Obit: Tompkins, William E. (1862 - 1898)

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Surnames: TOMPKINS GEORGE

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 12/15/1898

Tompkins, William E. (26 JAN 1862 - 13 DEC 1898)

Died, at the hospital of the American Medical Institute, Chicago, at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 13rh, 1898, William E. Tompkins of this city (Colby, Clark Co., Wis.), in the 37th year of his age.

Like a flash of lightning from a clear sky, came the intelligence, Tuesday afternoon, that announced the death of Mr. Tompkins. In fact, many of our citizens did not know that anything ailed him or that he had gone away. But, among his most intimate friends it was known that for some years he has suffered greatly from hernia, so much so at time, as to be able to keep up his work, and it was with the hopes of freeing himself from that trouble that he decided to submit to an operation, and for that purpose went to Chicago last Thursday, and entered the American Medical Institute Hospital, conducted by his brother-in-law, Dr. Holmes, one of the most eminent surgeons of that city. During the operation for hernia, which was made Sunday, the surgeon noticed that the vermiform appendix was withered so removed it, making a double operation. The operation appeared in every way very satisfactory, and Mr. Tompkins seemed to have fully recovered from the shock. About eleven o’clock, Tuesday forenoon, Dr. Holmes visited him and found him resting easy and quite cheerful. After a few words of encouragement the doctor went to dinner, but soon received a call by telephone that Mr. Tompkins was sinking. He hastened to the hospital but arrived too late, as Will had crossed the ark Valley of Death.

William E Tompkins was born at Silver Creek, Wright Co., Minn., Jan. 26th, 1862. He was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie S. George, at Minneapolis, Minn., Jun 19th, 1884. He learned the carpenter trade and after leaving Minneapolis worked at his trade in the car shops of the U.B. & Q. R.R., at Aurora, Ill.; from there to the Pullman Car Co., at Pullman, and during the building of the World’s Fair buildings he had charge of a crew. He came to this place in 1893, and later purchased a farm in the town of Hull, Marathon Co., but the past two years has worked mostly at his trade and in and about the city, and last summer brought his family to the city, that they would be nearer his work. He was a gifted mechanic, an upright and non-ostentatious man, and during his residence here has won the respect of ….(some missing)… o’clock yesterday forenoon, accompanied by Mrs. Holmes. The funeral will be held from the M.E. Church at 10 o’clock this morning, Rev. E.G. Vischer officiating.

Mr. Tompkins leaves to mourn his sudden death, a devoted wife, two loving children, a daughter 12 years of age, and a son 8 years of age, who have the sincere sympathy of this entire community.