My Genealogy Hound

REV. JOSEPH WAYNE.
The death of Rev. Joseph Wayne, in Christ’s Hospital, Topeka, on July 21, 1902, removed a prominent clergyman and exemplary citizen from the ranks of those who were working for the higher interests of mankind. He was born December 7, 1835, in Latton, Wiltshire, England, and was one of a family of eight children born to John and Maria (Bartlett) Wayne.

The parents of Rev. Mr. Wayne immigrated to America and settled in Central New York. There he was educated, completing his studies at Genesee College, in 1863, and later finishing a theological course at the DeLancey Divinity School. In 1877 he was ordained deacon by Bishop A. C. Coxe, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and in 1878 the same bishop ordained him to the priesthood. He filled in turn the following parishes in New York: Honeoye Falls, Angelica and Addison. In 1882 he removed to Burlington, Kansas. In 1887 he accepted a call to Marysville, Kansas, and in 1892 to Moberly, Missouri, and in 1894 to Mason City, Illinois, where he remained until 1896, when he returned to Kansas. From that date until his death he resided at Topeka, being chaplain of Christ’s Hospital, and also acting as city missionary for the bishop. His last participation in the holy service he loved so well was on July 6, 1902, when he celebrated the Holy Communion at the hospital and later assisted in the services at Grace Cathedral. His death took place in the Wayne Building, the beautiful hospital annex which was built by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and presented to the diocese in June, 1902. His was the first death to occur in the building. This annex is a fine structure, erected at a cost of $13,450. It had been a source of so much happiness to him to contribute in this way, his heart overrunning with philanthropy and charity. On July 25th, at Grace Cathedral, the bishop and other members of the Episcopal clergy, performed the burial services over their companion and dearly beloved brother. His remains were laid away in the beautiful Topeka Cemetery.

On June 22, 1865, Rev. Mr. Wayne was married to Ardelia B. Bush, who is a daughter of Elias Bush, a prominent farmer in New York, who died when Mrs. Wayne was five years old. She resides in a beautiful home at No. 1164 Woodward avenue, carrying out many of the benevolent schemes, in the completion of which she and her husband were so closely united. Rev. Mr. Wayne lived a life that remains an inspiration to other Christian laborers. Zealous in the cause of his church, he had a broad mind and was concerned both in the material as well as spiritual welfare of those who came to be dependent upon his religious guidance. Thus he came to be personally known to many who loved him as a man as well as reverenced him as a clergyman. His portrait accompanies this sketch.