The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-05-23
Rev. Elijah Tillotson.

Rhoda iIllotson, was Born in Yer
million county, indiana, october ~,
184S, and passed to his heavenly
na am IN the Of mdr ne Nav
18th, at his home in Osceola, Iowa.
He came with his parents to
Clarke county in his early boyhood
days Almost his entire life has
been lived in and around Osceola:
the gospel and in business way has
brought him in touch with almost
the entire county There are few
men in the county better known and
none more loved and respected than
Rev. Tillotson was united in mar
riage to Miss Zulina Hiner of near
80, 1874. To this union seven chill
dren were born all OF whom survive
the departed father: They, are as
f MI1os s Mrs G. 5,kd f. Bishop 2,o Of
son, of Wichita, Kansas; Mrs. J. W.
Booth, Osceola, Iowa; Levi N. Tillot-
son, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mrs.
Bectel Alcock, OF New York City. n;
Y, and Misses Katherine and Enid
Tillotson of Osceola.
Christ in 1876 at Long Creek school
house in meeting conducted by
Wash Smith Methodist Protestant
minister. He at once united with
the Methodist Protestant church and
became enthusiastically active in
elected class leader for the. society.
Here with the members and friends
many helpful meetings were held:
He was soon licensed to exhort. and
gradually fell into the work of the
actiye minister Joining the Iowa
elder, September 20, 1891.
His first charge was the Murray
Circuit, this he served for two years
living on his farm in the south part
of the county. He then moved his
family to the parsonage a1a which ich+; was
ed to serve the Murray charge for
another two years. He then. took
charge of the Millersburg work one
year and while there succeeded in
building splendid parsonage.
the He os waa 9 Ga aPp0{Saa Pas served
for three years. He later served the
Murray work a second time for one
year and also the Osceola Circuit
second time for two years.
During. his active ministry, he did
some eyangelistic work 70 lao The The real real
ed. The unsaved folks of this COM
munity have lost an interceding
.friend in the death of Rev. Tillotson:
He has held some very successful
meetings large numbers of folks be-
ing won to Christ. He had not the
advantage of finished education
but was blest with lots of natural
ability in preaching and dealing with
men and just how he could sing
those old substituting songs will
live in the memory a OF his friends to
When only boy Il fifteen years
he heard the call of his country and /
enlisted in Co. B, 18th Iowa Volun-
teers, January 80, 1864, and was
honorably discharged at Little Rock,
ice was under General Steel. He
was in number of battles the most
important of which were Poison
Springs and Saline River.
Rev. Tillotson fought for his
country and he was also a good SOL
der for the Lord Jesus Christ, but
last Saturday morning at three min
utes past nine he was mustered out
of his, earthly service and called to
join the hosts of heaven, there to
sing the praises OF his dear Redeem
er forever more.
the companion of his youth, the sew
en- children above mentioned, eight
grandchildren and two brothers be-
sides other more distant relatives
and host of friends.
May the comforting grace of our
dear Heavenly Father bring relief
to those who mourn.
The funeral was held at the Meth
conducted by Rev. j.. G. Leonard,
Tuesday, May 81, 1918. Interment
at Maple Hill.