Elias Gabriel 1839-1924

GABRIEL, ROBINETT, LODGE, HOVEY, WELLS

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/24/2016 at 08:28:59

Elias Gabriel Dies At Kansas Home

Former Cedar County Man, Member of Co. B 24th Iowa, Answers Last Call

The Erie, Kansas Record tells of the death at that place, July twenty-sixth of Elias Gabriel, aged 84 years. The deceased was a pioneer resident of this community and is remembered well by his old time friends and neighbors. The Record says:

Elias Gabriel, the oldest child of Moses and Mary Gabriel, was born in Athens County, Ohio on December the 15th, 1839. Here he lived until 21 years of age, when he removed to Iowa, the then far west. In August of the year 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 24th Iowa Infantry Volunteers. He took part in some of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War, among which was the siege of Vicksburg. He was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and was severely wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19th, 1861, the date of Sheridan's famous ride from Winchester. Mr. Gabriel was so badly wounded that he was left on the field of battle as dead and was so reported at two roll calls. But through the merciful Providence of the Great Commander he was permitted to live almost 60 years longer. He was discharged from the service on the 5th day of January, 1865. In the spring of 1869,he removed to Kansas and was thus one of the pioneers of this country. On August 29th, 1869, he was married to Miss Margaret Robinett. In 1869 he settled on a claim in Walnut Grove township, Neosho County. Here his three children were born, Dessie, Bertie and Harley. He took an active part in the building up the community, helping to build the first school house in that section. This school house, Fairview, was used for church as well as school purposes. It was here in 1872, under the pastorate of Rev. W. T. White that he, with his wife, was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1876, under the leadership of Rev. J. W. Walker, a church was started at Bethel. Mr. Gabriel was Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and one of the leaders in building the church.

In 1887, he moved to Erie, Kansas where he had since resided and where he died on July 26, 1924, being 84 years, 7 months and 11 days of age. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Gabriel and two children, Mrs. A. V. Lodge and Harley L. Gabriel and one grandchild, Mrs. C. E. Hovey, one sister, Mrs. Susan Wells of Neyada, Mo., and one brother, Dr. G. W. Gabriel of Parsons. He lived a long and useful life. These where his words to his family only a few weeks before his death: "I am now an old man. I shall soon receive my discharge from the Great Commander. My sun is about to set, but it will rise again in a more beautiful clime."

Funeral services were conducted at the new Methodist church, Monday by Rev. A. L. Day and burial was made in the family lot at East Hill cemetery, members of the G.A.R. having charge of the services at the grave.