John Gilchrist 1820 - 1904

GILCHRIST, SINGLETON, SIRES

Posted By: Errin Wilker (email)
Date: 2/10/2008 at 12:32:07

ENTERED INTO REST
After a gradual failing of months owing to the weight of years, John Gilchrist passed away quietly and painlessly Thursday afternoon (15 September 1904) of last week. Death came not as a result of any illness, but rather as death comes to the flowers and grain, when they have served their purpose, they ripen and fade away. So it was with Mr. Gilchrist, after a long and well spent life, the life forces gradually ebbed until his power became too frail to retain a hold and his soul returned to its Maker.

John Gilchrist was born of Scotch and English parents nearly eighty-four years ago, the day of his birth being December 5, 1820. The place of his birth was Wheeling, West Virginia, whither his parents moved from London immediately after their marriage. He was one of seventeen children, only two of the family now remaining.

On April 15, 1847, Mr. Gilchrist was married to Miss Elizabeth Singleton, who through the fifty-seven years of their married life, has been his constant companion and was able to minister to him in the end.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist: John, Sarah and William, the first two preceding their father in death, the last remaining as a comfort to his aged mother.

Mr. Gilchrist left West Virginia in 1864 coming directly to Allamakee county, Iowa, and settling near Mt. Hope where he remained until 1887, at that time removing to Waukon, Iowa, where he has since resided.

When nineteen years of age, Mr. Gilchrist became a member of the Presbyterian church, which by his death has lost an earnest, faithful member. For several years he was an elder in the Mt. Hope church, and soon after his removal to Waukon, he became an elder in the C.P. church, and was also clerk of the session, remaining faithful to the trust reposed in him, though for a few years he has been too feeble to attend to the duties.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the church, conducted by Rev. R.C. Van Nice, and the remains, attended by the Masonic fraternity, were escorted to Oakland where they were laid to rest with the impressive service of that order.

Source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Iowa; 22 September 1904

Deceased daughter mentioned in obit was Sarah Elizabeth (Gilchrist) Sires, wife of Daniel Sires. They were married 10 June 1868, in Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa. She died 13 August 1870 at aged 20.

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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