The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-15

Tho Rev. Thomas B~ottomley OF Kentucky
Now In his ssth Ycnr.

No" An III o0sA
LOUISVILLE. Jan. 14.-If the Rev. Thomas
Bottomley Of Hopkinsville be not the Oldest
minister. In point Of service. In America. he is
certainly the oldest in Kentucky. He has boon
preaching the gospel the three score years and
ten which the Psalmist allotted to mans llfe-
time. His first sermon was delivered on Dec.
"a. 1922. and his last Is yet to fall from his lips.
He is now in his 8Sth year. but Is In such good
health that 1t IL thought he will live until he
has celebrated many moro birthdays and ami
versaries Of pulpit experiences. Mr.. Bottomley
reared q large family. Of which one son 10 .
preacher like himself. while . son-in-law IL
the Rev. DR.. David Morton. Secretary Of the
Board OF Extension OF the NJ. E Church South.
Though he has been Q devoted servant Of Con-
ference nearly all his life. Mr.. Bottomley was
wise enough in his early years to prepare for
his old age. and. II not we'll to do. has at least
. competence. He has never wished for moro
and 10 resolved that his means shall never in
crease. What part OF his modest income 10 not
required for the support Of himself and family
he gives to the church. and this has been his
practice many years.
Mr.. Bottomley was born In tho West Riding.
Yorkshire. He was reared BY an uncle and
aunt. and learned the trade OF q stone mason.
He was converted md Joined the r., Wesleyan
time hnu'' When S%'n it was the custom in Yorkshir .
for every m to pay, o penny q week
for the tbs b supPSS ad Of Of l his ch 9Ss mor The o.. on IL
sand which the masons had already used once
paid his ehurs sfU dues. and it Is a rule Which he
has q strictly observed all his long LIE to dis
to pay. as soon as the obligation is
made; toE he boasts that he has never
his early life which shows what priyations he
something's endured in order 70 keep from
young man he found himself with his wife
and two little. children at the beginning. Of
winter TithSSutt emnloymGnt and without .
thsy drank and the remainder, they sold:
daily!a peck Of bran Tor the COW and then some
simple food forth family When spring came
RRt eal lnsluf Mr.: B ssf 1nieSi was sG SSils w to se II pI s9aa
OF work and no had no debts to worry over.
Soon after his, conversion the boy had felt
be was eighteen years old. his first sermon be-
Ing preached on the following christmas Eye.
the {orksIire tenisrePe s' 20 married. nl 'nsc
tsFt is ss,P Re e snsn d te Els In et sns lt,ns soins t iIaS
Years Ssw f Ss w 90 thers at vi his trade fSd S Of st s%s
1896 Ills Vile. whom he had left In England.
Joined him, and they settled near Baltim ore.
fIHiHie cofte City I Sfu lie s stilf p =, aI,esHe evsr Yi Sunday aSy
sometimes at his residence. something's in
neigh6qE!ng towns and often In BaIti,
superintendent the construction OF the stone
the ans mica W state Sn t fhs r nFsi fbe eins now Sn a pa n
OF the H9ltimore and Ohio system. In the
e9pal Church., He was ordained by BishoI
McKendree. Ho was transferred soon to thu
| ArHu nEua Tpnfarnnpn md SIN Rad Mt nnoA "
west. At Wheeling he took q steamboat iol
with his ,familyin Louisville. During man.
% taansis sns to d he not Hea sst nfs' e5n HsS ne 'i is re-
and ,%ork M. here ,t $50 simsishtIs t%$,
anain two years ofganiTed whatis now know
first house. Of worship. which, Tastor Bottomie,
built. IL now used ms q tobacco warehouse
In its day it was u fine church ediice,, SOM
was sent to southern kcniuoky, where he r.
came back to Louisville to serve, as presid
ing Elder. Next he went to Russelyilie
Mnere on no 5smS MRisa seven icy was years pr:si dTn
niider. During wills time no fopndst
the Russelyiile Female Institute. now Logan
institutions in kentucky. Aiteranother year.
pastorate, this time at Dardstown, he was sen
years a. Presiding Elder and pastor Of difreren
city churches. Since that time no has beei
Iastor OF churches at Bowling Green. Frank
lin. Trenton, and Hopkinsyille. For nearly
twenty years no has been on the superannuat
cd list and has lived ct hSpLinsylli H. 6Ht h
Though now In his eighty-eighth year he still
occupies the pulpit occasionally. hetakes tn,
ences ard never fails to attend their s~esstons
Mr.. Bottomley's education was very limited
but he has always been a close student and 81
bor OF the first knights Templar Command
cry organized in Louisyills, and 10 stu an 40
Is pastor Of the Main. Street y. y Church. 9