Obit: Canfield, Judson C. #3 (1867 - 1910)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Canfield, Johnson, Breese, Frank, Kihn, Wage, Ballow, Mallory, Davis, Winn, Pietenpol, Dubes, Beecher

----Source: The Granton News (Granton, Clark Co., WI.) June 3, 1910

Canfield, Judson C. (September 1867 - 30 May 1910)

This community was thrown into a state of excitement last Monday noon when it was learned that Jud Canfield a well known farmer of the Town of York tired to end his life by slashing himself about the body with a jack knife and taking Paris Green while in a state of temporary insanity.  At about 11 o’clock he left the house and went to the barn to do some chores as was supposed, by the members of his family.  Returning from there shortly afterwards he was met by his wife, he presenting a picture of horror.  His clothes were partially removed from his person and blood was flowing from deep gashes in his abdomen.  Being almost crazed from the shock Mrs. Canfield notified the balance of the household and some neighbors and Dr. Ross was asked to hurry to the unfortunate’s assistance.  At his arrival Mr. Canfield admitted that besides inflicting these wounds upon himself he had taken a dose of the dangerous poison.  Antidotes were administered to counteract the poison, the wounds bandaged, and the patient hurried to the Marshfield hospital on the afternoon train where at 7:30 o’clock that evening he passed away, death no doubt being due to loss of blood and the nature of the injuries.

The secret for committing this deed, if there was a secret connected with it; he carried to the grave with him.  But one thing is certain, no man who is in his right state of mind would end his life in such a manner. For a number of years Mr. Canfield was a patient sufferer from abdominal ruptures, having undergone two operations.  Recently he experienced his third rupture from which he suffered intensely and which greatly interfered with his work about the farm.  He was never known to complain but once, when several weeks ago he told a friend that no one knew what he had to contend with and live was getting unbearable.

Judson C. Canfield was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in Sept. 1867.  He came to Clark County, Wis., with his parents when but a small child. At 19 years of age he was united in marriage to a Miss Eva A. Johnson then a young Miss in her teens. By his own industry he a year later became the owner of the 40 acre tract which he cleared up, built a fine home upon and made into a good farm.  He last year deemed this too small and added 80 acres purchased of John Breese.

Deceased is survived by his wife and three children, one daughter Alice (Mrs. Fred Frank) and two sons Howard 18 years old, and Ray 16 years old, by one grandchild, little Elsie Franc, one sister, Mrs. Lillian Kihn of Park Falls and two half sisters, Mrs. T. D. Wage of this place and Mrs. Ballow of Potsdam, N. Y. 

The funeral took place from the family residence Thursday at 1 p.m., Rev. Mallory of Stevens Point officiating ably assisted by a choir consisting of the Messrs. Kearney and Truman Davis, Byrl Winn, Floyd Pietenpol and Frank Dubes with Miss Lulu Beecher at the organ.  Interment was made in the Windfall Cemetery. The family has the deep sympathy of all.