JOHN M. SAEMANN DIES
SUDDENLY HERE MONDAY
12 May 1844 � 3 May 1926

John M. Saemann, 84, well known pioneer of Sheboygan county, one time mayor of this city and prominent in the development of various districts of the city of Sheboygan, passed away suddenly Monday at about 4:30 o�clock following an acute heart attack while he was looking after his roperty interests at the former Born�s Park. Funeral arrangements will not be made until after his two sons Franklin I. and William H. Saemann, both of Chicago, will have arrived in the city.

Mr. Saemann was born in Columbus, Ohio, May 12, 1844, and came with his parents to Sheboygan county in 1854. The family settled on a farm at Batavia, in Scott Township, where the deceased remained until twenty-three years old, when he engaged in merchandising at Batavia. One year later he sold out and for several years thereafter was engaged in farming and commission business in the state of Iowa. Later he removed to New Cassel, Fond du Lac county, and started the town of Campbellsport, on the line of the Northwestern railroad. In 1880, he came to Sheboygan, where he continued to reside up to the time of his death.

Among the various business activities here was the organization of the Sheboygan City Railway company. In 1886, Mr. Saemann secured a charter, and built the first street railway system in Sheboygan. He was promoter and one of the principal stockholders of the Lake Shore Land Company, which opened up and developed Lake View Park and a large section of the Southside of the city. He was also active in the platting and developing of the former Driving Park on the Northside. Two years ago, he took over the Born�s park property and since that time had been devoting considerable time to the adjustment and sale of lots in that block.

It was while he was engaged in this work Monday afternoon that he was suddenly stricken with an acute heart attack. He was taken to his home, 1229 North Fourth Street, in a taxi cab, where he expired one hour later.

John M. Saemann was married in Batavia on December 22, 1866, to Miss Sarah C. Brazelton, daughter of Isaac Brazelton, a well-known and highly respected settler of Sheboygan county. Mrs. Saemann passed away on January 4 this year.

The death of Mr. Saemann removes from this world a link of lineage in a family noted for the longevity of the lives of its respective members. The deceased was the youngest of three brothers and he is survived by two sons, who reside in Chicago, and a daughter, Mrs. Harry Thomas of this city, who were the only children born of the wedlock of John M. Saemann and Miss Sarah C. Brazelton sixty years ago.


From the Sheboygan Press, May 4, 1926.

JOHN SAEMANN RITES WILL BE
HELD THURSDAY

Funeral services for the late John M. Saemann, former mayor, who died Monday afternoon, will be conducted at the home, 1229 N. Fourth street, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Dr. J. J. Tobias, former pastor of the First Congregational church of this city, but now residing in Chicago, will conduct the service. Burial will be made in Wildwood cemetery.

Dr. Tobias was requested to officiate in obedience to a request of Mr. Saemann before his death. He and Dr. Tobias were college classmates, and Mr. Saemann desired to have him officiate at his funeral in case he should die before the decease of Dr. Tobias.

The pallbearers will be Harry Thomas, Oscar Hertzberg of Sheboygan Falls, Edward Saemann of Adell, Franklin I. Saemann of Chicago, William M. Saemann of Chicago and Franklin I. Saemann Jr., of Chicago.

IMPRESSIVE LAST RITES ARE
HELD FOR LATE JOHN SAEMANN

Simple though impressive were the ceremonies connected with the funeral services of John M. Saemann, which were conducted this morning at 10:30 o'clock from the family residence, 1229 N. Fourth Street.

John M. Saemann, during his lifetime, was an active and loyal citizen. After leaving his parent�s farm in the town Scott, when 23 years of age, he engaged in merchandising at Batavia for one year, when he sold his store and removed to Iowa where, at different times, he was engaged in farming, commission business and merchandising. Later he returned to Wisconsin and started a general store at New Cassel, Fond du Lac county, and started the town of Campbellsport on the line of the Northwestern railroad. In 1880, he came to Sheboygan and established a permanent home. In 1886, he obtained a charter and built the first street railway in this city; he was promoter and one of the largest stockholders of the Lake Shore Land Company, which opened and developed Lake View and also a large portion of the south side district of the city. He was also active in platting and later the developing of the former Driving park on the north side. In 1890 he was elected mayor of Sheboygan and served one term with general satisfaction to the community. Two years ago he took over the former Born�s Park property, and up to the time of his sudden death, was actively engaged in platting and improving that block for future building purposes.

Dr. J. J. Tobias, former college classmate of the deceased, pastor of the First Congregational church here in 1882 and 1883, but now resident of Chicago, delivered the funeral address, and was assisted by Rev. Marvin M. Brandt, the present pastor of the church here.

Dr. Tobias touched briefly upon the early life of Mr. Saemann during his college days, and called attention to the loyalty of the deceased to the principles of Christianity. His address was based upon the story of Lazarus and the value of faith. He referred to the scientific researches conducted since the famous Scope trial in Tennessee, in an effort to establish the origin of life, all of which, he declared pointed to faith alone. So firm is his faith in Christ's doctrine of everlasting life, Dr. Tobias said that he came here not to say good-bye to his college classmate and life-long friend, but rather to say good morning, because he was positive that what is commonly called death is but the entrance to the threshold of everlasting life.

The pallbearers were his two sons, Franklin I. and William, two grandsons, Franklin I. Jr., and Edward, all of Chicago, his son-in-law, Harry Thomas, of this city, and Oscar Hertzberg, of Sheboygan Falls. Burial was made at Wildwood cemetery.

From the Sheboygan Press, May 6th, 1926.

May 12, 1884 � May 3, 1926

John M. Saemann, a pioneer of Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties, closed his earthly career this week. Born in Ohio, Mr. Saemann came to Sheboygan county with his parents seventy-two years ago, locating in the Town of Scott.

At the age of twenty-three he was a pioneer merchant of Batavia, and in 1880 moved to what was then known as New Castle, Fond du Lac county, and helped start Campbellsport, located on the Chicago and North Western line. New Castle and Campbellsport are less than a half mile apart, and today have grown into what is known as the village of Campbellsport. For a great many years the mail continued to be sent to New Castle, and there was an uptown and downtown controversy as to which would survive. The foresight of Mr. Saemann, however, in locating Campbellsport on the North Western bore fruit in after years, and eventually the government recognized Campbellsport as the point for mail distribution. However, Platt Durand, pioneer postmaster, continued to send sacks of mail down to William Poole�s store for the accommodation of residents in what was formerly known as New Castle. Today the entire situation has changed and there has been a merge of interests, and Campbellsport is a prosperous village.

Mr. Saemann built the first street railway system in Sheboygan, and during his years of promotion work he laid the foundation for many a successful enterprise. He was active up to the very last, being stricken while out supervising some of his development plans.

From the Sheboygan Press, May 6th, 1926.