Passed away in Oregon

The following account of the death of John R. Stilts, a former well-known citizen of Blair and a brother of Mrs. John Carter, living north of Blair, is taken from the Klamath Falls (Oregon) Evening Herald:

John R. Stilts, former mayor and one of the best known citizens of this section, passed away last night (Oct. 25) at his home on South Sixth Street, after having been confined to the house for about a month with heart trouble.

For many years Mr. Stilts had not been in good health, but had endeavored to fight off the inroads of the affliction. The attack which led to his final illness came on him in the Stilts dry goods store on Main Street and he was taken to his home, where he remained under the care of a physician until the end.

Deceased, who was unmarried, was 65 years of age, having been born in Ohio, August 2, 1846. At the close of the Civil War, he came west and located at Florence, Neb., since named Omaha. About 1904 he moved to Boulder, Colo., and came to this city in August seven years ago. In 1906 he was elected to the city council and in the May following was chosen mayor. He had not long been mayor when ill health made it imperative for him to get relief from the duties and go south.

Pilot 8 Nov. 1911

Mrs. John Carter has received word of the death of her brother, John R. Stilts, which occurred at Klamath Falls, Oregon, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 25th. The funeral was held on the following Sunday.

Mr. Stilts had been both councilman and mayor of Klamath Falls and the Chronicle gave an extended local and also an editorial notice of his life and death.

He grew to manhood in this county living down near Ft. Calhoun for a time and later up in Cuming City Township.

He was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Aug. 2, 1846, and came west in 1856. He went to Boulder, Colo., in 1894, and to Klamath Falls in 1904 doing much to help build up that town to a thriving city.

Besides Mrs. Carter, he leaves four sisters, Mrs. J. M. Trisler, of Lincoln, Mrs. Anna Leach and Misses Eliza and Lillian of Klamath Falls, also three brothers, Ernest M., of Elbert, Colo., and Philip and Harry Stilts, of Klamath Falls.

He was a prominent member of the Mason and Elk Lodges and the funeral was held under their ausp. He was never married.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #28788973