Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-10
OBITUARY.
Right Rev. !. 3. P. Wilmer.
phiadelphia pulletIn. sd.l

Phiadelphia Bulletin, 3d.
Right Rev. j. b. P. Wilmer. bishop
of the diocese of Louisiana, a native
of Virginia, aged about sixty fveyears,
died suddenly at the St. Charles Ho-
tel, in New Orleans, last evening at 7
o'clock, of apoplexy. He arrived No
yember 9th from a professional tour
through Northern Louisiana, seem
ingly in good health. He preached on
Sunday at Christ Church and admin
istered the communion. After tea
last evening he went to his room with
Rev. Isaac Marks, when he com
planned of Indigestion. Mr.. Marks
procured some soda, after which the
bishop felt better, lit a cigar and
smoked while, when he was suddenly
Frustrated with apoplexy, A physi-
clan was sent for, but the bishop died
in a few minutes. He leaves a wife
and three children, now residing in
Charlottesville, Va. Right Rev. Mr..
Wilmer was a native of Alexandra,
Va, and had, prior to his appointment
to the episcopal chair of Louisiana,
spent most of his life in that State.
He belonged to the well known fam
lily Of that name, from which came his
cousin, Bishop Richard H. Wilmer.
of Alabama. He was, at the time of
his appointment November Z, 1860,
a young man, in vigorous health, pos
sessed of a large fortune, which he
used freely for the advancement of the
Christian church. DR.. Wilmer was
graduated in the Univerity of Viz
ginia in his academical course, and at
the Protestant Episcopal Seminary,
near Alexandria, in his theological.
de was a man of commanding appear
ance, an eloquent preacher and accom-
plishedinsociety After his ordination
DR.. Wilmer had charge of two par
lshes In the lower part of his native
State, where he gained much distinc-
ton for the energy and faithfulness
with which he performed his pastoral
duties and his eloquent preaching. He
was also very much beloved in general
society for the afability and grace of
his manners. His noble qualities
and fitness to take a more responsible
charge becoming known to the people
of Philadelphia, where he occasionally
ministered, he was chosen rector of
the old church of st. Marks. of this
city, and continued the pastor of that
large congregation till the outbreak of
the war. Being a native of Virginia,
Winners sympathies during the
struggle were entirely with the Con
.federates, and when the war had
actually broken out he resigned his
in Philadelphia and returned
to his family, then in Albemarle
county, Virginia. Soon after he
became a chaplain in the Confederate
army, and especially was very devoted
in his attendance upon hospitals
near which he CHANGED to be stationed.
At a later day he was chosen by the
clergy of Virginia to 60 abroad to pur-
chase bibles and testaments for the
Confederate army, then in this respect
very destitute. He executed his com
mission in England well, but in at
tempting to run the blockade he was
captured by the Federal cruisers in
the Chesapeake and taken to the Old
Capitol prison at Washington. After
his release he returned South and con-
tinued to do religious duties as before
in the army till the surrender General
Lee at Appomattox Courthouse AS
before stated, he was elected bishop of
Louisiana in 1866, and has passed
much of his time there since that date.