Joseph Clemens & Betty McGeary

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Joseph William “Joe” Clemens
11th of 11 children of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon
Born: Oct 1, 1914, Cascade Township, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Aug 7, 2010 (age 95), Chatfield, Fillmore Co., Minnesota; polycythemia vera (bone marrow cell mutation cancer), old age
Buried: Aug 11, 2010, Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Farmer
Married (1): Apr 20, 1942, Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Ten children: Joan Elizabeth Clemens, Martha Jean Clemens, William Joseph Clemens, Michael James “Mike” Clemens, James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens, David Joseph Clemens, Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens, Neil Robert Clemens, Katherine Barbara “Kate” Clemens
Married (2): Dec 7, 1991, Rita Elizabeth (Pyfferoen) Rhoten, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
No children

(m1) Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
2nd of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: May 15, 1917, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota
Died: Apr 8, 1981 (age 63), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Apr 11, 1981, Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester
Married: Apr 20, 1942, Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Ten children: Joan Elizabeth Clemens, Martha Jean Clemens, William Joseph Clemens, Michael James “Mike” Clemens, James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens, David Joseph Clemens, Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens, Neil Robert Clemens, Katherine Barbara “Kate” Clemens

(m2) Rita Elizabeth (Pyfferoen) Rhoten
3rd of 4 children of Camiel Pyfferoen & Mary Margaret Dueppen
Born: Aug 7, 1921, Eyota, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Oct 15, 2007 (age 86), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Oct 2007, Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Restaurant cook at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester
Married (1): Jun 6, 1945, Lloyd Raymond Rhoten, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Four children: Marie Lucille Rhoten, Charles William Rhoten, Richard Lloyd Rhoten, Carol Ann Rhoten
Married (2): Dec 7, 1991, Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, Wabasha, Wabasha Co., Minnesota

Children of Joseph William Clemens & Elizabeth Ann McGeary
1. Joan Elizabeth Clemens
1st of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Mar 27, 1945, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Apr 18, 1987 (age 42), Elgin, Wabasha Co., Minnesota; cancer
Buried: Apr 21, 1987, Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview, Wabasha Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Worked for IBM in Rochester
One child given up for adoption and recently reunited with family: Scott M. Debates
Married: Aug 29, 1970, Earl Adolf Schwantz, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Two children: Jeffrey Earl Schwantz, Darin Joseph Schwantz

2. Martha Jean Clemens
2nd of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: May 29, 1946, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupations: Homemaker, tax preparer
Married: Aug 17, 1968, Gerald Norman Stephas, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Four children: Jeanette Kae Stephas, Kenneth Gerald Stephas, Peggy Sue Stephas, Timothy Wesley Stephas

3. William Joseph Clemens
3rd of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Sep 13, 1947, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Sep 15, 1947 (age 2 days), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Sep 1947, Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

4. Michael James “Mike” Clemens
4th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Feb 1, 1949, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Military: U.S. Army (Jul 1967 through Jul 1969) went to Chinook helicopter school; based in multiple bases in the U.S.; sent to Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen, Germany when Russia invaded Czechoslovakia
Occupations: Farmer (1980 through 1999), drove truck, city delivery Hennepin and Ramsey Counties (1974 through 1980), from December 1999 until retired in 2013, drove truck for multiple companies and delivered to all continental states and five provinces in Canada
Married (1): Feb 5, 1971, Deborah Marie Gardell, Hastings, Dakota Co., Minnesota
Divorced: Apr 19, 1972, Hastings, Dakota Co., Minnesota
One child: Nicole Marie Clemens
Married (2): Jul 26, 1975, Marcia Jean Thayer, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Three children: Angela Mae Clemens, Christopher Michael Clemens, Mathew David Clemens

5. James Matthew “Jim” Clemens
5th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Apr 12, 1950, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Military: U.S. Navy, ASE2, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Pensacola Florida and Guantanamo Bay
Occupation: IBM Computer Programmer (37+ years)
Married (1): Jul 28, 1984, Peggy Ann Heins, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Three children: Kristia Marie Heins Clemens (adopted by Jim), Jason Scott Clemens, Jamie Elizabeth Clemens
Divorced: Dec 1999, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Married (2): Apr 11, 2011, Ardella Louise Felper, Cresco, Howard Co., Iowa

6. Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens
6th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Aug 12, 1951, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Business owner
Married (1): Aug 8, 1971, Karen Dee Kiser, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Divorced: Jul 25, 1975, Hennepin Co., Minnesota 
One child: Trevor Kennedy Clemens
Married (2): Jun 15, 1986, Lisa Ann Rodan, Hennepin Co., Minnesota
No children

7. David Joseph Clemens
7th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Nov 3, 1952, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupations: Restaurant worker, farmer
Never married, no children

8. Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens
8th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Mar 22, 1954, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupations: Telecommunications management (20 years), software engineer (20 years)
Married (1): Jul 22, 1978, Denise Ann Fast, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Divorced: May 6, 1986, Travis, Texas
One child: Paul Eugene Clemens
Married (2): Jan 17, 1996, Leona Jane Foley, Clayton, St. Louis Co., Missouri
Four children: Rachel Elizabeth Clemens, Sara Marie Clemens, Conner James Clemens, Hannah Irene Clemens

9. Neil Robert Clemens
9th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Apr 1, 1957, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupations: Truck repair specialist, farmer, service tech and service manager for a Case IH dealership (29 yrs) (farm equipment dealership) 
Married: Feb 14, 1976, Pamela Ann Reich, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Two children: Carrie Jo Clemens, Amy Lynn Clemens

10. Katherine Barbara “Kate” Clemens
10th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
Born: Jul 9, 1959, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupations: Seasonal canning factory, tax returns processor, magazine distribution center
Never married, no children

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in the census and other records
are retained as in the original documents.
(italicized clarifications or corrections are in parentheses)

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Eleven children of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon

00. (stillborn twins, female and male)
1898–1898
1. Mary Ann Clemens
1899–1994
2. Elizabeth Barbara Clemens
1900–1996
3. Amelia Rose “Mele” Clemens
1902–1972
4. Dorothy Helen Clemens
1903–1903 (died at 4 months)
5. Aloysius Michael “Louie” Clemens
1904–1929
6. Carl John Clemens
1905–1986
7. Cecelia Helen Clemens (Sister Ann Clemens)
1908–2003
8. Agnes Catherine Clemens
1909–2005
9. Anna Frances Clemens
1911–1995
10. Lawrence Matthew Clemens
1912–1978
11. Joseph William “Joe” Clemens
1914–2010

Five children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
1. Jean Katherine McGeary
1914–1998
2. Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
1917–1981
3. Natalie Claire McGeary
1919–died young
4. Paul William McGeary, Jr.
1921–2000
5. Patricia Claire McGeary
1927–2008

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in the census and other records
are retained as in the original documents.
(italicized clarifications or corrections are in parentheses)

***************************

Apr 19, 1898: Marriage of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon, the parents of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Eleven children: Mary Ann Clemens, Elizabeth Barbara Clemens, Amelia Rose Clemens, Dorothy Clemens, Aloysius Michael Clemens, Carl John Clemens, Cecelia Helen “Sister Ann” Clemens, Agnes Catherine Clemens, Anna Frances Clemens, Lawrence Matthew Clemens, Joseph William Clemens

Aug 1, 1912: Marriage of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug, the parents of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in King Co., Washington

Oct 1, 1914: Birth of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, 11th of 11 children of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon, on the family farm in Cascade Township, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

AS I WAS TOLD: Joe lost his eyesight in his right eye as a kid, a spark catching him from standing too near a welder. At 76 years old, in 1989, he had surgery that corrected it, and for the first time, a tree did not look like a solid mass to him. All those years, they thought he had cataracts. You never knew if Joe was happy or sad, as he was so intent on trying to see through his coke-bottle glasses.

May 15, 1917: Birth of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, 2nd of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug, and the 1st wife of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, in St Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

May 15, 1917: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Elizabeth Ann McGeary
Birth Date 15 May 1917
Birth Place Ramsey, Minnesota
Mother Maiden Name Connelough (McConneloug)
Certificate Number 1917-50880
URL https://www.mnhs.org/search/people

abt 1917: Clemens siblings: Agnes Clemens, Frances Nigon (cousin), Anna Clemens, Denny (?), Cecelia Clemens, Lawrence Clemens, Joseph Clemens with cat

Jan 12, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Name Mathew S Clemens (Mathew Sylvester Clemens)
Age 45
Birth Year abt 1875
Birthplace Minnesota
Home in 1920 Cascade, Olmsted, Minnesota
House Number Farm
Residence Date 1920
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Barbara Clemens
Father’s Birthplace Germany
Mother’s Birthplace Germany
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Farmer
Industry General Farming
Employment Field Own Account
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged Free
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Clemens, Mathew S: head, male, white, owns, age 45, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany, farmer, general farming
Barbara: wife, female, white, age 46, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, year immigrated 1881, year naturalized 1890
Mary A: daughter, female, white, age 20, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Elizabeth Z: daughter, female, white, age 19, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany (Elizabeth A.)
Amelia R: daughter, female, white, age 18, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Aloysius M: son, white, age 15, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Charles J: son, female, white, age 14, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany (Carl Clemens)
Celia H: daughter, female, white, age 12, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany (Cecelia)
Agnes C: daughter, female, white, age 10, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany (Agnes)
Laurence M: son, male, white, age 7, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Joseph W: son, male, white, age 5, born Minnesota, father born Germany, mother born Germany

Aug 7, 1921: Birth of Rita Elizabeth Pyfferoen, 3rd of 4 children of Camiel Pyfferoen & Mary Dueppen, and the 2nd wife of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, in Eyota, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Aug 7, 1921: Minnesota Birth Record:
Family Name Pyfferoen
First name Rita
Middle name Elizabeth
Mother’s maiden name Dueppen
Birth date 1921-08-07
County Olmsted County
Certificate ID 1921-23228

Apr 28, 1923: Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon, parents of Joseph William Clemens

Apr 28, 1923: Mathew & Barbara Clemens family: Amelia, Lawrence, Barbara (mother), Mary, Agnes, Aloysius, Cecelia, Joe (young boy in front), Mathew (father), Elizabeth, Anna, and Carl

Apr 28, 1923: Clemens and Nigon cousins on the family farm outside of Rochester:

Slightly different photo with all present identified:

Apr 16, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Mathew S Clemens
Birth Year abt 1874
Gender Male
Race White
Age in 1930 56
Birthplace Minnesota
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Dwelling Number 122
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Radio Set Yes
Lives on Farm Yes
Age at First Marriage 24
Attended School No
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father’s Birthplace Luxembourg
Mother’s Birthplace Luxembourg
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Farmer
Industry General Farm
Class of Worker Working on own account
Employment Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Mathew S Clemens Age 56, Head, Married, age at 1st marriage 24, born Minnesota, father born Luxembourg, mother born Luxembourg, Farmer on General Farm
Barbara Clemens Age 56, Wife, Married, age at 1st marriage 24, born Germany, father born Germany, mother born Germany, Immigrated 1881, Naturalized
Agnes C Clemens Age 20, Daughter, Single, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Anna F Clemens Age 19, Daughter, Single, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany
Laurence M Clemens Age 17, Son, Single, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany, Farm Laborer on General Farm (Lawrence Matthew Clemens)
Joseph W Clemens Age 15, Son, Single, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Germany

Nov 8, 1937: Death of Barbara (Nigon) Clemens (age 64), 1st of 13 children of Nicholas Nigon & Barbara Leinen, wife of Mathew Sylvester Clemens, and mother of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, while visiting her daughter Mary (Clemens) Wallerich, in Pepin Township, Wabasha Co., Minnesota; of a stroke

Nov 8, 1937: Rochester Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota (pg 5):

Nov 1937: Burial of Barbara (Nigon) Clemens, at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; CC 30 13

circa 1939: McGeary family: Patricia, Jean, Paul (father), Claire (mother), Betty:

Aug 16, 1940: WWII Draft Card:
Name Joseph William Clemens
Gender Male
Race White
Age 26
Relationship to Draftee Self (Head)
Birth Date 1 Oct 1914
Birth Place Cascade Olmsted
Residence Place Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Registration Date 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Employer Himself
Height 6
Weight 180
Complexion Light Brown
Hair Color Brown
Eye Color Blue
Next of Kin Matt Clemens
Household Members (Name) Relationship:
Joseph William Clemens Self (Head)
Matt Clemens Father

Apr 19, 1942: Minnesota Official Marriage System:
Name Joseph W Clemens
Marriage Date 19 Apr 1942
Marriage Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Spouse Elizabeth A McGeary
Certificate Number 4360 (B06242aa.arv)
URL https://moms.mn.gov/

Summer of 1941: Clemens kin, Minnesota:


1. Frank Peter Wallerich 1890–1953
2. Margaret Nigon (cousin) 1892–1992
(was caring for her sister’s children, Don & Betty Kleist)
3. Annie Schabo? 1869–1962
4. Joseph William “Joe” Clemens 1914–2010
5. William Francis “Bill” Hauser 1913–1996
6. Amelia Rose (Clemens) Conway 1902–1972
7. Betty Rose 1906–1994
(lifelong friend of Elizabeth Barbara Clemens)
8. Joseph Matthew “Joe” Wallerich 1926–2018
(son of Mary & Frank Wallerich)
9. Robert Michael “Bob” Wallerich 1930–2022
(son of Mary & Frank Wallerich)
10. Mary Ann (Clemens) Wallerich 1899–1994
(married to Frank Peter Wallerich)
11. Sister Ann Clemens 1908–2003
12. Donald F. Kleist 1928–2007
(cousin, son of Elizabeth “Jane” Nigon & Clarence Kleist)
13. Mathew “Matt” Clemens 1874–1947
(father of the clan)
14. Agnes Catherine (Clemens) Hauser 1909–2005
(married to William Francis “Bill” Hauser)
15. Elizabeth Barbara Clemens 1900–1996
16. Norbert John Wallerich 1930–living
(son of Mary & Frank Wallerich)
17. Barbara Ann Hauser 1939–1986
(daughter of Agnes & Bill Hauser)
18. Elizabeth Margaret “Betty” Kleist 1930–1962
(cousin, daughter of Elizabeth “Jane” Nigon & Clarence Kleist)
19. Francis Carl Wallerich 1934–2017
(son of Mary & Frank Wallerich)
20. Richard Francis “Dick” Hauser 1932–2024
(son of Agnes & Bill Hauser)

Apr 20, 1942: Marriage of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Ten children: Joan Elizabeth Clemens, Martha Jean Clemens, William Joseph Clemens, Michael James “Mike” Clemens, James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens, David Joseph Clemens, Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens, Neil Robert Clemens, Katherine Barbara “Kate” Clemens

Wedding day: Lawrence Clemens, Matthew S. Clemens, Betty & Joe, Claire McGeary, Katherine (Schneider) McGeary, Jean (McGeary) Frank

AS I WAS TOLD: For a time, Joe and Lawrence rented the farm from Grandpa, then they had their own farms in 1943; Joe had a lease with his father to buy the farm for $100 an acre.

In 1942, at the age of 27, Joe married Betty McGeary, a woman of his stature who would give you the shirt off her back. Betty wore Joe’s clothes, his boots, and his old overcoat, even to church; she wasn’t interested in how she, or her house, looked. With ten kids, her hands were full, except when smoking a cigarette. Years later, at her funeral, Jerry Conway commented he had never seen his aunt not smiling. Betty’s sister told him why. “As a young woman, Betty worked in the laundry at St. Mary’s, one of the worst jobs a woman could have, and she wasn’t happy there. As she was going up the elevator, the doors opened, and in walked Eleanor Roosevelt. When she got out, Mrs. Roosevelt turned to her, looked her right in the eye, and said. ‘Girlie, stand up straight and smile, and the world will go better.’ She paid attention to the woman who knew what she was talking about, and lived her life that way thereafter.”

Nine years after Betty’s death from cancer in 1981, Joe married Rita, a childhood friend.

Mar 27, 1945: Birth of Joan Elizabeth Clemens, 1st of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Mar 27, 1945: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name: Joan Elizabeth Clemens
Birth Date: 27 Mar 1945
Birth Place: Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date: 1945
Father: Joseph W. Clemens
Mother: Elizabeth Clemens
File Number: 1945-Mn-012728

May 29, 1946: Birth of Martha Jean Clemens, 2nd of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

May 29, 1946: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Martha Jean Clemens
Birth Date 29 May 1946
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1946
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth Clemens
File Number 1946-Mn-043393

Mar 30, 1947: Death of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens (age 73), husband of Barbara Nigon, and the father of Joseph William Clemens, at the Colonial Hospital during surgery for throat cancer, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; bronchopneumonia

Mar 31, 1947: Post-Bulletin, Rochester Olmsted Co., Minnesota (pg 6):

Apr 2, 1947: Burial of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; Section CC 30 14

Jun 1947: The Terrace Room at the Oaks, overlooking the Mississippi River in Winona, Winona Co., Minnesota:
Back row: Joe Clemens, Bill & Agnes Hauser, Betty Rose, Pearl & Lawrence Clemens, Amelia & Pat Conway, II, Frank & Mary Wallerich, Elizabeth Clemens
Front row: Betty Clemens, Mary Lou Wallerich, Pat Conway, III, Noreen & Carl Clemens, Joe Wallerich

Sep 13, 1947: Birth of William Joseph Clemens, 3rd of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Sep 13, 1947: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name William Joseph Clemens
Birth Date 13 Sep 1947
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1947
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth Ann Clemens
File Number 1947-Mn-047571

Sep 15, 1947: Death of William Joseph Clemens (age 2 days), 3rd of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Sep 1947: Burial of William Joseph Clemens at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Feb 1, 1949: Birth of Michael James “Mike” Clemens, 4th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Feb 1, 1949: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Michael James Clemens
Birth Date 1 Feb 1949
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1949
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth Ann Clemens
File Number 1949-Mn-039867

Apr 12, 1950: Birth of James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, 5th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Apr 12, 1950: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name James Matthew Clemens
Birth Date 12 Apr 1950
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1950
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth Clemens
File Number 1950-Mn-016057

Apr 29, 1950: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Name Joe W Clements
[Joseph W Clemens]
Age 35
Birth Date abt 1915
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place Minnesota
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Residence Date 1950
Farm Yes
Acres Yes
Occupation Farmer
Industry Farm
Occupation Category Wk
Hours Worked 105
Worker Class Own Business
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Joe W Clements (Clemens) Age 35, Head, Married, born Minnesota, farming on farm
Elizabeth Clements (Clemens) Age 32, Wife, Married, born Minnesota
Joan E Clements (Clemens) Age 5, Daughter, Single, born Minnesota
Martha J Clements (Clemens) Age 3, Daughter, born Minnesota
Michael J Clements (Clemens) Age 1, Son, born Minnesota
James M Clements (Clemens) born Apr, Son, born Minnesota

Aug 12, 1951: Birth of Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens, 6th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Aug 12, 1951: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Gerald Clair Clemens
Birth Date 12 Aug 1951
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1951
Father Joe William Clemens
Mother Elizabeth Ann Clemens
File Number 1951-Mn-034593

Nov 3, 1952: Birth of David Joseph Clemens, 7th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Nov 3, 1952: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name David Joseph Clemens
Birth Date 3 Nov 1952
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1952
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth A. Clemens
File Number 1952-Mn-004416

Mar 22, 1954: Birth of Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens, 8th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Mar 22, 1954: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Charles Paul Clemens
Birth Date 22 Mar 1954
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1954
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth A. Clemens
File Number 1954-Mn-023189

Apr 1955: Clemens kids: Mike, Joan, Chuck (held by Joan), Martha, Dave (sitting), Jim (hidden), Jerry in overalls

Apr 1, 1957: Birth of Neil Robert Clemens, 9th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Apr 1, 1957: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Neil Robert Clemens
Birth Date 1 Apr 1957
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1957
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth A. Clemens
File Number 1957-Mn-042491

Jul 9, 1959: Birth of Katherine Barbara “Kate” Clemens, 10th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Jul 9, 1959: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Katherine Barbara Clemens
Birth Date 9 Jul 1959
Birth Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Birth Registration Date 1959
Father Joseph W. Clemens
Mother Elizabeth A. Clemens
File Number 1959-Mn-075542

Aug 29, 1970: Marriage of Earl Adolf Schwantz & Joan Elizabeth Clemens, 1st of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Feb 14, 1976: Marriage of Pamela Ann Reich & Neil Robert Clemens, 9th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota (photo taken 2024, Florida)

Jan 4, 1978: Death of Paul William McGeary (age 88), the father of Betty Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Jan 1978: Burial of Paul William McGeary at Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

Apr 8, 1981: Death of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens (age 63), 2nd of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug and the 1st wife of Joseph William Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; cancer

Apr 8, 1981: Minnesota Death Index:
Name Elizabeth Ann Clemens
Death Age 63
Record Type Death
Birth Date 15 May 1917
Death Date 8 Apr 1981
Death Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 1981
Mother’s Maiden Name McConneloug
Certificate Number 009725
Record Number 2041838

Apr 9, 1981: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Olmstead Co., Minnesota (pg 20):

Prayer Card:

Apr 11, 1981: Burial of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota; CC 30 14A

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index:
Township Cascade
County Olmsted
Name Elizabeth Ann Clemens
Birth Date 15/May/1917
Death Date 08/Apr/1981
Cemetery Calvary Rochester
Comments WIFE OF JOSEPH W. NEE: McGEARY. WITH MATHEW & BARBARA
Section CC 30 14A

Jul 28, 1984: Marriage of Peggy Ann Heins & James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, 5th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Mar 4, 1985: Death of Claire Retta (McConneloug) McGeary (age 93), the mother of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

May 1985: Burial of Claire Retta (McConneloug) McGeary at Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

Apr 18, 1987: Death of Joan Elizabeth (Clemens) Schwantz (age 42), 1st of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary and the wife of Earl Adolf Schwantz, in Elgin, Wabasha Co., Minnesota; cancer

Apr 18, 1987: newspaper obituary:
Joan Schwantz, 42, dies of cancer
ELGIN – Mrs. Earl Schwantz, 42, died today at her home in Elgin after a lengthy bout with cancer.

The former Joan Clemens was born March 27, 1945, in Rochester. She graduated from Lourdes High School in 1963 and attended Rochester Junior College. She married Earl Schwantz on Aug. 29, 1970, in Rochester. She had been employed at IBM in Rochester for the past 20 years.

Mrs. Schwantz was a member of the Elgin Homemakers and Elgin Trinity Lutheran Church. She also belonged to Trinity Lutheran Evening Ladies Aide and was active with the Elgin Cub Scouts and was a past member of the Social Club.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, both at home; her father, Joseph Clemens of Rochester; two sisters, Mrs. Gerald (Martha) Stephas of Chatfield and Katherine Clemens of Rochester; six brothers, Michael, of Chatfield, James and David of Rochester, Gerald of Minneapolis, Charles of Wichita, Kans. and Neil of Byron. She was preceded in death by her mother and an infant brother.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin with the Rev. Ronald Jobe officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview.

Apr 21, 1987: Burial of Joan Elizabeth (Clemens) Schwantz at Greenwood Cemetery in Plainview, Wabasha Co., Minnesota

Dec 7, 1991: Marriage of Rita Elizabeth (Pyfferoen) Rhoten & Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, 11th of 11 children of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon, in Wabasha, Wabasha Co., Minnesota, at St. Felix Church; the 2nd marriage for both

Dec 7, 1991: Minnesota Marriage Index:
Name Joseph W Clemens
Gender Male
Birth Date abt 1914
Age 77
Spouse Rita E Rhoten
Gender Female
Birth Date abt 1921
Age 70
State Minnesota

Aug 30, 1998: Rita & Joe Clemens:

Oct 15, 2007: Death of Rita (Pyfferoen) Rhoten Clemens (age 86), 3rd of 4 children of Camiel Pyfferoen & Mary Dueppen, and the 2nd wife of Joseph William Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Oct 15, 2007: Minnesota Death Record:
Name Rita E Clemens
Maiden Name Pyfferoen
Gender Female
Marital Status Married
Death Age 86
Record Type Burial
Birth Date 7 Aug 1921
Birth Place Eyota, Minnesota
Inferred Residence Date Abt 2007
Residence Place Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Occupation Cook
Education 12 Years
Industry or Location Restaurant
Death Date 15 Oct 2007
Hospital St Marys Hospital
Death Place Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 2007
Burial Date 19 Oct 2007
Cemetery Calvary Cemetery
Burial Place Rochester, Minnesota
Mother’s Maiden Name Dueppen
Informant Marie Lloyd
Informant Relation Daughter
Father Camiel Pyfferoen
Mother Mary Margaret Dueppen
Certificate Number 2007-Mn-029372;

Oct 19, 2007: Burial of Rita Elizabeth (Pyfferoen) Rhoten Clemens at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota. Rita is buried next to her 1st husband, Lloyd Raymond Rhoten

Minnesota Cemetery Incriptions:
Township Cascade
County Olmsted
Name Rita E. Rhoten (Rita Elizabeth (Pyfferoen) Rhoten Clemens)
Birth Date 1921
Cemetery Calvary Rochester
Comments SP. L. RAYMOND
Section NE 8 5

Oct 18, 2007: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Olmstead Co., Minnesota:
ROCHESTER — The Mass of Christian Burial for Rita E. Rhoten-Clemens will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Don Connelly officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mrs. Rhoten-Clemens, 86, of Rochester, died Monday (Oct 15, 2007) at Saint Marys Hospital.

Rita Pyfferoen was born Aug. 7, 1921, in Eyota. She graduated from Eyota High School in 1939. On June 6, 1945, she married L. Raymond Rhoten of Stewartville. They farmed in Kasson and eventually settled west of Rochester. Mr. Rhoten worked at the Mayo Clinic; he preceded her in death in January 1988. She was a homemaker, and also worked at Bonanza Restaurant and was an assistant cook for Blondells for many years. In 1991, she married Joe W. Clemens; he survives.

She was a member of the Senior Citizen Center and Silver Tread Square Dance group. She loved to sew, knit, ballroom and square dance, and was known for her baking and cooking. Her raised doughnuts were popular at church bake sales. She also spent many winters in Apache Junction, Ariz.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children, Marie (Dennis) Lloyd of Verona, Mo., Charles (Debbie) Rhoten of Mantorville, Richard (Brenda) Rhoten of Elko, Minn., and Carol (Donal) Nielson of Bloomington, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband and four brothers.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, and an hour before the service Friday at the church. There will be a Prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Aug 7, 2010: Death of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens (age 95), 11th of 11 children of Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Fillmore Co., Minnesota; polycythemia vera (bone marrow cell mutation cancer), old age

Aug 7, 2010: Minnesota Death Index:
Name Joseph William Clemens
Gender Male
Marital Status Widowed
Death Age 95
Record Type Burial
Birth Date 1 Oct 1914
Birth Place Cascade, Minnesota
Inferred Residence Date Abt 2010
Residence Place Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Occupation Farmer
Education 8 Years
Industry or Location Agriculture
Death Date 7 Aug 2010
Hospital Chosen Valley Care Center
Death Place Chatfield, Fillmore, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 2010
Burial Date 10 Aug 2010
Cemetery Calvary Cemetery
Burial Place Rochester, Minnesota
Mother’s Maiden Name Nigon
Informant Martha Stephas
Informant Relation Daughter
Father Matthew Clemens
Mother Barbara Nigon
Certificate Number 2010-Mn-022969

Aug 7, 2010: U.S. Social Security Death Index:
Joseph William Clemens
Birth Date 1 Oct 1914
Issue year 1955
Issue State Minnesota
Last Residence 55904, Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Date 7 Aug 2010

Aug 9, 2010: Post Bulletin, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
The funeral Mass for Joseph W. Clemens will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010 at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Joseph W. Clemens died on Saturday, Aug 7, 2010 at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield surrounded by family.

Joseph was born on Oct 1, 1914, to Matthew and Barbara (Nigon) Clemens, on the family farm in Southwest Rochester. He graduated in 1933 from St. John’s High School. On Apr 20, 1942, he married Elizabeth (Betty) McGeary. Betty passed away on Apr 8, 1981. On Dec 7, 1991, he married Rita Rhoten. The couple lived in Rochester Towers, and spent many winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Rita passed away Oct 15, 2007. In Nov 2007, Joseph moved to Southeast Rochester to reside with a son and a daughter, and then moved to the Shorewood Senior Campus in Jul of 2009. He recently had moved to Chosen Valley Nursing Home.

Joseph had farmed in Northwest Rochester until he semi-retired in 1979. He then farmed in Byron until he was in his late eighties. Joseph is survived by eight children: two daughters and six sons. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two wives, a daughter, and infant son, a son-in-law, three brothers, seven sisters and his parents.

Aug 11, 2010: Burial of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Note: Upon excavating Joe’s grave in preparation for his burial, fragments of two additional caskets were found, just pieces of wood. The family surmised that these could be Dorothy, Joe’s sister who died in 1903 at 4 months, and Joe’s son, William Joseph Clemens, who was 3rd-born between Martha and Michael and died as an infant in 1947.

Aug 11, 2010: U.S. Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection:
Name Joseph W. Clemens
Death Date Abt 2010
Burial Date 11 Aug 2010
Obituary Date 7 Sep 2010

Aug 11, 2010: Email excerpt to the family from Connie (Conway) Stannard:
“Uncle Joe’s wake last night and funeral today were very nice. Wow, there are a lot of Clemens, they filled up about 6 rows on both sides of the church. And they are TALL! Even when kneeling, it looked like they were standing up. Lots of family and friends. Clemens, Nigon’s, Conolly’s, Pyferoen’s, Dan Macken, Till’s, Holland’s, and more! Mona Kleist helped with communion and lunch. An interesting tidbit: the sons said that when Macken’s were digging Joe’s grave, they came across previous generations of what was left of an old wooden box and bones! They will have to be put in a new container and reburied.”
Take care, love & prayers to all, Connie

Apr 11, 2011: Marriage of Ardella Louise Felper & James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, 5th of 10 children of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens & Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, in Cresco, Howard Co., Iowa

Aug 9, 2014: Clemens siblings reunion, Kalmar Township, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
l-r: Charles, Gerald, Michael, James, David, Katherine, Martha, and Neil:

Jul 20, 2019: Clemens siblings reunion, Oronoco Township, Olmsted Co., Minnesota 
l-r: Charles, David, Michael, Katherine, Martha (Clemens) Stephas, Neil, Gerald, and James:

AS I WAS TOLD:
They thought that Grandpa had left no will, so his estate wasn’t settled easily or harmoniously. Quite a fight ensued as to what was going to happen to the farm. Hands were raised against one another, along with screaming, hollering, and cussing one another out. Elizabeth slapped Amelia, or was it Amelia who slapped Elizabeth? Elizabeth was involved in taking care of Grandpa’s finances, and the sisters were in great disagreement; it didn’t matter that it was Sunday. Bill Hauser spoke up as he and his father-in-law were good friends. Shaking his head, he said Grandpa and Grandma would not want to witness this. When he announced that he and Agnes didn’t want anything, things settled down. Carl, who’d come from California to help settle the estate, suggested to his brothers and sisters that Bill and Agnes get an acre of land for taking care of Grandpa and Grandma, for which they were forever grateful. When the disbursement issues were worked out, the farm took on a different landscape. Joe, along with Amelia and Pat Conway, purchased a portion of the land, Elizabeth owned an acre, Agnes and Bill Hauser had their gifted acre, the golf club purchased four, and Mr. Vincent Lilly purchased five acres and all the buildings. The kids received equal proceeds from the sale.

Mr. Lilly was a cattle buyer, living on the farm from 1947 until his death in the 1980s. His estate was not settled for some time, and like all empty buildings not kept up and cared for, it fell into ruin. The whole section was overgrown with trees, weeds, and bushes, and the house was constantly vandalized. Kids broke in and had a bonfire in the kitchen. When the Lilly estate was settled in the 1990s, the Stuart Corporation purchased the land from Mr. Lilly’s estate for $6,490,000, leveled the buildings, and built a three-story, 108-unit apartment complex. A fire station was built on one section; on the other, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

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Family of

Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug

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Paul William McGeary
Son of George Mechling McGeary & Katherine “Katie” Schneider
Born: Dec 6, 1889, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota
Died: Jan 4, 1978 (age 88), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Jan 1978, Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Plumber, auto dealer, salesman in manufacturing & heating equipment
Married: Aug 1, 1912, Claire Retta McConneloug, King Co., Washington
Five children: Jean Katherine McGeary, Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, Natalie Claire McGeary, Paul William McGeary, Jr., Patricia Claire McGeary

Claire Retta McConneloug
Daughter of John M. McConneloug & Martha A. Kennedy
Born: Jun 12, 1891, Chicago, Cook, Co., Illinois
Died: Mar 4, 1985 (age 93), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Mar 1985, Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota
Married: Aug 1, 1912, Paul William McGeary, King Co., Washington
Five children: Jean Katherine McGeary, Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary, Natalie Claire McGeary, Paul William McGeary, Jr., Patricia Claire McGeary

1. Jean Katherine McGeary
1st of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: Jun 4, 1914, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota
Died: Feb 6, 1998 (age 83), Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Feb 1998, Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Postal Clerk at Mayo Clinic
Married: May 14, 1938, Carl Theodore Frank, Marion Co., Indiana
No known children

2. Elizabeth Ann “Betty” McGeary
2nd of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: May 15, 1917, St. Paul, Minnesota
Died: Apr 8, 1981, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Buried: Apr 11, 1981, Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Occupation: Worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester
Married: Apr 20, 1942, Joseph William “Joe” Clemens, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Ten children: Joan Elizabeth Clemens, Martha Jean Clemens, William Joseph Clemens, Michael James “Mike” Clemens, James Matthew “Jim” Clemens, Gerald Clair “Jerry” Clemens, David Joseph Clemens, Charles Paul “Chuck” Clemens, Neil Robert Clemens, Katherine Barbara Clemens

3. Natalie Claire McGeary
3rd of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: Oct 24, 1919, Newport, Washington Co., Minnesota
Died: died young (listed in 1920 census, not in 1930 census)
Buried: unknown

4. Paul William McGeary, Jr.
4th of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: May 21, 1921, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Oct 19, 2000, (Littleton, Jefferson Co., Colorado?)
Buried: Oct 2000, Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, City of Lynchburg, Virginia; Scatter Garden
Occupation: Fabricated garage salesman
Married: Jan 12, 1946, Margaret Nan “Peg” Clayton, Marion Co., Indiana
Two children: Paul William McGeary, Jr., Daniel Clayton McGeary

5. Patricia Claire McGeary
5th of 5 children of Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug
Born: Mar 31, 1927, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
Died: Dec 10, 2008 (age 81), Lynchburg, City of Lynchburg, Virginia
Buried: Dec 2008, Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, City of Lynchburg, Virginia; Scatter Garden
Occupation: Stenographer in manufacturing & heating equipment
Married (1): Dec 24, 1946, William Harry Defoe Philpott, III, Marion Co., Indiana
Divorced: as per the 1950 census
One child: Sandra Lee “Sandy” Philpott
Married (2): Feb 11, 1955, William Dewey Montgomery, Jr., Lynchburg, Virginia
Divorced: Nov 1, 1983, Campbell Co., Virginia
One child: Kathryn Wells “Kami” Montgomery
Married (3): Dec 12, 1985, Beverly Andrew Davis, III, Lynchburg, Virginia

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Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in the census and other records
are retained as in the original documents.
(italicized clarifications or corrections are in parentheses)

***************************

Dec 6, 1889: Birth of Paul William McGeary, son of George Mechling McGeary & Katherine “Katie” Schneider, in St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

Dec 6, 1889: Minnesota Birth Index:
Name Paul William McGeary
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Date 6 Dec 1889
Birth Place St Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota
Father George McGeary
Mother Katherine Schneider
FHL Film Number 1309145

Jun 12, 1891: Birth of Claire Retta McConneloug, daughter of John M. McConneloug & Martha A. Kennedy, in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois

Aug 1, 1912: Washington State Marriage Record:
Name Paul W McGeary
Gender Male
Marriage Date 1 Aug 1912
Marriage Place King, Washington, United States
Spouse Claire McConnelong

Aug 1, 1912: Marriage Certificate for Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta McConneloug:

Jun 5, 1917: WWI Draft Registration Card:
Name Paul William McGeary
Race Caucasian (White)
Marital Status Married
Birth Date 6 Dec 1889
Birth Place Minnesota
Residence Date 1917-1918
Street Address 217 N Greggs
Residence Place St Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota
Draft Board 06
Physical Build Stout
Height Tall
Hair Color Brown
Eye Color Blue

Jan 15/17th, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, Newport, Washington Co., Minnesota
Name Paul McGeary
Age 30
Birth Year abt 1890
Birthplace Minnesota
Home in 1920 Newport, Washington, Minnesota
Street Sixth Street
Race White
Gender Male
Relation to Head of House Head
Marital Status Married
Spouse’s Name Claire McGeary
Father’s Birthplace Pennsylvania
Mother’s Birthplace Austria
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Plumber
Industry Homes
Employment Field Own Account
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged Free
Able to read Yes
Able to Write Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Paul McGeary Age 30, Head, born Minnesota, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Austria, plumber in homes
Claire McGeary Age 28, Wife, born Illinois, father born Delaware, mother born Iowa
Jean K McGeary, Age 5 6/12 (five and a half), Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois
Elizabeth McGeary Age 2 6/12 (two and a half), Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois
Claire McGeary Age 3/12 (3 months), Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois (Patricia Claire)

Apr 17, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, Cascade, Olmsted Co., Minnesota:
Paul W Mcgeary
Birth Year abt 1890
Gender Male
Race White
Age in 1930 40
Birthplace Minnesota
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1930 Cascade, Olmsted, Minnesota
Home Owned or Rented Owned
Radio Set Yes
Lives on Farm Yes
Age at First Marriage 22
Able to Read and Write Yes
Father’s Birthplace Pennsylvania
Mother’s Birthplace Austria
Able to Speak English Yes
Occupation Auto dealer
Industry Garage
Class of Worker Employer
Employment Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Paul W McGeary Age 40, Head, age at 1st marriage 22, born Minnesota, father born Pennsylvania, mother born Austria, auto dealer in garage
R Clair McGeary Age 38, Wife, age at 1st marriage 21, born Illinois, father born Delaware, mother born Iowa
Jean C McGeary, Age 15, Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois
Elisebeth A McGeary Age 12, Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois
Paul W McGeary Age 8, Son, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois
Marion C MCgeary Age 3, Daughter, born Minnesota, father born Minnesota, mother born Illinois (Patricia Claire) 

May 15, 1938: McGeary family, seated left and middle: mother Claire, son Paul Jr.; at right: standing Paul Sr., Patricia Claire (child), Elizabeth “Betty” McGeary

Apr 5, 1940: U.S. Federal Census, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana:
Name Paul W McGeary
Age 50
Estimated Birth Year abt 1890
Gender Male
Race White
Birthplace Minnesota
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1940 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Street Northern
House Number 303
Farm No
Inferred Residence in 1935 Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Residence in 1935 Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Resident on farm in 1935 No
Occupation Manager
House Owned or Rented Rented
Value of Home 40
Highest Grade Completed College, 2nd year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census 48
Class of Worker Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939 52
Income 4500
Income Other Sources No
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Paul W McGeary Age 50, Head, born Minnesota, Manager Electrical Eng.
Claire McGeary Age 48, Wife, born Illinois
Paul W McGeary Age 18, Son, born Minnesota
Patricia McGeary Age 13, Daughter, born Minnesota

circa 1939: Patricia, Jean, father Paul & mother Claire, Betty:

Apr 27, 1942: WWII Draft Registration Card:
Name Paul William McGeary
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Date 6 Dec 1889
Birth Place Saint Paul, Minnesota
Residence Place Marion, Indiana
Military Draft Date 1942
Next of Kin Claire McGeary

Mar 31, 1950: U.S. Federal Census, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana:
Name Paul W McGeary
Age 60
Birth Date abt 1890
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place Minnesota
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Residence Date 1950
Home in 1950 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Street Name N. Pennsylvania
House Number 3630
Dwelling Number 2
Farm No
Acres No
Occupation Salesman
Industry Manufacturer Heating Equipment
Occupation Category Working
Hours Worked 40
Worker Class Private
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Paul W McGeary Age 60, Head, Married, born Minnesota, Salesman in Manufacturing & Heating Equipment
R Claire McGeary Age 58, Wife, Married, born Illinois
Patricia M Philpott Age 23, Daughter, Divorced, born Minnesota, Stenographer in Manufacturing & Heating Equip
Sandra Philpott Age 2, Granddaughter, born Indiana

1950s: Paul William McGeary & Claire Retta (McConneloug) McGeary:

1970s: Paul & Claire McGeary

Jan 4, 1978: Death of Paul William McGeary (age 88), the father of Betty Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Jan 4, 1978: Minnesota Death Index:
Name Paul W McGeary
Death Age 88
Record Type Death
Birth Date 6 Dec 1889
Death Date 4 Jan 1978
Death Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 1978
Mother’s Maiden Name Schneider
Certificate Number 001173
Record Number 1934567

Jan 4, 1978: Social Security Death Index:
Name Paul McGeary
Birth Date 6 Dec 1889
Issue year 1956
Issue State Virginia
Last Residence 55901, Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Date Jan 1978

Jan 1978: Burial of Paul William McGeary at Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

Mar 4, 1985: Death of Claire Retta (McConneloug) McGeary (age 93), the wife of Paul William McGeary and mother of Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (McGeary) Clemens, in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota

Mar 4, 1985: Minnesota Death Index:
Name R Claire McGeary
Death Age 93
Record Type Death
Birth Date 12 Jun 1891
Death Date 4 Mar 1985
Death Place Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Registration Date 1985
Mother’s Maiden Name Kennedy
Certificate Number 007553
Record Number 2174120

Mar 1985: Social Security Death Index:
Name Claire McGeary
Birth Date 12 Jun 1891
Issue year 1973
Issue State Florida
Last Residence 55901, Rochester, Olmsted, Minnesota
Death Date Mar 1985

May 1985: Burial of Claire Retta (McConneloug) McGeary at Forest Memorial Park in Maplewood, Ramsey Co., Minnesota

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2025: Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau. In gratitude to my uncle Joseph William Clemens, who told me the stories. Thank you to Myra Claire Martinez for many of the McGeary photos, to Joe & Betty’s children for their family pictures and information, and to Dana (Walker) Conway for the obituaries.

Direct line of Catherine:
Peter Clemens & Maria Mary Reding (gg-grandparents)
Nicholas/Nikolas Nigon & Barbara Leinen (gg-grandparents)
Mathias “Mathew” Clemens & Anna Mary Reiland (great-grandparents)
Mathew Sylvester “Matt” Clemens & Barbara Nigon (grandparents)
Carl John Clemens (brother of Joseph William “Joe” Clemens) & Noreen Ellen Chatfield (parents)

Note: The cemetery headstone photos from Find A Grave contained herein are the property of those who photographed them.