THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, December 24, 1936

 

Henry E. Partridge, former pastor of the Bunnell Methodist Church South, died at his home in Orlando Tuesday morning after several weeks’ illness. Death was attributed to cancer.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 from the home at Orlando. The body will be carried to Monticello, Florida and buried in the old family cemetery.

Reverend Partridge, who was 86 years of age, was the oldest minister in the Florida conference, both in years of service and age. He had been a member of the conference for over half a century. He was retired several years ago but had continued to preach for brother ministers whenever occasion demanded.

Ranking as probably the best loved pastor ever to serve the Bunnell church, his three years service here - - December 1921 until December 1924 - - endeared him to all classes, creeds and colors. He has visited here on numerous occasions since his retirement, often delivering a sermon at the local church while here. He delivered the commencement sermon at the high school here in April, 1935.

Reverend Partridge was a native of Monticello, and was only one of a large number of brothers and sisters who have become well known in public life in this state. He was a pioneer of pioneer parents, being born just five years after Florida was admitted as a state. The editor of this newspaper learned much of the early history of the peninsula part of Florida while he was pastor here, Reverend Partridge relating his experiences when he was a circuit rider in the early days of his ministry.

He served many of the most important churches of the state during his long years of service and was at one time president of the church’s higher institution of learning in this state - - Southern College - - at Lakeland. His was a colorful and fruitful life, and his passing will be mourned by thousands.