Bily, John 1855-1941

BILY, POSHUSTA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/31/2012 at 14:09:43

Source: Howard County Times November 12, 1941

John Bily

Funeral services for John Bily, 85, well known retired farmer, who died at his home north of Spillville on Thursday, Nov. 6 after an extended illness, were held Saturday morning at the Balik funeral home and St. Wenceslaus Catholic church at 9 o’clock. The Rev. J. P. Chihak, assistant pastor officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. The deceased was born in Czechoslovakia Dec. 27, 1855 and came to this country when nine years old. He was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Poshusta at Spillville. To this union four children were born, namely Anna, Frank, Joseph and John. The latter preceded his father in death. He is survived by his widow and the three named children all at home. Mr. Bily was the father of the widely known Bily Bros., famous wood carvers and makers of the Bily clocks.

Source: Howard County Times November 19, 1941

Father of Famous Wood Carvers Dies Near Spillville

More particulars of the life of John Bily, who died recently at his home near Spillville are contained in an article printed in last week’s Decorah Journal. Mr. Bily was the father of the Bily brothers, famous wood carvers. He was a native of Bohemia and came to this country when 12 years old. He lived in New York City for some time and then came to Calmar where he worked for the railway company several years.

January 28, 1879, he was married to Mary Andera, by Rev. Mikota at Spillville. Three years later they moved on a farm 4 miles north of Spillville.

Four children were born to this union. One son died nine years ago. Three survive: Frank, Joseph and Anna. Mr. Bily’s wife also survives. He had lived on the same farm 60 years.

Transcribed from newspaper clippings submitted by Janice Sowers.

Submitter’s Note: One article states Mrs. Bily’s maiden name was Poshusta and the other says Andera.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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