Bills Orlando02

Waupaca Post

October 17, 1907

Orlando Bills, for many years a familiar figure upon Waupaca’s streets, died at St. Mary’s hospital at Oshkosh on Friday morning, as the result of blood poisoning following a scratch from a rusty wire several weeks ago.

Mr. Bills was fifty-nine years old, and had been a resident of this city for about fifteen years. He was born near Dale, and when the Civil War broke out, though a mere lad, he tried to enlist. This being denied to him, he went with Company H, 5^th Wis. Inf., anyway, and just as soon as they would let him, he enlisted, serving until the close of the war.

Returning here, he worked upon farms in the vicinity, finally purchasing a farm near the chain o’ lakes, where he lived until he removed to this city. Since living here, he served several years as supervisor of the First ward and acted as ward policeman as occasion required.

He is survived by his widow, formerly Miss Alice Thomas, and an adopted daughter, besides many warm friends, who deeply regret his untimely demise.

The remains were brought to this city on Friday afternoon, and the funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, Rev. A.T. Erickson officiating. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The pall bearers were John Gordon, E.W. Czeskleba, Page Knight, Sam P. Godfrey, C. Gminer, and J.W. Heany, and interment was at Lakeview.

Among those from out of town who were resent at the funeral were: F.M. Thomas, Fithian, Ill.; C.R. Van Orman and wife, Wausau; Frank Allen and wife, Dayton.

Waupaca Record

October 17, 1907

The people of this city were shocked on hearing the news of the death of Orlando G. Bills on Friday morning. Mr. Bills received a scratch from a wire about nine weeks ago, which resulted in septic poisoning. He was taken to St. Mary’s hospital at Oshkosh seven weeks ago, where he died at 8 o’clock on Oct. 11.

He was born on Sept. 14, 1848, in New York state and came to Wisconsin with his parents when eleven years of age and settled at Dale. His father answered his country’s call for volunteers and never returned. The son and his widowed mother went to Farmington, where they purchased a farm, Mr. Bills residing there up to fourteen years ago, when he came to Waupaca to make his home.

On Sept. 22, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie Thompson at Amherst, who survives him.

The deceased has held offices of trust in the town of Farmington and for seven years represented the first ward of this city on the county board.

The funeral was held from the family residence on Fulton street on Sunday afternoon at two o’clock, Rev. A.T. Erickson officiating. He was laid to rest beside his mother in the family lot in Lake View cemetery.

The pall bearers were John Gordon, Con Gminer, E.W. Czeskleba, J.W. Heaney, Page Knight and Sam Godfrey. Many beautiful floral offerings betokened the high esteem in which he was held. His widow who was his constant attendant during his illness, has the sympathy of the community.

Waupaca Republican

October 11, 1907

ORLANDO BILLS DEAD

About noon today Friday, a message was received in this city from St. Mary’s hospital, that Orlando Bills was dead. His death being caused from the effects of blood poison from being scratched with a rusty wire on his hand several weeks ago. Mr. Bills was formerly a farmer near the Chain o’ Lakes but moved to this city ten or twelve years ago where he has held the office of supervisor for several terms and has been ward policeman and substitute on the police force many times.

He formerly lived on South street but several years ago sold to Mr. and Mrs. Magee, and built a pleasant home on west Fulton street near Frank Carpenter’s. He leaves to mourn a wife and one daughter. Mrs. Bills has been almost constantly with him since he has been in Oshkosh hospital.

The family has the heartfelt sympathy of all in this community in their great sorrow.

Waupaca Republican

October 18, 1907

FUNERAL OF ORLANDO BILLS

The funeral of Orlando Bills was held Sunday afternoon from the residence on West Fulton street, Rev. Webster Millar officiating. Fully a hundred teams from among Farmington and Waupaca friends attended. It was certainly a sad thing to see a man while in good health and in the enjoyment of home and friends so suddenly and painfully marked by the relentless hand of death. Mr. Bills was a member of Co. H, 5^th Wis. Inf. During the war for the Union. He was a kind husband, a good citizen and his sudden departure is deeply regretted by his friends. His widow has the sympathy of her many friends in this community.

Waupaca Republican

October 25, 1907

The REPUBLICAN made a mistake last week in stating that Rev. Webster Millar officiated at the funeral of the late Orlando Bills. It was Rev. A.T. Erickson pastor of the Baptist Church who conducted the religious services.