The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-27

The Hon. Nathan II. Bitely was buried, at
his home in Lawton, on Friday the 2lst
inst. The funeral was largely attended by
people of the vicinity, and sympathizing
friends from Paw Paw and elsewhere, who
sorrowfully consigned his body to rest, amid
scenes where he so long had dwelt. His
death occurred on the morning of the 18th
inst, and was due to Inflammation of the
heart, from which disease he had suffered
acutely for the week previous. He had been
in suffering health for many years, having,
in 1868, received partial sunstroke, and,
few years later, a slight stroke of paralysis.
Prom the debility resulting from these mis-
fortunes, he never recovered. Thus necesi-
tated TO relinquish his former activity, he
afterward devoted himself to the care of his
fruit farm, which is the oldest. and one of
the best III the vicinity.
Although unable, through physical inabil-
ity, to take an active part in the doings OF
his party, no man possessed a more intense
love or political affairs than he, or kept him
self better informed in all that transpired in
the country. He was always careful read
er, and SO thoroughly comprehended and
assimilated what he read, that was of value,
that it was always a pleasure to converse
with him on any important topic.
Mr.. Bitely was a man Of unusual ability;
when reused or stirred up, he could speak
with extraordinary power. AS an effective
speaker, one who could make lasting i'm
preston upon an audience, he, probably, has
never had his equal in the county, if, indeed,
in western Michigan. Old residents of the
county will still talk enthusiastically of his
speeches, made in the early days of the Re
publican party, or to uphold the government
in the war OF secession.
In politics, Mr.. Bitely was a republican,
as earnest and uncompromising, SO far as
the vital tenets of the party were concerned,
on the day of his death, as when it was or
ganized under the oaks at jackson. For
many years he was q member OF the State
Republican committee, and on intimate po-
litical terms with the leaders of the Repub-
lican party.
Mr.. Bitely was never a seeker for office; in
an early day he was elected prosecuting at
torney of the county, but declined to qualify
and attempts that were made to nominate
him to the Legislature, were met with his
refusal to accept. There was, probably, no
time, up to the commencement of his Illness
that he could not have received the united
support OF the republicans of this county,
and the surrounding counties, for any Office
to which he might have aspired. In 1866 he
was elected to the state senate, and became
acknowledged as one of the most useful and
influential members of that body. 1t was
the general Judgment of his colleagues that
Mr.. Bitely never wasted time nor words. No
one could say more, in fewer words than he.
In 1868 he was returned to the senate, al
though it was known to the convention that
renominated him, that he was dangerously
i'll, and was not candidate, still there was
no opposition.
His health, unfortunately, did not i'm
prove sufficiently TO enable him to be at
Lansing but briefly, during the session of
the Legislature. Since then his health has
been such as to render it imperative for him
to exercise the greatest degree of care, in
order to be able to attend to his private
affairs, and thus to eschew active politics.
He has occasionally, however, been seen at
township and county conventions.
His example and counsel were valuable TO
his neighbors engaged in the same occupa-
| ton with himself, fruit-growing. He was
the first president of the Lawton Pomolog
ical society, and remained such at his death.
He was also one of the originators of the
Lawton book club association, of which lie
was the first president, and remained ever
an active, interested member.
| Possibly. Mr.. Bitely may have been lack
| ing, somewhat, in ambition and native ener-
gy, yet it is altogether probable, that if he
had not been stricken with disease, the
record of his life would have been far more
| imposing one; he had tasted OF the duties
which nature and training had fitted him TO
perform, and he had reached point in his
career where il was easier for him to go for
ward-never a difficult matter with him
than to remain stationary, or to recede.
Mr. Bitely leaves a widow, one son and
three daughters. One of the latter is still
in early childhood. the others are of maturer
years.
| Mr.. Bitely was born on the Hudson, at
the village of Moran Saratoga county, N. y,
Jan. 22nd, 1892, and removed to Paw Paw
in 1851. He was educated to the law at the
Balleston Springs law school, n. Y. In the
following year he settled at Lawton, where
| for many years he was engaged in the man
ufacture of lumber
An Odd Fellows social under the auspices