Wilder, George D. (George Durand), 1869-1946

Missionary to China, ca. 1900-1939.

From the description of George D. Wilder papers, 1904 and 1910-1943. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420374

George Durand Wilder was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on June 26th, 1869, the son of Theodore Wilder and Frances Ellen (Durand) Wilder. George Durand Wilder attended Yankton Academy and College before enrolling in the Theological Seminary at Oberlin in 1891. He received his Bachelor's Degree of Divinity from Yale University in 1894.

In 1894, Wilder was ordained a Foreign Missionary in Oberlin, and he traveled to Tungcho China with his mother. Wilder began his evangelistic, as well as his educational work in Tientsin China. He later returned to Tungcho to be elected pastor of the native church. During the Boxer Rebellion (1900), Wilder assisted hundreds of Chinese Christian refugees as well U.S. soldiers in caring for the wounded, taking care of their laundry, and other manual needs.

In 1910, Wilder began teaching Theological Seminary at the University of Peking. He continued to teach in theological schools until his retirement in 1938. Wilder then served as the Secretary of North China Committee on Coordination of Emergency Relief in Tehsien, located in the Shatung Province. Due to escalating conflicts between Japan and China, Wilder was detained in Japan. He and his wife later returned to the United States in May of 1943.

George D. Wilder married Gertrude Stanley (OC 1894). Both worked as Missionaries in China. They had four children; all of whom studied at Oberlin College; Theodore (OC 1918), Margaret (OC 1921), Ursula (OC 1923), George Durand (1917-1920).

George Durand Wilder died on Sunday, May 5th, 1946.

_____________________________________

This biographical sketch excerpted from the Oberlin College Archives website

From the guide to the George D. Wilder Papers, 1904-1971, 1911-1942, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)