Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 20, 1912

Life Sketch of Mrs. B. G. Wilkinson

VINNIE MAUDE MORRISON was born near Milo, Iowa, July 4, 1877. She died at Lincoln, Nebr., June 1, 1912, aged 34 years, 10 months, and 27 days. She was converted and united with the church at the age of fifteen years. Reared in a Christian home, and having had instilled into her mind from early childhood the principles of this message and the demands of God upon her service, her heart was early stirred to devote her life to gospel work. In pursuit of this purpose, she entered Union College, and was graduated from the literary course in 1899. Following this she was called to take charge of the art department of the college, which she did with great efficiency for three years. During this time she assisted in the teaching in the English department.

May 20, 1902, in North Halloway Church, London, England, she was married to Prof. B. G. Wilkinson. At that time he was president of the Latin Union Conference, and for nearly three years she was associated with him in the trying pioneer work of this difficult field. Their home was in Paris, France, and here she not only rendered help in the general work, but found a number of interested Bible readers among some of the influential people of this nationality.

In December, 1904, her husband was called to take charge of the Bible and history departments of the Washington Training College, now the Foreign Mission Seminary, and later to the presidency of the Columbia Union Conference. This necessitated their removal to Washington, D. C., which has since been their home. At times during this period Sister Wilkinson acted as teacher of English and French in the school, and also did considerable Bible work in the city of Washington.

She was the mother of three sons. The eldest, Willard Russell, died at the age of four and one-half months; the second son, Benjamin George, Jr., is still living, and little Horace, the youngest, sleeps with her in the same casket.

Sister Wilkinson was a devoted wife and mother, and found her greatest happiness in the making of a happy, cheerful home for her husband and children, and in a quiet, unostentatious ministry of love among her neighbors and associates. From childhood she was possessed of a cheerful, happy, courageous disposition, which led her to minimize the unpleasant things of life, and to exercise toward her associates a spirit of kindly, charitable regard. This winsome disposition gave her strong personal influence both in her work as a teacher and in all her association with others. In every field and capacity in which she labored, her capabilities and resourcefulness made her an acceptable companion, and opened for her a wide field of usefulness.

Her faith in the Lord was simple and childlike. In the midst of her family duties, the trials and difficulties of daily experiences, sometimes with ill health, and oftentimes in her loneliness during her husband's enforced absence in the field, she learned to lean hard upon the arm of God and to find in him comfort and strength for Christian living.

She left Washington, D. C., some weeks ago, anticipating a happy visit with her aged parents and relatives and friends in Nebraska. She was unexpectedly stricken with acute Bright's disease. This necessitated a premature operation, which proved unavailing in the saving of her life. This ordeal she faced with fortitude and cheerfulness, conscious of God's acceptance, and trustingly leaving with him the final outcome. She rests from her labors, but the memory of her earnest, faithful life will ever linger in the minds of those who knew her, and the influences for good which she set in operation will continue to gather for God till the sum total is reached at the final harvest.

She leaves to mourn their loss her husband, well and favorably known to many of our readers; her little son; her aged father and mother, Elder J. H. Morrison, our esteemed

and venerable brother, and his wife, of College View, Nebr.; a brother, Prof. H. A. Morrison, teacher of mathematics in Union College; two sisters; and a large circle of other relatives and friends. The funeral services were held in the Seventh-day Adventist church at College View, Nebr., Wednesday, June 5, Pastor F. M. Burg officiating. F. M. W.

Elder J. C. Nielsen

ELDER J. C. NIELSEN was born at Thise, Denmark, Sept. 4, 1838, and died in Bethel, Wis., Feb. 8, 1912. In his early years he was converted and united with a society of believers in the state church. In 1858 he joined the Baptist Church, and soon became a minister of the gospel among that people. With his family, Brother Nielsen came to America in 1862. He located in Neenah, Wis., and two years later enlisted as a volunteer in the civil war. He accepted present truth in 1871. At that time he was in charge of a Baptist congregation. Some of his members heard Elder J. G. Matteson preach, and began to keep the Sabbath. In trying to help these persons, Brother Nielsen himself became convinced of the truth. From that time until his death he labored as a minister in the Danish Adventist mission work. He toiled hard and faithfully. His writings, especially his poems, have endeared him to all our people. His death is a great loss to the Danish-Norwegian work. Brother Nielsen leaves a wife and nine children to mourn. He was buried at Neenah, Wis., his old home. L. H. CHRISTIAN.

Elder Fred Anderson

AFTER an illness of short duration, our faithful brother and fellow worker, Elder Fred Anderson, superintendent of the North Swedish Mission, died on Jan. 22, 1912, aged 42 years, 3 months, and 12 days. Brother Anderson was born and reared in Sweden. He came to America in 1886. Two years later he was converted and united with the Baptists. In 1891 he was called to the gospel ministry. The following year he embraced present truth, and at once joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In the latter part of the same year he entered Union College, at College View, Nebr., taking a three years' course of study in the Swedish department. After completing his work there, he spent his entire time in the work of giving this message. For six years he labored in the United States, and the rest of the time in the Scandinavian home field.

In 1901 Brother Anderson was called to work in Finland. With his wife (he was married in 1897) and two children, he located in the city of Bjorneborg. He discharged his duties as leader of the Finland Mission with great ability. About a year and a half before his death he was asked to take charge of the North Swedish Mission. The family located in the city of Sundsvall, where during the winter of 1910-11 he conducted a series of lectures on present truth, with the happy result that the following summer a church was organized. It was Brother Anderson's intention to continue meetings last winter at the same place, but because of a severe cold contracted while on a journey to Ljustorp the last of November, he was obliged to discontinue his work. The cold settled in his head, and in spite of energetic treatments no lasting improvement healthwise resulted, although at times he seemed somewhat relieved. January 14, he began a new series of meetings, hoping that his strength might suffice, and that he would soon be well again. This was a most blessed meeting. The hall was crowded, and the power of God rested upon Brother Anderson and the congregation. After the lecture several of the hearers said, “O, what a glorious meeting! He spoke, indeed, as if it were the last time.” And so it was. He was again taken very ill. With his wife he started for the Skodsborg Sanatorium, in Denmark, but his strength was not sufficient for the journey. At Malmo, Sweden, it was necessary to hurry him to a hospital, and he died two days later, January 22, from meningitis. He was buried in the city of Malmo.

Elder Anderson left to mourn a faithful wife and four children, three boys and one girl, aged fourteen, eleven, ten, and two and one-half years. This dear family have sustained a great loss, but they sorrow not as those who are without hope. We all join in deep regret at the bereavement. We, his fellow workers, shall greatly miss our brother. We all appreciated him highly, and loved him. He was a diligent, consecrated, and faithful laborer, and his place will not be easily filled. In the last letter I received from Brother Anderson, written a few days before his decease, he stated that he was willing to lay down his work if that should be God's will, but that he was desirous of working on to win souls for the kingdom if his health should be restored. He expressed great confidence in the Lord. J. C. RAFT.

Mrs. E. W. Webster

MRS. RACHAEL EMALINE WEBSTER, née Hobbs, wife of Elder E. W. Webster, was born at Cincinnati, Iowa, May 28, 1856. When she was nine years old, her father moved the family to Johnson County, Missouri; and in 1870 Elder R. J. Lawrence held a series of meetings in a country schoolhouse near her father's farm, and she with the rest of the family began to keep the Sabbath. In 1874 Elder J. H. Rogers organized a church, and Rachael was among those who were baptized and received into church-membership. In 1878, while still residing near Kingsville, Mo., she was united in marriage to Andrew E. Flowers, by Elder Dan T. Jones. From 1884 to 1893 she was connected with our tract and mission work in St. Louis, Chicago, and other places in the States, and at the General Conference in 1893 she, with her husband, answered a call to the British West Indies. July 29 of the following year (1894) her husband died of the yellow fever at Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. She was prostrate with the fever, and unable to attend her husband's funeral. Since then she has been almost a constant sufferer, but was enabled to connect as a worker with the Guadalajara (Mexico) Sanitarium for more than two years, 1895-97. Feeling a great burden for the work that her health had compelled her to leave in the islands, and her health being somewhat improved, she returned to Trinidad, and in 1898 was united in marriage to Elder E. W. Webster, who was laboring in the British West Indies. In 1900, on account of the impaired health of both of them, Brother and Sister Webster returned to the States, locating in different places that seemed to give the most hope for the recovery of their health. For more than two years of this time their home was at Graysville, Tenn. At the time of her death, which occurred May 16, 1912, they were at the Wabash Valley Sanitarium, La Fayette, Ind.; and complying with her request, Brother Webster brought her remains to Graysville, to rest beside those of her sister who was buried at this place. During those long years she was an intense sufferer, but the pain and weariness were borne without a single murmur or complaint, and we laid her away with the blessed assurance that she will soon awaken to everlasting life. Words of comfort were spoken at the funeral from Rev. 21: 4, by Elder H. W. Pierce. SMITH SHARP.

SCHUSTER.—Philip Daniel, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Schuster, was born Oct. 30, 1911, and died at Jackson, Mich., March 25, 1912, aged 4 months and 25 days. Words of comfort were spoken to the sorrowing parents and friends from Isa. 49: 15. D. P. WOOD.

WHITE.—Mrs. Rebecca White (colored) was born in Arkansas, and died at Lamar, Colo., May 2, 1912, aged 44 years, 4 months, and 17 days. Sister White formerly belonged to the Baptist Church, but as a result of Bible studies held by Brother J. Z. Walker about five years ago, she was led to accept present truth, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since that time she has been a faithful Christian, always doing what she could to bring the light of truth to her people. She is survived by her husband and one daughter. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. R. R. COOK.

BRASIER.—Mrs. Hattie A. Brasier, née Smith, died in Chippewa Falls, Wis., May 12, 1912. Sister Brasier was born of Adventist parents, in Loyal, Clark County, Wis., May 21, 1867. She was a faithful, consistent Christian, and fell asleep in the hope of a part in the first resurrection. Her husband, three sons, and four daughters survive. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. P. M. HANSON.

SEVIER.—Barton Meets Sevier was born in Kasinsco, Miss., in 1870, and died in Atlanta, Ga., May 12, 1912. Brother Sevier endeared himself to all by his exemplary Christian character. To know him was to love him. His last request was that his children might be brought up in the Adventist faith. His wife and four children and a large circle of friends are left to mourn their loss. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, who spoke comforting words from Ps. 30: 5. L. T. CRISLER.

CURZEN.—Elizabeth Thomas Curzen, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Thomas, was born near Paintersville, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1844, and died at Sheridan, Ind., May 12, 1912. She was married to John W. Curzen, Sept. 25, 1867. When fifteen years of age Sister Curzen united with the Methodist Protestant Church. In May, 1893, she saw the light of present truth and identified herself with this people. She loved the third angel's message, and was faithful in attending church services as long as her health would permit. Her husband is left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. A. L. MILLER.

DUNN.—Albert Dunn, only child of Elmer and Elizabeth Dunn, was born Aug. 7, 1903, and died in Lancaster, Pa., May 13, 1912, aged 8 years, 9 months, and 6 days. He had always been a healthy child, but about ten days before his death he was taken with a severe earache, which caused intense suffering. All through his sickness his mind frequently turned to his Saviour, whom he greatly desired to please. He was a member of the Lancaster, Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-school; was regular in attendance, and took delight in doing missionary work. Funeral service at the home of the parents was attended by a large company of relatives and friends. Interment took place at Manheim, Pa. S. D. HARTWELL.

HENRIQUES.—Edna Marie Henriques was born in Buff Bay, Jamaica, Aug. 15, 1877, and died at Hart Hill, Jamaica, May 11, 1912, aged 34 years, 8 months, and 26 days. In the year 1903 Sister Henriques, with her mother, accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith, as the result of reading. From the time she accepted this precious truth, she was an earnest and faithful follower of Christ, and devoted much of her time to the interests of the Sabbath-school and church work at Hart Hill. This little church will greatly miss her loving ministry. Her father, mother, one sister, and four brothers remain to mourn their loss. The funeral services were conducted by the writer, using Rev. 14: 14 and other texts to comfort the large concourse of friends gathered. D. E. WELLMAN.

THORP.—Mrs. Rebecca Thorp died at the home of her son, at Sanitarium, Cal., May 13, 1912, aged 77 years, 4 months, and 12 days. She was born in Pike County, Missouri, in 1843, and early in life gave her heart to the Lord. Until 1881 she was a member of the Christian Church, when, under the labors of Elder William Healey, Sister Thorp, together with her husband and three children, accepted present truth at Santa Rosa, Cal. She was a member of the Sanitarium church at the time of her death. Her favorite theme was the second coming of Christ, and we have every reason to believe that when the reward is apportioned to the faithful, she will be among the number who are called forth in the first resurrection. Three of her seven children survive. The funeral service was conducted by the undersigned at the Fresno Seventh-day Adventist church, and she was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Mountain View Cemetery. J. H. BEHRENS.

YEAGER.—Sister Louise M. Yeager died at her home near Rapidan, Minn., May 9, 1912, aged 78 years, 1 month, and 9 days. She was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1834, and came to America alone when seventeen years old. She accepted the truths of the third angel's message many years ago, and fell asleep in the hope of soon meeting her Saviour. One daughter and six sons survive. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. A. W. KUEHL.

ROGERS.—Samuel S. Rogers, a civil war veteran, and an inmate of the soldiers' home at Quincy, Ill., was born in Ohio, Oct. 19, 1842, and died May 18, 1912. Three years ago, through reading our literature he accepted present truth and was baptized at Decatur, Ill. Brother Rogers was a consistent Christian. Two daughters, thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two sisters, together with many friends, are left to mourn. Funeral service was conducted by the writer. JOHN E. HANSON.

STUBBS.—Essie May Stubbs was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, May 6, 1854, and died at Denver, Colo., Dec. 8, 1911, aged 57 years, 7 months, and 2 days. She accepted present truth under the labors of Elder DeBaird, and became one of the charter members of the first Seventh-day Adventist church organized in Denver. She died in the faith, and is survived by a daughter and one sister. They look forward to the resurrection morning, when God's people will be united. The funeral service was conducted by Elder G. W. Anglebarger. L. C. GRAY.

HANSON.—Mrs. Olina Hanson died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. R. Bates, of Webster, S. Dak., May 17, 1912, aged 74 years, 5 months, and 10 days. She was born at Little Hammer, Norway, and when twenty years of age came with her parents to America and settled at La Crosse, Wis. Later the family moved to South Dakota, where she was married to Austin Hanson. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are left to mourn. Grandma Hanson was well known by many in South Dakota, having been a regular attendant at camp-meeting for many years. She was a faithful, energetic Christian, and gained the respect and confidence of all who met her. The funeral services were conducted by the writer. C. M. BABCOCK.

WORDEN.—Esther P. Worden was born in Richmond, N. Y., March 19, 1826, and died at Salem, Oregon, May 10, 1912, aged 86 years, 1 month, and 21 days. At the age of seventeen she was united in marriage to Berzilla A. Worden. To this union seven children were born. Her husband, two sons, and two daughters survive her. Grandpa Worden, who will soon be ninety years old, deeply feels the loss of a faithful companion, with whom he lived for sixty-nine years. At the age of twelve years, Sister Worden was baptized and united with the Methodist Church. Forty-four years ago she accepted the message of the soon coming of Jesus and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was a consistent Christian, and was loved by all who knew her. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer to a large circle of friends and relatives. C. F. FOLKENBERG.

MILLER.—Mary H. Klinemeyer Miller was born in Iowa County, near Homestead, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1881, and died in St. Luke's Hospital on May 17, 1912, aged 30 years, 5 months, and 18 days. She was married to James Miller Nov. 18, 1903. To this union were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. Sister Miller was reared in the Lutheran faith, but about seven years ago she accepted present truth. She was a faithful and consistent Christian, always at her post of duty, both in her home and in the church. We believe that she sleeps in Jesus, and while we sorrow, it is with the assurance that she will come forth when the Life-giver comes to gather home his faithful children. Sister Miller's husband and one daughter, together with her mother, four sisters, and one brother, are left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted at her home, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by the writer. MINNIE SYPE.

SHIPLEY.—Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Shipley, née Selby, was born in Howard County, Maryland, in 1838, and died May 15, 1912, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Laura Whitehurst, in Norfolk, Va. She accepted the truths of the third angel's message about seven years ago, and fell asleep in Jesus with the full assurance of a part in the first resurrection. Three children, two daughters and one son, survive. The funeral service was held May 17. C. E. GARNSEY.

MASSIE.—Permelia Massie, née Johnson, died April 21, 1912, at her home in Nevada, Mo. She was born in 1833, in Kentucky. About twenty years ago she accepted the truth for this time under the labors of Elder W. S. Hyatt, who was then president of the Missouri Conference. Sister Massie was a faithful, consistent Christian, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. She fell asleep in the blessed hope of a part in the first resurrection. Of her nine children, five are left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. L. W. TERRY.

NESMITH.—Mrs. Jessie Nesmith died at her home in Florence, S. Dak., May 17, 1912, aged 41 years, 10 months, and 12 days. Her early years were spent on a farm in Minnesota. In 1880 the family moved to Flandreau, S. Dak., and in November of 1893, she was married to Mr. Edd Nesmith. During her girlhood she spent two years in Battle Creek College. She was a faithful member of the Florence church, and during the last days of her life expressed her confidence in her Saviour, and her willingness to be laid away if that were to his glory. Her husband and four children are left to mourn. The funeral services were conducted by the writer. C. M. BABCOCK.

EVANS.—Orin Evans was born in Ada, Kent Co., Mich., Sept. 6, 1855, and died at the U. B. A. Hospital in Grand Rapids, May 14, 1912. He bore his protracted and painful illness with Christian fortitude. Though desiring to remain with his family, he was perfectly resigned to the will of his Master, and died in the blessed hope of a soon-coming Saviour. Brother Evans united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Lowell, Mich., in 1888, and remained a faithful member until his death. He was married to Viola Whistler, of Stanton, Mich., in 1878. To them were born four children, two of whom, with Mrs. Evans, remain to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father and husband. EUGENE LELAND.

SMITH.—Francis M. Smith was born in Franklin County, Ohio, May 10, 1838, and died at College Place, Wash., April 12, 1912. He enlisted as a soldier in the civil war Oct. 16, 1861, and after serving three years reenlisted and served until the close of the war. March 2, 1865, he was promoted from a private to first lieutenant. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Bixby on Sept. 23, 1866, in Story County, Iowa. Mr. Smith accepted present truth at Nevada, Iowa, in 1875, under the labors of Elder R. M. Kilgore. His companion and two sons are left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by Elder H. W. Dexter, Sabbath, April 13. Text, Ps. 17: 15. MRS. F. M. SMITH.

HOPKINS.—Mrs. Sophia L. Curtis Hopkins was born Aug. 23, 1835, and died in New Hartford, N. Y., May 13, 1912, aged 76 years, 8 months, and 20 days. Jan. 23, 1856, she was united in marriage to William E. Hopkins, and to this union were born six children. In early life Sister Hopkins gave her heart to the Lord, and united with the Baptist Church. About twenty-five years ago she heard the truths of the third angel's message and accepted them, uniting with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At the time of her death she was a member of the church at Rome, N. Y. She was a woman of refined tastes and gentle manners, and trusted implicitly in the promises of our Heavenly Father, looking forward with joy to the day when Christ shall come to claim his own. One son, two daughters, and four grandchildren are left to mourn. The funeral services were conducted by the writer, assisted at the grave by an Episcopal minister. T. B. WESTBROOK.

FURBER.—Died May 19, 1912, at the home of his son, William Furber, in Irvin, Alberta, Canada, A. W. Furber, aged 60 years, 5 months, and 10 days. He was not sick long, but his suffering was intense. He was a faithful, consistent Christian, and died with a bright hope of a part in the first resurrection.

WERNER.—Died at Phoenix, Ariz., May 17, 1912, Lewis Calvin Werner, aged 26 years. He had been ill for about six months. His wife is left to mourn. As the end approached, he expressed a hope of meeting her in the earth made new. A large gathering of sympathetic friends attended the funeral service. G. W. REABER.

RAYMOND.—A. C. Raymond was born in Wheeler, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1845, and died at Fernwood, N. Y., April 11, 1912. He was married to Emily T. Robinson, who survives him, together with three sons, one daughter, one brother, and one sister. Brother Raymond was reared a Seventh-day Adventist, and remained loyal to the truth until his death. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. H. F. TAYLOR.

BRANSON.—Rachael Louise, the infant daughter of Elder William H. and Minnie Branson, was born Nov. 3, 1910, and died, after several days' severe illness, on May 22, 1912, at Chester, S. C., aged 1 year, 6 months, and 19 days. Her father, mother, and little brother are left to mourn. At the time of her death, Elder Branson was conducting a series of tent-meetings with a good interest. The heartfelt sympathies of his congregation were at once aroused, and they did all they could to comfort the sorrowing parents. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from 1 Thess. 4: 13, 14. F. C. CLARK.

MEYER.—Charlotte Boyington Meyer died at her home in Chester, S. Dak., May 3, 1912, aged 56 years, 7 months, and 24 days. She was born in Mercer, Maine, but came West in her girlhood. Aug. 23, 1881, she was married to Henry Meyer, and they settled on a farm in Franklin Township, Lake County, where she spent most of the remainder of her life. In 1895 she accepted present truth, and united with the Cottonwood Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her life was one of helpful service, and she fell peacefully asleep to await the call of the Life-giver. Her husband, two brothers, and one sister, besides many other relatives and friends, are left to mourn. The funeral services were conducted from the Chester Methodist church by the writer. C. M. BABCOCK.