Edson James Pelsue 1859-1931

PELSUE, GILLEY, WEEKS

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 6/8/2011 at 09:02:40

Feb 3, 1931 - Carroll Daily - E.J. Pelsue, resident of Carroll for 48 years died last evening while attending a Masonic business meeting at the Masonic Temple. The cause of death was heart failure. Tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 in the home at 617 north Adams street and will be conducted by the Rev. Henry C. Schneider, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Carroll. Burial will be at the family lot in the city cemetery and there will be a short Masonic service at the grave.

Edson James Pelsue was born Jan. 2, 1859 at North Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, N.Y. He attended Detroit Business College and there learned telegraphy. After completing that work he was employed for a time in Chicago and Joliet, Illinois, before coming to Carroll where he located in 1882. He was employed at the office of the Western Union Telegraph company of which he was later local manager and served the company for 37 years. He was retired from the service with a pension in 1919.

Mr. Pelsue was united in marriage to Miss Emma I Gilley on June 7, 1887 the ceremony being performed in the Gilley homestead, which has been their home for 31 years. They went to housekeeping on north Adams street the home standing on the lot now occupied by the W.R. Sturges home to whom they had sold it the following year and returned to the Gilley home.

Two children were born to this union: Harold G Pelsue and Mrs Glenn N. Weeks (Luthera). Besides his wife, son, and daughter, he survived by two brothers: George Pelsue and Bert Pelsue living on the old homestead. A sister died about nine years ago. He also leaves two small grandchildren, Jane and Maria Lou Weeks.

Mr Pelsue was a mason and served as seceretary for 28 consecutive years. When he resigned in 1928, he was presented with a watch as a token of his years of faithful service. He was also a member of Copestone chapter, no. 78 and of the original council and was a mamber of Signet cchapter no. l, Order of Eastern Star. He also acted as secretary of the Masonic Temple association for 15 years. During the years of 1902, 1903, and 1904, he served on the city council and for the last 10 years he served the Independent School district of Carroll as secretary.

About nine years ago Mr. Pelsue had an attack of angina pectoris and from that time he and his family had carefully guarded his health. Last evening he went to the Masonic Temple to attend the meeting of the Masonic Temple association and was suddenly seized with a fainting spell dying instantly. The news sped quickly and was a great shock to the community as well as to the family and friends. Mr. Pelsue was a familiar figure about town and visited his favorite haunts every day.

He was among the first at the post office each morning and later on came downtown and dropped into some of the stores for his daily visit. He had a genial friendly disposition and in business affairs was faithful to his duties. He came to Carroll when it was but a small village and has watched it grow and prosper and his death takes another one of the earlier settlers. He was devoted to his home and family and dearly loved his two small grandchildren, who frequently accompanied "Grandpa" downtown. His death leaves a large void in the community and his immediate circle of friends.