River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-08-29

The death Of Rev. William Gill,
which occurred at the home Of Mrs.
John Watson IN this city August 20,
1901, after lingering Illness with
Bright's disease, marks the passing
OF one OF the most familiar personages
in the history Of this city. His long
residence in this place and vicinity,
his conscientious concern for the vel
fare Of the community, especially in
its religious and educational interests.
his Gisinterestedness of purpose and
his uprightness OF conduct have
left an enduring impression In the
permane good of the people who
have come under his benign influence,
and his demise, following so soon upon
the sudden and unexpected death of
his amiable wife who had been his be-
loved consort and helpful com panion
for nearly forty years of harmonious
marital relationship, has caused pro-
found sensation of sadness among the
numerous friends OF this good man.
William Gill was born at Derbyshlre,
England, March IS, 1928 He came to
the United States with his parents
when he was two years of age, the
family settling at Beardstown, Ill.
AS he grew up TO manhood he had an
ambition for learning and with dill
gence worked his own way to an edu-
cation, graduating finally from the
Illinois College at Jacksonville and
later from the celebrated Theological
Seminary at Andoyer, Mass. His first
pastorate was with the Congregations
al church at River Falls, upon which
he entered In 1862. Oct 26, 1868, he
married Miss Louisa M. Becraft of
Jacksonville, H., who was a graduate
from the college at that place and
also from college at Cincinnati, and
who with corgenial tastes, cultivated
mind and gentle and winning manner
gave substantial moral REINFORCE
ment TO his devoted efforts as a
Christian pastor and respected citizen
during their long sojourn together as
pilgrims In the land.
Mr.. Gill served the Congregational
church at River Falls with faithful
ness and devotion for thirteen years,
building up g strong and influential
society, society Astounding In good
works. After severing his connection
with the church here he accepted a
call to the church at Mantorville,
Mimi, where he preached for seven
years to the pleasure and profit Of the
people. The year following his lesig-
nation OF the pastorate at Mantor-
vile he served the church at AleXan-
dria, Mimi; then for three years he
followed farming with his home near
Herman, Mimi, but at the end OF
this time was prevailed upon by the
church at Cottage Grove, Mimi, to
become their pastor. Here he labored
acceptably for five years. The next
two years he spent In preaching at
Glyndon, Mimi, after which he re-
turned to Wisconsin and preached at
Roberts, New Richmond and Kinnic-
klnnic. On this field he remained in
labors OF love for five years. Mr.. and
Mrs. gill, conscious Of the wear OF
time and persistent labor that sug'
gested a surcease, came back to their
old home at River Falls to remain Ia
the hopeful enjoyment OF the refresh
ment Of leisure and the delights OF
lifelong friendships. Last spring
the effects Of the insidious disease
which so soon proved fatal began tC
make itself felt with. insistence and
he with Mrs. Gill went TO Cottage
Grove to receive medical treatment
and nursing from his lifelong friend
DR.. A. II. Steen. Here his beloved
wife contracted pneumonia and ex