Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1919-03-20
]. W. BASHFORD,
OLD WISCONSIN
RESIDENT, dies
Brother Of Former Judge R. M.
BashfOrd and Bishop of Meth:
odist Church in China

Bishop James Whitford Bashford
Methodist Episcopal bishop to China
for many years and a graduate Of
Wisconsin university, died at his
home in Pasadena, Calf, Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock aged 70 years.
He has been in poor health for sew
eral years.
Bishop Bashford was born in Fay
cite, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, on
May 29. 1849, and spent his early life
in a private school, tutored by Profes-
sor John B. Parkinson, who is now
ice-president Of the university and
professor emeritus, and was there pre-
pared for college. HE entered the
University of Wisconsin in the fall Of
1869, graduating with an A, B. degree
in 1873, and receiving his A. M. degree
in 1876 During his preparation for
his A. NJ. degree he acted as profes-
sor of Greek in the university.
In 1878 he married Jennie M. Field,
of Madison, a daughter of W. w. Field,
who was for some years the secretary
of the agricultural society Of WiscOn-
sin. The same year he was ordained
in the Methodist Episcopal ministry,
occupying pulpits in some of the larg-
est Methodist churches in the east, in
Guiding New York, Boston and Buffalo.
After refusing requests to become
president of several universities, he
accepted the chair at Ohio Wesleyan
university, with a salary of $4,000
year. In 1904 he was elected bishop
of the Methodist church and headed
nationwide conferences of the church
in that year and in 1906.
Oruanized Work of China Missions
During 1907 Bishop Bashford organ
lied the China centennial thank offer
ing which resulted in raising over
$60O,O toward missionary work in
China, and assisted in getting relief
workers to that country during the
famine in the latter part of the year.
Later that year he visited India on a
missionary tour and represented the
church at he worlds missionary con-
ference at Edinburgh, Scotland.
His work in China has earned him
the respect of the leading men OF the
world. His consultation has been
sought by crowned heads of China
and in nearly every proposed school
and church in that country during his
work there.
During his career in this country he
often made visits to his birthplace. In
1902 during one of these visits he
came to Madison and was strongly IA
yored as a candidate for president or
the university there. He made his
last visit to that city two years ago
and delivered an address in the arm
ory.
Mrs. Ellison of 5araboo a Sister
Bishop Bashford is survived by his
wife. who is in Pasadena, and niece,
Miss Marian Frank, of Sioux City, Ia,
who is a graduate student in the col
lege of letters and science in Madison
His mother was married three times,
union two children were born, VII
liam Parkinson of Minnesota and MRS.
Jane Ellison. $50 Second avenue, Bar
aboo. To the second union with Kew.
Samuel Bashford were born a daugh-
ter, who died many years ago, K. M
Bashford, former judge of the state
supreme court, and Bishop Bashford.
William Trousdale, deceased formerly
of Wingra park is the only child or
the third marriage with William
Trousdale, Sr. 1t was in honor of the
former Mr.. Trousdale that the Metho-
dist -Trousdale church at West Madl-
som was named.
Burial will occur at Pasadena on
Friday.
Bishop Bashford has spoken in Bar
aboo a number of times.