Smyrna times., 1895-09-25
Rev. ]. L. Estlin.


We stated in our last issue that Rev.
j. Il. Estlin had been chosen pastor of
the Presbyterian church of this town
by the congregation. His acceptance
and taking charge of the pulpit does
not constitute him full pastor however.
until received by the Presbytery and a
committee appointed to go through the
formal installation, which will be in the
near future. The following is a brief
sketch of the new pastor, which we had
in hand for our last issue, but could not
get it in for the press of other local
matters:
John S. Estlin, the father of Rev. ].
Il. Estlln, was born in Philadelphia
1902. For more than fifty years he
carried on the manufacture of stoves
and ranges. He was the first man in
TINS country to invent a furnace to
burn stone coal. The patent papers
are signed by Andrew Jackson. who
was then President of the United States.
and also by Martin VanBuren, who was
Secretary of State. A model of this
primitive furnace is on exhibition in
the Patent office at Washington. Mrs.
Martha Estlin, the mother, was a
Guthrie, and was born at Stanton.
Delaware. The Rev. Josiah L. Estlin.
the son, who has accepted the pastorate
OF the Smyrna Presbyterian church,
was born in Philadelphia, and in Verv
early life was persuaded that God had
called him to the work of the ministry.
he attended a preparatory school for
three years, pursued the regular clas-
steal course at Lafayette college, and
after the completion of Theological
studies in Philadelphia was ordair ed to
the gospel ministry by Bishop VIM. r.
Nicholson. There is large handsome
stone church standing at the corner of
Thirteenth and Tasker street, Philadel-
phia this church is the result of Mr..
Estlin's first pastOrate. He began the
work from the foundation, and in the
course OF two years built up a strong
self-sustaining church.
In 1879 Mr.. Estlin was invited To
take charge of feeble congregation
then holding services in the Whining
ton Opera House, Wilmington, Della.
ware. The church at the time with
less than sixty members and with no
permanent place of worship. soon
secured Their own church property,
and the membership was increased to
4OO, and the Sabbath school from 100 to
oOO. Mr.. Estlin afterwards organized
second church in Wilmington, remain.
ing in all ten years.
seven years ago Mr.. Estlin accepted
a unanimous call to the pastorate of
the DIlwOrthtOwn Presbyterian church:
he served this church FIVE wears. While
at Dllworthtown Mr.. Estlin conceived
the idea that there was room for an
other church in West Chester He
began the work in IA hall and in less
than year the Westminster Presbv-
terrain church was organized with more
tnan 100 members, and now paying a
pastor $500. While at Dilworthtown
Mr.. Estlln received fattering call to
Susquehanna Presbyterian church, but
declined. Mr.. Estlin gave up Dill
Worthtown church on his sons account
who had secured position in the
Broad street station of PENNSYLVANIA
Il. II. The parents felt it to be their
duty to be with their son while making
MS start in life in the great city. A
great shadow has since fallen on the
home, this promising young man be-
tween Is and 10 years of age, took sick
IN the summer of '94, his illness was
brief; on the 18th of November. 1894.
less than one year ago, he was laid to
rest IN the West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
He was lovely boy, aud a beautiful
Mr.. Estlin held call from the Dan
vile Presbyterian church, of New
Jersey, larger membership, with a
large house free to the minister. but
Mr., Estlin was greatly impressed with
Smyrna and its people, that there are
people enough in the town to fill all
the churches, that there would be an
opportunity to work for the building of
a manse, and being fully persuaded
that Gods hand was in it, he could not
do otherwise than accept the unan.
imous call from the Smyrna church.
Miss Marie Estlin, the only child, was
born in Wilmington, Delaware. Mrs.
Estlin spent ten happy years in Will
mlngton, and she is more than pleased
with the prospect of returning to Della
ware to make it her home.
The New Castle Presbyterv will
meet at West Nottingham, Cecil county
Md, next Tuesday, when a committee
OF installation will be appointed.