Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-22
DEATH SUMMONS ONE OF THE
PIONEER MINISTER'S OF IOWA
WHEN AGED oTTuMWA PAS
TOR IS CALLED TO REST.
PREACHEDGOSPELIN IN
IOWA SINCE 1855.
THE LATE DR.. M'ELRoY REFUSED
FLATTERING CALLS FROM
EASTERN CHURCHES TO LABOR
AS MISSIONARY IN WEST,

After an illness Of week with an
attack of pneumonia, Rev John M.
McElroy, D. D., for more than half a
century one of the foremost men Of
this community, died at the family
home, 500 North Jefferson street, at
7:40 p. NJ, last night, aged 78 years.
Notwithstanding the advancing
many friends were shocked at the
announcement of his death. His erect
though somewhat feeble form has
been familiar figure to the older
citizens.
DR.. McElroy was one Of the old cfti-
zens of Ottumwa, having come here
in July, 1855, when the place was but
village. Thirty-nine of the fifty.
three years since coming to Iowc as
pioneer missionary of the Presbyter.
ian church, the family has been in
Ottumwa. Probably no other man
had more carefully observed the So
cial, moral and religious life of tho
people, and none could speak more
| interestingly Of their development.
he had lovingly cast in his lot with
the people, and was closely and deep
j ly identified with them.
Gave Up Career to be Missionary.
| DR.. McElroy was minister Of the
gospel, whose attainments In scholar.
ship and literary ability were Of
high order. In order to be a mission.
ary on the frontier west OF fifty years
ago, he refused fattering calls to be
pastor of large and we'll established
churches in the east. And he had the
honor which such sell denial always
brings A wealth of friendship and
love came to him, wealth by no
means measured by denominational
church lines. He was peculiarly dear
to the elderly people who knew the
, years of his more active ministry. He
was generally called upon to speak
at the funerals of old time friends.
Brief Sketch of Well Spent Life.
John M. McElroy was born at
!, Greenfield, Ohio, Jan. 81, 1880. His
home was on a farm, where he OBJ
tanned but three months of schooling
, each year, until he was in his six
teenth year. In 1845 he entered Salem
: academy, where he spent nearly four
years. Then he entered Jefferson coll
; lege at Canonsburg, Pa, and gradual
ed in 1851. Following graduation, he
taught in an academy for two years.
having among his pupils a number of
men who have since become well
known as ministers and educators.
DR.. McElroy gave up the work of
teaching that he might be minister
of the gospel of Jesus Christ After
. taking a course in theology at
t Princeton Theological seminary, he
> was licensed to preach. came to Iowa,
3 took charge of the First Presbyterian
7 church in Ottu1nwa In July, 1855, and
: was ordained by the Presbytery OF
? Des Moines Dec. 6, 1855. His pastor.
: ates have been as follows: First
. Presbyterian church, Ottumwa, fifteen
. years; Batavia church, fourteen years,
0 and East End Presbyterian church
Y which was organized by him, six
years. Failing health then led him to
give up the more active work of thu
ministry. But since he laid down the
, work of the pastorate, he has helped
( many by letter and spoken word. In
!, 1881 Washington and Jefferson col
: lege, his Alma Mater. conferred upon
s him the honorary degree of Doctor oi
1 Divinity.
Leaves Wife and Four Children.
DR.. McElroy Is survived by his wife
Mrs. Agnes Grier McElroy, one son
@huai'oii LIZ AiSiSiioy elhS tilSC uduSH
$ ters, Miss Abbie Of San Francisco
I Cal, who is general secretary for the
o Y. w G. A., in California; Miss Mary
), engaged in Y. w. G. A. work at St
3 Louis, Mo, and Mrs. Jennie Beard oi
New Liberty, Ind.
September 10, 1907, Dr.. and Mrs
Y lacElroy celebrated their fiftieth wed
ding anniversary. Dr. McElroy wa.
ever leader in educational matters
IS and devoted much of his time to the
cause of education. He was at on.
time county superintendent of school.
j. for the term Of two years and for fiy,
e years was in charge of the Ottumw;
: seminary
IS The death of DR.. McEIroy remove
d from this life one who ever resistet
It the drift of wrong things, and VIII
b. toiled and prayed for the good Of th
e people. The time and place of tn
a funeral has not been determined upon
j. Cold Wave in South Hurts Fruit.