Hazelet, Andrew (b. 1826)

HAZELET, JOHNSON, BOYER, TUFFIN, ASHTON

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2008 at 09:58:01

Andrew HAZELET, son of John and Elizabeth HAZELET, was born in Cumberland Co., in the state of Pennsylvania, Sept. 9, 1826. The family came to Harrison Co., O., when Andrew was three years old, and there he grew to manhood. From 1853 to 1869 they lived in Guernsey Co., O. In his seventeenth year he was converted to God,and joined the then newly organized Wesleyan Methodist church, under the labors of Rev. J.A. PRESTON, now of Iowa. His life since that time, has fully attested the reality of that work of grace. Favored with gifts fitting him for usefulness in the church of God, he was always found ready to use those gifts to promote the good of the cause he loved. His soulful songs of praise, his fervid testimonies, and - most of all - his potent wrestling in prevailing prayer, was a gracious heritage to the church of his choice. He was a born reformer. In the anti-slavery conflict he stood for the oppressed, and handed down the memory of his reform principles by giving the names of notable reformers - like CHEEVER - to his children. He was firmly opposed to the organized lodge-system in all its forms,and labored for the overthrow of this unAmerican secret empire. He was a loyal believer inthe principles of prohibition, and sought the protection of the home fom its dread foe, the legalized saloon. In all his reform work, while firm and true, he was so fully under the gracious influence of the spirit of the Master, that his warnings and reproof awakened no needless antagonism, but carried home the conviction of his godly sincerity.

April 17, 1849, he was married to Margaret J. JOHNSON, who, after forty-two years of pleasant companion ship with him, is left to walk alone. To them were born nine children - three sons and six daughters. Two of the daughters are dead. Of the remaining seven children all were present at the father's funeral except Mrs. Margaret TUFFIN, wife of Rev. E. TUFFIN, of Iowa Conference. Sister TUFFIN bade her father - then in usual health - "good-by," only two days before his sudden death, and started with her husband by private conveyance for his field of work in a distant county, and no word could reach them till their arrival home after the funeral was over.

Just before his death, Bro. HAZELET ate his dinner with his family, talking cheerfully while at the tabel, then, while on his way to his work, in the act of greeting an aged christian brother on the street, a few blocks from home, his "hail" of cheer ended in a "fare-well" to earth, as he quickly bid eternity "good morning." Falling without a quiver or struggle, in the arms of death, he realized an answer to Wesley's prayer, "And ceased at once to work and live."

He came to Iowa in 1869, and settled in Guthrie Centre, where he died. That the people of that place appreciated his worth, was shown by the overshelming concourse that crowded to witness the last sad rites. The writer was called to minister on the occasion. Text, Psa. xc. 12. Well, said Rev. C. ASHTON, an intimate friend for more than a score of years: "No one doubts but Andrew HAZELET was as ready to respond to the sudden call of death, as ever he was to greet the sound of the church bell." May great grace abaide with the bereaved ones.

Writings of Silas Alfred Gilley - Iowa Conference - Possibly "Odds and Ends"

Respectfully submitted by: Mary E Boyer, Great-great-granddaughter of Silas Alfred Gilley who is in possession of his writings.