Charles Joseph (Demers) DeMars (1859 - abt. 1912)

Born 10 Sep 1859 in Saint Hermas, Deux-Montagnes, Canada-Est

Ancestors

Husband of Denise (Branchaud) DeMars — married 19 Aug 1883 in Chippewa Falls, Chippewa, Wisconsin, United States

Died about 13 Jun 1912 at about age 52 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, États-Unis d'Amérique

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Biography

Joseph Demers was born in St-Hermas on 10 September 1859. He was the son of Jean Baptiste Demers and Elmire Gauthier. He was baptized Charles Joseph 2 days later and his godparents were Charles Gauthier and Emilie Demers.^[1] He grew-up with his family in St-Hermas^[2][3] then in Buckingham^[4].

Joseph moved to the United-States in the early 1880.^[5][6]. Of 9 Demers brothers, he is one of the seven who lived in Eau Claire at one point or another.

He lived in different places in Eau Claire mainly at 612 Water street where he shared the house with Olivier DeMars in 1899. That house was used by members of the Demers family from 1885 to 1900.^[7]

On 19 August 1883 in Chippewa Falls, Chippewa, Wisconsin, he married Dyonisca Branchan [sic], daughter of Francis Branchan [sic] and Cecilia St.Louis. ^[8] She is the sister of Celia Branshaw, wife of his brother Edward.

Joseph was a city fireman for 15 years.^[7][9] Then before 1910 he became hotel keeper at 602 Water street in Eau Claire.^[6]

In April 1912, Joseph organized the funeral for his brother Edward.

Mr. Edward DeMars, proprietor of O.K. Hotel at Duluth, died Tuesday night at ten o'clock at St. Mary's Hospital in that city. He was operated upon at the hospital last Saturday. He leaves surviving him, a wife and child in Duluth and a brother, Joseph, residing on Water St., this city. The body will be brought to Eau Claire today and the funeral will take place from residence of Joseph DeMars, 602 Water St.
Leader-Telegram • Eau Claire, Wisconsin • 11 Apr 1912, Thu • Page 8^[10]

Two months later, on June 13th ...

Joseph Died at Sacred Heart Hospital. Survived by a wife, 3 daughters-Lottie, Marie and Mrs. Carl Christensen, 4 sons- William, Percy, and Lawrence of Eau Claire, And Fred of Chicago. Pall bearers will include fireman, the deceased having been a fireman for 15 years.^[9]

Family

Joseph and Denise had eight children, all born in Wisconsin, seven of them became adults^[5][6][9]

• Georgia (Christensen) Feb 1884–1937
• William J. Oct 1887–1947
• Frederick J. Dec 1889–1949
• Percy Joseph Sept 1894–1940
• Charlotte (Ainsworth) June 1896–1977
• Lawrence Nov 1897–1968
• Marie R (Leazott) 1903–1955

Research notes

• Another Joseph
  According to Eau Claire City directory and 1900 census, there was a second Joseph Demers living in Eau Claire during that period : A woodman, single, boarding at the same 602 Water street (from 1889 to 1900) with Simon Gauthier family. Born in Dec.1863 and immigrating in 1882.1900 census

• Occupant at 612 Water street^[7]
  • Leon from 1885 to 1891,
  • Edward 1889 then 1893 to 1895,
  • Joseph 1897 to 1900
  • Olivier in 1899.

• in Ancestry

• Still missing his marriage record.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Canada, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979"
   Catalog: Registres paroissiaux Registres, 23 févr. 1845 - 1876
   Image path: Canada, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979 > Mirabel > Saint-Hermas > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1845-1876 > image 298 of 647
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G99Q-9X76 (accessed 21 April 2023)
2. ↑ 1861 Census: "1861 Census of Canada"
   Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1327; Page number: 222
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1570 #794342423 (accessed 22 April 2023)
   Joseph Demers (1) head of household in St-Hermas, Deux-Montagnes, Canada East. Born in Lower Canada.
3. ↑ 1871 Census: "1871 Census of Canada"
   Year: 1871; Census Place: St Hermas, Deux Montagnes, Quebec; Roll: C-10030; Page: 37
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1578 #2509997 (accessed 22 April 2023)
   Joseph Demers (11) in St Hermas, Deux Montagnes, Quebec. Born in Quebec.
4. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 Census of Canada"
   Year: 1881; Census Place: Buckingham, Ottawa, Quebec; Roll: C_13224; Page: 27; Family No: 128
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1577 #4214024 (accessed 22 April 2023)
   Joseph Demarce (22), Laborer, in Quebec. Born in Quebec.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Eau Claire Ward 7, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: 1788; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0029
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7602 #63248321 (accessed 21 April 2023)
   Joseph Demars (40), married, City Fireman, head of household in Eau Claire Ward 7, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Born in Canada.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1910; Census Place: Eau Claire Ward 7, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1710; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0055; FHL microfilm: 1375723
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7884 #30705429 (accessed 22 April 2023)
   Joseph Demars (50), married, Keeper, head of household in Eau Claire Ward 7, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. Born in Canada.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} 1899 Directory: "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995"
   Original sources vary according to directory. The title of the specific directory being viewed is listed at the top of the image viewer page. Check the directory title page image for full title and publication information
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 2469 #810971065 (accessed 23 April 2023)
   Name: Joseph Demars; Residence Year: 1899; Street Address: 612 Water; Residence Place: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA; Occupation: Pipeman; Publication Title: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, City Directory, 1899.
8. ↑ "Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRKZ-Q8M : 30 January 2020), Joseph Demers, 1883. (accessed 3 May 2023)
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #118330676 (accessed 29 April 2023)
   Memorial page for Joseph DeMars (Sep 1857-13 Jun 1912), citing Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, USA; Maintained by mjshistory (contributor 47447356).
10. ↑ 1912 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
    Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) 11 Apr 1912, page
    Newspapers Clip: 123755645 (accessed 29 April 2023)