Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-04-25
Crossing the Dark River.

NV StSl NlillCl, TIC OiuCSt piSdSuCl
in the Virginia Synod of the Lutheran
Church and a venerable and beloved
Christian minister, died last Sunday
evening at his home at Wardensville,
W. Va. He was one of the most re-
markable men whom we have ever
known. Born on September Is, 1928,
he was within few months Of go years
Of age, yet he has been faithfully serv-
ing his congregations up to within the
past few months. He had been preach
ing the gospel for almost sixty years,
having been ordained in November,
1883. Although he had served con-
gregations in North Carolina and va
rious sections of Virginia, most OF his
ministerial life had been spent in the
group of churches in the mountain
sections of Frederick county, Va, and
Hampshire county, w. Va, in the vi
cinity of Wardensville. Here he was
venerated by his people for many years,
for he was a truly pious and Cody
man. His labors were incesSant, for
the congregations were scattered, and
on Sundays he was at times obliged to
travel as much as forty or fifty miles
to fill his appointments. But il 1t was
humanity possible for him to travel and
meet his people he was certain to do so,
and no trouble or sacrifice was too
great for him to make for those whom
he served He maintained his vigor
almost to the very last, and preached
regularly until he became i'll with heart
trouble the past winter. A few weeks
ago he rendered his resignation to the
congregations under his care, but they
refused to accept it, granting him, in
stead, vacation of two months, in
which they hoped he might recover and
continue his miniStrationS to them.
Only last week Mr.. Miller wrote let
ter to Rev. |. D. Woman, of Shep-
herdstown, in which he said that he
feared that he might not be able to re-
sumo his active work. There was then
no indication that his end was so near.
Rev. Mr.. Miller was not only loved and
esteemed by his own congregations, but
his ministerial brethren and the lay
members of the Virginia Synod held
him in highest regard, and at the gen.
eral meetings of the church, which he
attended with great regularity, he was
the object of affectionate interest and
solcitude He was an old-time preach
er, delivering his message from the pure
Word of God, and his personal piety
and utterly unselfsh life and sweet
humility gained for him the love and
respect OF all who came in contact
with him. Truth from his lips pre-
vailed with double sway" and not only
will future generations rise up and call
him blessed, but the many souls that he
has brought into the church militant
will be as stars in his crown in the
church triumphant. In his death truly
a mighty man of Israel has fallen. Mr..
Miller is survived by two sons and three
daughters: Dr. J. M. Miller, of Charles
Town; P. L. Miller, of Ohio; Mrs. Cora
Bowman and Mrs. Ida Fry, of the War
densville neighborhood, and Mrs. Mag
gle Dreher, of South Carolina. A
brother, Rev. J. |. Miller, died several
years ago. The funeral service was
held Yesterday at Woodstock, Va, and
his body was laid to rest in the Gene
terry at that place.
c. A. Oscar Catrell, who for num-
Der OF years past conducted a store In
MartinSburg, died at his home in that
city last Thursday night, following
long illness. Mr.. Gatrell, who was
II years of age, was a native of Berke-
ley county, but lived for long time in
ShepherdStown after the Civil War, be-
ing engaged here as miller in the
John D. Staley Touring mill. He was
a son of the late Charles Gatrell. He
was genial, comparable man, and
those of his old friends who remember
him with much kindness will regret to
hear of his death. Mr.. Gatrell retain
ed his interest in Shepherdstown, and
visited here from time to time until
his health failed He is survived by
his widow, who was formerly Miss
Emma Hess, and two children, J. W.
Gatrell and Miss Maud Gatrell; also two
sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Turner and Mrs.
Elizabeth HelferStay.
George Edward Beler, a former resi-.
Ient OF Charles Town, died al his home
IN Washington City last Monday from
acute indigestion, aged So years. Nj.
Beller moved 10 Washington about p
years ago. Surviving him are his wife,
son and three daughters. The body
NaS taken 10 Charles Town yesterday
tor burial.
Died suddenly at the home of w. A.
Fulk, near Kearneyslille, on Friday,
April 10Th, Miss Sallie Mccoy, aged II
years. The funeral was held at the
house Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock,
interment at Mt. Zion graveyard.
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