Orrin Whitmore

Orrin Whitmore

28 September 1823 - 19 March 1887


Rev. Orrin Whitmore

Rev. Orrin Whitmore, pastor at St. Ignace, died peacefully at his hoome on the morning of March 19, 1887. His funeral occurred at Grand Blanc on Tuesday, March 22, and was attended by a large concourse of people.

Brother Whitmore was born in Shelby, Genesee County, N.Y., September 28, 1823. His father was a native of Vermont. His mother was of Irish and Italian descent. His parents moved to Ohio when he was nine years old. His early educational advanatages were limited to the common school of his township. Afterward he attended Allegheny College preparatory department for a short time, but too close application affected his health, and he was obliged to discontinue his studies.

His parents were faithful in their religious duties, and to the hal- lowed influences of the home altar Brother Whitmore attributed his earliest religious impressions. He soon perceived the necessity of experimental religion. Even at the early age of seven he began to be serious, and at thirteen, under the preaching of Rev. John Crumb, he was happily converted. He says: "My father literally took me up in his arms and carried me to the altar, and both father and mother knelt by me and prayed for my conversion, I then united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. My early religious life was somewhat unsteady, but at the age of sixteen I was renewed in the spirit of my mind, and then began to feel that God had called me to the work of the ministry. Butit was not till four years later that I consented to take license as an exhorter. My first license was dated at Gustavus, O., May 29, 1844." In the fall of 1845 Brother Whitmore came to Michigan, and was appointed to Flat River as junior preacher, with Rev. Alfred Allen, under Rev. Larmon Chatfield, Presiding Elder of Grand River District, Michigan Conference. In September, 1846, he was received on probation into Michigan Conference, and appointed to Mapleton Circuit, under Rev. Samuel Bessey as preacher in charge. In 1847 he was appointed to Genesee Circuit, but after a few months was taken off to supply White Lake Charge. In 1848 he was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Janes, and was returned to Genesee. In May following, Lansing charge became vacant, and Brother Whitmore was appointed supply.

On May 8, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Adams, of Grand Blanc, Mich. Two sons were born to them, both yet living, but the mother died January 1, 1880, and was buried at Grand Blanc, where he now rests by her side.

We trace Brother Whitmore's appointments after his marriage as follows: 1849, Byron; 1850, ordained Elder by Bishop Morris, and stationed at Lansing, remaining two years; 1852-3, Portland; 1854-5, Lapeer; 1856-7, Owosso; 1858-9, Saline; 1860, Chelsea; 1861, Port Huron; 1862-3-4, Garland Street, Flint; 1865-6, Lafayette Street, Detroit; 1867-8-9, Grand Blanc; 1870-71, Tecumseh; 1872-5, Presiding Elder Adrian District. While serving on this district he began the publication of the Adrian District Methodist, which in December, 1874, was enlarged in its scope, removed to Detroit, and during the first week in January, 1875, appeared as the Michigan Christian Advocate, with Brother Whitmore as editor, though he continued in that relation only a comparatively brief period. In 1876 he was appointed to Saline; 1878, Oxford; 1879, Grand Blanc; 1880, Milford; 1881, Clarkston; 1882, supernumerary, but hard at work for two or three years as agent of the Port Huron Burnt District Relief Fund. In 1884 he was appointed to St. Ignace, and at once set about raising money here and there with which to cancel the indebtedness of that much embarrassed church.

About two years ago Brother Whitmore was married the second time to the lady who is now in sorrow over his departure. Altogether, Brother Whitmore's days were passed smoothly. His was a happy temperament. He borrowed as little trouble as possible. He never allowed fancied wrongs to ruffle his spirit. Real grievances he bore like a hero, and always appeared in a sunny mood. He had a fixed purpose to do what he could for the Master, and would not allow either trifles or serious matters to interfere with his one dominating life motive. He had no hours of idleness in his life. He always found work enough to do. He sought no preferment, or the best places in the vineyard, but received cheerfully the appointments that came to him. Few Methodist preachers submit themselves so unreservedly as he to the authority of the church. Even when he began to feel the weight of years, and knew that life was drawing to a close, he was the same modest, self-denying man that had always obeyed the command of his superiors in office, apparently accepting them as the voice of God. He was a good preacher. His noble life was a powerful sermon in itself, and certainly added much force to his always creditable pulpit efforts. His personal Christian life was serene. He had a firm assurance of an interest in heaven. For him to live was Christ, but to die was gain. We sincerely mourn for our friend and brother, and hope to meet him on the other shore.

- Detroit Annual Conference minutes of 1887, pp. 54-55

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