OBITUARY: Albert S. Bliton, Medford, Jackson County, Oregon *************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *************************************************************************** Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elizabeth Corethers 20 May 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Wednesday, 5 Jun 1940, p. 1 A. S. BLITON, EARLY PUBLISHER HERE, TAKEN BY DEATH A. S. Bliton, prominent resident of Medford since 1893, died at his home, 726 West Fourth street, this morning at 8:35 after six weeks illness, during which time he underwent two operations. Mr. Bliton, who would have been 81 years of age next Sunday, was born on June 9, 1859 in Clyde, N. Y. In January 1893, after moving to Medford, he established the Medford Mail, a weekly paper, which later became a daily. In 1909, it was purchased by the Medford Tribune, then published by George Putnam, and became what is now the Medford Mail Tribune. Before coming to Medford, Mr. Bliton published newspapers at Wheatland, N. D., and for a year and a half at Florence, Ore. In his busy and colorful career, Mr. Bliton also occupied federal positions. He was postmaster at Wheatland, and in his early Medford days was United States commissioner at a time when a large volume of timber business passed through the local office. On July 1, 1937, Mr. Bliton retired from the California Oregon Power company after 20 years service, on a monthly pension as a reward for long and loyal labor with the concern. Following his retirement from Copco, Mr. Bliton busied himself with odd jobs around his home and up until his illness six week ago, was a familiar figure about the business district, calling on old friends and making new ones. Mr. Bliton's circle of friends and acquaintances in this valley was large and his death will be mourned by hundreds. He was an active member of the Methodist church and a true Christian throughout his long and useful life. He is survived by his wife, Ida M. Bliton; two daughters, Mrs. Loraine Thomas, Medford, and Mrs. Mildred B. Dodge, Yreka, Calif. Also one son, Albert H. Bliton, Eugene, and two grandchildren, Laurnell Dodge and Claire Loraine Thomas. Funeral arrangements, in charge of Conger funeral home, will be announced tomorrow.