Lake County Obituaries

William Cyrus

Submitted by Anita Crabtree

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://calarchives4u.com/

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit 
or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain 
the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of 
the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to 
their own work.

Lake County Bee, March 25, 1931

WILLIAM CYRUS, AGED PIONEER DEAD
Wm. Cyrus, an aged pioneer of Lake and Mendocino counties, passed away in Ukiah 
last Wednesday, March 18, and was lovingly laid to rest Friday afternoon in 
Hartley cemetery, beside the remains of his wife, long since departed, and four 
small children, who died in infancy. 
Mr. Cyrus, more familiarly known as “Uncle Billy”, was born in Missouri, 
September 18, 1844, making his age at time of his death just 86 years and six 
months. He crossed the plains with his parents, by ox team, when only six years 
old, amidst many hardships and privations. The family first settled in Oregon, 
remaining there for five or six years before coming to California, where in Lake 
and Mendocino counties he has continuously resided ever since, except a few 
years spent in Colusa county. Marrying at an early age, Mr. Cyrus and his wife 
came to Scotts Valley and owned what is now known as the Fred Burger ranch, 
where his young wife passed away, leaving a number of small children. Mr. Cyrus 
was twice married and from a large family only three children survive him, a son 
by the first marriage in Roseburg, Oregon; a son and daughter by the second, 
Henry Cyrus of Covelo, and Mrs. Mary Crabtree, with whom he alternately made his 
home, of Upper Lake, a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a 
half sister, Mrs. Winnie Bucknell. 
Mr. Cyrus was a devout Christian, affiliating on early youth with the Baptist 
church, of which he has ever since been a member. A kind father; a quiet 
home-loving man, ever loyal to his friends and neighbors, and a good citizen, 
Mr. Cyrus was held in high esteem and his many friends in both counties where he 
was so well known, will respect his memory. 
The relatives have the sympathy of their friends in this hour of their sorrow.