Rev. John A. DeSpelder

  General Notes:

John DeSpelder died of stomach cancer.

Rev. J. A. DeSpelder Obituary: "In 1871 [he] entered the Western Theological Seminary, where in June 1873, he graduated with the degree of A. M.
On December 3, 1873, he became pastor of the Reformed churches of Macon and South Macon, and, declining meanwhile many calls to larger fields, remained until the close of 1883. It was during those years that he began holding the meetings in a little country schoolhouse in East Macon which interested the people so that they established and built a church which seems destined to perpetuate his name and memory, being known,as it always has and doubtless always will be as 'DeSpelder Church'...
From 1891 to 1899, Mr. DeSpelder was principal of the Northwestern Classical Academy at Orange City, Iowa, resigning to become pastor of the American Reformed church of that place where he continued until 1894. For two years following he was pastor of the Reformed church at Constantine, Mich, after which, in failing health, he preached again at the churches of his first church until 1898. For five years following he was connected with the Presbyterian church of Raisin.
Later, in 1908, in quest of the health that so eluded him, he engaged in the land business in the West for two years,... and then resumed the work so dear to his heart, organizing the American Reformed church of Maurice, Iowa. In 1910 he resigned the pastorate of this flourishing church... since which, in failing health, he has made his home in Tecumseh..."

Tecumseh Herald, 20 May 1875, (p 2): "Rev. J. A. DeSpelder favored us with a call last Tuesday. He has been acting as pastor of the Reformed Church at Macon, for about a year past. He preaches at Pennington's Corners in the morning, and at the church in Wm. H. Osborn neighborhood at 3 o'clock, p.m. He is doing good work at both places."

John married Myrtle Herriott, daughter of Robert Finley Herriott and Martha Elizabeth Richart, on 16 Jul 1884 in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan. (Myrtle Herriott was born on 17 Feb 1855 in Saline Township, Lenawee County, Michigan, died on 16 May 1940 in Tecumseh Township, Michigan ¹⁹³ and was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Michigan.)