Jasper County IL Archives Biographies.....Skinner, John R. 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 28, 2011, 1:11 pm

Source: See below
Author: Lake City Publishing Co.

REV. JOHN R. SKINNER, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Newton, was born in
Perry County, Ohio, in 1845, and is descended from one of the early families of
the Buckeye State. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of England,
who, leaving that country, emigrated to America during Colonial days. The old
homestead farm in Ohio has been in the possession of the family for more than a
century, and is now owned and occupied by the only paternal uncle of our
subject. The latter's father was William Skinner, and his grandfather bore the
name of Robert Skinner. The former died when his son was but four years of age,
after which Mrs. Skinner, the mother of our subject, married John McFillen. She
is still living and makes her home in De Kalb County, Ind.

  The Skinner family numbered nine children, seven sons and two daughters, of
whom six sons and a daughter are yet living. Stephen is a resident of Chicago;
Robert resides in Kansas; George makes his home near the old farm in Ohio;
William is now located in Wood County, Ohio; John R. is the next younger; Marion
resides in Marshall County, Iowa; and the only sister, Amaretta, is the wife of
Salathial Skinner, of Portland, Jay County, Ind.

  The Rev. Mr. Skinner whose name heads this record spent the days of his
boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in his native county. During his
minority his opportunities for securing even the rudiments of an education were
very limited. He early conceived the idea of engaging in ministerial work, and
at the age of twenty-one years he entered Heidelburg University, at Tiffin,
Ohio, where he pursued a select course of study. When he had fitted himself for
his chosen profession he entered upon the work of the ministry in 1873, his
first charge being in Winamac, Ind., where he remained for three years. Thence
he went to Pulaski, Williamson County, Ohio, where he also continued three
years. At this time the death of his father-in-law called him to Pulaski, Ind.,
and eighteen months later he accepted a call to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he
remained for three years. Thence he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., being pastor of
the church at that place for about six years. The continued ill-health of his
wife induced him to try a more radical change of climate, and he accordingly
removed to Kansas, but he spent only seven months in that State, after which he
went to Iowa. Nine months later he became a resident of Vernon, Tex., soon after
which, his wife's health being restored, he accepted a call to his present
pastorate.

  Mr. Skinner was married in Pulaski, Ind., to Miss Mary A. Good, a daughter of
Ephraim Good. Her maiden name is an index to her character, and to her husband
she has proved a true helpmate. Two sons have blessed their union, Elgie and De.
The church of which Mr. Skinner is now pastor was one of the earliest religious
organizations in Jasper County, its history covering a period of over forty
years. In 1852 the Rev. Robert Simpson removed to Jasper County from a point
near Vincennes, Ind., and settled on a farm about three miles southeast of
Newton. With the few Presbyterians here at that time an organization was
effected and services were held in the Court House. The original members besides
the pastor were but three in number, viz.: Addison S. Harris and his wife,
Henrietta Harris, and Miss Elizabeth P. Harris. The following, however, were
admitted to membership at the time of organization: Joseph Wilson and his wife,
Anna; Robert Deltell and his wife, Dorcas; Mrs. Martha Maxwell and Mrs.
Elizabeth Maxwell.

  The Rev. Mr. Simpson continued to preach for the church until near the time of
his death, which occurred in 1860. He was succeeded by the Rev. T. Morgan, who
also came from Indiana, and who resided during his pastorate, which continued
only about a year, in Newton. Then came the Rev. K. P. Fox, who was also from
the Hoosier State, whither he returned at the close of his service, to be
succeeded by the Rev. I. Venable, under whose administration the present church
building was erected, the dedicatory services taking place on the 19th of July,
1868. The Rev. Mr. Venable was followed by the Rev. Thomas W. Chestnut, and the
latter by the Rev. James Brownlee.

  In 1877 the Rev. G. W. Nichols assumed the pastoral charge of the church, and
was followed by the Rev. A. H. Parks. His home was at Neoga, and he did not
become resident pastor, but preached to the congregation at Newton each
alternate Sunday for a considerable time. In 1884 the Rev. G. E. Sanderson
became resident pastor, and remained for two years. The church then had only
occasional preaching until the coming of its present minister. The Rev. Mr.
Skinner by his faithful work and Christian example is doing much toward
promoting the religious growth, not only of his own church, but of the community
wherever his influence is felt. The society has grown from the three original
members mentioned above to a membership of about one hundred, and is in a
healthful and prosperous condition.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties
Chicago: Lake City Publishing Co.
1893


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