The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-06-21
Former Widely Known Ke-
nOsha Man Died at Los
Angeles, Cal.
ILL FOR MANY MONTHS
Was Former Kenosha Mer-
chant and Long Prominent
in Political Life of City,

'+AG VI AACLOohSAy hASA 40 Tvs ~N~AoS
les, California, on Thursday fol-
lowing long illness. kilograms an
nouncing the death Of Mr.. Gonnermann
were received in Kenosha this morning.
His death took place at Monrovia
, Sanatarium, where he had been
patient for a short time.
For the past three years Mr.. Conner
mann had been in failing health and
Kenosha friends who had recently Wis
tied with him in Los angeles were not
surprised to hear of his death.
The remains will be brought back
to the old ,Kenosha home for inter
ment and the funeral services will be
in charge Of the Kenosha Lodge of
Elks of which the deceased was a most.
active member for many years. 1t is
expected that the services will be held
on the afternoon of June Fl, but
definite announcement of the day and
hour will be made later.
Long Resident of KenOsha.
Few men were more widely known
in Kenosha city and county than
Charles H. Gonnermann He was born
in Kenosha April Is, 1856, a son of
John and Martha (Ferge) Gonnermann
who were among the earliest settlers
of this section of Wisconsin. He was
educated in the schools of Kenosha
and later took a course at the old
Bryant and Stratton Business college
in Chicago.
Following his graduation he returned
to Kenosha where for some time he
was employed in the general store of
William Ernst. After working in the
store for twelve years, he formed
partnership with Mr.. Ernst under the
firm name of Ernst and Gonnermann.
Later on he was associated with the
late Lewis Balm in the hardware store
on Main street and still later he be-
came the proprietor of store under
his own name which he continued for
many years.
Mr.. Gonnermann retired from ac-
tive business life little over twenty
five years ago and after that he gave
much of his time to the manage
,ment of large real estate holdings
in the city.
W az 4AletNG
The deceased was for many years
leader in the political life of Keno
sha and for years he was a member
of the Republican state central COM
mittee and one of the Republican lead
ers in this section of the state. He
served for years as county agent of
Kenosha county, but his most inter-
esting public service was given as
member Of the common council of the
city of Kenosha. He was most vigor-
Gus as a member Of the council and
during the terms he was in Office he
fathered many big movements for the
advancement of Kenosha. He served
for some years as president of the
city council and held many important
committee assignments. Following
his retirement from the council he
was for some time connected with
the real estate business of the North
western Railway company.
Charter Member of Elks.
Mr.. Gonnermann was one of the best
known of the members of the Kenosha
Lodge of Elks. He was one of the men
instrumental in the organization of the
lodge and he served as Exalted Ruler
of the lodge in 1910-1911. He was one
of the financiers of the first club house
of the Elks in Kenosha and was a
member Of the building committee in
charge of the erection of the present
club house.
Few Elks from Kenosha were more
aNNar y.Tww leo 1.
the order, as his enthusiasm over Elks
work and Elks principles led him to
visit many Of the lodges of the country
and he always attended the sessions
Of the grand lodge. He had no other
fraternal society relations.
Aided Cemetery Association.
Mr., sGonnermann, more than any one
person i'll Kenosha, brought about the
reorganization of the Kenosha Gene
terry association. His interest in the
protection Of the graves of the early
residents brought him to leadership
in this organization and for many
years he served as a member of the
board of directors.
He was interested in many organi-
cations of business in Kenosha. He
was one Of the first directors of the
re-organized Merchants and Savings
Bank and he remained member of
the board Of directors until he removed
to California to make his home some
ten years ago, He was the owner of
much real estate in Kenosha and his
large holdings of business property
on Main Street are regarded as some
of the most valuable holdings of
realty among Kenosha men.
Widow and Daughter Survive.
On JanuaFye5, 1878, Mr.. Gonnermann
was married to Miss Lucy J. Meyers
of Kenosha, who died in 1880. On April
%, 1885, Mr.. Gonnermann was mar
ried to Miss Maggie Meyers, sister
of his former wife. To them were
born two children, Charles and Anna
Gonnermann. The son died number
of years ago. Late in life following
the death of Mrs Maggie Meyers Con-
nermhrh tMT!. Gonnermann was married
to Mrs. Carrie Dorothy of Kenosha.
The widow and the one daughter, sur
vive. Since their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Gonnermann had spent nearly all
of their time in California.
Besides the widow and the daughter,
Mr.. Gonnermann is survived by two
sisters, Mrs. Emma Borkenhagen of
Kenosha, and Mrs. Mary Walker of
Milwaukee.