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Who Dies After Few Days' Illness of Influenza-Pneumonia --
Was a Prominent Business Man.
The Brown County Democrat of DePere, Wis., has this account of the death of L. S. Wilcox, a prominent young business man of DePere, the news of whose death was briefly given in last week's Advance-Journal:
L. S. Wilcox, who came home from a New York business trip, ill with influenza a few days before Christmas, died at 11:30 o'clock p.m., Friday, Dec. 27. Mrs. Wilcox had hovered between life and death for four days. His family and friends hoped his strong constitution would stand him in good stead and aid in his recovery. They hoped and prayed, but the great Shepard above willed otherwise, and Sheldon, as he was lovingly known to almost everybody in DePere and vicinity, was gathered to the fold.
One great consoling fact connected with his illness and demise is that he did not appear to suffer the tortures usually incident to deaths from influenza-pneumonia. It is said that he passed peacefully away, as if in slumber.
The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late residence of the deceased. It was Private, only immediate relatives being present. The Rev. H. A. Talbot officiated. After the conclusion of the services at the house, the casket was placed in the hearse and escorted to Greenwood cemetery by the following: Fifty members of the DePere Masonic lodge, of which Mr. Wilcox had been past master; members of the city council, DePere, State Guard Reserve company, and citizens on foot and in carriages and automobiles. The cortege marched from the house to Lewis street where those on foot took automobiles for the cemetery.
At the cemetery the casket was placed in a crypt in the new mausoleum; after the Masonic services were said. A squad of the guards was selected by Capt. Moes and a salute was fired over the structure which was to contain the mortal remains of the late first lieutenant of the company. After this military ceremony, the crypt was sealed, and mourners and friends departed.
Among those from outside who attended the funeral were Ex-Senator F. M. Wilcox of Madison; E. J. Fleming, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Woodward and William Annas, of Milwaukee; Clarence Wright, Samuel Longdon and Frank Lallier, of Fod du Lac, old hunting chums of Mr. Wilcox; Chas. Woodward of Jefferson; Miss Jean Foster, of Illinois; Judge Carlton Merrill, Senator Timothy Burke, Jos. Martin, and many other well known Green Bay men. The above, with many residents of the city and those who were to act as escort to the cemetery, waited outside during the services in the residence.
Although the family requested that no flowers be sent, many of Mr. Wilcox's friends could not forego taking advantage of the last opportunity to pay a tribute to one they had loved as a brother, and sent many beautiful floral offerings to be laid upon the casket.
Levi Sheldon Wilcox was one of DePere's brightest and most promising young business men. No more fitting tribute can be paid to his memory than to say he had more friends in DePere and its vicinity, than any other of our many good residents. To know him was to love him. No one ever asked a favor of him that he did not grant when within his power. Cut down in the midst of so promising an outlook his death has come as a great shock to his parents.
Taken ill in New York while on a business trip in the interests of the Oneida Knitting Works, of which corporation he was secretary and manager, Mr. Wilcox started immediately for home, arriving Sunday, Dec. 22. His condition grew daily more serious and death ensued on Friday, Dec. 27.
Sheldon Wilcox was born October 4, 1874, in DePere, and his life was spent in this city. He was graduated from the DePere High school and soon afterwards entered upon a business career. He was associated with his father in the real estate business for a time, and in recent years had been secretary and manager of the Oneida Knitting Works. he had served as an alderman in the city council, has been secretary of the DePere Volunteer Fire company, had been masted of the DePere lodge of Masons, was instrumental in organizing and equipping the DePere State Gaurd company, of which he was its first lieutenant, was for the last ten years actively identified with the civic and industrial development of DePere and took a prominent and active part in DePere's was work the past year.
He was just the type of young man who help to make a city better, brighter and cleaner; an excellent character, energetic, ambitious, patriotic. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and took an active interest in its business affairs.
The immediate relatives who mourn his death are his wife, a daughter, Isabell, aged 15, a son, John L. aged 13, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Wilcox, and a brother Guy Wilcox, who is with the U. S. occupation army in Germany.
Mr. Wilcox's family and parents have received many telegrams and letters of condolence from all parts of the state and from many friends outside. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the family who have lost so excellent a husband, father and son.
Camden Advance Journal: January 2, 1919
Camden relatives received news during the weekend from Hon. C. G. Wilcox of DePere, Wis., bringing the news of the death in that city of his eldest son, Sheldon Wilcox. Mr. Wilcox returned home from a business trip to New York city, a week ago Sunday evening suffering from an attack of influenza, which was quickly followed by pneumonia. Though everything possible was done for him, nothing could stay the disease, and the end came Thursday. Mr. Wilcox was a prominent resident of DePere, where he was a successful business man, connected for a number of years with the knit goods business. He leaves a wife and two children. The bereaved have deepest sympathy from Camden relatives and friends.