Rev. Dr. Wm. R. Marshall 1851-1874

MARSHALL

Posted By: cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 8/12/2019 at 20:57:10

Dubuque Daily Times, Sunday, Dec 27, 1874, Dubuque, IA, Page: 5
DIED
MARSHALL - On Saturday evening, December 26th at 5 minutes before 9 o’clock, of apoplexy, Rev. Wm. R. Marshall, D. D. Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, aged 43 years.
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DEATH OF REV. DR. MARSHALL
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The entire community will hear with pain the sad intelligence of the sudden death of Dr. Marshall, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, which occurred last evening at 8:55. On the day before he attended Christmas services as a hearer, as was in the apparent enjoyment than better than usual health. On yesterday morning he arose about half past six, and remarked to Mrs. Marshall as he proceeded to dress himself that he thought he would turn over a new leaf by building the ? himself. His expression, jocularly made, impressed his wife very favorably, as he had long entertained apprehension concerning his health. But scarcely commenced dressing when Mrs. Marshall’s ear caught a gurgling sound coming from the Doctor’s throat, and turning saw his tongue protruding threw his teeth, frothy salvia issuing from his mouth, and the Doctor trying to reach his bed. She instantly ran to his aid, catching him as he was falling toward the bed, and assisted him therein. Neighbors were promptly aroused and messengers were dispatched for the family physician, Dr. Watson.

Profuse perspiration suddenly broke out upon the Doctor, his extremities becoming suddenly cold and his head hot. The former were chaffed while the applications of bags of snow were made upon his head. On reaching his bed he became unconscious, a condition from which he never emerged. On his arrival, Dr. Watson, at once saw it was a case of apoplexy, and the usual remedies were promptly prescribed. The patient was breathing hard, and at only intervals of a few minutes he was seized with paroxysms during which his hands and arms constantly writhing, indicating a great nervous pain. At noon the paroxysms became less frequent, and a faint hope was entertained by his friends, but the skilled eye of the physician saw – the rapid wearing away of life’s energy. Everything that could alleviate the suffering of the slowly dying man was promptly and loving done by more than willing hands, but still Deaths Angel onward stalked. At a quarter of an hour before he died the spasms became stronger, and as his heart beats had been growing weaker and weaker since noon, it was not difficult to see the end was near. Succeeding one of these convulsions calm, the patient’s pulse growing rapidly fainter and his respiration shorter, and in ten minutes-precisely five minutes before nine the soul of this respected and eminent divine took its celestial flight. Thus in less than fifteen hours this good man passed from his usual health to that borne whence no traveler ever returns.

William Rice Marshall was born August 31, 1851, on a farm near New Concord, Muskingum County, Ohio. In his earlier boyhood he attended the common schools, and quite early evinced the possession of a rare mind. While yet a lad he went to the Washington Academy for a term of three years, and from thence entered Muskingum College, where he pursued his studies with marked diligence for another three years. During each of these college years, as was as is the custom, contests in scholarship were engaged in for the college prizes, and in most, if not all of these, the subject of this sketch was successful against his competitors. On graduating he at once entered the Theological Seminary at Pittsburg, Penn., at which time he was 23. For a year he prosecuted his duties with great diligence and success, and he entered the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Princeton, N. J., graduating high in his class two years thereafter. While yet a student his talents brought him to public notice, and promptly following his graduation he received a call to accept the pastorate of the Twelfth Preysbertain Church of Baltimore. For six years he ministered to his important charge, constantly growing in favor and influence as a gospel teacher and in the graces of a Christian life.

At this time, now being 32, he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio, where another six years was devoted to his chosen profession. It was while here-in June, 1867-the Degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Athens College, Ohio, the honor not coming to him only unsolicited but wholly without his knowledge. His arduous labors and diligent study while in his pastorate so sensibly impaired his health, that his friends prevailed upon him to surrender his desk for a year, and scorning to be idle he accepted the financial agency of the Wooster University, the outdoors activity which aided much in his recuperation.

In April, 1871, desiring again to do his Master’s work, he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church at Dubuque and at once entered upon his charge. Here he won new fame in his sacred calling, until in Jan. 1873, while assisting in communion service he was suddenly prostrated. From this attack he wholly never recovered, and its effects on him were so marked as to occasion considerable anxiety upon his parishioners. Until that unfortunate illness his pulpit administrations were regarded as among the most effect ever known in this city. His was a mind of great power and feeling the great responsibility of the cause of the cause he espoused, he studied with laborious zeal to qualify himself for the great work. It was this unremitting study, doubtless, that aggravated a predisposition to apoplexy, and his light went prematurely out at the age of 43.

Dr. Marshall leaves a wife and four little ones-the oldest 12-the youngest one and a half-to lament his death. As a husband and father he was kind, indulgent and affectionate; as a minister he was devoted and industrious; as a friend and neighbor; obliging, true and generous. In all, relations of life he was a good pure man, while his fidelity to God and sinful man was so deep and unflinching that health and even life itself was none too great a sacrifice. The good man is gone. Thousands today will laminate his untimely death, and warm hearts will well in sympathy and condolence for the bereaved widow and orphaned little ones.

An insurance on his life was effected some years ago in the sum of $4,500-a thoughtful and fortunate provision for those he leaves behind. His remains will be conveyed to the family burying grounds, Pleasant Hills Cemetery, Muskingum County, Ohio, for interment. Mrs. Marshall will proceed thence with the body on the sad mission. It is probable that funeral services will be held this afternoon, notice of which will be given at morning service in the several churches.