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,
And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing-floor.
He goes on Sunday to church,
And sits among his boys;
He hears the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter’s voice,
Singing in the village choir,
And it makes his heart rejoice.
Toiling-rejoicing, -sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin
Each evening sees it close,
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night’s repose.
Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and thought.
(Editor’s Note: We are not going to write the usual obituary notice of A.I. McClaskey’s death, but republish this beautiful little poem from Longfellow which we believe is much more appropriate and which Albert would have liked (had he been on earth) much better than the usual notice.
Catherin Cochran McClaskey Tipton, 1959
Catherine Tipton, youngest daughter of James and Catherine Cochran, was born in Adams County, IL, Aug. 10, 1863, and died at the old family home 3 miles west of Milan, MO, on April 7, 1952 at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 27 days. October 7, 1880, she was united in marriage to John McClaskey, and to this union two children were born, Mrs. Cora Brooks of Okmulgee, OK and James McClaskey, Henrietta, OK, both of whom survive. Her husband died in 1890. In July 1892 she was married to William Tipton and to this union six children were born, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Norma Conerton, Brookfield, MO; John Tipton, Mrs. Maggie White, Mrs. Madia Dennis, Cecil Tipton and Herbert Tipton, all of Milan. She is also survived by seven stepchildren, Arthur Tipton, Crown Point, IN; Bob Tipton, Milan; Jim Tipton, Kansas City, MO; Mrs. Jennie Kain, Milan; Mrs. June Mason, Fort Madison, IA; and Albert and Alfred Tipton of Kirksville, MO. In 1881 she and her husband moved to the farm west of Milan which was her home for the next 71 years. He preceded her in death July 31, 1937. Besides her children, she is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Riggen, Milan; 25 grand children, 30 step-grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 54 step-great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren and 5 step-great great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted from the Sullivan First church on Wednesday afternoon, April 9, by Rev. Arthur Hampton, pastor of the Milan Methodist Church. Burial was in the Shatto cemetery under the direction of Riggen's Funeral Service. The bearers were Carl, Gerald, Kenneth, Billie, Clifton and Albert Earl Tipton *From a Milan Newspaper
ELIZABETH C. RIGGEN
Thursday, January 9, 1958 paper
Elizabeth Cochran, daughter of James and Catherine Cochran, was born near Galesburg, IL, Feb. 8, 1862, and passed away at the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital in Milan, MO, Jan. 1, 1958.
June 1, 1880, she was united in marriage to Stephen Arnold Douglas Riggen. To this union, five children were born: Mrs. Lenora Mewmaw, who survives; John Clarence, who passed away Aug. 18, 1946; Pearl, an infant, who passed away in 1888; Alva Raymond, who passed away Jan. 18, 1957, and Bernie Pfieffer, who passed away April 4, 1943.
When but a small child she moved with her parents to Sullivan County where she lived with her husband in the Sterling Community until her husbands failing health made it necessary for them to move to Milan in Sept. 1920. Three years later, Oct. 11, 1923, her husband passed away. After his death she moved to the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan A. Mewmaw, where she was welcomed as a member of the family for 34 years.
Her interest in church work began at a very early age. Attending Sunday school many years ago at the McClaskey School house, later at Sullivan First Church and when the Sterling Church was built, became a member there. After moving to Milan, her membership was transferred to the Milan Methodist Church where she was an active worker as long as her health permitted.
She was the last of a pioneer family of 9 children-5 sisters and 3 brothers having preceded her in death. Besides her daughter, with whom she made her home, she is survived by her three daughters-in-law, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted from the Milan Methodist Church Friday, Jan. 3, 1958, at 2. P. M. by Rev. Walter Imes, assisted by Rev. Paul Paschal. The active pallbearers were Herbert Bartimus, Paul Yos, Herbert Tipton, Billy Keith McClaskey, Albert Cochran and Lloyd Cochran.
Honorary pallbearers were E. L. Calfee, M. D. Burgher, John McFadden, A. W. Caldwell, Charles Morris, Ralph Cochran, Ray Fairley, Algia Williams, Ira Smith, Elva Miller, Bill Clem, Guy Sterling and A. C. Boyd. Burial was in the Shatto Cemetery under the direction of Riggen’s Funeral Home.
* From a Milan newspaper
~Official Obituary~
John Robert McClaskey
Funeral services were held on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Memorial Chapel of Ekman’s Funeral Home for John Robert McClaskey who died Monday at Silverton hospital. Interment at Miller’s Cemetery. Rev. Roscoe West officiated.
Mr. McClaskey was born August 27, 1892 at Milan, MO., and came here from Bend in 1944.
Survivors are his wife, Ida May, of Silverton; six daughters, Mary Frances, Lucilla, and Mrs. Lily Rowe of Silverton, Mrs. Lorena Lead of Empire, Mrs. Emaline Ingels of Natawaka, Kan., Mrs. Pearl Weaver of Atchinson, Kan., two brothers, Arthur MClaskey of Battle Ground, Wash., and Ernest McClaskey of Cayuga, Ind, also 25 grandchildren
Special thanks to Aunt Mary Frances McClaskey DeGuzman who contacted me the week of February 14, 2001. I have made some major breakthroughs on the family genealogy.
Also, thank you to cousin, Mary Hillerman for sharing a lot of these newspaper articles contained herein!
