Obit: Travis, Charles B. (1836 - 1928)

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Surnames: TRAVIS NILES TERRELL

----Sources: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 03/10/1928

Travis, Charles B. (18 FEB 1836 - 5 MAR 1928)

The final summons came to our venerable townsman, C.B. Travis, about eleven o’clock last Monday forenoon. The last of the week he had rallied and appeared much stronger, which was followed by a day of restlessness. He retained consciousness until just a few hours before his death. Mr. Travis had been confined to his home since early December, spending party of each day in bed. He was dressed on his 93rd birthday, Feb. 18th, and again on his wedding anniversary, Feb. 21st, but since then he grew weaker day by day. Old age was the cause of his death.

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at ten o’clock, at the town hall, and were attended by a large congregation of friends. The ladies quartet, composed of Mrs. Frisbie, Mrs. Waters, Mrs. Smith and Miss Brandstedter, sang three of the favorite church hymns of the deceased. Rev. L.L. Litchfield preached a sermon of loving tribute to the life and character of him in whom the speaker said he had found an inspirational friend, taking as his text the verse, Job 5:26, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age."

The Masonic and Eastern Star Orders attended the services in a body, the burial rites of the order being given by B.J. Stallard, and the remains were then carried to the depot and taken on the noon train, accompanied by the bereaved wife, her sister, Mrs. Etsel Dunn, and J.J. Jackson, to Oregon for interment beside his first wife in his boyhood home. Burial was Thursday afternoon, services being held at the cemetery for the many relatives residing in that part.

Charles Benjamin Travis, only son of Benjamin and Margaret Travis, was born in Chenango Co., New York, Feb. 18, 1836. His father died when the son was only six months of age, and the child was reared by his paternal grandparents. When he was ten years of age, he came with his grandparents, Stephen Travis and family, to Wisconsin, locating in Dane County. This was in 1846. Ten years later he came first to this vicinity, remaining a year or more. He then returned to Madison, and having learned the carpenter trade, in 1864 enlisted in the Civil War as a carpenter, being stationed at Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Travis was discharged in 1865, and the next fall, Oct. 4, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Niles, who was a teacher in the Madison schools. They located soon after their wedding at Humbird (Clark Co., Wis.), and this has since been his home.

Mr. Travis was active in local affairs for many years. He served in different official capacities, being justice of the peace from 1868 to 1924, and was town clerk for several terms. For a while he followed his trade as carpenter, and then was employed for eight years as clerk in the general store of Cross & Freeman. After which he engaged in the furniture business. When his boyhood friend, Wm. F. Vilas, was appointed Postmaster General in 1885, he appointed Mr. Travis as postmaster at Humbird, in which position he served for nine years.

On Dec. 1, 1904, Mr. Travis was called upon to mourn the death of his beloved helpmate. He married secondly, on Feb. 21, 1906, Miss Harriet E. Terrell, with whom he loved happily until his death on March 5, 1928, at the age of 92 years and 16 days. He is survived by his wife, numerous relatives and many friends.

Mr. Travis was a devout Christian and has been a trustee of the Methodist Church for many years. He and his wife were founders of the first Sunday School in this vicinity, and until advanced age necessitated his retirement, he was always active in church matters. He lived an exemplary life in this community, and has passed to the Eternal Home, ‘midst the blessings of surrounding friends. He was an honored member of the Masonic lodge and Eastern Star chapter, being a charter member of the latter organization.