Yuma County CO Archives Obituaries.....Bales, Elisha J., MD, December 10, 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Lee Zion April 2007 From a scrapbook compiled by her step daughter, Edna Bales Kitzmiller, now held by the Yuma Museum. Elisha J. Bales Born Jan 4, 1850 Died Dec 10, 1925 Doctor Elisha Bales is buried in Range 2, Lot 24 of Wray's Grandview Cemetery with his wives; Josephine (1860-1893) and Anna (1853-1910) and his three children; Eugene (1893), Wayne (1889-1929) and Edna Kitzmiller (1891-1982). Edna's husband, Doctor Harry V. Kitmiller (1878-1945), shares the lot. =================== The Wray Rattler, Wray, Colorado, Saturday, December 12, 1925 Dr. E. J. Bales, Pioneer Physician is Dead. The Rattler is called upon this week to record the passing of another of those hardy pioneers who blazed the trail for civilization into this county in the year 1886. Dr. E. J. Bales, early day homesteader and physician, has crossed to the other side. Only the older citizens of Wray and Yuma county can appreciate the contribution Dr. Bales made to the development of this locality. He came here as a young man, a young physician, and began the practice of medicine. Over the far flung plains he traveled by day and by night, ministering to the sick. All through those early days he stood guard against disease in this community, and there were few homes indeed where Dr. Bales did not at some time or other minister to the unfortunate sick. Any correct historical sketch of early day history of Yuma county will recognize Dr. E. J. Bales as a public benefactor. (Obit) Dr. E. J. Bales was born in Xenia, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1950, being one of the youngest of a family of 10 boys and four girls. He passed out of this life Dec. 10, 1925, having reached the age of 75 years, 11 months and 6 days. While yet a boy he moved with his family to Kingman, Ind., and when he stepped across the threshold of young manhood he chose the medical profession as his life's occupation, and he entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1876, have shown more than ordinary resourcefulness by working his way through college by teaching a part of the time. Following his graduation he spent some time in Missouri, Arizona and New Mexico. In 1886 there was a great influx of homesteaders to Yuma county, Colorado, and Dr. Bales was one of that number arriving here Feb. 15 of that year. In 1887 Dr. Bales was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Templeton. This union was blessed with three children. The wife and mother passed away in June 1893, only to be followed by Eugene, youngest of the three children, three weeks later. Six years after the death of his first wife, Dr. Bales was united in marriage to Miss Anna Oxley, who died in 1910. Dr. Bales was a member of Akron Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templar, also of Wray Lodge No 71, A.F. & A.M. He was also a charter member of the Eastern Star, Wray Chapter No. 65. He is survived by one brother, J. W., a son, Wayne Bales of California, a daughter, Mrs. Edna Kitzmiller of Wray and a granddaughter, Deloma. Dr. Bales spent his later years in California. About a year ago he returned to Wray to live, but the ravages of old age had made great inroads upon his once rugged physique and he failed rapidly. His last hours were peaceful and unattended by great bodily discomfort. Several days before he reached the end of the long, long trail he realized that the death angel was hovering near, and he said that it was only a matter of wearing out the old machinery, but he would sure be Home for the Holidays. Thus closed his Book of Life. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. Harbour. The service at the grave was in charge of the Masons. =========================== Colorado Patriot, Wray, Colorado, December 17, 1925 Funeral of Dr. E.J. Bales The funeral of Dr. E.J. Bales, whose death occurred last Thursday morning, was held at the Methodist church last Friday afternoon, burial being at Grandview. Rev. Earl O. Harbour delivered the sermon. The burial was in charge of Wray Lodge No. 71, A.F. & A.M. The passing of Dr. Bales removes from the activities of life a pioneer physician and one whose rugged character and warm heart was ever an outstanding feature of the earlier life of the community. Connected as he was with every early-day forward movement of the town, he has left his impress on many of the progressive movements. He settled here in 1886, at which time all the town there was was on the north side of the river. When advancement moved south he assisted in laying out what is now the main part of the business section. He was a physician of the old school, going when called regardless of weather conditions and doing all he could to alleviate suffering regardless of the prospect of pay, and many of the early settlers are still telling of services he rendered, a tribute that will always last and a monument that is more to be desired that one hewn from the finest granite. Obituary (Repeat of Rattler obit above.) ======================================== File located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/yuma/obits/b/bales_ej_1925.txt