Henry Ostrom › Texts

Pseudonym: George Walker Whitcom
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Rv Henry Egerton Foster Ostrom DD Canada/USA 1862-1941. Born at Hastings, ON, Canada, the only son of a barrister, and member of ON Parliament, he often listened to his father argue cases at the legal bar. He had 10 sisters. No specific information found regarding his early life or educational training, although references speak of him being a school teacher in ON and marrying before migrating to the U S. He began preaching in 1880 in Toronto, ON. In 1886 he married Mary Emily McCullough, and they had three children: Marian, Henry Evan, and Margaret. In the 1890s they migrated to the U S, where he began preaching to lumberjacks in the north woods around Marinette, WI. He became a Methodist minister and pastored at Milwaukee, WI. He then pastored at Greencastle, IN, at the urging of two friends. He also evangelized for about 25 years, for a time with noted evangelist, J Wilbur Chapman. Ostrom was known as a modest, but colorful and inspirational speaker. In 1921 he was associated with the Moody Bible Institute, serving on its extension staff for 20 years. He was considered an outstanding “teacher of teachers” on the Bible. He traveled widely around the U S preaching in many U S cities. He was also known for his work among interdenominational religious circles. For years he maintained his formal relationship with the IN NW Methodist Conference, and often spoke at Winona Lake, IN conferences. Recognized as an outstanding writer on religious subjects, he wrote five books: ‘Out of the Cain-Life’ (1896); ‘Greatness’ (1904); ‘Hymns & Spiritual Songs, with John Hillis’ (1904); ‘All His Benefits’ (1908); ‘The Law of Prayer’ (1910); ‘The Jew and His Mission’ (1923);’ The Christian & War’ (1941). He also wrote lyrics for a number of hymns. He used the pseudonym: George Walker Whitcomb because he felt free to use his songs in evangelistic meetings if he didn’t draw attention to himself as the author. When he preached, he often reminded his listeners of the need to get the gospel out, because of the soon return of Christ. He would say, “This may be the crowning day!” In later years he wrote syndicated religious columns, also contributing to the Moody Monthly newsletter. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Greencastle, IN, on a Wednesday evening, after he returned home from having preached three sermons a day for three days in a row in Des Moines, IA.

John Perry