,REV. JOHN F. POLLOCK, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, is a native of
Scotland. He was born in Coatbridge, near Glasgow, January 4,
1846, and is a son of Alexander and Jean (Findlater) Pollock.
In 1852 his parents emigrated with their family to the United
States, and took up their residence in Blossburg, Tioga County,
Pa. In his youth he attended the public schools, where his
primary education was acquired, and in September, 1867, he
entered Lafayette College, where he continued his studies for
four years, being graduated from that institution in 1871. With
the desire to enter the ministry and make its work his
profession through life, he then entered the Theological
Seminary of Princeton, N.J., and was graduated in 1874, after a
three-years course.
After being ordained the gentleman of
whom we write entered upon his life work, and accepted a call to
the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church in Oxford, N.J., where
he continued for nine years. During that time he won the love
and confidence not only of his own congregation, but of all the
people of the community, and was highly respected throughout
that vicinity. On account of failing health the charge was
resigned in April, 1883, and he traveled for a period of five
months in Europe. After he returned he came to Allentown, in
response to a call from the First Presbyterian Church of this
city. Eleven years have passed since that time, but he has
continued as its pastor uninterruptedly. The church under his
leadership has grown, and has become one of the lending
religious organizations of Allentown.
In 1874 Mr. Pollock was united in
marriage with Miss Lizzie Agnew, a resident of Easton, Pa., and
a daughter of John Agnew. She has been a faithful companion and
helpmate to her husband, aiding him in his labors and bearing a
prominent part in the church work. She, also, is greatly
beloved, for she possesses many excellences of character and
kindliness of spirit, which have gained her the warm regard of
all with whom she has been brought in contact. She presides
with grace over their pleasant and hospitable home, which is
located at No. 35 North Fifth Street.
Mr. Pollock is a frequent contributor to
various local papers on religious and moral topics. He is a
ready writer, and his fluency and precision, added to the deep
thought given to matters on which he writes, make his articles
much sought for by the public. In the pulpit he is a logical
speaker, clear and forcible, and the regard of his congregation
is shown by his long retention in the pastorate of one church.
Among his people he is a courteous, warm-hearted gentleman, who
teaches as much by example as by precept.