At his residence in Bilyeu Den on Sunday Dec. 18, 1892, John Bilyeu, age 68 years. John Bilyeu was born in Overton County, Tennessee, July 23 1824. While young, he with his parents moved to Indiana, thence to Illinois where he was married to Miss Nancy Workman, March 9 1848. In the fall of the same year, they moved to Missouri where they resided till the spring of 1853, when with two children they started across the plains, arriving in Oregon, August 10, 1853, and resided in Linn County the most of the time since.
He raised a large family of children–nine sons and five daughters. He leaves his wife, seven sons and three daughters and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his demise. His disease was of long standing, and he seemed to realize his condition, often telling his friends that he did not think he had long to live. He spoke to the writer several months ago, and gave some instructions in regard to the funeral exercises. He said it was a satisfaction to a man in his last days to know that he had always been honest in his business transactions with his fellowmen. He made no profession of the Christian religion but gave of his means in support of the church and Sunday school in his community. He did not think that death ended all, but had a firm belief in a future state of man beyond the grave.
His remains were laid to rest in the Bilyeu Den Cemetery on Dec. 20, 1892, in the presence of a large company, T. P. Goodman conducting the ceremony.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman