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Prepared for college in High School, Phillips, Me., and Dudley Academy,
Mas.
1865, Joined New York East Conference, stationed at
Gaylordsville, Conn.;
1866-7, Newtown; 1868, Cornwall Bridge; 1869-70, Wodbury; 1871-3, West Granby;
1874-5, Clinton; 1876-7, Middlefield; 1878-80, North Canton; 1881-3, Pound
Ridge; 1884-5, Darien; 1886-90, Woodbury and West Hills; 1891-2, Southport,
Conn.; 1893-5, Parkville, L. I.; 1896-7, Glencove; 1898-1900, Westhampton;
1901-3, Lynbrook; 1904- , Essex, Conn.
Died, March 14, 1906.
"Have no honors except those of home, and the kindly association of my
parishioners. Have one lecture: Subject, 'That Boy whom I knew,' a
veiled history of my own early struggles."
Married, April 1, 1866, Miss Fannie L. Turkington, of New Milford, Conn.
Children: William Wirt, born June 13, 1867. In real estate
business.
Benjamin F., born April 21, 1869. Member of the New York East
Conference.
Henry Alford, born Aug. 1, 1871. In Insurance business, New York City.
Fannie Percy, born April 16, 1873; wife of H. C. Whitney, member of the New
York East Conference.
Herbert Oliver, born Feb. 21, 1876. Member of New York East Conference.
Josephine G., born Oct. 19, 1878. Married S. H. Warren of
Glencove, L.
I.
Our loved classmate, Rev. Benjamin A. Gilman, died suddenly of heart disease,
at Essex, Conn., March 14, 1906. In his early life he was deprived of
educational advantages. He worked in the shop till eighteen years of age,
when he was soundly converted, and with the new life came a thirst for knowledge
and soon the call to the ministry. Relying entirely upon his own
resources, he fitted himself for college, entered Wesleyan in 1861, and
graduated in 1865, with credit to himself and the abiding ;ove and esteem of his
classmates.
In 1865 he joined the New York East Conference, within the bounds of which he
labored till his death. He was a man of sturdy principle, generous
impulses, deep consecration, and determined purpose, loved and trusted by all
who knew him. Of sunny disposition, optimistic in spirit, persistent in
endeavor, he battled bravely for the right, and for over forty years was a
faithful herald of the Cross, doing most efficient work for the Master. He
endeared himself greatly to his family. His home was a consecrated
spot. The children were always proud of their father. Three of them
live now in parsonage homes, carrying forward the work so faithfully taught them
in their earlier years. His example is an inspiration; his memory will
ever be tenderly cherished, both by his college classmates and the loved ones in
his smitten home. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his loss.
The day before his death he visited Middletown, viewed the ruins of old North
College, recalled the scenes of his college life and the pleasant days spent in
Room 54, in the old historic building. He returned home wearied in body,
but retired as usual, and suddenly, at one o'clock in the morning, he "was
not, for God took him." Secretary.
Source: History of Class
of 1865 Wesleyan University, Fortieth Reunion, Middletown
Connecticut, June 27, 1905.
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