Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-07-19
Death of Hon. W2N.M. Dennis.

No death occurring in our midst for
many year so startled and surprised our
community as that of Hon. William M.
Dennis, which took place at his residence
in the Fifth ward, Tuesday forenoon,
July 18th, 1882, at about half pat eleven
o'clock. He had retired to his room
Monday evening between eight and nine
o'clock in apparently good health and not
appearing at the usual time yesterday
morning one of the family went to his
room tc call him but found the door
locked. No respc nse being made to re-
peated raps the door was forced open and
Mr., Dennis discovered in bed breathing
heavily and in an entirely unconscious
condition. DR.. James Cody being sum-
moned found that the sufferer had already
passed beyond the help of human skill
and in few minutes his spirit was watt
ed to the realms of the other world.
Mr.. Dennis came to Watertown in the
year 1887 when it was but a wilderness
and therefore he can be claimed as being
among tie very earliest settlers OF this
place. He was q native of Rhode Island
and was born in 1910. At an early age
he went to New York settling in the vi
cinity of Troy and from thence emil
grated to the then territory of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Dennis was the first postmaster Of
Watertown, appointed in 1887, and we
believe he commenced his long official
career with this Office. He was q men,
Der of the territorial house of representa-
tives in 1916 and the same year was
elected member Of the first Constitu-
tional Convention from Dodge County.
He was elected member of the first
State Senate, which convened in June
1S4S. from the 10th District, holding the
office for one term. In 1853 he represent
ed his assembly district in the Legislature.
He served as Bank Comptroller Of the
State from January I'd, 1854, TO January
18th, 1853, his financial management
meeting with the approval of the people.
To these positions of high honor and trust
must be added Mayor of this city, super
visor, and President of the Wisconsin Ma
tional Bank. Mr.. Dennis was recognized
the state as man of great
capacity in whatever position he was
tried. As politician he was shrewd
and cautious, rather than bold and fear
less and in his business transactions he was
usually governed by discretion and sound
Judgment Although never close
student he possessed we'll stored mind,
which made him when his disposition
was right an interesting conversationallst
and an agreeable companion. A few
years ago Mr. Dennis having retired from
the Wisconsin Bank, pushed for the
west, true to his pioneering instincts,
and1 made extensive financial invest
ments at Waterfowl, Dakota, and by
his death large business interests at
that place are left in the hands of two Of
his sons Mr.. Dennis was twice married,
his second wife surviving him. He leaves
a daughter by his first wife, Mrs Edward
Mcmahon, of Jefferson,a by his second
wife three sons, Jarvis and Edward, of
WATERFOWL. Dakota, and William, of this
city, and one daughter, Mrs. John
Duffy, of Colorado. Mr.. Dennis was a
prominent Mason and his funeral which
takes place Thursday afternoon, will be
held under the auspices of the Watertown
Lodge T. & A. NJ.