William E. Fisher, aged about 77 years, died on Monday of this week, December 29, 1919, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Behler, in Wilmore. He had been failing in health for some time, some form of kidney trouble being the ailment. Toward the last he suffered a paralytic stroke. Funeral services were conducted from the Christian church in Wilmore at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday and interment was made in the Wilmore cemetery by the side of his wife, whose death occurred about three years ago. Rev. L. F. Abernathy of the Methodist church had charge of the funeral services.Mr. Fisher was one of the pioneer settlers of this county. It was about 35 years ago that he migrated to this part of the state and settled on a claim a few miles northwest of where Wilmore now stands. There he and his family continued to make their home until a few years ago when Mr. Fisher took up residence for most of the time with his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Behler, and family, in Wilmore. Mr. Fisher was well known to a large number of the people of Comanche, Kiowa and Pratt-co's., and was held in high esteem by all. He had, through his long residence here, proven himself to be an upright, honorable and law-abiding citizen and a faithful and devoted husband and father. He was a veteran of the Civil War, his record as a Union soldier being one of pronounced loyalty and unquestioned bravery. On March 13, 1862, he enlisted as a member of the Seventeenth Indiana Light Artillery and remained in the service until July 8, 1865, thus seeing three years and four months of army service.
Mr. Fisher was born in Indianapolis, Ind., on November 2, 1812. In Hamilton-co., Ind., on November 28, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. Barnhizer. Mrs. Fisher died on March 29, 1917. Deceased is survived by three sons and two daughters. They are: George, Dan and Barney M. Fisher of Wilmore, Mrs. Hart E. Newlin of Del Norte, Colo., and Mrs. Geo. Behler of Wilmore. One daughter, Mrs. Lulu Walden, died about fifteen years ago. All of the surviving children were present at the funeral. Mr. Fisher is also survived by two brothers - Peter Fisher of Southport, Ind., and Levi L. Fisher, of Indianapolis, Ind.
Thus, one by one, the ranks of the Civil War veterans and old settlers in this part of Kansas are being depleted. It will not be long until they will all have passed away. Mr. Fisher had passed through many stirring experiences, especially during his army life and as a pioneer in Southwestern Kansas, but for more than thirty years he had lived a quiet life, giving his time and attention to caring for the comforts and interests of his family and rendering what aid he could to those about him. On April 20, 1919, Mr. Fisher became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he died with a firm faith in the saving power of his Christ. The funeral services were attended by a large number of neighbors, all of whom attested by their presence to the esteem in which they held the deceased. Wm. Fisher was a good citizen, and his passing away causes general sorrow wherever he was known.
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