Eli Golden (1907)

GOLDEN, JOHNSON, VANMETER, WILLIAMS, WRIGHT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 3/23/2010 at 12:27:54

History of Dallas County, Iowa, 1907, pages 154 and 155 -

Eli Golden was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, May 16, 1834, and died May 6, 1907. His age was seventy-four years, wanting him 10 days.

He came with his parents to the present home place in 1849. The country then was very new. His home has been at the same place ever since.

He was married to Miss Sallie A. Johnson, July 19, 1855. To them were born sixteen children, six sons and ten daughters. Twenty-one years before him, wanting three days, the wife and mother, seemingly in the bloom of health, died as quickly as the lightening's stroke. Two of the children died in infancy. Emma and Frank Edwin died several years ago.

The children from abroad are Mrs. B. A. Van Meter of Twin Falls, Idaho, Mrs. F. H. Wright of Merrick, Oklahoma, Mrs. May Williams of Chewelah, Washington. The other children live not far away and all were present during the death and funeral of their father. Among the bereaved are twenty-six grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Eli Golden was converted in a revival at the Cambridge schoolhouse about 1852. Fifty-five years an he has been an exemplary Christian. He was a pillar in the U.B. church. He was quiet and inoffensive. He had few, if any enemies and many friends.

His last sickness caused him much suffering, but the Christian light that made his life sunny for over half a century did not fail him upon the deathbed.

He called for to be sung, O come angel band, Come and around me stand, O bear me away on your snowy wings, To my immortal home.

The funeral services were held at the U.B. church and the interment was at the Otterman cemetery.