BIO: James L. Race, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JO

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 386-387.
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  Race, James Lee, was born on July 4, 1830, in Richmond, Yorkshire, 
England. His father, David Race, began life in a humble way, being by 
trade a chimney sweeper. By energy and care he acquired some property, 
and became collector of taxes in his town. He was also a local preacher 
in the Wesleyan Church, and of such gifts that his services were a 
delight to his home church and much sought on adjoining circuits.
  The subject of this sketch was apprenticed to learn the printer's 
trade at fourteen years of age, and served seven years in learning his 
trade. Before commencing his apprenticeship he attended the common 
school, and after beginning his trade he attended the grammar school 
evenings, it being required of apprentices to attend evening school 
during the period of apprenticeship.
  He was converted at the age of ten, and at once united with the 
Church. On September 26, 1846, Rev. J. S. Thomas, superintendent of 
Richmond Circuit, gave him license to preach. In 1849 he had become a 
fully accredited local preacher and was put on the plan of Richmond 
Circuit, where he continued until 1851, when he was put on the First 
London Circuit, remaining on this circuit until the end of 1852. In 
1853 he did evangelistic work, largely with the Reformed Methodists, 
and during 1854 and a part of 1855 he was on the Hoxham Circuit of the 
Reformed Methodists. In the middle of 1855 he returned to the mother 
Church and was superintendent of the Shotley Bridge Circuit about a 
year, when he was put on the Grantham Circuit, where he labored nearly 
two years. He did considerable evangelistic work during these years, 
and was in demand for anniversary services.
  In 1858 he came to this country, landing on Washington's birthday. 
Because of this fact and the date of his birth he claims to be a born 
American.
  Soon after arrival here he began work in this Conference. He supplied 
Lackawaxen, 1858-59; Moscow, 1860; Paupack, 1861; Ararat, 1862; 
Damascus, 1863-64; Bethany, 1865-67, and in 1868 joined the Conference, 
having received deacon's orders in 1866.
  On September 9, 1851, he married Miss Jane Humble, of Richmond, 
daughter of a class leader and who had two brothers who were local 
preachers. She died at Bethany, Pa., in March, 1868. Three sons were 
born to them - Jabez Wesley, John Humble, and Ulysses Grant. On October 
22, 1868, he married Mrs. Hattie E. Wright, of Pleasant Mount, Pa. Two 
children have resulted from this union - William Francis and Lillian, 
who is now Mrs. Stephen H. Dayton and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.
  In September, 1896, he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his 
ministerial career. His old friend, Rev. Jonas Underwood, preached in 
the morning, and he gave an account of his life at the evening service.
  Since entering the Conference his appointments have been as follows: 
1868-69, Beach Pond; 1870, Waymart; 1871-73, Tunkhannock; 1874-76, 
Nicholson; 1877-78, Smyrna; 1879-81, Plains; 1882-84, New Milford; 
1885, Marathon and Killawog; 1886-88, Mehoopany; 1889-90, Lehman; 1891-
94, Lackawanna; 1895-97, Cedar Avenue, Scranton; 18989-1903, Rendham.