William Jefferson Colebank, was born in Barber county West Virginia, January 1st, 1825, and breathed his last at the home of his son, Samuel G. Colebank, near Cyrus post office, early on New Year’s Day, having seen 83 years of the joys and sorrows of this life, and the marvelous expansion of his country being five years old when the first railroad was being constructed in the United States.

At about the age of twenty one he was converted and baptized, becoming a member of the German Baptist denomination, in which faith he was ordained a minister of the gospel about four years later.

The following fall he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Amelia Hayes. To this union were born and still survive, four sons, Marshall, Elisha, Samuel G. and Andrew. Also three daughters, Mrs. Mary Gilman, Mrs. Katherine Dyer and Mrs. Elizabeth Dyer.

For about fifty years he was engaged in preaching the Gospel. He removed to Shelby county Missouri, fifty-two years ago, where he remained for twenty-eight years, thence removing to Frontier county, Nebraska, in 1883.

In 1890 his wife died, and since that time he has resided with his son, in whose home he died. A host of friends sympathize with the family in their sad bereavement. “Death loves a shining mark.” He was laid to rest in the Bayard cemetery Thursday, January 2nd, 1908, Rev. W. F. Harper officiating.

The Bayard Transcript 20(5):8 Saturday, January 4, 1908