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DIED: HUGUS- in Santa Cruz, Wilbur Belden Hugus, a Native of Pittsburgh PA, aged 69 years.

Death of Wilbur B. Hugus
Passes Away at His Home On Branciforte Avenue

Wilbur Belden Hugus, a veteran of the Civil War, and one who has been prominently identified in western communities in their up building, quietly and peacefully passed away at the family home on Ocean View avenue shortly before noon yesterday.

He was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and at the time of his death was 68 years of age.

When a mere boy, he removed with his parents to Massillon, Ohio, where he attended school with the late President McKinley.

From there he went to Omaha, NE., and from then on his life had been identified with the territories of the west, never being able to cast a vote for President until Wyoming was admitted.

He was only 19 when the Civil War broke out, when he enlisted and was an aide de camp to Brigadier General Craig, ranking as first lieutenant on his staff. His service was with a Nebraska regiment. He was a member of Wallace Reynolds Post, G.A.R., members of which are to serve as pallbearers at the funeral.

Before going to Wyoming he was a post trader in Arizona at the time of the Indian outbreaks, when General Crook was there, and who was a personal friend of the deceased. He had many personal experiences with the Indians at the troublesome time in the territory.

In Wyoming, where he resided until ten years ago, he was a prominent man of affairs. There, twenty-four years ago, he married Nellie M. Barker at the town of Saratoga, of which he was a founder. He gave the lot and built the Episcopal Church, of which he was a communicant. He also helped the Catholic Church in a very liberal manner.

He carried on a large general merchandise business, and was also interested in cattle and stock raising.

To Santa Cruz the family came for the benefit of his and their health in September ten years ago. Mr. Hugus followed in November. His life has been retired and quiet one since coming here, although he has been considerably interested in real estate.

The beautiful Young place on North Branciforte avenue was purchased, and here he has been an ideal husband and father in the home, where he is survived by the wife, one son, Wilbur B. Jr. and five daughters, Louise, Margaret, Gay, Elizabeth, and Nellie. An only sister, Mrs. Ellen Beall, who was here last year on a visit resides in New York City.

The service tomorrow afternoon at the home will be conducted by Rev. F.G. Williams of Calvary Episcopal Church. The interment will be private.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (July 8, 1909)

The Burial of W.B. Hugus

The friends of the late Wilbur Belden Hugus assembled at the family residence on Branciforte Ave. this afternoon to attend the funeral services and pay their last respect to the dead.

The services were conducted by Rev. F. Williams of Calvary Episcopal Church and the Wallace-Reynolds Post, G.A.R. who attended the funeral in a body.

The many floral pieces were deeply expressive of the esteem in which the worthy citizen was held.

The pallbearers were P. Hynes, H.A.W. Blackburn, W.R. Sargent, Col. W.V. Lucas, P.P. Perry, and J. R. Williams.

Date of Birth: 1840-09-07

Date of Death: 1909-06-07

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Oakwood Memorial Park

Plot: O6/06

Mortuary: PCU

Cause of Death: Pul/TB

Date of Marriage: 1885/

Spouse: Barker_ Nellie M

Occupation: Bus/GenStore

Religion: Ep

Height: 6'

Local Address: Branciforte N 59

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: PA

Father Native of: Peter (PA)

Mother Native of: McCormick_Elizabeth (PA)

Enlisted: 1862/10/14

Discharged: 1863/12/23

Military Unit: NE_ 2 Cav_ Co D

Rank: Lt

Military Notes: Not on HDS/SSS Database 04/04

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1920/03/28