- 20210606HAv- https://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~hyde/potter/Obituaries.html
REV. EDWIN WILDMAN, A. M. - Funeral of Rev. Edwin Wildman, a widely known and highly esteemed educator and clergyman, and whose death at Sorrento, Florida, was announced last week, was held Thursday, may 5th, at Oramel, NY in Methodist Church. Rev. John J. Shotwell, resident pastor, assisted by the Rev. John Smallwood, a brother of Mrs. Wildman (second wife). Intement in family plot of the late Col. James P. Rounsville (father of Mr. Wildman's first wife, Helen P. Rounsville.) Here are buried the wife of his youth and their two little daughters.
Of the quartette that sung at the services at the grave, the tenor, alto and soprano voices were the same that over 18 years ago sang the same selection, "They sleep in the Valley" by the grave of Mrs. Wildman. The soprano, Mrs. Wallace, was bridesmaid at their wedding in 1858, nearly 30 years ago.
Mr. Wildman was widely known throughout Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania, both as a clergyman and an educator and ranked bery high in his denomination as a scholar and a thinker.
Entered the ministry early after graduation, the church at once called him into higher responsible educational work and he continued with conspicuous success and eminent usefulness the greater part of his life. To his old friends he was always Professor Wildman.
He prepared for college at Alfred and Lima, graduated from Union College, with highest honors of his class. After teaching for a season in Natchez and Memphis, he returned to this state and began his career as an educator, rising with great rapidity, by a series of promotions to the highest grade of trust. Among the academies and seminaries may be mentioned the schools at Rogersville, Perry, Olean, Williamsport, and Mansfield Normal, which he rebuilt and reorganized. Also, at Batavia Collegiate Institute, of which he was president until he entered the itinerary, to which he brough talents of rare excellence, a scholarship broad and sympathetic by years of educational experience and spiritual earnestness that laid every earthly ambition upon the altar of sacrifice and duty.
Leaves a widow and five children and thousands of others who, not sharing their sorrow, yet as pupils and parishioners in days gone by, will kindly remember their former teacher and pastor and revere his memory.
ESTHER WILDMAN, daughter of Rev. E. and Helen Wildman, died in Coudersport on 7th inst., age 3 mos. and 10 days.
HELEN R.P. WILDMAN, wife of Rev. E. Wildman, of the Genesee Conference, and daughter of Colonel J.P. Rounsville, died of congestion of brain and lungs after illness of ten hours. Age 35 yrs. 2 mos. Graduated from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1855 with the wife of the late Rev. M.H. Rice. Elected preceptress of the Rogersville Union Seminary, then a Conference Seminary, and was married Dec. 5, 1858. Her husband being called to the principalship of PA State Normal School in 1860, she was elected preceptress and held the position about three years. Afterward was preceptress of Batavia Collegiate Institute, which burned in 1865.
Another obit: Helen P.E. Wildman, wife of Rev. E. Wildman, of the Genesee Conference and daughter of Col. P. Rounseville, died at Coudersport, July 31, 1869, of congestion of brain and lungs, after illness of only 10 hrs. Age 35 yrs. and 2 mos. Experienced religion at age 14. United with M.E. Church. From 15 to 20 she spent in seminaries. Graduated from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1855 with the wife of the late M.H. Rice. In August 1858 she was elected preceptress of Rogersville Union Seminary, then a Conference Seminary, and was married Dec. 5, 1858. Her husband was called to the principalship of PA State Normal School in 1860 where she was elected preceptress and held the position for about three years. She was afterward preceptress of Batavia Collegiate Institute which was burned in 1865.
Still another: Mrs. Helen P. R. Wildman, wife of Rev. Edwin Wildman, A. M., of Genesee Conference, and daughter of Colonel James P. Rounsville, died at Coudersport, PA, July 31, 1869, of congestion of the brain and lungs, after an illness of only ten hours, age thirty-five and two months.
She experienced religion at the age of fourteen years and united with the Methodist Church.
From the age of fifteen to twenty-one she spent in the best seminaries of learning to prepare herself for her life work. She graduated from the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1855 with the wife of the late Rev. M. H. Rice and many other noble spirits who have blessed the world with their Christian labors.
Mrs. Wildman was a leader of the female prayer meetings connected with the Seminary during her course of study. From the day of her conversion to the day of her death, experimental religion was her daily topic of conversation.
In August, 1858, she was elected preceptress of the Rogersville Union Seminary - then a Conference Seminary - and was married December 5, 1858. Her husband being called to the principalship of Pennsylvania State Normal School in 1860, she was elected Preceptress, which position she held about three years. Mrs. Wildman was afterward Preceptress of Batavia Collegiate Institute, consumed by fire in 1865; since which time, till her decease, she devoted herself to the faithful discharge of the duties of wife and mother in her own family.
During a residence in Corning, NY, in connection with the discharge of her domestic duties, she found much time to devote to the Church, the Sunday School class, and prayer meetings. And many rise up to day in Corning to call her blessed. Whole families there are praising God because of her prayers and labors. A friend in Corning thus writes of Sister Wildman: "She spake for the Master to the perishing. She sought the needy. Whole families were led to Jesus through her persevering endeavors. These call her blessed. Here was a successful life. Now, that she rested from her labors her works follow her.
She was a lady of fine accomplishments, peculiarly gifted in social qualities, readily winning confidence and retaining it by her kindness and worth; an able instructor and devoted to the spread of the truth."
Mrs. Wildman was emphatically a co-partner with her husband in all his labors, rendering him most efficient aid in all the material and spiritual interest of the Church. Her powers of song, her persuasive eloquence, her experience and exhortation, and her almost unrivaled prayer of faith will never be forgotten by those who heard her. She sung the songs of men to move men to love the Saviour. She spoke to convince by her own position and exultany experience. She prayed with a faith that expected to be answered. Her Gospel labors were answered by God.
While holding quarterly meetings in the vicinity, the house of Colonel Rounseville was one of my desirable homes. Here the writer became acquainted with Helen, then a young convert and but recently, a member of the Church. Her piety, intelligence, and sprightliness won upon my esteem, and I regarded her with the affection of a parent for a daughter, and to me, the news of her sudden decease was extremely painful. A beacon had been extinguished, a brilliant career had been terminated; and she lives on earth, as well as in paradise by the influence of her example and pious labors. She left three children, one of which has followed her to her heavenly home. (C. D. Burlingham)
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1864 - 1901 (36 years)
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