Stowe, John Murdock

Stowe, John Murdock, a Congregational minister, was born at Hubbardston, Mass., Sept, 7, 182 . He received his preparatory education in the common schools of his native town. He was a delicate youth, but a diligent and faithful student, and subsequently a successful teacher in these schools. He served as one of the commissioners of the Board of Education for several years. He was led to consider the question of preparation for the ministry, and shaped his studies accordingly. He entered the Bangor Seminary in 1854, and, after having completed the course, was ordained and installed pastor of the Walpole, N.H.) Congregational Church, Jan. 31,1855 After serving this Church faithfully and successfully for nine years, his health failed, and he deemed it necessary to seek a new field. His relation as a pastor was dissolved in 1865. He served the Church at Sullivan, N.H., as a stated supply for a period of seven years. In 1877 he was thrown from a wagon and received internal injuries from which he never recovered. When death came, May 9, 1877, it was sudden but it found him prepared for his change. He was a man of solid, substantial qualities, or deep and unaffected piety. His sermons were wrought out carefully and of Biblical conception, and hence mostly of a topical character. He was loved and honored by his ministerial brethren and the Church at large; a man of the people, a faithful and successful pastor, and thoroughly devoted to his work (W.P.S.)