Eben Samuel Johnson

Eben Samuel Johnson (8 February 1866 - 9 February 1939) was an English-American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1916.

Birth and Family

Born in Warwickshire, England, he was a son of William and Catharine (née Sidwell) Johnson. His father was an English Methodist preacher. Bishop Johnson was also descended from one of John Wesley's helpers. Eben married Sarah Tilsley, with whom he had children Samuel D., Arthur H., and Dorothea.

Early Career and Education

Eben took a teacher training course in England. He also attended the University of Oxford. He taught school in London for a time. He also engaged in newspaper work from 1885-89.

Eben then emigrated to the United States of America, where he earned both the A.B. and the A.M. degrees from Morningside College. Syracuse University later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Ordained Ministry

The Rev. Eben Samuel Johnson actually preached on an English circuit at the age of sixteen! In America he entered the Northwest Iowa Annual Conference in 1889. As a Pastor he served the following appointments: Danbury, Wall Lake, Mapleton, Sac City, Webster City, and Rock Rapids. He then was appointed Superintendent of the Ida Grove District. In 1909 he was appointed Pastor of the First Methodist Church, Sioux City, where his address was 514 7th St., Sioux City.

He served his Annual Conference as the Secretary, then the Chairman of the Examining Board; as the President of the Conference Board...
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