Obituary for Elder Dennis M. Grandfield (c1826-1895)
Uncited clipping.

Elder Dennis M. Grandfield (left) and R. L. Morton (right)

Elder Dennis M. GRANDFIELD, a popular Christian Minister, died in Troy, Aug. 22, 1895 in the service of His Master. GRANDFIELD - died at the home of son-in-law, Robert S. SHELTON, in Troy, Mo. Aug.22, 1895 at 7:40 o'clock p.m. of typhoid fever. Elder GRANDFIELD aged 69 years old.

Dennis M. GRANDFIELD, as we knew his name, which is a modification of the original Irish name was born in Dingle, Ireland, about the year 1826, and came with his parents to this country while a helpless babe. The first few years of his life were spent at Philadelphia, where his mother died. When about eight years of age he came to Illinois to live with an older brother, who afterwards went to St. Louis; where in a short while, by an overruling providence, he was seperated from his family, which seperation has lasted unto this day. While wandering upon the streets of St. Louis, a noble woman took him to her heart and brought him to Lincoln county to share the comforts of her home. This kind deed was never lost, for he held sacred the memory of Aunt Polly PAXTON. Her kind, generous act left its impress upon his character, and a noble life was the result.

In 1849 he made an overland trip to California, where he did not stay long. Coming back to Lincoln County, he soon united with the church at Louisville, and in 1855 entered Bethany College, where for four years he received instuction from God's Word, which for thirty-six years, he so faithfully preached. On July 3, 1859, Brother GRANDFIELD was ordained at Bethany, W. Va. by Alexander CAMPBELL, Robert MILLIGAN and Dr. RICHARDSON, a minister of the gospel and the next day, July 4, graduated, and the same afternoon was married to Cynthia M. CASNER, Alexander CAMPBELL officiating. Coming to Missouri the same year, he located at Middletown and began preaching for the congregation there - his first charge. For thirty-six years he preached in various parts of Missouri, with the exception of six months spent in California as state evangelist. For many years Troy has been his home.

Two years ago he moved to Columbia, where better education advantages could be obtained for his younger daughter, JESSIE. Quite recently he moved back to Troy to make his home, where in the heart of his family and amidst the society of life-long friends, and surrounded by boyhood scenes he might pass his remaining .......(missing) Although having lived the alloted time of man, life still seemed full of promise, but God, who is too wise to err and too good to do wrong, "took him". Certainly "There is a prince and a great man fallen on this day in Isreal".

Bro. GRANDFIELD's life was a princely one. He was great because he overcame difficulties. His first few years were not promising- many times have I listened to the pathic story of his life, but never without emotion. He was truly great in that through Chist he overcame the world and was entered upon the joys for which he laboured so many years. He was great in that he was loyal to Christ and the trust committed to him. At one time, when in poor health, he was solicited to become a candidate for office, to lessen his labor, but he said, "No, I promised God that if He would help me to preach I would give all my time to His service, and I cannot afford to divide my time now." He was great because he was an admirer of the handiwork of God. He loved the beautiful. So impressed was he with the beauties of God's creation that his whole life was one of beauty; his conversation chaste; so that he was known as one of the most fluent, flowery pulpit orators of the state.

And it seemed fitting that at the close of a beautiful day - the setting sun had just bathed the world in splendor, and twilight was drawing a friendly curtain as if to hide the grief suffered by so many - his life should go out. Thus August 22, 1895 after about --  weeks, illness having called his family around him arranged his business affairs and bade them goodbye, he lay back on his pillow and was at rest. It was at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. S. SHELTON, that death claimed him after sixty-nine years of activity. And there in accordance with his wishes, a simple funeral service was conducted by the writer, assisted by Bro. Wm. Frazier, and Bro. C. W. Latham: after which his remains were quietly laid to rest in the silent city of the dead, at this place, to await the second coming of the Savior whom he loved, when, immortalized, he will ascend to the celestial city.

By his death his faithful wife, two daughters and a son, lose a kind husband and a loving father, and the church one of God's most useful preachers. Rest on, my venerable brother; we'll not say good bye to you here, but in some brighter, purer clime, we'll say good morning--- R. L. Morton. Troy, Mo. Aug. 26, 1895.

The above obituary of Mr. GRANDFIELD is a deserved tribute to one of the noblest men that we have ever known. An intimate acquaintance with him for the past quarter of a century justifies our saying that in his death the Christian Church of Missouri has sustained the loss of one of its ablest ministers and most unselfish workers . Society has been bereft of an influential member; the state, of a useful citizen; our people, of a friend and neighbor whose place cannot be filled; his household, of a companion and father whose chief delight was the home that he loved so much. He was an instructor of the young, an advisor of those in the meridian of life and a comforter of those who were passing down the shadowy side of the mountain into the vale from which no traveler ever returns.

All alike will miss his cheery words, his valued counsel, his hearty handshake and his genial presence. May He whom this valient soldier of the cross so long and so faithfully served comfort the bereaved family in their great loss. Mr. GRANDFIELD was a good businessman as well as a good preacher. He owned residence property in Columbia and in Troy and left his family otherwise comfortably provided for.

[Transcriber's Notes:

At the turn of the century--the Christian church was the fastest growing denomination in Mo. Lincoln County had it's share. No longer is there many Christian Church buildings. Many were disbanded, the buildings torn down. Louisville was the "Mother" of the Christian Churches. Alexander Campbell was the pioneer who started the restoration movement known as what we call the Church of Chrst - Christian Church - Disciples of Christ, Christian Church non-denominational or Independent Christian Church.

I went to church at Corinth Christian Church Foley, Mo over 20 years. A lady, Mrs. Susie ALLEN MEADOWS, her family, the ALLENs were very active within the Christian Church. Alexander Campbell came up the Mississppi River from Ky, got off the boat at Cap-Au-Gris to go preach a revival at Louisville. He stopped off at the James ALLEN place and borrowed a horse to ride up to Louisville. Mrs. Susie ALLEN MEADOWS would be 109 years old if she were alive today. I learned so much history from her. The ALLENs & RIFFLEs were some of the first settlers in Lincoln Co., coming prior to 1820. Anyone reading Dr. Mudd's account of The Massacre of the McHUGH Boys, their sister Mrs. Susannah McHUGH RIFFLE, a great grandmother of Susie MEADOWS and was married to Francis RIFFLE who had meetings held in his home as early as 1822, of which Corinth Christian Church was born.

The reason I went ahead with the complete obit., is the history of the Christian Church-Restoration Movement started by Alexander Campbell and also the younger generation may look to this man to see times were hard back then and through Christ we make it. It might give someone hope.

Troy City Cemetery

Grandfield (same stone) D.M. died Aug. 22, 1895 aged 68( obit says 69) C. M. died Nov 09, 1915 no other dates.]

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by June Groshong, 26 July, 2003.

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