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Delavan Fire Department:
News - J.B. Bossi, memorable Fire Department Officer
J.B. BOSSI, MEMORABLE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICERJ.B. Bossi served as treasurer of the Delavan Fire Department for 31 years, 1879-1910. During his regime, he took part in fighting some of the most devastating fires in local history including those during the pyro epidemic of the early 1890’s which twice destroyed a major portion of the business district and unnerved the populace. Strongly dedicated to his duties, on several occasions he defrayed the expenses in serving special suppers for fire department volunteers.
A native of Italy, Bossi was proprietor of a Delavan monument company that provide many of the grave markers for area cemeteries for a 42-year period. With his wife, the former Adelia Barker, he made his home at 119 S. Main St. They had two daughters: Edna, who for 25 years taught at the Wisconsin School of the Deaf, and Rusha, who married Romeo Shewmacher and moved to the Minneapolis area for most of her adult life.
Bossi was born in Porto Ceserio, Italy, March 19, 1831. At an early age he became an apprentice to a master sculptor and rapidly became highly proficient in the profession. At age 25, he decided to seek new opportunities in America. From Havre, France, he sailed to the U.S. in 35 days aboard the Elizabeth Hamilton, arriving in New York on Oct. 25, 1856.
For a short period he was employed iIn New York, then spent several years in Washington, D.C., where he worked on many federal projects including construction of the Senate chambers. Unable to speak English, he rapidly picked up the new language. For a short period he carved marble at Trumansburg, N.Y., prior to moving west to Wisconsin, accepting work in Beaver Dam and Whitewater. Following a return trip to Italy, he came back to Wisconsin, settling in Delavan, July 15, 1867, where he immediately opened a marble works-monument business at 108 E Walworth Ave. His business expanded so rapidly he summoned a family friend, Paul Turri, from Italy, to become associated with him.
When Bossi started his business, most grave markers in this area were constructed from sandstone which, he cautioned, would not age well. For many years he chiefly utilized marble in making grave markers and later used granite. In 1898, he erected a massive monument in Spring Grove Cemetery for the D.T. Barker estate. The material, shipped from Barre, Vt., arrived in pieces. The base alone weighed seven tons.
Bossi joined the Delavan Fire Company in 1877 and was elected treasurer two years later. His monument shop was only about 100 feet from the fire station so he was usually the first one to arrive and sound the alarm. Some of the major fires he responded to included the 1879 WSD blaze, the 1890 Doane drug store explosion, the 1892 McKey block fire which destroyed eight business firms, the 193 Sunnyside block fire which claimed 13 buildings, and the Delavan Public School fire of 1904.
In the disastrous April 24, 1890 explosion-fire which destroyed the Doane drug store, 214 E. Walworth Ave., and threatened the entire business district. Bossi served as fire department enforcer, keeping citizens clear of the area as secondary explosions were anticipated.
Two store occupants were killed in the fire and a third later died from burns suffered in the explosion.
A little background on the incident: Harrison R. Doane, owner of the drug store, was well-known for his practical jokes. He frequently place tacks on a bench in front of his store and took delight in observing unsuspecting victims recoil as they sat down. The Strow family, hotel proprietors, kept chickens in the rear of the building and sometimes one would wander onto Walworth Avenue. When this happened, Doan would take his rifle and shoot the chicken, claiming it was his since it was on public property. He also like to startle customers by firing blank shots behind the counter.
On that fateful day in 1890, Lyman E Totten, who farmed and performed stump removal service, entered the Doane, store about 4:30 p.m. to purchase some nitro-glycerin. Doan was waiting on Melvin Barnhart at the time. When Barnhart was taken care of, he walked to the front of the store and began a conversation with Joseph Patrick, who was looking at merchandise. Totten then went to the counter and ordered nitro-glycerin, an item sold at most drug stores for stump removal work.
At approximately 4:43 p.m., a terrific explosion took place followed by bellowing torrents of fire. Doane and Totten were instantly killed and burned beyond recognition. Barnhart was blown through the front window, suffering painful but not fatal injuries. Patrick was knocked down near the front door where flames ignited his clothing. Frank Conrick, who was passing by, heroically entered the inferno and pulled Patrick to safety, although he died a few days later from the severity of his burns.
The fire company quickly arrived on the scene and although nothing could be done to save the Doane store, attention was directed to saving the adjacent Citizens Bank and Delavan Republican newspaper office. Fearing more explosives in the drug store basement might be ignited, the National Guard, then stationed at 117 N Second St., was called out. Due to the ferocity of the initial explosion, the fire burned itself out in a few hours and did not spread to adjacent buildings.
About the time of the Doane explosion-fire, Bossi expressed displeasure over the Scotch pine trees that were lined out on both sides of the highway between Delavan and Elkhorn, claiming that as they grew taller they would cause severe snow drifting during the winter months. His predication proved true and after a ew years most of the pine trees were removed.
Bossi remained as DFD treasure until retiring in 1909. The same year he sold his monument business to George Bresee. His death took place Nov. 14, 1911, at age 80. His funeral was conducted at his South Main Street home by Rev. T.A. Williams of the Congregational Church, followed by burial in Spring Grove. He was precede in death by his wife, who died in 1904, nd survived by his two daughters, Edna and Rusha.
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