Death of Rev. Lorin Webb. -
Kind Deeds and Comforting Words
The following
letter kindly sent to us from Rev. Dr. M'Ferrin, Book Agent, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, Nashville, reached us too late for our last week's
number. The generous hospitality shown
by our brethren in Nashville will be greatly appreciated.
On Thursday
morning, Feb. 19, a stranger called at the Publishing House, Nashville, and
asked for a Methodist minister. The
undersigned answered... (some of the remaining sentence is missing).
The stranger said, "There is a Northern Methodist
preacher at the Louisville depot in a dying condition, and he wishes to see a
Methodist minister. Rev. Mr. Rudisill
is not in the city." I went
immediately to the depot and found Rev. Lorin Webb, of the New York East
Conference - as he reported himself - in the last stage of consumption. I was introduced by some fellow-passengers
whom he had met on the train. Said Mr.
Webb, 'I know you. I want a place to
die.' He was too feeble to be taken to
a private house, but was carried into a room at Linck's Hotel, just adjoining
the depot. Here he lingered until
Friday evening, half-past six o'clock, when he died in great peace.
He reported
himself on his way to Norwalk, Ohio, to see his two daughters, his wife having
been buried in Florida. On Saturday
morning I had his body and baggage shipped to Norwalk, Ohio, to the care of C.
S. Herrick, a relative, where his children reside.
He was very
rational to the last and died in full hope of everlasting life. He said when I met him, "I sent for a
Methodists preacher; we are a band of brothers every-where." And I replied, " Brother, we are one in
love; and here we, in the hour of trial, know no North, no South." He was fully appraised of his condition, and
died full of faith.
He had every
attention necessary for his comfort. The proprietors of Linck's Hotel treated him with marked attention, and
the servants were kind and obliging.
Drs. Menees
and Summers offered medical treatment, but he was so far gone that no remedy
could reach his case - he was only soothed in his last hours. The Young Men's Christian Association gave
help in watching and waiting.
It was sad to
see a brother die from home and away from his family, but the friends of Christ
were present, and, above all, Jesus was there to give him the victory.
J. B.
M'Ferrin
OBITUARY
DIED – In Nashville, Tenn, on
February 20th, the Rev. Loren Webb
Mr. Webb was
formerly a resident of Roscoe. He came
to this place in 1857, in company with his father and brothers, who were among
the first settlers of this town. Soon
after arriving in this county he was employed in the printing office at Red
Wing by L. F. Hubbard, after which he returned to Roscoe, and received
authority to preach, and delivered his first sermon in this place in the year
1859, and the same year went to Lebanon, Ills., to attend College; was a
student at Makendire College (sic : McKendree College) in 1861, when the war of
the rebellion broke out; was among the first to enlist; was commissioned First
Lieutenant in the three month’s service, after which he enlisted for three
years in the Ninth Illinois; was Captain of Company F of this regiment; was
under Gen. Grant when he was first made Brigadier General; was in the Battles
of Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson (sic); from here was ordered to Pittsburg
landing, where they took a very active part in that long to be remembered
battle of Shilo (sic); here he received a wound to his ankle which made him
unfit for infantry service, and so resigned and returned to College soon after
he came to Red Wing; was a student of Hamline University; in 1864 raised a
company for the Eleventh Minnesota; was commissioned Captain, and served his
time; was mustered out at St. Paul, June 29, 1865, and returned to Hamline to
finish his studies, after which he was stationed by the Presiding Elder at
Faribault; from this State he went to Connecticut and joined conference; was
stationed at Danbury; while here was married to Miss Fannie Holmes; after
preaching at Collensville and Forest Mill, where his health failed, and he came
west, but was advised by friends to go to Florida, where he has made his home
during the past eight years, during which time he buried his wife, who was so
patient and cared for him up to the last of her life, since which time he has
been failing. February 17th he left
Jacksonville, Florida to go to Ohio where his two little girls reside with
friends; he arrived at Nashville, Tenn., the 18th, and was unable to go
farther; was taken to the hotel, and on the morning of the 20th, died in the
triumphs of faith. – His remains were expressed to Norwalk, Ohio, where his
children and friends paid their last respects, and he was buried in the Norwalk
Cemetery, two and one-half miles from the place of his birth. Mr. Webb had many friends and acquaintances
in this state, who will read this short sketch with interest.
A Friend.
Roscoe, March
7th, 1880.
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