The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-31
ANOTHER MINISTER DEPARTED.
Rev. N. G. Todd Expires Suddenly.

his death came from Mason City, Iowa,
and stated that he expired suddenly late
in the evening, while waiting for train,
at the hotel near the depot. Monday
the particulars of the event reached us
from Rev. L. J. Dinsmore. It seems
that Br. Todd was on his way to attend
the funeral of his last brother, who had
passed away on Sunday, March IS, in
Iowa Falls. He reached Mason City on
Monday evening. Here he had to wait
until midnight for a train, and went to
the hotel near at hand for the purpose Of
securing little needed rest. He retired
early to his room, but did not remain
there long, coming downstairs with his
valise and overcoat on one arm, and
holding the lamp with the other hand,
and the arm closely pressed against his
stomach.
A gentleman in the room noticing his
strange appearance and the pallor of his
face, helped him to chair. He said
"Albert Lea,-my son, W. E." and then
sinking rapidly, he could only spell out
Todd" He could say no more and
almost instantly expired.
Friends we're at once at his side minis
tering to him. A physician was called,
and arrived in less than ten minutes, but
it was too late; the spirit had fed. The
we'll known Wisconsin missionary, and
beloved friend and pastor, had been sud
denly called to his eternal home.
His son, w. E. Todd, OF Albert Lea,
was at once telegrapbed for, but was not
able to reach Mason City until Tuesday
afternoon. In the meantime. the Masonic
order had taken charge of the body and
attended to all necessary arrangements.
Especially are the family indebted to
j. r. Kirke, Master of the Masonic
Lodge; A. D. Hope and wife, of the
hotel; J. M. White, of Hampton, Iowa,
who took supper with Br. Todd for the
last time; Mr.. Herrick and DR.. A. l..
Wheeler, for their kindness in the mel
ancholy hour.
For the above particulars we are in
debted substantially to Rev. l.. j. Dins-
more, who also furnishes the following ::
THE FUNERAL SERVICES.
The body. accompanied by the two sons, e.
mer and Miles, reached Lodi on Wednesday, at
4:4O P. M. The funeral services were held at
10: 80. Friday morning and we're conducted by
Rev. L. j. Dinsmore and Rev. Rodman Bos-
worth, P. E., of the GAINESVILLE district, for
twenty years a warm friend OF the departed.
The Baptist and Presbyterian churches were
both rendered for the funeral; the former
was chosen, and large as it was, it was COM
pletely packed. The exercises at the grave
were conducted by the Masons, David Wright,
of Madison, rendering the impressive words
of the ceremony with great power. The G..
A. r. acted as guard of honor. The immense
gathering and the patient attention of the
people showed how deep a hold the honored
pastor and the upright man, had taken upon
their affections.
Wecannot close this without making note of
the floral offerings, which were simple but
beautiful and touching. A pillow with" Father
on II, from the children,a all of whom were pres
emit at the funeral; cross from friends in Ma
zomanie; "Our Pastor, "a wreath from the Lodi
church; a star and crescent. and Masonic''T"
from COiumbus,-these seemed doubly pre-
cious for the passionate love that Br. Todd had
always manifested for flowers. Friends were
present, from Prairie du Sac, Mazomanie
and Columbus, which with Lodi, are all his
regular pastorates But as l have said, his
voice has been heard in almost every town in
Wisconsin,, and his was cherished friendship
IN many Universalist home.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Rev. M. G. Todd was born in Homer, Cort-
land co, N. Y, Aug. 4, 1921. He was, therefore,
nearly sixty-seven years of age. He attended
academy for time, and was hard student
He was twice married. his first wife dying in
Illinois. About the year 1852 he married
Helen Parker, who now survives him. In
1855 he came to Wisconsin, and bought farm
near Merrimac, Sank Co. The next year he
preached his first sermon, the immediate &C.
casion being the inspiration of an Incorporate
discourse by an Orthodox" preacher in the
neighboring school-house, which so moved
him that he gave notice that on the follow
ing Sunday he would preach. Then child of
our Brother Crawford, well-known to for
mer generation of our church. having died,
and the father, not being able to find a con-
genial minister, called upon him to oticiate,
He did so, and from that began to preach reg
ularly.
HIS MINISTRY IN WISCONSIN.
In 1857 he organized a society at Lodi, and
came there to preach. He made decided
success of his work. both as pastor and preach
err. From Lodi he went to Mazomanie. In
1868 he went to Columbus, where he had been
preaching half of the time, for two years.
Here he had a long and honored passionate of
more than twelve years, broken only by a
short absence which he returned to the Mer-
rimac farm on account of i'll health. But the
Columbus pastorate was finally given up ia
the year 1880. For several years he was ac-
tive as minister at large. two years being en-
ployed as State Missionary. In May, 1886, he
yielded to solicitation and came back
to Lodi which he prophetically called his last
pastorate. His last days were among his best
and his memory will be very fragrant in
multitude of hearts in Wisconsin.
1t is, indeed. a loss TO our church. For
more than thirty three years Br. Todd has
been a faithful and consecrated minister OF
the gospel. In almost every community in
Central and Southern Wisconsin his voice had
been repeatedly heard. and his face was that
of welcome friend. He was good man. an
upright Citizen a Ca pable and efficient minister
of the word. His life was square. and his
word was his bond. To the illustrious dead of
our church since the New York Convention
must now be added that of Miles G. Todd. IT,
not the peer of all in intellectual power and
oratorical gifts, he was second TO none then
fervor of devotion and genuine conservation
to his calling; while for the traits and char
acteristics of strong and well balanced man
hood be was remarkable.
He has ended his work below but the heav-
emily life receives him. Blessed is he, having