Obit: Billings, James (1827 - 1909)

Contact: Stan      

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Billings, Harvey, Payne, Vine, Taylor

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 4/8/1909; Family Records, Naturalization Records

             James Billings

           (14 Feb 1827 - 3 Apr 1909)

James Billings died at his home in Neillsville (Clark Co., Wis.), Saturday, Apr. 3^rd, 1909 after a lingering illness chiefly the result of old age.

Mr. billings was born the son of an English marine, John Harvey, of a large family, at Upwell, Cambridgeshire, England on Feb. 14, 1827.  He came of a race of sturdy stock, many of whom were connected with the English army.  His boyhood and early manhood was spent in England, coming to America in the autumn of 1853.  He settled near Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., Wis.  Seven weeks of a very stormy voyage were spent in reaching the port of New York.  From here he came by rail to Buffalo and thence by the Great Lakes to Milwaukee which was then but a small city.  In his later trips to Milwaukee, he took great pleasure in pointing out the sites of old landmarks.  Thirteen years he spent in Waukesha County, attending the American school there and later married Emily Guerre Payne.  From this time on he engaged in farming.  The family were among the fleeing refugees to Waukesha village in the famous Indian scares of 1862.  At the close of the Civil War, Mr. Billings and family drove overland to Clark Co., and settled in the town of Grant, where he resided until the death of his wife in the spring of 1901.  He then disposed of his farm and removed to Neillsville to end his days.

His death marks the passing of one of the last few of the pioneers of the town of Grant.  A hard worker and a man of settled conviction, he lived steadily until his infirmities laid him low.  In his last hours he fought his intense suffering with the most remarkable fortitude and strength and met the inevitable end fully conscious and without fear.

The living children are Mrs. Clare Vine of Grant, Henry Harvey of Calif. And Edwin of this city.  Three children are deceased, including Mrs. Caroline Taylor who died in this city in the winter of 1900.

The funeral was held from St. Luke’s Church Monday p.m. at 2 o’clock, Rev. Father Dafter of Marshfield officiating.  Burial in the family lot in the Neillsville Cemetery.