Surnames: WEYHMULLER WEYHMILLER KLEIN LIPKE FRICKE BEEDLE HUDSON BOWEN

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 09/22/1927

Weyhmuller, Otto (28 Feb 1852 - 14 Sep 1927)

The death of Otto Weyhmuller, Sr. of Loyal, Wisconsin on Wednesday September 14, 1927 at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 14 days, after a lingering two year illness, was a real loss, not only to his family and immediate friends but to the community generally. Mr. Weyhmuller was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland in 1952 [ sic 1852]. Two years later he came to the United States with his parents, locating in Manitowoc county at Newton.

In 1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Klein of the same county, who now survives him, together with their seven children, Emma wife of Mr. William Lipke of Genesee, Illinois; Mr. George Weyhmuller, Mary, wife of August Fricke, and Mr. Otto Weyhmuller all of Loyal; Mrs. Della Beedle Jr. of Oakland, California; Esther, wife of Clyde Hudson of Santa Rosa, California; and Agnes, wife of Alfred Bowen of Minneapolis, Minnesota. An eighth child had died in infancy. A brother also survives, Mr. Fred Weyhmuller of Manitowoc County, and also sixteen grandchildren.

Mr. Weyhmuller came to these parts early, leaving Manitowoc to come to Clark county in 1881, where he hewed a farm out of the wild forest. He lived there until 1920 when he moved into the village of Loyal. When he first arrived, Clark county was practically a wilderness, and along with the other pioneers he pitched in to clear the land and to develop the district. Having learned the carpenter trade when very young, he not only figuratively but literally helped build the community. With his own hands he built the first local school house where his own children got their elementary schooling. He was early chosen as treasurer for the school board and served in that capacity for several years. Even today some of the buildings he helped to erect are still standing-- a visible monument to his skill and industry.

But he built just as well in the hearts of his neighbors. Some evidence of their affectionate esteem May be gleaned from the fact that for nine years he served faithfully and well, his home town of Sherman as town treasurer. He was also a director for eight years of the Loyal State Bank, a member of the Modern Woodmen, and of the Congregation of St. Balthazar’s Catholic Church.

Mr. Weyhmuller’s chief value to the community, however, lies in the outstanding example of a well-ordered, kindly home life, congenial neighborliness, and the practical accomplishment of maintaining and raising unaided, a fine family. He did not have the advantage of a technical training, or of College courses—yet with his bare but skillfull hands, plus hard work and an impeachable sense of honor he provided advantages for his own boys and girls which he had not himself enjoyed, gave them a good home, inculcated into them principles of honesty and integrity. Yet he managed to serve also his neighbors and the community as indicated above. One cannot fail to admire those sterling qualities which enabled him to share in the great work of converting a virgin wild country into the fine towns and farms of today, to actually help make local history, and at the same time to do so well by his family. It is to his undying honor that throughout all his activity he so conducted himself as to endear himself in the respect and affection of all who were favored in knowing him.

He worked hard, he worked well, he has earned his reward. Dominus Vobiscum!

The Tribune joins with the many friends of the deceased in extending their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.