The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-04-04
CHARLES ]. WENCk
CALLED BY DEATH
VETERAN OF THE CIVIL WAR AND
WELL KNOWN INSURANCE
MAN STRICKEN.
Was City Assessor Many Years and
Held Other Positions of Trust
Possessed 4 JOyial Nature

The grim reaper death has called
another old and highly respected res
ident OF Watertown to his reward in
the person OF Mr. Charles J. Wenck,
Saturday morning following an illness
Of few days Brights disease was
the cause
MT. Wenck was born in Cleveland,
Chic, March 30 1845, and when Toy
OF five years came to this city with
his parents. When a young man he
vent east and reaching Baltimore he
enlisted at Fort McHenry in the reg
ular army as a musician and was as
signed to the Second United States
artillery, and after serving three years
portion OF which was in the civil war
he was mustered out at San Fran
cisco in 1858. His army record, how
ever, Gid not end there. He served
nine years il the First regiment, Wis
cOnsin National Guard as musician
and years II the Second regiment III
| 10th regiments Charlie as he was ia
n1iliaTly called, was a great favorite
with officers and men. He never
missed an opportunity when occa-
| sion demanded 10 furnish the boys
with music whether for a frolic or for
! the amusement OF the whole regiment
After leaving the army in 1868 Mr.
| Wenck returned to this city and has
since resided here with the exception
| Of three years spent in New York.
from 1872 to 1875, when he was as
sOciated with his brother in the drug
| business. lie was great lover Of
music and for years had played the
COTnet, his favorite instrument, being
always a member Of some musical
organization, including band music,
having been leader of the old Sinnis-
! ippi band several years and later the
WatertoWn Military band
His civic record was as much a
matter o. pride to his friends as his
military one. He served fifteen years
! as assessor and has taken thf shOol
census twenty-five years. ho was
twice elected to represent the Sixth
ward on the Dodge county board OF
supervisors and filled the Office ca
pably. Socially he-was a great favOr-
lte with ali and was a>weicome yaddi-
ton to any gathering, and his death.
although he was we'll advanced in
years, will nevertheless fall heavily
apon his family and the large circle
o. friends II WatertoWn.
He was engaged in the fire insur-
ance business longer probably than
anyone III the city, having taken up
! that line ii 1873 and followed it sue
cessfuliy until his death.
He was probably. one of the best
known men in this section Of the state
and especially was he well known to
| the children about the city for whom
he always had nod OF recognition
and a word OF Cajolery.
Mr.. Wenck possessed a very jovial
nature which made him a great ia
vorite with all his acquaintance and
ne always had a pleasant word for
everybody ana she'd his genial good
nature wherever he went
He was. a charter member OF o. D.
/ Tease Post No. 81, G. A r., which or
SGDization was in charge of the fun
ef8. which took place on Tuesday af-
=: oOr with services in the German
l:efoGmed church, The burial was in
Oak Hill cemetery. Members Of the
-, A. R, and Plattdeutscher yerein at
ended ana the pallbearers were mem
beTs Of the local branch OF the Sons o.
.eterans. He is survived by his
widow. four sons. two daughters, one
.iaJsc. two brothers. and five grand
SONS. Tie sons and daughters are:
Charles F. Oconomowoc; John G
Rockford, Miss Emma L., Watertown
Edward e, Madison; Mrs. J. r Koes-
ter, Urbana, Ohio; George W, Chica-
go. The sister is Mrs Minnie Newton
Chicago, and the brothers are George
j. New York city and William F
Wenck, Spokane Washington.