Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-31
REV. DIR. JOHN G, HOLBROOK
His Death in stockton, Calf.

4 Native OF BrattlebOro---A Man Emil
nent I'm the Work of Congregational
ism-..OnIy Surviving Brother OF s1-
Gov. Frederick HOlbrOok.
Rev. John Calvin Holbrook, d. D., the
only surviving brother of ex-Gov. Freder-
lex Holbrook, died Aug l, at his home in
Stockton, Calf. DIR. Holbrook was born
in Bratteboro, Jan. :, 1908.
The Congregationalist prints this sketch
Of his career after his entry upon the work
of his manhood:
"Removing to Iowa after his marriage,
DR.. Holbrook was appreciated to preach by
a Congregational association, and soon
after. in 1912, became pastor of the church
in Dubuque. There he labored II years,
entering with growing influence into the
religious life of the state and of the nation.
In 1898 he removed to the young city of
Chicago, becoming the first pastor of the
New England church and the editor of the
Congregational Herald, the first general
organ of our denomination in the West.
He had a prominent part in founding Chi
cago Theological seminary, and was one of
its first board of directors.
After three years in Chicago, DR.. Hol-
brook returned to his Dubuque pastorate.
In 1852 on leave of absence from his
church, he preached several months for
the First church, San Francisco, visiting
many places in California. Four years
later, with another leave of absence, he
raised in the East an endowment of $50
600 for the presidency of Iowa college.
Following this service he became pastor of
of the church in Homer, Y. Y. While in
this Office, in 1866, he made an extended
visit to England, raising funds for the
American Missionary association. In this
work he was remarkably successful.
"In 1869 DR.. Holbrook was installed
pastor at Stockton, Calf, and three years
later returned to Syracuse, where for nine
years he worked assiduously as the first
secretary of the New York Home Mission
airy society. He laid the foundations of
Congregationalism in a number of places
in that state. At the age of % he resigned
his office, but preached for year and
half in Portland, Me, before removing
again to California, where he has spent
happily and usefully his latest years. In
1892 he celebrated his golden wedding
with his second wife, his first wife having
died u years after their marriage.
"Dr. Holbrook's daughter, at whose
home he died, is Mrs. f. r. Noble"
DR.. Holbrook was one of the ten chill
the early part of this century, was one of
the most active factors in the business, So
cal and religious life of the Brattleboro
community. DR.. Holbrook was five years
the senior of his brother, the Ex-Governor
and ex- Gov. Holbrook is now the only sur,
vivor of his fathers family. Both broth
eTs were for time connected with their
father in the book publishing business in
this village. This business was conducted
with remarkable enterprise, and though
unable to Withstand the financial panic of
1886, it left an honorable record in the
publication of books of unusual merit.
Besides the issue Of large and handsome
family Bible, and numerous works of liter
erary and educational merit, it published
1.-THE Comprehensive Commentary" and
the Encyclopedia of Biblical knowledge"
both works whose value as books of refer
ence of this kind has never been exceeded.
The Comprehensive Commentary is today
counted a book of final authority by Brat
tleboro Biblical students.
After leaving Brattleboro, DR.. Holbrook
was for time in Boston where he was
member of DR.. Lyman Beechers church,
and where in connection with his familiar
ity with the great Unitarian controversy,
he received the impetus to the work of his
after life. He used to say that the educa-
ton there received was equivalent to a
course in theological seminary. His last
visit TO Brattleboro was made some 13 or 10
years ago.
Norwich University, of which Com
mander A. D. Brown is now the president,
claimed DIR. Holbrook as its oldest cadet,
he having been student for two years, in
1922, in the American Literary Scenti
fic and Military academy, which in 1885
became Norwich University He had made
many contributions to current religious lit
erature and was one of the oldest, if not at
the time of his death the oldest, corporate
member of the American Board He re-
ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity from
Williams college during the presidency of
Mark Hopkins.