My Genealogy Hound

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 leading 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.