The Hyphen Family Lineage

Note: Researching Genevieve Anna Daley

Genevieve Daley seems to have died not long after she married; she was counted in her father's household in the 1920 US Census, and some time after she married William Thomas Cleary, she died in late 1923. The two of them are buried together in Saint John's Church Cemetery, Erin Twp, Washington Cty, Wisconsin, despite his death following hers by over four decades.

In an attempt to determine if they'd had children prior to Genevieve's death, I looked for William in the census records for 1930 and 1940; in both cases he's found in Erin, unmarried and without any children. Interestingly, while in 1940 he's found living with his younger brother Merrill, in 1930 he's listed as the lodger and hired man in the household of the young widow Margaret Daley (and her four children). I haven't yet determined whose widow she might have been, but I don't believe she was married to a descendant of Philip Daley and Bridget McAleavey at this point, though she may have been married to a child or grandchild of one of Philip's brothers.

ADDENDUM: Chad Schroeder's work has indicated that Genevieve and William were married about 1922, and that Genevieve died in November 1923. Additionally, his research has shown that Margaret Daley (the widow in whose household William Cleary was living in 1930) was born Margaret Goetz; her husband was Joseph Patrick Daley (b. 1890, d. 1928), son of Dennis Daley (b. 1849, d. 1936), son of Patrick Daley (b. 1795, d. prior to 1880). Patrick emigrated to America about 1843, and his family and descendants seem to have centered primarily in Erin Twp, Washington Cty, Wisconsin. His research further suggests that the two Daley families were not likely related, or if they were it would have been somewhat distantly - no closer than Genevieve (Daley) Cleary and Joseph Patrick Daley being third cousins.

Interestingly, Chad also notes that William was a first cousin to Joseph, meaning that he was related to the widow Margaret by marriage prior to his living in her household, and speculates on the various circumstances and timing that might have had William living in his cousin's widow's home - such as perhaps moving in before Joseph's death to help with the work around the home.

SECOND ADDENDUM: Genevieve's obituary indicates that she died in the aftermath of complications from the birth of her first child, which died shortly after birth.

[Obituary for Mrs. Wm. Cleary, from the Oconomowoc Enterprise, 9 Nov 1923, p1.]

[headline] Mrs. Wm. Cleary Died On Thursday
[second headline] Well Known Young Matron Succumbs in Milwaukee Hospital, Aged 22 Years

The death of Mrs. William Cleary of near Holy Hill, occurred at St. Mary's hospital, Milwaukee, on last Thursday night, November 1, 1923, following an operation which she underwent ten days previous, aged 22 years, six months, and 7 days.

Although Mrs. Cleary had been in declining health for the past three months her demise was unexpected as she was recovering from the effects of the operation. Suddenly a turn for the worse occurred which her weakened vitality was unable to withstand, and her spirit took its flight. Her passing was a great shock to her family and her grief stricken husband, who was bereft of a lovable companion at the outset of life's journey.

Anna Genevieve Cleary was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Daley of North Lake, and was born near Mapleton, April 24, 1901. She obtained her education in the grade schools at Hartford and North Lake, and St. John's high school, Milwaukee.

She lived at the home of her parents until her marriage to William Cleary, at St. Clare's church, North Lake, on April 18, 1922.

On August 1, 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Cleary became the parents of their first born, who passed away one hour after birth. One week after Mrs. Cleary was taken for treatment to Trinity hospital, Milwaukee, where she remained for seven weeks, and was then taken to the parental home in North Lake. After four weeks stay with her parents she entered St. Mary's hospital, Milwaukee, where she underwent an operation for pleurisy, her death ensuing ten days later.

The remains were conveyed to her home near Holy Hill, where the obsequies were held in St. John's church Monches, at 10 o'clock, Monday, November 5. The services were largely attended the church being too small to hold the large concourse of people who came to pay a last tribute of respect to the one who had greatly endeared herself to a large circle of friends by her many enobling traits of character and beautiful attributes of mind and heart.

The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. Grace, whose consoling words were very comforting to the grief-stricken relatives and friends. The pall bearers were the four oldest brothers of the deceased, Francis, John, Joseph and Raphael Daley, brother-in-law, Merrill Cleary, and an intimate friend, William Mahr. The floral offerings were large and very beautiful. Interment was made in the Monches cemetery.

Mrs. Cleary is survived by the husband, parents, seven brothers, Francis, a student in the University of Wisconsin, John, attending the Wisconsin Commercial college, Joseph, Raphael, William, Robert, and Harry, at home, two sisters, Helen and Magdalene, at home, many relatives and a legion of friends.

The deceased was a member of the St. John's Catholic church in Monches, and was active in church and social circles of the community in which she lived.