Rev. Wm. J. McSurely, D.D.
Rev. Win. J. McSurely, D. D., was born at Unity (near Wheat P. O.), September 1, 1834, the son of Hugh McSurely and Mary Clark, his wife. He resided on his father's farm, attending school in the Winter and performing farm work in the Summer until 1850. As a child, he was set aside for the ministry. He was always seriously and deeply religious. In his farm work, he was always honest and conscientious, as he has been in everything he has done since. In the common schools, he was a diligent and earnest student and excelled in spelling. In the county spelling matches, he was always chosen first. In 1850, he entered North Liberty Academy at its opening, and spent two years there preparing for college. In 1852, he entered Miami University and graduated there in the class of 1856. During his college course, he was a lover of books. He maintained a high standing in his class at college. He was a diligent student. Immediately after his graduation, he took up the study of theology at the U. P. Seminary at Oxford and was licensed to preach in 1858 and ordained in 1859. He already evinced talents of a high order, as his first call in 1858 was to succeed the very eloquent and learned Dr. Claybaugh of the United Presbyterian Church at Oxford. On November 12, 1860, he was married to Hulda Taylor, of Sparta, Illinois, daughter of John K. Taylor and Sarah Wylie, his wife.
Rev. McSurely remained at Oxford until 1866. He was minister to a church at Kirkwood, Ill., in 1867 and 1868, and then for a short time was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Loveland, Ohio. In 1869, he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, which call he accepted and where he has remained ever since, and where he will remain until he either resigns or dies. His pastorate there will never be given up on account of his congregation, or any of them. He has been a Trustee of Miami University since 1887, and in the discharge of the duties of that office, he has been most conscientious and faithful. He has been President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Hillsboro for over twenty years. He has three children, William Harvey, a lawyer of Chicago, who has a separate sketch in this work; Ella Glenn, a graduate of Oxford College, and a son, James Edwin, who is now a law student in Cincinnati.
Dr. McSurely's distinguishing characteristic as a preacher is his profound scholarship. The deep study bestowed on the preparation of his sermons make them a delight to his cultivated congregation.
For thirty years, his Hillsboro Church has looked forward with assured anticipation of pleasure and profit to his Sunday morning sermons. He is naturally reserved and retiring, perhaps somewhat timid, in many directions, but in what he believes to be his duty, he is uncompromising, bold and determined. While he has made some antagonisms, he has the respect, esteem and affection of his church and of the community. This tribute is from a layman in his own town.
A clergyman says of him, "that his thirty years' pastorate has proven his wisdom and ability. He is clear in his theological thinking. He is highly charitable to those who differ from him. His loveliness of character is most appreciated among his parishioners. His pulpit ministrations are clear, spiritual, and well calculated to strengthen the faith and life of his hearers. His fellow ministers estimate him most highly, both as a preacher and a presbyter. They regard him as able, safe and wise. As a student and scholar, he is above the average. His education was not finished at the college or seminary, but having their learned to study he has continued the habit ever since. In his preaching, he is always instructive and edifying. Endowed with a clear and musical voice, his sermons and addresses are all well delivered. When Moderator of the Synod of Cincinnati, he showed himself well equipped for the place."
The Interior of Chicago, Ihe leading publication of the Presbyterian Church, in a recent number, said of him: "He has had numerous calls to important churches, but his idea was the old one of a life work in one place. No one who has heard him preach doubts that, if he had been desirous of a change to a metropolitan congregation, he could readily have effected it." On the front page of the same number appeared a fine, full page portrait of Dr. McSurely.
In public reading and in the delivery of his sermons, he has a degree of ability and power almost remarkable. With a sure understanding of the thought to be imparted, he has a correct and sensitive taste in gesture, and especially in tone color of voice, which conveys the meaning in an impressive and often striking manner. He has the gift of intuitive elocution in its best sense; and with a resonant and flexible voice he commands and holds the attention of his hearers.
He is a man of the utmost sincerity. His words are carefully weighed and full of purpose. He has strong convictions of the right and truth, and has the courage of his convictions. At the same time, his manner is mild and conciliatory. One friend says of him, that he reminds him very much of the character of the beloved disciple, St. John. While tenacious of the truth, as he sees it, he is liberal of those who see it differently. His life has been full of good works, and in all respects it is an exemplification of bis teaching and preaching.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900