Life Sketch of Elder W. H. Littlejohn by C. A. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1916

Life Sketch of Elder W. H. Littlejohn

By C. A. Russell

WOLCOTT HACKLEY LITTLEJOHN was born in Little Falls, N. Y., May 27, 1834. He was the son of Flavius J. and Harriet B. Littlejohn. At the age of four, with his parents he came to Allegan, Mich., where his boyhood was spent. With the intention of becoming a lawyer, he attended Kalamazoo College and Michigan University, leaving the latter at the end of his sophomore year on account of an affection of the eyes which resulted in total blindness about fifteen years later.

In 1866 he became identified with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, and he remained a firm believer in the fundamental doctrines advocated by them to the time of his death. When about seventeen years of age, he attended a course of lectures by Elders J. N. Loughborough and M. E. Cornell. A long and careful study of the subjects presented finally led to their acceptance. Later he entered the ministry, and for many years was actively engaged in the work.

In 1883 he accepted a call to become pastor of the Battle Creek Seventh-day Adventist church. In August of that year he was united in marriage with Mrs. Adeline P. Harvey. Shortly afterward, he was elected president of the Battle Creek College, a position which he held for two years. From that time until failing health prevented, he spent his time largely in writing on Biblical subjects. For many years he was a constant contributor to the REVIEW AND HERALD and other denominational publications, and was the author of several bound volumes, pamphlets, and tracts.

His was a life of unusual mental activity, and he was known as a sound reasoner and a profound logician. His faith in God remained unshaken to the close, and he sleeps, awaiting the call of the Life-giver when “the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” He was aged 82 years, 5 months, and 10 days.

There are left to mourn, his faithful companion and one stepson, Frederick H. Harvey. Together they tenderly ministered to him in his declining years, doing everything that warm hearts and loving hands could do to lighten the burden of advancing years. There are also left two nephews, Wolcott H. Butler, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Augustus S. Butler, of Allegan, Mich., and other more distant relatives.

The funeral was held from the home, west of Battle Creek, Elders R. A. Hart and L. McCoy assisting in the services. He was taken to his old home in Allegan, for burial.

C. A. RUSSELL.