Benjamin Smith Gilson

GILSON, GROFF, HAMILTON, RADNER

Posted By: Yvonne Hamilton (email)
Date: 5/25/2004 at 18:08:10

Cascade Pioneer October 7, 1926

Benjamin Smith Gilson

The Newton Daily News: Benjamin Smith Gilson, one of the best known local pioneers and one of the most prominent religious workers in this city, was born near Emmettsburg, Maryland, on October 26, 1846, the son of Thomas S. and Susan E. (Groff) Gilson. After spending six years of his life in the east, he moved with his parents to Dubuque county and twenty-six years later, the family moved to Marshall county, where he lived until he moved to Newton in 1891. At that time Mr. Gilson retired from the active farming life which he had been living and started devoting much of his time to religious work.

Three years before Mr. Gilson moved to Marshall county, he was married to Frances E. Hamilton of Dubuque county and into this home came three children: Jeanetta Mabel, Charles Walter, and James Harold. Mrs. Gilson passed away Dec. 22, 1906.

Mr. Gilson’s daughter remained in Newton, devoting her entire life to caring for her parents and maintaining the family home. Charles Walter resides in Winnipeg, Canada and James Harold at Berkley, California where they are successful business men. In addition, Mr. Gilson is also survived by six grandchildren, Dally of Radner and Ruth Gilson of Winnipeg, and Eugene, James Jr. and Dawn of Berkley.

Mr. Gilson first became interested in religious work in 1864 and from that time, he was active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church. During the years he lived in Newton, he held practically every office in the church; he was 21years the teacher of the Bible class, and has been superintendent of two Sunday schools. His home life was also deeply religious.

In addition to his work locally, Mr. Gilson also supported a native pastor in the Phillippines.

Mr. Gilson’s last trip was made last July to Winnipeg, where he with his three children, celebrated a birthday of his son, Charles Walter. It was on this visit that Mr. Gilson experienced one of the happiest moments of his life, when on the morning of the reunion, his family participated in family altar services.

Mr. Gilson was an active prohibitionist, voted and worked for the eighteenth amendment and was active in it’s support. In politics, he voted independently rather than parties.

Mr. Gilson was stricken Saturday morning and passed away Sunday.

Mr. Gilson died Sunday, September 19 and the funeral took place on September 22nd.

Mr. Gilson’s family home was the present Keegan farm in Whitewater township and the members were all well known and respected by the earlier residents of this community.