Land, Thomas S. (1854-1916)

Thomas Land was born in Blue Bell, Whitpain Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvannia. His father fought in the Civil War and died in a North Carolina prison when Thomas was only ten years old. He was placed first in the Bridesburg Orphans' Home in Bridesburg and after it's removal at Womelsdorf until he was sixteen. He entered Palatinate College in Myerstown for several years and then he entered the Sophmore class at Franklin and Marshall College where he graduated from in 1874 with second honors. After graduating, he taught one year at Womelsdorf and one year in the Palatinate College as a Professor of Natural Science. Then in 1876 he entered the Lancaster Theological Seminary and graduated in 1879 and was licensed and ordained that same year by the Lebanon Classis. He became pastor of the Mission congregations in Brandon, Buchannon County and Maquoketa, Jackson County in 1879. Then in 1882 he became pastor of the Zion's Charge, Turbotville, Northumberland County, PA. He also married Miss Sallie M. Yearick on November 14th of that year. In 1885 he served in the Centre Hall, PA Charge until 1889, where he built a new parsonage. Next he served the Bush Creek Congregational church of the Meadville, PA Charge. In 1901 he became pastor of the Millersville, PA Charge where he served for the next four years. In 1905 Thomas Land was elected President of the Allentown College for Women. In 1907 he was called to the Manchester MD Charge where he remained until his death. On June 8, 1916, Dr. Thomas S. Land died suddenly at a commencement ceremony held in the chapel of Franklin and Marshall College. He was survived by his wife and two sons.