The Clarion Democrat - Thursday, April 21, 1932
William Bish
A prominent and highly respected citizen of Paint Township, Clarion County, sustained a second stroke of paralysis some days ago and passed to the world beyond, Tuesday, April 19, 1932, at 8:00 o'clock a.m. Some months ago, Mr. Bish was first stricken and had been unable to recover from his disability. When attacked by the second stroke, he was unable to overcome it. Mr. Bish was born April 15, 1853, in Paint Township, thus being aged 79 years and 4 days at the time of his death. He was united in marriage with Anna Kunkle who survives him, along with seven sons and three daughters (one daughter having preceded him) as follows: Frank Bish, of Fairmont, West Virginia, Harry Bish, of Weirton, West Virginia, Mrs. Maude Hartzell, of Elmo, Mrs. C. F. Trainer, of Clarion, T. W. Bish, of Dundee, New York, E. H. Bish, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, G. H. Bish, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, J. A. Bish, of Clarendon, Mrs. Merle Best, of Knox, and Ted R. Bish, of the home. There also survive 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Seven brothers and three sisters are deceased, but one brother, James Bish, survives. Mr. Bish's funeral will be held from his home on Thursday, April 31st, the service being conducted by Rev. D. A. Piatt of Clarion. Interment will be in Clarion Cemetery.

Death certificate gives age as 79 years and 3 days - birth date April 16, 1853. Son of David Bish & Margaret Kelly. Son, T. W. (Thomas William) Bish, was informant. Buried on April 21, 1932.

Census age records:
1860 - 4
1870 - 17
1880 - 25
1900 - 46
1910 - 56
1930 - 65
1930 - 75 (taken April 7th - would have been 76 in 9 days)
So the birth date carved on the headstone, noted on the death certificate and in the newspaper, and listed on the various census records varies, but regardless, the death certificate is the official record, although best guess is 1854.

As to his service in the Spanish-American War and the plaque on his grave, I can find no record in Clarion County of his serving at all. He was too young for the Civil War and too old for World War I. In April 1898, he would have been abt 45 years old with at least 7 of 10 children living in their stone house off the main road at the top of the Clarion River hill. My grandmother was born there on February 2, 1898.