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Charles Wollensak

1836-1902

[Married at St. Henry’s (church archives) and member

of parish. Buried in St. Bernard’s cemetery]

Charles H. Wollensak died March 9, 1902, of cancer, after an illness of nearly six months. He had an operation performed in Chicago last October, but it proved of little avail, and he steadily grew worse until the end. He was born on October 13, 1836, in Albany, N. Y., and came west with his parents when 12 years of age, and located on a farm 3 1/2 miles southwest of this city, where he resided all his life.

He was married in 1868 to Louise M. Bushell. His wife and six children survive him, these being Mrs. C. H. Buell, of Berlin, Wis.; Mrs. W. E. Lester and Andrew W. Wollensak, of Chicago, and Stephen C. Wollensak, Mrs. Charles Farley and Miss Laura Wollensak, of the town of Watertown.

During the late rebellion he enlisted in the union army, being a member of Co. F., 51st Wis. Inft. He was a member of the O. D. Pease Post, G. A. R., and also St. Henry’s Benevolent Association, both of which societies attended his funeral in a body.

His funeral was held from St. Bernard’s Church, Rev. Father Rogers officiating at the services, and in his remarks on the departed paid a well-deserved tribute to his memory. A large congregation was present, most of whom silently wended their way to the final resting place of the deceased’s remains in St. Bernard’s cemetery, where the members of O. D. Pease Post paid their usual respect to the memory of a departed soldier.

In the death of Mr. Wollensak, Jefferson County, and particularly this community, loses one of the very best of citizens and one whose death is greatly mourned. Very few men enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens at large as did Mr. Wollensak. He was honest in all his business transactions with others, kind and good natured to every one, and always a friend to those in trouble. He was devoted to his family, and genial, courteous and frank in all his dealings with his fellow citizens. He has passed from earth sharing the good will of everybody, and he will live in the memory of his friends for many a day. His noble character, his influence for good, will survive him.

Watertown Gazette, 03 14 1902

Charles H. Wollensak

Andrew J. Wollensak

Soldiers’ and Citizens’ Album of Biographical Record, Chicago, Grand Army Publishing Co, 1890, pp 279-280.

Charles H. Wollensak, Watertown, Wis., member of G. A. R. Post No. 94, was born Oct. 13, 1836, in Albany, New York. His parents, Charles and Frances (Schneider) Wollensak, were of unmixed German ancestry and in 1848 removed from the State of New York to Wisconsin, locating on a farm near Watertown where their son assisted his father on the farm as long as his legal obligations continued, after which he engaged in farming until he entered the army.

March 23, 1865, he enlisted in Company F, 51st Wisconsin Infantry, going into rendezvous at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, and was there engaged in drilling and performing military duty until he was taken sick. He was in the hospital under the surgeon's care when his company received orders to proceed to St. Louis to join the several companies of the regiment which had already been sent forward and he remained in the hospital until somewhat recovered, when he started for the front with Company G. On reaching Chicago the surgeon in charge ordered him to return to Milwaukee where he was finally discharged May 12th.

Andrew J. Wollensak, his brother, enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, in Company B, 29th Wisconsin Infantry, and was connected with the history of that regiment until he was sent to hospital at Natchez, Miss., where he died of disease, Aug. 13, 1863, a year and a day after enlistment.

On his return to Watertown, Mr. Wollensak again engaged in farming near that place, three miles distant from town on the acres on which he had been a pioneer in his boyhood. He was married Jan. 1, 1863, to Louisa Mary Bushell and their children are named Mary Frances, Ida Louisa, Laura Josephine, Stephen Charles, Andrew John, Clara Theresa and Edward William.

Mr. Wollensak has been Junior Commander of his Post and is a member of the Order of St. Henry "Liebes-Freunds,” a benevolent society.