OBIT: George GUYER, 1891, Tyrone, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Local Brevities. A brief telegraph to the TRIBUNE last night announced the death of Rev. George Guyer, at Tyrone, at 10.43 o'clock yesterday evening. Rev. Guyer was admitted to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1837. No one minister in this section has done more good than he did, and he was greatly beloved by all who knew him. The funeral arrangements will be announced later. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, March 25, 1891 THE RECENT DEATHS. Full of Years and Honors Rev. George Guyer Passes From Mortality to Immortality - He Was a Power in the Methodist Episcopal Church in This Section of the State. The announcement of the death of Rev. George Guyer, one of the oldest and ablest members of the Central Pennsylvania conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, which was briefly made in yesterday's issue of the TRIBUNE, while not unexpected to those who knew of his serious illness, filled many hearts with profound sorrow, not indeed that the veteran Christian soldier had entered into rest, but that they should look no more upon his face or hear his forceful expositions of divine truth no more this side of eternity. For the facts which follow we are chiefly indebted to the Tyrone Herald, which says: "The subject of this sketch, son of George and Mary Guyer, was born February 28, 1812, at Logan's Branch, Centre county. He was aged at his death 79 years and 24 days. Most of his boyhood was spent at Huntingdon Furnace, whence with his parents he removed in 1829 to the farm near Tyrone which has ever since been known as the Guyer homestead, and is now occupied by G. L. H. Guyer, only son of the deceased. Remaining on the farm with his parents for the next eight years, the young man felt that his duty called him to the ministry, and having been converted at the age of 18 years he devoted himself to theological study, entering the ranks of Methodist Episcopal clergy in 1837, when all of this section was comprised in the Baltimore conference. His first charge was at Berwick, and in 1838 he filled the pulpit at Bellefonte. In 1839 he was junior preacher at Williamsport, and in that year he delivered one of his most memorable sermons on the "Centennial of Wesleyan Methodism." The next seven years were passed by him at ministerial labors at Beaver Meadow, Danville circuit, Williamsport, Milton circuit, and Lewistown. In 1847 he was in charge at Hollidaysburg and in the following two years he was preacher on the Birmingham circuit. While on the latter circuit he preached the first Methodist sermon at Tyrone and organized the first class here. Then followed the occupation of charges at Bellefonte, Birmingham, Clearfield, Warriorsmark and in the three following years he was presiding elder of the Northumberland district. The Central Pennsylvania conference was formed from the East Baltimore conference, formerly part of the Baltimore conference, in 1868, and in that year Rev. Mr. Guyer was assigned to Birmingham circuit. In 1869 he was at Philipsburg; in 1870 at Tyrone; in '71-'72 at Sinking Valley; '73-'74, East Tyrone; '75-'77, Half Moon; '78-'80, Birmingham. Having completed fifty years of active service in the ministry, broken only by short retirement to his farm for the recuperation of his health, in 1887 Rev. Mr. Guyer entered the superannuated list and took up his permanent address in Tyrone. Since that time he has preached frequently in different churches, and though age brought physical weakness, never was his strong mental power impaired in the slightest, and he expounded the grand truths of the scriptures with the vigor, clearness and earnestness of youth." Thus far the Herald. Mr. Guyer is survived by his wife and two children, George L. H., who resides near Tyrone, and Mrs. Clark Grazier, of Scottdale, Westmoreland county. Rev. A. W. Guyer, of Martinsburg, Rev. Simpson Guyer, of Indianola, Iowa, and Caleb Guyer, esq., of Tyrone, are his surviving brothers. He also leaves two sisters, Miss Jane Guyer, of Tyrone, and Mrs. George Hubley, of Colfax, California. In the death of Mr. Guyer the Central Pennsylvania conference of the Methodist Episcopal church loses one of its most useful and highly esteemed members. His ministry dates back to the pioneer days of Methodism, and he was not without the heroic element essential to success in that work. He not only had his convictions, but he knew why he had them, and he dared to maintain them. He was firm without being dogmatic; loyal to his convictions without bigotry, devoted to his own church, and yet rejoicing in the prosperity of sister denominations, earnest in manner and yet catholic in spirit. As a preacher he was studious and active. He prepared his sermons with care and delivered them with fervor and with power. His religion was not theoretical but practical; a religion not simply to discourse about but a religion to live by. His practical teachings, blameless life and singleness of aim secured for him the confidence of the whole church. Important trusts of the church were always safe in his hands. As pastor and as presiding elder he showed himself to be a workman needing not to be ashamed. The interest of the church prospered in his hands. Those who became his friends he managed to retain. His manner at first seemed severe, but as age mellowed his life he became one of the most congenial of men. The writer at first acquaintance feared his censure but afterward learned to appreciate his wisdom and the sunshine of his genial disposition. His brethren have held him in the highest esteem, and will remember him with the most fraternal regard. During the latter part of his life he observed the prosperity of the church with unabated interest, and toward her preachers he lived in the most cordial sympathy. The funeral services will take place at the First Methodist church in Tyrone promptly at 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon. They will be conducted by Rev. B. B. Hamlin, D.D., assisted by Revs. R. E. Wilson, Alex. E. Gibson, George Leidy, G. D. Penepacker and other intimate friends of the deceased. Interment will follow in the Warriorsmark cemetery, the cortege proceeding to that place on the train at 3.10 p.m. Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, March 26, 1891 1880 Bellwood, Blair County census - George Guyer, 68, minister Jane E. Guyer, 61 Julia Taylor, 34, step-daughter Ettie C. Taylor, 27, step-daughter 1870 Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County census - George Geyer, 58, retired minister Jane E. Geyer, 52 Geo H. L. Geyer, 19 Ettie T. Geyer, 17 1860 Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County census - George Guyer, 52 Jane E. Guyer, 42 Thomas Guyer, 18 Ella Guyer, 16 Frances Guyer, 14 George H. Guyer, 10 Julia Guyer, 9 Etta Guyer, 8