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William
F. Voss
1847 -
1921
Long
Prominent in the Public Life of Watertown
Held
Many Offices at Time of Death – The Whole Community Mourns
Watertown Daily Times, 11 02 1921
[portrait]
William F. Voss, died
suddenly this morning at
Those close to Mr.
Voss were aware that his heart was not physically good, but little did they
imagine any near eventuality such as that of this morning.
Only yesterday
afternoon he was at the Wisconsin
National Bank of which he was president, in a meeting with the examining
committee which was holding a regular session, and was in consultation with the
bank force considering important matters.
He displayed that grasp of affairs and enthusiasm for which he was noted
everywhere.
The ex-senator passed
away very peacefully. He came home from
the bank shortly before the super hour and spent the evening with his family
and exhibited the usual happy spirit of the fireside. He retired at the usual hour and evidently
went to sleep without any thought of the near approach of the Angel of Death
with the final summons. At about
A Model and Eventful Life
Senator Voss was
almost a continual resident of Watertown since he was a child of five years,
and during that time the highest honors and greatest responsibilities of the
community were conferred upon him. No
public servant ever entered upon a trust with loftier aims and discharged the
duties with greater ability.
The deceased was born
near Berlin, Germany,
After the death of his
first wife, Frederick Voss married again and by his second wife became the
father of one child, Minnie.
Thus, through the
death of his parents, Mr. Voss was thrown upon his own resources at an early
age. His youth was characterized by that
ambition, industry and perseverance which made him so successful in life. He craved for knowledge and was a student
until the hour of his death. Although
the oldest of the children, and accepted responsibility as their guide and
protector, he did not neglect the educational advantages of this city. He entered the public schools and went
through the grades, and had the distinction of graduating from the high school
at the age of fifteen years.
The day after he
graduated he set out to secure employment and walked to Columbus, in the
vicinity of which place he secured employment in the harvest field; and
afterward began clerking in a dry goods and grocery store for William Volkmann
& Co., of this city with whom he remained for three years. The boy then went to Cincinnati, Ohio and for
two years thereafter was in the employ of John Schillito & Company.
He then resolved to
return to Watertown and start upon a business career in his home town. He accepted a clerkship in the store of J. T. Moak and when the latter received the
appointment of postmaster of Watertown, Mr. Voss
became his deputy, thus obtaining the first glimpse of public life in which he
afterward became so distinguished.
About six years later
he decided to go west and engage in gold mining and started for the Sweetwater
mines but upon reaching the North Platte River, the serious Indian troubles
prevented him from carrying out his determination. He then purchased a team and made his way to
Denver, where he worked on a farm for about two years, then returned to his old
home in Wisconsin.
Becomes a Banker
After filling the
position of deputy postmaster here for some time, he became teller of the
Wisconsin National Bank of this city, in the spring of 1873, which place he
held for a number of years, until he became the president of the institution.
He was one of the organizers of the Philip H. Heinrich Company planning mill,
the Watertown Grocery Company of which he served as director, and in many other
enterprises which he assisted in establishing.
Notable Political Career
Four Term Mayor
Mr. Voss was widely
known and distinguished, but in recounting that long and varied career, we are
led to the belief that his greatest prominence was as a public man during the
constructive period of his city and state, when true statesmanship counted on
behalf of the public.
As a young man he was
elected alderman of the Sixth ward for five terms, and then retired from the
council to become city treasurer. He
then became mayor and was elected to the office four times, at different
periods, a record that is unique in the annals of any municipality. He was elected at a time when public
improvements such as waterworks and sewers were becoming a necessity and he
entered upon a leadership in this new age with energy and vision that brought
unsurpassable success. During his
administrations as mayor very many of the splendid improvements which do honor
to the city were either originated or completed and will stand as an
everlasting monument to his devotion to the best interests of this community.
A Stout Friend of Education
If there is one
public concern in which Senator Voss took more interest than another it was the
cause of popular education. He saw in our
public school system the grandest triumph of a democratic form of government
and was always a vigilant and active supporter of all matters pertaining to our
schools. He was elected to the school board over thirty years ago, resigning
each time that he had been elected mayor, and being reelected by his
constituents as soon as he became legally eligible by relinquishment of the
mayoralty.
He served a number of
terms embracing two long periods as president of that body, and was in that
position at the time of his death. His
interest in the working of the schools was so intense that he was intimately
versed in all of the work of the schools and was in close touch with all of the
plans necessary to be made. His interest
in the school board was almost passion and his leadership was an inspiration to
fellow members of the board, teachers and all in any way connected with the
work.
President of Library Board
He was also president
of the library board and never missed a meeting of
that body. The most thorough attention
was given by him to this important public function. He was one of the original supporters of the
free library and took keen satisfaction in its success.
Secretary of Waterworks Board
Mr. Voss was an
authority on all matters pertaining to the waterworks system of this city. As mayor and alderman he advocated the
establishment of a waterworks board and his interest was so outstanding that he
was prevailed upon to accept the secretaryship.
He held that position continuously since 1896.
The deceased was also
one of the directors of the Oak Hill cemetery association.
Prominent in State Affairs
Senator Voss was for
many years one of the leaders of the democratic party in this state and in 1890
was elected to the Wisconsin state senate.
While in that body he was chairman of the committee on banking and
currency, and also a member of another important committee, that of railroads.
Almost from the
beginning he took front rank among the leaders of the senate. He possessed a strong, well trained mind and
always had the courage to assert his convictions. The late justice of the Supreme Court, Robert
M. Bashford, served in the senate with him and was rightfully regarded as the ablest
lawyer in either branch of the state legislature. In speaking of Senator Voss and his great
activities as chairman of the banking committee, Judge Bashford some years
later said, “Voss of Dodge County possessed the greatest executive ability of
any man in the state senate during my time, and he was always prepared for any
task before him”.
His nature was such
that he naturally gave precedence to things political or public in their
nature, but after his service in the senate he decided to apply himself to
business and public activities of a purely local nature.
He was often urged as
a candidate for congress and for governor, but having decided upon his course,
declined to consider these honors. He
was naturally a leader of people, and the high honors and responsibility that
came to him – hardly ever paralleled in the history of any city – were justly
bestowed and not selfishly sought, because he was preeminently a man capable of
great things and was therefore turned to by his fellow citizens when public
movements were ripe.
He considered it a
laudable ambition to seek political preferment, but he was in no sense what
might be termed an office seeker. The
two qualities necessary in a successful political general were strongly
developed in the deceased. He loved his
city, his state, his country and the people.
He had faith in the people and an unselfish willingness to serve and
above all a clear mind and a stout heart, ready to meet and conquer any
difficulty. It is easy to replace a mere
public servant; it is a matter of real difficulty to replace a man like William
F. Voss. The business men of this city,
those engaged in public matters and in social enterprise, will long miss the
impetus which he daily gave them.
No person ever had a
higher conception of friendship. That it
was man’s duty to be obliging and helpful to his neighbors, and sacredly true
to friendships. That was his simple rule
of life and governed his conduct toward his fellowmen. Mr. Voss was one of the most devoted of
husbands and fathers, and found his greatest rest and comfort in the bosom of
his family.
A Christian man he
always asked God to guide his feet along the paths of greatest usefulness. The benefits which his activities bestowed
upon this community are inestimable but fully appreciated by fellow citizens.
Married in 1878
Mr. Voss and Miss
Mary Schempf, daughter of George L. Schempf, a pioneer merchant, were married
in this city
Mr. Voss was a member
of Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M., Watertown Chapter No. 11, R. A. M. and
Olivet Commandery No. 18, K. T. He was
also a member of the Elks.
The funeral arrangements
have not been completed and the date of the services will be announced
later. Friends are requested to omit
flowers. [Buried in Oak
Hill Cemetery]
Flags at Half Mast
Out of respect
to his memory and in public recognition
of the valuable services rendered the community during his long and active life
the flags of the city hall and Phoenix engine house will be placed at half
mast. The whole community is in mourning
over the death of this honest and useful man.
Death Deeply Regretted
Deepest of
expressions of regret over the death of Mr. Voss were heard on all sides. He
was known to almost everyone in this section and through his kindly nature he
made friends of all.
City
Attorney E. F. Wieman,
in speaking of his death said: “In the
death of Hon. Wm. F. Voss, the community has lost its strongest political,
fraternal and business influence. A
wonderful man, fair, upright, honest, a just adversary, yet with a ready,
helping hand for those who sought his assistance”.
Col.
Solliday: “I became intimately associated with William
Voss in 1873 and we have been fast friends and close associates every
since. We were together engaged in the
banking business and served together in the state senate. He was one of the ablest men in the senate
and was so regarded. Not only in his
business but in his public life, he was extremely conscientious, painstaking
and very anxious to serve the best interests of those who reposed confidence in
him”.
Postmaster
J. M. Moore: “On my way to the post office early this
morning a neighbor of Hon. Wm. F. Voss hailed me and said: “Have your heard Mr.
Voss is dead?” It was a terrible shock!
And I halted and stood still for a moment and replied: “Well, a good man and a
good friend has been called to his final reward. I have known Mr. Voss intimately for over
fifty years as a citizen, as a friend, in a business way, as a politician, as a
co-worker on the board of education for over twenty years, and on the library
board for eleven years, and have always found him honorable, conscientious,
capable and ever mindful of the rights of others in all his transactions. In many ways and at many times I have had
occasion to judge him – he was fair-minded in politics, in business and
especially liberal in his civic and religious views, striving at all times to
do unto others as he would be done by.
As a banker his judgment could always be relied on, and were there more
men in the banking business possessed of his sterling honesty and conservatism,
there would be fewer banks wrecked in the country. In common with all our follow citizens, I
mourn Mr. Voss as a splendid type of citizen, and as a man whose friendship I
prized very highly.”
Mayor
H. Wertheimer: “Mr. Voss and I were associated together and
worked in harmony in business and matters of public concern for these many
years. He was a noble soul, genuinely
devoted to the upbuilding of Watertown and the very best interests of our
people. His nature was so noble that it
was a great pleasure to work with him.
His life work brought many benefits to Watertown.”
Stands High As a Banker
Officers of banks in
this city discussed his high standing as a banker. He was well known to the banking world and
took an influential part in shaping the policies of the state and regional
organizations. He was the dean of
Watertown bankers.
___________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Mary Voss nee Schempf
1858 - 1937
01-21-1937 WG
Death of Mrs. Mary
Voss
Mrs. Mary Voss, 78, widow of the late William F. Voss, died at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. Josephine Shealy at Madison last Monday night. Death was due to influenza and
pneumonia. Mrs. Voss, whose home is at
906 North Fourth Street here, has been living with her daughter since last
September. She was born in Watertown on
May 24, 1858, the daughter of the late Mr. and
Mrs. George Schempf. With the
exception of the few months she has lived in Madison, she has resided in
Watertown all her life.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Shealy of Madison and Mrs. Max Bauman
of Los Angeles, Cal., one son Dr. Albert Voss, of Glendale, Cal.; two
grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. H.O. Christians, Eagle Rock, Cal.,, (also of
Johnson Creek). One son Fred, passed
away in January, 1929, and one daughter, Miss Edna Voss, former principal of
the Douglas school, died on October 11, 1935.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the
Schmutzler funeral home, with the Rev. O. W. Pinkney officiating. Burial
will be at Oak Hill cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home to pay their respects on Friday
afternoon and on Saturday up to the time of the funeral.
Mrs. Voss was well known to most of the people residing in this city, and
was greatly beloved by the people here.
