Religious Leader. He succeeded his father in the RLDS Church presidency, and, like his father, his character was considered unimpeachable. He emphasized the social expression of the gospel, advocating the establishment of Zionic conditions merging both spiritual and temporal dimensions. He was baptized July 20, 1883; ordained an elder on July 12, 1897; was Secretary of the Fifth Quorum of elders in April, 1898, and was appointed to a mission in Ohio and western Pennsylvania at that time. He attended Graceland College and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1898, enjoying the distinction of being the first graduate of the college, and the only member of his class. Earlier on August 3, 1897 he had married Ruth Lyman Cobb who was an instructor on the faculty of Graceland College at the time. He remained to teach mathematics there from 1899 to 1900. He attended the University of Missouri in 1908-1909. From the University of Kansas, he received his Master's Degree in 1911. In 1914 he and Ruth went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he did his graduate work. His studies were interrupted by his father's death on December 10, but he returned to Clark University and received his Doctorate in 1916. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Graceland College from 1901 to 1912. He was ordained as his father's counselor on April 18, 1902 and in 1906 he moved with his family to Independence, Missouri. Ordination as President of the church came to him on May 5, 1915.
Religious Leader. He succeeded his father in the RLDS Church presidency, and, like his father, his character was considered unimpeachable. He emphasized the social expression of the gospel, advocating the establishment of Zionic conditions merging both spiritual and temporal dimensions. He was baptized July 20, 1883; ordained an elder on July 12, 1897; was Secretary of the Fifth Quorum of elders in April, 1898, and was appointed to a mission in Ohio and western Pennsylvania at that time. He attended Graceland College and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1898, enjoying the distinction of being the first graduate of the college, and the only member of his class. Earlier on August 3, 1897 he had married Ruth Lyman Cobb who was an instructor on the faculty of Graceland College at the time. He remained to teach mathematics there from 1899 to 1900. He attended the University of Missouri in 1908-1909. From the University of Kansas, he received his Master's Degree in 1911. In 1914 he and Ruth went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he did his graduate work. His studies were interrupted by his father's death on December 10, but he returned to Clark University and received his Doctorate in 1916. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Graceland College from 1901 to 1912. He was ordained as his father's counselor on April 18, 1902 and in 1906 he moved with his family to Independence, Missouri. Ordination as President of the church came to him on May 5, 1915.
Bio by: Carl W. McBrayer
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