The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-04-18
ONCE CHIEF OF POLICE
Deceased Had Resided in Kenosna Since
It's Incorporation Had Served for
More Than 40 Years il Official Po-
sitions--A Council Member Long.

Christian Schend, eighty three years
OF age, pioneer of Southport and Keno
sha and long prominent in the business
and official life of the city, died at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Margaret
Wirtz, 65S Milwaukee avenue, late
Saturday evening following an illness
OF many years. Mr.. Schend had been
in feeble health for more than two
years and four weeks ago he was
stricken with paralysis. His condition
grew steadily worse until the end came
on Saturday evening.
He was one of the best known men
of Kenosha and his death has caused
sorrow in all parts of the city.
Few men were ever so actively con-
nected with the official life of the city
as Christian Schend and he was in Of
fetal positions in the city for close
to half century.
A son of Adam and Catherine (Stat-
feld) schend, pioneer settlers Of Keno
sha, he was born in the Rhine Province
in Germany, September 81, 1884. He
came with his parents to this country
in 1916, landing in New York. Just a
year later the family came to Keno
sha. When he completed his school
work he began his working life as a
Wagonmaker. For some time he was
teaming contractor, for years he was
in charge Of hotel in the city, for two
years he was in the grocery business
and he gave five years of his life to
bridge and harbor contracting work.
In his busy career he gave much
time to the service Of his fellow citi-
zens. He was deeply interested in the
development of Kenosha as a city The
city was Incorporated only short time
after Mr.. Schend began his active bust
ness life and for nearly fifty years he
was in close touch with the official life
of the city. He was member of the
council, the school board, the fire de-
partment, the police department. and
served as city marshal and as assessor.
Possibly he gave more of his time to
the fire department. than to any Of the
other city institutions. He was one of
the charter members Of the Kenosha
volunteer fire department. and he serv-
ed as member of the department for
more than thirty-ive years and for
thirteen years he served in the capa-
city of chief of the department.
He represented the old second ward
on the Common Council, serving in the
capacity of alderman for period of
twenty three years. Probably no man
ever served a constituency on the coun-
Gil for so long a period. He was a
member Of the Board of Education
for many years and served for fifteen
years as a member of the County
Board of Supervisors.
His long public service included FIVE
years in the office of city assessor. He
was the wartime city marshal of Ke-
nosha. His last public service was
rendered as chief of police of the city
to which Office he was appointed in
1890 and he held this important office
for a number of terms.
The official record of Christian
Schend was one without blemish and
he had part in many Of the important
movements carried out for the adj
vancement of Kenosha. Even after
failing health forced him to give up
official positions he was frequent
visitor at the City Hall and he took a
great interest in the development Of
the fire department in recent years. He
was one of the first members Of the
Police and Fire Commission, serving
for a lumber of years.
Few men had been more prominent
among the people of the north side Of
Kenosha. He had been an active mem
Der Of st. George congregation and for
many years was an officer of the parish.
Mr. Schend was twice married In
1855 he was married to Miss Catherine
Bostetter who died in 1884, and in 1888
he was married to Mrs. Frances San
born. He is survived By his widow,
FIVE daughters, Mrs. Louis f. Thomas
of Chicago, Mrs. Margaret Writ, Mrs
Mary Zievers, Mrs. Jacob Saftig and
Mrs. Pauline Swift, ond one son, Carl
Schend, all of Kenosha. Carl Schend,
the son, was connected with the fire de-
partment for many years, but he was
forced to give up active service recent
II on account Of i'll health. Besides
his children he is survived BY twenty
six grandchildren and ten great-grand
children.
Mr.. Schend was member Of many
organizations in Kenosha He was
one of the old members Of the Kenosha
chapter Of the Royal Areanum and of
the Working Men, 5 Aid Society and he
had been active Ia both organizations