Rev. Ben Ezra Stiles Ely (1910)

ELY, CURTIS, MOORE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 5/25/2010 at 16:17:38

The Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 28, 1910
Pg 1

Death of Dr. Ely

Rev. B. E. S. Ely, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church at this place, died at his home in Des Moines last Friday night. Dr. Ely had been sick for several months with heart disease, and although he was 82 years of age, he had resisted several attacks of the malady during the past few years.

He moved from this place to Des Moines about ten years ago, since which time he has not been actively engaged in the ministry. Winterset was his last regular pastorate. He was a man greatly beloved by all who knew him, and he was one of the strongest preachers in the Presbytery. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, Rev. B. E. S. Ely, Jr., of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. E. L. Curtis, of New Haven, Conn.; Mrs. S. F. Moore, Wooster, Ohio, and Dr. Frank A. Ely, of Des Moines.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 28, 1910
Page 1, Column 5

Dr. B. E. S. ELY PASSES AWAY

Former Winterset Pastor and Pioneer Minister Dies at Home in Des Moines

Dr. B. E. S. Ely whose illness was mentioned in these columns last week passed away about midnight, April 22d, at his home, 1611 Eighth street, Des Moines. He had been declining and health for the past year, the immediate cause of his death being heart trouble.

Dr. Ely was born in Philadelphia in 1828. His long life was a remarkable one in many ways. In earlier life he traveled extensively and his early life was one rich in experience and no doubt gave him peculiar fitness for a successful ministry which he entered some thirty years ago. For a time he was engaged as a sailor. In California, he practiced law and was actively engage in politics.

During his ministry he was pastor of the sixth Presbyterian church of Chicago and pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Ottumwa for 13 years. In 1893 he was called to the pastorate of the Winterset Presbyterian church where he remained for seven years and soon afterward retired from regular ministerial work to spend the remainder of his days in Des Moines.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Dr. Frank A. Ely of Des Moines, also one son, and two daughters by a former marriage.

Probably no Winterset pastor was more universally loved than was Dr. Ely, and the news of his death was heard here with feeling of profound sorrow.
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Coordinator's note: Full name taken from gravestone.

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