Conrad Bitner

Old Soldier Expires

Conrad Bitner died at his home in the village of Ridott, Saturday afternoon at 2:35 o’clock. Mr. Bitner had been in poor health for the past seven years, but had been confined to his bed for but three weeks. Dropsy of the heart was the cause of his demise.

Mr. Bitner was born in Sommerset county, Pa., in 1838. He was married at that place in 1858.

When the war broke out he enlisted in company K. 82nd regiment, Pennsylvania. He served three years in the army was in a number of battles, among them being, Bull Run, Hatche’s Run, Gettysburg, and was also present at the surrender of General Lee. Shortly after the war he moved to Illinois and settled on a farm in Ridott township. Here he lived till two years ago when he retired from active labor and move to the village of Ridott. The deceased was well known in his neighborhood and was highly respected for his honorable and upright dealings with his fellow men. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, but was there was no church of that denomination in Ridott he was often a member of the United Brethren congregation.

A large family and other relatives are left to mourn his loss. They are his wife, Mrs. Matilda Bitner, and the following children: Samuel, living on a farm in Ridott township; Mrs. Katie Redding; Mrs. Lizzie Ferguson; Mrs. Ida Schofield and Conrad Bitner, of this city; James, of Ridott, and Cyrus, of Ridott township. A brother, Nelson Bitner, lives in Rock Run township; a sister, Mrs. Anna Schultz, lives in western Iowa. Besides these there are a number of grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon from the home at 1:30 o’clock, and a half hour later from the United Brethren church of Ridott, Rev. F.M. Davis, of Freeport, will officiate, and interment will be at Ridott cemetery.

John A. Davis post, G.A.R., of which the deceased was a member, will have charge of the funeral. The members will attend in a body and the pallbearers will be selected from among those who go to the funeral.

Source: Freeport Journal-Standard (Freeport, Illinois), Monday, December 3, 1906, pg. 1.