Dr. W. H. Palmer passed peacefully away while asleep last night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. J. Murdoch in this city. When Mrs. Palmer awakened at about 6 o’clock she was startled to find his body cold in death. There were no signs of a struggle of any kind, the tired heart evidently just simply ceased beating, having started its important function almost eighty three years ago. The doctor was feeling about as usual during the day, having attended the Decoration day exercises both at the cemetery in the morning and at the city hall in the afternoon. The writer saw him last at the close of the exercises walking down the aisle with an old army musket in his shoulder that he was going to give to his son-in-law, Dr. Murdoch. Someone stepped up to him and asked him if he was on picket duty, and he brought the ancient firearm down to the position of challenge, just as he had done many times while serving as a private soldier in the 53rd Illinois Infantry during the Civil war. He ate his supper as usual and had a romp with his little granddaughter, Margaret, before going to bed at about 9 o’clock, so his last day on earth was a peaceful and happy one. Little he or any of us thought he would be the next veteran to fall by the wayside, even the very night of Decoration day

The arrangements for the funeral are indefinite as yet since no word had been received from his daughter, Mrs. Gunnar Wingaard of Tacoma, Wash. up to the time we go to press. Mrs. George Williams will come from Kingsville, Texas, but cannot get her until Saturday morning, so the funeral will probably be held either Saturday or Sunday at the Murdoch residence. The burial service will be in charge of Jordan Commandery, he being a member of Washington Lodge, A.F. and A.M. of Adoniram Chapter and of Jordan Commandery, Knights Templar for many years

Dr. Palmer was born in Stark county, Ohio August 29th, 1839, and was therefore almost 83 years of age. The family moved to Illinois when he was a young man and he enlisted in the 53rd Illinois Infantry, serving to the close of the war. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago and was graduated therefrom, coming to this city to start the practice of his profession in 1872, shortly after his marriage to Miss Margaret Davis, which occurred January 25th. Five daughters were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. The living are Mrs. George F. Williams of Kingsville, Texas; Mrs. Gunnar Wingaard of Tacoma, Wash.; and Mrs. R. J. Murdoch of this city. Besides the wife, he leaves one sister, Mrs. C. L Carrigan who is now the sole survivor of a family of ten children.

#2-7 June, 1922 - The Pilot - Dr. W. H. Palmer

The funeral of Dr. W. H. Palmer whose death occurred the night of Decoration day, was held at the Dr. R. J. Murdoch home at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Dr. D. E. Jenkins of Omaha officiating, assisted by Rev. H. J. Sealey. The day was a perfect one and a large number of friends gathered to pay their respects for the venerable physician who had served the community so faithfully for so many years. The floral offerings were very profuse and beautiful and the entire service was most fitting and appropriate in every way. The music was furnished by a quartette composed of Mrs. J. M. Kyde, Miss Mary Cook, H. H. Brown and the writer, Miss Ethel Stewart accompanist. The old soldiers attended the service in a body, also the members of Washington Lodge A.F. and A.F. and Jordan Commandery, K. T. The body was committed to Mother Earth with the Masonic burial service.

#3-1 June, 1922 - The Enterprise - Dr. W. H. Palmer

DR. PALMER CALLED

PIONEER SETTLER OF BLAIR ANSWERS LAST ROLL CALL

Blair citizens were shocked yesterday morning when the sad news was passed around that Dr. W. H. Palmer had passed away. Just the day before he had mingled with the populace, had taken his place in the ranks of the veterans of the Civil War, and had apparently been in good health for one of his advanced age. At home in the evening he had played with his little granddaughter and had retired at his usual time.

During the early morning hours, just when no one knew, his spirit wended its way to its Maker, and he was no more, and when the waking time came for the family, he was found dead in bed.

Dr. W. H. Palmer was born in Stark County, Ohio Aug. 29, 1839, and when about twelve years old the family moved to Indiana and later to Ill.

When the war broke out he enlisted for ninety days. After this service was finished, he did not immediately re-enlist, but later enlisted in the 53rd Illinois Infantry in which company he served through the remainder of the war.

After the close of the war he studied medicine at the Rush Medical College of Chicago from which he graduated.

On January 25, 1872 he was married to Miss Margaret Davis, and in the fall of the same year moved to Blair where he has since made his home.

He watched the city grow from its infancy, and assisted in the activities, both social and civil. He was a faithful physician to all and always did his work in a careful, conscientious way, a consistent Christian serving his people to the best of his ability.

His family of three girls grew to womanhood here, and received their education in our schools. Two of them leaving here at their marriage, while the youngest, Mrs. R. J. Murdoch, still calls this her home.

Up to a few years ago he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and since his retirement lived quietly among us, making his home for the past two years with his son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. R. J. Murdoch, and it was at their home that he died.

The funeral will be held next Sunday at 3 p.m. at the residence of Dr. R. J. Murdoch, at which time Rev. Dr. D. E. Jenkins, President of the University of Omaha will make the address. The funeral will be conducted by the Masonic fraternity with the G.A.R. as honorary escorts. The Knights Templars will be in charge at the house, and the Blue Lodge in charge at the cemetery.

The pallbearers are to be Wm. Kelly, James Smith, Chris Schmidt, Stanley Osborn, E. B. Carrigan and J. B. Adams.

Deceased leaves to mourn him a wife, three daughters, Mrs. G. F. Williams of Kingsville, Texas, Mrs. Gunnar Wingard of Tacoma, Washington and Mrs. R. J. Murdoch of this city also a sister, Mrs. John Carrigan of this city.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #57412164