William H. Pascoe

One of Cuba City's earliest businessmen was William Henry Pascoe (1850-1917). "Billy" Pascoe lived at 213 N. Main Street. He operated a hardware and/or general store at the current location of C&Js General Store (the north building) on Main Street. According to Cuba City's Centennial history, W. H. Pascoe was a tinsmith and a sheet metal worker.

The following obituaries appeared in the Cuba City News Herald at the time of W. H. Pascoe's death.

Cuba City News Herald, May 4, 1917

W. H. Pascoe Dies

Cuba City’s Oldest Merchant Passes Away Monday

The community was shocked, Monday, to hear of the death of W. H. Pascoe, Cuba City’s oldest merchant, who passed away at a Platteville hospital on Monday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m., after an operation for obstruction of the bowels.

Mr. Pascoe had not been in the best of health for some time but no thought of the seriousness of his case was entertained until a few days prior to his demise.

Cuba City News Herald, May 11, 1917

Obituary-Pascoe

William Henry Pascoe was born at Jefferson, near Hazel Green, Sept. 24, 1850, and died at the hospital at Platteville, Wis., April 30, 1917, at the age of 66 years, 7 months, and 6 days.

His early years were spent on the farm with his parents where he grew to young manhood. Later he went into business and he has been identified with the business interests of Cuba City from the first when there were only a few settlers here. His business record in our city covers a period of over forty years up to the time of his death.

In early life he became a Christian and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and through the remainder of his life has been a member of the same.

In the year 1878, Jan. 16, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Vincent at Galena, Ill. To this union were born five children: Grace of Cuba City, Vinton of Platteville, Willis of Chadron, Nebr., Mrs. Frank Rochek of Cuba City and Mrs. Chas. Latham of Benton. Beside his wife and children he leaves to mourn his loss three brothers and three sisters: Mrs. Harriet Stephens of Cuba City, John of Carroll, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Stephens of Madison, Wis., James of Albia, Iowa, Samuel of Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. George Ralph of Cuba City.

On May 2, 1903, he joined the Masonic Lodge, being a member of Georgetown Lodge, No. 185, of this city.

“Billy,” as he was familiarly known, was a man of generous impulses and there was a daily beauty about his ways that won every heart. In temperament, he was mild, conciliatory and candid, and he gained confidence when he seemed least to seek it. At his death the grief that was felt over the close of his long career was widespread and sincere. His best monument will be the good report that he has left behind him in this community where he has lived for more than sixty-six years.

The funeral services were held, on Wednesday, May 2. A short service was held at the home and was followed by services at the Methodist Episcopal church, conducted by Rev. J. Henry Chatterson. The attendance was probably the largest in the obsequious history of the city. Interment was made at Mt. Pleasant cemetery, the Masonic Order having charge of the services at the grave.

During the funeral services all the business places were closed.

The relatives from away who attended the funeral of Mr. Pascoe were the following: Three brothers—John, of Carroll, Iowa; James, of Albia, Iowa; Samuel, of Des Moines, Ia.; one sister—Mrs. Mary Stephens, of Madison, Wis.; and Dr. and Mrs. Geo. Stephens, of Kenosha, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Perry and Miss Mary Perry, of Scales Mound, Ill.; Miss Aletha Opie of Warren, Ill.; Mrs. John Anderson and Mrs. J. Knelling, of Mineral Point, Wis.; Harry Vincent and Stella Hicks, of Benton, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Albert Eustice of Platteville; and the following from Galena: Capt. Wm. Vincent, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Vincent, Will Vincent, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Bratton, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Vincent, Mrs. R. Kuster, Mrs. Laura Eustice, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Eustice, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Vincent, Mrs. Pierce Richards, and Mrs. John Brown.