Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-07-23
DEATH OF MRS. KATE
STAFFORD.


There were many hearts made sad
In Wausau on Sunday by the announce
ment OF the death of Mrs. Kate
Stafford, who was called from her
earthly home at o'clock D. M. of
that day at Mercy's hospital. Day-
EXPORT, la. 1t had been known by
relatives and friends here for a week
or more, that the hour of dissolution
was fast drawing nigh and that it
was only a question of short time
When this most excellent woman
would lay down the burdens of life,
Fifty years ago the hcFae of Mr..
and Mrs. Michael Stafford was at the
corner OF First and jefferson streets.
Just across from that of the Hon. and
Mrs. w. ID. McIndoe. 1t was one of
the most popular homes of our then
small village, made so by the cordial
hospitality of Mr.. and Mrs. Stafford.
From 1858 until the death of Mr..
Stafford, in 1874, this most estimable
couple were widely known and con-
tributed greatly to the social life of
our town and were potent factors in
every movement that was for the
good Of our community. Mr.. Stafford
was successful lumberman and for
several years was owner and publisher
of the Central Wisconsin, which
institution he sold to his nephew, r.
III. Johnson, when the latter came
home from the war.
Mrs. Kate Stafford was born in the
county OF wexford, Ireland, in 1928.
She came to America when 81 years
of age and remained for a short time
in Baltimore, then came to Milwau-
Kan Xyhnrn chm raci1n1
in marriage to Michael Stafford. in
1895, When they came to WauSau to
make their home. Mr.. Stafford came
here In 1901 and at the time of his
marriage was well established in the
lumber business. Both were deyout
members of the Catholic faith and
were among the prime movers in the
building OF st. Mary's church, the
first Catholic editice erected in Wau-
sau. They continued very active in
the affairs OF Wausau until 1874. In
the spring OF that year, Mr.. Stafford
started fleet of lumber down the
river from Schotield, destined for
markets on the Mississippi river
The water was very high and for
that reason the fleet was held at
Mosinee until it was thought safe to
run the falls. Mr.. Stafford became
impatient and on the incoming of
April 23d, 1874, went down, called
for volunteers and intended plotting
the entire fleet through the falls
himself. He was swept from the first
rapids piece that went over and was
drowned. Mrs. Stafford sold her home
few years later on Main street and
built another one on the corner
of Franklin and Sixth streets. Dis
posing OF all her holdings in Wau-
sau, about $780, she went to Daven-
port, Ia, to make her home in
Mercy hospital, which institution
was founded by her sister. The lat
ter had died some years previous, but
a cousin was Sister Superior and it
was upon her urgent solicitation that
the step was taken. Deceased had
been back to her old home city twice
since leaving. She had reached the
age of IS years and death was the re-
suit of the natural wearing out of
body and mind
Like her worthy husband, she was
possessed Of unusual education. There
were few homes in those early DAYS
! in which her good influence was not
| felt. She was friend and bene-
factor in the broadcast sense. Mrs.
| Stafford was woman of broad mind
and culture. She was a student of
nature and loved the beauty OF
Howers and the music of birds. Hers
was a happy temperament and
| throughout her long life she saw the
bright side of every trouble that
came to her. She believed in hospi-
tally, friendship and love. Hers was
truly a life well lived; and as the
years passed on, as the shadows
l9engthened and the end drew near,
she was ready to go and content that
it was so. Her memory will be tend
erly cherished by those who knew
her best.
She was the last of a family of nine.
She is survived by one niece, Mrs. j
G. Keefe of Orange, CAL, and three
| nephews, r. H. Johnson of this city,
G. W. Johnson of st. Paul, Mimi,
and l.. Johnson of Los Angeles, Cal.
Interment will be in the cemetery
| at Davenport, Ia, by the side of her
sister.