Obit: Tufts, William S. (1852 - 1903)

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Surnames: TUFTS MCLEOD

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 09/03/1903

Tufts, William S. (19 FEB 1852 - 24 AUG 1903)

William S. Tufts, the pioneer merchant of Withee, Clark Co., Wis., died of a complication of diseases at his home in that village on Monday, Aug. 24, 1903, aged 51 years and 6 months. Mr. Tufts was born at Manitowoc, Wis., on Feb. 19th, 1852, and was united in marriage with Anna McLeod in 1873. In 1874 he came to Unity and in 1877 took charge of D.J. Spalding’s farm in the town of Hixon, Clark Co. Three years later purchasing a small general store at Withee Station. His business venture proved a great success and for many year he carried on a prosperous business in the mercantile line. Mr. Tufts was a genial, whose-souled, public spirited citizen, a friend to everyone, and liberal to all, the poor especially. His wife died about nine years ago, but about four years ago he again too a wife, and he leaves to mourn his untimely death, a widow, and an infant son, and four children by his first wife, William C., Daniel A., John A. and Esther A., all residents of Withee. Mr. Tufts served as town chairman and postmaster of Withee for many years, and also served one term as sheriff of Clark County. (Thorp Courier)

W.S. Tufts was a member of Colby Lodge, No. 324, I.O.O.F. from away back in the early seventies, and retained his membership up to the time of his death. Noble, Grand, Richard Bracht, and Past Grands, R.B. Salter, D.R. Freeman and Joel J. Shafer, attended the funeral.

The funeral was held in the M.E. Church in Greenwood, Clark Co., under the auspices of the Masons, last Thursday, and was one of the largest ever held in Clark County. The remains were laid at rest in the Greenwood Cemetery.