Surnames: Selves, Hanks, Cator, Gilson, Murray

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 2 July 1931

Selves, William Edward (22 Oct. 1854 - 28 June 1931)

William Selves, for many years a resident of Clark county, died in the hospital at Tomahawk early Sunday morning, June 28, after a brief illness.

William Edward Selves was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1854. He came with his parents to Clark county when he was 12 years of age. They settled on a piece of wild land in the town of Grant where a log house was built and where deceased grew to manhood, helping as a young man to clear the land and improve the farm. He later followed mason work and digging wells also taking up the carpenter trade.

On April 23, 1879 he was married to Miss Laura Elizabeth Hanks. They continued to make their home in the town of Grant for 20 years, although he worked in the north part of the state part of the time.

In 1899 they moved to Lac du Flambeau, which was their home ever since. He was employed by a large construction company and was sent by them at times into the southern states. For several years past he was employed by the Chicago Y.M.C.A. around their camps on the lakes, where his services were greatly appreciated by all who came in contact with him.

Mr. Selves was man of sterling honesty, frank and outspoken in manner and always standing for justice and right. His life had in it more than the usual amount of adventure, the most thrilling of which was being buried for several days in the old well at the fair grounds and rescued after most exciting and strenuous efforts of neighbors and friends. Later while assisting at a Fourth of July celebrations he had one hand seriously injured, but he was a man of great courage and continued to do his part in life’s work.

He is survived by his wife and two children -- a son Less of Iron Belt, Wis., and a daughter, Mrs. Chas. Cator of Minocqua. A son Earl and a daughter, Mrs. Kate Gilson are deceased. He leaves also several grandchildren and one great grandchild; also three brothers: Thomas of Colby and Ted and Richard of the town of Grant.

Lowe’s ambulance brought the body to Neillsville Sunday evening and the funeral was held at Richard Selves’ home Tuesday afternoon, Rev. James B. Murray, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Lac du Flambeau officiating. The funeral was largely attended by relatives and friends from a distance and a very large gathering of relatives, old neighbors and friends from this locality. Funeral services were held out of doors on the lawn.