The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-12-24
In Momorfanl'

.I$E In M0mOr1am'
~ A few weeks ago the Baptist Churcl
of Worthington called to it's spastorat'
Rey. John w. Forsythe, formerly O
3the state of Iowa and he was inductec
into his Office by council of Minis
ters and delegates from the neighbor
ling churches. The church was hap
1spy and hopeful in the prospect o1
prosperity expected through his labor
sbut he filed his pulpit only one
Sunday, when a disease incurred over
30 years ago while an inmate of Libby
Prison broke forth in violent form
and after few weeks of intense suf-
fering he fell into the sleep of death
at the home of w. E, Stoutemeyer, on
the 18th day of Dec, 1896. The fol-
flowing are the outline facts of his
highly useful and honorable career:
Iohn W. Forsythe was born in Lees
burg, London County, Virginia, in
October 1874. His youth was spent
at his birthplace. At the outbreak
|pf the Civil war in 1861 he was in a
slave state which passed an ordinance
| of secession from the United States.
Being of Scotch decent he was by he
lredity friend of freedom, though rear
ted in the midst of slave holding peo.
pie, Young as he then was,he had to
choose between support to the cause
Of secession, or that of the Federal
l.government. The Confederacy was
forcing every able bodied man into
its service-and he chose to serve the
Iloyal se,which he thought was just
and patriotic. 1T was no light matter
Efor a lad of tender years to leave his
lfschoolmates and youthful associates
Las they were putting on the Confed-
IeTate Uniform and going out to at
tempt the overthrow of the govern
ment. He enlisted in Co. B., 18th
Reg. of Virginia Volunteers force
known as the Independent Virginian
Scouts, owing to the peculiar work
they did in defending the loyal men of
that state against the partisan or
Lguerilla forces>of the rebel army. In
this military organization he remain
ed 3 years lacking one month, and
was mustered out with an honorab BILE
discharge.
One year after the close of the war
he made profession of faith in Christ,
and united with the Methodist
IEpiscopal church. When in his 23rd
|Iyear he entered the North Virginia
iConference as candidate for it's
ministry and was graduated into the
same. He was at different times con-
nected with the Central Ohio, and the
North West Iowa Conferences of that
church. He was at one time a Presid
ing Elder in North Virginia Confer
fence, and served as pastor at several
points in Virginia, Ohio and Iowa.
He was married July Bird 1859. to
Miss Mary Sykes, who died at Gil,
More City, Iowa. Dec 4th. 1889. She
Eleft him two sons and two daughters,
who were with him when he died and
performed in his behalf the affection
ate service of loving children at the
funeral of an honored father.
Some time after his wife's death he
was compelled to desist from regular
pastoral work, but spent much time
in evangelistic labors, among differ
ent christian denominations.
In August 1896 he became stated
pastor of the Worthington Baptist
Church and was regularly installed
as pastor thereof a few weeks ago.
He preached only one Sunday after
his induction by Council into tha4
Office, when constitutional ailment,
contracted during his imprisonment
in Libby Prison. asserted in it's do
minion over an overweight frame.
His acquaintance with the pastors
and brethren of other churches here
was limited and brief, but notwith-
standing his great modesty of speech
and his retiring disposition, we had
learned te respect him as a true and
worthy minister Of the word.
Funeral services were conducted at
the residence of Mr.. Stoutemeyer on
Friday afternoon, by the resident
pastors, Revs: Bailey Bull and McCune
partici pating in the exercises, and, in
charge of his children. his body was
taken tc Britt, Iowa for :interment.
So closed the good life of a patriot
soldier, and a sincere and earnest
christian minister.
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