Rev Reuben SEARS

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Reuben Sears grad. Union Coll., and was settled over a church in Hudson for several years, but his health failing, he removed to Ballston Spa, where he wrote a poem, extolling the virtues of the mineral waters, which was pub. in pamphlet form in 1819.

He was afterward settled in Dracut, Mass., and in New Scotland, Albany co., New York, and died in Prophetsville, Ill., 1846. He was a Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the most conscientious and devoted persons in existence. His whole life was made up of untiring effort for the good of men. He was one of the fist to advocate total abstinence.

In one of his early sermons on the evils of intemperance, he depicts the sad condition from this cause existing among the clergy and elders, also the members of the church, and tells them of the ruin and disgrace they are bringing upon themselves and the church:--and here the very first idea of the "possibility" of total abstinence seems to have entered his mind, as he exclaims: "Brethren, these things ought not to be; far better than such a state of things should exist, would it be for 'all to even totally abstain' from the use of all intoxicating beverages."

As an anti-slavery man he was "a thorn in the flesh" of the Presbytery and Synod to which he belonged, by his persistent introduction of resolutions denouncing the institution of slavery as "wrong in principle and opposed to true godliness."

He died in the firm conviction that God would order it otherwise in His own good time.

Reuben married Sarah Catherine FITCH on 10 Nov 1803. Sarah was born on 12 May 1786; died on 5 Sep 1846; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., Illinois . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1885, Living in Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa

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Mr. Sears was a physician, but relinquished practice to engage in the manufacture of barb-wire fences.

Reuben married Cynthia Ann GUILDSaratoga, New York. Cynthia was born in 1830 in Saratoga, New York; died on 16 May 1882 in Marshalltown, Marshall Co, Iowa; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Marshall Co., Iowla. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Reuben married Patience Paddleford MEIGS on 25 Jul 1882. Patience (daughter of Church MEIGS and Nancy Amanda PADDLEFORD) was born on 19 Jun 1835 in Munroe, New Hampshire; died on 15 Apr 1922 in Marshalltown, Marshall Co, Iowa; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Marshall Co., Iowla. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]