Surnames: Burpee, Zassenhaus, Coleman, White

----Source: NEILLSVILLE TIMES (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 05/08/1902

Burpee, Charles #2 (4 MAR 1853 - 2 MAY 1902)

Never was there a lighter hearted or happier gathering of the society people of Neillsville than that which filled the big opera hall on Friday night. The Mandolin Club had finished a musical program of great excellence, and the dancing had been underway for nearly an hour, when suddenly there was a crash, dancing and music ceased, and it was seen that Mr. Burpee was lying at full length upon the floor. Owing tot eh extreme smoothness of the floor a number of people ah dint time past fallen while dancing, and a first the only thought the had was that another accident of that kind had taken place. But instantly ready hands sought to assisted him to his feet, and even those who finally raised him up were slow to comprehend the awfulness of the truth. Physicians used every means known to resuscitate him, he was then taken to this home across the street and everything done that was possible, but the end had come before he had fallen to the floor at the hall, and mournfully the throng of anxious friends who swarmed through hall and street and yard were compelled to admit and to realized that their big-hearted friend had had been snatched by the hand of death from the midst of gaiety and conviviality to begin his eternal sleep.

The wife was present in the hall and participating in the dance, and although instantly at his side, and doing everything that love and her knowledge as a former trained nurse could suggest, she was last to realized the truth, and all through the night resolutely stayed at his side, hoping to see some glimmer of returning consciousness.

His death fell upon the community like a bolt of lightning from clear sky. The writer of this article had chatted with decedent but a moment before, and he was in the best of spirits, and spoke particularly of the fine time he was having. All who had talked with him make similar report of seemingly good health and high spirits.

Charles Burpee was born at Hooksett, N.H., March 4, 1853, and was therefore a little over 49 years of age. His father was G. Burpee, who was a descendant of the Puritan family of Gilmans, who came to America in the days of the Mayflower, and were among the first settlers in the New Hampshire wilderness. When a lad Charles came west, and worked at whatever came to hand at Oshkosh and vicinity, working for Pheletus Sawyer at one time. In the seventies he settled at Christie (Clark Co., Wis.), cleared up a fine time farm, and had lived there since, until he moved to Neillsville in 1899, disposing of the farm. For years he was chairman of the town of Weston, and a prominent and potent influence in county matters, acting as delegate to county, congressional and state conventions a great many times. He leaves a wife, Agnes Zassenhaus Burpee., and a son by a former marriage; a brother, R. Dudley Burpee, and sister, Mrs. Annie L. Coleman, both of Exeter, N.H.; Also a sister, Maria L. White of Oakland, Calif.

The funeral services were held at the opera house Tuesday at 2 p.m., under Masonic auspices, T. Grafton Owen officiating. A quartet composed of Messrs. S.M. Marsh, H.C. Clark, J.A. Phillips and Gus Klopf sang. Beautiful floral tributes were tastefully arranged. The great hall was filled with grief-stricken friends who were deeply moved by the noble discourse delivered by Mr. Owen.

After the Masonic services for the dead, conducted by worthy Master S.M. Marsh, the procession moved to the cemetery, the county board and officers attending in a body and marching with the Masons.

The pallbearers were: Dan Kennedy, C.A. Youmans, M.C. Ring, A.B. Marsh, H.H. Heath and Jos. Morley.

As county treasurer Mr. Burpee had been faithful and efficient, and impaired his health by his devotion to duty. In every relation of life he was square and fair, his home was one of unalloyed happiness, and he owned one of the handsomest in the city. His passing away leaves a distinct and acute sense of irreparable loss in the minds of all, whose sympathy for the bereaved wife is immeasurably great.