John W. Maher
Encyclopedia
For the American singer-songwriter, see John Mayer
.
John W. Maher (June 10, 1866 – May 10, 1917) was an American
politician
and a veterinarian
. He served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
.
to Irish immigrants, James Thomas Maher (January 1, 1842 – March 10, 1923) and Anna (Farley) Maher (November 11, 1839 – September 3, 1907). In 1873, Maher came with his family from Illinois
to Dakota Territory
, settling in Union County
. On May 31, 1887, he married Barbara A. Cooper (August 6, 1861 – August 29, 1937), the daughter of Prussia
n immigrants. Two of the couple's five children died in infancy.
Maher engaged in business in Beresford, South Dakota
and learned that he did not like it. In spite of a lack of college training, Maher obtained a veterinary license; and soon, Maher was recognized as a good practitioner of veterinary medicine. Maher built a hospital near his home and established a widely used line of veterinary medicines.
In the fall of 1911, Maher was one of sixty or seventy men from Beresford who attended a meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
. The meeting was called by Dr. Hanson of Brookings, South Dakota
for the purpose of organizing plans for a new highway, which would pass from Winnipeg
, Canada
to the Gulf of Mexico
. The highway was eventually known as US Highway Number 77, which was completed in the fall of 1939.
In 1912, Maher was elected to represent the first district of the state Legislature
in the South Dakota House of Representatives
. He spent his last three years in failing health and used a wheelchair during that time. Maher's health problems were attributed to a strenuous life. He died peacefully in his sleep. During the hour of John W. Maher's funeral, all businesses in Beresford, South Dakota were closed by proclamation of the Mayor.
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
.
John W. Maher (June 10, 1866 – May 10, 1917) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. He served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
South Dakota House of Representatives
The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...
.
Biography
John W. Maher was born near Freeport, IllinoisFreeport, Illinois
Freeport is a city in and the county seat of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 26,443 at the 2000 census. The mayor of Freeport is George W...
to Irish immigrants, James Thomas Maher (January 1, 1842 – March 10, 1923) and Anna (Farley) Maher (November 11, 1839 – September 3, 1907). In 1873, Maher came with his family from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
to Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
, settling in Union County
Union County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,584 people, 4,927 households, and 3,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
. On May 31, 1887, he married Barbara A. Cooper (August 6, 1861 – August 29, 1937), the daughter of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n immigrants. Two of the couple's five children died in infancy.
Maher engaged in business in Beresford, South Dakota
Beresford, South Dakota
Beresford is a city in Lincoln and Union counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The population was 2,005 as of the 2010 census. The southern two-thirds is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the northern one-third is part of the Sioux Falls...
and learned that he did not like it. In spite of a lack of college training, Maher obtained a veterinary license; and soon, Maher was recognized as a good practitioner of veterinary medicine. Maher built a hospital near his home and established a widely used line of veterinary medicines.
In the fall of 1911, Maher was one of sixty or seventy men from Beresford who attended a meeting in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
. The meeting was called by Dr. Hanson of Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
for the purpose of organizing plans for a new highway, which would pass from Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. The highway was eventually known as US Highway Number 77, which was completed in the fall of 1939.
In 1912, Maher was elected to represent the first district of the state Legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
in the South Dakota House of Representatives
South Dakota House of Representatives
The South Dakota House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Dakota State Legislature. It is made up of 70 members, two from each legislative district...
. He spent his last three years in failing health and used a wheelchair during that time. Maher's health problems were attributed to a strenuous life. He died peacefully in his sleep. During the hour of John W. Maher's funeral, all businesses in Beresford, South Dakota were closed by proclamation of the Mayor.