Gudliff Brooker (1907)

BROOKER, KILLAM, FISHER, SLOCUM

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 9/24/2006 at 21:31:08

Earlham Library Obituaries, March 1907
Earlham, Iowa

Brother Gudliff Brooker was born in Morgan county, Ohio, April 6, 1887, and departed this life March 20, 1907. He came with his parents to Clayton county, Iowa, when he was ten years old. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Garnavillo, Clayton county, Iowa, when he was twenty-one years old. Immediately after his conversion he was elected Sunday school superintendent and made class leader. In the fall of 1858 Brother Brooker was given exhorter’s license in Garnavillo, which positions he held in the church until he moved to Madison county, Iowa, in 1867.

In September 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Killam of Garnavillo. To this union three children were born, G. A. Brooker, who was translated May 22, 1906, Mrs. L. W. Fisher of Van Meter, Iowa, and Mrs. R. E. Slocum of Fort Collins, Colo.

BROTHER BROOKER

When he came to Madison county he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Jefferson Center, and when the church was built at Pleasant Grove they became members of that society. Brother Brooker was still appointed class leader, and the church recognizing his usefulness continued him an exhorter and also Sunday school superintendent for a number of years.

He and his family united with the Fairview church in September 1884, by letter, under the pastorate of Brother Welborn.

Brother Brooker was appointed Bible class teacher soon after coming to Fairview which position he held until September 1906, when failing health compelled him to resign. While at Fairview he was made trustee, steward, class leader and treasurer. February 26, he located in Earlham and was with Sister Brooker received into the Earlham Methodist Episcopal church by letter March 17, 1907.

Brother Gudliff Brooker was a most enthusiastic Sunday school advocate and worker and for twenty years he was the humored and efficient president of the Madison County Sunday School Association. In October 1906 Brother Brooker was elected to the presidency of the Madison County Sunday School Association for the twenty-first year.

His individual work during special meetings was in visiting from house to house during the day, and although his defective eyesight was a hindrance to him, yet he was a superior worker at the altar services; his labors throughout the county in visiting with people in their homes and praying with them, in which he was a mighty power, will be remembered by many on earth and in heaven.

Note: Burial in the Earlham Cemetery, Madison County, Iowa