Jay Stillman, a State Pioneer
Father Held Donation Land Claim in Boistfort Section 78 Years Ago.

Jay Stillman, whose tragic death was reported from Puyallup Friday, June 7, when he fell from the roof of a barn where he had almost completed a job of laying 25,000 shingles, was a real pioneer of Washington territory. Mr. Stillman, who was 86 years of age, came to Washington when a boy, 78 years ago. His father, Henry Stillman, took up a donation land claim of 640 acres on Boistfort prairie in western Lewis county when Jay was a lad of eight years. The first schoolhouse in Washington territory was built on a tract of this land. Jay Stillman continued to make Lewis county his home until about 25 years ago, when he moved to Puyallup.

While in this county and later at Puyallup, Mr. Stillman engaged in hop growing, losing heavily in the venture. He is remembered most kindly by old timers of Chehlias and the upper Chehalis valley in the Boistfort neighborhood, where he was actie in the life of the community and was loved and respected by all. Years ago, before the organization of Boistfort Grange, "Jay," as he was familiarly known to all, took a part in a local literary society that afforded pleasure and entertainment for the neighborhood in a literary and social way. He was fairly well educated and had a keen appreciative mind. His contribution to the society programs was a so-called "paper" which he would prepare and read when the meetings were held from time to time.

He was postmaster at Boistfort several years.

There were but the one son and a daughter in Henry Stillman's family. Jay Stillman and his sister, Mrs. Eunice Clark, who had moved to Puyallup previous to his locating there. Her death occurred some years ago. Mr. Stillman had enjoyed good health for many years and prided himself on the fact that in spite of his advanced age he was able to make his living and take care of himself. He made a special business of laying shingles. About a year ago when he was leaving for home after visiting some time in the Boistfort district with his old friends, the writer had a visit with him at Chehalis. When it was suggested to Jay that he should use great care in his dangerous occupation he reassured himself by stating that he had been at the shingling business so long that he was sure of himself and that he had no fears along that line. It was his pride to be able to shingle the steepest roofs as well as the largest ones offered him.

Mr. Stillman was a member of the Pierce County Pioneers' Association and the Rebekah lodge at Puyallup. A coincidence in connection with his death was that Rev. McBain Milne of the Puyallup Baptist church had made plans to have Mr. Stillman present last Sunday morning for a special sermon, the title of which was "Jesus Christ and the Human Body." The sermon was suggested by Mr. Stillman's life and activity at Puyallup. The sermon was never delivered but instead, the same pastor officiated at the funeral service of the pioneer. These were held Monday afternoon at Puyallup, officers of the Odd Fellows lodge assisting Rev. Milne in the ceremonies. Burial was at Puyallup.

Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, Friday, 14 Jun 1929. p. 15.

Transcribed by Jenny Tenlen. She has no further information on this individual.

[Editor's note: Jay Stillman is buried at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup, Pierce Co., WA (source: Find-A-Grave).]