WALTER ROSS CONNER

I'm posting this on the 125th anniversary of Dad's birth!  The following was written by the Reverend Harlan C. Logan, who, as he indicates in the last paragraph, knew Dad from about 1920.  He wrote this to be included in the Memoirs, of the Minutes of the West Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Church, 1956.  Mr. and Mrs. Logan were next door neighbors to our family at the Lakeland Ministers' Retreat, Barronett, Wisconsin since the mid-1940s.   Mr. Logan died in 1961.  I have inserted the pictures.

"Walter Ross Conner was born in McVeytown, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1888.  He was one of thirteen children, and at thirteen years of age he realized that he must help support his family.  He left school at that age to work in the mines of Pennsylvania, and for ten years toiled at rugged work in loyalty to his loved ones.

Ross, as he was generally called by those who knew him well, was a deeply religious lad, and often prayed for God’s guidance into a life of service to people.  At the age of 23, he was able to return to school, and faithfully completed the studies of the seventh and eighth grades, then continued in preparatory school, entering Williamsport Dickinson seminary and was graduated in 1915.

During those school years, Ross found time to minister to many people in the mountain sections of his home state, preaching to the lumberjacks, and at times, serving as many as six churches on a circuit.  Thus he learned to evaluate people on many classes, understand their problems, and lead many into fellowship with God.  Truly, a fine foundation for his Christian ministry in the years that followed.  He joined the Central Pennsylvania Conference on trial in 1917.

Bertha Jane, Walter Ross, Jr. (b. March 8, 1926),
Ross, Robert Hancock (b. June 15, 1923)

Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, was chosen by Ross for his college work.  His previous missionary work enabled him to secure a student pastor charge during his four years at Ohio Wesleyan.  In 1920 he was graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree.

Determined to get full preparation for his future work, Ross at once applied for admission at Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston [Illinois].  It was while attending Garrett that he was appointed student pastor at Menominee Falls, serving there during his three years at Seminary.  On July 28, 1921, he was united in marriage with Bertha Jane Hancock of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, who proved to be a fine helper in Christian work.  To this union two sons were born, Robert, and Walter, Jr.

Ross finished his work at Garrett in June, 1923, and in September was appointed to the pastorate at Burlington, Wisconsin and transferred his membership from Pennsylvania, to the Wisconsin Conference.  In February, 1929, he was appointed to the pastorate of the Whitewater church.  During their preparation for moving to the new charge, Mrs. Conner became seriously ill, and lived but a brief time.  This was a severe trial for Ross, but with his two small sons he moved to his new charge and began another successful pastorate.

Christmas, 1953.  Bob behind Millie (Yoder) holding
 Bradley, Grandpa William H Noyes behind Grandma
 Daisy (Eales), Walt behind Ruth (Walrath) holding
Nancy, Dad Ross behind Mom Arlene (Noyes)
  Darlene, Sidney (son of Bob and Millie), Clarice

On June 14, 1931, Ross was united in marriage to Arlene Noyes, of Hebron.  In the years that followed, together they served the Methodist churches at Whitewater, First Church; Green Bay, First Church; Wausau; and Wesley Church, La Crosse.  At the West Wisconsin conference of 1948, Ross was appointed Superintendent of the Southern District, serving the full term of six years.  He was appointed to the Portage Methodist Church in June, 1954.  This pastorate was suddenly ended on October 18, 1955, by his sudden death, caused by a severe heart attack in the early morning of the day.

So, for 35 years, Ross was an active, progressive worker in the Wisconsin Area, serving many major boards and committees.  He was also active in the work of the Wisconsin Council of churches.

The immediate family members surviving are his wife, Arlene, two sons, Robert, pastor of the Methodist Church at Oregon, Wisconsin; and Walter, on the staff of the Eau Claire County Guidance Clinic; two daughters, Darlene Annette and Clarice Marie, at home, and five grandchildren.  Two brothers and four sisters live in Pennsylvania and one sister in Florida.

Memorial services were held in the First  Methodist Church in Portage.  Those with whom Ross had so recently worked as cabinet members of the conference, conducted the service; Bishop H. Clifford Northcott, Rev. Deane Irish, district superintendent; Dr. Fred J. Jordan, Rev. Paul White, Rev. Raymond J. Fleming, and Rev. A. R. Henry.  Serving as pall bearers were four Portage pastors of other denominations:  Rev. Lloyd DeJong, Rev. Charles Abele, Rev. Calvin Ley, Rev. Ortwin Hanson and two neighboring pastors, Rev. Harold Singer of Baraboo, and Rev. Walter Hobba, of Poynette.

Having served in the Southern district when Mr. Conner was Superintendent, Rev. Nathan Thorp, Rev. James Paulson, Rev. Ralph Shackelford, and Rev. Robert Adams, comprised the quartette singing Charles Wesley’s fine Hymn, “Servant of God, Well Done.” 

Interment was made in the family lot at Hebron, Wisconsin. 

Just these personal words:  I have known Ross since his student pastorate at Menominee Falls, Wisconsin.  I was then his District Superintendent, and obtained his transfer to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania.  For the past several years our families have been close neighbors at our ministers’ retreat at Sylvan Lake, Barron County.  I shall miss him keenly, but happy memories will abide.  Harlan C. Logan"