Essay On The Snowshoe Itinerant

Introduction: Early Life on the Frontier One day in Franklin County, Ohio a baby boy is born to the Dyer family. A boy whose picture will eventually be hanging under the gold domed capitol of Colorado. John Dyer was born in Franklin County, Ohio. He was first of eight kids. John was often visited by pastors. In addition his grandpa was a pastor. In 1831 the Dyers moved to Illinois because Ohio was becoming too crowded . Later John fought in the Blackhawk War between the indians and the settlers.

Adulthood: A Man of God John always felt a connection to God but he did not become a preacher until his adulthood. John married and supported his wife and children by being a farmer. After a tragic tornado John and his family moved to Wisconsin. John wanted to try mining. After moving, John’s wife and daughter died. At age 39 John felt the urge to keep his word to God and became a circuit preacher. For the next decade John traveled Wisconsin and Minnesota preaching. John got
In 1885 John was chosen to be the Colorado State Chaplain. In 1890 he was named “one of the 16 founders of Colorado” by the Colorado Legislature and honored with a stained glass portrait at the state capitol. That same year his autobiography, “The Snowshoe Itinerant” was published. John always referred to his skis as snow shoes. An itinerant is a person that moves place to place. Father Dyer kept traveling and preaching until he was 89 years old. He died peacefully in his home in Denver on June 16, 1901. John’s life was summarized by The Daily Press newspaper, “He was the pioneer preacher and missionary of the Rocky Mountain region. Summer’s rains nor winter’s snows never kept him from his duties. A long life, well spent in Christian work, has gone out with the death of Father Dyer.” Hundreds of people came to his funeral and he was remembered as a very important