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Charles Straw
1851 - 1912
1893
To the Hon. the Mayor and Common
Council of the City of Watertown
GENTLEMEN: I hereby tender my resignation of the office
of engineer of the Silsby engine, to take effect on
I sincerely regret to take this step
after a service of 17 years, but the cares of business devolving upon me now,
after my father’s death, make the step imperative.
Respectfully
CHARLES E. STRAW.
Watertown, Wis.
__________________________________________________________________________
To the Hon. the Mayor and Common
Council of the City of Watertown
GENTLEMEN:
Whereas Mr. Chas E. Straw, for 17 years engineer of the Silsby fire
engine and a member of the Phoenix Fire Company, is compelled to give his full
attention to his business interests, which now devolve upon him after his
father’s death, to tender his resignation of the position of engineer, the
duties of which he has so faithfully and nobly discharged on many a trying
occasion and
WHEREAS, the position of engineer should be
filled, if possible, by a member of the company, so that all may work
harmoniously, when occasion require,
THEREFORE, we, the undersigned officers of
the Phoenix Fire Companyh, would respectfully
recommend to your honorable body the appointment of David Emerson, a member of
said company, to the position soon to be vacated by the resignation of Mr.
Chas. E. Straw, believing him to be true and honest and capable to handling
said engine.
Respectfully submitted,
F. W. Zippel, Jr, Foreman,
H. Beisner, Assistant Foreman
Ed. J. Stacy, Sect.
G. E. Gloger, Jr., Treasurer,
J. A. Kress, Hose Capt,
E. Berg, Asst Host Capt,
Watertown, Wis.
Both communications were referred to
the Committee on Fire Department.
__________________________________________________________________________
1912
Charles E. Straw, prominent citizen
and former well known railroad man, died at his residence, 306 North
Washington Street, at
Mr. Straw was a son of the late Mr.
and Mrs. Drew Straw and was born in Watertown
When the fire steamers were purchased in
1876 Mr. Straw was given charge of the Silsby engine and
helped fight most of the big fires from that time for many years, finally
retiring from the position and from business as well.
"Paddy" Straw, as he was
familiarly called, was a general favorite with the volunteer firemen and was
never found lacking when the No. 2 was in demand at fires.
He was a member of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers and a member of Watertown Lodge No. 49, F. and A. M.
In the death of Mr. Straw, Watertown
loses one of its most respected citizens, and a man of kind impulses who did
many acts of kindness and charity which were not paraded to the world. He was
public spirited and always was found ready to assist financially in anything
that tended toward the betterment of the community. He always took a great interest in the local
newspapers and was ever on the alert to furnish editors with "copy"
which he had gleaned from the many technical and other periodicals which he
subscribed for. He was a familiar figure in the printing offices for years and
was always welcome.
He never aspired to political honors
but served one term as alderman of the Fourth ward, and also served for a time
as a member of the board of park commissioners.
Mr. Straw was an engineer of no mean
ability and kept abreast of all the improvements in steam engineering, and his
advice was much sought after in late years after he had retired from active
business pursuits. He made a study of fuel and the best methods whereby to get
the best results and most power from its consumption, and his advice was
usually followed. He took particular
pride in the fire engines, the Silsby being his pet, and saved the city many
dollars by using the knowledge he possessed when repairs were to be made. He was kind and thoughtful to others and many
former Watertown friends will miss the many remembrances which he sent them on
various occasions.
The body was taken to the
undertaking rooms of Schmutzler & Oestreich and
the funeral took place under Masonic auspices. The services were held in the
Masonic Temple. The burial was in Oak
Hill Cemetery.
A coroner's jury was impaneled to
inquire into the cause of death of Mr. Straw. The inquest was held before
Justice W. D. Stacy and a verdict of death by his own hand by shooting himself
with a pistol was rendered.
Cross-References:
No 1:
1917, Watertown library received bequest of public-spirited citizen Mr. Charles Straw, $2,000
No
2: Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery
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chapter on Watertown Fire Department