Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-01-03

been operated here at Mosinee since
1849. Mr.. Dessert was never an Office
seeker. He had business of his own
sufficient to keep him well employed
to look after its intricate details, and
it needed all his attention, fGil the
conditions of the country wera, sach
that iL required the utmost vigilance
to avert disaster. Nevertheless, his
townsmen elected hirn TO fill many
offices of trust. He served as county
commissioner for number of years
with credit TO his abilities. He also
served many years as chairman of the
town board of supervisors. He was
| always anxious while serving his con-
stituents that the public affairs should
be managed along the lines of econ-
omy, as much SO as his own private
business. In 1889 the village of Mosi-
nee was Incorporated and Mr.. Dessert
was elected its first president, which
Office he greatly honored by his wise
| administrations of the various respon-
sibilities entrusted to him. Physically
| he could not be called of very robust
build, being rather slim and delicate
IN his general proportions, but of
wiry, cOrd-like muscles, not very tall,
about five feet five inches in height,
| with dark brown hair, eyes as black
as night, and exceedingly expressive.
At about the age of forty he came
very near losing his eyesight, as a
cataract formed on the eyes and ne
cessitated an operation, which proved
| to be successful, although it was a
long time before he was able to resume
the active oversight of his business
interests.
Socially he was all that the word
implies. Ever ready to grasp you by
the hand and express by its hearty
| pressure the pleasure it gave him to
meet you.
In conversation he was ever very
pleasant and affable. always ready to
hear the opinions of others, and just
as free to relate his own convictions.
Politically he was staunch repub-
lican, firmly believing that the best
interests of the general government,
and for all the people, could best be
secured by the application of the prin-
ciples of that political party.
AS philanthropist he is the en-
bodiment of the principle, and which
he manifested by practical demonstra-
ton. In 1898 he built what is known
as the Joseph Dessert Public Library
costing many thousands of dollars, all
at his own expense, and for nearly
eight years took upon himself every
item of expense connected with insti-
buttons of that character. The IL
brary building is situated on village
lot by itself, and is very imposing
structure. Its basement walls are of
| red granite, capped with Bedford
stone, on which the superstructure is
built, which is termed a yeneered
building, and is very nicely finished.
The reading room is large and well
furnished with tables and chairs. 1t
is lighted by electricity and is heated
from furnace placed in the base
ment. Has large windows and is in
every particular a very pleasant room
in which to spend an hour or two in
thoughtful study. The shelving for
the books are placed in recess back
| from the reading room, where they
| present an inviting picture. There is
also another quite large room, where
the meeting of the library board can
| hold its sessions without being dis
turbed in it's deliberations, or their
| interfering with the quietneSS of the
| reading room. There is also a small
store-room in connection with the
| librarians office. The second floor is
finished as an entertainment hall,
with opera chairs, and has raised
rostrum with foot lights, drop cur
tains, and wings with painted scenery
of attractive appearance. This hall
is also lighted with electricity. A
cloak room is in connection with the
box Office, at the head of the stairs
leading to the hail. | have described
this building particularly that all who
read may realize that it is substan-
tial as well as an ornamental edifice.
Its proportions are 72x36 feet. It's To-
cation is on one of the principal
sire Il and corners in the village.
L 1906 Mr.. Dessert made gift of
thf library building to the village of
Mosinee. He also donated one thou
sand dollars in cash for the benefit Of
the library. In erecting, maintaining
and finally donating it to the village
he has placed an opportunity within
the reach of every young man and
woman, where without expense, only
by taking advantage of their leisure
hours, they may acquire knowledge
along most any line of education
Here they can come in contact with
the foremost minds and thoughts on
any subject fully discussed. Here
they will find all the best periodicals
of the day, dealing on almost any
question, and the young man or wo-
man may here find a store-house from
which they may gather knowledge
that would prepare them for the vari-
Gus duties and responsibilities of life.
Mr.. Dessert on the 8th day of Janu-
airy, 1907, reached his 8Sth year, and
still retains great degree of mental
vigor for person of such advanced
age, and his bodily strength is very
well preserved, and is able to take his
daily walk when the weather will
nnrnif He was a resident of Mnci r,ao