The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-23
JOHN B. BHBRO DEAD
 AT HOME M TUSKEGEE
Nonogenarian Citizen, Whose Life Was One of Good Deeds. Passes Away Treasurer
 of Macon County.
of Macon County.

Tuskegee. Dec. 22--(SpeciaD Hon, John Bergman Bilbro. e4 years old, treasurer of Macon County and af- fectionately known as the Father or Tuskegee," died at hie home here ct an early hour this morning.
 The end was expected and many Of his relatives were at his bedside when 1t came.
 Mir. Bllbro was a son of Ben3an1tn Bilbro and was born In Petersburg, Va. December 2s. 1874. Had he lived six days more he would have rounded out 94 years on the pilgrimage of 'iife.
 It was his misfortune to lose his mother in his infancy. and he never knew full we'll the benefit of mothers love. His father died when he was but a youth and he retained but little recollection Of him
 After his fathers death he was taken into the home of relatives, with whom he remained but a few years. when ne started out in the world to care Tor himself.
 His educational advantages were limited to the common school system that prevailed throughout the eoGn- try 100 years ego. Having determine. tion and indo nitable will, he acquired sufficient ed cation in his youth upon which to erect an intellectual fitness for the most weighty responsibilities of life He grew with the times. and as the years went by he strengthened in character. noble purpose, manly re- solve and Christian excellence
 He found his way into business life in Columbus. Ga. Shortly after his ar rival thsras he attended q great re- 1isious revival at the| old st. Luke Methodist Church in 1886, at which meeting he was happily converted. His conversion was thorough. genuine and lasting. It was the pivotal point in his life. It turned his entire sub seQuent career In the walks Of rfRhte- ousness and great Christian usefulness. No stain was ever upon his shield his Christian character was always far above the slightest touch of suspicion,
 On Nov. 2f. 1887 he married near Talbotton. Ga. Miss Annie Lnmpkin Rutiedge. great granddaughter of John Rutiedge, GoveFnor Of South Car olina. From this happy union sixteen children were born. only six Of whom survive. They are Judge ' 4. Rilbro of Gadsden, Rev. I. F Bflbro of Lfv- of the Lexington Railway Company of Lexington, Ky; Mrs. M. E. Pope Of this city, widow of Henry B. Pope, to whom she was married in Rome. Ga.; Mrs. Ida B.. CasseIs, wife of T. Nj. Cassals of Gadsden. and Miss Nellie 6NApf0 or Lni9 GfEy.
 Mir. Bilbro was 8 United States sol. died in the Mexican war, and for hon. orary service he was q pensioner of the Federal Government up to his death. He gave three sons to the Confederate cause. They were mem bers of General Lees army in vir- ginia. Two Of them were killed in battle. The other. Judge Bilbro, sur. wives.
 In 1s41 Mir. Btlbro moved to Tuske. geo. and had ever since resided here. For nearly a half century he held of- flee in the county. The past twenty four years he was County Treasurer. and since his first election he had been continuously reelected without oupo- sition. fys. ss4 ssss
 Mr. Enbro visited more sick ehan any one in the county. For a long number of years, down to the time he was unable to so about on account of his advanced age. it was his custom every morning before going to his bus mess to call at every home in the