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Jonas Sleeper

1839 - 1888

1873

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

1888 Death of J. H. Sleeper

Watertown Gazette 20 July 1888

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.

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.