Collier, John Thomas (1865-1935)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919

Early years

John was born in 1865 at Monton, Lancashire to parents John and Fanny. John, senior, worked in a cotton mill.

John was brought to Christ under the ministry of Rev D S Prosser, who also guided him to study for the plan and eventually for the ministry. John worked in a cotton mill as a weaver before entering the ministry.

Ministry

John excelled in pastoral work. His faithful, homely counsel made him welcome at the fireside, and won him a place in the affections of his people.

John did much useful work with the Free Church Councils and the Temperance Movement. Some councils were stirred to fresh activity by his persistent effort and initiative.

His obituary records that from his early years he possessed a real religious experience which was without doubt the secret of zealous service and fervent preaching, his sermons always being strongly evangelical and charged with spiritual power.

Family

John married Caroline Maria Tubb (1874-1939) in the summer of 1894 at Kidderminster, Worcestershire. Census returns identify four of five children.

  • Ivy May (1896-1971) – nurse missionary (1926)
  • Frederic William (1896-1974) – a joiner (1939)
  • Reginald Rushton (1900-1902)
  • Ralph Rushton (1904-1964) – a PM Minister

John died on 15 February 1935 at Mere, Wiltshire.

Circuits

  • 1890 Marlborough
  • 1891 Gloucester
  • 1894 Motcombe
  • 1898 Lichfield
  • 1901 Sheffield I
  • 1905 Goole
  • 1909 Lowton
  • 1914 Middleton, Lancs
  • 1920 Clayton West
  • 1924 Middleton, Lancs (Sup)
  • 1928 Shaftsbury

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/634

Methodist Minutes 1935/206

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.