Obituary Record

Marshall D (Dr.) Bedal
Died on 2/16/1908
Buried in Blair Cemetery

Blair Democrat Blair Courier 27 Feb 1908

OBITUARY

Marshall D. Bedal was born February 13th, 1846, at Brighton, Prince Edward’s District, Canada, west, and died February 17th, 1908, at the age of sixty-two years and four days.

He was ambitious and made his own way while attending school at Shurtleff college in Alton, Ill., and later at the University of Chicago. In 1871 he commenced the study of medicine at Eyota, Minn., and later took a course of three winter terms at the Miama Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in March, 1874. He commenced the practice of medicine in Minnesota, but only remained there a short time, going to Brownsville where he remained for two years and then came to Nebraska, spending one year at Tekamah, and then locating in this city. He practiced here for twenty-seven years and up to about four years ago when he was afflicted.

Dr. Bedal stood well in his profession and was the discover of the Bedal cure for the liquor and opium habits. He was well thought of by all who knew him, held a number of prominent positions and was mayor of Blair for one term.

On the 22nd day of September, 1874, he was married to Miss Lottie A. Riverton, of Chicago, and to this union six children were born. Albert of New York City, Eugene of Omaha, Sylvester of Seattle, Wash., Nellie and Lottie of Minneapolis, and Raymond of Omaha.

Deceased was a member of the Baptist church of this city and for a number of years was the bible class teacher.

The funeral was held Thursday under the auspices of the Odd Fellow lodge, of which deceased was a member. Short services were held at the hall and also at the Baptist church.

Pilot 19 Feb 1908

Dr. M. D. Bedal died at Norfolk at about 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon and the body arrived here this morning and was taken direct to the I.O.O.F. hall where it will remain until time for the funeral at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. A short service will be held at the hall preceding the public service at the Baptist church. An obituary of the deceased will appear in these columns next week.

Pilot Newspaper, 26 Feb 1908

Dr. Bedal Laid To Rest

Dr. M. D. Bedal, a well known practitioner and prominent citizen of Blair, died at Norfolk, Nebraska at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 16, 1908. His remains were brought to Blair on the following Wednesday, funeral service being conducted by Rev. Conley at the Baptist Church Thursday following a short service at I.O.O.F. hall.

Dr. Marshall D. Bedal was born at Brighton, Prince Edwards’s District, Canada West Feb. 13th, 1846. He was married to Miss Lottie A. Rivensburgh in 1874. Six children were born to them viz: Albert, Eugene, Sylvester, Nellie, Lottie and Raymond. All the children were present with their mother at the funeral and attended the sad rites at the grave in Blair cemetery, where his body was laid to rest.

His ambition in early manhood was to acquire an education, and largely worked his own way through school, receiving his preparatory education at Shurtleff College, Alton, Ill., and at the University of Chicago. He began the study of medicine at Eyota, Minn. in 1871, and graduated with honors from Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, just before he was married, beginning the practice of Medicine at Rochester, Minn., soon after, shortly afterward removing to Brownsdale, Minn. Two years later he came to Nebraska, settling for a year at Tekamah and then came to Blair, where he successfully practiced his profession for about 27 years. He was a member of Nebraska State Medical Society, and at the one time was U.S. examining surgeon, county and city physician and chairman of the county board of insanity and medical examiner for a number of life insurance companies, and for a few years conducted the Bedal Gold Cure Institute for the cure of alcoholism and opium habits. He also served one term as mayor of Blair.

He was a member of the Baptist church of this city. He united with the church when a young man, and at one time studied for the ministry. He was a member of Maccabees, Fraternal Union Woodmen of the World and I.O.O.F. lodge and carried considerable insurance.

One by one the old settlers are passing to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. They endured the hardships incidental to life in a new country, and made it blossom like a rose. We cherish the memory of all. Of these hardships Dr. Bedal had his share, and his afflictions the last few years of his life, after his reason was dethroned, was hard to bear we understand. Providence merciful intervened at last and gave him rest. Let him rest in Peace.

Note: Blair Cemetery listing has death date as 16 February 1908 so that is the date used above for death date

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Printed in the Blair Democrat/Courier on 2/27/1908


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