Geeson, John Henry (1874-1934)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1926
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1926

Early years

John was born in 1874 at Doncaster, Yorkshire, to parents William and Eliza. William was a labourer.

When, John was a youth, he was taken to the Doncaster Infirmary, and remained there for six months after undergoing two serious operations. While there, he was led to God by Mr. A Coulson, who was a Class leader at the Spring Gardens Church, and also a regular visitor to the hospital. When John came out, Rev Francis Rudd took him under his care, sent him into the Mission Band, and later, trained him for the local preacher’s staff on the Plan. He gave much promise as a speaker. The discovery of the boy’s gifts interested everybody and when the China Island Missionary Society were seeking young men, John was keen to go, but his minister again guided him and advised him to offer himself as a candidate for the ministry.

John entered Hartley College in 1896.

Ministry

John took a delight in nature study and had strong feelings for art. He painted many specimens from nature in water-colour.

His obituary records that John was a good man of business, of strong personality, and never spared himself in labour in the interests of his circuits. He had to face many difficult problems, but his courage and judgement never failed. He served four synods as secretary. Of a genial disposition, he won the esteem and love of the people among whom he worked. He was not a stranger to suffering, and his sympathy with those in trouble is gratefully remembered.

Family

John married Ann Boone (1857-1922) in the spring of 1912 at Durham. Ann was a preacher for eighteen years.

John married Ruth Esther Sewell (abt1883-1940) in late 1923 in the Newport Registration District, Monmouthshire.

John died suddenly on 24 November 1934 on the Banbury Southam Road, Farnborough, Warwickshire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1898 W Bromwich II
  • 1900 Thetford
  • 1902 Kelsale
  • 1904 Sturminster Newton
  • 1906 Yeovil
  • 1909 Dalton & Millom
  • 1912 Dawley
  • 1915 Birmingham II
  • 1918 Soham
  • 1921 Staithes
  • 1925 Rhondda
  • 1927 Craven Arms
  • 1930 Chipping Norton

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1926/558

Methodist Minutes 1935/200

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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