Christian Shaffer McELHINNY 1856-1909

MCELHINNY, SPIELMAN

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 8/16/2009 at 11:05:58

The Fairfield Ledger
August 25, 1909

{Transcribed verbatim from the original obituary, which was in one column divided into four paragraphs}

Stricken Almost Without Warning.

Rev. Christian Shaffer McELHINNY of this city died Friday morning at the home of Samuel Guthrie, midway between Stockport and Bonaparte. Death was the result of acute indigestion, followed by heart failure, and occurred in little more than twenty-four hours after the first attack and before word could be sent to friends in this city. Mr. McELHINNY had left here Wednesday afternoon to officiate at the marriage of a daughter of Joseph Sanderson, a neighbor of the Guthries, and appeared to be in his usual health. He spent the evening with the wedding party and seemed in excellent spirits. His illness came upon him in the night and he seemed easier after a physician was called. The following evening he became worse and the ministrations of the physician were of no avail.

Mr. McELHINNY was the youngest son of the late Robert McELHINNY and a member of one of Fairfield's oldest families. He was born in this city September 10th, 1856, grew to manhood here and graduated from Parsons College with the first class in 1880. He decided to enter the ministry of the Presbyterian church and was a student at Allegheny Theological seminary for two years, took his final course of study in McCormick Theological seminary and graduated from that institution. His first charge was at Seymour and he then had the pastorates of churches at Chariton, Columbus Junction, and Montezuma. For thirteen years past he had been pastor of the churches at Mr. Zion and Bentonsport. Mr. McELHINNY was married in this city October 15th, 1889, to Miss Carrie E, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. SPIELMAN. The wife and two young daughters, Marion and Marjorie, survive him.

Mr. McELHINNY was a man of methodical habits and business ability, was forceful and instructive in the pulpit and a pastor of unusual excellence. No greater tribute could be paid him, no larger appreciation of his services could be manifested than the attendance of thirty or more of his parishioners at his funeral. A wide circle of friends and relatives in this city will mourn his death and sympathize with his family in its sorrow.

Funeral services were held at the home on South Main street Sunday afternoon. They were conducted by Rev. Willis E. Parsons and Rev. E.M. Snook. Both paid high tribute to Mr. McELHINNY, his devotion to the church and the effciency of his labors as a minister of the gospel.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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Transcriber note: The towns of Stockport and Bonaparte are in Van Buren County, Iowa; Van Buren County is directly south and adjacent to Jefferson County where the McElhinny family resided by that time.