Whatcom County Obituaries

Surnames Beginning with "Ga-Gi"

GAASLAND, Ruth A. (d. 1925)

GALLEY, Martha J. (d. 1926)

Mrs. Martha J. Galley, 77, a member of the Christian church at Nelson, Neb., and for twenty-one years a Bellingham resident, died Monday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. W. Houghton, 3314 Northwest avenue. She is survived by one son, F. M. Galley; two daughters, Mrs. R. W. Houghton, Bellingham, and Mrs. Emma Singleton, Long Beach, Calif., and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Collins, Kansas, and Mrs. Anna Collins, Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held at Homer Mark’s mortuary on Thursday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Frank A. Butler officiating. Interment will follow in Lynden cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 22, 1926) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

GARDNER, George (d. 1919)

Mr. George Gardner, age 71 years, passed away at the family home, 2526 Kulshan street, Friday, August 15, after an illness of one year. Mr. Gardner had resided in Bellingham but a short time. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Parsons, Kans., serving in company 6, 152nd regiment, Indiana Infantry. He is survived by Mrs. Gardner, one son and three daughters, Mrs. Charles Gardner, Bellingham, Mrs. Nellie Mullinax, Parsons, Kans., Mrs. Myrtle Grimmett, Gerard, Ill., and Miss Lulu Gardner, of Bellingham. The remains are being cared for at the funeral parlors of Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street, where funeral services will be held Sunday, August 17, at 2:30 o'clock p. m., with Rev. Samuel Brown officiating. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery, according to the ritualistic burial service of the G. A. R., conducted by the members of the J. B. Steedman Post, No. 24, of Bellingham.
(From The Bellingham Herald, August 16, 1919) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARDNER, John D. (d. 1914)

John D. Gardner, for 30 years a resident of this county, passed away at his home here Tuesday afternoon at one o'clock, after an illness of several months. Throughout his sickness he suffered patiently until the last few hours when he entered into unconsciousness. The funeral services were held from the home yesterday afternoon, Rev. Hartley officiating.

John D. Gardner was born in Deposit, New York state, on August 31, 1848, and was 65 years, 6 months and 10 days old at his death. When but 15 years of age he enlisted in the Civil War as an orderly and saw much active service. Later he served with the Texas Rangers on the frontier. Thirty years ago he came to Whatcom county and has resided here since, for many years on a ranch in what is now Delta township. In May, 1904, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Chamberlain, who, with a step-son, Henry Chamberlain, survives him. John D. Gardner was noted for his numerous acts of friendship, many of them known only to those friends closely acquainted with him, and was a faithful friend at all times.
(From The Blaine Journal, March 13, 1914) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARDNER, Lizzie (d. 1920)

MRS. LIZZIE M. GARDNER ANSWERS FINAL SUMMONS

Mrs. Gardner passed away at 9:15 o'clock last Saturday morning after a lingering illness. Death was due to cancer from which the most expert medical attention and treatment failed to give relief. For the past few weeks she was a great sufferer and the final summons came as a release. Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock with Rev. O. Congdon officiating and barial was made in the Blaine cemetery. Lizzie M. Gardner was born in Holyoke, Mass., Sept. 12, 1861. She lived there until about 16 years ago, when she came west and was married to J. D. Gardner, from some years deceased. She is survived by one grandson, Henry Gardner Chamberlain, aged 13 months.
(From The Blaine Journal, May 14, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARLAND, Frances A. (d. 1912)

Frances A. Garland, age 76 years, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Myrtle E. Rasey, 3208 Julia avenue, South Bellingham, at 1:30 o'clock this morning, death being due to the infirmities of age. Mrs. Garland came to this city from Sand Point, Idaho, eleven years ago. She is survived by one daughter, at whose home she died, and three sons, Charles W. and James A. Garland, of this city, and Newell Garland, whose home is in Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Garland also leaves nineteen grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren, residing in various sections of this country. The body lies at the parlors of Mock & Hill, 1055 Elk street. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 23, 1912)

GARMO, Ada (d. 1907)

Ada Garmo, aged 21 years, wife of Nicholas Garmo, who resides near Goshen, this county, died at St. Joseph's Hospital last evening at 6 o'clock of septicaemia. Mrs. Garmo is survived by her husband and a boy baby but twelve days old, also by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Henke, and three sisters, residents of this county. The body of Mrs. Garmo lies at the receiving room of W. H. Mock & Sons in the Maple Block. Interment will be made in the Lawrence Cemetery next Saturday.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, May 23, 1907) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARNETT, Frank (d. 1905)

Frank Garnett died suddenly and apparently without warning last evening. A burning electric lamp in his room is evidence that he may have been out of bed but a short time before his death. When Coroner Thompson arrived he pronounced death as due to fatty degeneration of the heart. Garnett weighed 412 pounds. He retired at between 10 and 11 o'clock Sunday night, and as it was his habit to sleep a large part of the day little attention was paid to his absence. About 7:30 o'clock the porter in Doc & Dick's lodging house made inquiry for Garnett, search followed and he was found dead in his room. The electric lamp in the room was burning, the man's blood was warm. The taking-off had apparently been sudden, and Dr. Thompson, coroner, was summoned. The inference, from the electric light and the temperature of his person points that death came shortly after dark.

Garnett was born with a predisposition to fattiness, and of late years he had suffered from a superfluity of fat, which continually increased. Last November was the first time, so far as his friends know, that he treated his disease as such. He then sought medical skill in Seattle. Leaving there after a short stay he went to Harrison hot springs, where he remained but three weeks. Returning to this city on December 31, he took lodgings over Doc & Dick's saloon on Holly street. Garnett was about fifty years of age and is not known to have any relatives. He has resided here for several years, several people remembering him in Bellingham six years ago. He was a piledriver engineer and last season was employed by the N. A. F. company at Anacortes. Garnett was the victim of a constant drowsiness, if he sat down for a moment he was sure to fall asleep. It was not unusual for him to sleep in bed throughout the twenty-four hours. The body was removed to A. R. Maulsby's undertaking parlors for embalming. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, February 7, 1905) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARON, John (d. 1911)

GARRIS, Jacob (d. 1907)

Enterprise Man Killed by Horse

At his home near Enterprise, Jacob Garrish [sic], one of the most prominent ranchers in the northwestern part of this county, was kicked by a horse at 9 o’clock last night and died at 2 o’clock this morning. The details of the accident could not be located, but it is stated that the man’s arm was broken, and he sustained internal injuries. When he was taken to the house a Ferndale doctor was summoned, who placed him under the influence of an aesthetic from which he did not recover. Mr. Garrish was about 60 years of age and had been a resident of this county for nearly thirty years. He leaves three daughters, two of whom live in this city, and two sons. Fred Garrish has been in the employ of the Whatcom County Railway and Light company for some time, and the other son is at home. The deceased was a veteran of the Civil war.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 18, 1907) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

GARRISON, Gertrude (d. 1929)

Mrs. G. G. Garrison, aged 71 years, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. Morrison, in Vancouver, B.C. Sunday evening, January 20, after a lingering illness. Mrs. Garrison had been a resident of Bellingham for the past twenty-eight years and leaves many friends to mourn her passing. Survivors, other than Mrs. Morrison, are two daughters, Mr. L. A. Reid, also of Vancouver, B.C., and Mrs. T. E. Collins, of this city; two sons, C. W. Garrison, Los Angeles; and A. L. Garrison, Seattle; one sister, Mrs. H. Hicks, Sumas, and sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The remains will be received by the Hollingsworth-Dahlquist Funeral Home Monday evening, January 21, where funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon, January 22, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Charles MacCaughey officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 21, 1929) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

GARRISON, Isaac (d. 1918)

Isaac Garrison, aged 73 years, passed away at his home on the Marietta road, Bellingham R. F. D. No. 2, at a late hour Monday, September 23, after an illness of only a few days. Mr. Garrison had resided at the place of death about four years and in Whatcom county for fourteen years. He was a soldier of the Confederate army and a member of the Baptist church, and leaves a large circle of friends who will deeply mourn his loss. Those who survive are Mrs. Garrison, three sons and four daughters, A. L. and C. W. Garrison, of Seattle; U. S. Garrison, of Bellingham; Mrs. Lottie Miller, Elizabeth, W. Va.; Mrs. J. J. Black, Seattle; Mrs. Earle Morrison and Mrs. Laura Leach, of Vancouver, B. C. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 25, at 2:30 o'clock p.m., from the funeral parlors of Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street, with Rev. Samuel L. Brown officiating. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 24, 1918) Submitted by site coordinator.

GARVIN, George Henry (d. 1937)

Funeral services for George Henry Garvin, aged 76 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Evelyn Garvin, who passed away at the family home, Deming, Wash., Friday afternoon, February 12, after a five months' illness were held in the Cathedral Chapel of the Homer Mark Mortuary this afternoon, February 15, at 2 o'clock, with the Rev. J. W. Frazier, pastor of the Nazarene church, officiating, followed by cremation. Mr. Garvin had been a resident of Deming for the past thirty-eight years. He leaves to survive besides his widow, three daughters, Miss Anita Garvin, Miss Louise Garvin and Miss Jennie Garvin; three sons, Max Garvin, Wayne Garvin and David Garvin; one one step-son, George Durbin, all at the family home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 15, 1937) Submitted by Debbie deHoog

GASKILL, Millard D. (d. 1918)

Funeral services were held July 4 for the late Millard David Gaskill, who passed away Wednesday at his home. The Rev. Judson Weeks conducted the services in the presence of many friends. Mr. Gaskill was born near Oswego, N. Y., August 20, 1866. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Wisconsin, and a few years later, he moved to Doland, S. D. He was married at Redfield, S. D. on Dec. 21, 1892 to Anna McGhee. Two children, Roderick M., and Walter C. were born to them. In 1908 (sic), they moved to Cecil, Kansas, when they lived seven years. In 1908 (sic), they moved to Lynden, where they have since resided. He united with the Baptist Church when a youth, and his life was always honorable and upright before all men. Mr. Gaskill leaves besides his widow and children, three brothers and one sister. One brother resides at Sumas, the rest in New York.
(From The Lynden Tribune, July 11, 1918) Submitted by site coordinator.

GATES, Carolina (d. 1925)

The death of Carolina C. Gates, wife of Harry A. Gates, of Kulshan, occurred at a local hospital in Bellingham on Monday night, June 15, after an illness of about six months. Funeral services were held at the Church of the Assumption; Bellingham, on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, Rev. Father Barrett officiating. The funeral was under the direction of Arthur C. Harlow and the remains were interred in the Welcome cemetery, followed by a long line of automobiles carrying friends of the family.

Carolina C. Riddle was born in Texas October 30, 1877. She came to Washington with her parents in 1887 and settled near Welcome. In 1891 she was united in marriage to Harry A. Gates at Welcome and they have resided in that vicinity ever since. Mrs. Gates is survived by her husband, Harry A. Gates; two sons, Guy and Harry Gates; four daughters, Mrs. Anna Kline, Etta, Dorothy and Susan Gates; nine grandchildren and one brother, Turner Riddle of Deming. The sorrowing family have the heartfelt sympathy of a host of friends in this vicinity.
(From The Deming Prospector, June 19, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.

GATES, Lucinda A. (d. 1931)

Mrs. Lucinda A. Gates, beloved wife of Michael J. Gates, passed away at her home a few miles northeast of Deming on Saturday morning, June 6, at the age of 76 years. She had been ill for several months. The surviving relatives, besides her husband are, one daughter, Mrs. G. M. Gay, Deming; one step-daughter, Mrs. Cyrus T. Gates, Deming; two step-sons, George T. Gray, Fallen Timber, Pa. and Chas. W. Gray, West Virginia; four half brothers, residing in the East; seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Mrs. Gates had resided in Deming for the past thirty-three years, during which time she had made many friends who join us in offering sympathy to the bereaved relatives. Funeral services were held at the Homer Mark Mortuary in Bellingham on Monday, June 8, at 2:30, the Rev. Earl Hanson Fife, pastor of the First Christian church, and interment was made in the family plot in Nooksack cemetery.
(From The Deming Prospector, June 12, 1931) Submitted by site coordinator.

GATES, Samuel F. (d. 1893)

Death of Comrade S. F. Gates

After suffering a long time with lingering consumption, S. F. Gates quietly and painlessly passed away at 9:30 o’clock last evening at his home, corner of Henry and Jefferson streets. He was 59 years old, an ex-union soldier and member of J. B. Steadman Post, G. A. R., and leaves a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. The youngest of the children is 15 years old, four of them are married, three of them are boys and five girls, all residing in this city. Mr. Gates owned 146 acres of valuable land opposite Reveille island on Lake Whatcom and also the property on Henry street. J. B. Steadman post will meet at 1 o’clock, p.m., sharp, tomorrow at the post rooms on E street, for the purpose of making preparations for the funeral, which takes place at 2 o’clock from the First M. E. church on I street.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, March 3, 1893) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

GAUDETTE, Edmund L. (d. 1916)

As he was on the point of leaving St. Joseph's hospital for his home on Eldridge avenue yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock, Edmund L. Gaudette, wealthy lumberman of Bellingham and South Bend, and a resident of this city for twenty-seven years, was stricken by apoplexy and died within a few minutes. He had been confined in the hospital several days as the result of a billous attack, which visited him while he was transacting business at the courthouse last Wednesday, and had so far recovered as to prepare to go to his home. At the moment he was stricken his sister, Mrs. George Cartier, of South Bend, was waiting for him outside the hospital in the lumberman's automobile. The stroke came just as the Mother Superior was handing Mr. Gaudette his personal effect. He was 58 years of age. The funeral will be held at the Church of the Assumption Friday morning at 10 o'clock the Rev. Father Barrett officiating. Interment will take place in Bay View cemetery.

Mr. Gaudette was one of the best known lumbermen and loggers in Washington and also one of the wealthiest, his holdings including 1,000 acres of timber lands in Whatcom county and extensive mill and timber interest in the South Bend country. In the latter place he was associated with his brother-in-law, George R. Cartier, as president of the South Bend Mills & Timber company. These two had owned the Simpson mill there for the last ten years and next to the Weyerhaeuser Timber company, they were the largest individual holders of timber in Pacific county. Mr. Gaudette began logging in Whatcom county soon after his arrival here from Grand Haven, Mich., twenty-seven years ago, at which time he was 31 years of age. He was the first man to ship logs over the Bellingham & Eastern, now a part of the Northern Pacific. Within recent years he sold two tracts of his local timber holdings to the Bloedel Donovan Lumber mills for approximately $200,000. In his business deals Mr. Gaudette was noted for his honesty. By disposition he was retiring. He was a warm friend of Bellingham and it is believed it was his desire to remain here permanently after his retirement from active business. He has a handsome residence of Eldridge avenue and though he was away from the city the greater part of his time within late years, he always regarded Bellingham as his home.

Associated with the deceased man in many business deals, J. J. Donovan in speaking of the passing of Mr. Gaudette said, "Anyone could count it worth while to know Edmund L. Gaudette. I had known him for many years. When he began logging operations on Lake Whatcom, Mr. Bloedel and myself soon came to know him well. We hauled his logs to salt water and disposed of them for him. Naturally, we became close friends. In fact it was largely because of watching Mr. Gaudette's success in the logging and timber business that Mr. Bloedel and I decided to go into that business ourselves. In every business transaction I ever held with Mr. Gaudette I found him to be honest, square and upright. When he gave his word on anything, that settled it for one count count on it absolutely.

Surviving the deceased man are his wife; three sisters, Mrs. George Cartier, of South Bend, Mrs Vila Crosby, Seattle, and Mrs. J. S. Antonelle, of Los Angeles; one brother, Robert Gaudette, of Idaho. Mrs. Crosby and her daughter, were frequent visitors at the Gaudette home on Eldridge avenue. Mrs. Cartier came up from South Bend last Friday.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 10, 1916) Submitted by site coordinator.

GAUDETTE, Laura M. (d. 1925)

Widow of Pioneer Lumberman Called
Lived Here For Thirty-Five Years. Mrs. Laura M. Gaudette, widow of E. L. Gaudette, widely known lumberman of Bellingham, who died in this city on May 9, 1916, was summoned at St. Joseph's hospital at 1:30 o'clock this morning, after a long illness. She was taken to the hospital a month ago from her beautiful home at 2736 Eldridge avenue. Mrs. Gaudette had lived in Bellingham thirty-five years. she was born at Norville, Mich., and was 56 years old on January 15, 1925. Her parents emigrated to the United States from Ireland. Mrs. Gaudette was a devoted member of the Church of the Assumption. Relatives surviving Mrs. Gaudette include one sister, Mrs. Martha M. McEmber, Ludington, Mich.; two brothers, Frank Moran and John Moran, Grand Rapids, Mich.; nephew, E. L. McCullouth, and niece, Miss Ruth McCullouch, both of Bellingham. Funeral services for Mrs. Gaudette will be held at the Church of the Assumption at 10 a. m. Saturday, with the Rev. Father James F. Barrett officiating. The funeral cortege will leave for Mount Calvary cemetery, Seattle, following the service, with Arthur C. Harlow in charge.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 25, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.

GAWLEY, Thomas R. (d. 1928)

Captain Thomas R. Gawley, aged 66 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Mattie L. Gawley and father of Robert A. Gawley, passed away at a local hospital at an early hour last evening, Tuesday, June 19, after a brief illness. Captain Gawley retired to his ranch and private life four years ago, after twenty-five years spent on the waters of Puget Sound and Alaska. He was a member of the Bellingham Bay lodge No. 44, F. & A. M., and the Master Mates and Pilots' association of Seattle. Besides his immediate family he leaves to survive, one brother, Hector Gawley, this city; three sisters, Mrs. G. G. Pike, city; Mrs. John Chamberlin, Beach, Lummi Island, and Mrs. W. D. Patch, of Wiser, Idaho. The remains are resting at the Arthur C. Harlow Mortuary Home, Forest at Holly, and funeral announcements will be made at a later date.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 20, 1928)

GAWLEY, William J. (d. 1935)

GAZLEY, James F. (d. 1923)

J. F. GAZLEY, G. A. R. MEMBER, IS CALLED James F. Gazley, aged 74 years and a resident of Bellingham for the past thirty years, passed away at a local hospital Saturday evening, after an illness of several months. Surviving him are two sisters, Miss Minnie Gazley, and Mrs. George Riddle, of Roseburg, Oregon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 22, at 2 o'clock p. m. at the chapel of Arthur C. Harlow, 1055 Elk street, with the Rev. Jorgenson, of the Fairhaven Methodist church, officiating, after which interment will be made in Bay View Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 20, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.

GAZLEY, Martha E. (d. 1912)

Mrs. Martha E. Gazley, aged 57 years, passed away Sunday, January 28, at the family residence, 1008 Twelth street, after an illness of many months. Mrs. Gazley, with her husband, has been a resident of Bellingham for the last five years, where she has made many friends. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, holding her membership in California. The surviving relatives are: Husband, Mr. J. F. Gazley; two sons, E. L. Hudson, of Lampoc, Cal.; W. W. Hudson, of Myrtle Creek, Ore.; one daughter, Miss Louise Hudson, Bellingham; one sister, Mrs. B. Lynch of the Dalles, Ore. The remains will be taken to Riddles, Ore., for interment, leaving Wednesday, January 31, accompanied by members of the family. They are being cared for at the funeral parlors of Undertaker Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street, where same can be viewed by friends Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, January 30 and 31
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 30, 1912) Submitted by Barbara Lynch.

GEE, John M. (d. 1898)

GEER, Jonas (d. 1896)

GEERY, Abraham (d. 1907)

Abraham Geery died at his home in this city at 5:45 last Tuesday morning. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock and the remains were laid to rest in the Blaine cemetery. Mr. Geery was born in Belfast, Ireland, September 18, 1831 and when three years of age came to America with his parents. They settled in Green County, Illinois, where Mr. Geery resided until he came to Blaine in 1890. In 1862 Mr. Geery was married to Elizabeth Pinkerton. To this union three daughters were born, all of whom survive their father. In 1874 Mr. Geery married again, to the wife who survives him. Mr. Geery was a strong character - a man who believed in persons thinking as they pleased, and by those who knew him best, was considered a good friend and bad enemy. The funeral was conducted by George H. Westcott, who knew the good qualities possessed by Mr. Geery.
(From The Blaine Journal, May 17, 1907) Submitted by site coordinator.

GEERY, Elizabeth (d. 1910)

Mrs. Elizabeth Geery passed away Wednesday at 12 o'clock noon at her home here, after an illness of many weeks and great suffering. The cause of her death was old age. The deceased was 79 years and 15 days of age at the time of her death, and had resided in this city for about 22 years. Her husband preceded her just three years ago. Three brothers, A. Warren, of this city; D. M. Warren, of Denver, Colo., and Rev. W. F. Warren, of the California conference; and one sister, Mrs. W. M. Hopkins, of Olympia, survive her. The deceased was the mother of four children, all of whom are dead. Three of the children grew to manhood and womanhood and four grandchildren are still living. The funeral services were held in the M. E. church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. C. B. Seely, and the remains laid to rest in the Blaine cemetery.
(From The Blaine Journal, May 6, 1910) Submitted by site coordinator.

GEIST, Charles W. (d. 1926)

C. W. Geist, Veteran, Passes Funeral services for C. W. Geist, Civil War veteran, who passed away at Orting Thursday last at the age of 80 years, were held Sunday afternoon at the Congregational church with Rev. G. W. Churchill conducting and Undertaker H. B. Potter in charge of arrangements. Deceased is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs. E. A. Bullock of Blaine, and Mrs. Schneider of Seattle; also two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Geist resided in Blaine many years and had many warm friends here.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, August 12, 1926) Submitted by site coordinator.

GEIST, Olive R. (d. 1936)

Mrs. Olive R. Gist [sic], a long-time resident of Blaine, died early today in a Bellingham hospital at the age of 80 years. She has been in poor health for some time. Surviving relatives include a brother and sister in California, a brother in South Dakota, two daughters, Mrs. Earle Bullock, of Bellingham, and Mrs. Dick Schneider, of Seattle; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in the McKinney & Chapel here Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock with the Rev. J. M. Bridges officiating. Burial will occur in the Blaine cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 17, 1936) Submitted by Barbara Lynch.

GELEYNSE, Bartel (d. 1919)

B. Geleynse, father of John and Leonard Geleynse, passed away suddenly Sunday morning, just after he had stepped out of the door to go to church. He dropped to the floor of the porch, where he was found by the family, who were following him to services. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Christian Reformed Church, the Rev. E. Breen officiating. Mr. Geleynse was born on Oct. 21, 1839 at Haanstede, Province Zeeland, Holland. He moved to Lynden from Monarch, Alberta, and was in the best of health in spite of his advanced age. He leaves to mourn his loss two sons, John and Leonard, and six grandchildren -- Barted [Bartel], Dena, Marinus, Peter, Katie, Lena and Dick.
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 9, 1919) Submitted by site coordinator.

GELEYNSE, Marinus (d. 1944)

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Second Christian Reformed Church for Marinus Geleynse, who passed away Saturday in a Bellingham hospital. He was 49 years old. The final rites were conducted by the Rev. W. Groen, former pastor of the Second Christian Reformed Church, now in Seattle, and interment was made in the Monumenta Cemetery under the direction of the Gillies Funeral Home. Mr. Geleynse, who had been a resident of the Lynden district for the past 27 years, is survived by the widow, Alice; three daughters, Mrs. William Bierlink, Rt. 2, Everson, Mrs. Arie Bovenkamp, Rt. 2, Lynden, and Helen, at home; one son, John, in the Army Air Forces; two sisters, Mrs. Cornelia Kooy in Alberta, and Mrs. Ren De Boer, Rt. 1, Lynden; three brothers, Bert, Rt. 2, Everson, Pete, Rt. 1, Lynden, and Dick of Lynden; and one granddaughter. Mrs. Kooy came from Alberta to attend the funeral and Sergt. arie Bovenkamp, son-in-law of Mr. Geleynse, obtained an emergency 7-day leave from his California station to attend the services. Sergeant Bovenkamp arrived by plane from San Francisco Monday. Private First Class John Geleynse arrived home on leave recently from Arizona when his father became ill, and was here for the funeral. Mr. Geleynse had a host of friends in the Lynden district. He was a member of the Second Christian Reformed Church and the Washington Co-Operative Egg and Poultry Association, and was active in community affairs of the Lynden district.
(From The Lynden Tribune, June 22, 1944) Submitted by site coordinator.

GENUNG, Catherine (d. 1903)

GENZEL/GENZIL, Adaline (d. 1917)

Funeral services were held last Wednesday for Mrs. Adaline Genzil who passed away last week at the family home at the age of 58. Services were conducted at the home in the presence of many friends by the Rev. Paul Ashby. Interment was in Greenwood cemetery. Mrs. Genzil was born in Germany Apr. 27, 1858. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Maneval, a son, Henry Genzil and two grandchildren.
(From The Lynden Tribune, March 1, 1917) Submitted by site coordinator.

GEORGE, Abel (d. 1906)

PIONEER DIES AT FERNDALE

Abel George, an Indian war veteran and an old pioneer, died at his home here this morning at 5 o'clock. He crossed the plains in 1845, and first settled in Yamhill county, Oregon, and during the time of the Indian wars of 1855-1856 was captain of Company B, Oregon volunteers and led many battles. He has been on the Coast since the year 1845, and had resided in the State of Washington about twenty-two years, and in Ferndale the past fourteen years.

When first coming to the Coast, the deceased lived on Rogue River and Willamette valleys, Oregon; he then moved to Washington, where he has resided ever since. During the gold excitement in California in 1849 he was a prominent figure. One brother survives him of a family of four brothers and three sisters. The brother, John George, who is 84 years of age, lives in Ferndale. The deceased leaves a widow, one son and one daughter, William T. George, of Sumner, Wash., and Mrs. A. J. Rounds, of Ferndale, Wash., and seven grandchildren. Hon. M. C. George, of Portland, Ore., is a cousin of the deceased. The funeral will be held under the auspices of the Masons. The time will be announced later. Mr. George was one of the first to help to organize Mason Multnomah lodge, in the year 1856, and had been a member of the lodge ever since. At the time the lodge was organized, Oregon and Washington was one territory.
(From The Bellingham Herald, August 11, 1906) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

GEORGE, Elizabeth S. (d. 1910)

Another one of the oldest and first pioneers has passed away. Grandma George died in this city at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A. J. Rounds, Wednesday morning, June 1st, 1910. Elizabeth S. Thurston was born in Genesee County, New York, on the 24th day of July, 1828. She crossed the plains and came to Oregon in 1845. She was married to Abel George on June 24, 1849, continuing her residence in Oregon for forty years, when she left that state and came to Ferndale, in the year 1889. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. George, of whom Mrs. A. J. Rounds is the sole survivor.

Deceased was among the first to plant the flag on the Pacific Coast. She had spent 65 years of pioneer life in the great Northwest. Wild and weird and full of hardships, dangers and deprivations were the early days of her life on this coast. The memoirs of her life if properly kept would form an interesting page in the history of our country. After 83 years of devotion to duty this estimable old lady passed to the beyond in a painless death, caused by senile decay. The funeral took place Thursday. It was largely attended, and the interment was at Enterprise Cemetery.
(From The Ferndale Record, June 3, 1910) Submitted by site coordinator.

GEORGE, Georgianna (d. 1908)

Georgianna George, aged 68 years, a widow, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Martha Blair, 2415 Williams Street, yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. Mrs. George came to this city eight years ago from California. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Martha Blair and Mrs. Ada Eggleston, of 2616 Meridian Street; two brothers, Wilson Bentley, a resident of Whatcom County, and Edwin Bentley, who lives in the State of Minnesota, also three sisters and three brothers, who reside in various parts of the East. Mrs. George was a member of the First Baptist Church at the time of her death. The body lies at the private receiving room of W. H. Mock & Sons in the Maple Block. The funeral announcement will appear later.
(From The Morning Reveille, July 9, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.

GERARD, William (d. 1922)

WM. GERARD CALLED; FORMER CHIEF OF VETERANS William Gerard, past commander of J. B. Steedman Post, No. 24, G. A. R., died this morning at his home, 2445 Lafayette street, at the age of 77 years, lacking six days. He had lived in Bellingham 25 years and had held various offices in the Washington and Alaska department of the G. A. R. He was a member of the Church of the Assumption and of Elks' Lodge, No. 194. He was born in Michigan in 1845. The body is at the home. Funeral announcements will be made tomorrow by Arthur C. Harlow. Interment will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The survivors are the widow, Mrs. Josephine Gerard, ten sons and daughters, as follows: Mrs. Paulusina Maria Polinson, San Francisco; Will H. Gerard and Lux J. Gerard, Lake Samish; P. Adolphus Gerard, Bellingham; Chas. Richard Gerard, New Westminster, B. C.; Ferdinand F. Gerard, North Bellingham; I. P. Newton Gerard, Friday Harbor; Emma Louise Gerard, Seattle; Estelle Rose Gerard, Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. E. Lindsey, an adopted daughter, of Bay City, Mich. One brother, Charles Gerard, of Boon City, Mich. also survives.

Mr. Gerard enlisted from Oceana county, Mich., on April 4, 1863, and was mustered into service at Coldwater, Mich., on May 7, 1863, as a private in Company I, 9th Regiment Michigan Volunteer cavalry. This regiment took part in the campaign against Morgan in Kentucky. Eventually it reached Atlanta, marching with Sherman's army, and participated in numerous scouting and foraging expeditions. The regiment was mustered out at Concord, N. C., July 21, 1865. Mr. Gerard was constantly with the regiment during this time and bore a gallant part in all its engagements. For twelve years after his discharge from the army he was a lighthouse keeper on Lake Michigan. Mr. Gerard was a genial character and leaves many warm friends.
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 16, 1922) Submitted by site coordinator.

GERBER, Fredericka (d. 1925)

Mrs. Fredericka Gerber, aged 57 years, passed away at the family home, 1523 Iowa street, late Sunday evening, May 31, after a residence in Bellingham of twenty-three years. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Anna Frosberg, Portland, Ore.; Mrs. William Graham, Mrs. Marie Hendricks, Miss Betty Gerber and Miss Margaret Gerber, Bellingham; four sons, Carl, Frank, Joseph and Jack, all of this city; two brothers, Conrad Berner and Jacob Berner of California, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Kock, in Wyoming; besides seven grandchildren. She was a member of the German Lutheran church. The body is resting at the Harlow mortuary home, Holly and Forest streets, where funeral services will be held at a time to be announced later.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 1, 1925) Image

GERECKE, Carl (d. 1903)

GERMAIN, Allaster M. (d. 1929)

A. M. Germain, for 44 years a resident of the Nooksack vicinity, passed away last Thursday, after several months illness, leaving his wife, Mrs. Annie Berg Germain, one son, Archie, of Anacortes, and two grandchildren, Grace and Clarence Germain. He was born in Maitland, Nova Scotia, on May 21 or 26, 1853. After leaving his native country he spent several years in various places along the Pacific coast, finally settling in Nooksack in 1884, where he married Miss Annie Berg in 1887. A nephew, Will McClelland, and wife, of Seattle, and his cousins, Will Thomas of Chehalis, Herbert Thomas and son, Mrs. George Hamilton, of Seattle, came up to attend the funeral, which was held Sunday afternoon in the Advent church, with interment in the Nooksack cemetery. The Reverend Mr. Hayward and Doctor Larkin conducted the services. Beside his family, Mr. Germain is survived by his four brothers, two residing in Nova Scotia, C. F. of Berkeley, Calif., and David L. of Nooksack; one sister, Mrs. J. H. McClelland of Saskatoon, Sask. He was a gently, kindly man, who will be missed by many friends.
(From The Nooksack Sentinel, May 30 & June 6, 1929) Submitted by site coordinator.

GERMAN, Ivy May (d. 1999)

A funeral for Ivy May German of Bellingham will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Greenacres Funeral Home. Mrs. German died Tuesday, March 2, 1999, at Sehome Park Care Center. She was 97. A lifelong Whatcom County resident, she was born Aug. 23, 1901, to Alvin and Lucy McRea Allen in Kendall and attended Columbia Valley Grade School. On Sept. 14, 1919, she married John German in Columbia Valley. He died in 1963. She volunteered for the Red Cross Gray Ladies and RSVP and enjoyed drawing, sewing, crocheting, gardening and traveling. Survivors include daughters Gail Elsbree of Port Angeles and Gladys Seton of Port Townsend; seven grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.
Submitted by Dianne Bird

GERRY, Edson (d. 1904)

Pioneer Resident and Civil War Veteran Laid at Rest. The funeral services over the remains of Major Edson Gerry were solemnized yesterday afternoon at the funeral parlors of A. R. Maulsby. Rev. J. N. Smith, of the Christian church, officiated at the chapel, after which the members of the G. A. R. and the Ladies' Circle of the G. A. R. took charge and held special services at the grave. A large number of people were in attendance, including members of the above orders. A few days before his death, the deceased realize that he had not long to live, and therefore he put his business affairs in order and made all the arrangements for his burial. Mr. Gerry had a special hymn which he favored over all others, and at his special request before his death the words and music of the old, everlasting song, "Nearer My God to Thee," were sung by a choir of voices, which, combined with the solemn services of the gray-haired veteran of the G. A. R. made the occasion a memorable one. It was also at his request that Rev. Smith officiated and that the services were held in the chapel. Henry E. Gerry, the son of the deceased, living in Chicago, was unable to attend the funeral, being confined to his bed by sickness.
(From The Daily Reveille, March 12, 1904) Copied by Merrily Lawson.

GERRY, George H. (d. 1933)

Rev. George Harvey Gerry, aged 80 years, retired Methodist minister, beloved husband of Mrs. Georgia C. Gerry, passed away at the family home, 1242 James street, Sunday morning, March 26, after a few days' illness. Rev. Gerry was an active member of the Garden Street Methodist church and Men's Bible class, and of Mount Baker Klan No. 19, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, and had resided in Bellingham for the past four years, moving here from Michigan, where is first work as pastor was in the Grand Traverse district in 1912. Surviving relatives besides his widow are one stepson, Henry W. Westerman, city; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Vern Smith, city; one sister, and two brothers residing in Hudson, Mich. Funeral services will be held at the Homer Mark mortuary Thursday afternoon, March 30, at 3 o'clock with the Rev. T. W. Jeffrey, pastor of Garden Street Methodist church officiating. Cremation will follow at the Homer Mark moratorium.

GERRY, Nora E. (d. 1904)

GESCHKE, Caroline (d. 1940)

GETSEY, John F. (d. 1931)

Final rites were held Sunday for John F. Getsey, 68, a resident of the Everson district for the last three and a half years, who passed away Saturday, Knapp and Knapp had charge of funeral arrangements. The Rev. Wilson of Everson officiated. Mr. Getsey was born in Illinois on July 27, 1862. He began railroading at the age of thirteen as a newsboy, and he continued that occupation until Sept. 15, 1927, when he retired on a pension because of heart trouble. During his twenty-six years of continuous service, he was on railroad trains in practically all of the wester half of the United States. He was a member of the Spokane Lodge of the Order of Railroad Conductors. In 1927, he located near Everson where he purchased a farm in partnership with his stepson, Louis Bruemmer. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Bertha Getsey, two daughters in California, a stepdaughter at Oroville, Washington, and his stepson Louis Bruemmer, who resides at the family home.
(From The Lynden Tribune, February 19, 1931) Submitted by site coordinator.

GHUMM, Herman N. (d. 1930)

GIBBS, James F. (d. 1919)

J. F. Gibbs passed away in Bellingham last Sunday night. His condition had been growing slowly worse until the last day he lapsed into unconsciousness and never revived. Death was due to complications resulting from heart trouble. The deceased was compelled to give up his work as foreman at the Morrison mill here a year or so ago because of over work, which had resulted in an enlarged heart. It was believed that rest and quiet would restore his health. After a few months and for a time it appeared to benefit him greatly, but relapse ensued until his condition was hopeless. Mr. Gibbs came here with his family some six or seven years ago from Bellingham. The body is being prepared for shipment east and, about Sunday Mrs. Gibbs, accompanied by Isabelle and Stuart, will leave with it for Kankakee, Ill., where burial will be made. Mrs. Gibbs expects to remain at Kankakee permanently.
(From The Blaine Journal, July 11, 1919) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILDAY, Robert (d. 1931)

Robert Gilday, director of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company, and one of Blaine's best loved pioneers, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 7, 1931, at his home in Blaine, Whatcom county, Washington, at the age of 71 years, after being in ill health for the past eight months.

Robert Gilday was born in Leeds county, Ontario, October 4, 1860 and is of Irish lineage. He was the youngest in a family of eight children, seven boys and one girl. When but a young man he took up a homestead claim near Bathgate, North Dakota and there met and married Miss Alice Bowey on March 26, 1889. They came West and settled in Blaine in 1890 where they have since resided. Mr. Gilday worked in the saw mills of Blaine in the early days and then started in the wood and coal business, being the first one to get a carload of coal into Blaine. In 1903 he entered into a partnership with Louis Montfort under the firm name of Gilday & Montfort, conducting a successful feed and fuel business for 17 years. He sold out his interest in the firm to C. V. Wilder in 1920 and since then has spent his time as he wished. Mr. Gilday was a member of the Blaine city council for ten years from 1895 to 1905. He was always active in politics and served as Democratic State Committeeman during Woodrow Wilson's term of office. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodman of America, being a member of these Orders for thirty years. He became a director in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company three years ago, succeeding James Milhollin, deceased.

Just eleven days prior to his death his only sister, Mrs. Sarah McKenney, died at his home in Blaine where she had resided for the past two years. His passing marks the end of one generation of Gilday's, all the brothers having gone before him. He is survived by his wife, Alice Gilday, one daughter, Mrs. J. V. Erickson of Blaine and one son, James Stanley of Bellingham, three grandchildren, Robert and Russell Erickson and James Stanley Gilday, Jr. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the E. E. Purdy & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Clarence B. Seely, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Pallbearers were old time friends and schoolmates, Messrs. Robert Willis of Vancouver, B. C., John Simpson of Everson, Robert Witherow, Louis Montfort, John Merritt, Charles Rosborough, all of Blaine. A large gathering of old friends from all over the county paid their respects. The chapel was a mass of floral offerings, a tribute to the respect and esteem in which Mr. Gilday was held. The I. O. O. F. lodge attended the funeral in a group.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, November 12, 1931) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILES, Isaac P. (d. 1904)

Isaac Porter Giles was born at Mt. Vernon, Maine, May 28, 1830, and died Dec. 16, 1904 at the advanced age of 74 years, 6 months and 18 days. Mr. Giles was three times married. When but a young man he married Harriet Allen who died May 6, 1866. In 1862 he moved to California where he engaged in mining, subsequently moving to Nevada and Idaho. At Boise City he was again married in 1872 to Rosalie Walling. Of this union six children were born, three of whom survive him. In 1900 he moved to Lynden, Wash., and on July 30, 1902 was married to Louise M. Baldwin who is well known in this vicinity. In early life Mr. Giles united with the M. E. church, but upon coming to Lynden, united with the Mission church. He was a consistent christian and loved by all who knew him. It has been said, "S death-bed's a detector of the heart." His last week was one of intense suffering, but his faith never wavered. The last day of his life was spent in singing hymns he loved so well, and in talking of the glories that awaited him, he thanked those who had so kindly ministered to him in his days of suffering, and breathed a prayer of blessing for his pastor and for his loved ones, and soon was gone to the "white room" he talked about so much. The funeral arrangements were carried out in detail as he had requested.
(From The Pacific Pilot, December 22, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILES, Louisa M. (d. 1911)

Louisa M. McIntyre was born Dec. 11, 1838 in New York. On Oct. 22, 1856 she married Norman R. Baldwin, at Grand Junction, N. Y. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were Sarah F. and Asahel Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin died Jan. 6, 1889. Mrs. Baldwin removed to Erie Co., Penn., in 1865, then removed to Paw Paw, Mich., in 1868 and then to Lynden, Wash., in 1901. She was married to Mr. Isaac Giles July, 1901. Mr. Giles died Dec. 16, 1903. Mrs. Giles' death occurred at her daughter's home near Lynden.
(From The Lynden Tribune, June 23, 1911) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILFILEN, Margaret (d. 1920)

Mrs. Margaret Jane Gilfilen passed away at the family home, 3831 Silver Beach avenue, Friday evening, April 2, after an illness of several months' duration. Grandma Gilfilen, as she was familiarly and lovingly called, had resided in Bellingham for the past eighteen years and would have been 75 years old on April 4. Surviving her are seven sons and two daughters, James, George, Robert, Frank, Oden, Charles and Mrs. Rena Wise, all of Bellingham, and Henry, of Florence, Ore., and Mrs. Mary Beaver, of Oklahoma. Thirty-eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Mary Steele, of Montana, and one brother, L. H. Devoir, of Yakima. The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, April 4, at 3 o'clock, at the First Christian church, of which Mrs Gilfilen had been a life-long member, with the Rev. w. F. Reagor officiating, after which interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery, beside the body of her husband, who died eleven years ago, and will be in charge of Arthur C. Harlow, 1055 Elk street.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 3, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILHOUSEN, Anna (d. 1936)

Anna Gilhousen, aged 69 years, beloved wife of Mr. William H. Gilhousen, 3008 Cedarwood Avenue, this city, passed away at the family home at an early hour this morning, Tuesday, September 29, after an lingering illness. Mrs. Gilhousen had resided in Bellingham for the past nine years and was a member of the Church of God at Kendall, Wash. Surviving besides her husband, Mr. William H. Gilhousen, are three sons and two daughters, Mr. Albert Reinke, Montana; Mr. Harry Gilhousen, city; Mr. Walter Gilhousen, Anacortes, Wash.; Mrs. Lena Balliett, city, and Mrs. Malinda Jacobs, Maple Falls, Wash.; also one grandchild. The remains are resting at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home, 210 Prospect Street, where funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon, October 1, at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in Greenacres Memorial Park.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 29, 1936) Researcher John-Mark Gilhousen

GILHOUSEN, James H. (d. 1961)

Funeral services for James H. Gilhousen, 86, 713 Texas St., will be held at 11 a. m. Monday in Bingham and Jerns Funeral Home. Mr. Gilhousen, a Bellingham resident since 1919, died Wednesday after a long illness. He was a member of Fairhaven Townsend Club No. 16. He is survived by the wife, Emma; a son, Alvin, in Bellingham; a brother, Walter, in Anacortes, and numerous nieces and nephews. Elder Charles Ward of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will conduct the services. Burial will be in Greenacres Memorial Park.
(From The Bellingham Herald, March 3, 1916) Researcher John-Mark Gilhousen

GILHOUSEN, William H. (d. 1941)

William Henry Gilhousen, aged 87 years, passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Ferry of the Maple Falls district, Monday, June 2, after a lingering illness. Mr. Gilhousen had resided in Whatcom county for the past 27 years and leaves to survive two sons and one daughter, Harry, of Bellingham, and Walter, of Anacortes, and Mrs. H. Jacobus, of Maple Falls; also nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The remains rest at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, June 4, at 1:00 o'clock, with Rev. Alfred Goodwin, pastor of the Silver Beach Community church, officiating. Interment will be made in Greenacres Memorial Park.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 3, 1941) Researcher John-Mark Gilhousen

GILL, Jennie (d. 1905)

Mrs. I. S. Gill, of Bellingham, died at the home of F. C. Colley, in this city, last Friday morning, June 23, 1905, after an illness of a couple of weeks f rom heart trouble. The funeral was held from the Methodist Church in this city on Saturday afternoon, the Rev. B. W. Rinehart officiating, and the intermet was made in the Lynden cemetery west of town. Miss Jennie Walker was born in Fairfield, Iowa, August 24th, 1870. She was married to I. S. Gill in Clarilinda, Ia., and afterward removed to Whatcom, this county. The them was born one daughter, Miss Sophrona. They came to Bellingham twelve years ago and have made that their home since then. Besides the husband she leaves the daughter, a brother and her parents to mourn her loss, together with a host of friends.
(From The Pacific Pilot, June 29, 1905) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILL, John (d. 1912)

The funeral of the late John Gill was held Saturday afternoon Rev. Herbert Jones of the M. E. Church officiating at the obsequies. Mr. Gill had attained the ripe age of 83 years. He was born in Miskingdom County, Ohio, in 1828 and in 1852 was married to Hannah Burley. From this happy union there sprang ten children seven sons and three daughters all of which are living excepting one daughter who died a few years ago. Mr. Gill settled in Iowa in 1880 and came to the Nooksack valley 22 years ago, residing here continuously from the day he came. Besides the sons and daughters he is survived by his wife who resides in Lynden. The funeral was largely attended.
(From The Lynden Tribune, May 9, 1912) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILL, Mary (d. 1903)

Miss Mary Gill died early Monday morning at the residence of her brother, I. S. Gill at Whatcom from that dreaded contagion, small pox. About three weeks a go Miss Gill went to Whatcom to help nurse her brother, I. S., who was ill. She took care of him and nursed other members of the family and then was stricken with the same disease. Miss Gill was born in Vinton County, Ohio, Feb. 14th, 1855. She came to this place with her parents about thirteen years ago. She has always lived with her parents and hers is the first death in a family of ten children. The burial took place in the cemetery west of this city Tuesday morning. Besides her parents she leaves two sisters, Mesdames A. L. Harkness of Everson and F. C. Colley of this place, and seven brothers, Emery and Riley of this place, Wilbur of Maple Falls, Lloyd of Blaine, I. S. of Whatcom, Harlen of Ohio and Wash of the state of Iowa. They were all present at the burial except the last three brothers. The memorial service from next Sunday. Miss Gill was a pleasant lady and had a wide circle of friends who mourn her loss.
(From The Pacific Pilot, February 26, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILL, Mary (d. 1944)

Mary Gill, aged 80 years, of 1456 James Street, passed away at a local hospital Monday, September 11. Surviving relatives are two nieces, Lucy Haynes and Gertrude Collins, both of Bellingham, and four nephews Lester Wood, of Bellingham, Fred Wood, of Seattle, Ralph Wood, of Waldron Island and Cecil Wood, of Lummi Island. The remains rest at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth where services will be conducted Friday, September 15, at 1:30 p.m. Final resting place, Bay View.
(From the Bellingham Herald, September 14, 1944) Submitted by Merrily Lawson

GILLESPIE, Charles (d. 1903)

Charles Gillespie died last night here at the home of his grandson, Mr. E. Edson, after an illness of three months. Senile gangrene was the immediate cause of his death.

Mr. Gillespie was born in Union county, Pa., May 2nd, 1814. He was married March 2, 1837, to Miss Maria Lutz, who survives him. To them were born six daughters and two sons; five daughters and one son still living. He moved to Wayne county, O., in 1837, residing there sixteen years. Then moved to Iowa in 1853, afterward going to Dakota, Nebraska and California successively. In 1886 he came to Whatcom and from there, in March 1899, moved to Lynden, where he has since resided. Mr. Gillespie lived a long life of usefulness and besides his widow and children leaves a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mourn his loss. The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at the Methodist church.
(From The Pacific Pilot, September 10, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILLESPIE, Henry W. (d. 1931)

INJURED MAN DIES Harry Gillespie, Hurt by Pole, Dies Few Hours Later Injuries received by Harry Wallace Gillespie, 39, Thursday afternoon when a pole fell on him at the Oeser-Gillespie yard on Ellis Street, ended in his death at St. Joseph's Hospital at 9:30 p.m. that same day. He was helping to load piling when one of the poles struck him on the head, fracturing his skull and neck. The body lies at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home, which will make the funeral announcements. Mr. Gillespie is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mae Katherine Gillespie; three children, Roy, Eleanor, and Margaret, and one brother, William H. Gillespie, Seattle. Here 20 Years For several years Mr. Gillespie was an employee of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad and he was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. He came here twenty years ago to work on the interurban right-of-way. Fifteen years ago he married Miss Mae Oeser. At the time of his death he was in partnership with Francis Oeser. GILLESPIE SERVICE WILL BE HELD MONDAY Funeral services for Harry Wallace Gillespie will be held at the Sacred Heart Church Monday at 2 p.m. Rev. Father S. J. Carmody will officiate, under the direction of the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home. Interment will be made in Bay View Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Addison Davis, C. D. McBeath, Peter Paulson, Edward Lynn, Roy Metcalf and Clarence Elliott.
Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

GILLESPIE, Mae K. (d. 1974)

Requiem Mass for Mae K. Gillespie, Bellingham Hotel, will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Church of the Assumption. She died Saturday in Seattle. A life resident of the community, she was a retired school teacher. She was a member of the Church of Assumption, the Hillside Garden Club, Washington State Pioneer Association and the Orthopedic Association. Survivors include a son, Roy of Bellingham; two daughters, Mrs. T. B. Cooper of Bellevue and Mrs. John Gahagan of Seattle; a sister, Mrs. M. P. Flannery of Spokane; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Burial will be in Bay View Cemetery under the direction of Westford Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 14, 1974) Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

GILLETTE, Letitia (d. 1920)

Mrs. T. W. Gillette Called to Great Beyond

Wife of Well Known Southsider Passes Away Twelve Hours Before Son Reaches City

Mrs. Letitia Gillette, wife of T. W. Gillette, president of the Fairhaven City Water & Power company, and one of the city’s most beloved residents, died at St. Luke’s hospital at midnight last night at the age of 77 years. She had been a semi-invalid for some time and about a week ago was removed from the Hotel Leopold, the summer home of herself and husband, to the hospital. Mrs. Gillette had lived on Bellingham Bay about thirty years. Of late years she and Mr. Gillette had wintered in South Pasadena and she leaves many warm friends there as she does in Bellingham. She was one of the founders of the Monday club, of this city. The survivors are the husband, T. W. Gillette, and two sons, Halpert P. Gillette, of New York and Chicago, a well-known civil engineer, who is editor of the Engineering and Contractor, a Chicago journal, and Walter A. Gillette, a road contractor of South Pasadena, Calif. Walter Gillette arrived here today noon, just twelve hours too late to see his mother alive. He was telegraphed for by his father last week and left immediately for Bellingham. The husband was at the bedside when Mrs. Gillette passed away. Mrs. Gillette was born in Ohio and was the last surviving member of a circle of nine brothers and sisters. She came to Bellingham Bay with her husband from Idaho and from the beginning took a keen interest in community affairs. She was a fine neighbor and was noted for her strong attachment to friends. Her other characteristics were of the finest. The funeral announcements will be made by Harry O. Bingham. The active pallbearers will be members of the Fairhaven City Water & Power company’s force and the honorary pallbearers will be members of the G. A.R., of which Mr. Gillette is a member.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 11, 1920) Submitted by Barbara Lynch.

GILLETTE, Theodore W. (d. 1921)

Head of Fairhaven Water Company and Pioneer Good Roads Advocate Called at Age of 80. Theodore W. Gillette, president of the Fairhaven City Water & Power company, and one of the most public-spirited men Bellingham has ever had, died at his apartments in the Hotel Leopold at 5:15 last night at the age of 80 years, five months and twenty-one days. Mr. Gillette's death comes as a shock to his numerous friends, many of whom did not know that he was seriously ill and those closest to him understanding that he was improving, as he apparently was. The immediate cause of death was a blood clot on the brain. He had been feeling unwell since he made a strenuous automobile drive to Seattle and back, and this, says his brother, Fred K. Gillette, was the beginning of his final illness, which kept him in bed about ten days. Friends of Mr. Gillette agree that he was one of the finest characters this city has ever known and that he was one of its greatest promoters. From the beginning of his residence here, extending over a period of more than thirty years, he was identified with the city's growth. The same was true of all other places where he lived, it being his nature to be among the leaders of a community and to be one of its hardest workers. Came Here is 1889. Mr. Gillette came to Bellingham bay in 1889, after a busy life in Texas, Idaho and other places and after long service in the Civil war. He spent a very adventurous life, it being recalled by his brother that about thirty of his friends were killed by Indians, bandits, etc., in Southeastern Texas, where he spent several years as a sheep farmer. Mr. Gillette was born in Oberlin, O., October 20, 1840. In June, 1861, he became a volunteer in the union army, enlisting as a private in Company M, Fourth Wisconsin Mounted Infantry, and serving in that until his honorable discharge September 18, 1866. This regiment probably saw longer service than any other volunteer regiment in the Civil war. Mr. Gillette's willingness and eagerness to serve soon won him promotion. For some time he was regimental quartermaster, then brigade quartermaster and lastly lieutenant. In the midst of the war he went back home to be married and immediately thereafter returned to his regiment. His wife, Mrs. Letitia S. Gillette, died October 11, 1920. Good Roads Enthusiast. After his discharge from the army, Mr. Gillette went back home for a time. In 1872 he removed to Southeastern Texas and from there after six years of sheep farming and many adventures to Salt Lake City, where he lived a year or two, and thence to the Wood mining country in Idaho. In Ketchum he established a hardware store and became active in local affairs was elected to the board of county commissioners and held that office for two terms. Another of his activities was his origination of the water system of Ketchum, Idaho. He took a great interest in good roads and this interest was manifested later in Whatcom county and in Southern California, where for many years he spent his winters, residing in South Pasadena. Coming to Bellingham bay in 1889, he soon afterward organized the Fairhaven City Water & Power company, which owns the South Side water system and was active in the organization and affairs of the Fairhaven Electric Light company. He was president of both concerns. About fifteen years ago he sold the electric light company's property to Stone & Webster interests. Served on County Board. About 1892 Mr. Gillette was elected a member of the board of Whatcom county commissioners and two years later was re-elected. In politics he was a republican all his life, and he was enthusiastic in service to his party as he was in everything else he interested himself in. Loyalty and service, in fact, were two of his strongest characteristics, and self-sacrifice and devotion to family and friends were others.

Mr. Gillette was a member of Fairhaven Lodge, No. 73, F. & A. M.; C. R. Apperson post No. 79, of the G. A. R.; and the Loyal Legion, an organization of officers of the Civil war, his membership in this society being held in Tacoma. He was also a member of the Kulshan club and of the Chamber of Commerce. The survivors are two sons, Halbert P. Gillette, of Chicago, one of the country's best known civil engineers, and Walter A. Gillette, of South Pasadena, Calif.; one brother, Fred K. Gillette, Bellingham, and two sisters, Mrs. E. H. Ellis and Mrs. Julia K. Adams, of Sacramento. Funeral services will be held at an hour to be announced by Harry O. Bingham. One son, Halbert, will be here Thursday and the other is expected.

Expression of Regret by J. J. Donovan    "T. W. Gillette, facing death with a smile, light of heart and brave in spirit, has passed on to join his loved ones on the other side. A gallant gentleman is gone after a long life of usefulness and honor. Truth, honor, justice were his guiding stars and he was true to them in times and places where it required the highest type of moral and physical courage. He feared neither man nor devil. He trusted and believed in god and kept His law. He has gone to his reward.
   "As a youth under twenty-one he enlisted in the Wisconsin cavalry and he served with distinction through the Civil war, leaving the service with the brevet rank of major. He fought in many hand-to-had conflicts with Confederate cavalry and was severely hurt when his horse went down in one of these battles, but he refused to retire and was on duty until the end.
   After the war he undertook with a friend ranching in Texas. His friend was killed by Mexican raiders, his stock stolen and for the sake of his young wife and children he retired from the Southern frontier and came West.
   "As an assayer, merchant and county commissioner he had an honorable part in the development of the Wood River district of Idaho. His reminiscences of life in the mines, of the mingling of the adventurous of all ranks, were most delightful and unvalled (sic) Bret Harte in character and color.
   "Coming to Bellingham bay in 1889 with his friends, Major and Mrs. Darling, Governor and Mrs. George A. Black and others, Mr. Gillette and his family immediately became factors in the business and social life of the young city. His home and business interests have been here ever since excepting as Mrs. Gillette's failing health in recent years required her to spend her winters in Pasadena.
   "Mr. Gillette's company put in the water and electric light system for Fairhaven and he was active manager of the water system in which he took keen interest and pride until the end. As county commissioner, he gave this county loyal and valuable services during the panic times of '93. He had the vision to see the future of this county and may truly be called the father of our county road system, which R. L. Kline and others carried on and which J. B. McMillan and associates have brought near completion. Good roads, good water, good citizenship were articles of faith with him.
   "Though over eighty years old his form was erect, his eye clear and his faculties unimpaired. His wife's death last October ended many years of tireless devotion. It was a hard blow. He tried bravely to keep the old smile and undying optimism but the wound was there. Yesterday at 5 o'clock the end came quickly and painlessly. A well-spent life was ended. The brother and two sons with their families have the sympathy of the entire community.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 11, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILLIES, Myrtle M. (d. 1942)

Mrs. Myrtle May Gillies of Sumas, passed away at the Tacoma General Hospital, September 28, at the age of 65 years. She had lived in the Sumas vicinity for the past fifty-two years. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Mr. George Gillies of Sumas; two daughters, Mrs. Etta Looney and Eva Gillies of Puyallup, Washington; one son, Leslie G. Gillies of Sumas; four grand children, two sisters, Mrs. Luke Tyrell of Sumas, Mrs. Nellie Ryan of Kentucky. Her body rests at the Gillies Mortuary Home in Sumas and funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. W.T. Beatty, pastor of the Sumas M.E. Church, Thursday afternoon, October 1 at 2 o’clock. Interment will be made in the Nooksack Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 30, 1942) Submitted by Karolyn Simpson

GILLIES, Peter (d. 1897)

DIED - At Nooksack, Washington, September 12, 1897, of embolic pneumonia and heart failure, Peter Gillies, Sr., aged 67 years. Funeral took place from the First Presbyterian church of Nooksack on Monday, September 13. Interment in Nooksack Cemetery.

Was married September 1, 1858, to Miss Annie Milne, of Elgin, Scotland. In the spring of 1868 he, with his family, consisting of wife and five children, immigrated to the then frontier county of Clay, Kansas, where he engaged 14 years in farming. In November 1881, on account of his wife's failing health and extremes of climate, in company with his eldest son, he started for Washington Territory to seek a location for his family, who followed in December, 1882. He took up land in Whatcom county, on the banks of the Sumas river, and has continually resided there up to his death. As a business man his career has been marked with integrity and probity of the soundest character, and as widely he was known in Whatcom county so was he respected. In the fall of 1887, he started a grist mill, the second one in the county, which he still used, and in the following year established the saw mill which has grown to be one of the finest plants in Whatcom county. During three years he filled many contracts public and private, and we have heard of no instance where fault was laid at his door. In every place of public betterment, he took an active interest, and to the extent of his ability always stood ready to give time and money to push it along. Besides the widow he leaves one daughter and four sons, Mrs. E. McGrath, Peter, George, William and John, all residents of Nooksack.
Note: The above was reprinted in the Advertiser of Abilene, KS October 8, 1897 and was taken from an issue of the Nooksack Reporter; found and sent back to Whatcom County by Tom Braniger.

GILLIGAN, Edward J. (d. 1904)

The funeral of Edward J. Gilligan, nephew of Postmaster Hugh Eldridge, was held at two o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of Mr. Eldridge. Father Boulet of the Catholic church officiated. Many sympathizing friends attended and beautiful floral tributes were contributed in large quantities. The pall bearers were Chas. Sympson, John Reed, Bart Drake, John Padden, Fred Likins, W. G. Warnick; the honorary pall bearers; members of the Elks lodge, were: Cliff Barlow, L. L. Berens, D. H. Evans, C. G. White, R. L. Barr and E. H. Hatch.
We give below a brief sketch from the Reveille of his life and his final sickness. He was born May 16, 1881, on his father's farm at Fir, on the Skagit river, at that time a part of Whatcom county. He resided there until February 6, 1886, and it was there that his mother died. From there he and his sisters came to live with their grandmother, Mrs. Teresa Eldridge, in this city, where they have since resided. In 1898 Ed graduated from the Whatcom High School and during portions of 1899 and 1900 attended the University of Washington. In 1900 he joined the survey party on the B. B. & B. C. right of-way between Sumas and Maple Falls. At the conclusion of the work he became a member of the party which surveyed the line for the B. B. & E., now the Northern Pacific, between Silver Beach and Wickersham. When his sister Tessie died, in June, 1901, he came back and stopped with his grandmother and became chief mailing clerk in the postoffice, which position he held until his death. He took sick early in February of this year, but on account of the absence in California of his uncle, Postmaster Hugh Eldridge, who was ill, he tried heroically to stay at his post until Mr. Eldridge's return. On March 7 he was compelled to take to his bed from which he never arose. His physicians hoped that he would be able to go to a better climate, but he never rallied sufficiently to do so. Throughout his long illness he was wonderfully courageous and cheerful, never complaining and showing always the kind disposition for which he was noted until the last. It was not until Thursday morning at 10 o'clock that he acknowledged that life was fast ebbing away and he called his relatives to the bedside to tell them that there was no hope, at the same time bidding each an affectionate farewell. He said that he was sorry to leave them but that he was not afraid to die. He was conscious until the end, which came at 1:30 a. m. Saturday. The deceased was a member of the order of Elks.
(From The Weekly Blade, September 7, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILLIGAN, Tessie (d. 1901)

Miss Tessie Gilligan, the ever gracious and popular delivery clerk at the postoffice, died yesterday at 12:45. The above announcement came as a shock to the people of Whatcom and expressions of sympathy for her relatives and sorrow for her death are heard everywhere. Tessie, as she was generally known, was deservedly one of the most popular young ladies in the Northwest - always pleasant and accommodating, and withal a very lovable lady.

Miss Gilligan was born in Skagit county, near Mount Vernon twenty-one years ago. In 1884, owing to the severe illness of her mother, Alice Gilligan; second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Eldridge, she came to live with her grandmother, where on the death of her mother, February 4, 1886, she was joined by her brother Edward, and sisters May and Alice. At no time during Miss Gilligan's sickness was her life despaired of until Sunday afternoon, when she commenced to sink and never was able to rally afterward. Her father and brother were sent for, the brother arriving at 10 o'clock Monday morning and the father just about ten minutes before life left the body. It seemed that she was waiting to have the father with her once again in life. The funeral services will be held tomorrow from the Catholic church at 10 o'clock. The pall beareres will meet at the house and accompany the remains to the church.
(From The Weekly Blade, June 19, 1901) Submitted by site coordinator.

GILMORE, Joseph W. (d. 1911) another image

GIPE, Bessie (d. 1904)

Mrs. H. L. Gipe died early Sunday morning at her home, three miles from this city, after an illness of but a few hours. The funeral was held from the Fairview school house Monday afternoon, the services being conducted by the Rev. Rinehart. Mrs. Gipe was born July 1, 1880 at Alma, Neb. She was married at that place March 5, 1898. Later the family removed to Cedar Edge, Col., where they resided for about two years. They came to Lynden about one year ago. She leaves a husband, three daughters and an infant son to mourn her loss. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Leake, reside here and other relatives live in Nebraska. During this brief year the family has made many friends. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones in their affliction.
(From The Pacific Pilot, March 31, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.

GISCHER, Roxa (d. 1929)

Mrs. Roxa Gischer, one of the older residents of Birch Bay, passed away at her home there Thursday of last week. She had undergone an operation recently and was recovering rapidly when Flu set in and her heart became weak, resulting in death. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Pleasant Valley Congregational church with the Rev. C. B. Seely of Blaine officiating. Burial took place in the Enterprise cemetery under the direction of Purdy & Sons of Blaine. Deceased was born in Memphis, Tenn., in 1860, moving to Illinois with her parents and spending her girlhood days there. Dec. 23, 1880, she was married to William D. Brents. They moved to Oregon and later came to Pleasant Valley, where Mr. Brents died in 1886. Jan. 25, 1887, she was united in marriage to John Gischer, who passed away about 14 years ago. Since that time she had resided at Birch Bay with her son, Robert Brent. Surviving are the four sons, Lloyd Brents of Blaine, Robert Brents and Lora Gischer of Birch Bay and Pryor Brents of Bellingham, and six grandchildren.
(From The Blaine Journal-Press, January 17, 1929) Submitted by site coordinator.

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