Henry Clayton Hetzel, son of Johann Georg Hetzel and Anna Barbara Knauer, had gone to Minocqua to represent a client at trial. He died there as a result of pneumonia. Henry was an attorney, a state legislator for Lincoln County and the editor/publisher of The Advocate, a Merrill newspaper.∼HON. HENRY C. HETZEL DEAD
Passes Away As a Child Going to Sleep at Minocqua Last Thursday Evening
"There is a reaper, whose name is death,
And, with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at the breath,
And the flowers that grow between."
"Henry Hetzel is dead." This short sentence was repeated over and over, in a muffled voice by all who uttered the dour words quoted above, last Friday morning. But few of the many friends of Hon. Henry C. Hetzel could at that instant bring themselves to believe that he was no more. Though his intimate friends were aware that he had been in poor health for the past six or eight months or more, yet they could not believe that he, Wednesday morning, as he bid many of them good day as he was wending his way to the railway station to take the train for Minocqua on professional business, was then walking in the shadow of death and that they in this life should not see him again. But such were the facts.
Tuesday evening, a week ago tonight, Mr. Hetzel received a telegram from Arbor Vitae urging him to take the first train north to commence the defense of a young man by the name of Charles Brown, who, the day before, on July 4th, had gotten into an altercation with a tough character by the name of Welsh, at a place half way between Arbor Vitae and Woodruff, with the result that Welsh died, an account of which is given elsewhere. Mr. Hetzel left on the 9:20 St. Paul train Wednesday morning for Minocqua. Took dinner at the Minocqua house and in the afternoon went over to Woodruff to attend the post mortem examination held over the remains of Welsh. He came back in the evening to the Minocqua house, met his friend, Dr. G.H. Haddy, to whom he remarked he was not feeling well. A friend took him out for a drive around the lake and later he again met Dr. Haddy and said that he felt much better. Went to the station and telegraphed for his son Ralph to come up the next morning and bring up his fishing outfit. Told his friends he would go out fishing the next day. About ten o'clock he went to bed. Awoke the next morning and again met Dr. Haddy. Sat and conversed with him until about half past nine o'clock when he complained to the doctor that he was not feeling well and wanted to go to his room and asked the doctor to come and stay with him. They both repaired to Mr. Hetzel's room and the latter laid down on the bed. The doctor prescribed some medicine, sat and talked with him for over an hour when Mr. Hetzel admonished the doctor not to talk to him; that he was growing very weak. The doctor sat watching him and all at once noticed Mr. Hetzel breathed very hard; that the respiration became very labored. The action of the heart was found to be very feeble and the doctor summoned help and administered such treatment as is general in cases of heart failure and though Dr. Haddy used every remedy known and worked over him all afternoon he was unable to get the medicine to work and at twenty minutes past eight o'clock Mr. Hetzel breathed his last. Dying as peacefully as a child goes to sleep. Every effort known to medical skill, aided by loving friends, of whom Mr. Hetzel had many at Minocqua, was resorted to but it proved of no avail and he died as stated above Wednesday night.
That night Mr. John J. McGuire, who was with Mr. Hetzel when he died, telegraphed the sad news to Mr. M.C. Porter, and Thursday morning Messrs. Porter, J.N. Cotter, C.N. Johnson and undertaker H. Littlejohn departed for Minocqua to bring the remains home. When the remains arrived that evening they were met at the depot by a committee from the bar association of Lincoln county and conveyed to his home on Sixth street. The bar association held a meeting during the day and the committee above referred to was appointed as were a committee consisting of A.H. Woodworth, E.M. Smart and Geo. Curtis, Jr., to draw up suitable resolutions and present them at the next meeting of the circuit court.
The Masonic fraternity took charge of the funeral arrangement and the funeral was held last Sunday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in the city, the Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations took part in a body in their regalia. The services at the house was conducted by Rev. T.W. North, assisted by the ladies' quartette, consisting of Mesdames W.H. Flett, D.F. Butler, T.W. North and Miss Ella Spring, who rendered two musical selections. The floral display was large. The Masons sending a large pillow on which were worked Masonic symbols, the square and compass. The bar association sent a large star and crescent, supported on a pedestal. At the grave the Masonic ritual was used.
The pall-bearers were Geo. Strickland, Merritt Stinson, E.S. King, J.R. Babcock, Fred Smith, of this city, and Jesse Sipes, of Hazelhurst.
Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Congressman Alexander Stewart, ex-Senator Neal Brown, Judge W.C. Silverthorn, Judge T.C. Ryan, Judge Henry Miller, Attorneys H.B. Huntington, M.A. Hurley, Gus Heineman, E.L. Bump, Frank Bump, G.D. Jones, Louis Marchetti, and Messrs. Walter Alexander and P.O. Means, of Wausau; Senator D.E. Riordan and Geo. O'Connor, of Eagle River; Prescott Calkins, E.M. Sheppard and W.L. Beers, of Rhinelander; Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Hoyt, of Mason City, Iowa; A.H. Woodworth, of Tomahawk; Capt. Chas. Henry and Alfred Cyperianson, of Eau Claire; C.H. Werden, of Schofield.
Mr. Hetzel leaves, besides his wife, two sons, Ralph, fifteen years of age, and Harry, eight years of age, father and two brothers, M.R. and Andrew, who reside at Almond, Portage county, and two brothers, David and John, near Racine. Mr. Hetzel was the youngest of eleven children.
In the death of Mr. Hetzel the bar of Northern Wisconsin loses one of its brightest members, his wife and children a kind and indulgent husband and father, and the city a citizen who at all times tried to do his duty. The subject of this sketch was a close student of general affairs as well as of that of his profession. Possessed of an analytical mind as a lawyer he was a close reasoner and sought to bring out in all his cases all of justice and equity that could be brought out. A man of the strictest honor he had a supreme contempt for all law-breakers and lawlessness. Yet his kindness of heart led him away from criminal practice. After the Voigt-Woller trial he remarked to the writer that he would never help to prosecute another criminal case, especially where there was room for doubt as to the guilt of the accused. "A person feels as if he wants the accused to prove himself innocent and therefore dislikes to attack evidence that reasonably would go to prove him so," he said. "On the other hand, to defend, is much easier. Every bit of evidence can then be remorselessly followed up and made to play in behalf of the accused." With these sentiments in his heart yet persons who attended the trial of the case mentioned, who were competent to judge know that he bent every energy to prosecute the case of the people. His arguments to jury has been said and with truth to have been one of the keenest throughout and most carefully presented ever heard in a criminal proceeding in this part of the state.
Mr. Hetzel was a true friend. Once a friend always a friend unless that friendship was terribly abused.
"O! What a happiness it is to find
A friend of your own blood, a brother kind!"
Mr. Hetzel was a brother kind to everyone who had formed his friendship. He was one of nature's noblemen, and his early death, to be taken away in the very prime of manhood, is sad indeed. But death is no respector of persons; when the summons comes we must all go.
Henry C. Hetzel was born in Raymond, Racine county, on the 4th day of August, 1856. He attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered the Racine high school from which he graduated at the age of sixteen. Soon after he came to Wausau and entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Bump. He did not remain long with Mr. Bump but returned to Racine county, where for three years he taught school. In the spring of 1874 he entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Brown at Waupaca for the study of law. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered into partnership with E.P. Perry and the two opened up a law office at New London, Waupaca county. In 1879 he left New London for Wausau and became a partner of Hon. E.L. Bump. In the fall of the same year the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hetzel removed to Merrill, where he has continued to live since.
Soon after his coming to Merrill Mr. Bump, too, moved here and the law firm of Bump, Hetzel & Canon was organized. Beside their law business this firm published the News for some time. After the dissolution of the aforementioned partnership Mr. Hetzel continued the practice of law alone till he formed a partnership with Mr. E.M. Smart which was continued for some over a year, since which time he has again been alone. During his law practice Mr. Hetzel acquired one of the best law libraries in the state.
In 1881 he wedded Miss Sadie Dorn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Dorn, of this city. Two children, Ralph and Harry, blessed their union. Mr. Hetzel was proud of his family and always had a kind word to say of his devoted wife and boys.
Mr. Hetzel early began to take a lively interest in politics and became one of the best known politicians in northern Wisconsin. He has held numerous positions of honor and trust. Served as city attorney of New London, city attorney of Merrill two years, member of the school board, served one term in the legislature, being elected to the assembly in 1886, at that time this assembly district comprised most of the territory of the Ninth congressional district. Was postmaster for four years, being appointed by President Harrison. Was chairman of the Republican county committee for many years and always considered one of the leaders of his party. Was extensively endorsed for the position of U.S. district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, but was defeated by D.F. Jones, of Sparta.
(The Merrill Advocate - July 12, 1898)
Passes Away As a Child Going to Sleep at Minocqua Last Thursday Evening
"There is a reaper, whose name is death,
And, with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at the breath,
And the flowers that grow between."
"Henry Hetzel is dead." This short sentence was repeated over and over, in a muffled voice by all who uttered the dour words quoted above, last Friday morning. But few of the many friends of Hon. Henry C. Hetzel could at that instant bring themselves to believe that he was no more. Though his intimate friends were aware that he had been in poor health for the past six or eight months or more, yet they could not believe that he, Wednesday morning, as he bid many of them good day as he was wending his way to the railway station to take the train for Minocqua on professional business, was then walking in the shadow of death and that they in this life should not see him again. But such were the facts.
Tuesday evening, a week ago tonight, Mr. Hetzel received a telegram from Arbor Vitae urging him to take the first train north to commence the defense of a young man by the name of Charles Brown, who, the day before, on July 4th, had gotten into an altercation with a tough character by the name of Welsh, at a place half way between Arbor Vitae and Woodruff, with the result that Welsh died, an account of which is given elsewhere. Mr. Hetzel left on the 9:20 St. Paul train Wednesday morning for Minocqua. Took dinner at the Minocqua house and in the afternoon went over to Woodruff to attend the post mortem examination held over the remains of Welsh. He came back in the evening to the Minocqua house, met his friend, Dr. G.H. Haddy, to whom he remarked he was not feeling well. A friend took him out for a drive around the lake and later he again met Dr. Haddy and said that he felt much better. Went to the station and telegraphed for his son Ralph to come up the next morning and bring up his fishing outfit. Told his friends he would go out fishing the next day. About ten o'clock he went to bed. Awoke the next morning and again met Dr. Haddy. Sat and conversed with him until about half past nine o'clock when he complained to the doctor that he was not feeling well and wanted to go to his room and asked the doctor to come and stay with him. They both repaired to Mr. Hetzel's room and the latter laid down on the bed. The doctor prescribed some medicine, sat and talked with him for over an hour when Mr. Hetzel admonished the doctor not to talk to him; that he was growing very weak. The doctor sat watching him and all at once noticed Mr. Hetzel breathed very hard; that the respiration became very labored. The action of the heart was found to be very feeble and the doctor summoned help and administered such treatment as is general in cases of heart failure and though Dr. Haddy used every remedy known and worked over him all afternoon he was unable to get the medicine to work and at twenty minutes past eight o'clock Mr. Hetzel breathed his last. Dying as peacefully as a child goes to sleep. Every effort known to medical skill, aided by loving friends, of whom Mr. Hetzel had many at Minocqua, was resorted to but it proved of no avail and he died as stated above Wednesday night.
That night Mr. John J. McGuire, who was with Mr. Hetzel when he died, telegraphed the sad news to Mr. M.C. Porter, and Thursday morning Messrs. Porter, J.N. Cotter, C.N. Johnson and undertaker H. Littlejohn departed for Minocqua to bring the remains home. When the remains arrived that evening they were met at the depot by a committee from the bar association of Lincoln county and conveyed to his home on Sixth street. The bar association held a meeting during the day and the committee above referred to was appointed as were a committee consisting of A.H. Woodworth, E.M. Smart and Geo. Curtis, Jr., to draw up suitable resolutions and present them at the next meeting of the circuit court.
The Masonic fraternity took charge of the funeral arrangement and the funeral was held last Sunday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in the city, the Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations took part in a body in their regalia. The services at the house was conducted by Rev. T.W. North, assisted by the ladies' quartette, consisting of Mesdames W.H. Flett, D.F. Butler, T.W. North and Miss Ella Spring, who rendered two musical selections. The floral display was large. The Masons sending a large pillow on which were worked Masonic symbols, the square and compass. The bar association sent a large star and crescent, supported on a pedestal. At the grave the Masonic ritual was used.
The pall-bearers were Geo. Strickland, Merritt Stinson, E.S. King, J.R. Babcock, Fred Smith, of this city, and Jesse Sipes, of Hazelhurst.
Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Congressman Alexander Stewart, ex-Senator Neal Brown, Judge W.C. Silverthorn, Judge T.C. Ryan, Judge Henry Miller, Attorneys H.B. Huntington, M.A. Hurley, Gus Heineman, E.L. Bump, Frank Bump, G.D. Jones, Louis Marchetti, and Messrs. Walter Alexander and P.O. Means, of Wausau; Senator D.E. Riordan and Geo. O'Connor, of Eagle River; Prescott Calkins, E.M. Sheppard and W.L. Beers, of Rhinelander; Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Hoyt, of Mason City, Iowa; A.H. Woodworth, of Tomahawk; Capt. Chas. Henry and Alfred Cyperianson, of Eau Claire; C.H. Werden, of Schofield.
Mr. Hetzel leaves, besides his wife, two sons, Ralph, fifteen years of age, and Harry, eight years of age, father and two brothers, M.R. and Andrew, who reside at Almond, Portage county, and two brothers, David and John, near Racine. Mr. Hetzel was the youngest of eleven children.
In the death of Mr. Hetzel the bar of Northern Wisconsin loses one of its brightest members, his wife and children a kind and indulgent husband and father, and the city a citizen who at all times tried to do his duty. The subject of this sketch was a close student of general affairs as well as of that of his profession. Possessed of an analytical mind as a lawyer he was a close reasoner and sought to bring out in all his cases all of justice and equity that could be brought out. A man of the strictest honor he had a supreme contempt for all law-breakers and lawlessness. Yet his kindness of heart led him away from criminal practice. After the Voigt-Woller trial he remarked to the writer that he would never help to prosecute another criminal case, especially where there was room for doubt as to the guilt of the accused. "A person feels as if he wants the accused to prove himself innocent and therefore dislikes to attack evidence that reasonably would go to prove him so," he said. "On the other hand, to defend, is much easier. Every bit of evidence can then be remorselessly followed up and made to play in behalf of the accused." With these sentiments in his heart yet persons who attended the trial of the case mentioned, who were competent to judge know that he bent every energy to prosecute the case of the people. His arguments to jury has been said and with truth to have been one of the keenest throughout and most carefully presented ever heard in a criminal proceeding in this part of the state.
Mr. Hetzel was a true friend. Once a friend always a friend unless that friendship was terribly abused.
"O! What a happiness it is to find
A friend of your own blood, a brother kind!"
Mr. Hetzel was a brother kind to everyone who had formed his friendship. He was one of nature's noblemen, and his early death, to be taken away in the very prime of manhood, is sad indeed. But death is no respector of persons; when the summons comes we must all go.
Henry C. Hetzel was born in Raymond, Racine county, on the 4th day of August, 1856. He attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered the Racine high school from which he graduated at the age of sixteen. Soon after he came to Wausau and entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Bump. He did not remain long with Mr. Bump but returned to Racine county, where for three years he taught school. In the spring of 1874 he entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Brown at Waupaca for the study of law. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered into partnership with E.P. Perry and the two opened up a law office at New London, Waupaca county. In 1879 he left New London for Wausau and became a partner of Hon. E.L. Bump. In the fall of the same year the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hetzel removed to Merrill, where he has continued to live since.
Soon after his coming to Merrill Mr. Bump, too, moved here and the law firm of Bump, Hetzel & Canon was organized. Beside their law business this firm published the News for some time. After the dissolution of the aforementioned partnership Mr. Hetzel continued the practice of law alone till he formed a partnership with Mr. E.M. Smart which was continued for some over a year, since which time he has again been alone. During his law practice Mr. Hetzel acquired one of the best law libraries in the state.
In 1881 he wedded Miss Sadie Dorn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Dorn, of this city. Two children, Ralph and Harry, blessed their union. Mr. Hetzel was proud of his family and always had a kind word to say of his devoted wife and boys.
Mr. Hetzel early began to take a lively interest in politics and became one of the best known politicians in northern Wisconsin. He has held numerous positions of honor and trust. Served as city attorney of New London, city attorney of Merrill two years, member of the school board, served one term in the legislature, being elected to the assembly in 1886, at that time this assembly district comprised most of the territory of the Ninth congressional district. Was postmaster for four years, being appointed by President Harrison. Was chairman of the Republican county committee for many years and always considered one of the leaders of his party. Was extensively endorsed for the position of U.S. district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, but was defeated by D.F. Jones, of Sparta.
(The Merrill Advocate - July 12, 1898)
Henry Clayton Hetzel, son of Johann Georg Hetzel and Anna Barbara Knauer, had gone to Minocqua to represent a client at trial. He died there as a result of pneumonia. Henry was an attorney, a state legislator for Lincoln County and the editor/publisher of The Advocate, a Merrill newspaper.∼HON. HENRY C. HETZEL DEAD
Passes Away As a Child Going to Sleep at Minocqua Last Thursday Evening
"There is a reaper, whose name is death,
And, with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at the breath,
And the flowers that grow between."
"Henry Hetzel is dead." This short sentence was repeated over and over, in a muffled voice by all who uttered the dour words quoted above, last Friday morning. But few of the many friends of Hon. Henry C. Hetzel could at that instant bring themselves to believe that he was no more. Though his intimate friends were aware that he had been in poor health for the past six or eight months or more, yet they could not believe that he, Wednesday morning, as he bid many of them good day as he was wending his way to the railway station to take the train for Minocqua on professional business, was then walking in the shadow of death and that they in this life should not see him again. But such were the facts.
Tuesday evening, a week ago tonight, Mr. Hetzel received a telegram from Arbor Vitae urging him to take the first train north to commence the defense of a young man by the name of Charles Brown, who, the day before, on July 4th, had gotten into an altercation with a tough character by the name of Welsh, at a place half way between Arbor Vitae and Woodruff, with the result that Welsh died, an account of which is given elsewhere. Mr. Hetzel left on the 9:20 St. Paul train Wednesday morning for Minocqua. Took dinner at the Minocqua house and in the afternoon went over to Woodruff to attend the post mortem examination held over the remains of Welsh. He came back in the evening to the Minocqua house, met his friend, Dr. G.H. Haddy, to whom he remarked he was not feeling well. A friend took him out for a drive around the lake and later he again met Dr. Haddy and said that he felt much better. Went to the station and telegraphed for his son Ralph to come up the next morning and bring up his fishing outfit. Told his friends he would go out fishing the next day. About ten o'clock he went to bed. Awoke the next morning and again met Dr. Haddy. Sat and conversed with him until about half past nine o'clock when he complained to the doctor that he was not feeling well and wanted to go to his room and asked the doctor to come and stay with him. They both repaired to Mr. Hetzel's room and the latter laid down on the bed. The doctor prescribed some medicine, sat and talked with him for over an hour when Mr. Hetzel admonished the doctor not to talk to him; that he was growing very weak. The doctor sat watching him and all at once noticed Mr. Hetzel breathed very hard; that the respiration became very labored. The action of the heart was found to be very feeble and the doctor summoned help and administered such treatment as is general in cases of heart failure and though Dr. Haddy used every remedy known and worked over him all afternoon he was unable to get the medicine to work and at twenty minutes past eight o'clock Mr. Hetzel breathed his last. Dying as peacefully as a child goes to sleep. Every effort known to medical skill, aided by loving friends, of whom Mr. Hetzel had many at Minocqua, was resorted to but it proved of no avail and he died as stated above Wednesday night.
That night Mr. John J. McGuire, who was with Mr. Hetzel when he died, telegraphed the sad news to Mr. M.C. Porter, and Thursday morning Messrs. Porter, J.N. Cotter, C.N. Johnson and undertaker H. Littlejohn departed for Minocqua to bring the remains home. When the remains arrived that evening they were met at the depot by a committee from the bar association of Lincoln county and conveyed to his home on Sixth street. The bar association held a meeting during the day and the committee above referred to was appointed as were a committee consisting of A.H. Woodworth, E.M. Smart and Geo. Curtis, Jr., to draw up suitable resolutions and present them at the next meeting of the circuit court.
The Masonic fraternity took charge of the funeral arrangement and the funeral was held last Sunday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in the city, the Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations took part in a body in their regalia. The services at the house was conducted by Rev. T.W. North, assisted by the ladies' quartette, consisting of Mesdames W.H. Flett, D.F. Butler, T.W. North and Miss Ella Spring, who rendered two musical selections. The floral display was large. The Masons sending a large pillow on which were worked Masonic symbols, the square and compass. The bar association sent a large star and crescent, supported on a pedestal. At the grave the Masonic ritual was used.
The pall-bearers were Geo. Strickland, Merritt Stinson, E.S. King, J.R. Babcock, Fred Smith, of this city, and Jesse Sipes, of Hazelhurst.
Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Congressman Alexander Stewart, ex-Senator Neal Brown, Judge W.C. Silverthorn, Judge T.C. Ryan, Judge Henry Miller, Attorneys H.B. Huntington, M.A. Hurley, Gus Heineman, E.L. Bump, Frank Bump, G.D. Jones, Louis Marchetti, and Messrs. Walter Alexander and P.O. Means, of Wausau; Senator D.E. Riordan and Geo. O'Connor, of Eagle River; Prescott Calkins, E.M. Sheppard and W.L. Beers, of Rhinelander; Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Hoyt, of Mason City, Iowa; A.H. Woodworth, of Tomahawk; Capt. Chas. Henry and Alfred Cyperianson, of Eau Claire; C.H. Werden, of Schofield.
Mr. Hetzel leaves, besides his wife, two sons, Ralph, fifteen years of age, and Harry, eight years of age, father and two brothers, M.R. and Andrew, who reside at Almond, Portage county, and two brothers, David and John, near Racine. Mr. Hetzel was the youngest of eleven children.
In the death of Mr. Hetzel the bar of Northern Wisconsin loses one of its brightest members, his wife and children a kind and indulgent husband and father, and the city a citizen who at all times tried to do his duty. The subject of this sketch was a close student of general affairs as well as of that of his profession. Possessed of an analytical mind as a lawyer he was a close reasoner and sought to bring out in all his cases all of justice and equity that could be brought out. A man of the strictest honor he had a supreme contempt for all law-breakers and lawlessness. Yet his kindness of heart led him away from criminal practice. After the Voigt-Woller trial he remarked to the writer that he would never help to prosecute another criminal case, especially where there was room for doubt as to the guilt of the accused. "A person feels as if he wants the accused to prove himself innocent and therefore dislikes to attack evidence that reasonably would go to prove him so," he said. "On the other hand, to defend, is much easier. Every bit of evidence can then be remorselessly followed up and made to play in behalf of the accused." With these sentiments in his heart yet persons who attended the trial of the case mentioned, who were competent to judge know that he bent every energy to prosecute the case of the people. His arguments to jury has been said and with truth to have been one of the keenest throughout and most carefully presented ever heard in a criminal proceeding in this part of the state.
Mr. Hetzel was a true friend. Once a friend always a friend unless that friendship was terribly abused.
"O! What a happiness it is to find
A friend of your own blood, a brother kind!"
Mr. Hetzel was a brother kind to everyone who had formed his friendship. He was one of nature's noblemen, and his early death, to be taken away in the very prime of manhood, is sad indeed. But death is no respector of persons; when the summons comes we must all go.
Henry C. Hetzel was born in Raymond, Racine county, on the 4th day of August, 1856. He attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered the Racine high school from which he graduated at the age of sixteen. Soon after he came to Wausau and entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Bump. He did not remain long with Mr. Bump but returned to Racine county, where for three years he taught school. In the spring of 1874 he entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Brown at Waupaca for the study of law. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered into partnership with E.P. Perry and the two opened up a law office at New London, Waupaca county. In 1879 he left New London for Wausau and became a partner of Hon. E.L. Bump. In the fall of the same year the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hetzel removed to Merrill, where he has continued to live since.
Soon after his coming to Merrill Mr. Bump, too, moved here and the law firm of Bump, Hetzel & Canon was organized. Beside their law business this firm published the News for some time. After the dissolution of the aforementioned partnership Mr. Hetzel continued the practice of law alone till he formed a partnership with Mr. E.M. Smart which was continued for some over a year, since which time he has again been alone. During his law practice Mr. Hetzel acquired one of the best law libraries in the state.
In 1881 he wedded Miss Sadie Dorn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Dorn, of this city. Two children, Ralph and Harry, blessed their union. Mr. Hetzel was proud of his family and always had a kind word to say of his devoted wife and boys.
Mr. Hetzel early began to take a lively interest in politics and became one of the best known politicians in northern Wisconsin. He has held numerous positions of honor and trust. Served as city attorney of New London, city attorney of Merrill two years, member of the school board, served one term in the legislature, being elected to the assembly in 1886, at that time this assembly district comprised most of the territory of the Ninth congressional district. Was postmaster for four years, being appointed by President Harrison. Was chairman of the Republican county committee for many years and always considered one of the leaders of his party. Was extensively endorsed for the position of U.S. district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, but was defeated by D.F. Jones, of Sparta.
(The Merrill Advocate - July 12, 1898)
Passes Away As a Child Going to Sleep at Minocqua Last Thursday Evening
"There is a reaper, whose name is death,
And, with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at the breath,
And the flowers that grow between."
"Henry Hetzel is dead." This short sentence was repeated over and over, in a muffled voice by all who uttered the dour words quoted above, last Friday morning. But few of the many friends of Hon. Henry C. Hetzel could at that instant bring themselves to believe that he was no more. Though his intimate friends were aware that he had been in poor health for the past six or eight months or more, yet they could not believe that he, Wednesday morning, as he bid many of them good day as he was wending his way to the railway station to take the train for Minocqua on professional business, was then walking in the shadow of death and that they in this life should not see him again. But such were the facts.
Tuesday evening, a week ago tonight, Mr. Hetzel received a telegram from Arbor Vitae urging him to take the first train north to commence the defense of a young man by the name of Charles Brown, who, the day before, on July 4th, had gotten into an altercation with a tough character by the name of Welsh, at a place half way between Arbor Vitae and Woodruff, with the result that Welsh died, an account of which is given elsewhere. Mr. Hetzel left on the 9:20 St. Paul train Wednesday morning for Minocqua. Took dinner at the Minocqua house and in the afternoon went over to Woodruff to attend the post mortem examination held over the remains of Welsh. He came back in the evening to the Minocqua house, met his friend, Dr. G.H. Haddy, to whom he remarked he was not feeling well. A friend took him out for a drive around the lake and later he again met Dr. Haddy and said that he felt much better. Went to the station and telegraphed for his son Ralph to come up the next morning and bring up his fishing outfit. Told his friends he would go out fishing the next day. About ten o'clock he went to bed. Awoke the next morning and again met Dr. Haddy. Sat and conversed with him until about half past nine o'clock when he complained to the doctor that he was not feeling well and wanted to go to his room and asked the doctor to come and stay with him. They both repaired to Mr. Hetzel's room and the latter laid down on the bed. The doctor prescribed some medicine, sat and talked with him for over an hour when Mr. Hetzel admonished the doctor not to talk to him; that he was growing very weak. The doctor sat watching him and all at once noticed Mr. Hetzel breathed very hard; that the respiration became very labored. The action of the heart was found to be very feeble and the doctor summoned help and administered such treatment as is general in cases of heart failure and though Dr. Haddy used every remedy known and worked over him all afternoon he was unable to get the medicine to work and at twenty minutes past eight o'clock Mr. Hetzel breathed his last. Dying as peacefully as a child goes to sleep. Every effort known to medical skill, aided by loving friends, of whom Mr. Hetzel had many at Minocqua, was resorted to but it proved of no avail and he died as stated above Wednesday night.
That night Mr. John J. McGuire, who was with Mr. Hetzel when he died, telegraphed the sad news to Mr. M.C. Porter, and Thursday morning Messrs. Porter, J.N. Cotter, C.N. Johnson and undertaker H. Littlejohn departed for Minocqua to bring the remains home. When the remains arrived that evening they were met at the depot by a committee from the bar association of Lincoln county and conveyed to his home on Sixth street. The bar association held a meeting during the day and the committee above referred to was appointed as were a committee consisting of A.H. Woodworth, E.M. Smart and Geo. Curtis, Jr., to draw up suitable resolutions and present them at the next meeting of the circuit court.
The Masonic fraternity took charge of the funeral arrangement and the funeral was held last Sunday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in the city, the Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations took part in a body in their regalia. The services at the house was conducted by Rev. T.W. North, assisted by the ladies' quartette, consisting of Mesdames W.H. Flett, D.F. Butler, T.W. North and Miss Ella Spring, who rendered two musical selections. The floral display was large. The Masons sending a large pillow on which were worked Masonic symbols, the square and compass. The bar association sent a large star and crescent, supported on a pedestal. At the grave the Masonic ritual was used.
The pall-bearers were Geo. Strickland, Merritt Stinson, E.S. King, J.R. Babcock, Fred Smith, of this city, and Jesse Sipes, of Hazelhurst.
Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Congressman Alexander Stewart, ex-Senator Neal Brown, Judge W.C. Silverthorn, Judge T.C. Ryan, Judge Henry Miller, Attorneys H.B. Huntington, M.A. Hurley, Gus Heineman, E.L. Bump, Frank Bump, G.D. Jones, Louis Marchetti, and Messrs. Walter Alexander and P.O. Means, of Wausau; Senator D.E. Riordan and Geo. O'Connor, of Eagle River; Prescott Calkins, E.M. Sheppard and W.L. Beers, of Rhinelander; Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Hoyt, of Mason City, Iowa; A.H. Woodworth, of Tomahawk; Capt. Chas. Henry and Alfred Cyperianson, of Eau Claire; C.H. Werden, of Schofield.
Mr. Hetzel leaves, besides his wife, two sons, Ralph, fifteen years of age, and Harry, eight years of age, father and two brothers, M.R. and Andrew, who reside at Almond, Portage county, and two brothers, David and John, near Racine. Mr. Hetzel was the youngest of eleven children.
In the death of Mr. Hetzel the bar of Northern Wisconsin loses one of its brightest members, his wife and children a kind and indulgent husband and father, and the city a citizen who at all times tried to do his duty. The subject of this sketch was a close student of general affairs as well as of that of his profession. Possessed of an analytical mind as a lawyer he was a close reasoner and sought to bring out in all his cases all of justice and equity that could be brought out. A man of the strictest honor he had a supreme contempt for all law-breakers and lawlessness. Yet his kindness of heart led him away from criminal practice. After the Voigt-Woller trial he remarked to the writer that he would never help to prosecute another criminal case, especially where there was room for doubt as to the guilt of the accused. "A person feels as if he wants the accused to prove himself innocent and therefore dislikes to attack evidence that reasonably would go to prove him so," he said. "On the other hand, to defend, is much easier. Every bit of evidence can then be remorselessly followed up and made to play in behalf of the accused." With these sentiments in his heart yet persons who attended the trial of the case mentioned, who were competent to judge know that he bent every energy to prosecute the case of the people. His arguments to jury has been said and with truth to have been one of the keenest throughout and most carefully presented ever heard in a criminal proceeding in this part of the state.
Mr. Hetzel was a true friend. Once a friend always a friend unless that friendship was terribly abused.
"O! What a happiness it is to find
A friend of your own blood, a brother kind!"
Mr. Hetzel was a brother kind to everyone who had formed his friendship. He was one of nature's noblemen, and his early death, to be taken away in the very prime of manhood, is sad indeed. But death is no respector of persons; when the summons comes we must all go.
Henry C. Hetzel was born in Raymond, Racine county, on the 4th day of August, 1856. He attended school until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered the Racine high school from which he graduated at the age of sixteen. Soon after he came to Wausau and entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Bump. He did not remain long with Mr. Bump but returned to Racine county, where for three years he taught school. In the spring of 1874 he entered the law office of Hon. E.L. Brown at Waupaca for the study of law. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered into partnership with E.P. Perry and the two opened up a law office at New London, Waupaca county. In 1879 he left New London for Wausau and became a partner of Hon. E.L. Bump. In the fall of the same year the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hetzel removed to Merrill, where he has continued to live since.
Soon after his coming to Merrill Mr. Bump, too, moved here and the law firm of Bump, Hetzel & Canon was organized. Beside their law business this firm published the News for some time. After the dissolution of the aforementioned partnership Mr. Hetzel continued the practice of law alone till he formed a partnership with Mr. E.M. Smart which was continued for some over a year, since which time he has again been alone. During his law practice Mr. Hetzel acquired one of the best law libraries in the state.
In 1881 he wedded Miss Sadie Dorn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.I. Dorn, of this city. Two children, Ralph and Harry, blessed their union. Mr. Hetzel was proud of his family and always had a kind word to say of his devoted wife and boys.
Mr. Hetzel early began to take a lively interest in politics and became one of the best known politicians in northern Wisconsin. He has held numerous positions of honor and trust. Served as city attorney of New London, city attorney of Merrill two years, member of the school board, served one term in the legislature, being elected to the assembly in 1886, at that time this assembly district comprised most of the territory of the Ninth congressional district. Was postmaster for four years, being appointed by President Harrison. Was chairman of the Republican county committee for many years and always considered one of the leaders of his party. Was extensively endorsed for the position of U.S. district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, but was defeated by D.F. Jones, of Sparta.
(The Merrill Advocate - July 12, 1898)
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