Hayward Seller Ablewhite (September 11, 1887 – July 1964) was an American bishop. He was the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Marquette, now the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, serving from 1929 to 1939. He was convicted of embezzlement and served nine months in prison in 1939.
The Right Reverend Hayward Seller Ablewhite D.D. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Northern Michigan | |
 Hayward Ablewhite | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Northern Michigan |
| Elected | December 17, 1929 |
| In office | 1930–1939 |
| Predecessor | Robert L. Harris |
| Successor | Herman Page Sr. |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1916 by Boyd Vincent |
| Consecration | March 25, 1930 by Hugh L. Burleson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 11, 1887 |
| Died | July 1, 1964 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | James B. Ablewhite & Annie Seller |
| Spouse |
Inez Fillmore (m. 1915) |
| Alma mater | Kenyon College |
Early life and education
editAblewhite was born on September 11, 1887, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of James B. Ablewhite and Annie Seller. He was educated at University School in Cleveland, before studying at Kenyon College from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He also enrolled at Bexley Hall, the divinity school of Kenyon College, and earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1915. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity in 1930. Ablewhite married Inez Fillmore on June 17, 1915.[1]
Ordained ministry
editAblewhite was ordained deacon in 1915 by Bishop William Andrew Leonard of Ohio, and priest in 1916 by Bishop Boyd Vincent of Southern Ohio. He served as curate at the Church of the Advent in Cincinnati, Ohio, between 1915 and 1917, and then rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Columbus, Ohio, between 1917 and 1919. In 1919, he became rector of St James' Church in Piqua, Ohio, while in 1926, he became rector of St Philip's Church in St. Louis. In 1928, he was chosen to be the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan.[2]
Bishop
editDuring a special diocesan convention held in Grace Church, Ishpeming, Michigan, on December 17, 1929, Ablewhite was elected Bishop of Marquette on the second ballot. He was consecrated on March 25, 1930, in St Paul's Cathedral by Bishop Hugh L. Burleson of South Dakota. On June 2, 1937, the diocese changed its name to Northern Michigan, hence Ablewhite became the first bishop to be styles as the Bishop of Northern Michigan.[3]
Embezzlement and imprisonment
editOn March 23, 1939, Ablewhite resigned his bishopric after $99,000 shortage was recorded in the accounts of the Diocese of Northern Michigan.[4] He was indicted with defalcation and embezzlement in October 1939 and was sentenced with a sentence of one to ten years in prison.[5][6] He was released after serving nine months in state prison in Jackson, Michigan.[7]
References
edit- ^ "ABLEWHITE , HAYWARD SELLER". Who's Who in the Clergy. 1: 13. 1935.
- ^ "Hayward Seller Ablewhite". Inventory of the Church Archives of Michigan: 9. 1940.
- ^ "Ablewhite, Hayward Seller D.D.". The Living Church Annual: 51. 1931.
- ^ "ABSOLVES EX-BISHOP IN DIOCESE SHORTAGE; Bishop Tucker Clears Ablewhite in $99,000 Loss", The New York Times, 4 August 1939, New York, NY. Retrieved on 3 November 2020.
- ^ "Bare Diocesan Dealings of Ablewhite", Chicago Tribune, 2 August 1939, Chicago, IL. Retrieved on 3 November 2020.
- ^ "ABLEWHITE JAILED FOR CHURCH THEFTS; Judge Sentences Ex-Bishop of Episcopal Diocese to Year to 10 Years in Michigan SHORTAGE PUT AT $100,000 Mission Funds Appropriated by Prelate--He Enters Plea of Nolo Contendere", The New York Times, 8 October 1939, New York, NY. Retrieved on 3 November 2020.
- ^ "Ablewhite Arrives at Jackson Prison", Green Bay Press-Gazette, 11 October 1939, Green Bay, WIS. Retrieved on 3 November 2020.