OBITUARY

Name:   Andrew Willard

From:  The Dodge County Citizen, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Date:  Thursday, September 21, 1899

The death of this good and prominent citizen was a great shock to his community, as he appeared in unusual health even on the eve of his sudden affliction.  He attended to lodge of Odd Fellows as was his invariable custom, on Thursday evening, and after the meeting went to his office nearly across the street, to write a letter for the morning mail.  He had taken active part in special degree work, as was his wont, until a late hour, but his fidelity to business impelled him to write before going home.  He was missed at his home by his good wife in early morning and the household was alarmed.  His son-in-law, Dr. J. L. Scott immediately went in search to learn the cause of his absence and found him reclining on his office lounge, but unconscious.  He rallied sufficient to inform his that he heard the early morning bells, but nothing previous to that.  He was conveyed to his home in a carriage.  There arrived, he cheerfully rallied for a little while, but fell into a relapse in the early afternoon, lingering between life and death until about 10 o'clock Saturday forenoon, when he peacefully passed away after an illness of only about 36 hours.

Andrew Willard was born in Buffalo, N.Y., June 23, 1825.  As long ago as May 1841, he came with his parents to Waterford, Racine county, Wis.  In 1847, he removed to Watertown and engaged in the manufacture of brick.  He spent the winter of 1848 in Commercial College in Milwaukee, at which time he joined the I. O. of O. F., of which order he continued in faithful membership until his decease -- in all a period of 51 years.  The following Spring he returned to Watertown to continue the business of brick-making, in which, by his untiring industry he was rewarded with success.

November 25, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane M. Temple, who survives him in bereavement.  In 1855 he came to Beaver Dam and continued the business of brick-making for three or four years.  From 1859 to 1871, he engaged in mercantile business here with Mr. T. L. Newton, with satisfactory success, after which he retired to a more private yet more active business life.

In 1865, he as elected Member of Assembly of the State Legislature, has several times been a member of the Dodge County Board of Supervisors, several years an Alderman in our Common Council, and up to his death held for many years honored and trusted offices in the I.O.O.F. and its Grand Lodge.

His business relations were large and varied, and implicit with the trust placed in him.  The poor, especially, in him found a friend in time of need.  Nearly all his manly life he had been a consistant member of the Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance and Good Templars, in whose tenets he was unswerving.  Although a prohibitionist in sentiment and practice, he was a staunch Republican in politics all his life, and thoroughly active and outspoken in all those callings.

There survive to mourn their loss, his faithful wife, one son, David Willard of Minneapolis, two daughters, Rosa M., wife of H. B. Lander and Jennie, wife of J. L. Scott, this city.

The funeral was held from his late home, on Mackie street, 3rd Ward, under the auspices of the I.O.O.F., Rev. E. D. Farnham, Chaplain of the Lodge, pronounced a eulogy.  The large attendance showed the high esteem in which he was held in the community.  At the grave, to which his remains were followed by Odd Fellows, including many Rebekahs, of this city and surrounding lodges, and many friends.  Past Gr. Master Langworthy, of Milwaukee, and Past Gr. Patriarch, Rev. W. J. Fisher, of Horicon, officiated in the impressive Odd Fellows funeral service.