Alfred Bedford 1851-1915

BEDFORD, WILLEY, ANNEAR

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 5/2/2011 at 10:16:33

May 27, 1915 - Carroll Times - Alfred Bedford died at his home on North Carroll street, Tuesday morning after a long and painful illness. It is nearly two years since Mr. Bedford began to suffer from the malady which finally ended in death and all has been done for his relief that medical science could suggest. It was recognized some time ago that fatal termination could not be averted and he has bravely awaited the inevitable end, which came at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday.

Mr. Bedford was born in Yorkshire, England, December 10, 1851, and would have been 64 years of age at his next birthday. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth Bedford, the father being a builder and contractor by trade. Early in the spring of 1870 the family migrated from England to the United States, coming first to Bureau county, Illinois, where they arrived March 20th, but where they did not make a permanent settlement.

On May 20th of the same year the father bought a quarter section of land in Pleasant Valley township, Carroll county, where he made his home the remainder of his life. Charles Bedford was a local preacher of the Methodist church and was an earnest and faithful worker in its cause. To the close of his life he labored for the upbuilding of the community in which he had settled in all the things that made for its material, moral, and spiritual welfare. As a builder he constructed many of the buildings erected in Carroll during the seventies and eighties and his work was always well done, as many buildings now standing will testify.

Alfred was a young man of 19 years of age when he came to this county with his parents and has made his home in Carroll county during all of the forty-five years that have since elapsed. For some time he was employed in railroad work being first employed on the Kansas & St. Joseph railroad and later on the C. & N. W., and being with the latter company four years.

He then purchased forty acres of land and entered upon its cultivation. He added to this tract by later purchases until he was the owner of 420 acres in Pleasant Valley township, at the time he retired from farming and moved to Carroll in March, 1906. When he first came to Carroll he engaged in the real estate and live stock business in company with his son, W.A. The son later became the proprietor of the Unique cleaning and tailoring establishment, and the father continued in the real estate line as long as he was physically able to attend to business.

On August 17, 1876, Mr. Bedford was married to Miss Charlotte Jane Willey, daughter of Josiah and Christine Willey. To this union four sons were born, all of whom are living. They are Josiah S., who lives on the home farm in Pleasant Valley township, William A., who lives in Carroll, Thomas Melvln, who lives in Pleasant Valley township, and John A., of Maple River.

Of the brothers and sisters of the deceased, the following are still living: William, at Carroll, Thomas, in Pleasant Valley township, and Mary, Mrs. Joseph Annear, of Carrollton.

Mr. Bedford was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in which faith be had been raised and was a member of the official board of the local church. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. The funeral will be held this afternoon at the First M.E. church, conducted by the pastor and the Masonic lodge.

Mr. Bedford had accumulated a large property but his reputation as an upright, honorable man and a good citizen is the most precious legacy that he leaves to his sorrowing family. In his death the community as well as those of his own household has suffered a loss.