Surrounded by sorrowing relatives and friends and of which there were a large number, and encased in a beautiful casket, all that is mortal of the late Mrs. Hannah J. Bilyeu was placed beside the husband of her youth, the late John M. Bilyeu, in Franklin Butte Cemetery, last Tuesday afternoon.
The funeral cortege arrived from Lebanon to the cemetery shortly after 1 p.m., where a large number of relatives and friends from this city and vicinity had already arrived. After some little delay, caused by the non-arrival of Wm. Bilyeu, a son and his family from Jefferson, Rev. Baker, of Lebanon delivered a very appropriate funeral address. After the grave had been filled, it was literally covered with most beautiful and costly flowers. Could Aunt Hannah have been present in spirit, which she doubtless was, she must have been pleased to see the loving care with which her body was laid to rest.
Hannah J. Bilyeu, wife of John M. Bilyeu, was born in East Tennessee, August 19, 1824 and died at the home of her son, Lee Bilyeu, in Lebanon, on March 24, 1911; aged 86 years, 7 months and 5 days.
She was married to John M. Bilyeu on February 20, 1844. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: William of Jefferson; Jake of Alberta; Mrs. Diana Wiltfong of California; Mrs. Lydia Curl of Washington; Geo. M. of near Scio; J. M. V. of Albany and Lee of Lebanon.
The family came to Oregon with the emigration of 1852 and settled upon a donation land claim, a few miles south of Scio, where they resided continuously up to the death of the husband, which occurred October 25, 1903. Mrs. Bilyeu continued to reside on the old homestead, until two years ago, when she went to reside with her youngest son, Lee in Lebanon, who cared for her tenderly thereafter.
Everybody has a kind word for Aunt Hannah Bilyeu. As a neighbor, as a wife and mother, she lived a life which endeared her to her family and friends, and which is a splendid exemplification of a useful and well spent life.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman