BIO: William Bixby, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 157-158.
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  BIXBY, WILLIAM, was born at Bainbridge, N.Y., August 10, 1814, and 
died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Lauretta Scott, in Bainbridge, on 
December 20, 1889.
  He was converted at seventeen years of age, and at once joined the 
Methodist Episcopal Church.  When he concluded that God was calling him 
to the work of the ministry he determined to secure the best 
preparation within his grasp and accordingly secured an academical 
training at Cazenovia Seminary.
  In 1837 he joined Oneida Conference, and became a member of Wyoming 
Conference when Oneida territory was allotted to it in 1869.
  In November of 1888, after the death of Rev. D. C. Olmstead at 
Nanticoke, he was appointed as supply to fill out the year.  He did 
this with such rare efficiency that his return for the following year 
was unanimously requested by the church.  "Bishop Foss, in making the 
appointment, said it was extraordinary to place a man seventy-five 
years old in charge of a church requiring the services of a vigorous, 
active pastor, but in this case it seemed the proper and only thing to 
do, not merely to gratify the church so earnestly asking for him, but 
as an example and inspiration to the older men of the Conference."
  The results of this appointment were highly satisfactory.  He drew 
large congregations, and preached with the vigor of early manhood.  
"His last two sermons - one on 'The Divinity of Christ,' and the other 
on 'The Sin Against the Holy Ghost' - led to the conversion of a number 
of the most prominent persons in Nanticoke."
  There were three themes which were favorites with him, in the 
treatment of which he was cyclonic - Calvinism, Universalism, and 
intemperance.
  He was twice a delegate to General Conference, 1860 and 1880, and 
twice a reserve delegate, 1868 and 1872.
  In 1841 he married Miss Laura Stewart Starr, of Bristol, Pa., who 
passed away on April 11, 1883.  Two sons were born to them, one of 
whom, Charles W., survives them.
  His funeral services were held at Bainbridge, N.Y., where he died, 
and his body was buried at Oneonta, N.Y.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1837, Chenango; 1838, Exeter; 
1839-40, Otsego; 1841, Cooperstown; 1842-43, Homer; 1844-45, Oxford; 
1846-47, Otsego; 1848-49, Hartwick; 1850-51, Cincinnatus; 1852-53, 
Ames; 1854-57, Presiding Elder on Chenango District; 1858-61, Presiding 
Elder on Cazenovia District; 1862-63, Ithaca; 1864, Skaneateles; 1865-
68, Presiding Elder on Otsego District; 1869-70, Presiding Elder on 
Honesdale District; 1871-72, Owego; 1873-74, Providence; 1875, 
Marathon; 1881, sy.; 1882-83, Gilbertsville; 1884-85, Westville; 1886-
87, Lanesboro; 1888, sd.; 1889, Nanticoke.