SKINNER, Elias, Rev 1827-1912
SKINNER, BARNES, BURNETTE, KNAPP, BROWN, SERCOMB, MCGREW, NICHOLS
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/28/2014 at 23:49:24
[Waterloo Evening Courier, Wednesday, May 1, 1912, Waterloo, Iowa]
REV. ELIAS SKINNER, 85, DEAD IN CEDAR RIVER
Wandered From Home While Suffering Mental Weakness.
BODY FOUND EARLY TODAY BY POLICE
Quietly Left Home, Near River, At An Earlier Hour.
His body and mind weakened by the accumulation of nearly 85 years and suffering from a species of delirium, Rev. Elias Skinner, a charter member the Upper Iowa conference, a resident of Iowa since 1839, a circuit rider in the northeastern part of the state when Indian tribes were frequently seen and the howls of timber wolves struck terror to the heart, arose some time early this morning at his home, 109 Eleventh Street East, and walked to the river, nearby, in which his body was found later by Patrolman W. G. Wood. He was missed from the home at 5 o'clock by Mrs. Carrie Sercomb, daughter, who had been with her father for some time. At her father's suggestion she rose at 5 and started the fire in the kitchen. As she passed her father's bed room door, she glanced in. The bed clothes were in a form that suggested that her father was asleep. A moment later, when she entered the room, she discovered that the bed was empty.
The police department was notified of Mr. Skinner's absence, and a search was instituted. Patrolman Wood discovered the body about 6:35 o'clock, in a foot of water, about fifteen feet from the east bank. The body was lying parallel with Eleventh Street bridge, and not far below the southerly side of the bridge. The head was nearest the bank and under water. A knee and a part of the overcoat, which he had donned over his night clothes, showed above the water. The body was taken from the river and placed on the east bank, to await the arrival of Coroner Waterbury. Later the remains were taken to the Hileman & Gindt undertaking parlors.
As soon as the father's absence was discovered Mrs. Sercomb notified her sister, Mrs. Nichols, of Chicago, who has been here for several months to assist in caring for her father. It was learned that he had put on his house slippers and donned his overcoat. He did not take his cane. He must have opened and closed the doors quietly, for the daughter, who was a light sleeper, was not awakened. The relatives made a search before calling the police. Mr. Skinner had been falling for several months. First he lost his physical strength and then his mental vigor. It was very distressing to the children to witness his rapid decline.
During the past few days Mr. Skinner had shown marked improvement, especially physically. He was able to walk about the premises, but always was accompanied by his daughter. Yesterday he donned his best suit and said he felt better than ever. Though stooped in recent years, he appeared more erect than for months. He smiled wanly as he looked out upon the green lawn and upon the trees that are just putting out their fresh, new leaves. "Praise God for the spring time and for the beauties of nature," he said.
For several evenings past the aged clergyman had sung the old hymns of the church in clear, but quavering tones. His favorites were "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Rock of Ages," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and the old, old hymn telling about how tasteless and tedious are the hours when Jesus is not near. In these songs his daughters would join, and then prayer would be offered before retiring for the night.
Saw Angel Hands Beckoning. - For several weeks Mr. Skinner gave expression at frequent intervals to his desire to be at rest. He said he had outgrown his usefulness and felt that he was a burden upon his children. The daughters tried to reassure him that they rejoiced in being with him and anticipating his every want, but these assurances did not satisfy him. He imagined that the hands of an angelic host were beckoning him to come across the river, where loved ones had gone before. After these contemplations, he would sing, "There's a Land That Is Fairer Than Day." He wished to be with his Master, about whose beauties of life and character he had so long been preaching.
Mr. Skinner was a chaplain in the army and was one of the most faithful members of Robert Anderson post, Grand Army of the Republic. He also was chaplain for many years for the local post. His eloquent prayers were a benediction to old and young alike, whether soldiers or veterans. This morning, while the form of the beloved chaplain was lying on the river bank, veterans of the civil war came, gazed for a moment, and then walked silently away, with tears streaming down their faces. Rev. E. D. Hull, pastor of Grace M. E. church, where Mr. Skinner had his membership, was one of the first on the scene and gave his condolence to the sorrowing children. Neighbors, old soldiers and other old time friends also called to extend their sympathy.
There are no relatives surviving except the children. They are as follows; Mrs. Carrie Sercomb, Cumberland, Wis.; Mrs. Hannah Louise McGrew, Bloomington, Neb.; E. A. Skinner, Edgemont, S. D.; Mrs. Nichols, Chicago, and Mrs. Ada Brown, Waterloo. Mrs. Brown is quite ill at present and not able to leave her bed.
Several years ago Mr. Skinner prepared the following sketch of his life:
"Elias Skinner was born Sept. 3, 1827, in Holmes County, Ohio. His father, Elisha Skinner, was a physician and practiced his profession for fourteen years in Ohio. Because of a broken constitution he was obliged to relinquish his professional work and in the spring of 1839 he removed with his family to Iowa territory. We arrived May 12 and my father began, the work of making a home at a point where Birmingham, in Van Buren Co., was soon after laid out. In September following my father died and the family, with limited means, was called to meet the difficulties and privations of a new country, without, the aid and counsel of the head of the household.
When 14 years of age I joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 I received a license to preach and in August of the same year was admitted into the Methodist itinerary, as a probationer in the Iowa conference. I was ordained a deacon to Bishop Scott in 1865 and am an original member of the Upper Iowa conference, which was originated in 1856 [?blurred] My various fields of labor were as follows: Otter Creek, Sigourney, Cedar Rapids, Agency of Cornell College, Upper Iowa district, Mr. Vernon, Dewitt, Marion, Tipton, Cedar Falls district, Anamosa [blurred] district, Dubuque district, Davenport, Dyersville and Raymond. I also supplied Jackson Center, Manson and West Side in the Northwest conference, serving each for one year.
"In 1872 I was a delegate to the general conference at Brooklyn N. Y. Governor Kirkwood commissioned me as chaplain of the Twenty-fourth Iowa volunteer infantry in 1863, and I was with the regiment at the siege of Vicksburg. My term of service was cut short by a most serious illness, in which I came near losing my life and from the effects of which I ever afterwards suffered much of physical disability. Since 1890 my home has been in Waterloo, where in 1896 I was called upon to mourn the death of my companion, who for so many years (over 40 years) had been a true and loving wife, sharing my joys and sorrows and cheerfully aiding me in my life work.
In a notebook presented by Mrs. Nichols to her father recently, Mr. Skinner gives an interesting glimpse into the inner relationship of himself to his family and the church. These show the true nobility of his character. There were to be only for the eyes of his children. In one place he speaks of the "horror of moving, which, from many repetitions, became woefully burdensome. In these autobiographical sketches, which are now precious beyond measure, his love for his wife and children is visible on every page.
Mr. Skinner's first wife was Maria Barnes, the daughter of a long-time neighboring family, whom he knew as a boy in Ohio and later as a young man in Van Buren County. His second marriage was with Harriet Burnett, who died Feb. 20, 1910.
Had Remarkable Memory. Mr. Skinner attended the funeral of President Lincoln and stood by the side of Chaplain C. C. McCabe, later Bishop McCabe, as he sang in his impressive manner "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Mr. Skinner's memory was the wonder of all his acquaintances. He used to recite many poems and other selections before church and patriotic gatherings. "Beside the Bonny Brier Bush" was beautifully rendered by him. In one year he committed to memory 25 hymns and poems. He once repeated to his wife the first thirteen chapters of Hebrew. Most wonderful of all was his wide range of literary compositions.
Mr. Skinner secured his education in the common schools and in Howels High School at Mt. Pleasant. One of his early appointments was at Brandon. For twelve years he was a presiding elder, beginning when only 29 years of age. He was the youngest elder in Iowa.
From the appearance of the body in the shallow water, near the south edge of the bridge, it is not certain just how Mr. Skinner met his death —whether he walked unwittingly in to the stream and the cold water produced shock and subsequent death by drowning, or whether he fell from the railing of the bridge. The marks on his forehead were not made by a fall into the river. They were sustained some time ago when he accidentally struck his head against the heating stove while raking out the ashes. The family believe the aged invalid wandered into the river while in a state of partial delirium
The body will remain at Hileman & Gindfs until the time of the funeral, and any friends may visit it there. The arrangements for the funeral were not completed this morning, as some of the children at distant points had not been heard from.
The officers of the Grand Army of the Republic called at the house this morning and tendered their aid in any way possible. It is probable that the post will have a prominent part in the last rites.
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His second wife was Harriett (Knapp) Burnett 1927-1910
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