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Jonas Sleeper

1839 – 1888

 

Annie Sleeper (Anne, Sally Ann)

 

 

1873

08 14       Jonas Sleeper appointed Manager of Magnetic Spring by the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, near the Junction   WD

 

1888

07 20       DEATH OF J. H. SLEEPER

Monday evening at 7 o’clock, July 16th, 1888, Jonas H. Sleeper died of heart, liver and kidney troubles at his home in the 1st ward, at the age of 49 years, leaving surviving him his wife and an adopted daughter.  He was confined to his home for about six weeks previous to his death. 

 

Deceased was a native of Bristol, Grafton Co., N.H., where he resided until 1857.  He then located in Washington, D.C., where he conducted a hotel for one year.  He went from there to Leavenworth, Kansas.  Remaining there a year he returned to Washington and once more engaged in the hotel business. 

1860

In 1860 he came to Watertown and has been connected with the C. M. & St. Paul Railway ever since.  He was one of Watertown’s best known and most enterprising citizens, being engaged in several enterprises here aside from being agent of C.M. & St. P. R’y. Co.  For a number of years he was engaged in the milling business here in company with Fred Miller, and for 20 years previous to his death he dealt largely in grain and stood in the very highest esteem with the large rural population with whom he had dealings.  He was also president of the Watertown Gas Co., and of the Watertown Elevator Co.

 

In his death Watertown loses a citizen whose place will be hard to fill.  He was possessed of a most genial disposition and had great business facilities.  All our citizens sincerely mourn his death, and extend to his wife and child their sincerest sympathy.  Wednesday afternoon his funeral was held under the auspices of the Masonic lodge of this city and his remains were buried in Oak Hill cemetery.

 

His aged mother and his sister Miss Mary Sleeper of Manchester, N.H., were present at his funeral, as well as the following parties from abroad: W. G. Collins, Supt. C. M. & St. P. Ry., J. J . Moulding and N. C. Daniels, Milwaukee. 

 

The floral decorations were very grand, among them being Gates Ajar and a very large wheel with a broken segment.  A large number of Masons and Knight Templars were present in uniform from this city and neighboring towns.      Watertown Gazette    20 July 1888

 

1890

08 14       ANNE SLEEPER (SALLY ANN), home of, 611 S. Fifth St.

   

 

One of five homes, along with the Watertown History Center, featured in 26th annual Watertown Holiday Parade of Homes.

 

In 2019, the residence of Dan and Vicki Bartz, 611 S. Fifth St.

 

The Bartz’s Victorian Queen Anne Style home was built in 1890 by Sally Ann Sleeper, widow of Jonas H. Sleeper.  Jonas was an agent for the C.M. & St. Paul Railway, a well-known grain merchant, and a successful Watertown businessman.  Following Jonas’s death in July 1888, Mrs. Sleeper purchased the lot on May 2, 1889 for $900, and broke ground on her new home in November that year.

 

Dan and Vicki Bartz bought the house as a duplex in August 1981, and as their family grew, converted it back to a single family home in 1987.  Over the past three decades, the home has been extensively remodeled, with an emphasis on retaining its historical roots.  The home features inlaid wood flooring, leaded glass windows, and recently remodeled bathrooms and kitchen.

 

1909

Provoker of fun, First Congregational Church

 

 

Cross References:

Sleeper, Jonas H 1887c, Home of, 700 block Clyman, WHS_005_166

Station Agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad until George Webb took over.

 

 

 

 

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