New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-30
OBITUARY..
TIE REV. HENRY BOKHM.

I Tho Oldest minister of the Methodist Church,
and probably the oldest preacher in tho world, the REV.
Henry Boehm, known better by the naIno OF Father
Boe died Tuesday afternoon at the residence OF his
daughtc-n-law. Richmond, Staten Island lie was
born June 8, 1875. in Lancaster County Pennsylvania
His father preached III Bochm's Chapel" after Joining
the Methodist Church. The cdhce bntn 1871, anu
IA sui standing and used 1t six years after the build
INK OF this chapel that Henry, then 20 years OF ag@,
loinod he Methodist Church and Jan g. $500, three
Years later he was licensed preach by the Rev. Thomas
Ware Almost the rst duty that was given him was that
Of travelling through Dorchester circuit in the eastern
part of Maryland. General Conference was held in
Baltimcre in 1900 which he present the oidina
ton of Bishop Richard Whatcoat, in the Light Street
Calrch taxing place durn; the session In tie following
year in company with William Colbert, he Travelled and
peacleI through Anamessex circuit nd met with great
seees, in gathering converts to the Methodist faith
These were among the early days OF Methodsn In this
country. Wesley and Withhold. durinS their visits 10
America had founded societies the nucleus OF the
church heng loft to the labors OF party OF immigrants
rom Ire and who had been members OF Mr.. Wesley's
societies in the Old World II late as l766 that
these few followers formed INTO class for instruc-
ton by Philip Embury who had gained some knowledge
Of religious work from local preaching in Ireland In his
abors he was soon greatly assisted by Capt. Thomas
Webb an officer OF the British army stationed in this
eity who had received n license from Wesley in 1863
In l76S Webb preached with marked success on Long
Island ana In New7Jcrscy. Delaware and Philadelphia
In this same year the first chapel was d'di-
Gated in JOhn-st, in this city, and two years
later the first Methodist church in Philadelphia
was erected In l771, Mr.. Wesley appointed Francis
Asbury superintendent of tue American societies With
t man the early aburs OF Father BOehm became init
macly and memorably connected. Mr. Asbury con-
tnued in this capacity for short time, after whch'
being succeeded in the position, he continued to remain
In America and TO labor for the Church In 1854 aitei
the return Of peace decided to establish an indie
pendeu, Methodist Episcopal Church in America andin
the same year, after a unanimous election by the AmeIl-
can preachers Mr. Asbury duly installed as bishop
For more 80 years succeeding this the life OF Bishop
Asbury contains 1t the history of the progress ana
growth Of Mehodsm this country and during several
years of that labor Henry BOehm was his active CO
laborer The Bishop chose him as bis travelling COM
panon in the Spring OF 1905 an continued him in that
position until 1913. Tue history of their Journeys
together is repeto with adventure and hard
hips Father Boehm often In his later years ai'Ied
10 this experience He said It the most important
period Of lis life for he the representative OF the
church He crossed the Allegheny Mountains many
times in SO hours. He visited Indiana, and went 80
miles INTO the Interior and only saw me races o slA u
NAV beings while there lie knew all the bishops OF the
MofbndlsI Episcopal Church Coke to Peck aud has
said that for none Of them did he bear the a9eIo ne
Gid for bishop Asbury. he once remarked; was ms
travelling companion and bosom friend once saw MS
horse away and was very nuoh frlshtehed, anu
dared a0 run To him Tor lear my morse wOuln IlShtob
BIS sOod SIN and pray ed most earnestly Tle hOlse
boon stopped" Subsequently he was appointed ny
Bishop Asbury presiding elder Of the Schuylki district
Father Borhm continued for many ears to preach as
circuit minister and he became one of the most emhoht
men of the Cnurch III the cary quartz oi INC
Among MS oo-laborrrs and intimate acquaintance were
tie Rev. Drs White, Chandler ana Sellers Gov basSeH
Of Delaware Larry Ennals Jesse Lee, ana william Hoi'
bert In 1912 his labOrs IA a circuit minister came 10
close At that time lie Was placed on the ist OF super
numordry ministers and stationed on staten Island beng
h the Newark Conference where he continued 70 preach
for m8ny years. In recent years he was Ieeu on 'ne
list O -prrdnnuated CLERGY preaching very seldom
except special occasions Among these tue most
bnewothy perhaps wa, the centennial celeDia!ion %
the of the John street Methodist Cbufch III ts
t.ty, winch took place in 1868. In Ann last year ne
preached In Jersey CITY. On Dee IL OF thIs yedI w
preached in the village church at Richmond, staten
Island when he cont acted severe cold. which Is SAID
y have fastened his death. NJ,
vas iaied at the Trinity Methodist EPISCOPAL Church
jersey CITY. Many prOnint nt members OF the chuFoh
SION wts sing, entitled God OF Onr Patriarch Friend
Father Bielm spoke at some length, referring 10 INC
EoDderlu progress OF the OOspe III InIS COUNTY, a @
Eeat advance made IN ciylhlatioh ne Dau plJl.4ra
las address in manuscript but was unable 10 Tcau IL en-
tire IN standing position and requested Que OF tnG nn
kjers present 10 do In TINS he gave ue,cIlpono
the con tOn OF NewYOrk and Vicinity when he nrsl Wis
Ted th. part OF the ry when no was young man
e also reviewed the history 0i the Meta0us' Onuion
eepous tue separation which Lad taken place between
tue churches of the North and the south The Rev DE-
POr,er al that meeting presented Father BOchin WIN Oh
made by another Clergyman az Father 30 mn ie'lae IT,
Was stated that he desir d. ID case he ul MOI noou te
honey bis lifetime, that be devoted To Inc euuoduoh
GyOung Tor the ministry. -,
TIE G.ah Of Father Euehin sewers a hnk DlhunG tne
Present Churches OF tie Methodist denomination WIN
bOse of lie primitive LlstOr! III America bVIi az uc
When there We're My 10 or II Methodist Culchrs on
tbs continent aud only 10 travelling preachers, Decon
Tx tho companion OaDUrer OF The nfSt D.Op vi inc
Church who was Orla ned in America he has lived TO see
Tie faith he loved and IabOred to advance income Ihe
Arse,. denomination in point of membership III lls
lae Woodrow Methodist Episcopal Church OH Staten
slala, 10 Inorrow.