Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-04-24


Without disparagement &C others
worthy, or . purpose 30 give undue
need, the Censor feels warranted in
expressing the belief that in the I'M
welcome death of Hon. j. Henry Tate,
on Thursday morning last, Viroaua
loses the most enterprising citizen it
has ever possessed. lie did many
things in his more than half-century
of busy life and unusual activity in
this community, and he did them well
he did them with a view and purpose
for permanently lie was man of
frobust figure, an active mind, deter
mination to push and accomplish
whatever he undertook. His great in
dustry, combined with an indomitable
will and purp0se-from young man
hood to the very close of his career
equipped him to accomplish much
more in life's sgan than the less g
gressive man. He was original in
his manner and way Of doing things.
| No public or private task was too
large or difficult for him to undertake
Obstacles were as straWs when he
moved. Much of the city's accom-
plishment in schools, churches, Gem
etery. street paving. electric lighting,
water works and other progressive ac-
cOmplishment were wrought during
his connection with the council and
mayoralty. He possessed ideas and
capacity for public service. In the
the county board he kept in mind the
motto of his adopted state-F Onward.
Hence in every avenue of this COM
munity we now observe, and will for
time to come, the handiwork of J
Henry Tate, the builder and the doer.
The public and his posterity may well
point with admiration and pride 10
the guide boards that stand out as
monuments to his foresight and en-
terprise.
Upon his arrival in Viroqua fifty
three years ago Mr.. Tate engaged in
merchandising. continuingN uninter-
ruptedly till about six years since.
He owned and operated stores at Ge-
noa and Viola. He also engaged ae-
lively in farming, conducted black
smith and wagon shop and gave his
attention to other things. He did con-
tracing and erected many buildings
in the city and country. His latest
achievement in construction affairs
was five years ago, when he built the
block of business places over which
the Masonic Temple is located
No man in the towns history has
given so much of his time, talent and
energy as this our friend and neigh
Dor who has just gone to his higher
reward. We owe him much for his
public unselfishness. To his ability
and devotion to its every need for ex-
pansion and Identification are we as
community indebted for the sacred
spot where our loved ones are laid to
rest. The city cemetery was his first
concern. He gave its affairs daily
care and time. What it is in lowell
ness and substantially, this man who
now finds final repose therein, was
primarily responsible for.
Having passed far the allotted days
of man, yet Mr. Tate was young in
body and mind, actively taking part
in all the affairs of community and
society, although having retired from
business a few years since. He was
young of spirit, hopeful, on the move
every day, and when the announce
ment of his passing was given out ii
was a surprise and shock to those
unacquainted with his condition. He
was taken i'll during the night of
Friday, April Il, the attending ply
sician diagnosing his case as heart
leakage and pneumonia, and he grad
ually sank till the end came. His
greatest wish was to live till the
present great world war should end,
having frequently given expression
to that statement He was always a
patriot and alive TO matters of mil
itary and of government concern
At noon Of Sunday the remains
were conveyed from the Boyle home
to the Congregational church, where
they lay in state and for two hours
were viewed by hundreds Of citizens.
Sleeping within the folds of the flag
he loved and served so well, sleeping
beneath the beauty Of lilies and car
nations. within the shadow Of mar
velous bank of floral tributes from
loving friends and brothers and sis
ters in fraternity, strewed IN careless
festOons and grouped in set pieces
representing the different branches Of
the Masonic order, the cemetery as
ISOLATION and business mems camping
club, lay the mortal remains Of Cap