The New York herald., 1875-12-30
OBITUARY..
FATHER" HENRY BoEHM, PATRIARCH.

''FATHER" HENRY BoEHM, A PATRIARCH
The venerable 'Father" Henry Boehm, patriarch OF
the Methodist Church and the oldest clergyman the
world, expired on Tuesday evening the residence Of
his granddaughter near Richmond Staten Island In
the 10lst year OF his age. His centennial anniversary
celebrated the 9Th of June last in Trinity
Methodist church, Jersey City On the 27th of the
same month he preached in the Methodist church
John street, New York, and that was his last appear.
in the pulpit in this city He then by the advice
of his physician, Dr. Hadden, remained in retirement
at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Emily
in Jersey City. The excitement of the cen
tennial anniversary prostrated him, and he
was attacked with erysipeas of the eyes He
then removed to his granddaughter's residence on
Staten Island where he would be more removed from
the noise and hustle of the cities. Under the kind
treatment and affection of his family as well as
the constant of his physician he soon recuper
ated and was restored to the enjoyment of ordinary
health. On the 18th inst, in obedience a unanimous
call from the congregation the village he under
took to preach in the village church. and this effort in
the service of God proved to be his last Indeed II
preciptatcd his death. He contracted cold which
to day that he might rally. On Monday morning
Dr. Hadden was summoned to his bedside, and IL was
found necessary to subject the old man to a painful
operation for an affection Of the kidneys His physical
condition dcbitated that remuneration was ont
oil the question, and he sank into peaceful sumber
which had It's waking beyond the confines OF the grave
His prophecy was fulfilled When told that he would
probably 1.-Two to see the centennial OF his country
which was not born when he first saw the light he
replied with falterng voice that his ceptennal an
nversary in Jersey City would be his last appearance
among his brethren oil that Conference
Henry Boehm was born in Conestoga Lancaster
county, Pa, on the Sth OF June, 1875. This was i'm
medatey after the battle of Lexington, one year
before the Declaration OF Independence, and nine
years before the Methodist Episcopal Church was or
ganzed. He was the youngest of eight children. His
ancestors were from Switzerland His great great
grandfather Jacob Boehm, Presbyterian. HIS
grandfather, Jacob Boehm, born 1893, and came
10 this country in Ills, settling down in Lancaster
Pa He was lay elder in the Mennonite Society and
his trade was that OF a blacksmith. He died in 1850
the advanced age OF eighty-seven leaving several
children, the youngest OF whom, Martin Bochm was
father OF the subject Of this sketch. Martin first
Mennonite preacher but he was expelled for being
too evangelical, and lie became member OF the Meth
odist Episcopal Church. Henry received a common
school education, his teacher beng Henry Rosman,
who was one OF the Hessan soldiers captured by wash
ingtons troops AZ the battle OF Trenton From HIM
young Boehm acquired thorough knowledge of the
German language, and this knowledge he turned TO
good account for he observed he ''oue Of tho
first among the Methodists that preached in that Ian
guagc" When fifteen years old Henry to learn
tho milling business, and while thus engaged he
first sezed by desire to devote himself the
OF the Lord His father kept house oil prayer the
OF which has been handed down 10 posterity as
"Boehms ChapeLn IL the only temple Of
worship in that of the State lhithcr
resortcd Robert strawbridge who laid the founds-
Abbott, Richard Webster uhe second Methodist
preacher raised up in Amerca Sylvester Hutchinson,
Richard whatcoat William Thomas, John FARRELL
Valentine Cook Joseph EScrett, Simon Miller and
many other distinguished apostles OF ofMethodsm. What
coat then the only Methodist preacher in Phila-
delphia
In 1899 Bishop Asbury visited Bochm's chapel At
this time Henry Bochm class leader Souders-
burg His tnerant life preacher began in January
1900 the Dorchester circuit in the eastern shore Of
Maryland and in the Philadelphia Conference. He was
next assigned to the Annamessex circuit, in which
he travelled with William Colbert They denounced
slavery with such bodness that the planters became
alarmed and many were induced TO liherate their
slaves After preaching In several towns Of Pennsyl
vania Boehm received call from Bishop Ashury 10
travel with hun. and he obeyed. This was in lS03
They travelled and preached with great elect in tho
Southern States and made their first visit New York
on May 1909 Oh the 23d Of March 1872, his father
died. at the age Of eighty seven, lavng preached the
Gospel nity.hve years. Thus II will be seen that
longevity was hereditary in the Boehm family.
The names Of Asbury and Boehm will be ever linked
In tho history OF Methodsm in this country. What
these pioneers endured the service OF the Lord away
In the last century can be estimated by the immense
growth Of the Methodist Church Father Bochm's
words delivered at his centennial anniversary in
Jersey City, convey pretty clear idea on this point
1have witnessed with my eyes the many changes in
this country witnessed the system ot sla
rejoice that have lived 10 Is wiped out from
land knew tho time whom there
locomotives have travelled 100000 miles horse
hack and the increase Of cities from small towns
When was Young man New York city only extended 70