Rev. Dr. Alfred Eddy
March 1, 1815-March 5, 1883
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, March 6, 1883, page 3, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library
DEATH OF DR. A. EDDY
It becomes our painful duty to announce that Dr. Alfred Eddy, the able , eloquent and most beloved pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this city, sank into the arms of the Redeemer he had so long and so faithfully served, at 8:10 o'clock on Monday morning last. Dr. Eddy was a son of the Hon. David Eddy, and was born in Marion, Wayne county, N.Y., March 1st, 1815.
He was licensed to preach in 1835 by the Congregational Association of Genessee county. His first settlement was in his native township, where he preached three years. In 1837 he accepted a call to Balona, N.Y., where he remained ten years. Owing to failing health he resigned his charge and in 1849 removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he organized a Presbyterian church and remained till 1855, when he removed to Bloomington, Illinois. Here he remained until 1863, when he accepted a call to Olivet Church, Chicago. After two years' labor he organized the Ninth Presbyterian Church, where he preached until his call to the Niles church in 1871, where he has since labored.
No man ever filled the pulpit in Niles with more satisfaction than he who has just left us; and no man ever gained the confidence and love of all more than he. In sickness he was ever ready to soothe the pains and administer to the wants of both soul and body. In death his sympathy for the afflicted, his kind words, calmed the broken-hearted, and he taught them to lean upon Him for support whom he so much loved. He was a wonderful lover of the human family, full of sympathy for those who were fallen, and he was ever ready to assist them. He was a great lover of nature and the works of God, the flowers of every hue, which he would paint with thrilling eloquence. He set a noble example of charity and good will toward all. He adorned his noble calling and wherever he moved there was power in and around him that marked him, as an honest, and honorable man--the noblest work of God. The church will miss him, society will miss him, the poor will shed tears of sorrow over his remains. But most of all, that devoted companion of 40 years will miss his kind hand and warm heart, and that family of one son and five daughters, will deeply morn an indulgent father. No more will his voice be heard among the people, but there is a still, small voice that seems to arise from the mound above him, echoing the words he has so often used: "Come up here and see me; I am treading the golden streets of the New Jerusalem amid angels and archangels, and listen to the songs of Zion that thrill through the gilded corridors of Heaven, from the throne of the great Jehovah."
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, March 6, 1883, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
--The funeral of Rev. Dr. Eddy will take place at the Presbyterian church, on Thursday, at 1 p.m. The services will be conducted by Rev. George F. Hunting, of Kalamazoo. Friends who wish to view the remains will have an opportunity to do so at the parsonage from 1 o'clock Wednesday until the hour of the funeral. The casket will not be opened at the church.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 10, 1883, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
At Rest--Rev. Dr. A. Eddy
Again has the hand of death been laid upon one of our most gifted, useful and beloved citizens, in the person of Rev. Dr. A. Eddy, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city, whose death occurred at 8 o'clock on Monday morning. Dr. Eddy was a son of the Hon. David Eddy, and was born in Marion, Wayne county, N.Y., March 1st, 1815.
He was licensed to preach in 1835 by the Congregational Association of Genessee county. His first settlement was in his native township, where he preached three years. In 1837, he accepted a call to Balona, N.Y., where he remained ten years. Owing to failing health he resigned his charge and in 1840 removed to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he organized a Presbyterian church and remained till 1855, when he removed to Bloomington, Illinois. Here he remained until 1863, when he accepted a call to Olivet Church, Chicago. After two years' labor he organized the Ninth Presbyterian Church, where he preached until his call to the Niles church in 1871, where he has since labored, with so much success, and general satisfaction to his congregation and the people generally. His rare and superiour qualities of mind and heart bound all to him in the strongest ties of friendship, and his absence has created a void in the hearts of his friends which can never be filled. His generosity and sympathy knew no bounds where sorrow, sickness and distress existed, always aiding in word and deed.
He was an ornament to the church and his profession and a bright light to those who sought the straight and narrow way which leads to everlasting happiness. His able and eloquent appeals and his kindly words of sympathy will long be remembered by his church and people, and they will look forward with bright anticipation to the day when they shall strike glad hands with him in the bright hereafter.
While sadness and sorrow is seen and felt throughout the city at the death of Dr. Eddy, there are those upon whom this affliction falls with almost unbearable weight, and those are the immediate members of his family--the beloved companion of his life for the past forty years, and the son and the five accomplished daughters. These are the ones upon whom this affliction comes with untold anguish. But in this gloom and darkness there is a bright ray of consolation and a voice from heaven saying all is well, I am safe at home--a little longer in yonder world, dear wife and children--then we will be reunited in endless bliss.
The funeral took place from the Presbyterian church on Thursday, and an immense throng followed the remains to their last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery.