Stetson Henry01

Waupaca Republican

Friday, July 22, 1892

HENRY STETSON DEAD

An Old Pioneer Merchant Suddenly Called Last Saturday Morning

Crape on the door of the large double store of H.J. Stetson last Saturday morning, was a surprise and shock to people of Waupaca, and greater yet was the shock to the friends of the old merchant when they learned that he had expired suddenly of paralysis of the brain at seven o’clock. He had been about his business as usual and before retiring for the evening went into the business men’s room and played a friendly game of cards. His friends had noticed for some time that his constant business confinement was telling on his age, and they had told him he ought to break away for a time. But he went to sleep Friday night and never woke alive in this world. His wife heard a groan and when she reached the bedside of her husband she saw all was over. Drs. Pelton and Manchester were summoned but they could do nothing. In the height of his business career and prosperity one of Waupaca’s oldest, enterprising business men is called hence to join the silent majority.

Henry J. Stetson was born in Massachusetts April 16h, 1837; was the youngest in a family of three brothers and one sister only one of whom survives, Mr. Win Stetson of this city. The parents removed to Erie, N.Y., and in 1857 the family removed to Waupaca county and settled in Weyauwega. Henry had a store with his brother Austin and Orin Rice. They remained there two years and removed to Badger, where Henry and Austin opened a store, staying in trade there several years and about 1860 removed to Waupaca and opened a general store which the brothers conducted together for some fifteen years when Austin died, since which time the business has continuously been run under the management and ownership of the deceased.

Deceased had been twice married, his first wife being Miss Boss of Badger who with one son died three or four years after marriage. For the second union Mr. Stetson married Miss Louise Saxe who with one son, aged eleven years, are left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. Through years of unremitting labor and careful management he leaves a good business well established, besides other property and life insurance to the value of ten or twelve thousand dollars. Mrs. Stetson having had oversight of some of the departments of their large store, with the aid of her able assistants, will be able to continue the business as long as she desires.

The community in the death of Henry J. Stetson loses a man who ever stood ready to aid in advancing Waupaca’s business interests. He had many traits of character in his make up that the more one knew him the better they admired him. Politically he was a stalwart republican. Although he never desired office for himself he was ever ready to help elect the full, straight ticket and work for his friends. He was an old member of the Masonic lodge in this city and a charter member of Crusade Commandry, Knights Templar, Stevens Point. The funeral was held on Monday afternoon at the family rooms over the store, Rev. Weller, rector of the Episcopal church, Stevens Point officiating, and the services were under the auspices of Crusade Commandry in full uniform. Sir Knights E. Coolidge, E.L. Browne, R.N. Roberts, E.B. Jeffers, Dr. Geo. Dale and Rant Bailey, acting as pall bearers. The Masons turned out in a body and marched with the Commandry to the cemetery. The services were very impressive and imposing. All business houses honored the solemn occasion by closing their doors during the funeral services, and a large concourse followed the remains to their resting place.