1861 Letter:2720 Letter from Mary E. Irwin Bitler written shortly after her marriage to Sylvester Van Tress, describing the death of a Civil War soldier, possibly a brother.

1880 U.S. Census:2135 Mary E. enumerated in the household of her husband S. V. Bitler in Madison Township, Greenwood County, Kansas as a white female, age 37, wife, married, keeping house, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in New Jersey.

1887 Death Date:986 Obituary of husband S. V. Bitler indicates "Mrs. Bitler died in 1887."

1887 Obituary:774,842, v. 1, p. 30. Death of Mrs. S. V. Bitler. Correspondence of the Republican. Bitlertown, Ks., May 12. Our little town is today wrapped in mourning over the death of our esteemed friend, Mrs. Mary E. Bitler, wife of S. V. Bitler, merchant who is as well known as any man in our county. Mrs. Bitler has been languishing for several weeks, and gave some token of improvement until a week ago, when she was suddenly assailed by septicemia and fell its victim this a.m. at 6:20. Mrs. Bitler was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 12th, 1843, and moved to Allen County, Ohio, where she spent the early portion of her life up to the time of her marriage to Mr. S. V. Bitler. Marrying at the early age of eighteen, herself and husband came westward and landed in Lyon County in 1870, in which and on its border in Greenwood County, they have spent their lives, each one striving to do their part to secure a comfortable livelihood. Two years ago they located in Bitlertown and Mr. B. engaged in the general merchandise business, the outcome of which is the addition of a host of friends who know at the sad parting, tender sympathy and condolence. The children of Mrs. B., eight in number are, like their parents, highly respected, and have the regrets and good will of all. No family is better known and stands higher than this one and that they should be so suddenly bereaved casts a gloom on the whole community. — Emporia (Kansas) Daily Republican. Mr. and Mrs. S. V. Bitler settled in Wapakoneta after their marriage, and continued their residence here until their removal to Kansas. The deceased lady has many friends here and the news of her death will be sorrowfully received.