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- JOHN FRANCIS DOCKRY
John Francis Dockry, who died on the 23d of May, 1912, had probably a wider personal acquaintance with residents of Brown county than any other individual, and his traits of character were such as won him popularity and high regard. He proved a capable official through many years' service in public office and be held to high ideals in every relation of life. He was born in, September 24, 1854, a son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Rafferty) Dockry, who were married in New York. The father, a farmer by occupation, is a native of Ireland and came to the new world in early life. In the family were eight children, of whom seven are still living: Michael, a resident of Cloquet, Minnesota ; Ann, the widow of Daniel Campbell, of East Holland, Brown county ; Sylvester, of Everett, Washington ; Patrick, of Chicago, Illinois ; Mary, the widow of Michael Rice and a resident of Chicago ; Edward, also of Chicago ; Catherine, of Tacoma, Washington ; and John Francis, of this review. It was during the infancy of our subject that the family came to Wisconsin and settled in Hollandtown, Brown county, where the mother died in 1894. The father, however, is still living, being now over eighty years of age, and he spends his time with his children, having retired from farming.
The childhood and youth of Mr. Dockry were spent on the home farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. He acquired his early education in the district schools and later entered the Oshkosh Normal School, from which he was graduated in due time. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed in the towns of De Pere. Glenmore, Suamico, Green Bay and Pensaukee. He afterward took up the study of law under the direction of Warren J. Lander, a well known attorney of Green Bay and, while he did not engage in practice, he filled offices that called into requisition his legal knowledge. He was appointed deputy internal revenue collector by President Grover Cleveland, who was then serving his second term as chief executive of the nation, and he filled that position for four years. He then purchased an interest in the Green Bay Advocate, the former owner, Edward Decker, taking Albert Hoppe and Mr. Dockry as partners. Our subject was editor of the paper for three or four years and then sold out, being later in the employ of the Gazette for a time. His connection with newspaper interests brought him a wide acquaintance and awakened his hearty cooperation in many affairs relating to the best interests of the community at large. In 1898 Mr. Dockry was elected justice of the peace and was reelected at each succeeding election from that time until his death. He was always accorded a large majority, which fact indicated his personal popularity and the number of friends that he had in the city. He became police justice in 1908 and filled that position with honor and dignity. His decisions were always strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and equity in the case, and his course received the indorsement of all law-abiding citizens.
In 1885 Mr. Dockry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Beahan, whose parents were Christopher and Johanna (Devine) Beahan, who were married in Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, where her father followed farming for many years. He was a native of Ireland and died in 1895 but the mother of Mrs. Dockry is still living and now makes her home in Milwaukee. In the Beahan family were six children, namely: Margaret, who was drowned at the age of eleven years ; Ellen, now the widow of Michael Flatley; Mary, now Mrs. Dockry; Catherine and Bridget, both residents of Milwaukee; and Margaret (II), the wife of Leonard Cartright, of Milwaukee. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dockry was celebrated in the cathedral at Green Bay and to them have been born seven children : Elizabeth : Mary ; Christopher ; John ; Edwin ; Catherine ; and Francis. Mr. Dockry held membership in the Catholic church, of which his family are communicants. He belonged also to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a very public-spirited man who studied questions of vital importance to the community, to the state and to the country at large and gave his support to measures which he deemed of value as factors in public progress. He always led a very active life and his efforts and labors were attended by good results. His official record was most creditable and such were his personal characteristics that he not only easily won friends but ever maintained a place in their high regard. He possessed good health until a few months before his death, when he was attacked by hardening of the arteries. The last five weeks of his life he was confined to his bed, suffering much, but he bore it all with much fortitude, his determined nature bearing him up. When the end finally came it was peaceful, and without a struggle he passed out of life.
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1854 - 1912 (57 years)
