Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-01-30
FUNERAL OF BENJAMIN SINGLE.
A Few of the "reminiscences in his
Eventful Life.

Eventful Life.
The funeral of Benjamin Single, who
died at his home near Ripon, last Mon
day night, January %, 1906, took place
from the home of Judge and Mrs w
Z. Silverthorn, on Friday afternoon at
2 o'clock Rev. FIR F. w. Barker, pastor
of the Church of the Ascension, ELis-
copal, of Merrill, officiating. The
remains reached Wausau at 9:l5 a. m.
Friday, and were taken to the Silver
thorn residence, and were accompanied
from Ripon by Mr.. and Mrs. l.. w.
Thayer, and daughter, Miss Anne, and
son, Donald, and Chas. Williams, of
Chicago, a nephew of Mr.. Single.
Messrs. Thomas Sullivan and w. B.
Foster, of Ripon, staunch friends of the
family and of deceased, accompanied
the remains as an escort.
A large number of relatives and old
time friends were present at the cere-
mony and formed the cortege that
wended its way to Pine Grove GEM
etery, the place of interment. The
floral offerings were many and testified
stronger than words of love and esteem.
Among the offerings were several very
beautiful designs.
Mrs. Geo. Hart sang solo entitled,
1.-The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere, :"
which was very appropriate for the &C.
casion.
Those who acted in the capacity of
pail bearers were: M. A. Hurley, S. S.
and Walter Armstrong, W. B. Schol-
field, r. H. johnson and j. N. Manson.
Thus was laid to rest, Benjamin
Single, who for forty years was one of
Marathon county's most esteemed and
exemplary citizens, and active business
men. The day was one of the most
beautiful known in Wausau for mid.
winter. A perfect blue sky, without a
cloud and balmy breeze from the
south which would indicate April rath-
er than January weather This en-
abled many old friends to attend the
services. A few present had known
Mr.. Single throughout his long career
in this pinery, and all, however long
they had known deceased, loved and
honored him, hence there was much
sorrow expressed over this good mans
death.
Besides those mentioned above from
out of the city who were in attendance
at the funeral, were Dr. Henry Single,
of Amigo; Chas. w. Single and son,
Harry, of Ingram, and Mrs. Ingersoll,
of Merrill.
The PILOT, last week, in its obituary
of Mr.. Single, left out the names of sew
eral relatives, viz: John Youles, of
Iehama, California, who is half broth
er; Mrs. H. c. Baker, who is sister-in-
law; Mrs. A. B. Fitzer, of Salida, Col;
Mrs. James Baldwin, of Leadville, Col;
Mrs. Chas. Williams, of Cuba; Mrs,
Jessie Davenport and Geo. Single. of
Trinidad, Col, and Major Single, of
Stockton, California, all nieces and
nephews.
Mr.. Single, besides following the
numbering business from a very young
man, loved to spend his leisure time in
farming. In the vicinity of his mills
on Little Rib, he had lands cleared and
took great interest in raising all kinds
of produce, and in having fine horses
and cattle. He owned the first farm of
any size ever cleared in Marathon
One day in summer, during
1916, he went from Little Rib, northeast,
through the forest to the Wisconsin
river, where there was a man who had
raised some potatoes on small patch
of ground. When returning, his dog
was attacked by a bear. Mr.. Single,
with club, by the aid of the dog, was
able to dispatch the animal. The place
where the bear was killed was on the
site of the farm now owned by VIM.
Gensman, and which was recently pur-
chased by him of Senator A. L. Kreutz-
er. Mr.. Singles attention, by this Incl
dent, was called to the land, it's fine
hardwood timber and soil, and he took
means at once to secure it. 1t was
cleared by Pearly Dodge, well known
here in the early days.
Mr.. Single was elected vice-president
of the Old Settlers club, of Marathon
which held its first meeting in
Wausau in Sept, 1900. He attended
every meeting held by the club and
gave many interesting experiences at
those meetings He held the office to
which he was elected at the first meet
ing up to the time of his death.
For many years Mr.. Single owned
what was known as the Shutter block in
this city, it is the block on which the
National German American bank now
stands. The city grew up about it and
the youngsters (many who are now
getting to be the oldest inhabitants
used it as base ball grounds. 1t was
finally sold to James McCrossen,
Stewart and others.
The home of Mr. Single in Milwau-
kee, was just east of where the Pabst
brewery stands. The institution was
then very small affair.
When MIR. Single came to Wisconsin,
there were many Indians about, and
few little incidents which he related
are very interesting and amusing at
this time when the red men of the
forest are fast becoming extinct.
When living near Milwaukee, quite
a number of Indians put up their wig
vans near the home of the Singles.