Eccles, Wilson (1867-1952)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920

Early years

Wilson was born in 1867 at Tadcaster, Yorkshire, to parents Joseph Eccles and Rachel Chappell. Joseph was a local preacher and earned his living as a potter. Rachel worked as a dressmaker.

Wilson qualified for the scholastic profession.

Ministry

Wilson’s obituary records that he was a keen student of the Bible and of good literature, reading wisely, widely and well. In the pulpit he ever gave of his best, for he loved to preach that souls might be won for his Master. His pastoral ministry was of high order.

Wilson acted as a visiting chaplain to seven hospitals in Plymouth during the war years.

As an administrator, Wilson revealed great skill and wisdom. He was for some years Secretary of the Hartley College Committee. Wilson was Secretary of Conference in 1919.

He possessed a keen sense of humour and a charming personality.

Family

Wilson married Kate Watson (1873-1955) in the summer of 1894. Kate was the daughter of Dr John Watson. Census returns identify one child.

• Eleanor Winifred (1901-1979)

Wilson and Kate also adopted a nephew Joseph Clifford Eccles (1907-1984)

Wilson died on 11 December 1952 at Lymm, Cheshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1890 Chester I
• 1892 Bury
• 1894 Harringay
• 1898 Lymm
• 1903 Manchester VIII
• 1907 Guernsey
• 1913 Plymouth
• 1919 Lymm
• 1925 Accrington
• 1930 Waterhouses
• 1933 Lymm (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/613; 1920/224

Methodist Minutes 1953/135

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, p79

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers