The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1910-06-01
pEv GEO. G. N. MCDONNELL, FOR
NER DAWSON PASTOR, DIES
AT THE AGE OF 80.
OLDEST METHODIST MINISTER

One of GeOrgia's Wonderful Old Mem
Enters His Long Rest. Served in
Every Station From Circuit Rider
IN Chief Elder. His HerOism in
Yellow Fever Epidemic.
After a career distinguished by it's
usefulness the Rev. George Galphin
Rowland MacDonell died at the home
Of the Rev. G. w. Mathews in Sa-
,,annah. His death was due to old
ace, but was probably fastened by a
foil which he received two weeks be-
fore.
Mr.. McDonell's death closes a life
the greater part of which was de-
.c+nd to christian service. He was
probably the Oldest Methodist minis
Ter of the Gospel in Georgia. He
was superannuated by the South
Georgia Conference in 1908, at which
time he had served as a minister for
fftv-fOur years. He had served
faithfully through two yellow fever
enidemics and through one war, and
in his old age reaped the reward of
the love of his fellowmen.
A Native Savannahian.
Mr.. MacDonen was born in Savan-
nah Sept. 4, 1881, and was nearing
his seventy-ninth birthday. He was
the son of Alexander H. MacDonell
His mother, before her marriage,
was Miss Anne Newland. He was
named after his maternal grand
father. He first attended school in
Chatham Academy, receiving his in
struction from Geo. H. White. He
also studied under Henry K. Pres
ton and George Halcombe. The lat
ter taught in the Second Baptist
church, which was then at Bull and
York streets.
In 1910 Mr.. MacDonell entered
upon a business career with A. Minis
& Co. Later his father moved to
Shell Pond, Fla, and the young man
went to VISIT him. While in Florida
he heard of the yellow fever epidemic
in Savannah and at once returned
to his home to place himself among
the ranks of the helpers. During the
epidemic he went to visit an uncle
in Vanciause, and his relatives tried
to keep him from returning to Sa-
yannah. Firm in his belief that his
duty. was towards his stricken city
the young man escaped from his un-
cle's surveillance and walked all the
way back to Savannah to again take
up his work among the sufferers.
Ordained During Epidemic.
Just before the epidemic of 1854
Mr.. MacDonell attended revival SER
vices held in Savannah and determ-
med to work in the christian cause.
He was ordained minister during
the same year, after months of hard
work in preparation, and during the
epidemic he was assigned to his first
charge, which was a dual one, and
conducted the services and the pas
toral work in the parishes of Trinity
church and also of Wesley church,
which was then located at Oglethrope
avenue and Lineol street. All of
the Methodist church pastors were
stricken with yellow fever and their
work was shouldered by the young
HILLS ICis
At the time of his ordination Mr..
MacDonell was a member of the Sa-
vannah Volunteer Guards. Finding
that his church work and his military
duties conflicted he resigned from
the military. During the epidemic
the Young Mems Benevolent Associa-
ton was organized to properly ham
die the distribution of relief funds,
and Mr.. MacDoneu was one of the
organizers. He was the only living
member of that association, which
was succeeded by the Savannah Be-
nevolent Association. He had charge
of the Robertsville district, and daily
visited all Of the homes in that sec
ton, giving food and medicine. He
slept at the Methodist parsonage,
which was then at No. Is Perry
street, west.
First Charge in Macon.
Mr. MacDOnell's first regular
charge was in Macon. From there
he went to Lmmpkin in 1859. In
1860 he went to Forsyth, and in
1861 he went TO Atlanta. In the
early part of 1852 he went to the
church at Eatonton, and remained
there until after the civil war.
Through that trying period he served
IN the hospital and relief corps of
the confederate army. In 1853 he