Dixon, John Harriman (1877-1958)

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Christian Messenger 1919

Obituary

JOHN HARRIMAN DIXON: born at Distington, Cumberland, in 1877. In early life he was a joiner and cabinet-maker, and he never lost his love for the craft. His knowledge of building proved a valuable asset in the many restoration schemes which he undertook for his churches. Leaving Hartley College in 1904, he proceeded to render splendid service in Appleby, Richmond, Cwm, Nelson, Beverley, Driffield, Crowle, Scotter, Mablethorpe, Doncaster, and Cumberworth. He was a delightful colleague and was beloved in all his circuits. His keen sense of humour, genius for friendship, and sympathetic interest in people enabled him to exercise a fine pastoral ministry. He was an able administrator and a gifted evangelical preacher. His presentation of great biblical scenes and themes was masterly. Indeed, many of his sermons, salted with kindly humour, aptly illustrated by gleanings from wide reading and experience of the country life he loved, and delivered in his own inimitable style, were never forgotten by those privileged to hear them. On retiring to Appleby in 1944, he continued to preach until a serious illness brought his public ministry to a close. He was called home on 6 September 1958 at the age of eighty-one and in the fifty-fifth year of his ministry.

Family

John was born in 1877 at Distington, Cumberland, to parents James and Rebecca. James was a colliery engineman.

John married Maggie May Parkin (1887-1975) in the summer of 1910 at Appleby, Westmorland. Birth records identify two children.

• James Parkin (b1911) – an engineer (1958)
• Ernest Ewart (b1914) – a civil servant (1958)

John died on 6 September 1958 at Appleby, Westmorland.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1904 Appleby
• 1906 Bedale
• 1908 Cwm
• 1911 Nelson
• 1914 Beverley
• 1922 Crowle
• 1930 Scotter
• 1933 Alford
• 1936 Doncaster Spring Gardens
• 1939 Clayton West
• 1944 Appleby (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 1959/179

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers