Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-08-01

III ne loss oil Il \ Uttl " GHidlk OF man 10
any community, especially 10y death,
is cause for sincere regret and brings
sorrow and heart aches To kindred
and friends This is distinCtiyely true
Of the passing of Joseph H McLees,
who mas gone in and out OF this com
uuhity for more than a half ceotury
as useful Industrious and thong
of all about him. He was a man who
had the capacity and disposition to
DO things we'll, 10 regard the public
veal as part of his mission, adding
his n.ite whenever and wherever OPP
portunity presented. He was a high
grade citizen: always reliable, never
SLOW to appreciate and do the right
thing AZ the right time. He came of
sturdy pioneer stock and he filed
good strong spoke ia the wheel of
progress.
The funeral Of this departed broth
or and friend was held at the MethO.
dist church on Friday afternoon, large
Is attended by town people and old
neighbors where he so long lived in
Jefferson Officers OF the Utica lnsur-
ance Company OF which Mr.. McLees
was a quarter of a century treasurer,
were present from different points.
The services were conducted by Rev,
Adcaulay Of mpealeau late pas
tor on Niroqua circuit. and Rev Shan
ley present pastor. interment in the
beautiful Niroqua silent city. The
following brief sketch and tribute to
the departed was read:
Joseph Hunter McLees, son of John
Morrison and Sarah Jane McLees, and
the oldest of family of eight boys,
was born in Washington county, Ohio,
April Is, 1850, He came with his par.
ents to Vernon county ia the year
1852 and was the first white child in
western Vernon county, when Wlscon-
sin was vet a primevai forest, and set
tied on a farm west of NiToqua, con.
yerting it into one of the best and
most beautiful homesteads in the
county, where he lived the greater
part of his life. A few months ago
Mr. MeLees disposed of his farm and
retired from active farm life and
came to live in the beautiful city of
Niroqua A month previous 10 this
he contracted a severe cold from which
he never recovered and his life grad
ually ebbed away, and last Wednesday
evening the golden bowl was broken
and the wheel broken at the cistren"
and his spirit returned 70 God who
gave il His age being "a years and
, months and 10 days.
On March Is, 1874, deceased was
united In marriage TO Miss Susan
D0err of Springyile Three children
came TO bless their home, namely. Cora
who is now Mrs Jos HOnaker Of Vi
roqua, Adam also of Nirogua and
May, now Mrs. Ray Harris of Elm.
wood, Wis, all OF whom were with
him and ministered with tender hands
and loving hearts until the end came
MIR. MCLees has always been active
10 public life and has held positions OF
honor aud trust. He has been a sue
Cessful school teacher and was elected
president Of the agricultural associa-
zion for a number of years. and az the
time OF his death was treasurer of the
Utica Mutual Insurance Company
He had the true community spirit. AID
as one said this morning, He has al
ways lived for the good Of the country
ever since he came here He ident-
flied himself with every good cause.
ever quiet and unassuming in charac-
ter, firm believer in the mission OF
the church. he contributed generously
TO its support and was a constant at
te 1dant at its services. His life was
ideal in the home, and he was a de-
voted husband and father His pres
ence will be sorely missed not only by
his sorrowing wife and family but by
all who knew him.
Besides his immediate family he
leaves six brothers, Neal D.. Of Viro-
qua, Alonzo OF Genoa, Daniel O. of
Richmond, Kansas, John w and |
Sumner both of Montana, and Abram
/ . of Harmony