Mr. Neeuwsen , who has been clerk of the city of Oconto for the past 25 years, has been one of Oconto’s most energetic citizens, being a very active leader in many civic and church affairs.
He was born in Zeeland, Holland, in 1863 and emigrated to America with his parents at an early age. He spent most of his youth in De Pere, receiving his early education in the De Pere schools. He later attended business college in Green Bay.
He came to Oconto more than 40 years ago, being employed first by Huffel’s department store and later as advertising manager of the Oconto Enterprise. For some time he worked as accountant for the Oconto Brewing company. Twenty-five years ago the Oconto city council elected him to finish out an unexpired term as city clerk. Since that time he has been reelected every year. For 20 years he has had no opposition. He also served for a quarter of the century as secretary for the city board of education.
He has been secretary for the board of trustees of the Oconto City and County hospital, a member of the police and fire commission and of the Armory board.
Besides his numerous civic activities, Mr. Meeuwsen was a very active layman in Catholic church activities throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, being a member of the Holy Name society, the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and the Catholic Foresters serving as financial secretary of the latter organization.
For many years he has been a member of the board of trustees of St. Joseph’s church in Oconto, serving as secretary for the church. He was a member of Oconto lodge No. 887, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He married Cisco O’Kelliher (?) June 16, 1905. They have had three sons, two of whom died at an early age. He is survived by his widow, one son, Quentin, who is serving as a government civil engineer in the national forest in Minnesota, and by one sister, Sister Benedict of the Fransican order of Bay Settlement.
Funeral services will be held at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning at St. Joseph’s Catholic church with the Rev. L.C. Becker officiating. Burial will be in the Oconto Catholic cemetery. The body was removed from the Gagnon funeral home to his residence on Congress street late Sunday afternoon.