WAUPACA REPUBLICAN POST

October 7, 1909

 

OLD RESIDENT PASSES AWAY

 

            This city has lost a highly respected citizen in the death of the late Andrew J. Van Epps who answered the summons of the grim reaper last Thursday afternoon, Sept. 30, at 2:30 o’clock at his home on School street after a steady decline of health during a period of more than a year.  His energy had prevented his giving way to the illness and dissolution of old age up to the last few days and his occasional trips over town, though less and less frequent, served to impress his old acquaintances that the end was not so near.  However, those who marked hte effect of these efforts on his feeble condition and were informed of hte suffering he has endured during the last year or more were not surprised at the tidings of death.

            Deceased was born March 22, 1829, in New York state and came to Weyauwega in 1852 or at hte age of twenty-three.  Two years later he married Jane A. Sexton of which union seven children were born.  Two sons and the only daughter lie in the family lot in the Weyauwega cemetery where deceased was laid with imposing ceremony Sunday afternoon just as the October sun was tinting the western horizon. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in this city and was attended by the members of the G.A.R. Post and the Masonic fraternity in uniform.  The service was conducted by the Masons of which order he had been for many years a devoted member, having joined the order at Weyauwega long before his removal to this city thirty-two years ago.  The members of the Weyauwega lodge were in line and participated in the ceremonies at the grave.

            Deceased has held many offices of trust, having removed to this city to assume the duties of county sheriff in 1877.   He was for many years an active member of the Board of Education and was ever ready to serve in any capacity for the advancement of the cause of education.  He was also for many years city assessor but he held none of these in greater esteem than did he the memory of his long service as secretary of the Masonic lodge which important post he held for years and made the enviable record of having been absent but three meetings in twelve years.  At one of these times he was out of the city, at another he was sick, and on the third occasion of absence the date conflicted with the celebration of his golden wedding which was held about five years ago.

            Deceased is survived by his aged helpmate who has anxiously watched his decline and most tenderly ministered to his every want; four sons, James N., of this city, Albert B., of Toledo, O., William N. and Edwin H.  The latter has been with his parents the greater portion of the past year and Mr. and Mrs. James N. Van Epps have stood ever ready to assist in any capacity in which they might be needed.  Those relatives who were present at the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Van Epps of Toledo, Ohio, Mrs. E.E. Ensign, Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Van Epps of Weyauwega, sister and brother of deceased; George and W.A. Sexton of Marshfield, brother and nephew of Mrs. Van Epps; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Crane of Weyauwega and G.A. Lytle of Royalton.