Licking-Guernsey-Belmont County OhArchives Obituaries.....James Logan GILBREATH August 25 1880
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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)

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