1842-1892 George Galen Tilden

TILDEN

Posted By: Sheila Simpson (email)
Date: 1/2/2004 at 16:13:24

Thursday, August 4 1892 Obituary of George G. Tilden
Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky came upon the peaceful quiet of our town on Sunday evening the news that one of our most honored and most loved citizens had died by his own hand. The death of George Galen Tilden at any time and under any circumstances, would have been a cause of deep grief in this place where he had been known so long and so well; but coming when and as it did, the consternation and grief which all felt was reflected in every face and heard from every tongue.

Contrary to his usual custom, Mr. Tilden did not accompany his family to church upon Sunday morning, July 31. Upon their return home he was not to be found, but thinking the absence only temporary and accidental no alarm was felt. Early in the evening his body was found hanging in the barn and later a note was found bidding farewell to his family. That his death was due to insanity caused by recent several physical suffering there can be no doubt.

George F. Tilden was born in Rochester, Windsor County, Vermont on November 6, 1842. He was one of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters; four of the sons have now gone to the other shore.

With the exception of his army life Mr. Tilden had his home in the place of his birth till he came to Ames in 1869. He enlisted as a volunteer in the Union Army August 6, 1862, three months before he was twenty years of age, and he was in the service three years. He enlisted as a private and was five times promoted on his merits as a soldier being successively sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, and was finally made brevet major by President Lincoln for gallant and meritorious service in the assault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865. He was honorably mustered out in June 1865.

September 26, 1867 he was married in Rochester and in March 1869 he moved with his family to Ames, Story County, Iowa where his home has been ever since. He was the father of six children, three sons and three daughters. The second child and eldest daughter Maud died at the age of seven.

In the winter of 1867-1868 he became a member of the Congregational Church at his home in Rochester; and soon after coming to Ames he transferred his membership to the church at this place, of which he has ever since been an honored and a useful member. His interest in the church and in the cause of Christ has been constant, deep and unwavering. He was in entire sympathy with the Home Missionary work and was an efficient member of the Central District Committee. He was much interested in the Christian Endeavor Society movement and was an honorary member of the Congregational Endeavor Society. His interest in the work of the church was always characterized by liberal contributions whenever and wherever needed. In his relations to the church his accurate judgment, honesty of purpose and devotion to duty combined to make a member whose place cannot easily be filled.

To speak of the business life and relations of Mr. Tilden is to speak of the history of the town of Ames. A keen, conservative, reliable businessman his business interests kept pace with the growth of the town to the welfare of which he was ever a staunch friend.

Of Mr. Tilden it was …. said that he was a brave soldier for three long years in defense of this glorious country of ours against the ugly monster treason. He was a most kind, loving husband and father, a cheering, comforting brother, an honorable, upright business man, a citizen worth of the esteem in which he was held. This is a record grand and noble and one that all should strive for. Although not perfect his life was in many respects a representative one, and worthy of emulation. He leaves a rich heritage to his family.

The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon August 2 under the auspices of the Ellsworth Post Grand Army of the Republic. The Post proceeded to the house at 2 o’clock and escorted the body to the Congregational Church, where the pastor, Reverend Douglass, conducted the services, the choir being composed of Mrs. Cairns, Miss Duncan, Messrs. Arnold and Brown, and organist, Mrs. Barrows. Mr. Douglass spoke informally such kindly consoling words to the family and friends, as seemed to him best fitted for the occasion. The choir sung the favorite hymns of the deceased. After the services the Post escorted the remains to the cemetery and conducted their burial service. Reverend Douglass pronounced the benediction and Mr. Dell Maxwell closed the services with the military call of “Lights Out,” on his cornet.