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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 Company, 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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