Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-10-19
III DEATH ROLL.
Dr. ER. MI. Wigginton Dies Suddenly
Adam P1atz, Nearly a Ce~ntenarian,
and Little Ruth Long Among
Those Called Hence.


The news of the death at Waukesha
Sunday night of DR.. r. M. Wigginton
was a great surprise and shock to
those of our people who knew the doc
tor when he resided here and had
learned to esteem him as a true GEN
tleman and friend. His death was
very sudden and is thus told in a dis
patch to The Evening Wisconsin:
The doctor came home from Milwaukee,
where he had been visiting his wife, who is
undergoing treatment in St. Mary's hospital
He came on the electric car which reaches
here at s 80 and went to his home immediate-
ly. When he reached home he went upstairs,
and as he passed his sons door, which was
open, John spoke to him and asked him how
he felt: The doctor replied that he felt we'll
and John then asked how his mother was. He
said she was better and passed on into an ad.
joining room.
subsequently, while John and a friend we're
talking, they heard a gasp and groan in the
next room. They ran in and found the doctor
on the floor. They picked him up and placed
him on the bed, but he was dead before any-
thing could be done.
The doctor was hurt last winter by being
thrown out of his cutter. He struck on his
back and received injuries from which he never
fully recovered. Every once in a while he
would be taken with a fit of weakness and drop.
This, coupled with a weak heart, caused his
sudden death. He realized that he was apt to
drop off at any time, and had told friends that
he expected to die in such a manner.
DR.. W~igginton was a native of Eng
land and about go years of age. His
father, who was also physician, came
to the United States with his family
in 1915, settling in Waukesha county.
Later they located in the town of Con-
cord, where the deceased attended
school, afterward studying at the Pal
myra academy and Milton college. In
1862 he enlisted in the Twentieth
Wisconsin regiment, serving three
years in the rebellion. He returned
IN 1868 and began the study of medi-
cine in the office of DIR. James Cody,
this city. Later in the same wear he
entered Rush Medical college, from
which he was graduated in 1868. At
ter a years practice here he accepted
a position on the medical staff of the
state hospital for the insane at Men
dota, which he held some time and
then returned to this city, where he
practiced several years. In 1881 he
was appointed superintendent of the
Mendoza hospital and four years later
was promoted to the SUPPLEMENTARY
of the Northern hospital near Osh-
kosh, which position, after three
years service, he resigned and en-
gagged in practice at Waukesha, of
which city he was health commission
er. DR.. Wigginton was a man of ir-
re~proachable character, fine ability
and refinement-a strength to any
community of which he was a mem
Der. He stood high in his profession.
He was married in 1871 to Mary Z.
Carleton, Of Summit, who survives
him, together with two sons, John
and Harry.
Another of the early settlers of this
section, Mrs. Michael Norton, answered
the final summons yesterday morning
at her home, 116 North Montgomery
street. A few days ago she was taken
with pneumonia and a stroke of paral-
ysis sustained Monday FASTENED her
death. Mrs. Norton was b0rn in South
Boston, Mass, March II, 1920. With
her husband she came West in 1851
and settled in the town of Emmett.
There they resided until 1888, when
they removed to this city. Her hus-
band is alone left to mourn her loss, a
family of children having preceded
her to the other world. The funeral
occurs Thursday morning from St.
Bernard's church.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. A. Long mourn
tho 6nath of 4hniY rn1Iopr ln,,0h+n,
Ruth, who passed to the other world
Sunday morning, after a two weeks
illness with scarlet fever. All that
medical skill could accomplish was
done for the little sufferer. but of no
avail, her young life being blotted out
and she being taken to join her Gre
ator. Ruth was a bright and happy
child, the pride and JOY of her fond
parents, and a general favorite with
the neighbors. She had just entered
her seventh year. The funeral, which
was private, was held yesterday morn
ing. In their great affection the par
ents have the kind sympathy of many
friends.
Adam Platz, who had attained the
ripe old age of 81 years, died Friday
evening last at the home of his son,
Philip Platz. Deceased was born in
the Rhine province, Germany, Sep
TENDER q, 1901, and in 1854 emf
grated to this country, settling in the
town of WatertoWn. For many years
he followed agricultural pursuits and
was one of the best known and most
highly respected residents of this vi
cinity. Besides the 0 above men
toned, one other-J. D. Platz, of this
city-5urvives. The funeral took place
Monday afternoon and the body was
laid at rest in Oak Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Henry Goetsch died Sunday
morning at her home, 504 Eighth
street, of Bright's disease, aged SO
years. She had been i'll four months.
Mrs. Goetsch was a native of Witten-
berg, Germany, aud was married in
Racine in 1868. Three years later she
came to this city, which had since
been her home. Her husband, four
daughters and one son are left to
mourn her loss. This afternoon at 2