George Bennard
Encyclopedia
George Bennard was an American
hymn composer and preacher. He is best known for composing the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross
".
. When he was still a child, his parents relocated the family to Albia, Iowa
. Some time later, they moved again to Lucas, Iowa
. Although the young Bennard aspired to become a Christian evangelist, he was compelled to support his mother and sisters when his father died suddenly.
and Wisconsin
. As a well-regarded author of Christian hymns, his most famous work is "The Old Rugged Cross
". Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan
, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry. He died in Reed City, Michigan
, where the local Chamber of Commerce
erected a cross near his home.
Bennard is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery
in Inglewood, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hymn composer and preacher. He is best known for composing the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross
The Old Rugged Cross
"The Old Rugged Cross" is a popular Christian song written in 1912 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard .George Bennard, was a native of Youngstown, Ohio but was reared in Iowa. After his conversion in a Salvation Army meeting, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the...
".
Early years
Bennard was born in the coal-mining and iron-production town of Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. When he was still a child, his parents relocated the family to Albia, Iowa
Albia, Iowa
Albia is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,706 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Albia's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 41.026600, −92.805262....
. Some time later, they moved again to Lucas, Iowa
Lucas, Iowa
Lucas is a city in Lucas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 243 at the 2000 census.-History:The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company established a station at Lucas in 1866, named after Lucas County and Robert Lucas. A plat for the town was filed on May 9, 1868 and the town...
. Although the young Bennard aspired to become a Christian evangelist, he was compelled to support his mother and sisters when his father died suddenly.
Evangelical and musical careers
After marrying, Bennard became active in the Salvation Army and preached throughout the United States and Canada. He spent much of his life in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. As a well-regarded author of Christian hymns, his most famous work is "The Old Rugged Cross
The Old Rugged Cross
"The Old Rugged Cross" is a popular Christian song written in 1912 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard .George Bennard, was a native of Youngstown, Ohio but was reared in Iowa. After his conversion in a Salvation Army meeting, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the...
". Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Reed City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,430. It is the county seat of Osceola County.It is the home town of author Timothy James Bazzett.-Geography:...
, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry. He died in Reed City, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Reed City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,430. It is the county seat of Osceola County.It is the home town of author Timothy James Bazzett.-Geography:...
, where the local Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
erected a cross near his home.
Bennard is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery
Inglewood Park Cemetery
Inglewood Park Cemetery was founded in 1905 in Inglewood, California. A number of notable people, including entertainment and sports personalities, have been interred or entombed here.-List of notable and celebrity interments at Inglewood Park:...
in Inglewood, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.