William Thomas Bethel (1846-1905)

BETHEL, COLBY, EGGE, SALISBURY, WILTSE, ORCUTT, WHEELER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

William Thomas Bethel passed away at the State Hospital at Cherokee, Iowa, July 24,1905, at 8 o'clock p. m., after years of intense suffering.

He was laid to rest beside his first wife and son Albert in the beautiful cemetery at Aurelia, Iowa, July 26,1905. at 1 o'clock p. m., the funeral consisting of a very simple service.

Deceased was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, May 18,1846, and was in the 59th year of his age.

Mr. Bethel was a member of Company II, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served three years, receiving an honorable discharge. It will be remembered that the 8th Wisconsin carried a large living eagle named "Old Abe" all through the years of its splendid service and back to Wisconsin and in after years the deceased, as well as his comrades, took great pleasure in visiting their famous king of birds whenever opportunity offered.

It was on account of his service in the army of the Republic that he suffered more or less all his life and was finally obliged to go to the hospital for treatment from which he never returned.

The deceased was married to Eunice Ann Colby April 10, 1867,and from this union was born three children, viz., Franklin M., Albert, and Velma, only one of whom survives, viz., Franklin M. Bethel of Paullina, Iowa.

The deceased moved to O'Brien county, Iowa, in 1876, and then to Aurelia, Iowa, where he and his family resided about six years and where he
sustained the loss of his wife and son Albert, who are buried there.

He was married to Miss Minnie Egge in ___ and from this union was born one son, Thomas, who resides with his mother at Paullina, Iowa.

Deceased was a kind and considerate husband and an indulgent parent in the true sense of these terms and discharged all his duties as a citizen and soldier cheerfully and manfully, and although he was not a member of the church yet, there were few man more conversant with the Bible, or held the same in greater reverence than he.

He left the following to mourn his departure: His widow and two sons residing at Paullina, Iowa, and the following named brothers and sisters: Mrs. Jane Salisbury, Gaza, Iowa; Chas. Bethel, Pleasant Hill, Oregon; George A. Bethel, Davenport, Iowa; Mrs. W.H Wiltse, Pleasant Hill, Oregon; Mrs. Wm. Orcutt, Eagle Grove, Iowa; Mrs. M. D. Wheeler, Lakeport, Iowa; David and Andrew Bethel of Milford, Iowa; and O. E. Bethel, Gaza, Iowa.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 27 Jul 1905, p5
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Bethel, William Thomas. Born May 18, 1846, Paoli, Wis.; his father, Thomas Bethel, born in England. Married to Eunice Bethel; children: Frank M., Albert and Velma. Enlisted February 8,1864, Madison, Wisconsin, Company H, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry; at battle of Gettysburg; mustered out September 5, 1865, on account of disability. Settled in county December, 1876, residing in Liberty and Union Townships. Died in 1905; buried at Aurelia, Iowa.

Old Soldiers who have lived in O'Brien, 1909
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