Henry Wise Hobson II (May 16, 1891 - February 10, 1983), was the bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. When he was consecrated at the age of 38 in 1930, he was the youngest Episcopal bishop in the United States, and at his death, he was the oldest bishop in the Episcopal Church.[1] He was also involved with the founding of Forward Movement Publications at the Episcopal Church.[1]

The Right Reverend

Henry Wise Hobson

D.D.
IV Bishop of Southern Ohio
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseSouthern Ohio
ElectedJanuary 28, 1930
In office1931–1959
PredecessorTheodore I. Reese
SuccessorRoger Blanchard
Previous post(s)Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Ohio (1930-1931)
Orders
OrdinationJune 15, 1920
by William Lawrence
ConsecrationMay 1, 1930
by Boyd Vincent
Personal details
Born(1891-05-16)May 16, 1891
DiedFebruary 10, 1983(1983-02-10) (aged 91)
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsHenry Wise Hobson I & Katherine Sophia Thayer
Spouse
Edmonia Taylor Bryan
(m. 1918)
Children4; Katharine Bryan Hobson (b. 1919)
Henry Wise Hobson III (b. 1921)
Anne Jennings Hobson (1924-1959)
Margery Thayer Hobson (b. 1926)
EducationEpiscopal Divinity School
Alma materYale University

Early life

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Hobson was born in Denver, Colorado on May 16, 1891, the son of Henry Wise Hobson I & Katherine Sophia Thayer. He graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts in 1910 and Yale University in 1914. He was an officer in the infantry during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in France, after being wounded twice. After the war he entered the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1920.

Ordained ministry

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Hobson was ordained deacon on December 5, 1919 by Samuel G. Babcock, Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts, and then priest on June 15, 1920 by Bishop William Lawrence of Massachusetts. After ordination he became assistant minister at St John's Church in Waterbury, Connecticut between 1920 and 1921. He then became the rector of All Saints' Church in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1921. On January 28, 1930, Hobson was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Southern Ohio, during the fifty-sixth annual convention of the diocese.[2] He was consecrated on May 1, 1930 in Christ Church by Bishop Boyd Vincent, former Bishop of Southern Ohio. He then succeeded as diocesan bishop on October 13, 1931, upon the death of Bishop Reese.

Family

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His son Henry Wise Hobson III married Elizabeth Mary Balch in 1941.[3] His daughter Margery Thayer Hobson married Gerard Thomas on February 13, 1955.[4] Henry Wise Hobson died on February 10, 1983.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Henry W. Hobson, 91; Ohio Episcopal Bishop". New York Times. February 11, 1983. Retrieved 2008-06-24. The Rev. Henry Wise Hobson, the oldest bishop in the Episcopal Church, died Wednesday at a retirement home in Cincinnati. He was 91 years old and had been bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio for the 29 years before his retirement in 1959.
  2. ^ "Hobson, Henry Wise, D.D.". The Living Church Annual: 64. 1931.
  3. ^ "Elizabeth Balgh Prospective Bride. Henry W. Hobson Jr., Son of Cincinnati Bishop". New York Times. February 3, 1943. DeWitt Woodford Balch of this city have announced the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth, to Henry Wise Hobson Jr., son of the Right Rev. Henry Wise.
  4. ^ "Margery Hobson Cincinnati Bride. She Wed by Her Father, Bishop of Southern Ohio, to Gerard Thomas". New York Times. February 13, 1955. Retrieved 2008-06-25. Given in marriage by her brother, Henry Wise Hobson Jr., the bride wore a ...