Henry P Scholte

SCHOLTE

Posted By: Mary E Boyer (email)
Date: 11/29/2006 at 09:12:56

BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY P SCHOLTE*
Pioneers of Marion County - Pages 157 & 142
Lake Prairie Township - Marion County - Iowa

Mr. Scholte was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1805, and early in life conceived the idea of entering the naval academy and becoming an officer in the navy. But, his mother being much opposed to this plan, he abandoned it. But, being of an active temperament, and averse to idleness, he learned the carpenter’s trade, and made some advancement in drawing. When about 17 years of age his father died, which circumstance called his attention to the subject of religion, and his interest in this subject eventually ripened into a desire to preach the gospel. With a view to prepare himself for this occupation, he began the study of the languages, and made so much progress in this department that he was prepared to enter the seminary at Amsterdam in 1821. In 1824 he passed through the literary examination at the University of Leyden, and began the study of theology at that institution. During a powerful religious revival in Holland, in 1826, in which two converted Israelites took an active part, he became acquainted with numerous leading Christians of various denominations from England, France, Germany and the Netherlands, who were on a visit to Holland, and became so powerfully convinced of the narrowness of sectarianism that he abandoned it, regarding even church organizations of secondary importance. He was, therefore, quoting his own words, “prevented from clothing his faith in the straight-jacket of ecclesiastical formalism.”

In 1830 a rebellion broke out in Belgium; Mr. S. enlisted as a soldier to help put it down. In 1832 he returned to Leyden, passed through the theological examination at the University, and was licensed to preach. In the same year he was examined in the synod of Holland, and in the beginning of 1833 was installed as minister of the Gospel in the National Reform Church establishment.

Here, however, he began to experience trouble resulting from his refusal to submit to the established forms and doctrines that he found had produced a spiritual degeneracy in the church. His decided opposition to a sectarianism that amounted almost to bigotry, brought down upon him the enmity of the national clergy; and this, in 1835, resulted in a separation. Mr. S. and a few other ministers, followed by a large number of lay members, withdrew from the National Church, and became a separate and independent organization.
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*For more information on this sojourn of Hollanders - I would highly suggest the reading of Part II - Township Histories - Chapter VI. MEB.

Transcribed by Mary E. Boyer for Iowa Gen Project - Marion County