JOSEPH ZAHORIK (d. 1952)

CATO—Joseph Zahorik Sr., 69?, former Manitowoc County Register of Deeds, and
father of the present Register, Joseph M. Zahorik, died Friday morning at his
farm home north of here.
Mr. Zahorik, around whom much of the early history of the village of Taus and
the town of Franklin could be written, has been in failing health for several
weeks.
Funeral services are to be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Saur Funeral Home in
Kellnersville and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Whitelaw,
with the Rev. John Husslein officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery,
Manitowoc.
A son of the late John and Mary Peir Zahorik, the deceased was born in 1862 on
his parents’ farm in the town of Franklin, just north of what is now the village
of Taus. His education was received in a rural school of the town, the old North
side High at Manitowoc and at Oshkosh Normal. After teaching at District No. 4
School in Franklin for three years, he married the former Anna Boehm, also of
Franklin, in 1885. Of the 11 children born to the couple, eight are surviving.
Mrs. Zahorik died in 1931 at the farm home.
Prominent Citizen
In 1888 Mr. Zahorik played a leading role in developing the village of Taus,
erecting a general store and tavern on the northwest corner of the main inter-
section at a spot now occupied by a dance hall.
Six years later, in 1894, he purchased a parcel of land across the highway from
his original place of business on which he built a larger store and tavern. This
second building, which is still being used for the same purpose today, was of
unusual and sturdy construction, being built of two by fours spiked one on top
of the other.
Mr. Zahorik continued in business at Taus until 1912 when he sold out and purchased
the farm north of Cato. In 1947 he sold the Cato farm to his son, Harry, who is
still operating it.
During his years in business at Taus the elder Mr. Zahorik was looked upon by
Franklin citizens as the leading figure in most phases of that community’s pioneer
life. His numerous civic undertakings included town clerk for 25 years and justice
of the peace for 27 years.
In those early days the justice of the peace acted as the judge in minor cases and
lawsuits tried before him. That was prior to establishment of the present Municipal
Court in Manitowoc.
Originally the present village of Taus was called Zahorik’s Corner after the deceased
and his family. The name Taus was given the small community when it was provided with
a postoffice. Later the postal deliveries were made through a rural route out of the
Cain postoffice.
Elected Register
It was after he had moved to the Cato farm that Mr. Zahorik was named tter of Deeds,
1915-16 and 1919-20, being elected on the Democratic Party ticket, of which he was a
lifelong member.
In 1927 Mr. Zahorik was appointed secretary-treasurer of the Manitowoc County National
Farm Loan Association, a position he led through 1940 when the Manitowoc, Brown,
Kewaunee and Door County associations were consolidated.
The surviving children, in addition to Register of Deeds Joseph M. Zahorik, are four
other sons, Harry and Edward of Cato and Daniel and Arthur of Milwaukee; three daughters,
Mrs. Michael Lensmeyer of Reedsville. Miss Catherine, a nurse at the Milwaukee County
Hospital, and Miss Lauretta of Highland Park, Ill.; nine grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Saur Funeral Home in Kellnersville from 7 p.m. Saturday. The
rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Sunday.
Manitowoc Herald Times, January 25, 1952 P. 2
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[bur. 01-28-1952/age 89 yrs.]