Whatcom County Obituaries
Surnames Beginning with "Me-Mi"
MEACHAM, Frank (d. 1937)
Frank Meacham, aged 79 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Jennie Meacham, passed away at the family home 2954 Chautauqua Avenue Sunday afternoon, April 25. Mr. Meacham had been a resident of Bellingham and vicinity for the past thirty-nine years and was a retired farmer. He leaves to survive besides his widow, one son, Jessie Chester Meacham, City, one brother, Merritt Meacham, Kent, Ohio, two nieces and five nephews, all residing in the East. The body rests at the Homer Mark Mortuary where funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon, April 27 at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in the family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 26, 1937) Relative Barbara ChipmanMEACHAM, Margaret (d. 1930)
Mrs. Margaret Meacham, mother of C. J. Meacham, local jeweler, died Sunday morning at her home, 2412 D street, age 84 years, after a long illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Bingham-Dahlquist funeral home with the Rev. Earl Hanson Fife officiating. Burial will be in Bay View cemetery. Mrs. Meacham is survived by two sons, A. E. Meacham and C. J. Meacham, city; two daughters, Mrs. E. G. Polwell, Selby, S. D., and Mrs. Myrtle Mann, Benicia, Cal., and ten grandchildren. She had lived here thirty years.
(From The Bellingham Herald, November 10, 1930) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MEACHAM, Robert B. (d. 1923)
LOCAL JEWELER DIES Robert B. Meacham, well known Bellingham jeweler and a resident of this city for twenty-two years, died early this morning at the age of 88 years. He lived at 2412 D street and had been ill several months. Mr. Meacham was a member of the G. A. R. and is survived by his widow, two sons, A. E. Meacham and C. J. Meacham, of this city; two daughters, Mrs. E. G. Bovill, of South Dakota, and Mrs. Robert Mann, of California; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The O. R. Hollingsworth funeral home will make the funeral announcements.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 9, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.MEAD, Elizabeth (d. 1898)
Silently, in the still watches of the night, the grim reaper came and softly touched the tired eye-lids of Elizabeth Brown-Mead, the beloved wife of A. E. Mead, summoning her waiting spirit to its rest eternal. The winged messenger, which we are all so apt to dread, was to her a welcome and long expected visitor; the only thought which gave her pain was that of leaving her loved ones, and especially did she think of her four little children who were so soon to be deprived of a mother's tender care. But "He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb," and is not unmindful of the sparrows fall, will faithfully guard and protect the objects of her solicitude. Mrs. Mead was a woman of rare intellectual attainments, the best authors of the day were to her familiar names, and their works her daily companions. She was a fond mother, a loving and devoted wife, and a faithful friend, beloved by all who enjoyed the good fortune of being numbered among her friends and acquaintances, and it can be said of her, what came be said of but few, she has passed over to the other side without leaving behind one unkind or ungenerous thought, dying as she had lived, at peace with all the world. The sympathy of the entire community with one accord goes out to the grief stricken husband, the little helpless children who are thus deprived of the protector who never, no never fails, and to the sorrowing father, mother, sisters and brothers.
The deceased was born at Amhersburg, Ontario, Nov. 22nd, 1864, was married to A. E. Mead in Illinois in 1887, there the young couple resided till 1888, when they removed to the state of Kansas. In the early part of 1890 she came to the state of Washington, her husband having preceded her, and founded a home in the then very new and crude city of Blaine, where she has since resided, enjoying to a marked degree the confidence, love and esteem of all. Nearly three years ago she contracted a sudden and severe cold. She gave it but little thought at first, and not till the relentless fingers phthisis (sic) were firmly clasped upon her did she or her friends realize that the end must soon come. Though the end was looked for, yet it came unexpectedly at last, but as easily and peacefully as th sleep of childhood, passing away about one o'clock yesterday morning. Beside the sorrowing husband she leaves four children, the oldest ten years, and the youngest two, father and mother residing at Kingsville, Ontario, four brothers, T. G. Brown, residing at Stockton, Cal., John Brown, residing at Detroit, Mich., Alexander Brown, residing at Kingston, Ont., William Brown, residing at Windsor, Ont., and two sisters, Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Glen-Allen residing in London and Windsor, Ont., to mourn her loss. The funeral services will be held at the M. E. church at 2 p. m. this afternoon.
(From The Blaine Journal, August 12, 1898) Copied by site coordinator.MEAD, George (d. 1903)
George Mead died of dropsy at his home in Woodlawn at 2 o'clock Friday morning, after a lingering illness of about seven months. Although he had been ill for some time, his death came as a severe blow to the bereaved family. All who knew him will feel a sense of personal loss. He was well and favorably known, being an old pioneer of this county, having resided in this place for the past 18 years. Mr. Mead was 55 years of age, being born May 6, 1848. He had borne the trials and tasted the triumphs of a long and useful life, and Friday morning was called away.
George W. Mead was born in Rhone county, Tennessee. His parents moved to Missouri when he was three years of age. He was educated with a common school and Normal education and taught school for twelve years. He then practiced law for five years. He later went to Kansas where he met and afterwards married his faithful wife, Emma Francis, December 31, 1882. In October 1885 he emigrated to Washington where he was content to live the remainder of his days. About the age of 19 he was converted, but never made a public confession, although he was perfectly willing to meet his maker. He was a loving husband and a kind father. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.
The funeral services were held at the residence Saturday. Rev. C. H. Carlson officiating. The remains were interred in the Enterprise cemetery. The many friends join with the family in mourning the loss of their loved one.
(From The Ferndale Record, July 3, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.MEAD, Joseph T. (d. 1896)
J. T. Mead, of Roeder, died on Friday morning at 3 o'clock and was buried yesterday afternoon in Nooksack cemetery. Pneumonia with complications of heart failure carried him off. He was about 57 years old and an old resident of the county and one of the prominent farmers of the Nooksack valley. He owned a farm of his own and worked Capt. Roeder's fine farm. A delegation of the Masons from the Bay attended the funeral.
(From The Daily Reveille, January 12, 1896) Submitted by site coordinator.MEADOWS, Mahala (d. 1905)
Mrs. Mahala Meadows, wife of Peter H. Meadows, died at the family residence, 2610 Michigan street, last evening, at 7 o'clock, cancer of the stomach being the cause of death, an affliction of sixteen years' standing. Mrs. Meadows was 58 years of age. There were no children. The funeral arrangements will be announced hereafter.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, December 16, 1905) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.------------------------------The funeral of Mrs. Mahala Meadows, wife of Peter H. Meadows, who died at her residence, 2610 Michigan street, Friday evening, will be held at the late home in Eureka addition this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Commander W. H. Mock of J. B. Steedman Post, No. 24, G. A. R. will officiate by request of the deceased lady who was the wife of a veteran of the civil war. Members of the Grand Army of the Republic have been selected to act as pallbearers. The interment will take place in Bay View Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, December 17, 1905) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MEADOWS, Peter (d. 1916)
Peter H. Meadows, aged 76 years and a resident of Whatcom county for the past twenty-six years, passed away at an early hour Friday evening, July 14, at Sedro-Woolley. He leaves to survive him one brother, Lewis Meadows, of Toldeo, O. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. from the funeral parlors of Undertager (sic) Arthur C. Harlow, 1051-55 Elk street. Interment will take place in the family plot at Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 15, 1916) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MEDCALF, William R. (d. 1926)
William R. Medcalf, aged 85 years, passed away at the home of his son, Harry A. Medcalf, at Spokane, Wash., Saturday morning, July 24, after several months' illness. Mr. Medcalf had been a resident of Bellingham for sixteen years prior to his moving to Spokane about nine years ago. Mr. Medcalf was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the twenty-fifth Illinois infantry during the full period of the war. He was a member of the Eureka Methodist Episcopal church. Surviving are two sons, Harry A. of Spokane and U. Grant of Bellingham; one daughter, Mrs. Effie Murch of Minneapolis, Minn.; seventeen grandchildren, of whom Russell R. Palmer, Howard and Frank Medcalf and Mrs. J. B. Macy reside in Bellingham, and eleven great-grandchildren. The body will be received by the Homer Mark mortuary, where funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, July 28, at 1:30 o'clock, with the Rev. F. A. Guiler, former pastor of the Eureka Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Ten Mile cemetery. The active pallbearers will be C. L. Brown, F. A. Porter, M. Provo, D. E. Sharp, A. E. Shaw and A. E. Mark.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 26, 1926) Submitted by site coordinator.MEE, Elmer (d. 1903)
An accident occurred Saturday night in Fairhaven which caused the death of Elmer Mee. The unfortunate young man was run over by a street car. The time of the accident was 10 o'clock and the place Front street, near Fourteenth. The circumstances of the death are cited by the Sunday Reveille as follows: According to information given by Motorman Griffith, who had charge of the car, the man was lying on the track as if stunned by a fall from his wheel, which was lying a few feet in front of him. The car had just turned the corner, south of the Wood mill and was running on the up grade toward Whatcom. A. E. Pitman, another motorman, who was standing on the platform with Mr. Griffith, suddenly exclaimed, "My God, there's a man!" He was lying on the track less than a hundred feet ahead of the car, and in the shadow of a dwelling across the street, and although the power was reversed, the car could not be stopped before it had struck the man and dragged him several feet under the wheels. The car was finally stopped, and the man extricated. Coroner Noice was summoned and hastened to the spot. He made as thorough an investigation as possible at the time, and has not yet decided whether to hold an inquest. The body was removed to Noice's morgue, where it now lies. A doctor who was summoned expresses the opinion that the body having bled very little goes to show that the man may have been dead before the car struck him. The most likely theory is, that Mee was riding along the street car track at a pretty rapid rate and in some way was thrown from his wheel and stunned by the fall so that he lay motionless on the track. When the car approached he did not utter a sound, but lay still until struck. Elmer's father is George H. Mee, of Fairhaven, an old railroad man. The young man was employed as a brakeman on the B. B. & B. C. He was known as a sober man, of steady reliable habits, so that he could not have been intoxicated at the time. His father was informed of the accident and was almost overcome by the shock.
(From The Weekly Blade, August 12, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.MEEHAN, Minnie (d. 1920)
Miss Mildred (Minnie) Meehan, a fitter at Newton's Ready-to-Wear store, expired on Elk street yesterday afternoon at 1:20 o'clock. She was about 32 years of age. She had made her home at the Y. W. C. A. about two years, and was on her way down town for dinner when she fell to the pavement between Chestnut and Holly streets. The city ambulance conveyed her to St. Luke's hospital, where an examination showed that she had passed away. Apoplexy or heart failure was assigned as the cause. Miss Meehan had been at Newton's about 2 years, and had been in Bellingham, it was stated, about three years. The body was taken to the funeral parlors of Arthur C. Harlow where it was stated that she had a sister in Virginia, Minn., who had been notified and asked as to the funeral arrangements. At the Y. W. C. A. friends said that surviving her, in addition to the sister, are a mother and two brothers near Duluth. Miss Meehan was described as a very likable young woman with many friends at the Y. W. C. A.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 1, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator. [Remains sent to Virginia, MN]MEEK, James F. (d. 1931)
Funeral services for James F. Meek, aged 68 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Alice Meek, who passed away at the family home, route No. 1, Bellingham, Monday morning, August 31, after an illness of about three months, will be held in the large chapel of the Homer Mark Mortuary, at Cornwall avenue and Halleck street, Thursday afternoon, September 3, at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. T. W. Jeffrey, pastor of the Garden Street Methodist Church, officiating, followed by the full ritualistic services of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, under the direction of Rising Star lodge No. 22. Interment will be made in the family plot in Greenacres Memorial Park. Mr. Meek left to survive him, besides his widow, one son and two daughters, Roy Meek, Mrs. Mildred Gannon and Mrs. Gladys Peters, all residing in this city; three sisters, Mrs. S. T. Harmon, city; Mrs. S. M. Perry, Minneapolis, Minn., and Mrs. C. J. Campbell, Centralia, two brothers, Adam Meek, Ferndale, and W. S. Meek, Wenatchee, and nine grandchildren. Honorary bearers will be W. H. Campbell, Theodore Boes, Claude Barber, Walter Sutherlen, Oscar Lindquist and Conrad Lunde. Active bearers B. C. Young, Axel Sundquist, Tony Whitner, Herman Knutsen, Clarence Baller and Lawrence Keplinger.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 2, 1931)MEEK, Rebecca J. (d. 1928)
Leaving seven children, twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, Mrs. Rebecca Jane Watson Meek, a Bellingham resident for twenty-nine years, died Thursday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. E. Harman, 1209 Girard street, aged 95 years. Mrs. Meek was a member of the Garden Street M. E. church, the Loyal Workers' circle of the Ladies' Aid and the Women's Missionary society of that church. Funeral service will be held at the Homer Mark mortuary chapel at 2:30 p. m. Saturday, with the Rev. Charles MacCaughey, pastor of the Garden street church, officiating. Interment will follow in Bay View cemetery. Born August 10, 1832, in Charleston county, New Brunswick, Mrs. Meek removed to Maine soon after her marriage to Adam Meek, July 31, 1849. Later Mr. and Mrs. Meek lived at Elk River, Minn., whence they came to Bellingham in 1899. Mrs. Meek's surviving children are: Mrs. C. J. Campbell, Centralia; Mrs. S. M. Perry, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. M. D. Bartlett, Brainard, Minn.; Mrs. S. E. Harman, Adam Meek, J. F. Meek and W. S. Meek, city.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 23, 1928) Submitted by site coordinator.MEIXNER, Harry L. (d. 1935)
MELHART, Frank (d. 1934)
Frank Melhart, aged 70 years, passed away at a local hospital Thursday evening, April 5, following a short illness. Mr. Melhart had been a resident of this city for thirty-nine years, and for many years was in the employ of the park board. Deceased was a member of the Assumption church and leaves the following survivors: The widow, Anna Melhart, 500 Lakeway Drive; one son, Edward F. Melhart, one daughter, Mrs. Raymond C. Green, and five grandchildren, all of this city. Funeral services were conducted at the Church of the Assumption Saturday, April 7, at 9 a. m. by the Rev. Father Patrick Mulligan. Interment followed in Bay View cemetery under the direction of the Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral Home. The following acted as pallbearers: John Gibson, John Wallace, Alex McLeod, Jack Rea, Hugh Niblock and Dave Melvin.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 7, 1934) Submitted by site coordinator.MELLETTE, Uriah N. (d. 1918)
AGED DOCTOR KILLED BY TRAIN MOUNT VERNON, Sept. 24 - The body of Dr. U. N. Millette (sic), an aged man, was found yesterday morning about 9 o'clock lying beside the Great Northern track, well inside the Chuckanut trestle. Dr. Millette was a retired physician and was the father of Mrs. A. J. Rogers, of Bellingham. He was deaf, and it is supposed he did not hear the approaching train in time to get far enough away to avoid being thrown down by the engine. Marks on the head indicate that he had been hit by the passenger train, rather than run over by it. When discovered Dr. Millette had been dead for some time. Dr. Millette lived with his daughter, Mrs. Rogers, and the family had been anxiously awaiting his return from a walk he had taken the afternoon before. He had shown signs of slight mental trouble recently. Undertaker Aaron Light from this city was called to take charge of the body.
Dr. Uriah N. Mellette, aged 85 years, was accidently killed on the evening of Sunday, September 22. He had resided in this city for the past two years, having come here from Oklahoma, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine for the previous eighteen years. Dr. Mellette is survived by two daughters, Mrs. A. J. Rogers, 2606 Ellis street, this city, with whom he made his home, and Mrs. Minnie Fraster, of New York. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, September 25, at 2 o'clock, from the chapel of Arthur C. Harlow, 1055 Elk street, with the Rev. Duncan McPhail, of the First Baptist church, officiating after which the funeral cortege will proceed by automobile to Bay View Abbey, where interment will be made.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 24, 1918) Submitted by site coordinator.MELOSH, George E. (d. 1932)
BLAINE, May 2. - Funeral services for George Edward Melosh were held in the Purdy funeral home on Thursday afternoon, with the Rev. Oliver Shippy, of Bellingham, assisted by the Rev. Clarence B. Seely, of Blaine and Elder Johnson, of Bellingham, officiating. Favorite hymns were sung by Mrs. Ninna Stevens, accompanied by Miss Emily Magnusson at the piano.
Mr. Melosh was born June 20, 1868, in Jackson county, Michigan, and was married in June, 1908, in Advance, Michigan, coming with his family to Bellingham in 1911, where they resided for four years. Mr. Melosh was a stationary engineer at the Whatcom Falls Mill Company during his stay in Bellingham, being well-known up and down the Coast in this work for thirty or forty years. In 1915 he came to Blaine, where he resided until his death Monday, April 25, at his home on Fourth street.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Alma Melosh, and son, Carl, of Blaine; a daughter, Mrs. Arthur G. Allen, of Auburn, Wash., and two daughters, Mrs. May Crankshaw, of Belding, Mich., and Mrs. Emma Crane, of Ojai, Cal.; a brother, A. A. Melosh, of Los Angeles, Cal.; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Melosh was a good Christian, quiet and unassuming, and beloved by his friends and neighbors. Many friends gathered at the chapel and the floral offerings of sympathy were beautiful. Following the services, interment was made at the Greenacres Memorial park, under direction of E. E. Purdy & Sons.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 2, 1932) Submitted by site coordinator.MERCER, Edwin E. (d. 1931)
Rev. Edwin E. Mercer, aged 51 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Mary M. Mercer, and father of Donald LeRoy, Laura Kathleen, Edna May and Betty Lou Mercer, 3512 Puget street, passed away at a local hospital at an early hour this morning, November 2, after a nine months' illness. Rev. Mercer had been a resident of this city for twenty-nine years, and was a member of the Church of God. The body rests at the Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral Home, Holly at Forest street, where funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 4, at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Neil, of Everett, officiating, and interment will occur in Woodlawn cemetery. Two half-brothers and three half-sisters also survive.
(From The Bellingham Herald, November 2, 1931) Submitted by Fred KraussMERK, John (d. 1908)
John Merk, Sr., aged 56 years, died at the family residence near Goshen Wednesday at midnight, death being due to carcinoma of the liver. Mr. Merk is survived by his wife, two sons, John and Robert Merk, and three daughters, Miss Agatha Merck, Mrs. Francis Kirkpatrick, and Mrs. C. T. Dickey. He was a member of Camp No. 309, Modern Woodmen of America, of Rock Island. The body lies at the private receiving room of W. H. Mock & Sons, in the Maple Block, where funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. John R. Macartney will officiate.
(From The Morning Reveille, May 8, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.MERRIAM, George W. (d. 1934)
George W. Merriam, 79, pioneer dry goods merchant, died suddenly at his home 2423 G street, Saturday, after a residence in Bellingham of more than one-half a century. He was a trustee of the Old Settlers' association of Whatcom county. Bearing the distinction of having knot-sawed the first shingle in Whatcom county, Mr. Merriam had observed the anniversary of his birth Friday.
Mr. Merriam was born in a Michigan logging camp, April 20, 1855, came to Bellingham with his parents in 1882. Father and son were first employed in the Colony mill here, but in 1887 the son entered into a partnership with a close friend and established a dry goods establishment under the firm name of Hayes & Merriam. This business was destroyed in the fire of 1890, but was rebuilt and two years later Mr. Merriam sold his interest. For the next few years, Mr. Merriam maintained his interest in a liquor business, in which his partner in the dry goods store was an associate. After leaving the mercantile field, Mr. Merriam became a watchman for the Pacific American Fisheries. He left this position after seven years and retired. He is survived by two grandchildren, Clarence and William Southern, Jr., both of Bellingham. He was an attendant at the Presbyterian church. Funeral services will be held at the Bingham-Dahlquist funeral home Tuesday at 2 p. m. Rev. James M. Wilson will officiate. Burial will follow in Bay View cemetery. Casketbearers will be C. L. Taylor, Tom Voyce, Fred Victor, Elmo Ford, John Kienast and E. W. Baer. Honorary bearers will be Charles Robinson, Tom Lynn, Lewis Stenger, Chris Semon, C. I. Roth and John Kastner.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 23, 1934) Submitted by site coordinator.MERRITT, Dora (d. 1940)
BLAINE PIONEER DIED IN SEATTLE HOSPITALAunt Dora Merritt, aged 75 passed away in a Seattle hospital Wednesday morning following an operation to which she submitted Monday morning. Mrs. Merritt went to Seattle Sunday for the operation which was performed at 9:30 Monday morning, and she failed to make a recovery and passed away at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. The remains were brought to Blaine Wednesday afternoon by E. L. McKinney and are now at the chapel from where the funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Mrs. Merritt was one of the old-time residents of Blaine, having come to Blaine in 1889 from Lehigh, Iowa. Survivors are her daughter, Mrs. Hugh I. Lewis and grand-daughter, Mary Alice Lewis of Seattle; two nieces, Mrs. Paul Wolten and Mrs. Belle Montfort; two nephews, Don and Bud Wilson of Blaine; three nieces in Iowa, Mrs. Paul Tinkham, Mrs. L. Newdeck, Miss Lucile Corey.
(From The Blaine Journal, September 12, 1940) Submitted by John Rausch, typed by Merrily Lawson.MERRITT, John W. G. (d. 1932)
People of Blaine and vicinity were greatly grieved to learn of the death last Saturday morning about 4:00 o'clock of John W. G. Merritt of Blaine, following several weeks' illness from a heart ailment. John W. G. Merritt was born at Saint Williams, Ontario, January 29, 1856 and there he lived until 16 years of age when the family moved to Fairmont, Minnesota, where he resided until 1890 when he decided to throw in his lot with the settlers of the northwest and he came to Blaine, Washington, in 1890 where he has since resided, passing away at his home on H street Saturday morning, February 27, 1932 at the age of 76 years.
On December 7, 1899 he was united in marriage to Miss Eudora Tyson of Blaine, and to this union one child, a daughter, Dorothy Merritt-Lewis, was born. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eudora Merritt, of Blaine, his daughter, Mrs. Hugh I. (Dorothy) Lewis of Seattle, Wash., four sisters, Mrs. Harriet Jones of Blaine, Mrs. Emily Curtis of Fairmont, Minn., Mrs. Cynthia Popple of Bellingham, Wash., Mrs. Esther Coulthard of Princeton, B. C., and one brother, Charles Merritt of Selah, Eastern Washington. Funeral services were held from the E. E. Purdy & Sons Funeral Home in Blaine Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and the spacious rooms of the chapel were not nearly large enough to hold the many friends and neighbors who gathered to pay their last respects to this pioneer. The service was conducted by Rev. C. B. Sears of Bellingham, he substituting for Rev. Clarence B. Seely of Blaine, who is confined to his home with illness. Superintendent Richard H. Ewing of the Blaine schools, assisted. The pallbearers were old friends of Mr. Merritt being George Montfort, Lewis Montfort, Robert Witherow, W. N. Hine, John Penno and Jerry Merrill. Following the services the remains were taken to Bellingham for cremation. Mr. Merritt was a man who took a great deal of interest in public affairs and was for many years a holder of public office. In 1909 he was elected city clerk and served in that office for two years. In 1923 he was elected city treasurer and served continuously in that office up to the time of his death. He also served School District No. 322, City of Blaine, in the capacity of clerk for many years and also held that office at the time of his death. He was a faithful, conscientious worker and his great interest in the business of the city and school district will make the vacancies caused by his death, hard to fill.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, March 3, 1932) Submitted by site coordinator.MERRITT, Martha (d. 1901)
On last Friday night just before the hour of midnight Mrs. Martha Merritt of this city died of cancer. She was 62 years and 11 months old and had resided in Blaine since 1889. Mrs. Merritt was born at Charlotteville, Ontario. Her maiden name was Dease. On March 8, 1855 she was married to John M. Merritt at St. Williams, Ontario. they resided at that place until 1872 when they removed to Fairmont, Minn. They resided at this place until 1889 when they came to this city. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Merritt all of whom are alive. They are Mrs. Harriett N. Jones and Mrs. Cynthia Popple? of this city, Mrs. Emily A. Curtiss of Fairmont, Minn., Mrs. Esther Cohlthard of Keremeos, B. C., and John and Chas. Merritt of this city. The death of Mrs. Merritt was not unexpected. She had been a sufferer for the past two years yet through it all she bore with a kind Christian fortitude. She was one of the best of ladies always had a good word for all and ever ready to help with word or deed those who were in need and many were those of old friends with the silent tear seen stealing down the cheek as they learned of her demise. The sympathy of all is with the bereaved family in their loss. The funeral occurred on Sunday from the residence and was very largely attended. The body was placed in the cemetery on the hill east of the city.
(From The Blaine Journal, November 15, 1901) Submitted by site coordinator.MERRITT, Myra (d. 1927)
MESSIMER, Elmer E. (d. 1891)
Elmer Ellsworth Messimer was born at Williamsport, Penn. twenty-five years ago. His father, John Messimer, is still living at Antisfort, Penn., and his brother, C. A. Messimer, lives at Snohomish, Wash. Elmer came to Blaine four years ago last March, and he was the first regular telegraph operator here. His first office was in the old Bertrand building at the end of Cain's wharf. He was married to Miss Annie Bertrand in September, 1887, when he gave up his position as telegraph operator and worked in Seattle in the furniture factory. He worked on the Lindsey mill, when it was being build, and after its completion ran the planer for some time, when he left the mill he built two houses, one on D street near W. M. Johnson's building, and one on F street near the Chown residence. He worked for A. A. HART several months whose stock of furniture he afterward bought, and moved into the building he built on the Blaine wharf in the fall of 1889. Elmer was always cheerful and was a favorite with his acquaintances. He belonged to the Blaine band being one of the movers in its organization. His last sickness was long and very painful, he was sick two months and fifteen days, when the final summons came Tuesday morning, May 5. In him the community has lost an energetic young man. He did not die without hope of salvation, for several weeks before his death he had felt a change of heart, and was looking forward to the day when he could be baptised and join a church and let the world know that he meant to live up to his professions, up to the last he retained his hopeful cheerful thoughts and his main trouble was the thought of leaving his young wife alone. The funeral was deferred from 2 p.m. Wednesday, to 10 a.m. Thursday awaiting the arrival of his brother from Snohomish.
(From The Blaine Journal, May 7, 1891) Submitted by site coordinator.METCALF, Edwin A. (d. 1914)
Edwin Adams Metcalf was born June 28, 1844 at Fowlersville, Michigan, where he lived for sixty years. He came to Washington about eight years ago, living in Ballard one year, and since that time in Nooksack. He was a veteran of the civil war serving in the 9th Michigan infantry. He was for 34 years a member of the I. O. O. F. He died Jan. 26th at 6:52 p.m. The Odd Fellows had charge of the funeral, Ernest O. Harris giving a short address at the home of the deceased where the funeral services were conducted. The remains were taken to Seattle for cremation, his two sons Winter and Harvey, his son-in-law Fred Genther and his nephew Fred Metcalf accompanying the remains. The ashes will be brought to Nooksack and buried in the cemetery here. The widow and children have the sympathy of the community in their sorrow.
(From The Nooksack Reporter January 30, 1914) Submitted by site coordinator.MEURER, Fred (d. 1903)
Fred Meurer died at his home in Lynden Sunday night at 8 o'clock. His death was caused from injuries received some time ago by being kicked by a horse. The injury was at first not thought to be of a fatal nature although the animal struck him a severe blow in the pit of the stomach, but after lingering three weeks, during which time he endured much pain, he finally passed away. The funeral services were held at that place Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.
(From The Ferndale Record, August 21, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.MEYER, Robert E. (d. 1902)
R. E. Meyer of Mountain View, aged 72 years, died at St. Joseph's hospital, Whatcom, at 11 p.m. Monday from injuries received by being thrown out of a wagon last Saturday. Mr. Meyer was driving on the Ferndale-Whatcom road when an automobile passed the horses frightening them, and they started to run away. Mr. Meyer was unable to retain his seat and was thrown out, falling with great force upon the road. He was taken to St. Joseph's hospital where he lingered until death relieved him. He was an old and well known resident of this county. At one time he was a superintendent of the Sehome coal mines. The first coal mines opened up on the Pacific coast. He owns considerable land at Cherry Point. He left five children to mourn his loss.
(From The Blaine Weekly Journal, August 22, 1902) Submitted by site coordinator.R. E. Meyer died at St. Luke's hospital at 11 o'clock last night as a result of internal injuries sustained by being thrown from a wagon in a runaway Saturday while on the say from his home at Mt. View to Whatcom. The team became frightened at an automobile and ran away and Mr. Meyer was thrown to the ground with terrific force. When he was picked up he was found to be severely injured and was brought to the city and placed in the hospital. He was internally injured and death relieved his sufferings last night.
He was 72 years of age at the time of his death and was an old pioneer of Bellingham Bay and the county, being one of the oldest settlers in the county. He was superintendent of the old coal mine operated here about 35 years ago. He leaves five children to mourn his loss, two of whom resided with him at Mt. View, one is in Nome and two daughters in Berlin, Germany. Funeral services will be held at Noice's funeral parlors at 10 o'clock a.m. Thursday, August 21. Services will be conducted by Dr. S. S. Sulliger, pastor of the First M. E. church. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Fairhaven Evening Herald, August 19. 1902)MICHEL, Della F. (d. 1910)
Mrs. Della Fay Michel died on Thanksgiving Day, at four P. M. Mrs. Michel was only nineteen years of age and her death was a shock to her large circle of friends and acquaintances. The funeral service at the home of Franz Michel, the bereaved, loving husband, were conducted by Rev. Mr. Reid of Everson in the presence of a large crowd of relatives and sympathizing friends. The services at the grave were according to the simple yet impressive ritual of the Grange of which Mrs. Michel was Pomona one of the leading officers. Master Elder assisted by Bessie Cline, Chaplain of the State Grange conducted the services.
(From The Lynden Tribune, December 1, 1910) Submitted by site coordinator.MILHOLLIN, James H. (d. 1928)
DEATH SUMMONS A GOOD CITIZENCommunity Loses One of its Most Respected Citizens In Death of James H. Milhollin - An Early Settler.James Halsey Milhollin was born on a farm near Champlin, Minn. June 28, 1856. His parents, descendants of pioneer stock, who had immigrated to America before the Revolution, had moved to Minnesota from Ohio shortly before his birth. He was the youngest son of a family of seven, six boys and one girl, of which John Henkle Milhollin of Blaine is sole survivor. He received very little schooling, but he possessed a love for books and a desire to learn, thus providing himself with a good education. At the age of 16 years he went with his brother into the pineries of Northern Minnesota and from then on he followed the lumbering industry until a few years before his death, although not extensively in his later years.On October 6th, 1884, he married Minnie Catherine Faber, and to this union two sons were born, Clayton Faber and Hew Henkle. Two years after his marriage the West beckoned and he moved his wife and worldly goods to Blaine when that town was still in its infancy. Here he made a home for his family. He was a leader in all community affairs, especially the early temperance work. He was always interested in co-operative movements, and as one of the Old Guard of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company served on its board of directors almost continuously from its formation.
In 1911 he moved from Blaine to his farm on California creek where he resided until a few months before his death. Failing health then caused him to sell the farm and he moved near his son, Clayton. He passed away on October 18th, 1928, at the age of 72 years. He was a kind husband and father and a courageous citizen who stood by his convictions, and was always loyal to his friends. He is survived by his wife, Minnie Catherine, his brother, John, and two sons, Clayton of Blaine and Hew of Bremerton. Funeral services were held at the Purdy & Sons' chapel where a large gathering of old friends and neighbors paid their last respects to one they loved and honored. The pallbearers were Hale Smith, J. G. Merrill, Fred Brown and A. A. Stockton, all boyhood friends from Champlin, Minn., and J. A. Neher and Wm. Newberry. Internment was made in the Blaine cemetery amid a profusion of floral tributes.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press October 25, 1928) Note: There are many newspaper items mentioning the Millhollin/Milhollin family in the Blaine Journal extractions elsewhere on this website.MILHOLLIN, Jonathan M. (d. 1892)
DIED - In this city on Thursday, Nov. 10th, Jonathan McClintic Milhollin, in his 58th year. Jonathan McClintic Milhollin was born near Springfield, Ohio, Feb. 23d, 1835. He attended the common schools and the high school in Springfield. Of a studious disposition, he made rapid progress in his studies, whether in school or not, and while yet a boy manifested a diligence and thoroughness that afterward made him a man of rare literary and scientific attainments. In 1853 he moved to Minnesota and settled near what is now the city of Minneapolis. There was no settlement on the west side of the river then, only two shanties. Only those who passed through those trying early years know what the pioneers had to encounter. He still pursued his studies, taking up surveying, which he followed for several years, laying out many of the roads in Hennepin and Wright counties. He was at work in his field plowing when a messenger came with the news that Fort Sumter was fired upon. Calling to his brothers who were at work near by, he said: "Boys, take care of the team; Fort Sumter is fired upon and I'm going." Gathering what volunteers he could, he enlisted in the First Minnesota, the first regiment to offer itself to the government. This enlistment was for three months, and at the expiration of his time he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Minnesota, that he might be with two of his brothers. He was a member of the Fourth regiment band, of which the well known composer, J. M. Hubbard, was leader. After serving about two years he was discharged for disability from which he never recovered. He was married in 1865 to Melissa Bond who, with two daughters and one son, survive him. Their oldest son died in infancy, one daughter is married and lives in Florida and the son and one daughter live with their mother in Blaine. After the war he followed school teaching many years. In 1870 he obtained a patent on a carpenter tool, and arranged for manufacturing, but his health failing he was obliged to abandon the enterprise and seek relief in a less rigorous climate, going first to Missouri and afterwards to Florida, where he planted an orange grove. As a result of his studious habits, he was finely equipped mentally, not only in literature, but mathematics and the sciences. He was the author of a method in contractions now in use, and also for a method for extracting square root. Several years ago he prepared a paper on air motors and submitted it to the editors of the leading scientific journal of this country, which they pronounced the ablest treatment of the subject that had ever come to their notice. He always enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community in which he lived, serving almost continually in some position of trust. A man of strong convictions, he was fearless in giving expression to them and questions of right and morality, found in him an earnest champion no matter how unpopular it might be. His friendship was genuine, his benevolence real, his charity boundless. He was a Free Mason and a member of the Grand Army. He had no fear of the future, and when the end came, Nov. 10th, it brought no dread, only regret that he must leave so much undone.
(From The Blaine Journal, November 18, 1892) Submitted by site coordinator.MILHOLLIN, John H. (d. 1931)
John H. Milhollin, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of this section, passed quietly away at his home near California creek on Monday. General decline from his ripe age was the cause, although an injury from a fall recently may have contributed. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Purdy's chapel with Rev. C. B. Seely officiating, and burial was made in the family plot in Blaine cemetery. The services were largely attended because of the great esteem in which he was held by everybody.
John Hinkle Milhollin was born in Springfield, Ohio, May 31, 1844, and would have been 87 years old next May. The family, consisting of father and mother and six sons and one daughter, came westward with horses and covered wagons to the territory of Minnesota and arrived on the banks of the Mississippi river not far from Minneapolis July 4, 1853, where they settled. The first four sons of the family volunteered in the Civil war and served from 1861 to 1865. Deceased was married to Miss Mary Jane McPherson, a native of Ontario, Canada, at St. Cloud, Minn. Following the death of the father, the mother with three sons, Clint, John and James, came to Washington territory in 1885, locating at Blaine five years before the City of Blaine was incorporated. The mother and eldest son passed on about 30 years ago and James in 1928. The brothers built the first wharf in Blaine for the Cain brothers and also engaged in other construction work here.
The widow and one daughter, Rea, survive. Mr. Milhollin was a man of strict integrity, honest, kind, and a true friend. He always took a keen interest in government and the betterment of mankind, and always lent his influence and force toward better things in this line. He was a generous, patient and loving husband and father. He had a host of friends who were attracted to him by his integrity and fairness to everybody.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, January 29, 1931) Note: There are many newspaper items mentioning the Millhollin/Milhollin family in the Blaine Journal extractions elsewhere on this website.MILHOLLIN, Rebecca (d. 1906)
Mrs. Rebecca A. Milhollin was born at Springfield, Ohio, April 20, 1816, and died at Blaine, Wash., Feb. 11, 1906. Five of her seven children and her husband have died before her and she is survived by her sons, James H. and John H. Milhollin, both of this city.
She was married to William Milhollin in 1833 and moved with him to Minnesota in 1853. They made their home near the present site of the state university on the banks of the Mississippi river in what is now Southeast Minneapolis. Her husband died in 1871. In 1886 she came to Blaine and for the second time braved the trials of the frontier and again witnessed a commonwealth grow up. The funeral services were at the home Tuesday and the interment in the Blaine cemetery. The pallbearers were R. A. Wilson, C. A. Loomis, B. N. Kingsley, J. Merrill, H. Mahan and E. Sorenson.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, February 11, 1926; 20 Years Ago column) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Andrew C. (d. 1917)
Andrew C. Melbs (sic), aged 70, a veteran of the Civil War and a member of Bellingham G.A.R., died at St. Luke's hospital this morning. He leaves one son, Robert, of Bellingham. He was formerly in business in Ferndale. Funeral services will be rendered by Rev. Powell at the Congregational church at 10 o'clock a.m. Monday. Burial will take place at Bayview Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 8, 1917) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, Anna (d. 1911)
Mrs. John Miller is dead. She died last Friday at St. Luke's hospital, in Bellingham after long suffering from a cancer. The remains were buried Sunday, the funeral services being conducted at an undertaker's chapel by the Unitarian minister. The Rebeccas' of Lynden assisted in the burial services. Mrs. Miller was 58 years of age. By a former husband, Mr. Durkey, she leaves one son, whose home is in California. She was an old resident of this county, having lived at Lynden prior to her marriage to Mr. Miller at Bellingham, at about 11 years ago. For several years they had made Lynden their home, being the owners of the Miller hotel building and considerable other property.
(From The Lynden Tribune, September 7, 1911) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Carrie F. (d. 1913)
Wife of Prominent Railroad Man DiesMrs. Carrie Frances Miller, of 202 Fourteenth Avenue North, died at the family residence early this morning. Mrs. Miller, who was 51 years old, was the wife of John A. Miller, general Western freight agent for the Great Northern Railway. She had been a resident of Seattle for twenty years. Besides the husband, she is survived by a daughter, Miss Alberta Miller. The funeral will be held at the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. W. A. Major, pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, will officiate.
(From Seattle Daily Times, August 27, 1913) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, David S. (d. 1911)
D. S. Miller, one of the earliest pioneers of this section, passed away Tuesday morning at his home here, after an illness extending over two weeks, from heart trouble. "Uncle Dave" as he was familiarly known, has been ailing for more than two years, and in 1909 went to California in hopes that the trip would benefit him, but without success. For the past week he was very low and the end was expected at any time.
David Samuel Miller was born in Middleton, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1829, and would have been 82 years old on the 29th of this month. In 1852 he crossed the plains with an ox team when the dangers from Indians were constant. He came to Seattle from California in 1871, and from there to Blaine in 1872. In the early days following his arrival here he drove the stage from what was then Whatcom to New Westminster, B. C., and became familiar with all the early pioneers. The country where Blaine now stands was then a howling wilderness. Later he was engaged in the shingle mill business, but of late years he has lived a retired life. In 1893 he was elected Mayor of Blaine, and served one term He leaves a wife and one daughter, five years of age, besides a sister residing in Ohio. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. B. Seely from the home on South Washington avenue, Wednesday afternoon, a large number of the friends and old pioneers paying their last respects to his memory.
(From The Blaine Journal, December 1, 1911) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Dora (d. 1903)
At eight forty-five Wednesday evening October 7, 1903, after an illness of nearly a year, Mrs. D. S. Miller passed away. Mrs. Miller was born Christmas day 1849 in Chatauqua county New York, and while a little girl moved with her parents to Warren county, Pa. She lived in Warren and Erie counties of the state till the summer of 1883 when she came to Blaine. In Blaine she married Mr. Miller.
Mrs. Miller had been unwell for over a year. Despite all the efforts of her loved ones to stay her decline, and notwithstanding the best medical attendance she grew worse and worse. It was at last known that she had cancer. When the end came it was a blessed relief to that patient sufferer who knew so well how to alleviate the suffering of others and bore her own trials with such sweetness. She leaves to mourn her loss a bereaved husband and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Harry Watts, of this city.
The funeral occurred at the Congregational church at two p. m. last Friday. Rev. L. M. Hutton and Rev. E. W. Dawson officiated. The music was furnished by Mrs. O. V. Hall and the male quartet consisting of Messrs John Stewart, E. W. Dickerson, Bert VanLuven and Clarence Gott. The pall bearers were Mrs. Miller's nephews Messrs T. A. Hunter, Fred Hunter, W. J. Sheperd, J. F. Griffin, Morse Barber and W. A. McCullum. The church was beautifully decorated with ferns, cut flowers and floral tributes sent in by friends. Even the grave was rendered beautiful by the work of loving hands. The new earth was hidden by a coat of ferns and white dahlias. The funeral service was an impressive one. Every chord of music and each word spoken seemed to be appropriate to the noble, gentle woman who had gone before. Rev. Hutton led in prayer. Rev. E. W. Dawson read the 31st chapter of Proverbs, choosing for the text of his address the last verse; "Let her own works praise her." The hearse was followed to the cemetery by a long funeral procession.
(From The Blaine Journal, October 16, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Hans (d. 1926)
The death of Hans Miller, a prominent farmer of this community, occurred Tuesday, Sept. 7 after an illness of several years duration. Mr. Miller was born in Denmark July 22, 1858, being 68 years of age at the time of his death. He came to the United States at the age of 23 years, going first to the state of Michigan. His marriage to Miss Mary Engel took place Dec. 22, 1888 at Manistee, Mich. In 1890 Mr. and Mrs. Miller came to Whatcom county. The lived at Bellingham and Blaine for several years before taking up their residence on their farm near Ferndale. Mr. Miller had been trained as a farmer in Denmark and by the application of the well known methods of that great agricultural county and continued industry and thrift his farming operations were made highly successful. Mr. Miller erected first class buildings on his farm, favored all public improvements and was a leader in the improvement of dairy herds in this section. He was a man of unquestioned honor and integrity and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and neighbors. His intense loyalty to his friends was one of the outstanding characteristics of his life.
Mr. Miller was compelled to give up his farming operations several years ago on account of poor health. For several years he has been a great sufferer but endured his affliction with a heroic and marvelous patience. He is survived by his wife, who has been his loyal helpmate thru all the pioneer days and experiences and who gave him untiring care and devotion during his long illness. Funeral services will be in charge of the John Moles funeral home and will be held at the Congregational church at 2:30 p. m. Sunday. Rev. A. F. Palmer will officiate. Interment will be made in the family plot at the Woodlawn cemetery.
(From The Ferndale Record, September 9, 1926) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Henry (d. 1933)
MILLER, James B. (d. 1930)
Funeral services for James B. Miller, aged 80 years, beloved father (sic, should be brother) of Miss Carrie V. Miller, who passed away at his residence, route No. 2, Lynden, Wiser lake district, Saturday morning, September 13, after an illness of about one year, will be held in the large chapel of the Homer Mark Mortuary at Cornwall avenue and Halleck street, Wednesday afternoon, September 17, at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Wallace E. Gill, pastor of the Christian Missionary Alliance officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 15, 1930) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, James M. (d. 1938)
FINAL TRIBUTE PAID JAMES M. MILLEROld-time friends of James Madison Miller gathered at the Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral home Friday afternoon to pay final tribute to the pioneer resident. Services were conducted by the Rev. James M. Wilson and burial followed in Bay View cemetery. Judge Miller, who came here when the city was a wilderness fifty years ago, died Wednesday, after witnessing Bellingham's growth from a village. In 1888 he set up the first real estate office in what was then known as Fairhaven. The firm name was Chesnut, Sorel & Miller. With the late C. X. Larrabee, Judge Miller dreamed of a city which was to be come the terminus of the Great Northern Railway company on the Pacific coast, and he played an important part in early development.
Three years after his arrival he became a member of the second legislature and helped select the present site of the University of Washington. After years of activity, working hand in hand with Hugh Eldridge, J. J. Donovan, C. X. Larrabee, Cyrus Gates, Victor A. Roeder and other pioneers, he retired to a farm adjoining the city.
Immediate relatives left to mourn his passing are his widow, Mrs. Emma Miller; one daughter, Mrs. Herbert A. Whitney, widow of a former city engineer; two sisters, Mrs. B. F. Conway and Miss L. Ella Miller, of South Pasadena, Cal.; one niece, Mrs. A. Otis Birch, of South Pasadena; two cousins, Mrs. H. B. Paige, this city, and Mrs. R. S. Peters, Seattle.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 30, 1938)MILLER, James W. (d. 1897)
The funeral service over the remains of the late J. W. Miller was held at the home of the deceased last Friday afternoon. A large concourse of friends attended the service to pay their last sad rites to the memory of the departed. The sermon, a touching tribute, was delivered by the Rev. R. _ Bailey, of this city. The remains were interred in the cemetery near Enterprise. Deceased was one of the __ settlers of Whatcom county, locating on the claim on which he has resided continuously since some fifteen or sixteen years ago. At that time he had few neighbors - Whatcom was but a village, and Blaine one of the accomplishments of the future; but undaunted and with that admirable courage, persistent industry, puritanical frugality and good management he established a home which in later life afforded him many comforts and conveniences. He leaves a wife, three daughters and five sons to mourn his tragic end. At the time of his death he was 61 years of age, and had apparently always been in good health, until seized with the attack of heart failure in Whatcom last Thursday.
(From The Blaine Journal, June 18, 1897) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Jennie (d. 1895)
Mrs. Albert Miller, nee Jennie Cresie of Custer, aged 26 years, died in this city at the residence of C. A. Loomis on last Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock. Deceased leaves a husband and two children. The remains were buried at Enterprise on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Saunders of Ferndale officiating.
(From The Blaine Journal, March 15, 1895) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, John A. (d. 1923)
POPULAR HEAD OF LOCAL CHAMBER PASSESJohn A. Miller, for Quarter of Century With Great Northern, Dies at Local Hospital. John Albert Miller, for the last three years executive secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and the second president of the Rotary club, died at St. Joseph's hospital at 7 o'clock this morning, following ten weeks' illness, the last week of which he was confined to the hospital. At his bedside when he passed away was his daughter, Miss Alberta Miller, who was his faithful attendant at all times. Mr. Miller, who was 75 years of age, was taken with influenza in March, following exposure to severe weather in Seattle. He was forced to his bed several weeks ago and his condition finally became so grave that his physician, Dr. W. D. Kirkpatrick, ordered him to the hospital. Mr. Miller's last appearance at his office was about April 15, said Secretary Roswell Stearns today. The aged executive insisted on attending to the chamber's business until he was no longer able to do so.Was Popular Here.Mr. Miller was one of Bellingham's most popular and useful citizens. Genial by disposition, with a keen sense of humor, he made friends everywhere and in railway circles was known from the Pacific to the Atlantic. He was a very good extempore speaker, having had some experience as a stage actor in his early life, and shortly before his death he was looking forward happily to addressing the Kiwanis club. He was to have spoken before the club last Tuesday. For twenty-five years Mr. Miller was an employee of the Great Northern railway, most of the time in Seattle, where he resided for a quarter of a century. He was a member of the Veterans' association of that road and had a personal acquaintance with the late James J. Hill, its founder, and numerous other railway executives. As a traffic expert, Mr. Miller was listened to with respect. Traffic matters were his specialty and it was this that made him particularly valuable to the Chamber of Commerce. In that capacity he was able to get concessions from shipping companies, partly through his wide acquaintance and friendship with railway men, that have saved and are still saving local shippers thousands of dollars yearly.Came Here in 1914.Coming to Bellingham in 1914 as district traffic agent for the Great Northern railway, Mr. Miller remained with that system until he retired to devote himself to other matters. He was elected executive secretary of the Chamber of Commerce three years ago and filled that office with great credit. In 1918 he was elected president of the Rotary club, which he was instrumental in organizing in 1917. Mr. Miller was a veteran of the Civil war, serving in a Massachusetts regiment, and it was in that state, at Worcester, that he was born. At the time of his death he was special freight surveyor of the Bellingham port commission. Some of his other connections were: National councillor in the Chamber of Commerce of the United States' trustee in the second congressional district in the Columbia Basin Irrigation league; member of the Federated Industries of Washington; member of the Northwest Rivers and Harbors congress; councillor in the National Association of Commercial Organization Secretaries, and a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding his membership in Massachusetts.Had Faith in Port.Mr. Miller was instrumental in arousing interest in the local port movement, which resulted in the formation of the Bellingham port district. He had great faith in Bellingham as a coming port, believing it destined to become one of the most important harbors on the coast. For several months he had been engaged in making a freight survey of the Northwest to determine the freight possibilities of Bellingham, so that the port commission might have a basis on which to work for traffic. The only surviving relative is Miss Alberta Miller, a daughter who was also her father's pal. Mrs. Miller died ten years ago. Arthur C. Harlow will make the funeral arrangements.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 4, 1923) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.---------------------------------------------
MILLER FUNERAL TOMORROWServices will be Held in Seattle and BellinghamFuneral services for John A. Miller of Bellingham, resident of Seattle for twenty-five years, who died Friday, will be held at the Butterworth mortuary tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock followed by cremation. The Rev. W. A. Major will officiate. Another service will be held at the Garden Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Bellingham this afternoon, the Rev. J. C. Harrison officiating. Mr. Miller came to Seattle in 1895 as traffic manager for the Great Northern Railroad. He moved to Bellingham in 1914, where he continued in the service of the road as general freight agent. He was a member of the G.A.R. and the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce. At the time of his death he was president of the Rotary Club and executive secretary of the chamber. He was 75 years old. A daughter, Miss Alberta Miller is the only member of the family surviving Mr. Miller his wife having died here several years ago. Delegations from the G.A.R., the Rotary Club and the Great Northern will attend the services tomorrow.
(From The Seattle Daily Times, May 6, 1923) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.----------------------------------------------------
FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTEFuneral Services Are Held For Late John A. MillerHundreds of friends of the late John A. Miller, executive secretary of the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, who died early Friday morning at the age of 75 years, paid tribute to his memory yesterday afternoon when funeral services were held at the Garden Street Methodist Episcopal church, Dr. J. C. Harrison officiating. Numerous floral offerings were received from individuals and particularly from organizations of which Mr. Miller was a member. Five-minute eulogies were spoken by Dr. Tony M. Barlow, past president of the Rotary club, of which Mr. Miller was the second president, and J. J. Donovan, as representative of the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Barlow said that Mr. Miller had lived a life of real service, in accordance with the motto of Rotary International, and paid a tribute to him as a man of unusual personality, of kindliness of heart, of strength of character. Mr. Donovan said that he had known the secretaries of all commercial organizations on Bellingham Bay for more than thirty years and that, without relecting (sic) upon others, it could be said that Mr. Miller was the ablest and most efficient of them all. He referred to the long experience which Mr. Miller had brought to the service of the Chamber and of the community and said that at all times he was actively interested in the public welfare, performing many acts in behalf of the community of which the people generally knew nothing. He referred incidentally to Mr. Miller's success in placing Bellingham on the map as a port of call for numerous steamship lines and said that whatever he had undertaken for the Chamber of Commerce, the port commission or the Rotary club, he had done in a manner creditable to himself and to the organization he represented.Staunch for Right.Dr. Harrison, who delivered the funeral sermon, referred to Mr. Miller as a man who was gentle but firm, humble but decisive--one who possessed the qualities of a soldier. He was a man who could not say no where there was a need, yet wherever a principle of right or wrong was involved, said the minister, or whenever an issue presented itself, he never hesitated to make his position known decisively. Referring to his service as a soldier of the Civil war, he said that Mr. Miller was imbued with the highest principles of Americanism, which he had lived in his daily life to the time of his death. He was a member of one of the New England Methodist Episcopal churches, Dr. Harrison said, and had lived and died a Christian. The pallbearers were C. S. Beard, president of the Rotary club, and Cecil A. Morse, Thomas B. Cole, W. J. Griswold, Henry P. Jukes and Dr. T. M. Barlow, past presidents of the club, while the honorary pallbearers were the trustees of the Chamber of Commerce. The Rotary club attended the services in a body and other organizations of which Mr. Miller was a member were represented. The musical numbers were rendered by the Harter & Wells quartet, assisted at the organ by Miss Althea Horst. The remains were shipped to Seattle, where cremation was to take place this afternoon following brief services in charge of Dr. W. A. Major, pastor of the Mount Baker Presbytrian (sic) church. Out of respect for Mr. Miller the Chamber of Commerce was closed this afternoon at 1 o'clock. Cremation of the remains were to take place between 2 and 3 o'clock at Seattle. Miss Alberta Miller, daughter of Mr. Miller, has received numerous messages of condolence from many parts of the United States.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 7, 1923) Submitted by Merrily LawsonMILLER, John F. (d. 1909)
LYNDEN PIONEER BURIED Last Sunday the remains of J. F. Miller, formerly a farmer near Lynden were buried in the Lynden cemetery. His late home was in Vancouver, B. C. Mr. Miller was about 65 years old and leaves a wife and one son. In the early days Mr. Miller was prominent in politics and at one time was a candidate for county office. In 1894 while he and his wife were attending a populist caucus in Bellingham their home and three children were burned. The cause of the blaze was never known. One little baby, the surviving son was all they had left. A hired man had stayed with the children - Henry C. Boyce - and he too lost his life, though he saved that of the baby and heroically gave up his own in an attempt to save the others.
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 28, 1909) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, John G. (d. 1930)
WAR VETERAN DIESJohn G. Miller, Civil War Fighter, Is SummonedJohn G. Miller, who served in the Civil war with Company E, Third Wisconsin infantry, and who had lived here since 1883, died Tuesday afternoon at his home, 2411 D street. He was 86 years of age and had been ill about eighteen months. Mr. Miller was the father of Edward H. Miller, of Miller, Hawkins, Kondig, Inc., realtors; Miss Nora Miller, city, and Mrs. F. F. Gerard, North Bellingham. Other surviving relatives are one sister, Mrs. Mary Otterstein, Dumont, Iowa; seven grandchildren, six nieces and nephews. Mr. Miller was one of those who helped to build State street when it was known as Elk street. Funeral announcements will be made by the Homer Mark mortuary.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 23, 1930) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, John R. (d. 1904)
BLAINE PIONEER PASSES AWAY John R. Miller passed away at St. Luke's Hospital Saturday night. He had been suffering all winter with an abscess. He bravely fought against this dreadful disease and was thought at one time to be recovering. However, recently he took a turn for the worse and died April 30, 1904. While sick he had undergone two surgical operations. Mr. Miller was a man in the prime of life, being but 57 years of age. He had lived in this county many years and in Blaine for four years. He was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic here and in Bellingham having served with distinction in the Civil war. He was a man of high character and excellent business ability. He leaves to mourn his loss a bereaved wife and a son about six years of age.
(From The Blaine Journal, May 6, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.
Another obitMILLER, John W. E. (d. 1933)
A victim of heart disease, J. W. E. Miller former pioneer of the Mountain View district, where he resided thirty-six years, died at his home 2108 Pacific street, early Sunday, aged 72 years. Funeral services will be held at the Monroe funeral chapel in Ferndale at 2 p.m. Tuesday under the direction of the Homer Mark mortuary. Burial will occur in Mountain View cemetery. Mr. Miller is survived by one son, Charles A. L. Miller, 2306 Ellis street; one daughter, Mrs. Earl Balch, Seattle; one sister, Anna Miller, Gettysburg, Pa., and two grandchildren, Mrs. Marie Voris and Charles Galen Miller, Bellingham.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 16, 1933)MILLER, Joseph B. (d. 1909)
Joseph B. Miller, aged 37 years, died Wednesday evening at the family residence, three miles east of Everson, after a short illness. Mr. Miller has resided in this county for the past seven years, coming here from Iowa. He was a member of the Masonic order in Iowa. He is survived by four sons and three daughters, Claud B. Miller, Everson; three sons and one daughter in Iowa, a daughter in Seattle, and a daughter in California, and by the following grandchildren. Leon Miller, Van Buren, Wash; Percy Miller, Van Buren, Wash; Blanch Miller, Bellingham; Herbert Miller, Seattle; Mrs. Ketcham, Seattle; and a number of grandchildren in the East. The funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of Stokes & Wickman, 1148 Elk Street. The Rev. Fred Well, pastor of the Unitarian Church, will officiate. Interment in Bay View cemetery.
(From The American Reveille, December 4, 1909) Copied by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, Margaret (d. 1916)
Death Removes Pioneer Woman Following a long illness, Mrs. Margaret Miller, wife of Samuel Miller, 1515 Twelfth street, died at the age of 71 years yesterday. Mrs. Miller had lived in Bellingham for thirteen years and had a wide circle of friends. She was a member of the South Bellingham Presbyterian church and funeral services will be conducted by Pastor James Wilson of that congregation. Her husband is at present confined to his bed by serious illness and so will be unable to attend the services. The funeral will take place at the Bingham chapel tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 o'clock. Interment will be made at Bay View cemetery. For the convenience of those who desire to attend, the funeral car will leave the corner of Twelfth street and Harris avenue at 1:__ o'clock. Mrs. Miller leaves, besides her husband, four sons and three daughters, James A. Miller, J. H. Miller and H. S. Miller, sons, are residents of Bellingham, and _. W. Miller is a resident of Seattle. The daughters are Mrs. Edith P. Schubbe and Mrs. Margaret Thomas, both live in Bellingham.
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 5, 1916) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Melinda J. (d. 1936)
Melinda Jane Miller, aged 89 years, passed away at her home, 2001 H street, Saturday, September 19, following a long illness. Mrs. Miller was a native of Iowa, where she was the first white child to be born in Boone county, and had made her home here for the past twenty-two years, attending the Missionary Alliance church. Surviving relatives are five sons, James H. and John, in Wyoming, Joseph S., at Saco, Mont., Uriah and Charles Miller, of this city, also one daughter, Mrs. C. E. Hubby, residing here. There are also twenty-eight grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren. The remains are resting at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, where funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Wallace E. Gill, Tuesday, September 22, at 2:30 p.m. followed by interment in Bayview Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 21, 1936) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLER, Michael (d. 1923)
G. A. R. CHAPLAIN DIES Michael Miller, chaplain of J. B. Steadman Post No. 24, of the G. A. R., and ten years a Bellingham resident, died at a local hospital yesterday afternoon at the age of 77 years. Death was due to a paralytic stroke suffered last Friday. Mr. Miller resided at 2634 Michigan street. In the civil war Mr. Miller served in an Iowa regiment and for fifteen years after the war's close he was pastor of a Methodist church in Nebraska. The survivors are the widow; five sons, William and Frank, of Bellingham; Michael, Charles and James H., of Nebraska; four daughters, Mrs. Edith Crook, of Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah Smith, Mrs. Mary Lamb and Mrs. Blanche Hayne, of Montana; one brother William, of Norfolk, Mont.; forty-four grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. The funeral will be held Sunday at 1:30 p. m., at Arthur C. Harlow's mortuary home, with the Rev. Haslam, pastor of the Free Methodist church, and the G. A. R. officiating.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 16, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Michael H. (d. 1908)
MAN DROPS DEAD RUNNING FOR TRAIN While running to catch the afternoon train for Bellingham yesterday, M. H. Miller, shingle manufacturer of Van Buren, dropped dead a short distance from the shingle mill owned by himself and his two sons. Miller started to run from the mill and had just reached the blacksmith shop, about sixty feet away, when he fell to the ground and expired instantly. He was intending to come to Bellingham on business. County Coroner Thompson was notified and he and Undertaker Maulsby went to Van Buren. They were due to return with the body late last night. Miller was well-known in Whatcom County. Four years ago he and his sons entered the shingle industry at Van Buren, and the mill was operating on the day of his death. It was closed immediately after he died.
M. H. Miller, Shingle Manufacturer of Van Buren, Falls to the Ground After Covering Only Sixty Feet.Seven years ago Miller came to this city from Port Angeles. In this time he had accumulated about $30,000 in money and property. The mill has a capacity of 100,000 shingles daily, working two shifts. When a young man he taught school in Iowa. He was 49 years old at the time of his death. Miller is survived by an aged father and a half brother who reside in this county. He leaves two sisters living in Seattle, a daughter, Mrs. W. A. Ketchum, residing at Sedro-Woolley, a daughter, Blanche, living in this city and three sons, Leon, Percy and Herbert. The two first named boys were partners with their father in the business. Mrs. M. H. Miller, the wife and mother, died in this city December 19, 1906.
(From The American Reveille, April 15, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Peter A. (d. 1922)
Peter A. Miller, aged 56 years, passed away at his home, 319 Grand avenue, at a late hour last evening, after an illness of one years' duration. Mr. Miller had resided in this city for the past ten years, where he had made many friends who will mourn his loss. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Etta Miller, and five children, Beryl, Irving and June Miller, at the family home; Charles A. Miller, Salem, Ore., and Miss Mildred Miller, Sedro-Woolley. Also three brothers and three sisters survive, Charles G. and Miss A. Miller, Gettysburg, Pa., E. N. Miller, Des Moines, Ia.; J. W. E. Miller, Ferndale; Mrs. Ella G. Buck, Baltimore, Md., and Mrs. L. Norris, Canton, O. The remains are being cared for at the Harry O. Bingham service parlors, 120-122 Prospect street. Funeral announcements will be made at a later date.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 31, 1922) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, Thomas W. (d. 1927)
Succumbing to a brief illness, during which he complained of stomach pains, Thomas W. Miller, 87, a resident of Whatcom county for forty-two years, died Wednesday evening at his home, Lynden R. F. D. No. 2. Mr. Miller was once engaged in the drug business in Terre Haute, Ind.; was a member of the Presbyterian church at Montezuma, Ind., and was formerly a member of the Masonic lodge at Terre Haute and of the I. O. O. F., Bellingham. Mr. Miller is survived by one brother, J. B. Miller, and one sister, Miss Carrie Miller. Funeral announcements will be made by the Homer Mark mortuary.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 22, 1927) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, William (d. 1922)
William Miller, aged 64 years, passed away at his home on the Deming road, near Lawrence, yesterday afternoon, June 30, after several months' illness. Mr. Miller had resided at his late residence fro the past four years. Prior to that time he had lived in this city for twenty years, where he had made many friends who will mourn his loss. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Amelia Miller; two sons and one daughter, Robert T. and A. B. Miller, of Mount Vernon, and Thelma Miller, at home; also one brother and three sisters, Henry Miller, Mount Vernon; Mrs. Nettie Steinhauer, Ferndale; Mrs. E. Rhineheart, Lynden, and Mrs. George Flint, Fargo, N. D. The remains are being cared for at the Harry O. Bingham service parlors, 120-122 Prospect street, where funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, July 2, at 2 o'clock, with Rev. W. B. Turrill, rector of St. Paul's church, officiating. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 1, 1922) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLER, William L. (d. 1916)
W. L. MILLER IS SUMMONED BY DEATH W. L. Miller, for thirty-five years a resident of this city and mayor of Bellingham in 1890-91, died at his home at Sunnyside, Lake Whatcom, last night. Mr. Miller was a veteran of the Civil war and an active worker in the Grand Army. This organization will have charge of the funeral. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Mr. Miller, who has for a quarter of a century been one of the familiar figures of Bellingham, was mayor of this city in 1890 and 1891.
Former Mayor of Whatcom Succumbs at Home at Sunnyside - Arrangements for Funeral Not Yet Completed.Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born in Prussia. Mrs. Miller was born in Pozentahl Province of Brandenburg, on January 14, 1843. Mr. Miller was born in Stettin, Province of Posen, June 6, 1847. They were married at Waterloo, Ia., on March 29, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a family of ten children, of whom the following, all living in Bellingham, survive: W. F. Miller, G. A. Miller, L. E. Miller, A. H. Miller and Mrs. Nora E. Thompson. In April 1882, Mr. Miller came to Bellingham and was followed by his family in November, 1883. They have resided here continuously since their arrival.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 25, 1916) Submitted by site coordinator.
MILLIS, Delia (d. 1920)
Mrs. Delia Millis, six years a Bellingham resident, died this morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Charles Robinette, 1120 High street, at the age of 30 years. She was a member of the Garden Street M. E. church and is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Handley, of this city, and four sisters and five brothers, Mrs. Charles Robinette, Mrs. Sorenthiel and Miss Edith Handley, all of Bellingham; Mrs. L. K. Millis, of Kentucky; Joseph, Carl, Clyde and Leslie, all of Bellingham, and Everett, of New Westminster, B. C. The funeral will be held Sunday at 10 a.m. at Arthur C. Harlow's chapel, with the Rev. T. E. Elliott, pastor of the Garden Street M. E. church, officiating.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 12, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLOW, Nancy A. (d. 1890)
MILLOW, William (d. 1898)
At St. Luke's hospital, Whatcom, on Sunday morning, March 13th, 1898 of cancer of the stomach, William Millow, aged 62 years. Deceased has been a resident of Blaine since 1884, and assisted in building the first sawmill erected here. Mr. Millow was a native of Iowa, and had been twice married, six children surviving him. By the first wife he leaves four children, and by the second union two daughters. Mrs. Joseph Goodfellow and Bethel. The second wife was buried here about eight years ago. Deceased was at the time of his death a member of the city council, and during the civil war served as a gunners mate with the Banks expedition. He was a man universally liked and esteemed, and his loss will be shared by a large number of the old residents with the surviving members of the family. The remains were brought up from the hospital Monday by the steamer, and after a simple service at the city hall were followed to their last resting place in the Blaine cemetery.
(From The Blaine Journal, March 18, 1898) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLS, Antoinette (d. 1926)
Word was received today of the sudden death of Mrs. Peter Mills, former Bellingham resident, at Seattle Thursday at 7 p.m. Mrs. Mills had lived in this city forty years, when, about two years ago, she and her husband removed to Seattle. She lived at 2000 J. street. Survivors, aside from the husband, are five daughters, Mrs. Jessie Trezise and Mrs. Lottie Riddle of Bellingham; Mrs. F. A. Bruce and Mrs. Charles Morrison of Helena, Mont., Mrs. Charles Sawdey of Naselle, Wash. Funeral arrangements will be made here.
(From The Bellingham Herald, November 12, 1926) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.MILLS, Jennie (d. 1910)
Mrs. Jennie Mills died at the home of Mrs. Hughes, a relative, in Blaine, at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday last, the immediate cause of death being the third stroke of paralysis. The funeral takes place from the Congregational church in this city at 10 a.m. today, Friday, Rev. Holcombe preaching the sermon. The interment will be at Lynden Cemetery. Deceased was born in Indiana and was 73 years old.
This estimable lady was widely known in this community and possessed many warm friends. She was the aunt of the Robinson boys here, though her tender devotion to them was more like that of a mother, and her loss to them will be regarded as the loss of a mother. Being possessed of considerable means, she affectionately provided for a large circle of relatives.
Note: Jennie was the sister of Jerome B. Robinson; her second husband, David M. Mills, was the brother of Hannah (Mills) Pinckney.
(From The Ferndale Record, July 29, 1910) Submitted by site coordinator.MILLS, Peter (d. 1930)
At the age of 87 years, Peter Mills, who served in the Civil war with Company F, 117th Regiment, New York State Volunteers, died at a local hospital Monday night. He had been ill four months. Mr. Mills was born in New York state. He came to this city forty-one years ago and was actively engaged in contracting and building work until his retirement several years ago. He was a member of the J. B. Steedman post No. 24, G. A. R. The deceased is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison, Mrs. Marion Bruce, Mrs. Lottile Riddle and Mrs. Jessie Trezise, of this city, and Mrs. Maude Lawley, Carson, Washington; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Private funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a. m. at the Harlow-Hollingsworth funeral home, with the Rev. Leo Totten officiating. Burial will occur in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 1, 1930) Submitted by site coordinator.MILNE, Andrew C. (d. 1915)
A. C. Milne, aged 80 years, passed away at the Minor hospital at Seattle, Wash., Thursday, February 4. Mr. Milne was a resident of Bellingham for many years, coming here in 1889. The last three years he has been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. E. T. Haasye, of Seattle, Wash. Mr. Milne is survived by his three sons, W. A. Milne, of Seattle, Wash.; E. I. Milne, of Samish Lake, and E. B. Milne, of Samish Lake; three daughters, Mrs. Cora Delman, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. E. I. Haasye, of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. John Milne, of Alberta, B. C. Funeral services will be held at Bay View cemetery Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. James M. Wilson officiating. The private funeral car will leave from Eleventh street and Harris avenue at 12:30, conveying the family and friends to the cemetery. Interment will be made in the family plat at Bay View cemetery, under the direction of Undertakers Harlow & Livingston.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 6, 1915) Submitted by site coordinator.MINTON, John C. (d. 1930)
DR. MINTON PASSES Dr. John Clark Minton, veteran Bellingham dentist, who retired about two years ago, and who was one of the most prominent Masons of the Northwest, died early today at his home, 1315 H street, aged 77 years, after several months' illness. Dr. Minton was the first thirty-third degree Mason in the Northwest, it was said today, and for some time the only Mason in the Northwest that held that exalted degree. He was very active in Masonry. He held membership in Bellingham Bay lodge No. 44, F. and A. M.; Bellingham chapter of the Royal Arch Masons No. 12; Hesperus commandery No. 8, Knights Templar Sehome chapter No. 17, Order of the Eastern Star and in the four Scottish Rite bodies. He was the first master of the Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, holding that office seven or eight years; past master of Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44, and past patron of the Eastern Star. Dr. Minton had lived in Bellingham thirty-three years. He is survived by two brothers, Charles A. Minton, city, and D. L. Minton, Sidney, Ohio one sister, Mrs. Belle Wilmore, Sidney, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews, of whom Mrs. Emma Lewis, of Bellingham, is one. Funeral announcement will be made the the Homer Mark mortuary.
Veteran Dentist, Prominent Mason Summoned Today
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 22, 1930) Submitted by site coordinator.MITCHELL, James (d. 1926)
James Mitchell, aged 72 years and a resident of the county for 24 [44?] years, passed away at a Bellingham hospital Sunday, March 28. Funeral services were held at 11 a. m., Thursday in the Presbyterian church in Deming, with the Rev. Douglas, of Acme, officiating, assisted by the Rev. B. K. McElmon, of Bellingham. Interment was made in the I. O. O. F. cemetery at Deming, under direction of A. C. Harlow. The active pallbearers were J. F. Pebley, G. M. Shumway, H. B. Niles, Emerson Kenney, Charles Zwick and James Hoag.
Mr. Mitchell, who had been a resident of Deming for the past 24 years, was born in Belfast, Ireland, September 4, 1853. When a young man he became a sailor, taking a position on a steamship sailing for New York. He followed the sea for several years, then traveled over various parts of the United States and in 1882 came to Whatcom county and took up a homestead adjoining what is now known as the town of Deming. In the early days Mr. Mitchell donated a site for the first public school in this community, and the new Mount Baker Union High School stands on a portion of his homestead.
While Mr. Mitchell was clearing his land and building a house, he became acquainted with Miss Kate Beaton, who was a cousin of Mrs. Hugh Macaulay of Deming. In 1890 they were married. Mrs. Mitchell died more than six years ago. Mr. Mitchell was an elder and a trustee in the Deming Presbyterian church for several years. He also served as superintendent and teacher in the Sunday school and was actively interested in many things for the betterment of the community. The surviving relatives are one son, Joseph, of Deming and two daughters, Mrs. Noble Foss, Deming, and Mrs. K. E. Carlson, Los Angeles, Cal.
(From The Deming Prospector, April 2, 1926) Submitted by site coordinator.MITCHELL, James A. (d. 1908)
VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR DIES James A. Mitchell, aged 73 years, a veteran of the Civil war, died at the family residence, 2636 Ellis street, this morning at 4 o'clock. Mr. Mitchell came to this city six weeks ago from Cippewa Falls, Wis., purchasing the property where he died, expecting to make his home here. His widow is still at the old home in Wisconsin, and it was her intention to come here at an early date. Aside from the widow, Mr. Mitchell leaves four sons and one daughter, George A. and Miss Katie A. Mitchell, residing here, the others being absent from the city. A brother, William J. Mitchell, also resides in this city.Mr. Mitchell enlisted as a private in Company I, Second Wisconsin Volunteer cavalry, at the beginning of the Civil war, and was afterward made a sergeant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. The body lies at the private receiving rooms of W. H. Mock & Sons, 1055 Elk street. The funeral arrangements will be announced upon the arrival of Mrs. Mitchell from the East.
Funeral services for the late James A. Mitchell, the Civil war veteran who died at the family residence, 2636 Ellis street, last Thursday, will be conducted at the chapel of W. H. Mock & Sons in the Maple block next Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the services to be under the auspices of J. B. Steedman post No. 24, G. A. R. Rev. William Orr Wark, pastor of the First Congregational church, will officiate at the chapel, and the services at the grave will be in accordance with the G. A. R. ritual. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery. The funeral car will leave the end of the North street car line at 1:30 p. m. conveying the funeral party to the chapel. The widow of Mr. Mitchell, accompanied by two sons, left Chippewa Falls, Wis., for this city before being advised of Mr. Mitchell's death, and they have not yet arrived, owing to the railway washouts in Montana.
(From The Bellingham Herald, Jun 4 & 9, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.MITCHELL, Katherine (d. 1920)
Mrs. Kate Mitchell, aged 56 years, passed away at the family home at Deming Sunday morning, February 1, after an illness of several months' duration. Mrs. Mitchell was born at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and had been a resident of Deming for the past thirty-six years, and has been an active worker in the Presbyterian church and in all civic affairs. She leaves to survive her husband, James Mitchell; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Carlson and Miss Sadie May Mitchell, and one son, Joseph Henry Mitchell, besides a host of friends who will deeply mourn her loss. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Presbyterian church at Deming, with Rev. B. K. McElmon officiating, after which interment will be made in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Deming, under the direction of Arthur C. Harlow. Image
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 2, 1920)MITCHELL, Martha (d. 1917)
Mrs. Martha Mitchell, at the age of seventy-five years passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jessie Corbin in Sumas Monday morning after a brief illness. The funeral services were held at the Corbin home Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Powell, of Ferndale, officiating. She leaves to mourn, three daughters, Mrs. Ida Connell, of Clearbrook, Mrs. Jessie Corbin, of Sumas, Mrs. George Parberry of Ferndale and one son, Mr. James Mitchell, of Ferndale. Six grandchildren and two sisters, residing in the East and one brother in Okanogan. Interment was made in the Lakeside cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, Clearbrook section, October 13, 1917) Submitted by site coordinator.MITCHELL, William J. (d. 1889)
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