River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-02-23

which it was from time TO time used,
came to be called by the young peo-
pie, "the kitchen.
One trait of Mr.. ellis mental
habits sometimes brought him into
embarrassing positions. This was
kind of forgetfulness. Perhaps
the most amusing instance of this,
at least to non-participants, was
the following: Mr.. Gill had been
requested TO perform the marriage
Gel emory for a young couple of the
church and the time for the cere-
mony having arrived it was found
that Mr.. Gill was not present. Aft
er waiting for some time, messen-
ger was sent for him to ascertain
the cause of his absence. Arriving
at the parsonage, he found Mr.. Gill
enjoying a visit with Mrs. Gill, hav-
ing forgotten entirely his engage
ment. On being reminded of it
however, he at once got ready and
Fastening TO the home of the bride,
soon tied the nuptial knot and all
went merry as marriage bell even
though an hour late.
All who had the privilege of at
tending the social meetings at the
parsonage will remember with low
ing thoughts the many pleasant
things prepared for them by the
pastor and his good wife for they
were very hospitable and always
enjoyed having their friends in their
home.
Mr.. Gill was pastor of the church
twelve years and was much endear-
ed to the people. His unusually
long pastorate was fraught with
much good though there were many
hopes unfu1filled, but as a whole
he could look back and rejoice over
much of good that had been ac-
complished. He sowed the seed
for others to water and enjoy the
fruitage in due season. After leav-
ing River Falls he preached in sew
eral different places in Minnesota,
but always in his mind returned to
his first and bestowed place, and
gladly accepted a pastorate at Rob-
erts where he might be near the
home which he had kept, and which
was always so loved by him, for
during his ministry here he had
purchased from - church its first
parsonage and had looked forward
to it as his home when his work as
a preacher should be completed.
When the infrmities of age fell up
on him and he felt that he could no
longer perform the duties of regu-
lar pastor he came back and there
he and his loved wife, their children
gone to other chimes, lived in re-
tirement, happy in the company of
each other. He was for a time a
regular attendant upon the church
services when his health permitted
and as opportunity might offer as
sisted the regular pastor of the
church in his services. To US he
had become Father Gill;" a fitting
title, for, to many he had been a
father in spiritual things.
The physical strength of Mrs. Gill
had seemed to be superior to that
of her husband but she was called
first and her death doubtless
fastened his, for within a short
time after, in August, 1901, he fol-
lowed her to their last resting place,
mourned by many old friends who
however amid their tears cherished
the assurance that their loss was
his eternal gain.
Following the passionate of Mr..
Gill there was short interval, dur
ing which the church had varied
experience with temporary supplies
until in August, 1875, Rev. Mr.. Ball
was called to minister to the church.
He remained however only one year
and was followed after a short in
terval by Rev. T. c. Jerome, man
of deep piety, a faithful teacher and
devoted to his chosen calling. OF
an aesthetic temperament, he viewed
all things through an artistic eye
and loved the beautiful in nature as
we'll as in art. His was a nature
perhaps better fitted for a place
where there was less of strenuous
life than in young and active vii
lage, but he loved his people and
won affection. He remained here
a little over year. The end of his
life was tragica1 for on May 26,
1886, he with his three eldest chill
dren, Paul, Birdie and Bernard,
was drowned while on a boating
excursion.
The Building of the New