Janez (John) Mavsar (also Mauser, Mavser) was born on December 12, 1886 in the village of Šentjošt, Slovenia to the family of Janez Mavsar and Ana Kozoglav.

John was the first child and the first Mauser brother to immigrate to the United States in 1902 at the age of 15. In the early spring of 1902 he left his village and headed for Antwerp, Belgium.

John Mavser (not Mauser) departed the port of Antwerp on March 8, 1902 on the ship Haverford. He arrived at the port of New York on March 26, 1902. John left Ellis Island for Indianapolis with $11 in his pocket. There were other men from Slovenia on this ship going to Indianapolis. John was a laborer, single, able to write and read.

It is unknown where John settled initially in Haughville, however it is known that in 1905 he lived at 707 Warman Avenue. That is in the house next door to the house at 705 Warman Avenue in which Rudolph (Washie) Bozic grew up. The Volkars lived in the house at 707 Warman Avenue according to 1910, 1920 and 1930 censuses.

According to 1910 census, on April 15, 1910 John was a 24 year old, single boarder at 710 Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis. At that time John was a molder at the foundry. John was able to read and write, and speak English. He was not naturalized.

Anton Mervar and his wife, Mary Pregelj, rented the house at 710 Holmes Avenue. Anton Mervar was Josephine Mervar’s (Mauser) brother; Josephine married John Mauser’s brother, Martin Mauser, in 1909.

According to John Mauser’s World War I Draft Registration Card A, No. 176 on June 5, 1917 John was 30, single, tall, stout, had brown eyes and black hair. He lived with his brother Martin and Martin’s young family at 960 Haugh Street, Indianapolis. In 1917 he was not a naturalized citizen, but declared his intention to become a citizen. John was a molder at Byram Foundry Co.

During World War I John Mauser was stationed at Camp (Zachary) Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky with the 84th Division. The photograph of John in a military uniform, which is available in the photo gallery of this website, was taken at the Kuprion’s Novelty Studio, 220 W. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY.

John (right), during WWI, circa 1917-18

On July 27, 1918 John Mauser married Julia Gorjanc in Marion County, Indianapolis. Julia was born in Slovenia on December 21 (also 29), 1889 and immigrated to the United States in 1917.

Wedding Day, John and Julia, July 27, 1918, Marion County, Indianapolis

The most deadly epidemic to ever strike the United States occurred in 1918. An estimated 675,000 Americans died of influenza during the pandemic. October 1918 turned out to be the deadliest month in the nation's history as 195,000 Americans fell victim to Spanish Influenza.

Among the victims of Spanish Influenza was John Mauser, who died on October 23, 1918 at just 31 years of age. He was buried on October 26, 1918 at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

John Mauser’s nephew, John Hočevar, residing in Stoney Creek, Canada has (2005) a letter written by his mother, Terezija, to her sister, Karolina, in which she informed her about their brother’s death. Terezija wrote that John suffered from influenza one month at home (960 Haugh Street) then he was taken to the hospital, where he died. Terezija asked her sister Karolina not to cry so she would not get sick. She invited Karolina to come home to Šentjošt so they could talk about their brother’s death and comfort each other.

John and Julia Mauser did not have children since they were married for a very short period of time. After John’s death Julia continued living with Martin and Josephine Mauser. John died in October of 1918 and according to the 1920 census, Julia was still with the Mausers at 960 Haugh Street in January of 1920. So at that time three adults and five children lived in the Mauser home. In 1920 Julia was a 30 year old widow able to speak English. She was still an alien - not naturalized. She worked as a coremaker (formed cores which were placed inside molds before the metal was poured) at the Iron Foundry.

On June 21, 1920 Julia Mauser married Louis Medvescek. Together they had a boy and a girl, but eventually they divorced.

Even after marring Mr. Medvescek, Julia kept in touch with the Mausers. On Tuesday, May 30, 1922, Julia Medvescek was Sophie Mauser’s confirmation sponsor and Sophie’s confirmation name was Julia.

Julia A. Medvescek died on October 13, 1983 at the age of 94. She was buried on October 17, 1983 at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Last address: 2920 W. 10th Street.

Click here to see images of John Mauser and Julia Gorjanc.