BYFIELD, Charles

CHARLES BYFIELD

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PASSES QUIETLY TO REST MON-
DAY AFTERNOON.

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News of His Death Received with
Sorrow by the Entire Community—
Sketch of his Life—Bar Meeting—
Resolutions Adopted.

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Everybody liked Charlie Byfield and the entire community is saddened by his death.

He had been in poor health for many years and people had become accus­tomed to it. Yet the news of his death Monday afternoon came suddenly to most persons. He was uncomplaining and cheerful through all his illness and this quality had helped unconsciously to create a feeling that the summons was not so near at hand. So his death came as a surprise to many.

The following brief sketch of his life, prepared by a friend, and the reso­lutions of the Johnson county bar, set forth salient points in his life and character:

Charles Byfield was born at Lan­caster, Jefferson County, Ind., Sept. 7, 1849. He was the youngest child of Horace and Janet Byfield, who were among the early pioneers of Jefferson County. His boyhood was spent on the farm, and at the age of sixteen he entered Franklin College, where he re­ceived his education. He was married February 12, 1873, to Mattie [sic Martha] Mil­hous at Richmond, Ind. To them were born four sons and one daughter, all of whom survive him. His life has been mostly spent in this community where he has always been held in the highest respect and esteem.

He has held for years offices of pub­lic trust. For the past eight years he has held the office of clerk of Johnson County, retiring from office last Nov­ember. He was admitted to the bar in November and was preparing to prac­tice when ill health caused him to lay down his life work. Although he had been in ill health for years yet his death was sudden and unexpected to his fam­ily and friends.

He had been a member of the Presbyterian church for thirty years and while not an active church worker he was always in sympathy with church life. He was a kind and loving father, an affectionate husband and a faithful friend.

The Johnson county bar held a meeting Tuesday morning to take action on the death of Mr. Byfield. Judge Buckingham acted as chairman and E. F. Barker, secretary. R. M. Miller, Ben P. Brown and Wm. Neal were ap­pointed a committee on arrangements, Daulton Wilson, Judge Johnson and Edward F. White a committee on resolutions. Thursday morning the bar met and the following memorial and resolutions were offered:

Memorial of the county and ex-county officers and the bar of Johnson County upon the death of Charles Byfield:

Charles Byfield was born at Dupont, Jefferson County, Indiana, on the 7th day of September 1849, and departed this life at Franklin, Indiana on the fifth day of March, 1900.

He was one of the most prominent citizens of this county and held many positions of trust and honor in this community, the most prominent of which was the office of clerk of the Johnson circuit court, which office he held with great acceptance to the people and bar and credit to himself from November, 1891 to November 1899. In his early manhood he studied law in the office of Woollen & Byfield, and at the expiration of his term of office as clerk he was admitted as a member of said bar and opened an office in said city for the practice of his profession. And we, being desirous of having placed of record of this court the testimonial of our high esteem and regard for him, do hereby

Resolve That in all his official, pro­fessional and private life we have al­ways found Mr. Byfield to be a most efficient officer, a fair adviser and an upright and honorable citizen: That to his family he was a kind, indulgent hus­band and father: That in all his walks of life and our association with him, whether as an officer, attorney or friend, we knew him but to love and esteem him. His integrity was unques­tioned, his friendship was sincere and our confidences with him were never doubted.

To his family we extend our heartfelt and sincere sympathy in this their great­est bereavement.

While with them his loss is irre­parable, we beg to share the same with them, and his memory to us will always remain one of our most cherished re­membrances.

We desire that this memorial be spread of record in this court and that a certified copy thereof be furnished to his family and that the same be published in the various newspapers of the county.

Every member of the bar spoke briefly and with deep feeling in appreciation of the character of Mr. Byfield. His traits of character as set forth in the resolutions were enlarged upon and the earnest, heartfelt tributes paid to the deceased by the different members of the bar made a deep impression on all present.

A handsome floral tribute was pro­vided for by the members and at the close of the meeting the bar marched in a body to view the remains. Court was adjourned for the day.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Presby­terian church, under the auspices of the Knights Templars and Odd Fellows. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. L. P. Marshall, in the presence of a large assembly of friends of the deceased.

Link to Charles Byfield’s grave

Note: Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899–2011, Certificate and Record of Death, Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana, Health Officer’s record Number 5, page 35 records that Charles Byfield died from tuberculosis of the mesentery of one or more years duration at about 3 o’clock p. m. on 5 Mar 1900 at his residence in Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana, aged fifty years, four months and twenty-seven days, born in Pennsylvania [sic]. He was male, white, married and a lawyer. His father’s name was Horatio Byfield, his mother’s maiden name was unknown, both born in Pennsylvania. He was buried in Franklin, Indiana on 8 Mar 1900, E. G. Barnhizer, undertaker.

Submitted by Mark McCrady, Cathea Curry and Lois Johnson