Joliet Herald News, Joliet, Ill., Weds., Apr. 16, 1919, pp. 12 & 18:
"DEATH COMES SUDDENLY TO C. S. WITWER
Striken with Apoplexy Tuesday Afternoon in Office of Joliet Manufacturing Co.
Clement S. Witwer, one of the most prominent and influential business men in Joliet, died at 4:15 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in his private office of the Joliet Manufacturing Company, of which he was president and general manager. Death was due to apoplexy.

Mr. Witwer was striken while sitting at his desk at 4'o'clock in conversation with his son, Andrew, and his brother, T. W. Witwer, treasurer of the company, and George Hill. Suddenly, he threw back his head and turned pale. He was carried to a couch but had lost consciousness, Drs. Grant Houston and Peter G. Rulien were summoned. Mr. Witwer died in the arms of W. J. Steckel, superintendent of the company, shortly before the arrival of Dr. Houston.

INFLUENZA UNDERMINED HEALTH
It is believed that apoplexy was superinduced by his weakened physical condition which resulted from an attack of influenza sustained several weeks ago. He returned to his work before he had fully convalesced from the disease from the disease and insisted in resuming his duties. Later, on the advice of Dr. Houston, he was induced to leave his work for a rest. He and Mrs. Witwer went, April 4, to Excelsior Springs, Mo., remaining there until the latter part of last week, returning Monday morning as Mr. Witwer desired to be home for the election.

In keeping with his devotion to his business, he was back at his office Monday afternoon, soon after his arrival in Joliet. He voted Tuesday morning and made several trips to the down-town district stopping for a few moments at the Citizens' Campaign headquarters before returning to his office at 3:30 o'clock, shortly before he suffered the apoplectic stroke.

Beside his widow and one son, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Leah Kopscay of South Bend, Ind., and Mrs. John M. Mohler of Joliet; five brothers, T. W. Witwer of Joliet, George M. and Edwin C. of South Bend, Ind., J. Frank, of Kansas City, Mo., and H. E. Witwer, near Greeley, Col.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon from his home, 1018 Cass street, with Dr. W. A. Frye, pastor of the Ottawa street M. E. Church, and Dr. Solon C. Brunson, late supply pastor pf the church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in the Witwer family lot. The board of directors and members of the Association of Commerce will attend the services in a body.

Old employees and officials of the Joliet Manufacturing Company, who have for many years been close friends and business associates of Mr. Witwer, will act as pallbearers. They are William and Joseph Schreiner, John Mohler, August Melchior, Charles Hoffmeyer and Joseph Breindert.

NATIVE OF OHIO
Clement Sensenig Witwer was born Feb. 26, 1862 in Ashland county, Ohio. He was a member of a family which was numbered among the first settlers in Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa., and was a direct descendant of William Sensenig, who was associated with William Penn in 1734.

When a child, Mr. Witwer moved with his parents to La Porte county, Ind., in 1863, and later made his home in Hamilton, Mo., in 1867, where he received a part of his early education. Here his father, Elder George Witwer, conducted a store which dealt in agricultural supplies and he was one of the first agents for the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing company in the West. He was also a minister.

From Clement Witwer's early childhood, he manifested interest in his father;s business affairs and later worked for the firm of Dwight & Booth in Hamilton, Mo. In 1879, he moved to South Bend, Ind., where he entered the employ of the Studebaker company, of which his uncle, Clement Studebaker, was president. While in South Bend he entered Depauw university, in Green Castle, Ind. After leaving school, he rejoined the Studebaker company, remaining with it until 1883, when he worked with his brother, John S. Witwer, of Dallas, Texas, later identifying himself with the Studebaker as one of its lumber inspectors.

CAME TO JOLIET IN 1887
Mr. Witwer was married at this time to Miss Mary Elizabeth Shreffler, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shreffler, prominent Joliet residents. Her death occurred in 1905.

A daughter, Irene, who died in 1891, and a son, Andrew Hafer Shreffler, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Witwer.

On his removal to Joliet in 1887, Mr. Witwer became associated with the Joliet Manufacturing company and until 1896 was general superintendent of the company. On the death of A. H. Shreffler, Mr. Witwer became the president and general manager.

Mr. Witwer's second marriage took place Feb. 19, 1907 in South Bend, Ind. where he was wedded to Miss Nettie Walworth of that city, a member of an old and prominent family there.

During his entire life, Mr. Witwer was interested in charity and all projects for civil and social betterment. He was a trustee of the Ottawa Street M. E. church and contributed liberally to other religious institutions. He was a member of every welfare organization in Joliet, the President of the Morning Star Mission, active in the Association for Commerce, a member of the old Union club, the present Country club, the Hamilton club of Chicago, and president of the Oakwood Cemetery association.

Many of his social and charitable works were known to the public. He was at all times foremost among Will county men who were interested in Industrial affairs and has done much to contribute to contribute to and build up industry in the state. His devotion to business was known to all of his friends. He was seldom absent from work and true to his principles, died 'in the harness.'"