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Bacon, Elisha D.
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Elisha D. Bacon was born at, Conesus, Livingston
county, New
York,~
April 28, 1830.
He was the fifth
of a family of twelve children, six sons and six
daughters, three of the sons becoming ministers.
Elisha D. Bacon was converted at five years of
age, his grother aged seven teaching him how to give
his heart to God when they were &lone by themselves
In 1853, at Mt. Morris, New York, he was married
to Hannah
c.
Knight, who was born in New Bedford,
Massachusetts, November 11, 1832 .
At the age of
twelve she moved with her parents to Western New
Yor~
After the death of her father the mother with her
three children were left to make their way and their
energies were severely taxed with the struggle .
Mrs . Bacon realized the responsibility of
becoming the wife of an itinerant minister, and for a
time shrank from it, but after thinking it over and
listening to the voice of God, she adjusted herself
to the requirements and cheerfully did her duty.
She was quiet and unobtrusive, a silent force,
and an inspiration in the pastoral charges.
She
2
incarnated
herse~f
in the lives of her children, who
became outstanding citizens, ei ght sons and one
daughter.
S·he was interested in others, but she
gave preeminence to her home.
After six months of
failing health, she passed away in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, October 9, 1891.
The Reverends John
Graham, D. D., W. I. Co gshall, D. D., and Albert
Smith conducted the funeral and burial was made in
Valley City cemetery, Grand Rapids.
In 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Bacon migrated to Decatur,
Michigan•
he becam
~
a very active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which recognized his
ability and the following July licensed him to exhort.
The next autumn he became a probationary member of
the Michigan Annual Conference during the session in
Jackson, Michigan.
In 1865 he was ordained deacon
by Bishop Ames, and in 1867, elder by Bishop Clark.
The following is the record of his appointments
as pastor: Lawrence, 1863; Coloma, 1864;
Sparta~
1865
Whitneyville, 1867; Cannon, 1869; Liberty, 1872;
North Adams, 1874; Mosherville, 1876; Leroy, 1879;
Tompkins, 1881; Concord, 1884; superannuated, 1886.
He then moved onto a farm near Grandville,
Michigan, where he resided until 1891, when he moved
to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he resided until
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his dea..th.
He was married a second time in 1893.
Mr. Bacon was a devoted minister of the Lord
Jesus::.
On
the fields where he served he was highly
respected and much beloved.
All the interests of
the church were well cared for.
He gave attention
to details, but rode no hobbies.
When he left a
charge it was in good condition for his successor.
Everybody who knew him had confidence in him and
people came to him for counsel and spiritual inspiration.
During his last illness, which was
accompani~
~
by much pain at times, he bore witness to the power
of Christian faith and hope to sustain and comfort.
His family and his friends took notice of this and
were deeply impressed.
Death came to him May 23,
1905.
The funeral service was directed by the
Presiding Elder, G. D.
Chas~
and the Methodist
of Grand Rapids atuended in a body.
past~
Dr. John Graham
offered prayer and Dr. J. I. Buell gave the message
of comfort, basing it on Psalm 37:37: "Mark the
perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of
.I
I
j
tha.t man is peace."
Oak Hill cemetery.
Interment was in the beautiful
Bacon, Elisha D.