| Rev Abia Kerwood |
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He was sprung from English ancestry, and came of a long-lived race. He grew to manhood in the place of his birth, working with his father at the blacksmith trade. On arriving at his majority, our brother came to what was then the far west. He embarked on an Ohio river steamboat, and came to Cincinnati, whence he went to Oxford, Ohio, where his brother was living. Here he attended school and worked at his trade. He was married in Preble county, Ohio, in 1840, to Miss Rebecca Peden, whom he had met on his journey to Cincinnati, and who survives him. After his marriage he engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming in Preble county. In 1848, he removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming and teaching school. Brother Kerwood was converted in the year 1832, and at once united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he remained in communion, and to which he gave the be.stof his life. He was licensed to preach in 1841, by the Rev. James B. Finley, and served the Church in the local capacity until 1854, when he was received on trial in the North Indiana Conference, at its session in the city of Peru. Of the class of fifteen who were then admitted, the Rev. J. S. McCarty only remains in the effective ranks. Jiishop Simpson ordained him as a Deacon in 1857, and Elder in 1862. He spent forty-five years in the ministry, of which twenty-five were in the effective intinerancy. His fields of labor were as follows: '54, Muncie Mission; '55, New Corydon; '56-7, Montpelier; '58-9, Portland; '60-1, LaFontaine; '62, Normandy; '63-4, Boxley ; '65, Alto; '66, Miami; '67, New Corner ; '68-9, Montpelier ; '70-1, Camden; '72, Kidgeville; '73, Williamsburgh; '74, Eden; '75, Westfield ; '76, Kempton; '77-8, Boxley ; '79, superanuated. Upon receiving this relation he took up his residence in Camden, afterward removing to Muncie, where he remained until he passed to his reward above. Brother Kerwood was a clear and forcible preacher, powerful in prayer, original, logical, apt to teach. He was a good Biblical scholar, strong in his individuality, and ever acceptable to the people he served. During his superannuation he continued to preach, and to do good, whenever and wherever opportunity afforded, visiting his neighbors, and talking to them about the interests of their souls. During his last years he was confined much of the time to his home by the side of his afflicted wife, who had so heroically shared with him the work of the itinerancy, and to whom he was constantly devoted. For a month previous to his death he suffered from rheumatism, but continued to be about until the 18th of March last, when he had an attack of erysipelas, which proved to be fatal. During his brief illness of a week he could converse but little with his friends, but in all that he did say, he gave them every assurance that he was ready to depart to be with Christ. One of his last utterances was, " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." In his early ministry, when streams were not bridged, and churches were few, he uncomplainingly endured the privations, the storms and the cold, with an unselfish devotion. His voice was heard in the cabins of the early settlers, and to many a pioneer he broke the bread of life. He leaves a wife and five children; three sons and two daughters. One son died some years ago. His funeral was held in the city of Muncie, on the 28th of March, by his pastor, the Rev. T. Stabler, assisted by the Rev. J. A. Ruley. A very large congregation testified to the esteem and honor in which he was held by both Church and community. His remains were conveyed to Beech Grove Cemetery, to await the glorious hour of the resurrection of those who sleep in Christ. "He rests from his labors and his works do follow him." |