A G. Hayssen Chilton Times May 11, 1889

The Times is called upon to chronicle the death of one of the respected and beloved citizens of this county, Capt. A. G. Hayssen, who died after a short illness at the home of his son, Henry, in the village of New Holstein, on Monday, May 6th. The deceased was born in the Grand Duchy, Oldenberg, Germany, in 1811. At an early age he chose the life of a sailor and sailed the seas for thirty years, holding the position of Captain of different vessels. During his sea-faring life he visited nearly every country of importance on the globe, and met with many adventures, being shipwrecked a number of times. In 1859 he gave up sailing and emigrated to America. Coming to Wisconsin he located in Thiensville, Ozaukee County, where he remained about one year and in 1860 moved to Rockville, Manitowoc County, where he engaged in the mercantile and hotel business. He remained there until 1882, when he sold out and moved to Alexandria, Minn. During the summer of 1888 he again returned to this city, and has since made it his home. A few weeks ago he went to New Holstein to visit his son, and on Wednesday of last week, while driving to this city, was drenched in a rain storm, from which he received a severe cold, which no doubt, was one of the causes of his sudden death. During his residence in this county he had made many warm friends, and the young and old always had a pleasant greeting for him. His sudden death is deeply deplored. The funeral took place on Wednesday, at New Holstein, the remains being followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of his old friends and neighbors. At the grave Wm. Greverus Esq., made some very appropriate remarks in German. The Times is unable to give only a very brief synopsis of the tribute paid by Mr. Greverus to the deceased. In his remarks he said that Mr. Hayssen was in character kind-hearted and sincere, true and ever helpful to his family and friends. He was industrious and worked constantly but cheerfully from his early boyhood, sailing the blue seas for thirty years. Since 1859 he has lived in this country and tried by various pursuits and in different location to reach success, which, not withstanding those sterling qualities of character which he possessed—and perhaps because of them—never crowned his faithful labors. But there is this solemn truth to be told; few, indeed, are the funeral ceremonies, where during the kind words spoken at the grave, some one may not have occasion to smile and say that, were the exact character of the deceased given it would be entirely different from the one portrayed by the speaker. Not so at this grave. The deceased was not among the rich, the influential, or the prominent men, around whose graves the people gather through mere courtesy. This vast assemblage, never surpassed on these grounds, came here in true and sincere homage for one whom they loved and respected. Simplicity was one of the principal features of his character and it was his wish that all preparations and ceremonies, not absolutely necessary, should be avoided at his funeral and only a few words be spoken. Enough has been said. No higher tribute can be paid to any man, that what we have been able to say of him in perfect truthfulness. Envy, hatred and enmity have no place at this grave and whoever dies thus, certainly leaves to his beloved ones a dear consoling heritage—a memory unblemished.

His son, Henry went to Alabama, a daughter, Helena was married to Oscar Gutheil and went to Utah