The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-30
Death and Funeral Of John q. BOzarth
OF Pekin, COWlitz County.


John s. Bozarth was born in Marion
county, Missouri, March 26th, 1924. He
longed to see this far-oH land, and in COM
pany with Solomon Strong, ESQ.,, one of his
old neighbors, and Hon. VIM. Dillon Of
Clarke county, and large company of emf
grants, crossed the plains in lS47, bringing
with him his oldest sister, then widow,
and her four children.
After five months travel and hardship
they arrived at the Dalles, at which place
his older brother Owen, and brother G. G.
Bozarth, WHO had arrived two years previ-
ously, met the party with provisions and es-
corted them down the river in whale-boats
and bateaux. In the fall of this year he
engaged in boating emigrants from the
Dalles to the Cascades, and from there to
Vancouver. He found the pioneers of
America-the Hudson's Bay Company-in
entire possession of this coast; had a fort
aud trading post at Vancouver. During the
winter of AIS the three brothers-Owen,
Christopher C. and John, worked for Hud-
son Bay Company getting out rails at a dol
lar hundred and board themselves, making
q, 900 rails.
In the spring of 1850 John s. Bozarth
was united in marriage to Miss Asenath
union was blessed by the advent Of eleven
children in all, to make glad their hearts
and home. In February, 1852, he removed
to Lewis river, where he resided up to the
time Of his death, which occurred Monday,
March 18th, 1882, having lived an exemp-
larry life, and was an esteemed neighbor and
citizen; model father and husband. The
first deep sorrow came to cloud their lives
May 26, 1874, when link in the golden
family chain was broken, and the death of
beloved daughter left void in their
hearts and home. He found consolation in
blessed hope that promised happy re-
union; calmly leaning on this faith he was
becoming reconciled when sadder and
greater bereavement took from him his
dearly beloved wife on the Both day Of No
vember, 1874. Whe can describe the sor-
row that preyed upon the heart of the af-
flicted husband and father? Again he found
consolation, only in the blessed assurance
that Hope gave of meeting the dear ones
who had preceded, ara xsre now waiting
for him in the spirit land He lived in that
blessed faith, which, casting her longing
eyes beyond the proud swelling of the Jor-
dan of death, sees only the inviting land of
promise, and sings the triumphant song:
'Ol Death, where is thy sting! o! grave,
where is thy victory!"
On the 4th Of Aug. 1879, he was again
of Mrs. Rachel John OF Lewis river, and
sister of the ever to be loved and lamented
late Mrs. Mary J. Maxon of this city. Not
many months after this marriage friend Bo-
Earth met with an accident in which he sus-
tanned severe injuries broken leg, and
could not turn over in bed for So days.
All this time his faithful wife stood over
him day and night, and carried him through
to convalescence; but, he never fully re-
covered from the terrible shock-he never
was the same rugged looking John Bozarth.
Again death steps in and takes from him
another daughter, Mrs. Emma Colvin, On
Feb. oath, 1881. Then again his heart was
made to bleed, for on Dec. 18th, 1881, Mrs.
Clara Smith, daughter living with her
happy husband and two little children at
Castle Rock, w. T., was called to the LAND
Of the Leal," and went to join the family
circle over the river. Thus one death sor-
row after another preyed upon him; for he
was man who could and did hide his in
tensest grief, for he loved dearly his family
Of bright and happy children and faithful
wife. He was kind and generous to all who
knew him; always ready to lend helping
hand to everyone in trouble and sorrow.
He was favorite with everybody, and .
leading citizen in his county. He was an
active officer in the Grange. and this insti
tuition by his death loses an able, Influential
and honorable live member and officer, who
was ever watchful Of the best interests of all
concerned. He leaves family Of five chill
dren, aud at home-three boys, and two
daughters. accomplished young ladies. .
wife and large circle Of friends and rsla-
kives IA ynonrn his lona M man will he
moro missed in the Lewis river country than
John 8. Bosarth. He was always ready for
every good wsrd and work. Always cheer
,S ana sSiep GS 81 - the
nifty, interesting himself in the affairs Of the
young people, mineling with them in liter
ary gatherings, and taking always an active
part. He was . staunch, able defender Of
the public free schools, and encouraged
everything that went to make up good,
intelligent, healthy sentiment in the CON-
munity.
We will now allude to the scenes which
took place during his sickness and final i'll
nsss. The evening of tho day upon which
his daughter Mrs. Smith was buried, he was
stricken down with pAralytic stroke. The
following evening he was talking OF death
and eternity 10 Mr.. Smith. and said he had
no fears concerning death; be only drsadsd
leaving al his dear ouss. In the night -
Mira Q. c. Bozarth was watching By ths
siok-bsd. she heard him spsak, and suppossd
he was talking il biz slssp. He said: sOh,
how beautiful; some folks ars afraid Of soch
thiag. bat - not. Il i pleasure ~
- - - sueA thing.n Ars. neearth
aaked, 'sWhat = 4 Je6nv IL y LagsaA |
(hn doooano1 ois1oel and AdeliA; d Eo11o