The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-03-28
Brother and Sister Abel Miles

Brother and Sister Abel Miles
were members of the Leon congregation
at the time of the building of the church
and he together with Samuel Caster and
John kirkpatrick constituted the build
ing committee. He was liberal with his
time and means and ever faithful to his
| Master.
Aunt Tiller Johnson,
our old colored sister, was faithful
member of the Christian church from
childhood. She was always ready to
give reason for the hope of her re.
demp,ion. Her last gift 10 the church
was the Bible that now lies on the stand.
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Caster.
Brother ana Sister Caster united with
the Christian church i'm 1865. Soon
atterward he was appointed a member
OF Inc building committee and took Il
leading part in its work. When they
met to consider plans for the building
1t was thought impossible to build any
thing better Than Il frame building,
BRO Caster said If they would put up q
brick editice he waull double his sub
scrlpti"n and make the brick AT half
| price. 1t was largely due To his energy
ana llberAlitv that he house WAS CON :
| pleted. lie loved The house OF the Lord
ana delighted in worship with his
brethren. During his last sickness he
requested that the brethren hold Il
| prayer meeting at his home. During
that evening service Bro Caster said he
often felt as if he had almost failed in
his Christian life, because he had never
been able to eXhort saints to faithiulness
and warn sinners of their great danger.
A sister present said to him, ''rhe
Lords body is made up of many mem
bers and while others could do the talk
ing you are living your religion every
day and doing an oyer-amount of work
in pay" EYES," said he, 81 have done
all | could that way" Sister Caster
was noble Christian woman ready at
all times to lend helping hand in
church work, or among the sick, or min
istering to the needy. Their lives were
a rich blessing to the early church.
&C. Porter.
The first pastor of the Church OF
Christ at Leon. In fact he was one OF
the Leading men of the organization OF
the church and founded many other
churches In the surrounding country
He was born IN the state of Ohio, re
ceiving his education in the public
sc lools. When quite young he turned
his attention to the preaching Of the
gospel. His advantages for gaining ar
education being so limited it required
great perseverance Oh his part to quail
ity himself for the ministry. He en-
gagged in his chosen vocation with
great deal of love and enthusiasm. HI
was pastor of the Christian church a
Leon for twenty years with the excep
ton of four years and during a part o
this time, receiving no compensation
for his work. He represented Decatu
county in the state legislature at on
time and held other offices OF honor ant
trust i'll this county. This remarkable
Christian character is evidenced by tn
high esteem in which he was held dur
ing his long residence here. His worl
as an evangelist was so marked as t.
! entitle him to high place among tn
pioneer preachers of primitive Chris
] tianity. He was compelled to go t
! California some 25 years ago on accour
!. Of failing health continuing his mini
J try whenever his strength would pc
4 init. Less than year ago he was cal
y the crown, with the work of many yea
. ing Master.
Mr.. John Kirkpatrick,
, born 1912, died 1899, was Que. OF til
! early members of the church and a men
/. Der OF the building committee. he ",
. for many years an elder in the churc
Y His council and advice was highly a.
!: preciated and his long period of servi'
. was characterized by faithfulness
4 every respect.
! Mr.. and Mrs. Sebert Rhea.
i Father and Mother Rhea we're he
!: when the church was built. And fro
y the hauling of the first load Of wood
u burn the brick till the last nail W;
|: driven he worked and gave of h
j means. Their home was ever Il
II preachers home.
4 Mrs. Anna Combs
!. died in 1852. For over fifty years 81
!. was an humble follower OF the Mast
4 doing whatever her hands found to u
!. To those who know her best the mel
I. DRY of her pure upright devoted life is
y continued inspiration.
u Mrs. Ellen NJ. Gardner
III 1910. Sllc COulcSSGtl Gllc SuIl
\: in her youth and continued to COME
J him daily in all the years that follow'
N both in word and deed. She was tr
g woman and her modest Christian Ii
\ was most worthy example and e
y couragement to the followers Of Chris
y Mr.. Orange Howard
i. was born in New Hampshire in $50
y died in 1898. He united with tt
u Christian church in 1851. Being ca
|: penter by trade mis- work was valuab
j in the construction of the church bull
\ ing. AS citizen he was the soul
i: honor and of HIM it could be said tn
y he owed no man anything save 10 To-
II one another. Never being satisfied wi
4. little he never seemed to think he h;
y done enough for the church.
y Mrs. Nancy J. Moore
n died in Leon in 1897. aged 81 years. 81
Z had been a member of the Christi,
y church ga years. She was consta
\ reader of Gods word and Christian |
X. erature.
= Mr.. and Mrs. jackson Wise.
y MIR. Wise died in 1898, having be-
d constant sufferer for many years. +
!: more than forty years he served
Master. Mrs. Wise died in 1897. S
united With the Christian church VIII,
quite young and continued a fathi
and devout servant until death.
Mrs. John w. Gardner.
Che was STRONG in her con virtionS