JOSEPH WILLOTT JR. (d. 1936)

JOS. WILLOTT, FORMER BOARD MEMBER, DIES
Served County For 35 Years; Also Acted as Assemblyman For Three Terms
Joseph Willott, Jr., 81, former assemblyman, retired manufacturer and for a
record number of years a member of the county board of supervisors, died this
morning at the home, 436 North Fifth street.
Mr. Willott, who retired from public life in 1933 after 35 years on the county
board as a representative of the second ward, had the distinction of being the
only city supervisor ever elected to the chairmanship of the board.
Until a few weeks ago he enjoyed fairly good health. He was stricken with a
hemorrhage which confined him to his bed since late in August.
Masonic Rites
Funeral arrangements have not been completed. His burial will be in charge of
the Masonic lodge of which he was a member for more than 50 years.
Mr. Willott was born in England, the son of Joseph and Ann Willott. When a boy
he came to America with his parents in 1865. The family located in Indiana and
five years later came to Manitowoc.
The elder Willott established an axe factory on Quay street in the early seventies
and soon was joined by his two sons, Joseph Jr., and William. The firm became known
as the Joseph Willlott & Sons. It was one of the pioneer industries of Manitowoc
and its products were sold in northeastern Wisconsin.
In the eighties, Mr. Willott, a Republican in Politics, was named supervisor from
his ward. He served continuously until 1898 when the Republican party nominated
him to run for member of assembly from the first district of the county. He was
elected to represent the district at Madison. He succeeded himself in 1900 and
again in 1902.
Returns to Board
Following his retirement from state politics Mr. Willott was returned to membership
on the county board by the second ward voters. He served several terms, was out of
office a few years and again was named to the board, serving until 1933. He set a
record of never missing a board session.
Mr. Willott’s 35 years on the board comprises the longest period recorded by a member
of that body. His election as chairman of the board for two term set a precedent in
that the board, with a majority of rural members, follows a policy of electing a town
representative to head the board.
The Willott axe factory continued in operation until 1910, later Mr. Willott engaged
in the insurance business here. He became interested in down town real estate and
erected the Willott block on South Eighth street.
In 1881 Mr. Willott married Miss Bertha Endress of this city. She died in 1930.
Son Survives
Survivors are a son, Reuben, Antigo; two grandchildren, Willott and Josephine Putz,
city; a sister, Mrs. Anna M. Sniffin, city; and a brother, Samuel Willott, Two Rivers.
Mr. Willott was a member of Chickerming lodge of Odd Fellows for more than 6__ Years.
In 1931, he, with a number of other Masons, received a 50-year certificate of membership
in that order.
Manitowoc Herald Times, September 16, 1936 P. 2
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[bur. 9-19-1936/age 81 yrs/cause: carcinoma of spine]