Reverend John Redpath
John Redpath was born in Burnside, Scotland on June 17, 1842. His father, Robert Redpath, was the overseer of an estate. His mother was Christine Purvis. After her husband's death, she emigrated to the US and settled in Kalamazoo County with her five sons and three daughters.
John attended Gull Prairie Seminary in Richland and the Baptist College in Kalamazoo. He entered the junior class of the Literary Department of the University of Michigan in 1868. In 1869 he entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Inspired by Dr. Livingston, he hoped to become a missionary in Africa. He was ordained on December 25, 1872 and began his missionary work at the camp town of Clam Lake, later Cadillac.
He first traveled to Petoskey in the summer of 1874, on one of the first trains of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad to regularly visit the area. His first sermon was directed to the Odawa people assembled at Andrew Porter's mission school. Later that evening he spoke to the white people assembled at Dr. Little's hotel. He continued as a missionary in Big Rapids, Boyne Falls, East Jordan, Boyne City, and Elmira. In April 1893 he was appointed Sabbath School Missionary for the Presbytery of Petoskey, which covered twelve counties. He held services in many lumber camps.
He was a commissioner to the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America in Pittsburg in 1878, Philadelphia in 1888, Washington DC in 1893, New York City in 1902, and Atlantic City in 1911.
Reverend Redpath married Sara Upjohn on December 5, 1877 in Richland, Kalamazoo County. They had four children, including Robert, a physician in New York City and James, a farmer in Emmet County. William died in infancy and Henry at age 21.
John attended Gull Prairie Seminary in Richland and the Baptist College in Kalamazoo. He entered the junior class of the Literary Department of the University of Michigan in 1868. In 1869 he entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Inspired by Dr. Livingston, he hoped to become a missionary in Africa. He was ordained on December 25, 1872 and began his missionary work at the camp town of Clam Lake, later Cadillac.
He first traveled to Petoskey in the summer of 1874, on one of the first trains of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad to regularly visit the area. His first sermon was directed to the Odawa people assembled at Andrew Porter's mission school. Later that evening he spoke to the white people assembled at Dr. Little's hotel. He continued as a missionary in Big Rapids, Boyne Falls, East Jordan, Boyne City, and Elmira. In April 1893 he was appointed Sabbath School Missionary for the Presbytery of Petoskey, which covered twelve counties. He held services in many lumber camps.
He was a commissioner to the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America in Pittsburg in 1878, Philadelphia in 1888, Washington DC in 1893, New York City in 1902, and Atlantic City in 1911.
Reverend Redpath married Sara Upjohn on December 5, 1877 in Richland, Kalamazoo County. They had four children, including Robert, a physician in New York City and James, a farmer in Emmet County. William died in infancy and Henry at age 21.