Jonathan Kelsey Burr
Jonathan Kelsey Burr [1]
a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Middletown, Conn., Sept. 21, 1825. He was converted when but thirteen years old, and in 1845 graduated from Wesleyan University at. Middletown. After his graduation, he taught for a time in the Adelphian Academy, Mass., and in 1846 became a student in Union Theological Seminary in. New York city. In 1847 he preached on Clinton Circuit, N. J., and in 1848 was received on trial in New Jersey Conference, and appointed junior preacher on the Rome and Wantage Circuit. His subsequent appointments were as follows: 1849-50, Milford, Pa.; 1851-52, Orange, N. J.; 1853-54, Union and Burlington; 1855-56 Hoboken; 1857-58, Union Street, Trenton. In 1858 he was transferred to Newark Conference, and stationed at Clinton Street, Newark; 1860-61, Orange (second time); 1862-63, Market Street, Paterson; 1864-66, Hobokeen (second time); 1867-69, Central Church, Newark; 187072, Morristown; 1873, Hoboken (third time); 1874-76, Madison; 1877-78, Montclair.
He was a member of the General Conference of 1872; was for a short time professor of 'Hebrew in Drew Theological Seminary, though at the same time retaining his pastoral connection with 'Central Church, Newark; and was a member of the American Committee on the Revised New Test., attending its meetings faithfully, and doing his full share of the work even after sickness had made its inroads upon him. In 1873 he became very ill, but still resisted the steady encroachments of disease, retaining an effective relation to Conference until 1879, when he became supernumerary. For nine years he struggled heroically against the approach of death, not that he feared to die, but because he wished to live to continue his life-work for the Church. So persistent was he in his labor, that even after his health failed he supervised the passage through the press of his Commentary on the Book of Job. He died in Trenton, April 24, 1882. He was an excellent preacher, an admirable pastor, and a perfect gentleman. His reading was extensive and accurate, and his Christian character lovely. See (N.Y.) Christian Advocate, June 1, 1882; Alumni Record of Wesl. Univ. s. a. 1845.
