The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-03-06


the death of good man. Isaac J. Clapp
died at his home in this city Saturday
morning, March 1st, at nine o'clock. He
had been as well as usual with the excep-
ton of a slight touc of rheumatism, and
that morning as he arose from the break
fast table he expressed himself as feeling
better than lie had for three months. He
walked around in the house, wrote letter,
and resumed his W lking. Suddenly he
felt a terrible pain in his breast and started
for the lounge. He fell Just as he reached
it, but managed to pull himself upon it.
Physicians were Sc ht for instantly, the
members of the ia mily were called, but
they gathered around only to watch
There was no need of earthly aid. The
spirit had flown. The generous heart had
throbbed the last til pc, the kindly face was
still, the open hand cold. So sudden was
the death that it was hard to realize that
it was true.
Mr.. Clapp was born May Goth, 1922, in
La Grange, Duchess Co., n Y. He came
to Kenosha the first time in either 1916 or
1916 and was cler in several establish
ments here until 1852, when he went
to California. He engaged in mining and
lumber enterprise nd did large business.
He returned from California in 1862. He
did not settle in Kenosha Immediately, but
divided his time between his farm in this
county and his home in the East In 1871
he made his home in this city permanently
and has resided here ever since. He, with
Mr.. E. G.. DurantI started the Kenosha
Hardware Company soon after he came
here, with capital of $4,000. They did
not succeed very we'll here and moved
their plant to Racine junction in 1875 or
SOON after. Since that time the company
has prospered right along and to-day it has
a capital Of $300,000 with a constantly in
creasing business. Mr. Clapp had been
president of the con pany for Is years and
was friend to eve Try man in the works.
He was also friend of the farmers Of this
state and did much to educate them to
higher ideas and better practice in their
own work. His farm was stocked with the
choicest cattle he c uld buy and the re-
suits Of his work were published freely
He owned one of th e finest herds of thor
oughbred Guernsey cattle in the United
States and did much to improve the breed
of cattle in the hands of the farmers of Ke-
nosha County.
He had not been feeling as well as usual
this winter, and the sudden death of his
brother, Jesse Clapp, a short time ago af-
tected him deeply His health after that
was not as good as q ual but on the morn
ing of his death he apparently was feeling
better. But his rheumatism seemed to
have loosened its dld upon other parts to
sieze upon the heart and his death came
very suddenly. But he was not unprepared.
|. J. Clapp was ge nuinely Christian man.
Beneath an exterior sometimes rather
brusque, he carried q heart big enough for
everybody. He did not live for himself
alone, but thought and worked for those
around HIM. He was liberal man. His
hand was ever open to help the deserving
and worthy. His benefactions reached all
classes. In the chu rch or in Christian work
of any kind he sue yer held back" He
was as free with his purse as with his eff
forts and time in behalf of any enterprise
that merited support and he was always a
loyal man to any interest he espoused.
Never half hearted nor non. committal he
was always to be fol- ind among the foremost
where the welfare of the city or any of Its
interests needed Strengthening. He was
man of strong character and his influence
was a potent factor wherever it was mani
tested. What he did was done with his
might. He was a conscientious man. In
his business relations he was as careful Of
the interests of another as he was of HE
own. His word stood In his social rela-
tions he was invariably Just and kind. He
was a man whose friendship was as unself-
ish as it was warm. His friends trusted
him implicitly and their confidence was
justified They never lacked defender
when he was present. But he was a friend
who mingled praise with justice. 10
strangers he was friend in need and many
of the new corners I'd this city will remem-
Der him as the man who welcomed them
most cordially, called at their places Of bus.
mess the oftenest and did the most of all
the people in this city to make them feel at
home here. In church work he was con-
sistent, devoted, loya i follower Of the Man
of Nazareth. The spirit of kindness and
helpfulness filed the man and his influence
was always felt as an inspiration to noble
things.
The funeral occur ted Tuesday at p. 10.
from the Congregational church. Rev. w.
L. Bray conducted the services. The
church was crowded. The employees of Rthe
Racine Hardware Mfg Co. to the number
of one hundred and twenty came down in a