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Charles E. Straw
1851 - 1912
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Watertown
Historical Society Collection
1886
MENTION OF
C. E. Straw: “Now located in Watertown and running a Silsby fire engine”
1893
To the
Hon. the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Watertown
GENTLEMEN: I hereby tender my resignation of the office
of engineer of the Silsby engine, to take effect on
I
sincerely regret to take this step after a service of 17 years, but the cares
of business devolving upon me now, after my father’s death, make the step
imperative.
Respectfully
CHARLES
E. STRAW.
Watertown,
Wis.
__________________________________________________________________________
To the
Hon. the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Watertown
GENTLEMEN: Whereas Mr. Chas E. Straw, for
17 years engineer of the Silsby fire engine and a member of the Phoenix Fire
Company, is compelled to give his full attention to his business interests,
which now devolve upon him after his father’s death, to tender his resignation
of the position of engineer, the duties of which he has so faithfully and nobly
discharged on many a trying occasion and
WHEREAS, the position of engineer should be filled, if possible, by a member of
the company, so that all may work harmoniously, when occasion require,
THEREFORE, we, the undersigned officers of the Phoenix Fire Company, would
respectfully recommend to your honorable body the appointment of David Emerson,
a member of said company, to the position soon to be vacated by the resignation
of Mr. Chas. E. Straw, believing him to be true and honest and capable to
handling said engine.
Respectfully
submitted,
F. W. Zippel, Jr, Foreman,
H. Beisner,
Assistant Foreman
Ed. J. Stacy, Sect.
G. E. Gloger, Jr., Treasurer,
J. A. Kress, Hose Capt,
E. Berg, Asst Host Capt,
Watertown,
Wis.
Both
communications were referred to the Committee on Fire Department.
__________________________________________________________________________
1912
Charles
E. Straw, prominent citizen and former well known railroad man, died at his
residence, 306 North
Washington Street, at
Mr.
Straw was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Drew Straw
and was born in Watertown
When
the fire steamers were purchased in
1876 Mr. Straw was given charge of the Silsby engine and
helped fight most of the big fires from that time for many years, finally
retiring from the position and from business as well.
"Paddy"
Straw, as he was familiarly called, was a general favorite with the volunteer
firemen and was never found lacking when the No. 2 was in demand at fires.
He was
a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and a member of Watertown
Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M.
In the
death of Mr. Straw, Watertown loses one of its most respected citizens, and a
man of kind impulses who did many acts of kindness and charity which were not
paraded to the world. He was public spirited and always was found ready to
assist financially in anything that tended toward the betterment of the
community. He always took a great
interest in the local newspapers and was ever on the alert to furnish editors
with "copy" which he had gleaned from the many technical and other
periodicals which he subscribed for. He was a familiar figure in the printing
offices for years and was always welcome.
He
never aspired to political honors but served one term as alderman of the Fourth
ward, and also served for a time as a member of the board of park
commissioners.
Mr.
Straw was an engineer of no mean ability and kept abreast of all the
improvements in steam engineering, and his advice was much sought after in late
years after he had retired from active business pursuits. He made a study of
fuel and the best methods whereby to get the best results and most power from
its consumption, and his advice was usually followed. He took particular pride in the fire engines,
the Silsby being his pet, and saved the city many dollars by using the
knowledge he possessed when repairs were to be made. He was kind and thoughtful to others and many
former Watertown friends will miss the many remembrances which he sent them on
various occasions.
The
body was taken to the undertaking rooms of Schmutzler
& Oestreich and the funeral took place under
Masonic auspices. The services were held in the Masonic Temple. The burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
A
coroner's jury was impaneled to inquire into the cause of death of Mr. Straw.
The inquest was held before Justice W. D. Stacy and a verdict of death by his
own hand by shooting himself with a pistol was rendered.
Cross-References:
No 1: 1917, Watertown library received bequest of
public-spirited citizen Mr. Charles
Straw, $2,000
No 2: Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery
Chapter
on Watertown Fire Department
History of Watertown, Wisconsin