Ira David Sankey (1840 - 1908)

Born 28 Aug 1840 in Edinburg, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Ancestors

Husband of Fanny Victoria (Edwards) Sankey — married Sep 1863 in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Died 13 Aug 1908 at age 67 in Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States of America

Biography

Ira Sankey is Notable.

Ira David Sankey, known as The Sweet Singer of Methodism, was a gospel singer and composer, associated with evangelist Dwight L Moody. In 1979-80, the Gospel Music Association recognised Sankey's prodigious contributions to gospel music by listing him in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

secular career

Ira served in the Civil War.

After the war, he obtained employment with the Internal Revenue Service.

ministry

Sankey's increasing fame as a gospel singer eventually attracted the attention of noted evangelist Dwight L Moody. They first met at a YMCA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June, 1870. Several months later, Sankey attended his first evangelistic meeting with Moody; shortly after which he resigned his government position. In 1872, Sankey and Moody made the first of several joint visits to the United Kingdom.

Sankey wrote several hymns and songs, and composed and arranged music for many more.^[1] He collaborated with Philip Bliss and later with James McGranahan and George Stebbins on a series of 'sacred song' collections. He also worked with one of the most prolific hymnwriters, Fanny Crosby, who became his friend and music-making partner. Sankey's hymns were promoted by London Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

personal

Ira David Sankey was born on 28th August 1840 at Edinburg, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States of America, to David Sankey and Mary Leeper.

He married Fanny Edwards (1838-1910), one of his choir members, in September 1863. The couple had two sons, John Sankey (1868-1912), and Ira Allan Sankey (1874-1915).

Glaucoma blinded Sankey during the last five years of his life. He passed away on 13th August 1908 at his home in Brooklyn, New York.^[2] He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.^[3] His wife passed away just two years later and sons within seven years.

legacy

In 1979-80, the Gospel Music Association recognised Sankey's prodigious contributions to gospel music by honouring him by inclusion in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Ira D Sankey Compositions
2. ↑ New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949, database, FamilySearch: 10 Feb 2018, Ira D. Sankey, 13 Aug 1908; citing Death, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,324,173.
3. ↑ Find A Grave Index, database, FamilySearch: 13 Dec 2015, Ira D. Sankey, 1908; Burial, Brooklyn, Kings (Brooklyn), New York, United States of America, Green-Wood Cemetery; citing record ID 11610, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com

• Barlow, Fred. Profiles in Evangelism. Sword of the Lord. Tennessee, 1976.
• Wikipedia profile: Ira D Sankey; accessed 15 Jul 2018.
• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSN3-7GB : accessed 26 February 2019), Ira Sankey, Borough of Brooklyn, Election District 12 New York City Ward 20, Kings, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 316, sheet 1A, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,057.
• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWN9-N5Q : 16 July 2017), Ira D Sankey, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 227, sheet 307B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 1145; FHL microfilm 1,255,145.
• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4H5-8VZ : 12 April 2016), Ira David Sankey in household of David Sankey, Mahoning, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States; citing family 26, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX5W-BV3 : 13 December 2017), Ira Sanky in entry for David Sanky, 1860.