OBITUARY
Brandon Times, August 17, 1899

   BLY--Adelbert M. Bly was born Dec. 19, 1837, in the town of Eaton, Madison county, New York. And died Sunday, Aug. 13, 1899. He was the eldest of seven children of whome five survive him. He came with his parents, brothers and sisters to Wisconsin in 1854, and they settled on the old homestead in the town of Metomen now owned by Asa F. Bly. He acquired a good common school education, and afterwards attended Ripon College a few terms. Taught school many winters in this town and was superintendent one or two years.
   The fifth of August, 1862, he enlisted, and served in the 32nd Regiment until the close of the war. First as a Corporal and when discharged was First Lieut. But the long tedious march with Sherman "From Atlanta to the Sea" undermined a constitution not robust at best, and years of suffering have been endured for his love of country. He never regretted the sacrifice, but always cherished the memory of his old comrades in arms, and their visits to him during his long term of invalidism, were counted his greatest pleasure.
   In 1867 he was married to Anna Burdick of the town of Green Lake who with three children, Mabel, Myrtle and George, are left very lonely. For a few years after his marriage he worked on his own farm, but it was with great pain and weariness. One piece of work after another had to be dropped from his crippled hands until fifteen years ago he felt he could do no more. Rheumatism was master. Of his sufferings since then no one can know, but rest has come at last.
   He was concerted under the ministry of Rev. R. M. Webster of the Congegrational church in Brandon during the winter of 1871. The following summer, he with his wife united with the M. E. church at Reeds Corners, of which he has ever since remained a member. Although deprived by ill health of the priviledge of attending divine service, he never lost his faith in God, but trusted when life's dark days were over, to find a better and brighter world on high.
   The funeral services were held from the home on Tuesday at 2 o'clock p. m. and were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends from Ripon, Green Lake and the surrounding country. Rev. B. F. Sanford, of Wausau, a former pastor, officiated, assisted by Rev. S. A. Sheard of the Brandon M. E. church. Many beautiful floral offerings testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held. He was laid to rest in our beautiful little cemetery [Brandon] by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, there to await the roll-call on high.