BICE, Lois M. (d. 1940)
LOIS MINNIE BICE, PIONEER, CALLEDLois Minnie Bice, aged 82, 1433 Moore street, passed away at her residence Monday. Mrs. Bice, who had been a resident of Bellingham the past year, had previously resided in the Custer district for fifty-nine years. She was a member of the Cardinal Rebekah lodge, the Methodist church of Custer and the Whatcom County Dairymen's association. Surviving her are four sons, Frank and Bert, both of Blaine, George and William, both of Custer; three daughters, Mrs. Annie Bainter, Bellingham, Mrs. Olive Bainter, Blaine, and Mrs. Edith Eckrem, Custer; one sister, Mrs. Florence Holtzheim[er], Blaine; nineteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Monroe chapel at Ferndale Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Leslie Kagey conducting. Interment will follow in Enterprise cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 23, 1940) Submitted by site coordinator. Relative Robert MixBICE, Olive (d. 1908)
Mrs. Frank Bice died Saturday morning last at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Boblett, on Fourth street. The direct cause being blood poisoning. Mrs. Bice had not enjoyed good health for some time. The remains were shipped to Custer on Monday mornings' train, where the funeral services were held by Rev. Berringer. The interment was made in the Enterprise cemetery. A number of friends and relatives attended the funeral from this city.
(From the Blaine Journal, April 3, 1908) A funeral notice for Mrs. Olive Bice appeared in the Ferndale Record, April 3, 1908.BICE, Thomas H. (d. 1911)
Thomas Bice passed away at his home near Custer Wednesday morning from cancer, at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 9 days. He has suffered from cancer of the face for the past five months. Thomas Bice was one of the earliest settlers in this part of Whatcom County, first coming to this section from California in 1858. He lived on the old place where he died for about 37 years, and was esteemed by every one who knew him. He was a native of Cornwall, England. An aged wife, four sons and three daughters are left to mourn the loss of husband and father, all of whom reside near the old home place just north of Custer. The funeral services will be held at Custer this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and the burial will take place in the Enterprise cemetery.
TO MEMORY OF THOMAS H. BICE
E. Holtzheimer Pays Tribute to His Old Friend and NeighborThe following tribute to the memory and life of Thomas H. Bice, was written by his friend and neighbor, Ernest Holtzheimer, who is perhaps better qualified to do so than any other person in this section. Owing to its being received too late last week it could not appear in last week's Journal.With the death of Thomas H. Bice, which occurred November 29th, another of the few remaining pioneers who prepared the way in the wilderness many years ago, has crossed the divide from whence no mortal ever returns, and his face will be seen no more. Stricken by a malignant disease several months ago, medical attention and solicitous care proved of no avail, until enfeebled by long suffering, peacefully the end drew near, and with the birth of the new day, on the wings of the morning, his spirits took flight to the eternal realms above.
When a mere boy, deceased emigrant with his family moved from England to the United States. Together they crossed the plains in 1852 on their way to California, where his father had preceded them three years before, and took up their residence in Grass Valley. Later on he traveled extensively and toiled several years in the Cariboo mines in British Columbia. It was in the early spring of 1872 that Tom Bice blazed a trail in the boundless forest from the banks of California creek to his future homestead, where by indomitable courage, ceaseless labors and untold privations, he at last succeeded in the establishment of a comfortable home noted for thrift and hospitality. During his long sojourn among us he affiliated with the Methodist church.
He attained the age of 73 years and seven months, and leaves behind him to mourn his loss, his wife, four sons and three daughters, besides one brother and two sisters who reside in California. Respected by all who knew him, Thomas H. Bice will long be remembered by his pioneer associates as a true friend, by his neighbors as an honest man, and by the present generation as an exemplary citizen.
(From The Blaine Journal, December 1 & 8, 1911) Submitted by site coordinator. Relative Robert MixBICKFORD, Anna C. (d. 1909)
Anna C. Bickford, aged 67 years, wife of M. Bickford, died at the residence, 2603 Woburn Street, at an early hour this morning after an extended illness. Mrs. Bickford came to this city a little more than one year ago from the state of Missouri. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, Miss Lizzie Bickford, Mrs. Frank Eizea and Mrs. John M. Warnick, also two sons, Frank and Morris Bickford, all residents of Bellingham with the exception of the latter, whose home is in Webb City, Mo. Aside from the above, Mrs. Bickford leaves sixteen grandchildren, thirteen of whom reside here. Mrs. Bickford became the wife of Matthew Bickford the 15th of February, 1866. The body lies at the private reception rooms of W. H. Mock & Sons in the Maple block. The funeral will be held at the chapel of W. H. Mock & Sons Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, W. H. Mock officiating. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery. The funeral car will leave Verona and Kentucky Streets at 1:30 o'clock conveying the funeral party to the chapel.
(From The Morning Reveille, February 2, 1909) Submitted by site coordinator.BICKFORD, Matthew (d. 1918)
CIVIL WAR VETERAN PASSES AWAY Matthew Bickford, 2603 Woburn street, a Civil war veteran with a record for bravery, died at a local hospital last night at the age of 79 years, leaving two sons, Maurice A. Bickford, Kansas City, and Frank A. Bickford, Bellingham, and three daughters, Mrs. John M. Warnick, Weddeburn, Ore.; Mrs. J. F. Elzea, Marysville, Wash., and Miss Lizzie Bickford, Bellingham. Mr. Bickford served in the Civil war three and one-half years as a member of Company G, Eighth Missouri infantry. He was one of the volunteers at the first attack on Vicksburg and he won there an honor medal for carrying a wounded comrade to a place of safety. He had lived in Bellingham ten years and was a member of the J. B. Steedman post No. 24, G. A. R. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at Harry O. Bingham's parlors.
Additional survivors were one sister, two brothers, twenty-one grandchildren and two great grandchildren; burial Bayview.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 19, 1918) Submitted by site coordinator.BIDDELL, John (d. 1915)
JOHN BIDDELL, 70 YRS. DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS John Biddell, age 70, passed away this morning at 7:30, following a period of sickness of long duration. He is survived by a widow, Mrs. E. B. Baxter is a niece. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Paul Ashby officiating. Lynden Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F. will conduct the services
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 7, 1915)Members of the Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges and many friends gathered Sunday afternoon at the Methodist Church to pay their last respects to John Biddell, who passed away Thursday morning. The Rev. Paul Ashby, who conducted the services, spoke of Mr. Biddell's many good qualities. Services at the cemetery were in charge of the Odd Fellows, of which lodge Mr. Biddell had been a member for 38 years. Mr. Biddell was born in England Sept. 1, 1845, and came to Ohio when 8 years old. In 1865, he carried supplies by ox-team to western forts. In 1877, he was married to Lovina Gifford, and in 1885, he moved to California, where he resided 25 years, coming to Lynden five years ago. His sterling character won him a wide circle of friends, who join with his widow in mourning his loss.
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 14, 1915) Submitted by site coordinator.BIDLACK, William O. (d. 1926)
William O. Bidlack, aged 85 years, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. J. Rafter, 2115 Franklin street, early Saturday morning, October 23, after a residence in Bellingham of twenty-one years. Besides his daughter, Mrs. Rafter, with whom he made his home, Mr. Bidlack is survived by one son, George L. Bidlack, also of this city; one sister, Mrs. Sarah Lundy of Michigan; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Bidlack was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted at Fort Wayne, Ind., November 22, 1861, in Company G, Forty-fourth volunteer regiment, at the age of 20 years, as was mustered out as a lieutenant at Nashville, Tenn., September 14, 1865. He was a member of J. B. Steedman post, G. A. R., a past department commander of the State of Michigan, and a past commander of Apperson post of South Bellingham. The body rests at the Harlow mortuary home, Holly and Forest streets, where funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, October 25, at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. Charles MacCaughey of the Garden Street Methodist church officiating, after which the ritualistic service of the Grand Army of the Republic will be given by officers and members of J. B. Steedman post, and interment made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the Sons of Veterans.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 23, 1926) Submitted by site coordinator.BIEBER, Conrad (d. 1920)
Conrad Bieber, aged 60 years, the well-known leader of the juvenile band here, passed away quite suddenly at 7:30 Wednesday morning. He was taken sick about six o'clock in the morning. Death was caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the throat or chest. Mr. Bieber had not been in vigorous health for some time, but was able to continue his work, and only the night before lead his juvenile band at the musical given in the Congregational church. Deceased was a talented musician and made himself prominent here in a short time by organizing and training a large juvenile band, a work that required skill as well as infinite patience. He came here seven months ago from Mansfield, Wash., but formerly resided in Seattle. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Congregational church, Rev. Congdon officiating, and the remains taken on the evening train to Seattle for burial. The surviving relatives are the wife and two daughters, who attended the funeral from Seattle. Deceased was a life member of the musicians union of Seattle, a rare attainment, and was a member of the Woodmen of the World lodge.
(From The Blaine Journal, February 6, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.BIEHLE, Carl W. (d. 1927)
PIONEER IS CALLED EVERSON, May 28. - Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, May 29, at 2 o'clock, at the Everson Presbyterian church for Carl William Biehle, age 74 years, who passed away at his home Friday morning, after a two weeks' illness. Rev. D. E. Wilson will officiate. Mr. Biehle was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1853. In 1865 he moved with his parents to Stanton county, Nebraska, where his father located on a homestead. On October 29, 1882, he married Miss Minnie Prawitz at Stanton, Nebraska. To this union was born one daughter and four sons, another son was also adopted. Mr. Biehle was one of the districts oldest pioneers, having come to Everson with his family in 1891, and they have resided here ever since. Besides his widow, Mrs. Biehle, one daughter, Mrs. Provitz, of Anacortes; three sons, Arthur, Paul and Otto; one brother and two sisters, in Nebraska; five grandchildren, and a host of friends are left to mourn his passing. The funeral is in charge of the Gillies Undertaking Parlors, of Sumas. Interment will be made in the Nooksack cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 28, 1928) Submitted by site coordinator.BIERLINK, Fred (d. 1907)
Burlink, Fred, aged about 60 years, a rancher living near Lynden, died about 12:30 o'clock today at noon in the City Livery Stables, near the Fair Department Stores after being knocked to the floor of one of the stalls by a horse that he had been inspecting. According to the story of H. Barron, who was in the stall at the same time, the horse backed up, pushing Burling (sic) backward and causing him to stumble and fall to the floor. The breath was knocked from his body and he died several minutes later. It is believed that he suffered from heart troubles. The dead man leaves a wife and three sons, Henry, Garret and John, living on the ranch at Lynden.
(From The Morning Reveille, May 29, 1907) Submitted by site coordinator.BIGGERSTAFF, Hugh (d. 1923)
Hugh Biggerstaff, aged 88 years, a Civil war veteran and a resident of this county for the past thirty-three years, passed away at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon, October 30, after a very short illness. Mr. Biggerstaff resided at Marietta at the time of his last illness and was one of the pioneers of this county. Besides many friends, he leaves to mourn his passing three sons and five daughters, Charles and Thomas Biggerstaff of Bellingham and William Biggerstaff of Concrete; Mrs. Maggie Lefler and Mrs. Florence Book of Bellingham, Route 2; Mrs. Aurora Henry, Gold Beach, Ore.; Mrs. Dillie Stenberg, Seattle and Mrs. Amy Duppenthaler, Redmond, Wash. The remains are in the care of the O. R. Hollingsworth funeral home, 120-122 Prospect street, where funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, November 1 at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. D. M. McPhail, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Woodlawn cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 3, 1923)BIGGERSTAFF, Margaret (d. 1916)
Mrs. Margaret Biggerstaff, aged 75 years, passed away at the family home at Marietta Monday, January 3, after an illness of only a few days. Mrs. Biggerstaff, with her family, had resided at the place of death for the past twenty-four years. She is survived by her husband, Hugh Biggerstaff; five daughters and three sons, Mrs. Florence L. Book, Marietta; Mrs. Fred Duppenthaler, Ferndale; Mrs. Robert Lefler, Bellingham; Mrs George Henry, Golden Beach, Ore.; Mrs. Herbert Bartch, Cedar Falls, Wash.; Charles H. and Thomas W. Biggerstaff, of Marietta, and William H. Biggerstaff, of Concrete. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 5, from the home at Marietta, with Rev. H. L. Townsend, pastor of the South Bellingham Methodist church, officiating. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 4, 1916) Submitted by site coordinator.BINGHAM, Harry O. (d. 1922)
Harry O. Bingham, one of the best known undertakers and funeral directors in the Northwest, died at his home, 730 High street, early this morning as the result of a severe attack of heart trouble, with which he had been affected for a long time. The exact time of his death is uncertain, as he was dead when Mrs. Bingham went to his bedside about 8 a. m., but possibly it occurred about 7 o'clock. He had been feeling badly for the last six months and his last attack was so severe that Dr. S. R. Boynton was called and remained with him nearly all night. Mr. Bingham had made preparations to take a rest and planned to leave tomorrow for the East, intending to go as far as Vermont and later visit his sisters in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He intended to be absent several weeks. Mr. Bingham's death came unexpectedly. He was at his place of business yesterday. The report of his death spread rapidly about the city and could scarcely be credited by those who had seen him within a few hours of his demise. Mr. Bingham's friends are legion. He was one of the most popular funeral directors Bellingham has ever had and it is generally agreed that he was ideally fitted for that capacity, being always sympathetic and careful in all the details of a funeral.
Mr. Bingham is survived by his widow, Mrs. Etta Bingham; two sons, Vernal D. Bingham, of Mount Vernon, and Clifton, the younger, of this city; three sisters, Mrs. Lola Trent, of San Diego; Mrs. Mary Wadsworth, of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Tom Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and two brothers, Frank E. Bingham, of San Diego, and Herbert O. Bingham, of Tacoma. The latter will attend the funeral, arrangements for which had not been made today. Mr. Bingham belonged to many fraternal societies among them Whatcom lodge 151, F. & A. M., the Odd Fellows, Nile Temple of the Shriners, Elks' lodge No. 194, Olalla camp No. 383, Woodmen of the World, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Eagles'aerie No. 31, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He also was a member of the Rotary club.
A resident of Bellingham since 1907, when he established his business here, Mr. Bingham about two years ago built the finest mortuary chapel and embalming establishment north of Seattle, at a cost of about $30,000. Prior to his entrance into the undertaking business Mr. Bingham was a locomotive engineer, serving in that position for seventeen years on the O. R. & N. railway. He was born at Sugar Grove, Pa., November 23, 1866. After a busy boyhood he clerked in stores in Elyria, O., and in Colorado. Then he was seized with a desire for travel and went to New Mexico, and from there to Eastern Washington. In 1888 he became a fireman on the O. R. & N. in that part of the state and after firing for three years became a locomotive engineer.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 19, 1922) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRD, Andrew B. (d. 1909)
Andrew Breeding Bird, aged 53 years, proprietor of the Hotel Bird at Wickersham, this county, died at St. Luke's Hospital yesterday forenoon at 10:15 o'clock, death being due to peritonitis. Mr. Bird was brought to this city from Baker, Wash., last Wednesday for medical treatment. He came to Whatcom County eleven years ago from Trenton, Texas. He was former mayor of Trenton, and a fellow townsman of John R. Shelley, city jailer of this city. Mr. Bird is survived by his widow, Mrs. Sallie W. Bird, of 2521 Utter Street, and one daughter, Mrs. Lillie M. Amos, a resident of Baker, Wash. Funeral services will be conducted at the chapel of W. H. Mock & Sons in the Maple Block Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Earle Maftzger, pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, will be the officiating clergyman. The Trinity quartet will have charge of the music. The pallbearers will be selected from the membership of Whatcom Lodge No. 109, Knights of Pythias, to which order the deceased belonged. Interment will be made in Bay View Cemetery.
(From The Morning Reveille, April 13, 1909) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRDSELL, Reuben (d. 1923)
Pioneer Dies at 85. Reuben Birdsell, thirty-six years a Whatcom county resident, died today at the age of 85 years at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Phil Clark, of Marietta. He was a member of the G. A. R. in Illinois, and of the Methodist church. The surviving relatives are two sons, Guy of Lynden, and Charles, of Alaska; three daughters, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. F. Kennedy and Mrs. Mary Brant, all of Marietta, and fourteen grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Arthur C. Harlow's mortuary home Thursday afternoon, with Dr. J. C. Harrison officiating.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 24, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRDWELL, Matthew (d. 1927)
Matthew Birdwell, 78, who was a resident of Whatcom county for 35 years, prior to 5 years ago, when he removed to Bow, died in Bellingham Tuesday morning, Feb. 15. He had been ill three weeks. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Nooksack and of the First Christian church, holding his membership in the East. The surviving relatives include one son, William R. of Bow; two daughters, Mrs. C. B. Walker and Mrs. Fannie Renswold, Bellingham; two brothers, Frank Birdwell, Bend, Ore., and Robert Birdwell, Youngsport, Texas; one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Boozer, Spokane; seven grandchildren. The funeral took place from the Hollingsworth Funeral Home Thursday afternoon, and interment was made in the cemetery at Kendall, where he has relatives buried.
(From The Deming Prospector, February 18, 1927) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRDWELL, Samuel H. (d. 1925)
Samuel H. Birdwell, former resident of Kendall, age 52, collapsed at the wheel of his auto just outside Klamath Falls, Ore., Saturday afternoon and died 30 minutes later at the hospital in that city. His wife and daughter were with him in the auto. Mr. Birdwell was for many years a resident of Kendall, his father, Matt Birdwell, having taken up a homestead there in the early days. During recent years Samuel had lived on a farm in Ten Mile district, but recently removed to Oregon. The remains were brought to Bellingham and funeral service held at the O. R. Hollingsworth chapel at 10 o'clock Thursday morning, Rev. Barton officiating. Interment was made in the Kendall cemetery under the auspices of the Masonic lodge of Lynden of which he was a member. The funeral was attended by a large number of friends in this vicinity. Mr. Birdwell is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emma Birdwell; two daughters, Mrs. Irene Colley and Miss Hazel Birdwell; father Matt Birdwell; brother, W. R. Birdwell, and two sisters, Mrs. Anna Walker and Mrs. Fannie Renswold all of Bellingham.
(From The Deming Prospector, August 7, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRKES, Martha A. (d. 1925)
Mrs. Martha A. Birkes, aged 68 years, widow of C. R. Birkes, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. H. Kooksetter (sic), 1414 West Illinois street, Friday afternoon, June 26, after a residence in Bellingham of about four years. Mrs. Birkes had lived in Walla Walla for many years previous to coming to Bellingham to make her home with her daughter, after the death of her husband in 1921. She was a member of the Christian church of Walla Walla. Besides her daughter, she is survived by four sons, Albert of Spokane, Elvan and Richard of Walla Walla, and Cleve of Portland, and nine grandchildren. The body rests at the Harlow mortuary home and will be taken by Mrs. Gookstetter (sic) to Walla Walla, where funeral services will be held and interment made in the family plot beside the body of her husband.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 27, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRNEY, Homer J. (d. 1927)
Dr. H. J. Birney, Pioneer Physician, Called. Dr. Homer J. Birney, 72, pioneer Whatcom county physician and surgeon, died suddenly at his home in Ferndale Monday evening when stricken by a heart attack while splitting wood. He death was unexpected as he had been feeling well, having recovered from an illness that afflicted him about a month ago. Dr. Birney was widely known in Northwestern Washington and was regarded as one of the most skillful physicians and surgeons in the state. It is recalled that he performed the first Caesarian operation in Whatcom county. For two terms Dr. Birney was president of the Whatcom County Medical society. He was a member of the American Medical association and the Washington State Medical society. He also was a Royal Arch Mason and was a member of the Eagles.As a physician and surgeon, Dr. Birney was popular, revealing to his patients a kindly, affable and cheerful manner. Born in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1855, he migrated with his parents to Illinois in 1878, settling on a farm. Entering Rush Medical college at Chicago, Dr. Birney was graduated from that institution in 1882. He opened his first office at Heyworth, Ill, in the same year and practiced his profession there eight years. He located in Whatcom, now a part of Bellingham, in 1890. After a successful practice here, he removed in 1917 to Ferndale, in which district he owned a farm. A student by inclination, Dr. Birney took frequent post graduate courses in Chicago, at Johns Hopkins university, Baltimore and in Europe. For a year he remained abroad. In 1883 Dr. Birney married Miss Mae Kelley, of Normal, Ill. She died in 1916. On July 4, 1922, he married Miss Sophia Richards, who survives him. Other surviving relatives are one daughter, Mrs. Fred E. Laube, Bellingham; three grandchildren, Katherine Mae, Ethefred and Frederick Laube Jr., and one sister, Mrs. Hester Brinley, Chillicothe, Mo. Funeral announcements will be made.
(From The Bellingham Herald, November 8, 1927) Submitted by site coordinator.BIRNEY, Mae (d. 1917)
MRS. H. J. BIRNEY IS CALLED BY DEATHAfter weeks of illness, Mrs. Mae Birney, wife of Dr. H. J. Birney, died at the family home, 1710 Eldridge avenue, last evening at 6 o'clock. She had been a resident of Whatcom county since 1890. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:30 p. m. at the residence, the Rev. W. E. Powell, pastor of the First Congregational church of Ferndale, officiating. Burial will take place in Bay View cemetery, to which the funeral party will go in automobiles.Mrs. Mae Birney was born on a farm near Heyworth, McLean County, Illinois, on June 4, 1858, being the daughter of Joshua R. and Mary Kelley. Later the family moved to Normal, a suburb of Bloomington. She was educated at the Illinois State university at Normal, and for several years prior to her marriage to Dr. Birney taught school in McLean county. Her marriage to the doctor occurred on June 23, 1882, at Normal, where they resided until their removal to Bellingham, Washington, in 1890. While in Illinois she was a member of the Christian church; in Bellingham she attended the Congregational church. In her social activities her unswerving loyalty to her many firm friends, and the societies with which she was connected, together with her unusual qualities of mind made her a valued member of the Aftermath Club of this city, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Chapter AB, P. E. O. Her freely expressed opinions on public questions, in all of which she was deeply interested, were always founded on an intelligent and just judgment. Those whose loss can not be expressed in words are her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Fred Laube, her mother, Mrs. Mary Kelley, two sisters, Mrs. J. W. Goodheart, all of this city, and Miss Katharine Kelley, of Bloomington, Illinois, and a brother, William H. Kelley, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
(From The Bellingham Herald April 7, 1917) Relative: ZachBISHOP, James L. (d. 1919)
PROMINENT G. A. R. VETERAN OF CITY CALLED James Leslie Bishop, civil war veteran, prominent Mason and an active member of J. B. Steadman Post, No. 24, G. A. R., W. R. C., No. 31, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Olive Tiley, 710 Garden street, at the age of 77 years. Mr. Bishop had lived in the city twenty-four years and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He was past commander of the post and for ten years was its adjutant general. He was a great worker, both in it and the Woman's Relief corps. He had been a Mason since 1871 and was a member of Bellingham Bay Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M. In the civil war he was a corporal in the Second Missouri cavalry regiment. The survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Tiley, with whom he has resided since the death of his wife sixteen years ago; one grand-daughter, Mrs. Eunice Perterson; one brother, W. E. Bishop, of Havana, Ill., and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Sprouse, LaCleve, Ill., and Mrs. Mattie Stufflebeam, Hatfield, Mo. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Arthur C. Harlow's parlors with the Rev. Duncan McPhail officiating. At the chapel the officers and members of J. B. Steedman Post No. 24, will conduct their ritualistic services and at the cemetery where burial will occur in the family plot. Masonic services will be held by Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 2, 1919) Submitted by site coordinator.BISHOP, William J. (d. 1923)
SUMAS, Dec. 25. - The funeral of William J. Bishop, pioneer, was conducted from the Presbyterian church at Everson yesterday afternoon. The Rev. H. M. Course officiated, assisted by the Rev. B. K. McElmon, of Bellingham. Interment was made in Nooksack cemetery. Mr. Bishop was born in 1832 in Prince Edwards island, coming West while still a young man. He settled on what is now known as the David Wright (sic) farm at Hampton station, fifty-one years ago, and was one of the sturdy old pioneers of the Nooksack valley, hewing out for himself a home in the then wilds of this district. Eight years after locating here he was joined by his nephew, David Wight (sic), with whom he has made his home during all these years. Retiring from active work some years ago, he with Mr. and Mrs. Wight, moved to Everson, where they have since lived. He will be remembered by the oldest settlers as a man of sterling character, of wonderful physique, a man who might be pointed out among a thousand as carrying his age well. With all the laborous work of clearing land and tilling the soil, he stood tall and erect.
A staunch Presbyterian, he with James Harkness and Peter Gillies sr., became the first elders of the Presbyterian church organized by Rev. B. K. McElmon, the pioneer missionary, in 1883 at the old trading post at Nooksack Crossing, and has continued active in church work until he became too feeble to carry on. The occasion of his ninety-first birthday being the last time he was able to attend, at which time he attended Sunday school, placing his ninety-one pennies in the birthday box. Mr. Bishop was a well informed man, being a great reader and in his declining years spent much time in this way. A beautiful memorial window was placed in the church at Everson in his honor upon his attaining the age of ninety years, by a host of friends as a token of regard and esteem in which he was held, and of which he was very appreciative. His nearest surviving relatives are David Wight of Everson, W. D. McLeod of Bellingham and their families.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 25, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.BISSELL, Wilbert (d. 1932)
WILLIAM BISSELL FOUND DEAD IN HIS CABIN NEAR ALGER William Bissell, 83, a well known resident, was found dead in bed in his cabin about a mile and a quarter south of Lake Whatcom on the Alger road this morning by two neighbors, R. _artley and Samuel Fall. They reported the death to authorities here and it was indicated an investigation would be made, although death was believed due to a heart attack. Mr. Bissell, it was reported, had been complaining of heart trouble and his failure to make his customary rounds caused his neighbors to investigate. Authorities were informed that Mr. Bissell was a bachelor. He was an early settler. Sheriff T. C. Fraser said the elderly man apparently knew that death was approaching, for a note was found at the bedside. The note read, "I am suffering," and it was signed, "Will." It was written at about 11 p. m. Thursday evening, as Bissell had made a notation of the time. The sheriff said he is convinced that death was due to natural causes. Bissell was last seen alive by his neighbors Thursday afternoon.
(From the Bellingham Herald, March 11, 1932)Wilbert Bissell, aged 82 years, passed away at his home, route 2, Sedro-Woolley, Wash., near South Bay, Lake Whatcom, Friday March 11, after a short illness. Surviving relatives are one sister, Mrs. J. T. Comstock, Glendale, Cal., and several nieces and nephews, of whom Helen Phillips resides at Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Walter R. Scott resides at Kansas City, Kan. Mr. Bissell was an attendant of the First Christian church, city, a former member of the Masonic lodge at Topeka, Kan., and had resided in Bellingham and vicinity for the past forty-two years. The body rests at the Homer Mark Mortuary at Cornwall avenue and Halleck streets and funeral announcements will be made later.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 12, 1932) Submitted by site coordinator.BITTERMAN, Marie (d. 1930)
Mrs. Marie Bitterman passed away at her home in Ferndale at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 7, after a lingering illness. She was born in Germany May 9, 1859, and moved to Wisconsin in 1904, where she married Valentine Bitterman. In 1908 she and her husband came to Whatcom county, and three years ago to Ferndale. She was 71 years of age at the time of her death. Surviving her are her husband and two children, Mrs. L. Lowrey of Bellingham and William Bitterman of Lynden. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Floyd Green from the Knapp & Knapp funeral parlors in Lynden today, interment taking place there.
(From The Ferndale Record, October 9, 1930) Submitted by site coordinator.BIXBY, Mirth V. (d. 1925)
Burns received at Marysville Tuesday night when her clothing caught fire from an explosion of gasoline resulted in the death of Mrs. Mirth V. Bixby, 28, wife of Earl J. Bixby, at St. Luke's hospital at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred about 11 p. m. Tuesday when Mr. and Mrs. Bixby and their children, 7 and 2 years of age, were camped at a Marysville auto camp en route to Portland, Ore., where Mr. Bixby intended to enter a dental college, in which he had already registered. The family stopped there when engine trouble developed in their car and they had found it impossible to have repairs made because the garages had closed. They had retired when the explosion occurred, the children sleeping in the car and Mr. and Mrs. Bixby occupying separate cots in a side tent. On the running board of the car, alongside Mrs. Bixby's cot, was a gasoline stove, which had been used earlier in the evening to heat water. Apparently Mr. Bixby had failed to close the cock tightly, for the gasoline was sprayed over the cot and Mrs. Bixby's clothing. The dampness awake her and she informed Mr Bixby. He struck a match to discover the cause, not knowing that gasoline had escaped, and the explosion followed. Mrs. Bixby's clothing and the bedding caught fire, but it is believed the flames would have been extinguished quickly by Mr. Bixby had she not become hysterical and run from the tent. By the time her husband was able to overtake her and roll her on the ground she had been badly burned on the body. Mr. Bixby also suffered burns on his hands in fighting the blaze. Mr. Bixby called a Marysville ambulance and his wife was rushed to the local hospital, arriving about 3 a. m. Wednesday.
Aside from the husband and the children, Mary Earl and Barbara Ann, Mrs. Bixby is survived by her mother, Mrs. Anna Packwood, 2122 Iron street, city; four brothers, Guy Holliday, Burlington; Ray E. and Joy A. Holliday, Bellingham, and Leo S. Holliday, Bremerton; four sisters, Mrs. S. S. Hallmark, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Mrs. Lulu E. Morrow, Liberty, Mo.; Miss Sylvia S. Holliday and Mrs. Glee C. Moon, Bellingham. Mr. Bixby is a son of Attorney Frank W. Bixby, president of the Whatcom County Bar association. Mrs. Bixby was born in Sumner county, Kansas, January 28, 1897. She attended the Columbia grade school here and in 1913 graduated from the Whatcom High School. Two years later she received a diploma from the Bellingham Normal school and taught school at Doe Bay and Marietta. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Des Moines, Wash. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p. m. Sunday at Arthur C. Harlow's chapel with Dr. J. C. Harrison, pastor of the Garden Street M. E. church, officiating. Interment will follow in Lynden cemetery. The cortege will leave the Harlow mortuary at 2 p. m.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 17, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.BIXBY, Vernon C. (d. 1920)
A telegram was received today by Attorney Frank W. Bixby from his wife, stating that his son, Vernon Charles Bixby, had died at a sanitarium in Banning, Cal., this morning at the age of 22 years. Mr. Bixby took the young man there from Bellingham about six weeks ago. The mother will bring the body to Bellingham and funeral announcements will be made by Arthur C. Harlow. Vernon Bixby was prominent in the Whatcom high and Normal schools, where he was a leading athlete, and he was one of the city's first young men to enlist in the war. He was a graduate of the Whatcom high school and was center basketball player at the Normal. He was a member of the Garden Street M. E. church. He enlisted in the coast artillery when he was 19 years of age and was ten months overseas. It was while he was in France that he contracted the disease that caused his death. He had been ill nearly two years. The survivors are the parents, one brother, Earl, of Mount Vernon, and two sisters, Miss Florence Bixby, who is teaching school at Beach, Lummi island, and Miss Miriam Bixby, who lives at home, 303 Twenty-first street.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 1, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.BIXBY, Zuba M. (d. 1933)
Following a brief illness Mrs. Zuba M. Bixby, prominent member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and wife of Attorney Frank W. Bixby, died Friday night at a local hospital, to which she was removed from her home, 1212 Garden street, Thursday. Mrs. Bixby was well known in Bellingham and Lynden, where she resided several years prior to coming to Bellingham. She was 62 years of age. Mrs. Bixby was matron of the O. E. S. at Lynden and at her death was a member of Sehome chapter No. 17, O. E. S., and of that chapter's Past Matrons' club. She also was a member of the Garden Street M. E. church and of the Gleaners' division of that church's Ladies Aid society.
Born in Hammond, Wis., Mrs. Bixby came West with her husband about thirty-two years ago. The couple were married in Hammond. After a short residence in Seattle they removed to Lynden, where they resided until twenty-three years ago Mrs. Bixby is survived by her husband; one son, Dr. Earl J. Bixby, Portland, Ore.; two daughters, Mrs. Florence M. Nelson, Bellingham, and Mrs. Miriam L. Bonney, Seattle; one brother, Ernest Jacobs, Shore Acres, and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Harlow-Hollingsworth funeral home Monday at 1:30 p. m. Dr. H. F. Pemberton, Mount Vernon, superintendent of the Puget Sound district of the Methodist Episcopal church, will officiate in the absence of Dr. T. W. Jeffrey, pastor of the Garden Street M. E. church. Officers of Sehome chapter No. 17 will then give the ritualistic services of the Eastern Star. Burial will occur in Lynden cemetery. Casketbearers will be Curtis E. Abrams, Charles A. Sather, G. Sidney Stark, H. A. Taylor, Floyd Shenenberger and John L. Hogberg.
(Died November 24, 1933; From the obituary collection of WGS)
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