ELLIOTT, Rev. John Nelson 1842 - 1872

ELLIOTT, GREEN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, September 12, 1872
Page 3, Columns 5 and 6

DIED.

ELLIOTT.--Rev. John Nelson ELLIOTT, of the Iowa Conference of the M.E. Church, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 8th, 1842, and died at the residence of Dr. Wesley J. GREEN, in Richwoods, Jefferson county, Iowa, Sept. 5th, 1872; aged 29 years, 8 months and 27 days.

His youth was spent at his father's home, where the opening of the Southern rebellion found him a stripling of nineteen years. Fired by the spirit of patriotism, which moved so many brave men to do or die for their country's defence, he resolved early upon entering the Union army.-- Meeting with opposition from his friends on account of his youth, he left his father's house and made his way across the Ohio river into Virginia, where he enlisted in the First Regiment of the Virginia Union Cavalry, in August, 1861. That regiment was largely composed of men who had been driven from their homes by the forces of the rebellion, and whose earthly all was at stake in the overthrow of treason. Every man had a personal interest in the fight, and all of them were heroes. Bravest among the brave was John N. ELLIOTT; indeed his courage frequently assumed the form of desperation. He seemed to know no fear, and to have a contempt for danger and death. It is said of him that he would not, unless compelled, turn his back upon the enemy; but in case of retreat he would rein his horse back out of range and then wheel and follow his comrades away. He spent but a short time in the position of a private, and served successively as Orderly Sergeant, Brigade forage master and First Lieutenant. Once, in foraging, he and his comrades went for three months on rations of thirty days. An on one extreme march he went three days and nights without a morsel of food. The record of his marches and battles, embracing operations in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, would include a part of the history of the Army of the Potomac. He was in both the battles of Bull Run, and in all the grand movements of McClellan and Grant around Richmond. After his term of enlistment had expired he re-enlisted as a veteran, and remained in the army until he was discharged after the return of peace. It is said that he could definitely name seventy-five engagements in which he took part, and that the whole number of battles and skirmishes in which he fought exceeded one hundred. And yet he was never struck, and although suffering intensely from chronic trouble while in the army, he never spent an hour from confinement in the hospitals during the whole time of his enlistments. It was certainly appropriate that a company of veterans accompanied him to the grave, and that the Stars and Stripes for which he had fought so well were carried over his remains to the tomb.

But John N. ELLIOTT's memory is sacred not only as a patriot, but as a christian.-- In his sixteenth year he acknowledged the obligations that were upon him and professed faith in the Savior of men. But in the trials and temptations of the camp these were nearly forgotten, and he gave way to open sin. It was a part of his record that he afterwards looked upon with great humiliation and regret. After his discharge from the army he spent a short time in the mercantile business in his native State. In the fall of 1865 he came to Iowa, and spent the next winter in Jefferson county with his brother, Rev. B. F. ELLIOTT. That winter, at a meeting held by Rev. John Orr, in Richwoods Church, he renewed his early covenant, professed justifying faith, and untied with the M.E. Church. The change in him was decisive and complete. All his mighty energies of soul were now laid a sacrifice upon the alter of the Cross. Soon he heard an inward voice calling him to a higher work. To prepare for this, and to complete his educational training, he spent some months in the Iowa Wesleyan University. While there, on the recommendation of the Richwoods class, he was license to preach.-- His first efforts were not prophetic of much ultimate success. More than once this man, who had never quailed when the balls were whizzing round him, was entirely overcome before a handful of people in a country school-house or in a neighborhood Church. But under a sense of duty he persisted, and soon getting advantage of his diffidence, his real talent began to manfest (sic) itself. At the session of the Iowa Conference held at Burlington, Sept. 2d, 1868, he was admitted on trial, and appointed as junior preacher on Brighton Circuit, with the late Rev. David Donaldson as preacher-in-charge. The year was one of success, and with Mr. ELLIOTT of manifest progress in ability and zeal.-- August 25th, 1869, he was married to his late excellent wife, Miss Emma E. GREEN. At the Conference of 1869 he was continued on trial, and appointed to Martinsburg circuit. On this large and laborious field his energies were somewhat overtaxed, and his health gave signs of failure. At the Conference held at Albia, Iowa, Sept. 28, 1870, he was admitted into full connection and ordained Deacon by Bishop Ames on Sabbath, Oct. 2d, of that year. The field assigned him was Abingdon circuit. Here his ministerial course commanded the confidence and esteem of all the people. At the last conference he was sent to Birmingham. Here his ministry opened favorably and he soon won the confidence and hearts of the people whom he served. But shortly after his removal to his new field of labor, the true nature of a chronic ailment, from which he had long suffered, was ascertained, and he was compelled to endure the pain and danger of a lithotomical operation. It was hoped this would result in his speedy restoration to health. But these hopes were doomed to be disappointed. During a visit to his friends in Ohio, in the early summer, he was seized with hemorrhage, and he returned prostrated to his home. It was soon apparent that his work was nearly done; still his faithful people clung to him to the last.-- Desiring to attend the Camp Meeting at Richwoods, he came with his wife, also suffering from hemorrhage, to the house of his father-in-law, Dr. W. J. GREEN. From thence they were taken during the day to the Camp Meeting, where, anxious to enjoy the meeting, he taxed his energies, listening to the singing, or following the line of thought pursued by the preacher. But the excitement was too great, and on Sabbath, August 25th, the two were taken home, to Dr. GREEN's, as it proved, to die. That same day his wife had a very severe return of bleeding at the lungs, and the following Sabbath, during a return of hemorrhage, she died. He found himself gradually sinking away, and on that last of his earthly Sabbaths he had requested the administration of the Sacrament by Rev. S. H. Thomas, the pastor of the circuit.-- During the service, partaken with his almost dying wife, he expressed his strong confidence and abounding peace. (Paper torn away across the column here and last several lines incomplete:) But __
few minutes afterwards his wife came ___
the room and bade him a last fare_______
Too weak for conversation, he __________
ately gave her his farewell ble___________
they separated. A few min______________
they announced to him________________
first he seemed ______________________
tell me that! _________________________
umphed and he gave expression to feelings of praise. The excitement of the funeral on Monday afternoon was almost too much for him to endure, although every care was taken to protect him from its effects. The writer having just returned from a distant appointment, and casually hearing of the funeral, had hastened there. Hearing that Brother ELLIOTT had expressed a desire that he should attend his funeral, and anxious to know from himself his state of mind, he waited until Brother ELLIOTT had had some time to rest from the fatigue of the occasion, when he approached his bedside.-- Instantly extending his hand, Brother ELLIOTT said: "I am patiently, or rather, I must say, impatiently waiting for the hour of my release to come. It want you to tell my brethren that I stand on a firm foundation. My feet are on the rock. I have the victory. I have not the shadow of a fear or doubt on my mind with regard to my acceptance with God."

It proved to be, indeed, his last testimony. The next day he seemed oppressed with sleep. This was succeeded by delirium. Gradually the waters rose about him, and at length, about 4 p.m. of September 5th, his spirit passed away. We will not attempt here an analysis of his character. Strong in his attachments, fearless and independent in his spirit, plain and pointed in his address; he was a valued friend, a beloved pastor, a good and useful preacher. At his request a sermon was delivered at his funeral with reference to the deaths of himself and wife, from the words, "I have fought a good fight." Then, accompanied by a number of his ministerial brethren, the relatives and a large number of friends, and escorted by a company of veterans, with martial music and the flag he loved borne aloft over him, devout men carried him to his burial--his body being deposited in a grave in Richwoods cemetery, close by that of his wife. "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death they were not divided."

W.

ELLIOTT.--Mrs. Emma Estella, wife of Rev. John N. ELLIOTT, and daughter of Dr. Wesley J. GREEN, of Richwoods, Jefferson Co,. Iowa, was born in that place, December 29th, 1847, and died in her fathers house on Sabbath evening. September 1st, 1872, aged 24 years, 8 months and 2 days.

In early life she made a profession of religion, and joined the M. E. Church. August 21st, 1869, she was married to her late husband. In fulfilling the duties of a minster's wife, she proved herself to be a faithful, affectionate and evoted woman, winning the confidence and esteem of all, by her mild and attractive spirit. Her health for some time has been slender, and a little while before her final attack she had several turns of severe hemorrhage of the lungs. A very severe attack took place on the Sabbath previous to her death. On the Sabbath of her death she had, with her husband, and at their joint request, partaken of the Holy Sacrament administered to them by Rev. S. H. Thomas. During the service Mr. and Mrs. ELLIOTT were lying in adjoining rooms, it not being thought expedient to make any further change in their locations on account of their great weakness. Soon after the service she walked into her husband's room of her own accord, took an affectionate leave of him, gave him a parting kiss, and expressed her conviction that they would not be long separated, the one from the other. Then returning to her own room, she was suddenly seized with another attack of hemorrhage. She was only able to call heartily for help, and speedily choking from the flow of blood, in a few minutes was a corpse. Her funeral was attended by many sympathizing friends, who followed her remains on Monday afternoon to the family burial ground in Richwoods, where her body waits the resurrection.

W.

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

… and in death, they were not divided. -Admin.