Hollister, Washington (Rev.) - 1895

Rev. Washington Hollister, who was appointed to Edenburg charge by the last season of the Erie Conference, was stricken with paralysis at 11:30 o’clock, on Thursday, the 3d inst., and died between 6 and 7 o’clock the same evening.

It was a great shock to everyone, but more especially to his church.  He had served the church about three months most acceptably.  He was a sermonizer (notwithstanding his age) of no ordinary ability.  His sermons were eloquent and impressive, which gained for him large congregations.  In all church interests he was interested and progressive.  His gentlemanly deportment and social disposition won him the friendship of all in other churches as well as his own and those outside the church and the children even loved him.

He attended a wedding Wednesday afternoon, was at the place in the prayer meeting in the evening, and on returning home almost every one had some remark to make in regard to the advice he had given to his people.  He was invited out to dinner on Thursday.

After writing  number of letters, he dressed to go and went to the Edenburg Bank, and changed some money and received a check.  On his way to the postoffice he had some conversation with Mr. Hamm, of the Presbyterian church, with reference to the union prayer meeting this week.  When he arrived at the office his speech had partially left him, so that he as obliged to show how many stamps he wanted on his fingers.

Instead of going to Mr. Jolly’s for dinner, he went home.  When he reached his room, to which Mr. Oaks accompanied him, he seemed to want to write, but could not.  He grew worse, so Dr. W. F. Myers was called.  He soon discovered that it was a critical case and had Dr. Wm. Clover called.  They exhausted all their skill to try to save him, but it was unavailing.

His family at Dunkirk, N.Y., was notified by telegram at once, and they replied that they would leave on the 10 o’clock train to get here in the morning.  The message was sent as soon as he died.  Mrs. Hollister and their son, William, came and were on the 9:30 train Friday morning, heart stricken.  Deceased was 67 years of age and had been 37 years in the ministry.

A memorial service was held in the M. E. church Friday evening.  Rev. C. H. Frampton preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon from Numbers 23:10 and X [sic].  “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last be like his.”  He was followed by very appropriate remarks by Rev. F. H. Earseman. A very appropriate statement was made by Mr. J. W. Smith, an official member, voicing the sentiment for the entire church.

The funeral cortege left on the 7:20 morning train, Saturday. Great respect and sympathy were shown to them.  Quite a large delegation accompanied them to Foxburg.  Their other son met them there.

They conveyed the remains to Meadville, where they will be placed in a vault to await the arrival of his daughter, who lives in Utah.  (Knox Correspondence, same issue): Mrs. Hollister not feeling able to move here, he made his home with Mr. and Mrs. D. Oaks, on south Main street.

~ Clarion Democrat, 10-Jan-1895

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’95 has come with its joys and sorrows.  The joys of the holiday season have been blighted by the angel of death appearing among us.

First Mrs. William Becker was taken and left a lonely husband.  A dispatch from Beaver, Pa. brought the sad intelligence of Miss Jessie Tomlinson’s death, who spent her early life here.

The sudden death of Rev. W. Hollister, pastor of M. E. church, was al [sic] shock to all.  (Knox Correspondence)
~ Clarion Democrat, 10-Jan-1895
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Rev. Wm. Hollister, the aged but eloquent and popular M. E. minister of Edenburg, died at that place last Thursday evening.

In the forenoon he went to the postoffice to mail some letters and in buying stamps made gestures but did not speak.  He had been invited out to dinner that day, but at the noontime hour he fell over on the floor, helpless, paralysis claiming him a victim.  About eight o'clock that evening he died.

Services were held Friday evening by Revs. Harshaw and Frampton, in the church and the early train Saturday carried his remains to Meadville for burial.

Mr. Hollister’s wife and son live at Dunkirk, and he served the Edenburg congregation but a few months.  The people of Edenburg were greatly shocked and deeply grieved at the sudden taking away of their pastor.
~ Clarion Jacksonian, 10-Jan-1895

You can visit the memorial page for Rev. Washington Hollister.