Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-03-15
DEATH OF JUDGE BIRD,
This Eminent Citizen Passed Away at
His Home in Jefferson Saturday
MOrning-Other Deaths.

| II ". DlIu, one OF U00
earliest citizens of Wisconsin, passed
away at his home in jefferson last Sat-
urday morning, aged nearly 80 years
He had an attack Of the grip early
in February, and had apparently
recovered, but being taken with a
relapse, paralysis of the throat set in,
from which he received no relief until
death came to claim him.
Judge Birds life was an unusually
eventtul one. Born in Oneida county.
New York, in 1919, he came to Mil
waukee in 1886, where he remained
until 1888. He then removed to
Madison, having brothers living in
Dane county. 1t is related of the
Bird family that while on the Journey
from Milwaukee to Madison, when
travel by team was necessarily slow
and tedious, the weather had been
unusually gloomy. On reaching what
Is now known as Sun Prairie the sun
came out in all the etfulgence of it's
pristine glory, the first glimpse the
party had of it for about ten days, and
| they then and there christened the
spot ''Sun Prairie, " one of the brothers
taking up his residence in that neigh
! borhOOd.
But the subject of this sketch made
his home in Madison, where he soon
became a prominent figure, and was
elected to represent the Madison dis
trict in the second session of the leo-
| islature. He was elected sheriff of
Dane county, and also register of deeds
! for two terms.
Judge Bird was one of the early
pioneers of California. but returned in
1852, and finally settled in the village
of Jefferson in 1854. Here he held
the Office of town clerk, member of
the board of supervisors, and was
thrice elected county Judge. For
many years Judge Bird practiced law,
and formed a cOpartnership with his
nephew, George w. Bird, shortly after
the young man was admitted to the
bar.
Judge Bird was twice married. his
| first wife being Antoinette Brayton,
by whom he had one child, now the
wife of R. B. Kirkland. His second
wife was Emily NJ. House, by whom he
had three children. OF late years
Judge Bird had endeavored to live a re-
tired life, but his townsmen would not
permit it, and insisted in keeping him
on the board Of supervisors, of which
body he was very useful member.
The funeral took place on Monday
afternoon, under the auspices of the
| Masonic fraternity.
The funeral services of Dennis
Peters, who died in Milwaukee last
Thursday, were held in St. Ber-
nard's church on Saturday morning
at o'clock. Mr.. Peters came here
from Milwaukee when quite young
boy, and was employed by Gen
eral Potter, who had the contract for
doing the grading on what is now
known as the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul railroad. His father died
when he was quite young, and many
Of our older residents will remember
him as Dennis Breen, his step-father's
name, but before reaching his ma
jority he resumed his family name.
Mr.. Peters finally left the employ of
General Potter, who regarded young
Peters as a member of the family.
After his return from Milwaukee he
engaged in the milling business at
! Lowell, and was afterwards one of the
prOprietors of the old Rough and
Ready flour mill. From here he went
| to Stevens Point, where he again en-
| gagged in the milling BUSINESS. Retir-
ing about ten years since he removed
with his family to Milwaukee. The
deceased is survived by his wife and
five daughters.
Mrs. Valentine West, who was
taken to Chicago some two weeks ago
| for medical treatment, died there last
Saturday, being unable to rally from
a surgical operation. The remains
reached here Monday evening and
were taken to the family home in the
town of Milford. The funeral services
will be held this morning at the Luth-
eran church in Milford and the inter
ment will be in Aztalan cemetery. Mrs.
| West had been a sufferer for a long
| GllHe before D6lnS taken TO chicago,
having had an operation performed
here. She is survived oy her husband
and eight children.
Mrs. Carrie l.. Hoag, formerly of
Waterloo, and mother-in-law of ex-
Superintendent of Schools j. A. Sheri-
dan, died in Milwaukee last Friday
evening.
Patrick O'Meara died at his home in
the town of Clyman last week, at the
age of 80 years. He was one of the
early settlers of Dodge county.
The funeral of Fred Strehlow took
place Saturday afternoon. The serv-
ices were held Ut | amanuel church.
Il have been afflicted with rheuma-
tisn for fourteen years and nothing
seemed to give any relief | was able to
be around all the time, but constantly
suffering. | had'tried everything | could
hear of and at last was told to try Cham
berlain's Pain Balm, which l did, and
was Immediately relieved and in short
time cured. l an happy to say that il