WETLAUFER, Charles "Conrad" W. 1853-1919

WETLAUFER, MARTIN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 12/16/2010 at 14:45:01

The Evening Courier and Reporter
Waterloo, Iowa
10 Nov 1919
Page 7

Chas. Wetlaufer Burial Tuesday

City Officials and Comrades to pay Tributes of Honor to Dead Police Captain.

Funeral services for Charles W. Wetlaufer, member of the Waterloo police force since 1894, will be at First Methodist Episcopal church tomorrow at 2 p.m., preceded by a short prayer service at 1:30 in the home, 1414 Jefferson street. The body will be borne to the grave by a detachment of the police force, of his own choosing, as follows: Capt. Tom J. Morris, Capt. John Farrell, Sergt. E. J. Douglas, Officers Tom Malcom and Lee Smith. Rev. Frank W. Court will officiate, and burial will be in Elmwood.

As a tribute to the veteran policeman, all departments in the city hall will suspend business during the hour of funeral and every member of the police force who can be spared from actual duty will attend the services in uniform.

Death Not Unexpected.

Capt. Wetlaufer died Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at his home. For several days the end had been momentarily expected and the members of his family were present when the summons came. The disease which caused his death made its first appearance last September while the officer was on vacation. he spent a number of weeks in Presbyterian hospital, and two weeks ago underwent an operation. A concerous condition of the stomach made elimination of the disease impossible. Three days before he died he asked to be taken home, and indicated the manner of his burial, including the naming of pallbearers and a request to be buried in the uniform of a policeman.

Duty Always First.

Charley Wetlaufer's service as a police officer was one of the highest loyalty and integrity -- like a soldier, his duty to the force and the city was paramount to every other consideration. He served in every rank and every beat in the city, night and day. It was in March, 1894, that he was first appointed upon the police force, by Mayor James Grout. In 1900 he was made chief of the department by Mayor J. W. Krapfel.

Two years later, when a change in administration brought about a change in the chief's office, Wetlaufer demonstrated his sterling character by asking for place as patrolman, and started at the bottom again. Promotion came quickly. He was made night desk sergeant Dec. 1, 1912, and May 15, 1918, was promoted to captain by Chief Fred Sporle. He was at his desk every night until sickness forced him to remain away never to return.

Previous to this illness which terminated in death Capt. Wetlaufer had been of rugged health and in the quarter century of his service had lost no time from his duties on account of sickness.

Born in Indiana.

Capt. Wetlaufer was born in Evansville, Ind., April 1, 1853, the son of Adam and Tena Wetlaufer. With his parents he moved to Harvard, Ill., while a small boy. When the son was 11 years old his father enlisted in the Civil War, and he never returned to the family. On the day he was mustered out of the service the father died. The boy was thus left to help his mother carry on the work on the farm, going to school in the winter.

Later he learned the harness-makers' trade and came to Iowa in 1874, living for a time at Cedar Falls. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Martin March 4, 1875, the wedding taking place in Waterloo. Four children were born to them, Guy E., Ralph, Clyde and Ruhe. Of these Ralph and Ruhe, with the widow survive. An adopted daughter, Mrs. J. F. Holscombe, Los Angeles, Cal.; a sister, Mrs. C. A. Barndt, Monomonee, Wis.; and a brother, Arrin Wetlaufer, Oshkosh, Wis., and two granddaughters, also survive.

In 1880 Mr. Wetlaufer removed to Waterloo and had resided here since excepting for a period of six years which were spent as superintendent of ex-Governor Horace Boies' stock farm near Grundy Center. Upon his return to Waterloo he became a member of the police force of the city.

Capt. Wetlaufer was a member of the M. W. A., the M. B. A. and the Sons of Veterans lodges. Members of these orders, together with the city officials, officers and friends, will attend the funeral service. The remains may be viewed tomorrow at the home, between the hours of 10 and 12 a.m.

Sons of Veterans and auxiliary will meet at First M. E. church Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. to attend the funeral in a body.