Ernest A. Kilbourne

Ernest A. Kilbourne (March 13, 1865 – April 13, 1928) was a missionary evangelist to Japan. He is best known for being a cofounder of the Oriental Missionary Society (now One Mission Society; formerly OMS International).

Ernest A. Kilbourne was born on March 13, 1865, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Two years after his birth, his family moved to the villages of Conestogo and Winterbourne in Ontario. His father established a general store, which contained a district telegraph and post office. The Kilbourne family attended a Methodist church. By the age of 14, Kilbourne was employed in a telegraphy job, and while still in his teens, he left Ontario to work with the Western Union in the United States.

At the age of 21, Kilbourne was determined to become a writer and to see the world. He set out from New York on a trip around the world. He went to Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. Once back in the U.S., he began working as a telegraph operator in Virginia City, Nevada, where he met and fell in love with Julia Pittinger. A Roman Catholic girl, Pittinger had been born in Virginia City and was one of 17 children. They were married by the Reverend Laurence Ridgely of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on June 30, 1888.

After marrying, Kilbourne requested a transfer to the thriving city of Chicago, where he had hope of becoming a successful telegrapher. He was transferred and, in a short time, became divisional chief along with a man named Charles Cowman.

One day, Cowman, who had recently become a passionate Christian, approached Kilbourne at work and evangelized to him for half of an hour. Kilbourne remained silent through Cowman’s message, and his lack of response led Cowman to believe he had failed in one of his first endeavors to share the Gospel. However, much to Charles’ surprise, Ernest entered the workplace the following day and announced, “I went home last night after our conversation and did just what you told me. It is all settled and I gave myself to Christ,” (Page 20).

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