JOHN BUZZA WHITFORD
Reverend JOHN BUZZA WHITFORD, a prominent clergyman of the Methodist
Church, a man of letters, learning and eloquence, a favorite lecturer
and
experienced editor, has been the pastor of the church at Lake Linden,
Houghton County, Michigan, since the autumn of 1899. Mr. Whitford was
born
at Carharrack, Cornwall, England, October 28, 1856, and is a son of the
late William and Jane (Buzza) Whitford, both of whom were also born in
Cornwall.
William Whitford, who was a miner by occupation, came to the United
States in 1865 to follow his vocation. This he did for some time in
Ontonagon County, Michigan, and then removed to the State of Maine,
later returning to England, where he died in 1891, aged 72 years. He
was a member of the Wesleyan Church, as was also his wife, who died in 1878, at the age
of
56 years. She was a very superior woman, devoted to her church, family
and home. Mr. Whitford was an accomplished musician, and this
combination of character and talent gave their children superior mental
advantages,
which became apparent in all their lives. These children were: Mary
Jane, the wife of Rev. Stephen Whitford, of Bowesmont, North Dakota;
John Buzza, of this sketch; William, an official stenographer for
several
medical associations in Chicago and official reporter for prominent
medical
journals; and Eliza Ann, the widow of John Mitchell, now living in
Cornwall.
Rev. Mr. Whitford attended both common and private schools in Cornwall.
While attending the latter he attracted the attention and fell under
the influence of Canon Saltern Rogers, and under his supervision passed
through a course of systematic instruction in theology and divinity.
After
coming to the United States in 1879 he took a four years' course in
theology
in California and at Helena, Montana, was ordained deacon, in 1884, by
Bishop Kavanaugh. Rev. Mr. Whitford's labors in Montana had commenced
'in 1880, and he remained there until 1887, being ordained elder by
Bishop John C. Granberry at Stevensville. In 1888 he came to, Michigan,
and in the following year joined the Detroit Conference. He remained
five
years at his first pastorate in the State, at Oxford, Oakland County,
spent
one year at Saginaw, four years at Cairo and in September, 1899, moved
to
Lake Linden, where he has continued ever since.
Rev. Mr. Whitford is not only a hard worker and vigorous preacher,
but he is also a ready writer and is a valued contributor to The
Homiletic
Review, The Preacher's Magazine, The Treasury and The Pulpit, having
contributed a sermon monthly to the last named journal for a number of
years. He has made a diligent study of the Italian language and has
given
especial attention to Italian poetry. He is an authority on: Italian
history
and literature and is recognized as an able exponent of the beauties of
Dante.
His three lectures covering the three sections of the "Divina
Commedia,"
which have been delivered before college and literary societies, have
called
forth most flattering testimonials from men of letters.
On October 15, 1889, Rev. Mr. Whitford was united in marriage with
Elizabeth Bowman, who was born in 1858, in Rochester, Oakland County,
Michigan, and is a daughter of Stewart K. and Effie (Buttz) Bowman,
both
members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Whitford is a Republican in political sentiment and takes an intelligent
man's interest in public affairs.
Source: Biographical Record, Houghton,
Baraga and Marquette Counties. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903. |