Sunday, March 24, 2013

Chaplain George L. S. Stuff


Chaplain George L. S. Stuff

   Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as a Pastor M. E. Church, living on the corner of Division and College St's.

       From the 1860 Census #278/2047
Name - George Stuff
Born - Ohio
Home in 1860 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Methodist Pastor

       From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
Field            42nd Ill. Vol. Inf.
Three Years Service
Douglas Brigade
Harker's Brigade
Newton's Division
Fourth Corps
   Enlisted July 22, 1861.
   Home of record listed as Rockford, Ill's.
   Mustered In Sept. 17, 1861.
   Resigned Sept. 15, 1864 due to expiration of term of service.

       From the Post #49 files
Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 June 20, 1892.

       As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger
Occupation, Clergyman.  Died May 11, 1893, 5:16 pm at 190 Locust St.  Aged 71/0/20.  Cause of death listed as Paralisis for 5 years.  Undertaker retained, S. A. Palmer.  Physician, O. L. Pelton on 202 S. State St.  Permit #4846.

       Obit: May 12, 1893 issue The Elgin Daily News.
   Rev. George L.S. Stuff died of Paralysis Thursday afternoon at 5:15 o'clock in the seventy-first year of his age, bringing to its close the life of a man of whom it is only just to say that the world is better for his having lived.  His labors are now terminated, but they have brought forth their fruit during the fifty-three years of continuous service to God and man, as a minister of the gospel.
   Deceased's life work has been in the Rockford district of the Methodist conference.  His birth took place April 21, 1822, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
   At the age of 17 years he became a traveling preacher, upon a circuit in southern Wisconsin.  In 1845 Mr. Stuff was appointed pastor of the first Methodist church of Elgin, and again returned to the same loving charge in 1858.  From 1854 to '58, two terms, he was presiding elder of the Rockford district.  During the war he was chaplain of the 42nd Illinois serving in that capacity during the entire four years.
   His last residence in this city dates from about five years back, since which time he had retired from active labors in the pulpit on account of failing health.
   He leaves a wife and five children; Mrs. Mary Hayden of Chicago, Mrs. R.C. Morrison of California, Rev. F.A. Stuff of Lincoln, Neb., Harry S. Stuff of Butte City, Mon., Addie M. and Lillie B. Stuff, both living at home.
   The funeral will be held Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock at Grace M.E. church.

       From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll
Soldier - Chaplain GLS Stuff
Unit - Field, Staff 42nd Ill. Inf.
Died - May 11, 1893
Interred at - Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
Location - Lot 36, Section 3
Issued a Gov't Headstone


Used with permission Dan Mallett
Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.

No comments:

Post a Comment