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Ham, Allen Leslie, 1889-1974

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: October 13, 1889 to May 16, 1974

Biographical

Allen Leslie Ham was born on October 13, 1889 near Minneapolis MN. He briefly studied engineering at Walla Walla College before going on to Pacific Union College, College of Medical Evangelists, and then the Foreign Mission Academy (now Washington Adventist University). He went to China in 1913, becoming the Director of the Cantonese Mission Field from 1914 to 1934, and the Superintendent of the South China Union Mission from 1935 to 1942.

When Hong Kong fell to the Japanese in 1941, Ham was taken as a prisoner of war until the summer of 1942, when he was repatriated. He immediately went back to church service as President of the Southern Asia Division, serving for eight years (1942 to 1950). His final post was as a General Conference General Field Secretary and Vice President of the General Conference, serving for another eight years (1950 to 1958), after which he retired.

Ham married Nina Feran Wilcox on December 23, 1912. Together they had three children, Lyle and Beatrice, born in Hong Kong, and Doris, born in Canton China.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Allen L. Ham Papers

 Collection
Identifier:  Collection 44
Content Description This collection contains A. L. Ham’s personal appointment books for most of the years from 1946 to his retirement. These may be interesting to show a General Conference leader’s schedule. There are also some sermons. Perhaps the most significant contribution are the many photographs of Seventh-day Adventist work primarily in India but also some from Africa during the 1940s and 1950s.
Dates: Majority of material found within 1946 - 1966

Allen L. Ham Papers

 Accession
Identifier: Collection 44