Milton - The Rev. M. G. Stillman, 86, retired teacher and minister, died at 5 p.m. Wednesday in his home near the Milton campus. He taught several years before entering the ministry, being principal of the Big Foot academy at the time it was taken over as the Walworth high school.
Mr. Stillman was born Feb. 6, 1854, in Independence, N. Y., and was brought to Wisconsin as an infant. When about four years of age he was taken to the Daniel R. Burdick home, Albion, where he grew to young manhood and graduated from Albion academy. He then entered Milton college, from which he graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1881, and nine years later received his master of science degree.
On March 12, 1878, he married Marcella Crandall of Utica, Wis., who survives. Following his graduation from the local college, he taught school for several years. He was principal and remained head of the school for eight years after the Big Foot academy was taken over by the Walworth high school. Following this he taught for a year in the Winona, Minn., high school. It was while teaching there that he preached his first sermon in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Then for two years he taught at Utica, Wis., and served as pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church there. The next fall, he entered the Seventh Day Baptist Theological seminary in Alfred, N. Y., graduating in 1893.
His service in the ministry included pastorates at Richburg, N. Y., eight years at Walworth, Wis., and 20 years in two different terms at Lost Creek, W. Va. He retired from the ministry after serving 35 years, and built his home near the campus of the college.
Until his last illness he led an active life and was keenly interested in community and national affairs as well as the college. An important event in his life in later years was the annual Albion Academy reunion, and he had served as an officer of the academy alumni association for many years.
The Rev. and Mrs. Stillman celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this March. The Milton Seventh Day Baptist church and society gave them a public reception on their golden wedding anniversary in 1928 and a special ceremony was arranged to celebrate the 60th anniversary two years ago.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Lelia, at home; a son, Harold C. Stillman, Pueblo, Colo.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Milton Seventh Day Baptist church, the Rev. Carroll L. Hill officiating. Burial will be in the Milton S. D. B. cemetery.
