Rev. Dr. Vincent Eaton Tomlinson, died June 16, 1938, 76/2/27 days, born in Perry, NY March 20, 1862, was minister of the gospel for 56 years, active leader in civic affairs, and known throughout most of his life for his vigor and vitality. Even in his 60's he could play 40 holes of golf a day. In his 77th year he suffered a heart attack at his Sever St. home in Worcester, MA just before 3am.
He assumed the pastorate of the First Universalist Church, in Worcester, MA, on May 1, 1900. In 56 years of his ministry – 37 of which were with the First Universalist Church – he married more than 1300 couples and officiated at about twice as many funerals. Dr. Tomlinson has been in a certain way a minister for the churchless people of the city, responding to every call to attend funerals and minister to the sick and needy. His popularity has extended far beyond the limits of his own church, and his ability, kindness and charity have won the esteem of the entire community.
He left behind his wife, Mrs. Clarissa A. (Hindley) Tomlinson, and one daughter, Miss Ruth Tomlinson, Teacher at North High School, Worcester, MA. He was married Sept. 27, 1887 in Valley falls, R.I.
A husky, aggressive young minister, he became pastor of First Universalist Church (62 Pleasant St.) of Worcester, MA, May 1900 until he retired July 1937. Dr. Tomlinson was made pastor emeritus of the First Universalist Church May 23, 1937. At that meeting, it was voted to sell the parsonage on Sever St. to Rev. Tomlinson, who expressed a desire to buy it.
Endowed with tremendous vitality which was the despair of friends younger than he, Dr. Tomlinson conducted the affairs of his church and parish in an efficient, friendly manner. He was projected into the mayoral race in 1935, but withdrew. Besides being president of the board of aldermen, he had been president of the library board, president of Worcester Economic Club, member Worcester Chamber of Commerce, president in 1915 of the Public Education Society, president of the Worcester Fresh Air Work since 1909, an organizer of the Worcester Welfare Association, advisory board member of Worcester District Nursing Society, director since 1916 of Worcester Y.M.C.A, trustee of National Universalist Board, trustee of Tufts College, director of Pawtucket Sash and Blind Co., charter member Worcester Country Club, chairman of the school committee, member of the Montachute Lodge and Free Masons, Eurkea Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar.
He was the son of Rev. Dewitt Clinton Tomlinson, born August 24, 1824 at Gaines, Orleans county NY and Emeline C. (Eaton) Tomlinson. Born May 20, 1830 at Perrington, Monroe County, NY. Both parents came from old Puritan stock. Rev. D. C. Tomlinson was a Universalist minister for 40 years. They had three other children: Carrie, who died in infancy; Irving C., born April 22, 1860; Mary E., born August 16, 1870, died April 19, 1907. He attended public schools in New York State, and was graduated from Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, in 1880, and Tufts College in 1884. He received his doctorate from Tufts in 1904. His father was a Universalist clergyman, and when he died, Vincent Tomlinson, who had been studying to be a civil engineer, was called upon to carry on his father's work. He came to Worcester from Little Falls, N.Y., where he had been pastor of St. Paul's Church. His service in the ministry began in 1884 at Universalist Church at Valley Falls, R.I. From 1887 to 1890 he served the Ballou Universalist Church in Providence, RI. From 1890 to 1895 he was pastor of the First Universalist Church in Hudson, NY; from 1895 to 1900 served St. Paul's Universalist Church at Little Falls, NY.
He became interested in civic affairs immediately after his arrival in Worcester in 1900, and in 1904 was elected to the school committee, a position he held by re-election through 1912. He served for three years as chairman. In 1916, he became an alderman, and served for two years, one as president. At the end of his term the members, as a testimonial to the fairness and impartiality gave him a handsome desk set, and in the speeches delivered at the last meeting paid him the highest compliments in which the democratic minority joined. On January 1, 1918, Dr. Tomlinson was appointed director of the Free Public Library and served six years, one as chairman. A staunch Republican, he had served in the City Council, was President of the Aldermen in 1917 and had much experience as acting mayor. In addition he had many other civic, business, charitable and fraternal interests.
He was an inveterate walker, and attributed a life-time of good health in considerable measure to that activity, and to the fact that he had never used intoxicants. In past years, he did considerable mountain climbing both in this country and in Switzerland. He had crossed the Atlantic 13 times, had visited nearly every part of the earth, and in 1937 set out on a ‘round-the-world' tour.
On Nov. 17, 1935, he preached at a special service at First Universalist Church to which he had invited couples he had married. Seventy-five couples attended, and heard a sermon in which he said:
"The real strength of a nation is its homes. If these be rich in ideals and character, the nation's foundation is firm and there is something to build on."
More than 500 attended a reception on June 23, 1937, at which he and Mrs. Tomlinson and their daughter were guests of honor. He was presented a gold-lettered, blue morocco-bound book, which all present signed. In its inscription he was saluted as: "A Christian gentleman, sympathetic friend, and worthy exponent of the faith in ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Men' ".
He often had expressed the desire to visit South America, Australia and New Zealand, where he had never been. Traveling, he often declared was "an education that can't be duplicated."
Repeatedly during his pastorate here he had received calls from other churches which he consistently declined. On April 30, 1935, he was the subject of a laudatory editorial in the Evening Gazette on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate here. On Oct. 2, 1932, he was honored by the Worcester Minister's Union on his fiftieth year in the ministry. He reviewed his work as a clergyman in an address notable for its quiet humor. He often spoke in other churches throughout New England, and was always invited to return.
He assumed the pastorate of the First Universalist Church, in Worcester, MA, on May 1, 1900. In 56 years of his ministry – 37 of which were with the First Universalist Church – he married more than 1300 couples and officiated at about twice as many funerals. Dr. Tomlinson has been in a certain way a minister for the churchless people of the city, responding to every call to attend funerals and minister to the sick and needy. His popularity has extended far beyond the limits of his own church, and his ability, kindness and charity have won the esteem of the entire community.
He left behind his wife, Mrs. Clarissa A. (Hindley) Tomlinson, and one daughter, Miss Ruth Tomlinson, Teacher at North High School, Worcester, MA. He was married Sept. 27, 1887 in Valley falls, R.I.
A husky, aggressive young minister, he became pastor of First Universalist Church (62 Pleasant St.) of Worcester, MA, May 1900 until he retired July 1937. Dr. Tomlinson was made pastor emeritus of the First Universalist Church May 23, 1937. At that meeting, it was voted to sell the parsonage on Sever St. to Rev. Tomlinson, who expressed a desire to buy it.
Endowed with tremendous vitality which was the despair of friends younger than he, Dr. Tomlinson conducted the affairs of his church and parish in an efficient, friendly manner. He was projected into the mayoral race in 1935, but withdrew. Besides being president of the board of aldermen, he had been president of the library board, president of Worcester Economic Club, member Worcester Chamber of Commerce, president in 1915 of the Public Education Society, president of the Worcester Fresh Air Work since 1909, an organizer of the Worcester Welfare Association, advisory board member of Worcester District Nursing Society, director since 1916 of Worcester Y.M.C.A, trustee of National Universalist Board, trustee of Tufts College, director of Pawtucket Sash and Blind Co., charter member Worcester Country Club, chairman of the school committee, member of the Montachute Lodge and Free Masons, Eurkea Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar.
He was the son of Rev. Dewitt Clinton Tomlinson, born August 24, 1824 at Gaines, Orleans county NY and Emeline C. (Eaton) Tomlinson. Born May 20, 1830 at Perrington, Monroe County, NY. Both parents came from old Puritan stock. Rev. D. C. Tomlinson was a Universalist minister for 40 years. They had three other children: Carrie, who died in infancy; Irving C., born April 22, 1860; Mary E., born August 16, 1870, died April 19, 1907. He attended public schools in New York State, and was graduated from Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, in 1880, and Tufts College in 1884. He received his doctorate from Tufts in 1904. His father was a Universalist clergyman, and when he died, Vincent Tomlinson, who had been studying to be a civil engineer, was called upon to carry on his father's work. He came to Worcester from Little Falls, N.Y., where he had been pastor of St. Paul's Church. His service in the ministry began in 1884 at Universalist Church at Valley Falls, R.I. From 1887 to 1890 he served the Ballou Universalist Church in Providence, RI. From 1890 to 1895 he was pastor of the First Universalist Church in Hudson, NY; from 1895 to 1900 served St. Paul's Universalist Church at Little Falls, NY.
He became interested in civic affairs immediately after his arrival in Worcester in 1900, and in 1904 was elected to the school committee, a position he held by re-election through 1912. He served for three years as chairman. In 1916, he became an alderman, and served for two years, one as president. At the end of his term the members, as a testimonial to the fairness and impartiality gave him a handsome desk set, and in the speeches delivered at the last meeting paid him the highest compliments in which the democratic minority joined. On January 1, 1918, Dr. Tomlinson was appointed director of the Free Public Library and served six years, one as chairman. A staunch Republican, he had served in the City Council, was President of the Aldermen in 1917 and had much experience as acting mayor. In addition he had many other civic, business, charitable and fraternal interests.
He was an inveterate walker, and attributed a life-time of good health in considerable measure to that activity, and to the fact that he had never used intoxicants. In past years, he did considerable mountain climbing both in this country and in Switzerland. He had crossed the Atlantic 13 times, had visited nearly every part of the earth, and in 1937 set out on a ‘round-the-world' tour.
On Nov. 17, 1935, he preached at a special service at First Universalist Church to which he had invited couples he had married. Seventy-five couples attended, and heard a sermon in which he said:
"The real strength of a nation is its homes. If these be rich in ideals and character, the nation's foundation is firm and there is something to build on."
More than 500 attended a reception on June 23, 1937, at which he and Mrs. Tomlinson and their daughter were guests of honor. He was presented a gold-lettered, blue morocco-bound book, which all present signed. In its inscription he was saluted as: "A Christian gentleman, sympathetic friend, and worthy exponent of the faith in ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Men' ".
He often had expressed the desire to visit South America, Australia and New Zealand, where he had never been. Traveling, he often declared was "an education that can't be duplicated."
Repeatedly during his pastorate here he had received calls from other churches which he consistently declined. On April 30, 1935, he was the subject of a laudatory editorial in the Evening Gazette on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate here. On Oct. 2, 1932, he was honored by the Worcester Minister's Union on his fiftieth year in the ministry. He reviewed his work as a clergyman in an address notable for its quiet humor. He often spoke in other churches throughout New England, and was always invited to return.
Rev. Dr. Vincent Eaton Tomlinson, died June 16, 1938, 76/2/27 days, born in Perry, NY March 20, 1862, was minister of the gospel for 56 years, active leader in civic affairs, and known throughout most of his life for his vigor and vitality. Even in his 60's he could play 40 holes of golf a day. In his 77th year he suffered a heart attack at his Sever St. home in Worcester, MA just before 3am.
He assumed the pastorate of the First Universalist Church, in Worcester, MA, on May 1, 1900. In 56 years of his ministry – 37 of which were with the First Universalist Church – he married more than 1300 couples and officiated at about twice as many funerals. Dr. Tomlinson has been in a certain way a minister for the churchless people of the city, responding to every call to attend funerals and minister to the sick and needy. His popularity has extended far beyond the limits of his own church, and his ability, kindness and charity have won the esteem of the entire community.
He left behind his wife, Mrs. Clarissa A. (Hindley) Tomlinson, and one daughter, Miss Ruth Tomlinson, Teacher at North High School, Worcester, MA. He was married Sept. 27, 1887 in Valley falls, R.I.
A husky, aggressive young minister, he became pastor of First Universalist Church (62 Pleasant St.) of Worcester, MA, May 1900 until he retired July 1937. Dr. Tomlinson was made pastor emeritus of the First Universalist Church May 23, 1937. At that meeting, it was voted to sell the parsonage on Sever St. to Rev. Tomlinson, who expressed a desire to buy it.
Endowed with tremendous vitality which was the despair of friends younger than he, Dr. Tomlinson conducted the affairs of his church and parish in an efficient, friendly manner. He was projected into the mayoral race in 1935, but withdrew. Besides being president of the board of aldermen, he had been president of the library board, president of Worcester Economic Club, member Worcester Chamber of Commerce, president in 1915 of the Public Education Society, president of the Worcester Fresh Air Work since 1909, an organizer of the Worcester Welfare Association, advisory board member of Worcester District Nursing Society, director since 1916 of Worcester Y.M.C.A, trustee of National Universalist Board, trustee of Tufts College, director of Pawtucket Sash and Blind Co., charter member Worcester Country Club, chairman of the school committee, member of the Montachute Lodge and Free Masons, Eurkea Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar.
He was the son of Rev. Dewitt Clinton Tomlinson, born August 24, 1824 at Gaines, Orleans county NY and Emeline C. (Eaton) Tomlinson. Born May 20, 1830 at Perrington, Monroe County, NY. Both parents came from old Puritan stock. Rev. D. C. Tomlinson was a Universalist minister for 40 years. They had three other children: Carrie, who died in infancy; Irving C., born April 22, 1860; Mary E., born August 16, 1870, died April 19, 1907. He attended public schools in New York State, and was graduated from Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, in 1880, and Tufts College in 1884. He received his doctorate from Tufts in 1904. His father was a Universalist clergyman, and when he died, Vincent Tomlinson, who had been studying to be a civil engineer, was called upon to carry on his father's work. He came to Worcester from Little Falls, N.Y., where he had been pastor of St. Paul's Church. His service in the ministry began in 1884 at Universalist Church at Valley Falls, R.I. From 1887 to 1890 he served the Ballou Universalist Church in Providence, RI. From 1890 to 1895 he was pastor of the First Universalist Church in Hudson, NY; from 1895 to 1900 served St. Paul's Universalist Church at Little Falls, NY.
He became interested in civic affairs immediately after his arrival in Worcester in 1900, and in 1904 was elected to the school committee, a position he held by re-election through 1912. He served for three years as chairman. In 1916, he became an alderman, and served for two years, one as president. At the end of his term the members, as a testimonial to the fairness and impartiality gave him a handsome desk set, and in the speeches delivered at the last meeting paid him the highest compliments in which the democratic minority joined. On January 1, 1918, Dr. Tomlinson was appointed director of the Free Public Library and served six years, one as chairman. A staunch Republican, he had served in the City Council, was President of the Aldermen in 1917 and had much experience as acting mayor. In addition he had many other civic, business, charitable and fraternal interests.
He was an inveterate walker, and attributed a life-time of good health in considerable measure to that activity, and to the fact that he had never used intoxicants. In past years, he did considerable mountain climbing both in this country and in Switzerland. He had crossed the Atlantic 13 times, had visited nearly every part of the earth, and in 1937 set out on a ‘round-the-world' tour.
On Nov. 17, 1935, he preached at a special service at First Universalist Church to which he had invited couples he had married. Seventy-five couples attended, and heard a sermon in which he said:
"The real strength of a nation is its homes. If these be rich in ideals and character, the nation's foundation is firm and there is something to build on."
More than 500 attended a reception on June 23, 1937, at which he and Mrs. Tomlinson and their daughter were guests of honor. He was presented a gold-lettered, blue morocco-bound book, which all present signed. In its inscription he was saluted as: "A Christian gentleman, sympathetic friend, and worthy exponent of the faith in ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Men' ".
He often had expressed the desire to visit South America, Australia and New Zealand, where he had never been. Traveling, he often declared was "an education that can't be duplicated."
Repeatedly during his pastorate here he had received calls from other churches which he consistently declined. On April 30, 1935, he was the subject of a laudatory editorial in the Evening Gazette on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate here. On Oct. 2, 1932, he was honored by the Worcester Minister's Union on his fiftieth year in the ministry. He reviewed his work as a clergyman in an address notable for its quiet humor. He often spoke in other churches throughout New England, and was always invited to return.
He assumed the pastorate of the First Universalist Church, in Worcester, MA, on May 1, 1900. In 56 years of his ministry – 37 of which were with the First Universalist Church – he married more than 1300 couples and officiated at about twice as many funerals. Dr. Tomlinson has been in a certain way a minister for the churchless people of the city, responding to every call to attend funerals and minister to the sick and needy. His popularity has extended far beyond the limits of his own church, and his ability, kindness and charity have won the esteem of the entire community.
He left behind his wife, Mrs. Clarissa A. (Hindley) Tomlinson, and one daughter, Miss Ruth Tomlinson, Teacher at North High School, Worcester, MA. He was married Sept. 27, 1887 in Valley falls, R.I.
A husky, aggressive young minister, he became pastor of First Universalist Church (62 Pleasant St.) of Worcester, MA, May 1900 until he retired July 1937. Dr. Tomlinson was made pastor emeritus of the First Universalist Church May 23, 1937. At that meeting, it was voted to sell the parsonage on Sever St. to Rev. Tomlinson, who expressed a desire to buy it.
Endowed with tremendous vitality which was the despair of friends younger than he, Dr. Tomlinson conducted the affairs of his church and parish in an efficient, friendly manner. He was projected into the mayoral race in 1935, but withdrew. Besides being president of the board of aldermen, he had been president of the library board, president of Worcester Economic Club, member Worcester Chamber of Commerce, president in 1915 of the Public Education Society, president of the Worcester Fresh Air Work since 1909, an organizer of the Worcester Welfare Association, advisory board member of Worcester District Nursing Society, director since 1916 of Worcester Y.M.C.A, trustee of National Universalist Board, trustee of Tufts College, director of Pawtucket Sash and Blind Co., charter member Worcester Country Club, chairman of the school committee, member of the Montachute Lodge and Free Masons, Eurkea Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar.
He was the son of Rev. Dewitt Clinton Tomlinson, born August 24, 1824 at Gaines, Orleans county NY and Emeline C. (Eaton) Tomlinson. Born May 20, 1830 at Perrington, Monroe County, NY. Both parents came from old Puritan stock. Rev. D. C. Tomlinson was a Universalist minister for 40 years. They had three other children: Carrie, who died in infancy; Irving C., born April 22, 1860; Mary E., born August 16, 1870, died April 19, 1907. He attended public schools in New York State, and was graduated from Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, in 1880, and Tufts College in 1884. He received his doctorate from Tufts in 1904. His father was a Universalist clergyman, and when he died, Vincent Tomlinson, who had been studying to be a civil engineer, was called upon to carry on his father's work. He came to Worcester from Little Falls, N.Y., where he had been pastor of St. Paul's Church. His service in the ministry began in 1884 at Universalist Church at Valley Falls, R.I. From 1887 to 1890 he served the Ballou Universalist Church in Providence, RI. From 1890 to 1895 he was pastor of the First Universalist Church in Hudson, NY; from 1895 to 1900 served St. Paul's Universalist Church at Little Falls, NY.
He became interested in civic affairs immediately after his arrival in Worcester in 1900, and in 1904 was elected to the school committee, a position he held by re-election through 1912. He served for three years as chairman. In 1916, he became an alderman, and served for two years, one as president. At the end of his term the members, as a testimonial to the fairness and impartiality gave him a handsome desk set, and in the speeches delivered at the last meeting paid him the highest compliments in which the democratic minority joined. On January 1, 1918, Dr. Tomlinson was appointed director of the Free Public Library and served six years, one as chairman. A staunch Republican, he had served in the City Council, was President of the Aldermen in 1917 and had much experience as acting mayor. In addition he had many other civic, business, charitable and fraternal interests.
He was an inveterate walker, and attributed a life-time of good health in considerable measure to that activity, and to the fact that he had never used intoxicants. In past years, he did considerable mountain climbing both in this country and in Switzerland. He had crossed the Atlantic 13 times, had visited nearly every part of the earth, and in 1937 set out on a ‘round-the-world' tour.
On Nov. 17, 1935, he preached at a special service at First Universalist Church to which he had invited couples he had married. Seventy-five couples attended, and heard a sermon in which he said:
"The real strength of a nation is its homes. If these be rich in ideals and character, the nation's foundation is firm and there is something to build on."
More than 500 attended a reception on June 23, 1937, at which he and Mrs. Tomlinson and their daughter were guests of honor. He was presented a gold-lettered, blue morocco-bound book, which all present signed. In its inscription he was saluted as: "A Christian gentleman, sympathetic friend, and worthy exponent of the faith in ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Men' ".
He often had expressed the desire to visit South America, Australia and New Zealand, where he had never been. Traveling, he often declared was "an education that can't be duplicated."
Repeatedly during his pastorate here he had received calls from other churches which he consistently declined. On April 30, 1935, he was the subject of a laudatory editorial in the Evening Gazette on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate here. On Oct. 2, 1932, he was honored by the Worcester Minister's Union on his fiftieth year in the ministry. He reviewed his work as a clergyman in an address notable for its quiet humor. He often spoke in other churches throughout New England, and was always invited to return.
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