Mary Frances Josephine (Browne) McHale (1858 - 1950)

Born 23 Jan 1858 in Brown, Illinois, United States

Wife of John Thomas (MacHale) McHale — married 18 Nov 1890 (to 28 Dec 1924) in Marion, Indiana, United States

Died 1 May 1950 at age 92 in Santa Clara, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terry Zimmerman [send private message]

Biography

Mary Francis Josephine was born in 1858 in Brown County, Illinois, in the west central portion of that state. Josephine's mother, Maranda (sometime spelled Miranda or Marinda) Webb, had grown up on a farm in Buckhorn Township. ^[1] Her father, Lorenzo Dow Brown was a widower with two sons when he arrived in Brown County, Illinois, from Brown County, Ohio, in the mid-1850's.^[2] Josephine's parents married circa 1856 and she was their firstborn child.

Eight years old when her father died in Lewis County, Missouri, ^[3] Josephine's mother was left with two older stepsons and her own four children. Josephine's youngest sibling, Carrie Arminta "Minnie" Brown, only three months old at her father's passing, was born in Missouri, this per the U.S. Census of 1980 cited below. Apparently, the Brown family had left Illinois prior to 1865.

In 1868 the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad completed a bridge over the Mississippi River to connect Illinois with Missouri rail lines. Adams County is situated between Brown County, Illinois on its east boarder and the Mississipi River the west. In 1869 Josephine's mother married Joseph S. Thompson, a hardware dealer in Adams County, Illinois, ^[4] No 1870 U.S. Census record for the Thompson household has been found. But in 1880, 22-year-old Josephine and 14-year-old sister Minnie were present in the Quincy, Illinois household of Joseph and Maranda Thompson. The sisters had gained two younger stepbrothers, aged 9 and 3. Where else Myra lived through the decade of the 1880's is unknown.

In 1890, in Marion County, Indiana, Josephine married John Thomas McHale (1855-1924) of St. Louis, Missouri. Their marriage license recorded her name as "Josie Brown." She was 32 years old, and John was 35. The circumstances that brought them to Indianapolis would be fascinating to learn, but facts elude us. They had in common the loss of parents at young ages, John's father having died when he was 7, his mother when he was 18 years old. He had worked alternately as a laborer and a self-employed upholsterer.

Josie and John's first child, Myra Bridgette McHale (1892-1985), was born in Indianapolis. A family story recounts how Myra was named for her grandmothers, Marinda and Bridget. Disliking both those names, Myra's mother settled on using her mother's nickname, Myra, and out of her deceased mother-in-law's name, Bridget, made the middle name of her firstborn "Bridgetta" so the names would rhyme. ^[5] After Myra married she used "Browne" as her middle name, though all records of her childhood cited "Brown."

Relocating to Bloomington, McLean, Illinois by 1894, the McHales had two daughters there, Anna A. McHale (1894-1903) and Beulah Lee McHale (1896-1987). Josie's husband resumed his upholstery trade and continued to work from home. Bloomington's biannual city directories between 1895 and 1899 recorded three different home addresses for the McHales. ^[6]

The U.S. Census of 1900 found the McHale family in Salt Lake City, Utah. Most unfortunately, 9-year-old Anna suffered meningitis in the spring of 1903 and passed away early in May.

Bereaved members of the McHale family continued their westward exodus, arriving in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California in June 1904. A "temperance town," Palo Alto was established in 1894, the same year Stanford University was founded there. ^[7] The McHales had become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; perhaps temperance was important to them. Certainly, such a town was a rare find in California at the turn of the 20th century.

In Palo Alto the McHales found stability. In 1907 the local city directory listed John as upholsterer and Josie as mattress-maker at their home address. The following year, a Santa Clara County directory recorded "Mrs. Josie B. McHale, nurse" below John's name. At the U.S. Census of 1910 Josephine was 52 years old and occupied as a nurse in general practice. There is a family story written by a great niece about "Aunt Jo" taking an ailing young Illinois relative into her home and nursing her back to health. Jo also provided nursing care for ailing community members, bringing some into her home. ^[8]

After renting just two homes over six years, in 1911 the McHales purchased a home on Webster Street and kept it for twelve years. The McHale daughters were active in grade school and high school, their achievements sometimes reported by the local newspaper. Myra went on to attend and graduate from Stanford University with a degree in history; she then taught school in Palo Alto. Both daughters married in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Latter-Day Saints, Beulah in 1919 and Myra in 1920. ^[9]

Josephine sold the family home in 1923. ^[10] The following year, husband John took ill in the fall, then died at their home on Alma Street from a recurrence of pneumonia in December 1924.

The 1930 census shows that daughter Myra's family owned the home on Alma Street, while Josephine had purchased a different home, just around the corner on Kellogg Avenue. That year Josephine had a family boarding with her, a 30-year-old employed father, age 30, and three children. Then 72 years old, the census taker recorded Josephine's occupation as private family nurse. Turning 80 years old in 1938, she was honored by a gathering of 100 people at her church. ^[11]

Daughter Beulah of Palo Alto had been widowed in 1932, left with three children under the age of 11. No doubt Josephine provided considerable support to her daughter and grandchildren.

World War II claimed the life of Beulah's son (Josephine's only grandson) in 1944.

In 1950 Josephine and both her daughters were appointed election certifiers in their respective local precincts. But Josephine did not have her chance to serve in that capacity. She died at Myra's home on the first day of May, months prior to the local elections.

The earliest of several newspaper obituaries reported that Mrs. McHale had lived in Palo Alto since June 1904. ^[12] This revised obituary appeared on May 4th:

"McHale--In Palo Alto, Calif., Monday, May 1st, 1950, Josephine Browne McHale, wife of the late John Thomas McHale; mother of Mrs. Arthur V. Thulin of Palo Alto and Mrs. Beulah M. Widsteen of Palo Alto; grandmother of Mrs. Roger W. Hall of Palo Alto, Mrs. Edgar P. Arceneaux of Mt. View, Mrs. William W. Robertson of San Mateo; great grandmother of seven. Native of Brown County, Illinois. Aged 92 years. Friends are invited to attend the funeral services at 2 p.m. Friday, May 5th at the chapel of Roller and Hapgood..." ^[13]

Josephine was laid to rest with her husband at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850", FamilySearch.org, data base with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M85N-YSX : 2 March 2024); Maranda Webb, age 12, daughter in household of John Webb and Elizabeth Webb, Buckhorn Township, Brown, Illinois, United States. ~~Terry Zimmerman ~~
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX3N-FMQ : 2 March 2024); Lorenzo D Brown, age 25, farmer, and Euphemia Brown, age 18, Perry Township, Brown, Ohio, United States.
3. ↑ Per a family/church record, without further definitive evidence, at FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/sources/changelog/M9VG-QZL?context : 5 March 2024). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
4. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2TK-X2J : 3 March 2024); Joseph S Thompson and Miranda J Brown, married 20 Apr 1869, Adams, Illinois, United States. ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
5. ↑ "Grandma Myra's middle name," 13 Sep 2020, FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/collaborate/KW89-9ZD : 3 March 2024). ~~Terry Zimmerman ~~
6. ↑ See John McHale's profile, John Thomas McHale (1855-1924), for city directory sources. ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
7. ↑ "Palo Alto, California, Wikipedia.org (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palo_Alto,_California : 3 March 2024). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
8. ↑ "Mary Francis Josephine Browne McHale, 1858-1950 • KWJ6-ZPL" FamilySearch .org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/80347919?p=57334274&returnLabel=Mary%20Frances%20Josephine%20Brown%20(KWJ6-ZPL)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fmemories%2FKWJ6-ZPL : 26 February 2024.) ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
9. ↑ For sources and details, see their profiles, Myra Bridgette McHale (1892-1985) and Beulah Lee McHale (1896-1987). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
10. ↑ "Instruments on file with recorder," The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, California) · 2 Feb 1923, Fri · Page 9, Newspaper.com by Ancestry (https://www.newspapers.com/image/838289213/?terms=%22Josephine%20Brown%20McHale%22%20&match=1 : 5 March 2024); Josephine Brown McHale et al to James Flannelly. ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
11. ↑ Mrs. McHale honored on her 80th birthday," The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, California) · 26 Jan 1938, Wednesday · Page 8, Newspapers.org by Ancestry, data base on-line (https://www.newspapers.com/image/838399109/?terms=%22Mrs%20McHale%20honored%22&match=1 : 3 March 2024). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
12. ↑ Funeral Friday for Mrs. McHale," The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, California) · 2 May 1950, Tuesday · Page 2, Newspaper.com by Ancestry (https://www.newspapers.com/image/994075156/?match=1&clipping_id=142640629 : 3 March 2024). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~
13. ↑ The Peninsula Times Tribune (Palo Alto, California) · 4 May 1950, Thursday · Page 4, Newspapers.com by Ancestry (https://www.newspapers.com/image/994075720/?terms=%22Josephine%20Browne%20McHale%22%20&match=1 : 3 March 2024). ~~ Terry Zimmerman ~~

• "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," Volume 23, page 67, FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF8L-18M : 24 February 2024); Marriage of John T. McHale and Josie Brown, 18 Nov 1890, Marion, Indiana, United States.

"United States Census, 1860," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX41-WWB : 2 March 2024), MFJ Brown, daughter, age 2 in household of L D Brown, age 34, farmer, and wife M Brown, age 31, Buckhorn Township, Brown, Illinois, United States.

"United States Census, 1880," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXN9-PFC : 2 March 2024); Josephine Thompson, age 22, in household of Joseph F. Thompson, age 44, and Maranda Thompson, age 41, Quincy, Adams, Illinois, United States.

"Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," Volume 23, page 67, FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XF8L-18M : 24 February 2024); Marriage of John T. McHale and Josie Brown, 18 Nov 1890, Marion County, Indiana, United States.

"Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H9BG-TYT2 : 26 February 2020); Beulah Lee Mc Hale, born 13 Sep 1896, daughter of John McHale, age 39, and Josie Brown Mc Hale, age 38, Bloomington, McLean, Illinois, United States.

"United States Census, 1900," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMRG-Z1M : 24 February 2024); John T. McHale, age 44, upholsterer, and Josie B. McHale, age 42, married 9 years, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

"Utah Deaths and Burials, 1888-1946", Record of Deaths in Salt Lake City, FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HFY5-9TZM : 24 February 2024); John T. McHale, father, and Josephine Brown, mother, in entry for death of daughter Anna A. McHale, age 9, 3 May 1903, cause - cerebral meningitis, death #B7941, certificate # D13225, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. [At Family Search online page, see image 283 of 512, bottom of page 208-209.]

"U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," Palo Alto, California, City Directory, 1904, page 50, Ancestry.co, database on-line (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1397670136:2469?tid=&pid=&queryId=be01a29d-693c-4503-9d17-63f11d9a2ea6&_phsrc=nLq1430&_phstart=successSource : 25 February 2024; John T. McHale, upholsterer, and Josie B. McHale, res. 427 Middlefield, Palo Alto, California.

"U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," Directory of Palo Alto, California 1907, Ancestry.com, database on-line (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1387641474:2469?tid=&pid=&queryId=99eca815-2c25-4e5d-8278-29f31a1d8a67&_phsrc=nLq1597&_phstart=successSource : 7 March 2024); McHale, Mrs. Josie B., mattress maker, 727 Webster, Palo Alto, California.

"U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," Santa Clara County Directory (including Palo Alto), 1908, Ancestry.com, database on-line (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/222088935:2469?tid=&pid=&queryId=ddae04c4-3e46-4c98-b6be-5d55e3e6e44c&_phsrc=nLq1595&_phstart=successSource : 7 March 2024); McHale, Mrs. Josie B., nurse, 727 Webster, Palo Alto, California.

"United States Census, 1910," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVGL-1LQ : 24 February 2024); John T McHale, age 54, upholster working at home, and Josephine B McHale, age 52, nurse in general practice, Palo Alto Township, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"United States Census, 1920," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH4V-272 : 24 February 2024); John F McHale, age 64, upholsterer working at home, and Josophiene B McHale, age 62, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"California Death Index, 1905-1939," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKSM-9JS8 : 24 February 2024); John T McHale, age 69, expired 12/28/1924, Santa Clara, California.

"United States Census, 1930," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCNP-LNF : 26 February 2024); Josephine B McHale, age 72, widowed head of household/private family nurse, and James Whittemore, age 30, boarder/accountant, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"United States Census, 1940," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9DT-FD8 : 26 February 2024); Josephine McHale, age 82, widowed head of household, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995," Ancestry.com, database on-line, citing Palo Alto, California, City Directory, 1941 (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/207338642:2469 : 2 March 2024); Josephine B. McHale (widow J.T.), home 117 Kellogg avenue, Palo Alto, California.

"United States 1950 Census," FamilySearch.org, database with images (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XG3-XKP6 : 26 February 2024); Josephine B. McHale, age 92, widowed mother-in-law, in household of Arthur V Thulin, age 57, carpenter, and wife Myra M Thulin, age 58, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"California Death Index, 1940-1997," FamilySearch.org, database with images, citing Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento, California (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VG5R-R6B : 26 February 2024); Josephine Browne Mchale, birth 23 Jan 1858 - Illinois, father's surname - Browne, mother's surname - Webb, death 01 May 1950, Santa Clara, California, United States.

"Find a Grave," database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/263808199/josephine-mchale: accessed February 24, 2024), memorial page for Josephine “Josie” Browne McHale (23 Jan 1858–1 May 1950), Find a Grave Memorial ID 263808199, citing Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA; Maintained by Sunnypj (contributor 49216152).