Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-04-11
A GOOD WORD.
Hon. Justice T. Moak A Patriarch in
the Postal S rvice

The following interesting bit of histo-
ry concerning our popular deputy
postmaster, Hon. y. L. Moak, appeared
in the last issue Of the American Post
master, periodical published at
Ef1ingham, Ill. With the article was
a large half-tone picture OF Mr. Moak.
The article was complete surprise to
the subject of the sketch, who receives
this merited praise unsolicited. The
biographical sketch is correct with
the exception of the date of his first
appointme ut, which should read under
the administration Of Andrew johnson
instead of Grant. Following is the
sketch as it appeared:
''Mr. Justice T. Moak, whose portrait
appears on first page, is native of
New York, having emigrated from the
Empire State to Wisconsin in the early
fifties, locating in the thriving city of
WatertoWn, where for half century
he has been one of it's leading business
men and politicians, acquiring reputa-
ton throughout the state as one of the
shremdest men in the councils of his
party, having long been associated
with Hon. Henry G. Payne, the present
Postmaster General. Hon. E. w. Keyes,
the present postmaster at Madison, and
many others Of that class, and is now
a close friend of Wisconsin's leading
stateman, Hon. John C. Spooner United
States Senator.
"Mr. Moak was appointed postmaster
at Watertown during the first admin
stration of General Grant as President,
serving continuously in that capacity
until year or more after the first
inauguration of Grover Cleveland,
when he gracefully retired for a few
years, only to be reappointed soon
after the election Of Ben Harrison, in
1888, again retiring upon the. second
advent of Cleveland
'sSoon after the election of Mckinley
in 1896, there developed at Watertown
one Of the warmest contests ever waged
for post office, there being several
exceptionally able aspirants for the
place. Mr.. Moak championed the
cause Of Mr.. w. F. Greutzmacher who
was appointed and promptly made Mr..
is now filing to the utmost satisfaction
of the patrons of the office, whose full
lest confidence he has always enjoyed.
Notwithstanding the fact that Wa
tertown is decidedly Democratic city,
and Mr.. Moak has always been an
uncompromising Republican, he has
served several terms as member of
the citv council and one term as mayor,
being elected because of his personal
popularity and rare business ability.
Mr.. Moak has made the postal SER
vice careful. practical study for a
quarter of a century, bringing 1t up to
the dignity Of profession in Water
town. making that Office model for
neatness and accuracy. He is an ex-
cellent authority upon all subjects
pertaining TO postal laws, rules and
regulations, and fortunate indeed are
influence, socially, politically or official
ly- Quite a number of young men
have graduated under his tutorship
and are now holding important and
responsible positions in various
branches Of service, and he has a host
of friends throughout the State and
nation who sincerely wish for him
many more years of health and useful
ness, that he may continue to enjoy
the honors which he has so richly won,
both as a citizen and as an official of
the post Office department.