The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-12-29
CHARLES n. cOsSlTT
Honored Citizen Stricken by ParaIy-
sis-Death a Shock to tho Com
- u munIty.


y munIty.
Rerely ever has the news of a death
in the city come with more of sur
prise to our citizens than on Tuesday
morning when it was announced that
Charles H. Cossitt had passed away at
his home on Saginaw street. Stricken
with paralysis at $50 Christmas after
noon as he sat in his home talking
with his wife, he complained Of being
unable to use his arm, then one limb
and soon his whole body seemed to be
affected; within a few minutes he was
unable to speak or to swallow some
medicine which had been prepared for
him and shortly thereafter he became
unconscious and at a. m. Tuesday
died. Always strong and robust in ap-
pearance, usually enjoying excellent
health, the news of his death at first
seemed incredible. However, it was
only too true and q spirit of sadness
throughout the city FOLLOWED the cheer
of the previous day.
Charles 81. Cossitt was born at Ocono.
mowoc, Waukesha county, Wisconsin,
July 10, 1848, came with his parents to
this county and vicinity in 1854, and
during intervening years had called
Owosso> home. At the age of sixteen
years, after attending school in Lam
sing for some time, he enlisted in the
union army and was assigned to the
Army of the Potomac, subsequently
being transferred to the Sixth Michi.
gan Cavalry and served until 1865
when he was discharged and returned
to Owosso. Soon after he commenced
to learn the machinists trade and hav-
ing natural bent for werk of this
kind he quickly became a proficient
workman as well as student of every
thing pertaining to all kinds of ma
chinery and in this line he was always
interested no matter what else he
might engage in. For short time he
engaged in business for himself and
then entered the firm of Howell g. Co.,
proprietprs of the Shiawassee Iron
Works, continuing in the same until
the fountry was destroyed by fire in
1885. Meanwhile, he had served as
mayor Of the city in 1SS1-S2, and in
1884 represented the western district of
this county in the state legislature.
In 1887, he was elected city treasurer
and on January 81, 1883, became post
master of the city by the appointment
of President Cleveland, serving four
years. During his term the city de-
livery of the mails was instituted. For
nearly twenty years past he had been
superintendent of the city water works
and had done much to build the plant
up to its present capacity. In all these
official positions Mr.. Cossitt served
with credit to himself and to the salts
faction of those whom he served, being
courteous, obliging and strictly honor
able in his dealings, always genial and
companionable he won and held the
esteem of those with whom he came in
contact and his death is felt as a per-
sonal loss by many friends
Mr. Cossitt was member of Owosso
lodge F. & A. M. and Owosso Chapter
r. A. M. and had filled the higher
Offices in both. He was also member
of Quackenbush Post q. A. r..
The deceased Is survived by his wife
and one son, DIR. Harry A, Cossitt of
New York City, brother DR.. William
Cossitt and sister, Mrs. Smith. who
resides near Grand Rapids. Funeral
services were conducted at the home
Thursday afternoon under Masonic
auspices, Rev. G. Fl. Hanks officiating,
and the interment was in Oakhill The
city officials attended the services in a
hodv