Joseph Smith Thomlinson
Joseph Smith Thomlinson [1]
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Georgetown, Ky., March 15,1802;'and, after serving a time at the saddler's trade, entered Transylvania University, where he held a high rank as a scholar. When Lafayette visited the institution, Thomlinson was the person chosen to tender him the greetings of his fellow-students. He graduated, in 1825. and became professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Augusta College. In the same year he was admitted to the traveling connection, and in due time was ordained to the offices of deacon and elder. Having served as professor for some time, he was chosen president of the Augusta College, and held that office till 1849, when the institution was broken down by a withdrawal of the patronage of the Kentucky Conference, and the repeal of its charter by the legislature of the State. He was subsequently elected to a professorship of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, 0., but declined to accept it, though he acted as agent for the institution for two years. He accepted an election as professor in the university at Athens, 0., and, having served in this capacity for a year, was chosen president, which latter position he declined on account of ill-health. His mind was so affected by the sudden death of a favorite son that he never fully recovered; and although elected to the presidency of the Springfield High-school and of the State University of Indiana, he declined both. He died at Neville, O., June 4, 1853. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 7:706.
