Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-02-26
CALLED HOME.
One of Wausau's Pioneers Travels tc
the End of Life's Journey.

i After an illness of several weeks,
Conrad Binzer. one of the best known
OF the early residents of Wausau, died
Thursday morning at an early hour,
aged sixty years. For several
years he had been in failing health, but
up to the present winter he was able to
perform light work daily. After re-
signing as janitor of the court house
some years ago, he devoted most of his
time in cultivating a small farm which he
owned, two and one-half miles east of
the city, and in cutting wood and logs
on the uncleared portion. He was a
hard worker all his life, and sometimes
while at work on the farm he overtaxed
his strength, as he did just prior to his
last illness. After unloading hay from
a rack one day, about Dec list, he COM
planned of not feeling well. He had
been sufferer from Bright's disease,
and with over exertion, the disease
secured a firm hold which slowly,
though steadily, sapped his vitality
I2til the end came. In the closing
weeks, dropsy set in, which fastened
the end. He died as he had lived
peacefully.
Conrad Binzer was born in Germany
October %, 1887, and emigrated to
America when seventeen years old
The first year here he worked at what
ever he could find to do, lived frugally
and saved enough money to bring him
into this portion of Wisconsin. The
forests of the Wisconsin river valley
were at that time offering inducements
to the young man of strong limb and
courage, and he decided to cast his lot
among the pioneers who were then
engaged in developing Marathon
l-county- He came with the first band
OF Germans which settled here in 1856.
and consequently sought living by
taking up farms in adjacent territory,
but Mr.. Binzer remained in what was
then the village of Big Bull Falls. The
first winter he spent in the woods as a
SAOiC IVY dSoiotluS luS COOhs A1c
| learned the art of cooking and there
after for many years cooked in the
woods, on drives and for rafting crews.
He made several trips down the river
on RATS, and while on one of these
trips to St. Louis he was taken sick
with malarial fever, from which he ever
after suffered bad effects. When the
great civil war broke out and this Sec
ton was being drained of men, he
offered his services to his adopted
country, but they were rejected because
of his deafness. This deafr sss grew as
his years advanced
About this time ne made two trips to
the lake Superior country, travelling all
the way on foot over forest roads. He
went there in search of mineral wealth,
which was reported IN abundance. He
-''s / Was not successful on either occasion,
though the country he traversed after
wards turned out rich in mineral de-
! posits.
In August, 1866, he was united in
|
survives him. He acquired the prop
erty on Grand Ave. which has ever
since been his home. That section of
the city was then a wilderness. He
cleared the property and built the
house which has since sheltered him.
self and family.
When the Wausau Cemetery associa-
ton was organized he was the first sex
ton appointed and retained the posi-
tion for many years.
He was also the first night policeman
to wear star in this city, or village as
it was then. In every position held, he
fidelity to the people as he would had
he been looking after his own personal
interests.
By an act of the county board in 1881
house. This position he retained
through the succeeding years and for
many years after the new court house
was erected. In 1899 he resigned be-
cause of failing health and advancing
years. Since that time he had attended
to his farm.
Mr.. Binzer lived his life on the broad
principal that the best way to succeed
in this world is to be at peace with your
| fellow men observe the principles of
right and wrong; live honestly and up
rightly; frugally, but not avaricously;
saving for the future that those depend
ent upon you may be provided for
after your death.
How we'll he followed this course is
best attested by these intimately ac
Iquainted with him. He reared monu-
lment for himself by his deeds which
shah remain tribute to his memory
long after his remains have crumbled
into dust Any words which we might
say in extolling his life would seem
superfuoUs, for everyone in the COM
munity who knew Conrad Binzer knows
that his traits of character comprised
all that can be found in an exemplary
citizen.
AS husband and father his life aim
was directed to the welfare of his fam
lily-kind at heart, solicitous for their
happiness in sickness and distress and
making his own personal sacrifices
cheerfully and uncomplainingly. May
that rest and peace that comes as a
crown of glory for well spent years
abide with him forever in the haven of
the Great Beyond.
Besides the woman who has been his
life companion, he is survived by six
children. These are Henry, Otto,
Leo, Alma, Oscar and Hedwig. All of
them reside in the city, with the excep-
ton of Leo, who is living somewhere in
the West.
The funeral services were conducted
Saturday afternoon, at the home, SOB