Chicago Tribune, 09 Dec 1891
The Rev. W. E. Sillence
The Rev. W. E. Sillence, who died Monday at his residence, No. 901 West Twelfth Street, had a varied and interesting career. He was born in Hampshire, England Jan. 2, 1839. When a boy he enlisted in the Merchant Marine of Great Britain. While at Gibralter in 1855 he learned that England had declared war with Russia. He enlisted in the Navy and took part in many engagements. In 1856 his ship was ordered to the China station. In 1859 he was a member of Havelock's naval brigade which marked to the relief of Lucknow during the Indian mutiny. He remained on the China station until 1864, taking part in many expeditions against pirates. It was at this time he became converted through the exertion of a companion on shipboard. He couldl neither read nor write, but spent every spare moment in copying printed letters upon bits of paper. In 1865 he was discharged from the navy and obtained a government position. He was obliged to live in London and soon became interested in city missionary work. On the death of his mother he came to Canada and the Young Men's Christian Association engaged him to assist in evangelistic work. Several months later he became a Congregational minister. His wife failing in health he was obliged to come to the United States. He spent many years in frontier settlements organizing and building churches. In 1888 he came to Chicago and assumed the pastorate of the Union Tabernacle Church. In 1890 he accepted a call from the Congregational Church at Roberts, Ill. He returned to Chicago in January last, and was attacked by the grip. This was followed by nervous prostration, and for the last six months he has been confined to his bed. He has been instrumental in organizing thirteen churches in Canada, Michigan and Illinois.
The Rev. W. E. Sillence
The Rev. W. E. Sillence, who died Monday at his residence, No. 901 West Twelfth Street, had a varied and interesting career. He was born in Hampshire, England Jan. 2, 1839. When a boy he enlisted in the Merchant Marine of Great Britain. While at Gibralter in 1855 he learned that England had declared war with Russia. He enlisted in the Navy and took part in many engagements. In 1856 his ship was ordered to the China station. In 1859 he was a member of Havelock's naval brigade which marked to the relief of Lucknow during the Indian mutiny. He remained on the China station until 1864, taking part in many expeditions against pirates. It was at this time he became converted through the exertion of a companion on shipboard. He couldl neither read nor write, but spent every spare moment in copying printed letters upon bits of paper. In 1865 he was discharged from the navy and obtained a government position. He was obliged to live in London and soon became interested in city missionary work. On the death of his mother he came to Canada and the Young Men's Christian Association engaged him to assist in evangelistic work. Several months later he became a Congregational minister. His wife failing in health he was obliged to come to the United States. He spent many years in frontier settlements organizing and building churches. In 1888 he came to Chicago and assumed the pastorate of the Union Tabernacle Church. In 1890 he accepted a call from the Congregational Church at Roberts, Ill. He returned to Chicago in January last, and was attacked by the grip. This was followed by nervous prostration, and for the last six months he has been confined to his bed. He has been instrumental in organizing thirteen churches in Canada, Michigan and Illinois.
Chicago Tribune, 09 Dec 1891
The Rev. W. E. Sillence
The Rev. W. E. Sillence, who died Monday at his residence, No. 901 West Twelfth Street, had a varied and interesting career. He was born in Hampshire, England Jan. 2, 1839. When a boy he enlisted in the Merchant Marine of Great Britain. While at Gibralter in 1855 he learned that England had declared war with Russia. He enlisted in the Navy and took part in many engagements. In 1856 his ship was ordered to the China station. In 1859 he was a member of Havelock's naval brigade which marked to the relief of Lucknow during the Indian mutiny. He remained on the China station until 1864, taking part in many expeditions against pirates. It was at this time he became converted through the exertion of a companion on shipboard. He couldl neither read nor write, but spent every spare moment in copying printed letters upon bits of paper. In 1865 he was discharged from the navy and obtained a government position. He was obliged to live in London and soon became interested in city missionary work. On the death of his mother he came to Canada and the Young Men's Christian Association engaged him to assist in evangelistic work. Several months later he became a Congregational minister. His wife failing in health he was obliged to come to the United States. He spent many years in frontier settlements organizing and building churches. In 1888 he came to Chicago and assumed the pastorate of the Union Tabernacle Church. In 1890 he accepted a call from the Congregational Church at Roberts, Ill. He returned to Chicago in January last, and was attacked by the grip. This was followed by nervous prostration, and for the last six months he has been confined to his bed. He has been instrumental in organizing thirteen churches in Canada, Michigan and Illinois.
The Rev. W. E. Sillence
The Rev. W. E. Sillence, who died Monday at his residence, No. 901 West Twelfth Street, had a varied and interesting career. He was born in Hampshire, England Jan. 2, 1839. When a boy he enlisted in the Merchant Marine of Great Britain. While at Gibralter in 1855 he learned that England had declared war with Russia. He enlisted in the Navy and took part in many engagements. In 1856 his ship was ordered to the China station. In 1859 he was a member of Havelock's naval brigade which marked to the relief of Lucknow during the Indian mutiny. He remained on the China station until 1864, taking part in many expeditions against pirates. It was at this time he became converted through the exertion of a companion on shipboard. He couldl neither read nor write, but spent every spare moment in copying printed letters upon bits of paper. In 1865 he was discharged from the navy and obtained a government position. He was obliged to live in London and soon became interested in city missionary work. On the death of his mother he came to Canada and the Young Men's Christian Association engaged him to assist in evangelistic work. Several months later he became a Congregational minister. His wife failing in health he was obliged to come to the United States. He spent many years in frontier settlements organizing and building churches. In 1888 he came to Chicago and assumed the pastorate of the Union Tabernacle Church. In 1890 he accepted a call from the Congregational Church at Roberts, Ill. He returned to Chicago in January last, and was attacked by the grip. This was followed by nervous prostration, and for the last six months he has been confined to his bed. He has been instrumental in organizing thirteen churches in Canada, Michigan and Illinois.
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