John Gilman Dow

• General Notes
  • While there are not a few sketches of this distinguished Methodist preacher, non mentions his parentage. Denominational feeling ran strong in those days; early conversions to Methodism were almost always of individuals and caused hostility on the part of the rest of the family. The Walden Dow and the locality were strongly Congregational. John G. was a farmer and militia captain when "converted" in 1822, at the age of 37.
    Sketches of his life mention but one marriage. From 1822 he was 36 years in the active ministry, twelve years presiding elder of Vermont. Several of his pastorates were in New Hampshire and in 1831 he was chaplain of the Concord State's prison. In 1837 he became pastor at Newbury, Vermont, soon returning to New Hampshire. In 1844 he rejoined the Vermont conference and in 1854 was again assigned to Newbury. Here he interested himself in what he considered his most important work, the Newbury Seminary, of which he was trustee. He did not live long after its firm establishment, dying suddenly while on a visit to a daughter in Chelsea, Massachusetts.