Licking-Guernsey-Belmont County OhArchives Obituaries.....James Logan GILBREATH August 25 1880 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Doug Gilliland genealogy@dougstheology.org February 25, 2004, 10:55 am The Lutheran Observer. Sep 10, 1880 The Lutheran Observer. Philadelphia, PA Sep 10, 1880. For The Lutheran Observer IN MEMORIAM. Rev. James Logan Gilbreath died in Newark, 0., August 25th, 1880, aged 59 Years, 8 months, and 22 days. The subject of this notice was the fourth one of six sons of Rev. Robert, and Mary T. Gilbreath, and was born near Greensborough, Guilford county, North Carolina,- December 3d, 1820, and emigrated with his parents to Belmont county, Ohio, in December, 1830, and was raised on Protestant Methodist circuits in eastern Ohio. He was educated in common schools and "Madison" United Presbyterian College, in Antrim, O. He embraced religion when quite young, united with the Mt. Zion church, in Rev. W. G. Kile's pastorate, Guernsey county, 0., and was licensed to preach by the "East Ohio Synod" of the Lutheran Church, at the meeting in Shanesville, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in May 1848. He was ordained to the gospel ministry by the same synod, at the meeting in North Georgetown, Columbiana county, O., in May, 1852. His first charge was the Washington pastorate in Guernsey county, 0., which he served as pastor five years, preaching and laboring in that arduous field with great acceptance and usefulness, and gained the love of all who knew him. He resigned this charge, to the regret of all his parishioners and friends, from a sense of duty and increased usefulness and accepted a unanimous call to the Newark charge, which he served with fidelity and general satisfaction seventeen years organizing, building, and establishing the churches. He secured the love and confidence of all who knew him, both in and out of the Church. In view of a change of climate and failing health, he removed to Vanadalia, Ill, and preached to the 'Hickory Creek charge' four years; and, owing to general debility, sore eyes, etc., he returned to Newark, O., and preached to a part of his former charge, as his health would permit. Two years ago he moved to Urbana, O., thinking his wife would be more successful in the millinery and dressmaking business there then in Newark; and he, still hungering and thirsting after usefulness, and desiring to improve his health, accepted a call to the Brandonville, pastorate in Preston county, W. Va., which he served one year, to do which he left his family in Urbana, O., and rode horseback among the mountain ranges, filling every appointment for the time. But, warned by failing health that his ministry was accomplished, he bade his numerous mountain friend farewell, and returned to his home to die. His illness continued during a period of sixteen months. At the time of his death his family was in the act of moving to Newark in his account. He was attacked by diseases in various ways and every attack was with great pain - which he bore with unusual patience, "rejoicing in the hope firm until the end," and died as he lived and preached, "in the Lord," and in love for his church and all mankind. He earnestly desired that the Lord his Saviour would pardon his errors, and accept of his thanks for token of kindness, both during his/long ministry, and in his last illness. Rev. J. L. Gilbreath was married in 1850 by Rev. W. G. Kile, to Miss L. A Gray, of Senecaville, O. He was the affectionate father of two daughters, one of whom died in infancy, the other is still living, and was married to the late Jacob Harkey of Illinois, by whom he leaves one granddaughter. He chose Rev. W. G. Kile and Dr. Imhoff to officiate at his funeral. Both being unable to attend, the various ministers of Newark, led by Rev. Mr. Jones, Congregationalist, officiated and were pall-bearers. The deceased was in the habit of reading the Holy Scriptures daily, and read the entire Bible consecutively through once in a year for thirty years. He kept a journal of all of his official ministerial acts from the start. From this we glean the following items: He was in the ministry thirty-two years and four months; Preached nearly thirty-four hundred sermons received nearly nine hundred members into the Lutheran church by baptism and confirmation, baptized over four hundred Infants, solemnized over two hundred weddings, and attended three hundred funerals. He was a member of the Lutheran Ministerial Insurance League. He was of a studious and retiring disposition at ecclesiastica1 meetings and everywhere. And now that he "rests from his labors, and his works do follow him" may his bereft companion, daughter, and a granddaughter continue to share the deserved confidence and of kindness of all. He leaves many spiritual children to rise up and call him blessed. W. M. G. (probably his brother WIlliam M Gilbreath) This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ohfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb