William McAllister, a pioneer resident of Oconto County, died at this home at Leighton Monday evening at 11:40 from apoplexy. Mr. McAllister suffered a stroke of paralysis about a month ago, and had been confined to his bed ever since. He was seventy six years old at the time of his death.
Deceased was born in New Mills, New Brunswick, August 24, 1849 and came to Oconto in 1868. At that time the railroads reached only as far north as Green Bay, and Mr. McAllister, with his cousin, Dan McAllister, came north from Green Bay by boat. Mr. McAllister left the boat at Oconto, while his cousin journeyed on to Marinette, where he now resides. Upon his arrival here Mr. McAllister began work in the Leigh's mill at Leighton. In those days the lumber was cut at Leighton and floated down the river to Oconto where it was loaded into boats.
In 1876 he was married to Elizabeth Leigh of Leighton, and they went to farming in Leighton, where they have lived ever since. Mr. McAllister has always been very active in public affairs. He was a member of the County Board for about ten years, and held the offices of school clerk, assessor, and town clerk at one time or another during his life. He was school clerk at Leighton for twenty years, and was active in this work almost up to the time of his death.
Deceased is survived by five sons, Frank of Stiles, Roy at home, Angus of LaGrande, Ore., Tom and Edwin of Oconto; and three daughters Mrs. James (Margaret) Devereaux of Stiles, Mrs. G. (Beth) Pamperin, town of Howard, Brown County, and Ida May McAllister of Stiles Junction. He is also survived by two brothers, John and James of New Mills, New Brunswick, twenty four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at two o'clock from the Elizabeth McAllister memorial church at Leighton, of which church Mr. McAllister was a member. Rev. R. A. Garrison of this city officiated, and interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery.