William J. Behn, a highly respected citizen and business man of this city died Saturday morning about 5 o'clock after a long illness with consumption. The funeral was held Monday in the Presbyterian church. The attendance as large and the floral offerings ere numerous and beautiful, all testifying to the respect and esteem in which the departed was held by his neighbors and acquaintances. The remains were laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.
Mr. Behn was born on February 4, 1853 in Bevensen, Germany and was one of 6 children. When he was 6 years of age his father died, leaving the family in destitute circumstances. William, together with the other children was obliged to contribute his mite toward the support of the family and was employed summers in earning money, but true to the German belief in education his winters were devoted to study. When he was 10 years of age, however, he was hired out for 1 year to herd cattle for his board and a salary of $6.00 per year. When he reached 15 years, he secured a position in a brick yard working long hours there at a salary equal to $1.50 per week.
At the age of 16 years he, with his mother and youngest sister, Minnie came to America. They first came to Reedsburg and William lost no time in securing work. He secured employment on the farm now known as the Cole place where he spent the summer. The following winter he went to school and the next summer he secured employment on a farm near Madison, and there Mr. Behn remained until he thoroughly mastered the details of the business.
In 1880, he came to Reedsburg and entered in the hardware business in the building known as the Byrne house. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Farrar, who survives him. Later he bought the Reed building on Main Street which soon after was destroyed by fire. He then built the brick building now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Fritcher. He sold this building and in 1894 built the commodious structure in which the business is now located.
In 1896 and 1897 he served the city faithfully as city treasurer. For the past 12 years he was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church serving as treasurer a number of years. At the time of his death he was a deacon. Mr. Behn is survived by his wife, his brother, Henry Behn of this city, his sisters, Mrs. Mary Reineke of Wonewoc, Mrs Dora Krug of this city, Mrs Minnie Myer of Minneapolis and Mrs. Bode, of Luneberge, Germany. All excepting Mrs. Bode were present for the funeral.
Taken from the Reedsburg Times of 8 Jun 1900.
Mr. Behn was born on February 4, 1853 in Bevensen, Germany and was one of 6 children. When he was 6 years of age his father died, leaving the family in destitute circumstances. William, together with the other children was obliged to contribute his mite toward the support of the family and was employed summers in earning money, but true to the German belief in education his winters were devoted to study. When he was 10 years of age, however, he was hired out for 1 year to herd cattle for his board and a salary of $6.00 per year. When he reached 15 years, he secured a position in a brick yard working long hours there at a salary equal to $1.50 per week.
At the age of 16 years he, with his mother and youngest sister, Minnie came to America. They first came to Reedsburg and William lost no time in securing work. He secured employment on the farm now known as the Cole place where he spent the summer. The following winter he went to school and the next summer he secured employment on a farm near Madison, and there Mr. Behn remained until he thoroughly mastered the details of the business.
In 1880, he came to Reedsburg and entered in the hardware business in the building known as the Byrne house. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Farrar, who survives him. Later he bought the Reed building on Main Street which soon after was destroyed by fire. He then built the brick building now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Fritcher. He sold this building and in 1894 built the commodious structure in which the business is now located.
In 1896 and 1897 he served the city faithfully as city treasurer. For the past 12 years he was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church serving as treasurer a number of years. At the time of his death he was a deacon. Mr. Behn is survived by his wife, his brother, Henry Behn of this city, his sisters, Mrs. Mary Reineke of Wonewoc, Mrs Dora Krug of this city, Mrs Minnie Myer of Minneapolis and Mrs. Bode, of Luneberge, Germany. All excepting Mrs. Bode were present for the funeral.
Taken from the Reedsburg Times of 8 Jun 1900.
William J. Behn, a highly respected citizen and business man of this city died Saturday morning about 5 o'clock after a long illness with consumption. The funeral was held Monday in the Presbyterian church. The attendance as large and the floral offerings ere numerous and beautiful, all testifying to the respect and esteem in which the departed was held by his neighbors and acquaintances. The remains were laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.
Mr. Behn was born on February 4, 1853 in Bevensen, Germany and was one of 6 children. When he was 6 years of age his father died, leaving the family in destitute circumstances. William, together with the other children was obliged to contribute his mite toward the support of the family and was employed summers in earning money, but true to the German belief in education his winters were devoted to study. When he was 10 years of age, however, he was hired out for 1 year to herd cattle for his board and a salary of $6.00 per year. When he reached 15 years, he secured a position in a brick yard working long hours there at a salary equal to $1.50 per week.
At the age of 16 years he, with his mother and youngest sister, Minnie came to America. They first came to Reedsburg and William lost no time in securing work. He secured employment on the farm now known as the Cole place where he spent the summer. The following winter he went to school and the next summer he secured employment on a farm near Madison, and there Mr. Behn remained until he thoroughly mastered the details of the business.
In 1880, he came to Reedsburg and entered in the hardware business in the building known as the Byrne house. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Farrar, who survives him. Later he bought the Reed building on Main Street which soon after was destroyed by fire. He then built the brick building now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Fritcher. He sold this building and in 1894 built the commodious structure in which the business is now located.
In 1896 and 1897 he served the city faithfully as city treasurer. For the past 12 years he was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church serving as treasurer a number of years. At the time of his death he was a deacon. Mr. Behn is survived by his wife, his brother, Henry Behn of this city, his sisters, Mrs. Mary Reineke of Wonewoc, Mrs Dora Krug of this city, Mrs Minnie Myer of Minneapolis and Mrs. Bode, of Luneberge, Germany. All excepting Mrs. Bode were present for the funeral.
Taken from the Reedsburg Times of 8 Jun 1900.
Mr. Behn was born on February 4, 1853 in Bevensen, Germany and was one of 6 children. When he was 6 years of age his father died, leaving the family in destitute circumstances. William, together with the other children was obliged to contribute his mite toward the support of the family and was employed summers in earning money, but true to the German belief in education his winters were devoted to study. When he was 10 years of age, however, he was hired out for 1 year to herd cattle for his board and a salary of $6.00 per year. When he reached 15 years, he secured a position in a brick yard working long hours there at a salary equal to $1.50 per week.
At the age of 16 years he, with his mother and youngest sister, Minnie came to America. They first came to Reedsburg and William lost no time in securing work. He secured employment on the farm now known as the Cole place where he spent the summer. The following winter he went to school and the next summer he secured employment on a farm near Madison, and there Mr. Behn remained until he thoroughly mastered the details of the business.
In 1880, he came to Reedsburg and entered in the hardware business in the building known as the Byrne house. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Farrar, who survives him. Later he bought the Reed building on Main Street which soon after was destroyed by fire. He then built the brick building now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Fritcher. He sold this building and in 1894 built the commodious structure in which the business is now located.
In 1896 and 1897 he served the city faithfully as city treasurer. For the past 12 years he was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church serving as treasurer a number of years. At the time of his death he was a deacon. Mr. Behn is survived by his wife, his brother, Henry Behn of this city, his sisters, Mrs. Mary Reineke of Wonewoc, Mrs Dora Krug of this city, Mrs Minnie Myer of Minneapolis and Mrs. Bode, of Luneberge, Germany. All excepting Mrs. Bode were present for the funeral.
Taken from the Reedsburg Times of 8 Jun 1900.
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