Strong, John (1846-1925)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907

Early years

John was born in 1846 at Consett, Co Durham to parents Nicholas strong and Margaret Arkless. His father was a miner. The family moved to Burnopfield Colliery when John was a child. It was there that John attended Sunday School and at eleven years of age dedicated his life to Jesus. He became a Sunday School teacher and afterwards superintendent of the school. John was also requested to accompany Mr Thomas Hetherington, local preacher, to his appointments. He served as a local preacher for two and half years before attending the Sunderland Theological Institute.

Ministry

John’s obituary records that in most of his circuits he saw many conversions and much financial prosperity. He was always patient, cheerful and resourceful, and so was able to triumph over all difficulties. John excelled in pastoral visitation, and in many homes he was remembered for the tidings he brought of the eternal love and care.

In retirement at Hull, John rendered service as Chaplain at the Anlaby Road Poor Law Institution and at the Willerby Asylum.

Family

John married Catharine Gray (1847-1904) in the summer of 1875 in the Lanchester Registration District, Co Durham. Census returns identify seven children.

  • John William (b1876)
  • George Nicholas (1877-1924) – an elementary school teacher (1911)
  • Margaret Elizabeth (b1879) -a teacher (1911)
  • Mary Ellen (1880-1966) – married William James Drinkall, an insurance agent (1911)
  • Catharine (1882-1921)
  • Lucy Gray (1884-1909)
  • Robert Arkless (b1887) – a wholesale millinery manager (1911)

John died on 14 April 1925 at Hull, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1870 Whickhambrook
  • 1872 Dunstable
  • 1873 London VI
  • 1875 Saffron Walden
  • 1877 Haverhill
  • 1878 Maidenhead
  • 1880 Hexham
  • 1883 Stokesley
  • 1885 Dent
  • 1887 Swinefleet
  • 1889 Winterton
  • 1893 Halifax III
  • 1898 Brigg
  • 1900 Burnopfield
  • 1902 Middleton
  • 1906 Skelmersdale
  • 1908 Wigan
  • 1912 Falmouth
  • 1914 Hull (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907/885; 1920/386;

PM Minutes 1925/272

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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