The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History.
Prosser, Dillon (2 July 1813-11 April 1897), a Methodist leader and pioneer in social work as founder of the "Ragged School, was born in Otsego County, New York, at age 17 was licensed to "exhort." and after 2 years at Western Reserve Seminary, received a license to preach in 1833. Rev. Prosser worked in churches in Pittsburgh between 1834-1836, was ordained a Deacon in 1836 and moved to Erie, and at age 25 became an Elder, the highest office he would achieve. Rev. Prosser came to Cleveland in 1850 and in 1853 opened a mission school for poor children. The "Ragged School" was an outreach effort of a young men's prayer group, forerunner of the YMCA; relief work was directed toward "the rescue of destitute children." With the assistance of women volunteers, Prosser visited homes reported to have malnournished, abused or "idle" children. At school, these children received instruction, clothes, food and shelter. The school was re-organized in 1856 as the City Industrial School and in later years changed names several times as it was managed by different charities. Prosser was reponsible for organizing nine Methodist Episcopal churches in Cleveland and several others outside the city. He made money from real estate investments and contributed a considerable part of it, including land, to religious and charitable work. Prosser married three times. In 1840 he married Caroline Blakeslee. After her death in 1849, he married Mary Holloway in 1850. She died a few years later, and he married Cornelia McFarlane of Chagrin Falls Township in 1856. Prosser was buried in Lake View Cemetery.
Gregg, Samuel
The History Of Methodism Within The Bounds Of The Erie Annual Conference, Vo1ume 1, c1865, Page 324
Rev. Dillon Prosser "was a medium-sized man, firmly built, stout and spry, happy in his disposition, could sing sweetly, pray earnestly, had a pleasant voice and ready utterance; had a happy faculty to please and instruct children; took a great interest in Sabbath-schools; was in this particular never excelled in the conference; succeeded well in revivals of religion; a good preacher."
The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History.
Prosser, Dillon (2 July 1813-11 April 1897), a Methodist leader and pioneer in social work as founder of the "Ragged School, was born in Otsego County, New York, at age 17 was licensed to "exhort." and after 2 years at Western Reserve Seminary, received a license to preach in 1833. Rev. Prosser worked in churches in Pittsburgh between 1834-1836, was ordained a Deacon in 1836 and moved to Erie, and at age 25 became an Elder, the highest office he would achieve. Rev. Prosser came to Cleveland in 1850 and in 1853 opened a mission school for poor children. The "Ragged School" was an outreach effort of a young men's prayer group, forerunner of the YMCA; relief work was directed toward "the rescue of destitute children." With the assistance of women volunteers, Prosser visited homes reported to have malnournished, abused or "idle" children. At school, these children received instruction, clothes, food and shelter. The school was re-organized in 1856 as the City Industrial School and in later years changed names several times as it was managed by different charities. Prosser was reponsible for organizing nine Methodist Episcopal churches in Cleveland and several others outside the city. He made money from real estate investments and contributed a considerable part of it, including land, to religious and charitable work. Prosser married three times. In 1840 he married Caroline Blakeslee. After her death in 1849, he married Mary Holloway in 1850. She died a few years later, and he married Cornelia McFarlane of Chagrin Falls Township in 1856. Prosser was buried in Lake View Cemetery.
Gregg, Samuel
The History Of Methodism Within The Bounds Of The Erie Annual Conference, Vo1ume 1, c1865, Page 324
Rev. Dillon Prosser "was a medium-sized man, firmly built, stout and spry, happy in his disposition, could sing sweetly, pray earnestly, had a pleasant voice and ready utterance; had a happy faculty to please and instruct children; took a great interest in Sabbath-schools; was in this particular never excelled in the conference; succeeded well in revivals of religion; a good preacher."
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"Rev. Dillon Prosser
1813 - 1897"
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