Thomas T. George

Thomas T. George

17 April 1830 – 25 January 1919
Conference Cane: 1917
Age at death: 88 years, 9 months


Thomas T. George

Thomas T. George was born in upper Bodington, North Hamptonshire, England, April 17, 1830, and went to his heavenly home Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 1919.

When two years old he came with his parents to America. He was converted March 22, 1850, in Pulaski, N.Y. His call to the ministry was very definite and he was licensed to exhort in 1854. Three years later he was licensed to preach. He joined the Michigan Conference at Lansing, September 18, 1857, received deacon's orders in 1859 and his final ordination as elder in 1861. His marriage to Sophia Warren was happy and blessed with six children, Zella, Zenas, Nella, Mell, Orlo and Bessie. Four of the children died in infancy or early childhood; Zenas, the son, also a minister, was killed by the cars, at Steele, North Dakota. He was pastor of the Methodist church at Dawson, N.D., at the time of his death, February 3, 1907. Two daughters survive him, Gladys and Marion, who reside with their mother in Grand Rapids.

Brother George was a good preacher, a faithful pastor, loved by young and old alike, a wide reader, a manly Christian man. His appointments have been Berrien Springs, Lawrence, Coloma, Lawton, Oshtemo, Pokagon, Buchanan, Decatur, Edwardsburg, Bronson, North Adams, Colon, Lawton, Holland, Cedar Springs, Mlddleville, Rockford, Hart. At Rockford, June 20, 1892, his wife, Sophia, companion of his early manhood and mother of his children, died. In August, 1896, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Cole Moon of Cedar Springs. The last appointment which Brother George served was Hart. The family then included Miss Genevieve Moon and Mr. George's daughter, Bessie. Following his retirement, September 14, 1899, the family moved to Cedar Springs and lived at the Moon homestead nine years until the death of Mrs. George in 1908. Following the death of his wife, Brother George made his home with his daughter, Bessie, and son-in-law, William E. Webb, principal of Webb Academy in Grand Rapids. His life in this institution was a constant blessing to the family and to the students, who lovingly referred to him as "Father George." These last years of his life were sweetened and blessed by the ministrations of daughter and son who, with tender solicitude anticipated his wishes and made his dreams come true.

During the eleven years which Brother George spent in Grand Rapids, he was very active in the affairs of Trinity Sunday School and Brotherhood, and he radiated sunshine through the whole organization. He prayed to live until the war ended and until national prohibition was achieved, and his prayers were answered.

His favorite avocation was astronomy and often he would prolong his study far into the night, even when advanced in years. October 25, 1918, he wrote in his diary:

"The heavens declare thy glory Lord,
The universe thy night,
But Brighter far thy sacred word
Where Love itselfs the Light."

Brother George was awarded the conference cane, the gift of Mr. George Whitworth, which is held by the oldest member of the conference during his lifetime. The whole life and ministry of this splendid man was a showing forth of "that inward light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," and his sweet life will be long remembered.

C.E. HOAG

- Michigan Annual Conference minutes of 1919, pp. 572-574

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