Letters of Interest was a monthly periodical serving primarily North America with news and articles concerning the open brethren (OB) from 1934-1996. The very first issue was in July 1934, as Letters of Interest from The Home Field, edited by William G. McCartney, associate editor of J.H. Williamson, treasurer was R.W. Trotter & assistant treasurer was R.W. Stott. In 1938, the name was shortened to Letters of Interest, and in 1969 to Interest. In the 1990's, it was changed to News of Interest.

Offices

July 1934 - Spring 1936+: home of William G. McCartney, 1205 W. 96th St., Chicago, IL
+Aug. 1937 - Dec. 1948: 35 S. Dearborn St., "
Jan. 1949 - Dec. 1953+: 311 West Lake St., "
+Jan. 1960 - Sept. 1969: 127 South Wacker Dr., "
+Jan. 1970 - Dec. 1987+: 218 W. Willow St., Wheaton, IL

Printer

+Jan. 1970 - June 1971+: Christian Publications Registered; 230 Lupien St., Cap de la Madeleine, QC
+Jan. 1972 - Nov. 1979; Jan.-Mar. 1980; May-June 1980; Nov. 1980 - May 1986: Lithocolor Press, Westchester, IL
Dec. 1979; April 1980; July-Oct. 1980: LOI Assoc., P.O. Box 181, Don Mills, ON

Staff

Editor

William George McCartney - July 1934 - Mar. 1961; (b. 1901 Portadown, Belfast, N.I.; saved 1919; emig. 1920; d. 1982 Waynesboro, GA), 1920-1946 @ Laflin Gospel Chapel then founder of Bethany Chapel; Also founded Christian Missions Press & Stewards Foundation.
Donald M. Taylor - Apr. 1961 - June 1970+
C. Donald Cole - +June 1971+
James A. Stahr - +Jan. 1972 - May 1986
William "Bill" W. Conard - June 1986 - Dec. 1990+
- also provided much photography

Managing Editor

Sec. & Asst. Treasurer:
- J.M. Wittkamper +June 1938 - Feb. 1949
  - +June 1938 - (after Sept./Oct. 1942 & before Mar. 1943) co-editor
  - +Mar. 1943 - Feb. 1949 office rebranded as Sec. & Asst. Treasurer
- Donald M. Taylor - Mar. 1949 - 1969+

Secretary:
- Elisabeth Bayles - +Jan. 1960 - Jan. 1961
- Robert W. Mojonnier +Jan. 1972 - Dec. 1977

Editorial Assistant/Asst. Editor:
- C. Donald Cole +Sept. 1969 - June 1970+
- Naomi Bauman +June 1971 - Dec. 1984; +April 1987 - Dec. 1990+
- Arthur F. Wilder - Aug. 1973 - June 1977
- Davis Duggins - Dec. 1985 - June 1989+
- Peter J. Santucci +Sept. 1989 - Feb. 1990
  - Intern Asst. Editor; He also provided some of the photographs.
- Debra Locklear - Mar. 1990 - Dec. 1990+
  - Managing Editor

Circulation Coordinator

Doris Gillespie - Nov. 1989 - Dec. 1990+

Art Editor/Director

John W. Sweemer +June 1971 - Jan. 1987
Barbara Tillman - June 1986 - Aug. 1986+
Helen Lannis - +Oct. 1986 - Aug. 1988+
Taylors - Sept. 1988 - Dec. 1990+
- rebranded Composition in Mar. 1990

Photographers

Regular

David Singer - Apr. 1985 - May 1986+
Jim Steere - Jan. 1987 - Nov. 1990+
Jim Whitmer - Feb. 1985 - Dec. 1990+
Kevin Haislip - Nov. 1986; Feb. 1987; Oct. 1990
Steve Jannsen - July 1987 - May 1990+
H. Armstrong Roberts - Jan. 1985 - Dec. 1990+
Ake Lundberg - Sept. 1988; Feb. 1989; Sept. 1990

Occasional

Ron Edgecombe - Mar. 1983
David Pavey - Mar. 1986
Mary Whitmer - June-Aug. 1986
Bill Anderson - Oct. 1986
R.C. Paulson - Dec. 1986
Henley and Savage - May 1987
Peter & Nathan Lim - Mar. 1988
Carlos Vergara - Mar. 1988; Nov. 1988
Harold Mally - Mar. 1988
Don Littleton - May 1988
Mick Rock @ Luis Palau Evangelistic Assoc. - Sept. 1988
Senes Smith - Sept. 1988
John Walker - Sept. 1988
Steve Adams - Oct. 1988
Craig Hammond - Nov. 1988
Joyce King - Nov. 1988
Jonathan Miller & Pam Zarek - Dec. 1988
Bob Sieker - Dec. 1988
Mike Kopp - Feb. 1989
David Jones @ Luis Palau Ev. Assoc. - Mar. 1989
Jerry Pizzulli - Apr. 1989
Uselmann - May 1989
Vic Salmons - May 1989
Mike Metzger - May 1989
Pam Holloman - June 1989
Gregg Garman - Sept.-Nov. 1989
Hugo Santucci - Oct. 1989
Ron Fraser - Oct. 1989
Gilbert Beers - Nov. 1989
Dan Stultz - Jan. 1990
B.J. West, Fief of Delos - Jan. 1990
Brian Seim - Jan. 1990
David Dawson - Mar. 1990
Peter Foggin - Mar. 1990
Dr. Ranier Jonas - Mar. 1990
Daphne Kootenay - Mar. 1990
Luci Shaw - Apr. 1990
Charles Coleman - May-June 1990
Robert Peterson - May 1990
Betty Carter - May 1990
Arthur J.M. Reynolds - May 1990
Joel Locklear - Sept. 1990

Illustrators

Joe Van Severen - Jan.-Oct. 1987; Nov. 1989; Feb. 1990
Mary Chambers - July-Aug. 1988
Doug Hall - Oct. 1988
Steve Phelps - Dec. 1988
Eric/Erik Johnson - Feb. 1989; June 1989
David McAllister & Rob Suggs - Oct. 1989
Linda Siersma - Sept. & Oct. 1990

Business Manager

Dennis G. Bentz - Jan. 1973 - Nov. 1979; Jan.-Mar. 1980; May-June 1980
Andrew Johnston - Dec. 1979; April 1980; July-Oct. 1980

Canadian Representative

Also funneled gifts for workers & publication expense in the late 1960's.

James Bruce Buchan @ Thornhill, Toronto, ON - Jan. 1960 - 1970 (b. 1900 Scot.; emig. 1914; d. 1991), son of William Buchan & Margaret Buchan. Presby. by 1921, PB by 1927. Wife (1927 @ Toronto, ON): Dorothy Lillian Catherine Denson (b. 1904 Peterborough, ON), daughter of John Denson & Alexandrina "Ina" Sinclair Denson. Both James & Dorothy were PB by the time of their wedding, but officiated by J.N. Millar, independent Baptist pastor. James was employed in 1927 as a stenographer. Dorothy was raised PB in Toronto as early as 1911, her father John may have been PB as early as 1901 in Peterborough, employed as a butcher.
Andrew Johnston @ Don Mills, ON - +Jan. 1970 - June 1981

Board

President

Neil M. Glass +Jan. 1972 - Oct. 1985
Bruce R. McNicol - Nov. 1985 - Dec. 1990+
- & Publisher

Chairman

Neil M. Glass - Nov. 1985 - Nov. 1987
Nelson Annan - Dec. 1987 - Dec. 1988
James A. Stahr - Jan. 1989 - Dec. 1990+

Vice-President

John McCallum - Jan. 1978 - Oct. 1985; Jan. 1986 - Mar. 1990+

Treasurer

R.W. Trotter - July 1934 - Feb. 1935
Roy W. Stott - May 1935 - Sept/Oct 1942+
- Asst. Treasurer - July 1934 - Feb. 1935+
James W. Kennedy +Mar. 1943 - Sept. 1965
James D. Kennedy - Dec. 1966 - Nov. 1986
Dennis Bentz - Dec. 1986 - Dec. 1990+

Executive Director

James A. Stahr - Nov. 1980 - Dec. 1984

Directors

"Advisory Board" 1935-1942+; "Associate Editor" +1943-1960's; Separate lists (inclusive) of U.S. & Canadian Directors in the late 1960's;

J.H. Williamson - July 1934 - Mar. 1939+
Rufus William Trotter - May 1935 - Sept./Oct. 1942+ (b. 1876 Clones, Monaghan, Ireland; emig. 1900; d. 1949 Chicago, IL), son of George Trotter & Jane Pritchard Trotter (b. 1847 Ireland - d. 1921 Chicago, IL). Wife: Anna Helen Scott Trotter (b. 1872 Oshawa, Durham, ON - d. 1952 Chicago, IL), daughter of Robert T. Scott (b. 1843 Ratho, Edinburgh, Scot. - d. 1898 Chicago, IL) & Hannah Kirk Scott (b. 1845 Ireland - d. 1934 Chicago, IL).
- Nearly 30 years @ Laflin assembly, then commended to full-time service by the Washington Heights assembly as per L&L 1935, via W.G. McCartney, W.H. Brown, Donald W. Johnston, Arthur Miller, Henry Yost & Roy W. Stott.
- In Oct. of 1930, Trotter preached, alongside Stevenson & Ainslie, at a memorial service for Sarah G. Gilbert who was "given to hospitality", and among the Chicago assemblies 40 years.
- In 1936, Trotter & Hoy held tent meetings in Sioux City, IA where Sadie Elizabeth Marie Johnson Swanson (b. 1883 Sweden; emig. 1892; d. 1939 Sioux City, IA) was saved, who was later a founder of the assembly there. Sadie was a daughter of C.G. Johnson (Minneapolis, MN). Sadie's husband was Martin Swanson (b. 1878 Pocahontas, IA - d. 1962 Sioux City, IA), son of Joseph Swanson (b. 1840 - d. 1896 Pomeroy, Calhoun, IA) & Elizabeth Anderson Swanson (b. 1853 Sweden - d. 1927 Bone Lake, Polk, WI).
  - That same year, Trotter labored for seven weeks with George Raust in a Gospel effort at Burns, Wyoming where a few souls had been saved, and some were meeting in the home of brother Meisner to break bread. According to L&L 1936, Trotter was "greatly impressed with the work among the children at Burns and at other places in the vicinity".
Charles Edward Atwood - May 1935 - Sept./Oct. 1942+
- 1910-1950, Charles was in fellowship at Austin Gospel Hall where in 1944 alongside Alex Wilson, D.S. Anderson, Roy E. Rapsch, Carl Whitinger, Will R. Simpson & Clarence R. Welsher, when that assembly commended Sydney Hoffman to the Lord's work, alongside the assembly at Hawkesville, ON as per L&L.
- Occupationally, Charles was a national expert on tea, and vice-president & director of the Irwin-Harrisons-Whitney Co., which was the largest exporter of tea from Japan, and also the largest importer of it into the U.S. between WWI and WWII. It was founded in 1884 by Andrew P. Irwin & Robert F. Irwin, sons of Samuel Irwin who was a Civil War vet from Philadelphia with his own coffee & tea business. In 1936, Charles penned The Romance of Tea.
Charles Howard - May 1935 - Sept./Oct. 1942+
Peter Hinshelwood - May 1935 - Sept./Oct. 1942+
Clyde H. Dennis - +Mar. 1943 - Mar. 1944
Fred Hillis - Apr. 1946 - Apr. 1947
Andrew J. Cotton - +Mar. 1943 / Apr. 1946 - June 1952
- aka "Publicity" +Mar. 1943 - May 1943 & "Associates" June 1943 - Mar. 1946
J.M. Wittkamper June 1938 / Mar. 1949 - Nov. 1951
Charles W. Pollard - +Mar. 1943 / Apr. 1946 - Mar. 1949+ (ended prior to 1960)
- aka "Publicity" +Mar. 1943 - May 1943 & "Associates" June 1943 - Mar. 1946
John Sweemer +Jan. 1960 - Dec. 1960
- @ Wheaton, IL
Virgil Hollingsworth, Jr. - Apr. 1946 - Dec. 1961+
- @ Augusta, GA
Dena Speering - +Nov. 1962+
- @ Wheaton, IL
James W. Kennedy - +June 1962 - Oct. 1965+
- @ Chicago, IL
Charles S. Howard - Apr. 1950 - Mar. 1967
- @ Lombard, IL 1960-1961; Federal Way, WA +June 1962 - Oct. 1963; Lombard, IL +May 1964 - Mar. 1967
Norman Buchanan - Oct. 1965 - Dec. 1968+
- @ Cap de la Madeleine, QC
Robert G. Dunlop - +Oct. 1963 - Dec. 1968+
- @ Akron, OH
Robert A. Hanson - July 1953 - Jan. 1965 - Dec. 1968+
- @ Seattle, WA +1960-1961; Federal Way, WA +1962-1967+
David T. Harvey - +Oct. 1963 - Dec. 1968+
- @ Boca Raton, FL +Oct. 1963+; Gainesville, FL +May 1964+
James "Jim" Grant Humphrey - Apr. 1946 - June 1969 (b. 1900 Chicago, IL - d. 1969 Boca Raton, FL), son of William Henry Humphrey (b. 1869 Ham or Walls, Foula, Shetland, Scot. - d. 1928 Chicago, IL) & Joan E. Georgeson Humphrey (b. 1865 Laxfirth, Nesting, Shetland, Scot.; m. 1891; emig. 1892; d. 1939 Chicago, IL). William was employed in 1900 as a teamster, and 1910 as a self-employed dairy farmer. He naturalized in 1918 with James Geddis & James Hagburton as references. 1st wife: Florence Gilbert Humphrey (d. 1963); Florence's brother T.B. led Jim to the Lord when he was close to death with a ruptured appendix in Englewood Hospital in Chicago. 2nd wife: Eleanor Bradshaw Johnson-Humphrey. Sister: Ruth Pollard. Children: Gilbert Humphrey (died in infancy) & Sally Jo Humphrey Toms (b. 1928).
- @ Publicity +Mar. 1943 - May 1943 & Associate June 1943 - Mar. 1946
- @ Laflin St. Gospel Hall +1925-1965+; Several years chairman @ Bibletown, Boca Raton, FL. Chairman @ Stewards Foundation, Emmaus Bible School & Good News Publishers (24 years). Founder @ Lake Geneva Youth Camp, Circle Y Youth Camp, Baraka Press & Boca Raton Bible Chapel. Director @ Pleasant View Convalescent Hospital, Monrovia, CA.
- bio tribute LOI 1969-9, pp. 5-9
William "Will" Rigg Simpson (b. 1890 Kansas City, MO - d. 1969 Los Angeles, CA) - June 1944 - Mar. 1946; May 1946 - Dec. 1968+
- "Publicity": +Mar. 1943 - May 1943; "Associates": June 1943 - Mar. 1946
- @ Kansas City, MO & Los Angeles, CA
- LOI:1970-1: William R. Simpson: "Will Simpson, of Los Angeles, who died Nov. 26, 1969, was typical of that rarest of breeds, men who in an age when theories are mercilessly debunked, manage to inspire sincere praise and admiration. When word of his death got around many people said what more than one had been saying for years: 'Will Simpson was the finest man I knew', or 'Will Simpson was the kind of man I'd like to be'. That sort of thing. And to those who knew him it was by no means an extravagant as it may sound to strangers. What kind of man was he? In the statement read at the funeral, Dick Matthews, who knew him well, said that he was a quiet man. 'He knew when to speak and when to refrain from speaking'. He gave sound advice, and he had an unfailing sense of humor. He was a father to many, because he loved deeply, and he cared. Dick Matthews said many other things, too, all true, all testifying to the godly integrity of a truly Christian gentleman. Will Simpson was born n Kansas City, Mo., in 1890. When he was 17 he was saved, and that was when he began to serve God. During World War I he spent nearly three years in the U.S. Army, much of that time in France. After the war (1920) he married Caroline Ross, with whom he set up a home that would be renowned for hospitality. God alone knows how many hundreds (if not thousands) of Christians and others were entertained in that home, both in the Midwest and in California. Mr. Simpson is survived by a daughter and her family, a sister, and three brothers, and by many friends and brethren to whom he was a father. 1 Thess. 2:9-12. Before moving to California, Will was an associate editor of Letters of Interest. He became the first president of the Western Assemblies Home, in Claremont, and until his death of heart disease, was an active, beloved elder of the congregation at Ladera Bible Chapel, Inglewood, California."
  - Will's wedding was officiated in 1920 in KCMO by Don Cole's father, Paul Edwards Cole (b. 1897 Dalton City, Moultrie, IL - d. 1962 Chicago, Cook, IL), who himself was a son of Charles David Cole (b. 1867 Dalton City, IL - d. 1935 Topton, Berks, PA) & Maude Mary Gibson Cole (b. 1868 Hamilton, Caldwell, MO - d. 1963 Chalfont, Bucks, PA). Will's wedding was likely at Troost Avenue Gospel Hall.
James B. Buchan @ Thornhill, ON - +Oct. 1963 - June 1970+
Ernest Theopil Sandeen @ Oak Park, IL - +June 1962 - June 1972 (b. 1895 Chicago, IL - d. 1986 Oak Park, IL), son of Sven Oscar Sandeen (b. 1864 Frillestad, Skåne, Sweden; emig. 1887-1888; m. 1890 @ Chicago, IL; d. 1930 Chicago, IL) & Emma Johannesdotter Floreen Sandeen (b. 1867 Bolstad, Sweden - d. 1899 Oak Park, IL); 2nd wife: Augusta Amalia Johnson Sandeen. In 1900, Sven was employed in Chicago as a tailor. Ernest had four siblings: Ethel, Oscar, Elmer & Ralph. Sven's parents were Ola Olson/Pehrsson (1823-1907 Frillestad, Sweden) & Helena Svensdotter (b. 1829 Torpa Kronaberghstan - d. 1912 Frillestad, Sweden). The Sandeen family relocated from Chicago to Oak Park in 1913.
- +1917 employed as a stenographer @ American Bridge Co.. Army WWI vet (1918-1919). 1930-1965 @ Fairbanks-Morse (1823-2020), presently owned by Arcline. Elder @ River Forest Bible Chapel. Wife: Evelyn Emma Beguelin Sandeen. Children: Marjorie Evelyn Sandeen (1927-1933 Oak Park, IL), Ernest Robert Sandeen (b. 1931 Oak Park, IL - d. 1982 St. Paul, Ramsey, MN) & John C. Sandeen (@ Wolfeboro, NH).
W. Herbert Marshall @ Boston & Belmont, MA - Apr. 1946 - Feb. 1973
Donald M. Taylor +June 1969 - June 1970 - Dec. 1973
Robert W. Logan - +June 1971 - June 1974
Robert W. Mojonnier @ West Chicago, IL & Wheaton, IL - Nov. 1960 - Dec. 1977
Kasmir Strance @ Chicago, IL - Dec. 1966 - April 1978
Donald J. Thomson/Thompson @ Chicago & Riverdale, IL +Jan. 1960 - June 1981
J. Wilson McCracken @ Elmhurst, IL - +Jan. 1960 - Dec. 1984
Abner "Ab" Bauman - Jan. 1979 - Nov. 1979; Jan.-Mar., May-June, Nov.-Dec. 1980; Jan. 1981 - Oct. 1985
Charles Donald "Don" Cole @ Oak Park & Lombard, IL - Jan. 1967 - Nov. 1979; Jan.-Mar., May-June, Nov.-Dec. 1980; Jan. 1981 - Oct. 1985 (b. 1923 Kansas City, MO - d. 2012 Barrington, Lake, IL)
- see CT's obit.
Bill Conard - Jan. 1985 - Feb. 1986;
Keith Price - Jan. 1985 - Nov. 1986
Leroy L. Yates @ Chicago, IL - Oct. 1965 - Nov. 1979; Jan.-Mar., May-June, Nov.-Dec. 1980. Jan. 1981 - Nov. 1986
James D. Kennedy @ La Grange, IL - +Oct. 1963 - Nov. 1986
Mark Porter - Dec. 1986 - Nov. 1987;
Kevin Dyer - Jan. 1985 - Nov. 1985 - Nov. 1987

James A. Stahr - Dec. 1986 - Dec. 1990+
Bruce McNicol - Nov. 1985 - Dec. 1990+
John McCallum @ Chicago & Oak Lawn, IL - Nov. 1960 - Dec. 1990+
Dennis G. Bentz - Dec. 1979; April, July-Oct. 1980; Dec. 1986 - Dec. 1990+

Nelson Annan - Jan. 1985 - Nov. 1985 - Dec. 1988; Dec. 1990+
William Coffey - Dec. 1987 - Dec. 1990+
David Dawson - Jan. 1989 - Dec. 1990+
Neil M. Glass @ Park Ridge, IL - Jan. 1961 - Nov. 1987; Dec. 1990+
Kenneth Hampton - Dec. 1987 - Dec. 1990+
Merrill Oster - Jan. 1989 - Dec. 1990+
David Rickert - Dec. 1986 - Dec. 1987 - Dec. 1990+
Rod Wilson - Dec. 1986 - Dec. 1990+

Letters of Interest

Contents