Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-19
Rev. DIR. j. w. Hancher VIII Deliver
His First Sermon Next Sundny-
VIII Then Return to Black
Hills for His Family.

Rev. DR.. J. w. Hancher, the new pastor
of Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal
church, arrived last night from his home
at Hot Springs, S. D.. and is now a guest
at the home of w. H. Reed, 220 Garfield
avenue. DIR. Hancher will preach his first
sermon as pastor next Sunday. and on
Monday he will return to his Black Hills
home 10 bring his family and chattels to
Kansas City. He expects to be absent on
that trip about ten days, so that it will be
the second Sunday in April before he gets
fairly settled down to work.
DR.. Hancher is no stranger to Kansas
City or to the members of Grand Avenue
church. In March. 1895. while Dr. Mitchell
was absent in Europe for several weeks,
DR.. Hancher filled his pulpit. and it was
the extremely favorable impression he
created at that time which eventually led
to his selection by the official board as the
successor of DR.. Mitchell.
The latest addition TO Kansas Citys pull
pit orators has distinctly strong face. 1t
is = face which grows upon one with study
and conveys the impression of deep intel
lectuality and scholarly attainmentS. His
face is full and broad. with the massive
square jaw which betokens determination;
vim. not concealed by the goid-rimmed
glasses which he wears. and the wealth of
very dark brown hair which surmounts the
smooth. high forehead: serves to strengthen
the favorable impression
DR.. Hancher was born on farm in NO
BILE county o.. forty years ago, and he has
every right to claim that well worn title
"a self-made man His early life was that
of any farmer lad, working in summer and
going to school a little in winter when
there was money enough to pay the teach
err His early schooling was obtained in
the normal schools of his home county. and
not until he had been ordained a minister
did he really complete his education, earn
ing the baccalaureate degree in the Dakota
School of Mines and the masters degree in
Mount Union college at Alliance. o. 1t was
at Mount Union that he won the title of
doctor of sacred theology. his thesis at
the time of taking that examination being
pronounced by Bishop Vincent one of the
finest papers he ever read.
DIR. Hancher was admitted on trial as Il
member of the South Kansas conference
at Ottawa. Kas., in March, 1880. and 1t is Il
remarkable coincidence that DIR. Mitchell
whom he succeeds as pastor at Grand Ave
nue.. was admitted to the ministry at the
same time and place. During the next two
years he preached at Cottonwood Falls and
Florence, kas.. and then his health giving
way. he was out of the work for two years
resuming il as a member of the Iowa con-
ference. Two more years he preached in
Iowa and then was again compelled to quit
on account of ill health.
He next took up the work at Rapid City.
s. D., and after preaching there two years
he was elected president of the Black Hills
college. which was then college only on
paper.
Dr. Hancher said. laughingly. speaking
of the college:
When l was elected president of the
college they turned over to me a subscrip-
ton paper and ten acres of ground with
hole in IL for foundation
DIR. Hancher set to work with character
istic energy. collected the subscriptions
built the college and now it is in a flourish
ing condition, with property worth $4,000
DIR. Hancher was married in Noble
county. o.. when he was barely q years
old. and his family now consists of his
wife and one daughter. 10 years old
Mr.. and Mrs. Reed have invited all the
members of the official board of the church
TO meet DIR. Hancher at their home this
evening