Minutes of the
Wisconsin Annual Conference
Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church
Fiftieth Session
Held at
Stevens Point, Wis., Sept. 30 - Oct. 5, 1896
John Schneider, Editor and Publisher,
P.O. Neenah, Wis.
Obituaries.
Rev. Wm. Page Stowe, D.D.
Rev. William Page Stowe, D.D., was born in Haverill, New Hampshire, Sept.
1, 1831, and died in Chicago, January 4th, 1896, after a lingering
illlness of more tan two months. In 1843, he removed with his parents to
Wisconsin, where the settled upon a farm near the city of Fond du Lac.
In the latter yerars of his life, he would with seeming pride refer to
this New England ancestry and especially to his Christian parents, giving
all honor to his pious mother, wo was indeed a mother in Israel, having
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church over 60 years at the time
of her death.
When 17 years of age, Brother Stowe sought and found redemption in the
blood of Christ, in his father's chapel. This auspicious event created a
new era in is history. At once he becme possessed of a quenchless thirst
for knowledge. Availing himself of the best opportunities at hand, he
prepared himself and taught a district school. Impressed with a sense of
duty that he must preach the gospel, relying upon his own personal
efforts, he sought the largest preparation for his life work, and in the
Spring of 1853 entered Lawrence University,from which he graduated, as a
member of the second class of the institution, in June 1858. Imbued with
a love of study and a fear of God, is college life was pursued with
credit to himself and recognized honor to his Alma Mater. His vigorous
pursuit of knkowledge did not stand in the way of earnest Christian
work. For a time, he was class leader of one of the college classes, and
often united with other consecrated young men in visiting the out-lying
communities, preaching the gospel in the country school house.
In May of 1858, he united with the Wisconsin Conference, and was
stationed at Sheboygan, and the two years following at Port Washington;
but before the close of the second year, his health failed, reuiring him
to retire to business life, and, at the close of the year, he took a
location. This was the time of our nation's peril, and he accepted the
chaplaincy of the 27th regiment of Wisconsin volunteer infantry.
In 1863 with restored health, he was readmitted into the conference to
share with his brethren the toils andvictories of the itinerary and was
stationed at Sharon. His subsequent fields of labor in the pastorate
were Beloit, Racine, Oshkosh and Summerfield, Milwaukee. In 1872, he was
appointed Presiding Elder to the Milwaukee District, giving to the church
a wise and helpful administration. In 1876, he was appointed to the
Janesville District. It was in the midst of great usefulness in the
district that the General Conference in 1880, recognizing his special
business qualifications, honored him with an election as one of the
agents of the Book Concern. For 12 years he gave himself conscientiously
and untiring to the work of the Church. When Dr. Stowe was not returned
for the fourth term to this office it was not because of any
dissatisfaction on the part of the Church, for his wise administration
was universally acknowledged. It was during the years that he was in
office, that the Western Publishing House made its unparrelled advance in
profits and permanent success.
In 1892, Brother Stowe took a Supernumerary relation and in 1893 took the
agency of the Methodist Insurance Association.
In 1894, he returned loaylly and gladly to the regular work of the
Conference, and was appointed Presiding Elder of the Oshkosh District.
At the close of the last session of the Conference at Racine, his health
gave away. The Immediate cause of his death was apoplexy. After the
firs tstroke, he remained most of the time unconscious. His brethren
were not permitted to see him, in hopes that from the greatest uiet he
might rally. But it was not to be so, and on thefirst Saturday afternoon
of Janury, he quietly passed to his eternal rest.
The funeral services were held in Grace Methodist Episcopal Church,
Chicago, on Monday afternoon following his death. After appropriate
addresses by Dr. Terry and Cranston and Bishop Merrill, and the reading
of resollutions passed by the preacher's meetings in Chicago and
Cincinnati, all that was mortal of our Brother Stowe was laid to rest in
Rose Hill Cemetery, by this brethren of the Conference, to wait the
morning of the resurrection. A few weeks later his brethren, of the
Oshkosh District and others of the Conference, held a memorial service in
First Church, Oshkosh, wich was largely attended, and gave expression of
the love and esteem in which he was held. Physically, Dr. Stowe had a
commanding presence. His mental aptitudes were peculiar to himself.
Endued with large perceptions, he was able to read men and circumstances
easily. Truth stood before him in logical relations, rather than in
poetical verities.
As a churchman, he believed in the doctrines and usages of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and was ever ready to defend them. Yet he was broad in
his fellowship.
In the truest sense, Dr. STowe was a manly man. He was frank, yet
considerate; he was familiar, yet without rudeness; he was often playful,
yet without condescending to improper levity. He was brotherly among his
brethren, and was ever ready to observe those courtesies; which age and
station have a right to demand.
As a preacher, he was not endowed with what may be considered rare and
brilliant oratorical gifts. He was a vigorous and logical thinker, and
could express himself in language plain and elegant, making his words
reflect the sentiments of his mind. His voice was also peculiar to
himself. At times it would rise from the plaintive to the battle cry of
conquest. His nature possessed an undercurrent of pathos, which on
occasions of interest would kindle his soul into a flame of enthusiasm.
Possessing such gifts, it is not strange that he should have been
regarded a good preacher and at times eloquent. In extemporaneous
address, Brother Stowe possessed rare power. When some vital question
would arise in Conference, with his quick perception, he would grasp the
situation, and in a brief address fairly thrill and electrify his
hearers. Above all he was a revival preacher, which will be shown from
the extensive revivals, seen in connection with some of his pastorates -
Beloit, Racine and Oshkosh.
Every interest of the Wisconsin Conference was dear to our Brother. He
was one of the most useful members of the Conference Board of Trustees.
The College engaged his serious thought and heartiest support, not
because it was his Alma Mater or because it conferred upon him in 1871
the degree of Doctor of Divinity, but because he regarded the College the
hope of the future Methodism of Wisconsin, in providing an educated
ministry and a cultured laity.
In 1870, he was chosen visitor to the University. In 1871, elected one
of its trustees, which relation he held up to the time of his death. With
the exception of one year, he attended every college commencement.
He was a reserve delegate to the General Conference in 1872, and was
elected a member of that body t every session since, leading his
delegation in 1883, 1887, 1891, and in 1895.
His domestic life was as beautiful as it was dear to himself. In 1859,
he was married to Miss Grace H. Bond. The three children that blessed
the union, Miss Hester, Dr. Bond H and Willian (sic) C., together with
their mother, survived to mourn the loss of husband and father.
From the charactor of the disease, the audible expressions of the victory
of faith were not what they otherwise might have been. Yet there were
times wehen conscious and lucid moments returned, in which he gave
striking evidence of the power of Chiristian religion to conquer the fear
of death and cause the soul to triumph in the near approach of a glorious
immortality.
Thus lived and died this noble man of God, whom we loved and whose name
we are glad to honor. May his mantle of apostolic spirit fall on his
sons and successors in the ministry of the Wisconsin Conference.
A. J. Mead