- REV. O. F. COMFORT was born in Southport, N.Y., in the year
1812. While a young man he
- resolved to devote his life to the cause of the Master, and
was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
was united in marriage with Eleanor LAWSHA, who died and was
buried in Geneva, N.Y. They had a family of three children, but
Mrs. Flora WEST, wife of James R. WEST, is now the only survivor,
her two brothers having departed this life in Missouri.
- After engaging in pastoral duties for several years in the
East the Rev. Mr. COMFORT,
- accompanied by is family migrated to Wisconsin in 1848. For
one year he had charge of the church at Lake Geneva, Walworth
County, and for the same length of time performed the duties
of the pastorate of Janesville, when his health failing him,
he was obliged to abandon the ministry, and purchasing a small
farm near Evansville turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
For two years he resided upon his farm, preaching only occasionally
to supply a vacancy or on extra occasions. He then again entered
the ministry and became Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Madison, Wis., but after one year's service was again obliged
to removed to his farm near Evansville. The first and only house
which he ever built is still standing in that town. His death
occurred in Dow City, Iowa, in the year 1877. The Rev. Mr. COMFORT
was an old time minister, but unlike many, not all, of his contemporaries,
was a fearless advocate of anti-slavery principles for several
years prior to the war. He was also a firm advocate of total
abstinence, and many a hard blow did he strike for the right
in both these issues, his energy never flagging or faltering
while health was given to him. He was also feeble, but for many
years worked and preached and wrote, contending with a disease
which was surely carrying him downward to the grave, but his
end was peace and he died fully trusting in the God of whose
love he had so long preached to others.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 520.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|