Fourth Generation

60. John Robert CLAY Sr. was born on 9 October 1878 in Monroe County, WI.^{18,20,35,54,113} He appeared in the census in 1880 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ He appeared in the census in 1900 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ John appeared in the census in 1910 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁰ His household was next door to his parents. He registered for the Military Draft on 12 September 1918 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI. ⁵⁵ His occupation was "Farming, Ownself" and he lived in Warrens. He was described as "Tall," "Slender," with "Blue" eyes and "Light" color hair. He appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ He appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁶ John appeared in the census in 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁷ Before 1954 he was a farmer.⁶⁶ He died on 8 December 1954 at the age of 76 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^4,35,113,114 Obituary Notes: "John Clay, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clay, was born on farm in the town of Lincoln, Monroe County, Wisconsin on October 9, 1878. On September 29, 1903, he was united in marriage to Julia Seflow by the Rev. J. G. Glaeser of Tomah.To this union five children were born.

He resided on the home place in the town of Lincoln until September 1919, when he moved on the Tom Finucan farm in the town of LaGrange and resided there until his death on December 8.

The late John Clay, Sr., joined the St. Matthew's Lutheran church by baptism and confirmation on May 24, 1952. September 29, 1953, John and Julia celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary at their farm home, with all their family present, and many relatives and friends. John was known as a hard worker all his life and up until the last years when ill health overtook him he had also been active in many community and local organizations.

November 22 he was taken to the Tomah Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a strangulated hernia. It was presumed he was recovering nicely and returned to his home. But on December 3, he suffered from a blood clot in his right leg and was again taken to the hospital where amputation was contemplated, but due to his weak condition and failure to respond to treatment, this operation could not be performed.

He passed away at 6:15 December 8, 1954, at the Tomah Memorial Hospital. He leaves to mourn his wife, Julia, and daughters, (Lorene) Mrs. Will Schone, town of LaGrange, and (Sylvia) Mrs. Gervase Thompson,Columbus, Wisconsin. Three sons, John Jr. and Earl, in the town of LaGrange, and Donald of Bush Prairie, Sparta; one brother, Frank, and sisters Mrs. Mary Vandervort and Ellen Clay; twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. He reached the age of 76 years, one month and 29 days.

Funeral services were held from St. Matthew's Lutheran church in the Town of Lincoln at 2 p.m. Friday December 10, by the Rev. August Saremba. Interment was in the LaGrange Cemetery."
John was buried in December 1954 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^35,68 in the LaGrange Township Cemetery.

John Robert CLAY Sr. and Juliana Mathilde "Julia" SEVERLOH were married on 29 September 1903 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^{42,99,113,115,116,117} Juliana Mathilde "Julia" SEVERLOH, daughter of Heinrich SEVERLOH and Maria D. ZAHRTE, was born on 14 August 1878 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^18,35,42,99 (Her surname is spelled "Seflow" in some sources, but it is listed as "Sewerloh" in the Monroe County marriage records, and as "Selflowgh" in the 1880 Census. The Census also indicates that she was born in Germany.) She was christened on 3 November 1878 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁵ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ Julia appeared in the census in 1900 in Grant Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ She was living with her parents. She appeared in the census in 1910 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁰ She appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁵ Julia appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁶ She died on 3 July 1975 at the age of 96 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^35,99 She was buried in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁵ in the LaGrange Township Cemetery.

John Robert CLAY Sr. and Juliana Mathilde "Julia" SEVERLOH had the following children: