JOHN F. GUYLES

Mr. John F. Guyles died on 25 March.
Der Nord Westen, 30 Mar. 1876
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Death Removes Two Prominent Manitowoc Pioneers
Manitowoc, March 27. -
Some of our oldest settlers have passed away. On Saturday evening John F.
Guyles, of this city, died. He came to Manitowoc at an early day from
Waukegan, and has been identified with the business interests of this city
for more than twenty years. He was an active, energetic business man, and
made his influence felt in every project he engaged in. He was a captain
on the lakes at an early day, and was well known among the veteran vessel
men on the lake shore. His place will be hard to fill. The flags on the
shipping were displayed at halfmast out of respect to his memory.
Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, March 29, 1876, pg. 7, issue 77, col A
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A funeral sermon on the death of the late Capt. Guyles will be preached in the
M.E. Church next Sabbath morning by the pastor, Rev. P.S. Bennett.
Manitowoc Pilot, March 30, 1876 P. 3
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The flags on nearly all the vessels in the river were flying at half mast on Monday,
out of respect for Capt. John F. Guyles, who died on Saturday afternoon.
Manitowoc Pilot, March 30, 1876 P. 3
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DEATH OF CAPT. JNO F. GUYLES
It becomes our unpleasant duty to record the passing away of one of our oldest
and most esteemed citizens, Capt. J.F. Guyles -- no died at his residence last
Saturday afternoon after a long illness. The Capt. was born at Ripley, Chattaugua
County, New York, June 27, 1817, came west in 1836, sailed on the lakes until
1846, when he settled at Waukegan, Ill., where he remained until his removal to
this county in 1856. He immediately identified himself with the business interests
of the city and during his long and useful life was ever foremost in all measures
which had a tendency to improve the moral and industrial interests of the community.
He was one of the most earnest of our citizens in pushing the harbor and railroad
projects and much of the growth and prosperity of our city is due to his energy
and public spirit. As a friend of education, he took a leading part in bringing
about the many and happy changes in our public schools which have been made within
the past ten years and has always been a consistent Christian, belonging to the
Methodist Church since its earliest establishment in this city. In his death, the
community has sustained a loss, which it will be difficult to replace and he will
always be remembered as a public benefactor. His funeral occurred on Tuesday. To
the affected wife, children and relatives, we extend our sympathy which we know,
all feel -- assuring them that they are not the only ones who mourn the taking
away of one who, during life, did so much to endear himself to all who appreciated
true worth as evinced by a life of purity and uprightness.
The funeral sermon on the death of the late Capt. Guyles will be preached in the
M.E. Church next Sabbath morning by the pastor, Rev. P.S. Bennett.
Manitowoc Tribune, Thurs., Mar. 30, 1876
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IN MEMORIAM.
By Rev. P.S. Bennett at the close of a sermon on Sabbath morning April 2, 1876, on
the occasion of the death of the late Capt. Guyles.
If it were my custom to eulogize the dead on such occasions as this, it would be
difficult to find in our community a better subject than the one before us.
Instead of this, I have—according to my usual habit—preached a plain Gospel Sermon.
But in view of the distinguished position and marked character of our departed friend,
it is eminently proper to add a few words of deserved tribute.
Capt. Guyles was born in Chitauque Co. N.Y., on the 27th day of June 1817, and died
March 25, 1876, being at the time nearly 59 years of age. He came to Chicago, Ill.,
in 1836, and soon after settled in Lake Co., of the same state.
In 1810 he was converted to God, and joined the M.E. Church of which he remained an
active and useful member till he exchanged mortality for life.
In 1842 he was united in marriage with her who with five children now mourns his
absence from their otherwise happy circle.
In 1855 6 (sic) he was sheriff of Lake Co., Ill., and previous to the expiration of
his term of office removed to Manitowoc, then a rude frontier town. For about twenty
years therefore he was a resident of this place; nor was he an unimportant factor
in solving the problem of the city’s growth and prosperity. Every important enterprise
connected with Manitowoc received his prompt endorsement and active cooperation. In
these imperishable monuments to his memory, we read in part, his biography.
It has been said, “Some men are born to rule”.
This idea found an exemplification in Capt. Guyles.
Quick to decern (sic), ready to execute, and fearless in whatever he deemed right,
he was well prepared for a leader.
His ready comprehension of whatever he understood at all, fitted him for the position
to which his fellow-citizens by a sort of common consent accorded him.
My acquaintance with him commenced about twelve years ago while performing the duty
of Provost Marshal during the War of Rebellion. All remember his intense loyalty. He
could have no patience with those who manifested the least sympathy with the red band
of treason raised against the nation’s life. He entertained no more respect for traitors
in the rear than for those in front. And it was no marvel, if some equally patriotic,
but of a different temperament deemed him a little overheated.
But such was his unselfish devotion to his country and his fealty to principle, that
all men in their hearts respected him even though they dropped occasionally a hard
word in the heat of contest.
My relations to him were mostly of a religious character; and in these an acquaintance
which began with a favorable impression, matured into high personal esteem. It has
seldom been my lot to find a more symmetrical Christian character. His religion was not
on one hand mere theory and form; nor on the other, mere faith and emotion; but embracing
all these in their proper relations, it emphasized the experience of conscious fellowship
with God attended and attested by corresponding good works, and a buoyant hope of a
blissful mortality. With such a religious basis, it is not strange that he was always
at his post of duty in the army of Immanuel. His loyalty to God was not less than that
he bore to his country. In short he practically recognized the duty of rendering to God
the things that are God’s, as well as to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.
The very last act of his life before he was stricken down was in this direction. He was
at his place in the church on Sabbath morning though not in good health. In the evening
he started for the sanctuary but was so indisposed that he was obliged to return to his
house.
Though he enjoyed few lucid moments from that hour, yet so thoroughly was his soul imbued
with his religious faith that he would often say to his devoted companion as she was about
to leave his bedside for a short rest, “Good bye” or “Good night wife. If we don’t meet
again remember all is right.”
What a glorious fact:--“All is right.” For nearly forty years he had been getting ready
to say this; and now even amid the irregular oscillations of reason this experience gleams
out. Had he been in perfect possession of his powers, his triumph would have been more
complete. Though this would have been very agreeable, it is not really essential.—If we
know how a man lived, we need not inquire particularly how he died.
How important then to prepare in life and health, as he did, for sickness and death—But I
need not prolong these remarks.—Whatever I have to say to the smitten family I can say
elsewhere better than here. Whatever I have to say to the church of which he was so
valuable a member, I can say more effectively at another time. But I have a few more
words to the public at large. During the sickness and since the death of our friend, I
have heard but one expression--that of great respect and high personal regard. The
community is in mourning. You say, “We don’t know how to spare Capt. Guyles.” I cannot
tell how often I have heard this remark. No, we do not know how to spare him, but our
Father does. With him no man is a necessity. He can remove valuable workmen, and yet carry
on his work. We must adjust ourselves to the circumstances. You all feel that a good man
has led—a good man in more respects than one,--a good citizen, a good business man, a
good man to help develop the resources and promote the interests of your rising town,
a good man morally, a good man religiously. I hazard nothing in saying that every man
here, whatever be his practice, believes in his heart, that just such men as Capt. Guyles
are needed to give moral tone to any community.
You believe, moreover that if there had been a score or two of such men in your city that
it would not have been, as now, seething in intemperance, in gambling, in Sabbath
desecration and kindred vice. Further, if you were to lie down this night on your bed
of death as he did seven weeks ago would you not rather have the reflection that your
life-long influence had been exerted against the vices that corrupt and ruin men, than
the consciousness of having pandered to their prejudices and passions for the sake of
patronage? Again I ask:--whatever be your religious views, would you not under such
circumstances rather have his hopes and projects than anything that irreligion or
infidelity can furnish? Answer honestly at the bar of conscious.
The papers will not announce that a millionaire is dead, and mathematicians will not
puzzle their brains to estimate the magnitude of his bequests, but you know that he has
left a legacy to the community, to the church of God, to his family more precious than
gold. Heaven help us to take the legacy and use it aright.
Manitowoc Pilot, April 6, 1876 P.3
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[bur. 03-29-1876]