OBITUARIES: Rev. George Pickering DISSMORE, Whitehall, Trempealeau Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Jerry Hansen, 14 September 2003 ************************************************************************ In Memoriam Rev. George Pickering Dissmore Monday, June 1, 1908, about nine o'clock in the evening, Rev. George P. Dissmore died at his home in Whitehall, Wis. His health had been failing for the past year and gradually went down. About two weeks before his death he suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he did not rally. The funeral took place last Thursday afternoon at two o'clock at the Baptist church, of which he was a member. Rev. Dissmore was among the early settlers in the Trempeleau valley, moving here in 1863 and settling on his homestead in Pigeon. He endured the hardships of the early pioneer life. Early in life he became a Christian, and all through his life lived an active Christian. always devoted to every good cause. Many of those in middle life remember his ministering to them or to members of their families in an early day, and he continued to do so whenever opportunity offered itself. For about forty-five years he was connected with the Baptist church of this place, preaching and ministering for them in season and out of season, when they could give him something for it and when they could give him nothing at all. He was a kind neighbor and always willing to help all that he could. As a father he always cared for his family in a temporal and spiritual way. He leaves to mourn his death a wife and ten children, namely, Mary E. Van Sickle, Sarah F. Knosberg, Mrs. M. E. Barbour and Benjamin Dissmore of Dallas, Wis.; Ruth A. Wallace of Osceola, Wis. ; Emma J. Dowd and George R. Dissmore of Weston, Ore. and Lyvinia L. Maloney, David R. Dissrnore. Jessie M. Wood, Martha E. Nogossek and Rheuamv Dissmore of Whitehall, Wis. The funeral was conducted by Rev. N. K. Larson assisted by Rev. N. L. Sweet. It was largely attended by people in' the village as well as from the surrounding country, an evidence of their high regard for him. Long will he be remembered and continue to live in the deeds of the past. Rev. Dissmore held pastorates at Warner, Viroqua, Whitehall, Dallas and Osceola, Wis. * * * Realizing that the end was drawing near. Rev. Dissmore wrote his biography February 14th last, as follows: I was born December 2, 1834. in Marblehead, Mass. The place or house where I was born stood at the northeast corner of the Common. directly across the street opposite Capt. Kimball's residence. I remember going to church with father and mother, and also of repeating the Lord's prayer at mother's knee that I felt her hand resting on my head many a time in my boyhood-a restraining influence in my life. My mother died when I was about five years of age, and I remember her death and burial. I had one sister then, Betsey Atkins Dissmore. She was born in 1831 and died about the 19th year of her age of consumption. I was then about 15 years old. The loss of mother and sister was used by the Holy Spirit to work conviction upon me and led to my conversion or new birth. I united with the M. E. church, with which church my family were largely connected, withdrawing from that people because of a change in my views. I walked for a time with the First Day Adventists and was baptized by Elder John Hook (had been christened when an infant), moving to Wisconsin in April, 1857. Again associated with the Methodist people. teaching a district school the winter of 1857 and boarding with a Baptist family found them to be devout Christians (to me a surprise). A Methodist minister appointed to hold service in the school-house failing to fill the appointment, the class leader came. Removing into the neighborhood of this class leader, I was invited by him to preach to the class, which I did for one season, when he refused to lead the class longer unless I joined the class. As this was not to be thought of, and no other arrangement being acceptable to him, he left his class and I was an outsider. Though I had determined when coming to Wisconsin that I would not preach or unite with any denomination, but would live a Christian life simply, I now felt if I could walk with any denomination conscientiously I would do so. Applying to the Baptist family referred to, I found this church organization. And mostly their doctrinal views such as seemed right, I offered myself for a membership and was accepted and licensed to preach. I was ordained by a council convening with the Mauston Baptist church, Juneau, Wis., in 1859. Was united in marriage to Mary F. Rogers at Laindina, Juneau county, Wis., September 12, 1859, by Elder William Chapin. Became pastor of a small church at Warner, situated on the Yellow river, a lumbering village. Was pastor in 1862-3 of church in Viroqua, Vernon county, Wis. In the fall of 1863 I removed with my family (wife and three children) to Whitehall, Wis., where I have since resided (settling on a homestead farm) with the exception of one year spent in pastoral work in Dallas, Barron county, organizing there a church at Maple Grove (later removed to Barron and became the Barron church), and nearly three years in Osceola, Polk county, as pastor of the Osceola Baptist church from which, on account of my health, I returned to my farm. God's providential watch and care of me has been manifest through mv life. Several times my life, when jeopardized, has been preserved. Numerous blessings have been bestowed. Here I'll raise my Ebeinmezer, Hither by Thy help I've come, And I hope by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home. © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm