REV. DANIEL A. BLOSE, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Beardstown, was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1854. He was reared on his father's farm, and there remained until seventeen years of age, when he entered Covode academy in the same county, and a year later attended an academy in Armstrong county, and graduated in the class of 1875, and then entered the University of Lewisburg, now known as Bucksnell University, and graduated there with the class of 1878, receiving 100 per cent in all class examinations, also the first honors with the oration in the scientific course. He entered in the fall of 1878, the Auburn Theological Seminary of Auburn, New York, and graduated with the class of 1881. He was then licensed by the Kittanning Presbytery of the synod of Pennsylvania, that being their custom. He was ordained by the Geneva Presbytery of the synod of New York, January 12, 1882, and soon after became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Dresden, New York. In 1886 he became connected with the Congregational Church, and has since been an earnest worker. It was in De Kalb, Illinois, that he did his first work as a Congregational minister, and the beautiful stone church edifice of that place stands as a silent monument to his labors. Being overworked he was obliged to resign his position against the unanimous protest of the people. He was immediately called to the church at Tonica, Illinois, which he accepted under the promise of being able to rest. During his one year there the membership was doubled. At the close of the year an anti-Masonic faction caused a lack of harmony in the church, and the Rev. Blose resigned against the united request of the congregation. He immediately received a call from four churches, and decided to accept the one from La Harpe, Illinois, where he remained fifteen months, and increased the membership by fifty members. He was then unanimously called to the church at Beardstown, which he accepted much against the wishes of his congregation at La Harpe.

He was married May 1, 1881, at Burns, Allegany county, New York, to Mamie E. Coray, born December 15, 1857, educated in the Union High School of Canaseraga, New York, graduating in 1879. She is an accomplished lady, an enthusiastic worker in the church and in all the avenues where good may be promoted, and is the devoted mother of two very bright children: Minnie Coray and Charles A.

Mr. Blose is a sound Republican, his faith being born of intelligence vitalized by righteousness and patriotism. He feels that he has a right to spread his principles and advocate his political faith from the rostrum as he preaches his religion from the pulpit.