The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-19
Rev. John Howard Hincks.

The members of Bethany Congrega-
tiona Church and the inhabitan of
Montpelier, VT, were very much
shocked to learn last week of the death,
at Atlanta, Ca, of Rev. John Howard
Hincks, former much-respected pas
tor of Bethany Church During min
istry of about eleven years in town he
won the respect of all who knew him,
and the strong affection of many who
came to know him intimately. Moth
ing having been heard of his illness,
the news of his death took all by sur
prise and called forth from many hearts
words of affection for him, aud deep
sympathy for his afll cted family. Mr..
Hincks was born in Blck'port, Me-,
March 10, 1649. He received his
early education in Bridgeport, Conn,
whittier his fathers family had re-
moved in 1852. While still youth he
was four years bank clerk, acquiring
thereby an experience which proved of
value when he subsequently became
treasurer of Atlanta University. He
entered Phillips Academy, Audover, in
1866, graduating as valedictorian of his
class in 1868. Entering Yale College
the same year, he graduated in 1872,
dividing with another contestant the
honor ofth DeForest gold medal. He
studied theology two years at Audover
and one at Yale. receiving from the
latter institution the degree of B. d.
in 1876.
After the death of DR.. William H.
Lord, Mr.. Hincks was invited by Beth
any Church, Montpelier, to become
his successor as pastor. He was or
dained pastor September 27, 1877,
which office he held for about eleven
years. In 1882 he preached the open
ing sermon before the Genera Conven-
ton of Congregational Churches, at its
annual meeting held at 81. Johnsbury.
In 1888 and 1884 he was editor of the
VERMONT CHRONICLE. He was dis
missed from the pastorate of Bethany
Church, June 10, 1888. Since 1889 he
has been connected with Atlanta Uni
versity as Professor of History and So
cial Science, part of the time acting
as treasurer and dean of the faculty.
His death occurred at Atlanta, Deem
Der IL, 1894, of typhoid fever, after an
illness of four weeks His fever seemed
to have spent its force. He was thought
to have passed the crisis and seemed
to be convalescing, but suffered a sud-
den relapse and passed away, to the
great sorrow of his family and of the
university of which he was a most val
ued member.
Mr.. Hincks was married, in 1878, to
a daughter of Rev. R. B. Thurston, who
for several years was pastor of the
Congregational church in Stamford,
Conn. Mrs. Hincks, with four children,
survives him and has the hearty SYM
pathy of their many friends in New
England. Mr.. Hincks has three BROTH
ers living-Prof. Edward Y. Hincks of
Andover Theological Seminary, and
two brothers in Bridgeport, Conn,
Mr.. Hincks is remembered in Yer
mont, and in his only pastorate
Montpelier, as courteous Christian
gentleman, of generous and kindly
spirit, as a clear and forcible writer,
thoroughly loyal to the Scriptures and
faithful in presenting their teachings
as he understood them. He was
thoughtful of the poor and warm in his
sympathies for those in affection.
These qualities eminently fitted him
for the work he entered into at Atlanta,
in seeking the elevation of the negro
race. All who knew his qualifications
for and deep interest in that work sor-
row that in his early manhood he has
been called to lay it down. During
Pre- sident Bumstead's absence from
Atlanta, in collecting funds for the in
stitution, Prof Hincks was its execu-
Tive head. President Bumstead writes
of him: professor Hincks was a ripe
scholar, thoughtful and spiritual
preacher, an abe teacher and writer,
aud wise administrator of affairs. He
was thoroughly devoted to his work
and to the interests of the oppressed
people in whose service he gave up his
life"
The Century Cyclopedia Of Names.