Fred, Can you tell the parents of your WILLIAM WISE? Most of my Wise family, originally from VA. migrated to GA. There were many Williams in the family. bill horn At 05:06 PM 4/1/99 -0600, you wrote: >>From June 98 Words to the Wise newsletter > >The following treatise was sent in by Joe Wise. His daughter found it in >Boulder, Co., I am printing the text exactly as written. I am including all >photos of people but not of buildings and furnishings. >It was 15 pages of text and photos in an 8 ½ x 5 booklet. > 1845 - 1945 > One Hundredth Anniversary > William Wise and Sons > Bucyrus, Ohio > William Wise, Sr. > 1842-1901 > > When William Wise, an energetic young man from Pennsylvania, entered >business in Bucyrus in 1845 in > a very modest way, that even marked the founding of a business which >has rounded out a century of progress > THE BEGINNING > >"General" William Wise, one of the early pioneers, came to Bucyrus in the >year 1836, and a few years later established himself in the furniture and >undertaking business with Christopher Howenstein then located on East >Mansfield St., on the site of the present Fire Department building. The >business has been running continuously since that time. > >In the year 1862 the business was moved to South Sandusky Ave. Where the >present furniture store is operated. > >Practice of the "Golden Rule" in business for so many years won for him the >esteem of the entire community, and a clientele that extended over a large >area of Crawford and adjoining counties. > >As time went on, and his sons grew up, they were associated with him in the >business. Preston J. Wise, the eldest son, efficiently assisted him until >taken by death September 11, 1890; his four remaining sons assumed charge of >the business prior to the death of Wm. Wise, Sr., which occurred October 16, >1901, and served continuously until the partnership was again broken by the >death of George L. Wise, which occurred June 7, 1926. > >The two remaining sons of Wm. Wise, Sr., are Fred A. Wise and Joseph D. Wise >who are the present owners of the firm of Wm. Wise & Sons. > >Those who have been residents of the city for many years can remember the >old time frame building that stood on the site of the present three story >structure on South Sandusky Avenue. In 1884 the old building was torn down, >and the present three story building was erected. During these years the >business increased rapidly, and the steady growth of the City, enabled us to >enlarge our stock of furniture, and funeral supplies, and in 1920 >alterations and improvements were made by adding a second story in the rear; >installing an elevator, and constructing an attractive display window. This >modernization caused this to be one of the finest furniture stores in North >Central Ohio. > >Much of the history of and development of funeral services in Ohio has been >experienced by the Wise Establishment, since it was founded by Wm Wise, in >1845. That period of a full century has seen the passing of the time when >crude coffins were made to measure by a Cabinet Maker; when the ice box, in >which the deceased was temporarily placed, (which was the only means of >preservation until the funeral,) and when funeral service was limited to the >distance which a team of horses hitched to an old fashioned hearse could >travel. > >This Home is dedicated to the service of humanity and with its spacious >Service Room, its Family Room, its Slumber Room, its modern and sanitary >Preparation Room, and its large Casket Display Room, it offers to the Public >a service that is unexcelled. > >Our Motor Equipment is the most modern obtainable. Our Invalid Coach is >modern and comfortable, and was made especially for, and used exclusively in >this service which is maintained through the entire twenty-four hours of the >day, with able courteous attendants for both Hospital and emergency work. >Thus, through the years we have served generation after generation of the >same families, having laid to rest thousands of persons. > >No stronger testimonial could be given than the fact that we have served >continuously in this community from one generation to another during which >time, courtesy and honesty of transaction has been our aim. > >Every effort has been stimulated by a life time of experience. > > MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION > >We pause at this one hundredth Milestone in the history of our firm to >review the experiences, the attainments, and, most of all, the associations >with our host of friends which the Century has brought us. > >We retrace the steps which have led us hither, we recall the policies and >basic principles on which our Company was reared, and we pay tribute to our >beloved father and founder, William Wise, whose sterling traits of character >laid the foundation for our progress and our success. One hundred years of >growth and advancement is an outstanding achievement for any business-- one >which few can boast. But in accepting a measure of credit on this, our >Centennial Anniversary, we must, in all fairness, pass on a "Lion's Share" >to our many friends and customers whose loyalty and cooperation have made >this day possible. > >During this War period merchandise has been scarce and hard to find, yet the >manufacturers have cooperated beautifully by sending us our allotted share, >and they deserve grateful thanks. > >Courageously, determinedly, we look to the future and Victory. > > Sincerely yours > Fred A. Wise Joseph D. Wise > > > >