Obit: Bartholomay, Herman #2 (1878 - 1958)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bartholomay, Barber

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 12/25/1958

Bartholomay, Herman (10 MAR 1878 - 17 DEC 1958)

Herman Bartholomay, pioneer and prominent resident of the Village of Withee (Clark Co., Wis.), passed away Dec. 17, 1958 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield at the age of 80 years, after an illness of two years.

He was born in Waukesha, Wis., March 10, 1878, and received his education in Milwaukee.  Upon completion of his education he moved to Westfield where he remained for several years, until 1901 when he moved to Withee and engaged in the mason contracting business with his father and two brothers.

In June 1912 he married Miss May Barber, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Barber of Withee, who were also pioneer and prominent residents of Withee and Clark County.

In 1912 he accepted a position as Water Superintendent, Street Commissioner and Marshall for the Village of Withee, which position he held for 34 years.

"Herman" as everyone knew him, was one of the most familiar figures on the streets of Withee for 57 years, and was one of the community’s most faithful works and civic leaders for over 50 years, until his retirement from activities two years ago when he was overtaken by ill health.

His loyalty and devotion to his work were never doubted, as was shown by the vote of confidence given by the people each years when they elected him to 34 successive terms as Constable and his appointment by the Village Board to the positions mentioned previously, for 34 years, which is the record for anyone holding these types of positions and offices.

During his active years, he was always to be found supervising or repairing the water facilities of the village or the street and sidewalk system, night or day, and for as long as was required to piece them in efficient and steady operation.  In spite of this heavy work load, he found time to serve as Deputy Sheriff for many years under several of the Sheriffs of Clark County, and to assist in any way possible, a neighbor in need or a worthy project.

Mr. Bartholomay was closely identified with every activity that took place in the village during his long residence, and there were few who were as well informed about the village and village lore as was he.  The many tales he could tell was a never ending joy to his listeners, be they old timers or youngsters, as he took them back into the factual happenings of the past.  From the dim days when the local lumberjack came into town on his Saturday night celebration, with its usual necessity for him to incarcerate a few of the boldest spirits in the local Bastille, his experience covered practically all of the years through the advent of the automobile with its street problems, down to the modern period as we know it today.

Most of his contemporaries have preceded him on the journey over the river; with but a few exception the personalities of Withee, in the 1900 - 1940 period have now given way to a new generation, most of whom are more or less unfamiliar with the colorful and strident past that Mr. Bartholomay knew and loved so well.  It is doubtful if the present residents of the community will appreciate, for several years, that his passing heralds an end of its most intimate connections with its past history.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hoeper and Kraut Funeral Home in Owen at 2:00 o’clock, Dec. 20^th, with Rev. Ralph Claybaugh officiating.  Burial was made at Riverside Cemetery  (the rest of my copy was cut off)