Another Pioneer Has Passes

(Photo)

Watson Tyson Sr., whose conditional we reported as very serious in these columns last week passed peacefully away last Friday, Armistice Day, at his home on West Colfax Street, surrounded by the members of his family. He had been confined to his room for about eleven weeks, having suffered a paralytic stroke that hastened the end.

The funeral was conducted from the Blair Methodist Episcopal Church, Sunday afternoon, November 13th, at 2:00 o’clock, and was in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. A. Johnson, assisted by the Rev. W. H. Underwood, superintendent of the Crowell Memorial Home, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which organization led the procession to the cemetery and had charge there, using the Old Fellows beautiful ritual of commitment. The church was crowded to overflowing, the floral offering was very beautiful and most abundant.

Watson Tyson was born in Braughton, England, November 30, 1831, and died at his home in Blair, Nebraska, November 11, 1921, aged 89 years, 11 months, and 11 days. When the deceased was about 19 years old he came to the United States with his father and mother, landing July 4, 1850. The family settled on a farm near Darlington, Wisconsin, where the father and mother made their home until the time of their death.

Eight years after arriving in the United States, Mr. Tyson was married. Miss Eliza Anderson was his bride and nine children were born to this union, four boys and five girls, three of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Tyson died November 27, 1906, and George, the oldest son, died February 14, 1908. Those left behind are: Mrs. C. B. Hain and Mrs. L. D. Warrick, Peter and Watson, Jr., of Blair, and Mrs. W. F. Burdick, of Omaha. One sister, Miss Sarah Tyson, of Darlington, Wisconsin is the last one living of a family of twelve children.

Mr. Tyson became interested in the Pike’s Peak gold excitement in 1859, and drove through to Denver with an ox wagon at that time, but returned home within a few months. Three years later he made another trip west, going this time to Portland, Oregon, driving the same yoke of oxen through which he had driven to Denver, Colorado and back, the Indians finally stole the oxen from him. On this last trip the deceased brought his wife and two children as fart west as Nebraska, leaving them with relatives on New York Creek, west of Herman. Mr. Tyson spent about two and one-half years prospecting in Oregon, and then because of Indian troubles, he came home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. Then by train to Grinnell, Iowa, the western end of the railroad at that time. From there he traveled by stage to Omaha, and from there to New York Creek he walked. While in the city of New York he changed his gold ore into U. S. money, about $1600.

From his home-coming he made his home on his farm about six miles north of Blair, leaving the farm fourteen years ago, since which time he has made his home in Blair and Omaha.

Mr. Tyson was a member of his local school board for thirty consecutive years, a county commissioner from 1869 to 1875, a member of the Nebraska House of Representatives in 1887. He was an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. He had no church affiliations in the United States, but was baptized in the Church of England in his childhood.

Mr. Tyson was an honored citizen, a good neighbor, always cheerful and optimistic. His sense of humor was well developed and he always had an answer for any who sought to banter him. He was so much a part of the community that he will be greatly missed, even as he was greatly loved by all who knew him.

CARDS OF THANKS: We wish in this public way to let many friends know how much we appreciated the kindly sympathy and generous assistance given us during the illness and after the death of our beloved father and grandfather. To those who contributed to the wealth of flowers sent in his memory we especially appreciate the spirit of love and prompted the offering. We are most grateful to Rev. J. A. Johnson and Rev. W. H. Underwood for their helpful words of consolation. Also we wish to thank the singers for their great kindness.
Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Hain
Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Burdick
Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Warrick
Peter M. Tyson
Mr. and Mrs. Watson Tyson, Jr.
And all relatives

#2-17 Nov., 1921 - The Enterprise

PIONEER SETTLER ANSWERS CALL

PROMINENT FARMER AND WIDELY KNOWN CITIZEN PASSES TO GREAT BEYOND

Watson Tyson was born in Broughton, England November 30, 1831, and died at his home in Blair, Nebraska November 11, 1921, aged 89 years, 11 months and 11 days. When the deceased was about 19 years old he came to the United States with his father and mother, landing July 4, 1850. The family settled on a farm near Darlington, Wisconsin where the father and mother made their home until the time of their death.

Eight years after arriving in the United States, Mr. Tyson was married, Miss Eliza Anderson was his bride, January 22, 1858, was the wedding day. Nine children were born to this union, four boys and five girls, three of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Tyson died November 27, 1906, and George, the oldest son, died February 14, 1908. Those left behind are: Mrs. C. B. Hain and Mrs. L. D. Warrick, Peter and Watson of Blair Nebraska; and Mrs. W. F. Burdick of Omaha, Nebraska. One sister, Miss Sarah Tyson of Darlington, Wisconsin, the last one living of a family of twelve children.

Mr. Tyson became greatly interested in the Pikes Peak Gold excitement in 1859, and drove thru to Denver with an ox wagon at that time, but returned to his home a few months later. Three years later he made another trip west, going this time to Portland, Oregon, driving the same yoke of oxen thru which he had driven to Denver and back, the Indians finally stole the oxen from him. On this last trip the deceased brought his wife and two children as far west as Nebraska, leaving them with relatives on New York creek, not far from where the town of Blair is now located. Mr. Tyson spent about two and one half years prospecting in Oregon, and then because of Indian troubles, he came home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. Then by train to Grinnell, Iowa, the western end of the railroad at that time. From there he traveled by stage to Omaha, and from there to New York Creek he walked. While in the city of New York he changed his gold ore into U.S. money, about $1,600.

From his homecoming he made his home on his farm about six miles north from Blair, leaving the farm fourteen years ago, since which time he has made his home in Blair and Omaha.

Father Tyson was a member of his local school board for thirty consecutive years, a county commissioner from 1869 to 1875, a member of the Nebraska House in 1887. He was an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. Brother Tyson had no church affiliations in the United States, but was baptized in the church of England in his childhood.

Father Tyson was an honored citizen, a good neighbor, always cheerful and optimistic. He was confined to his room for eleven weeks, though not really sick at all. The human machine was worn out, and on Armistice Day he quietly slipped away.

The funeral was conducted from the Blair Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon, November 13th at 2:00 o’clock and was in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. A. Johnson, assisted by the Rev. W. H. Underwood, superintendent of the Crowell Memorial Home and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows which led the procession to the cemetery, and had charge there using the Odd Fellows beautiful ritual of commitment.

The church was crowded to overflowing, the floral offering was very beautiful and most abundant. It seemed that every one tried to do honor to the deceased and to extend a kindly hand to the bereaved family, for to know Watson Tyson was to respect and love him.

#3-17 Nov., 1921 - The Tribune - Watson Tyson, Sr.

WATSON TYSON, PIONEER, ANSWERS FINAL SUMMONS

Watson Tyson, Sr. died at his home in this city Friday morning, November 11, 1921 at 9 o’clock of cancer of the face, from which cause he had been a great sufferer for several months.

Mr. Tyson had been one of Washington county’s substantial citizens for more than fifty six years, and his name is known in every home in the community where he had lived so long. He has held many positions of trust and responsibility in the county and was considered an excellent neighbor and a man strictly to be relied upon in all his dealings with his fellow man.

Watson Tyson came of a long line of English ancestry. He was born November 30, 1831 near Liverpool, England, and when 19 years of age emigrated to America and came to Shullsberg, Wisconsin where he made his home for a number of years, and from which point he made many trips across the continent, going as far as the Pacific coast and crossing the Isthmus of Panama. When the gold excitement at Pike’s Peak and vicinity was at its height, Mr. Tyson made the trip to that place with an ox team. After a sojourn in the region of the Rockies of several months, he returned to his Wisconsin home. Sometime later he again went west and spent a couple of years in Idaho and Oregon, again returning to Wisconsin where he was married to Miss Lisa Anderson of Shullsburg in 1858. To this union several children were born, five of whom were at the bedside of their father when the final summons came. They are Mrs. C. B. Hain, Mrs. L. D. Warrick, Peter M. Tyson and Watson Tyson of Washington county and Mrs. W. F. Burdick of Omaha. One son, George, died a number of years ago. The wife and mother was called to her reward nearly twenty years ago. After her death Mr. Tyson and son, Peter, continued to live in the beautiful farm home and employed a housekeeper in preference to breaking up home ties altogether, and it was only a few years ago that Mr. Tyson relinquished the actual management of the farm and turned the same over to his son.

A few years ago when the health of this robust man began to fail, he purchased a home in Blair on west Colfax street in order to be in town and near those whom he had known for so many years, and he was a familiar sight upon the street as he conversed with his friends and old time neighbors. Someone of his children were constantly with him during the last two years, and it was in this home where the curtain descended upon his once active life, and his spirit took it flight.

During the early days, before Blair sprang into existence, Mr. Tyson lent his best energies and assistance in building up the farming community where he made his home, and he added by degrees to his original real estate holdings of 76 acres, which he homesteaded when he first came to Washington county until at the time of his death he was the owner of 800 acres of land. He was a great reader, a student of human nature and always took a deep interest in the political situation of state and nation. At the time the county seat of Washington county was removed from DeSoto to Blair, Mr. Tyson was a member of the board of county commissioners and was influential in making the change. He was also a member of the school board of his district for upwards of thirty years.

Besides his immediate family, he is survived by one sister, Miss Sarah Tyson, who lives in Wisconsin and a number of grandchildren.

The passing of Mr. Tyson removes one of the county’s foremost citizens, but his deeds of kindness and activity in times of need and distress stand as a monument to his memory, the time cannot efface. He had lived almost ninety years, and these years were fraught with good work and deeds that will help to soften the sorrows his demise brings to his devoted children.

Funeral services were held at two o’clock on Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Johnson, assisted by Rev. W. H. Underwood, the I.O.O.F. attending in a body.

The church auditorium and three lecture rooms were crowded to capacity, many persons having to stand during the services. The floral tributes were beautiful and profuse and were silent tributes to the esteem in which he was held. Dr. Mead, Dr. Hemphill, Mrs. Kyde and Mrs. Martin song several selections. A long funeral cortege wended its way to the cemetery where the body was laid to rest as the sun was lowering in the western horizon beside that of his faithful wife, who was awaiting his coming in a better and happier world.

At the cemetery the Odd Fellows used the beautiful ritual of commitment and all that as mortal of this highly esteemed man was hidden from sight forever.

The relatives, besides the immediate family, who were present at he funeral were a nephew, George Tyson of Apple Hill, Ill,; Mrs. John Gann, a niece and her husband of Rosalie, Nebr. and their daughter Mrs. Aldrich, also of Rosalie.

Among the distinguished friends from out of town were: James Martin, A. J. Majors, J. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Quinlan, Mr. and Mrs. James Cameron, W. R. Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. John Tuttle, Walter Tuttle, Mr. Haller and Mrs. Tom Petersen of Omaha; George Ames of Paxton, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Laurentz Hansen, Fred Robertson and E. P. Hanson of Herman; Mrs. H. Jeger of Bancroft; Mr. and Mrs. frank Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Smith of Craig.

Find a Grave Memorial # 9364904

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