Who WasThomas Beecher?
Bio of a Celebrated Minister of the Nineteenth Century.
A brief look at the life of the Rev. Thomas Beecher, member of the Illustrious Beecher Family, and a famous minister in his own right.
Thomas Kinnicut Beecher was born to the Rev.Lyman Beecher and his second wife Harriet Porter Beecher at Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1824. Lyman wished to make ministers of all his sons, but in the case of Thomas he was not so sure, as Tom had a strong interest in science. In a letter to another son, Henry Ward, Lyman spoke of Thomas ,"His bent of mind is so strong for the natural sciences and his originality and power of mind and mechanical execution and his attained qualifications are so distinguished for a professor of chemistry and natural philosophy that my heart let go of its favorite purpose that he should preach..."
Illinois College
Thomas' schooling consisted of early studies in local schools and college courses in Jacksonville, Illinois, at Illinois College, of which his brother Edward was president. He graduated from the college in 1843 and spent his first year out of school making astronomical instruments. The second year found him working as an assistant to the Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the Ohio Medical College. He said of himself that he was an all-round mechanic, a machinist, carpenter, painter and clock repairer, and continued his interest in these things throughout his life.
Ministry
Lyman's prayers were heard however, and Thomas began studying for the ministry with his father in his summer vacations. In 1852 he organized the New England Congregational Church in Willliamsburg, New York, and remained as pastor there for two years. He left that church because he discovered that some of the man were involved in unethical businesses, and he warned them that they could go to prison for their actions, thus infuriating the men. After being threatened that he would not receive an official dismissal Beecher took matters into his own hands and walked out.
The Park Church, Elmira, New York
Beecher received a call in 1854 from the Park Church to become their minister. In a letter of acceptance he made five points to the council that must be adhered to if he were to answer their call. They agreed, and the result was a pastorate that lasted until 1894, with time out when he served (in the Civil war) as chaplain of the 141st New York Volunteers, of which his brother James was Lieutenant-Colonel. Beecher built a very active 'church of the people' and was revered by the townspeople, who called him 'Uncle Tom.' All of Lyman's sons were now preachers.
Beecher's Marriages
Thomas Beecher was married first to Olivia Day , who died sadly at the time of his acceptance to the Park Church. They had been married but one year. In 1857 he married Julia Jones, a granddaughter of Noah Webster, and they had a long and happy marriage.
Beecher died on March 14, 1900, and left behind a thriving church and a reputation for charity and goodness that lives even to this day.
Source: Saints, Sinners and Beechers, by Lyman Beecher Stowe, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1934
For further reading about the Beecher family see:
