Alex La Fleur, 84, of 1016-20th St., Two Rivers, who retired three years ago
after serving 26 years as the Second Ward supervisor and who had been in
public service for many years earlier as a Two Rivers alderman, died Friday
night at Two Rivers Municipal Hospital where he had been a patient since
Monday. He had been in failing health for several months.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Klein and Stangel Inc., Funeral
Home, Two Rivers, and at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, the Rev. H.J.
Schmitz officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
A barber in Two Rivers for more than 50 years, retiring in 1954 at 76 from his
shop at the east approach of the 17th Street Bridge, he was born at Manitowoc
Jan. 3, 1878, son of the late Peter and Mathilda Pilon LaFleur. His father was
a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and served in the Civil War.
When Mr. LaFleur was three years old the family brought him to Two Rivers. When
he was 13 he began to work at the old Mann Brothers Pail Factory at Two Rivers,
and three years later became a barber's apprentice at the old Frank Schroeder
shop on Washington Street. A short while later he became an employe at the shop
of the late Perry J. Diehl on 16th Street, who operated also the first bowling
alleys in the rear of the building. Mr. LaFleur then took over the operation of
his own shop in the basement of the Wisconsin House Block at Washington and 19th
streets. Several months later he moved to Chicago to pursue the trade and a year
later he returned to Two Rivers to work for the late Frank Napiecinski in the
present quarters of Western Union Telegraph Co. on Washington street. When
Napiecinski took over the adjoining tavern quarters in his building, he placed
Mr. LaFleur in charge of the barbership (sic). In 1912, Mr. LaFleur built his
own ship (sic) at the 17th Street Bridge approach from which he retired July 14,
1954.
Mr. LaFleur married the former Catherine LeClair, Aug. 20, 1900, at St. Luke Church.
Her father, Capt. Louis LeClair, for years was master of the old Two Rivers towing
tug, Temple Emory, one of the largest on the Great Lakes. The couple observed its
golden wedding anniversary in 1950.
Shortly after the turn of the century Mr. LaFleur began his long career in public
life as alderman of Two Rivers' First Ward, serving under three mayors, the late Dr.
J.R. Currens, Conrad Baetz and H.C. Gowran. Retiring after 18 years as an alderman,
he began his 26 consecutive years on the County Board as Second Ward supervisor in
1932. He retired from the post in January of 1959.
Mr. LaFleur was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Luke parish for many years.
Besides his wife he leaves seven daughters, Mrs. Albert Kisten of Duluth, Minn., Mrs.
Olin Bergbaken of Appleton, Mrs. Beatrice Sherman of West Palm Beach, Fla., Mrs. John
Tessen of Wausaukee, Mrs. John N. Koch, Mrs. Harry Hartel and Mrs. Ervin Dietrich, of
Two Rivers; five sons, Lester of Manitowoc, Cyril of Adell, Harold of West Palm Beach,
Fla., and Kenneth and Alex Jr., of Two Rivers; 46 grandchildren and 60 great grand-
children.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Monday where the Rosary by the Holy
Name Society will be recited at 7:15 p.m. and the parish at 7:45 p.m.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Saturday, November 24, 1962 P.3.
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Alderman Rescues a Young Lady
Alderman Alex LaFleur made himself useful Wednesday afternoon to the extent of rescuing a young lady from the chilly waters of the Mishicot River. The alderman was standing on Seventeenth St bridge when he saw a boat with a young lady coming down the river and making for the dock where the water is eight or nine feet deep. It was then that LaFleur said to his companion, "I'll bet a dollar that girl will fall in the river", and he made for the dock which she had reached when he was half way there. his premonition had proved correct. He heard her shouts and screams and hastily reached the dock which is four feet or more high. As alderman La Fleur's reach is limited he had some difficulty in reaching the young lady's outstretched hand as she supported herself on a small projecting part of the dock and Albert Simino helped him pull her to safety. The alderman from the first ward is ever ready in things in general as well as in his official capacity.
The Reporter, Fri., Sept. 22, 1922 .