Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1917-04-12
Obituary
C. w. Whitman

drug business, and had been in bust
ness almost continuously since that
lime. AS a druggist he was self-edu-
Gated, but was ranked by his COM
petltOrs as a thorough, painstaking
and reliable man. He did not confine
ais activities to his drug business
alone, however, but was associated
with many other lines of work. Prob
ably his greatest monument will be
the great work he did in retaining
A1nd in the vicinity of the Lower Bar
abOo NarrOWs. He was the first to
see the great possibilities of the low
nnarsh land lying near the Butterfeld
bridge, and acquired and drained sew
eraI large tracts of land in that local
ity. He was greatly interested in this
work, and aside from the pecuniary
benefit which he saw would follow, he
took great pride in the fact that he
vas increasing the producing power
of this county. At the commencement
of this work he was often ridiculed
and told that he was wasting his
money and effort, but throughout all
re persevered until all were forced to
acknowledge that he was right and
all could realize the benefit of his
work. HE who makes two blades Of
grass grow where one grew before is
indeed a public benefactor," and in
years to come many person will be
aenefted and many a happy home be
found in the waste places, because of
lie foresight, the labor and the cour-
age of Charles Whitman. Surely the
"reatest success that man can ac-
lire in this world is to increase the
general happiness of his fellows, and
il Mr. Whitman had accomplished
nothing more than this, he would be
rated as a most successful man
A short time ago he was appointed
n the board of drainage commission
ers to lay out and assess the land
tbat was sought to be drained and re-
elaimed between Baraboo and Port
age. He was invaluable to his ascot
Ates on that board, and his loss will
be deeply felt by them and all con-
aected with the project.
But he was interested in many 9th
Ell activities Of life. When the Bank
sf BarabOo was reorganized on the re-
tirement of George Mertens, Mr.. Whit
o.1I Nnd fIn
sition of vice-president and he has
been a source of much strength to
that institution ever since. His bust
ness Judgment was most excellent
and his advice and counsel were
sought and freely given. A great
Aany men have delighted to go to him
when about to make some business
venture, and he will be greatly missed
il this regard. He was probably the
lest Judge of land values in this whole
community, and that, coupled with
the fact that his advice was never
tainted with self-interest, made him
nan who was invaluable as a coun-
Gellor. He believed firmly that all
wealth came from the land, and was
q large land owner.
Aside from his business life Mr..
Whitman had another side, and that
was his many strong friendships. He
vas a man in whom his friends had
explicit confidence and could rely un-
der all circumstances. He was not a
fair-weather friend but no matter
what the occasion or the surround
illgs he was the same true, faithful
and helpful, reliable friend. Retiring
Il his nature, unobtrusive and reti-
.ent in his habits, he was always true
20 his friends and was loved by those
who knew him well and understood
this side of his character. This trait
in his life was particularly strong, and
in his death many will feel that they
have lost orc who can never be re-
'alaced.
Aside from all the foregoing, it was
IN the family that Mr.. Whitman found
his great happiness. He had no sons,
and his wife and his three daughters
were his constant companions. There
seemed to be in his case the love Of
comradeship added to the love of ia
her and husband, and every moment
hat could be spared from business ac-
tivities was spent in their presence.
And while his untimely death is
great loss to the community in gen,
eral and his particular friends and
business associates, the heaviest
llow falls on the loved ones in the
family. The city has lost good citi-
zen. the business community relia-
BILE member, and his family loving
husband and father
The funeral services were conduct
I'd by Rev. J. Lloyd Smith, interment
oc in tho Rarahoo cemetery and