Obit: Zassenhaus, William (1838 - 1912)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email:  sdann88@yahoo.com 
 

Surnames: Zassenahus, Orth 
 

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  Mar 14, 1912 
 

Zassenhaus, William (28 Dec 1838 - 9 Mar 1912) 
 

Wm. Zassenhaus died last Saturday evening at his home at Colby after an illness of 11 weeks duration.  Mr. Zassenhaus was born in Germany Dec. 28, 1838, the son of Frederick and Louise Zassenhaus.  He attended school until he was 19 years of age, at which time he graduated in chemistry and mining.  He then served two years as a soldier, after which he went to Australia and spent five years in the gold fields there.  In 1865 he returned to Germany and shortly after came to the United States.  For a short time he engaged in farming in Iowa, but in 1866 he went to Superior, Wis., and engaged in mining.  For ten years following he was engaged in the copper mines of Michigan, with the exception of a year spent in Nevada silver mines.  In 1877 Mr. Zassenhaus came to Clark county and settled in the town of Green Grove, where he started the first store and post office in the town, there being only four settlers there at that time.  He conducted the store and farm until in 1889 when he was elected register of deeds of Clark county, which position he held for 8 years. 
 

Mr. Zassenhaus was married in 1866 to Miss Marie Orth and to this union eight children were born, namely: Louise, Joseph, Agnes, Helena, William, Mary, Clara and Frederirk.  At the conclusion of his term of office as register of deeds, Mr. Zassenhaus and family returned to Green Grove, where they resided until about three years ago, when they moved to Colby to make their home. 
 

Mr. Zassenhaus has always been a prominent figure in Clark county progress and politics.  He represented the town of Green Grove on the county board for many years, and upon his taking up his residence in Colby he was compelled to represent that city upon the board.  His life as a public servant was characterized by conscientious and conservative action, but at all times he was progressive and was an urgent advocate for anything that would make for the improvement and growth of the county.  He was a kindly and charitable gentleman whose time and influence was often used for the benefit of his fellow man.  Mr. Zassenhaus was also imbued with a keen sense of humor, which served to brighten a life which was spent in the rigorous performance of duty and obligation.  He was truly one of God’s noblemen, and his death will be sincerely mourned in all quarters of Clark county. 
 

Mr. Zassenhaus was laid to rest Tuesday morning at Colby and the funeral was largely attended by his sorrowing friends.