So says the Proclaimer's Book, page 576: "...Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed on Feb. 16, 1881, with W.H. Conley as president and C.T. Russell as secretary and treasurer....In 1884, Zion Watch Tower Tract Socity was legally incorporated, with C.T. Russell as president."
If find this fascinating. W.H. Conley goes from being president in 1881 to no mention in 1884. Not only is he no longer president, but he's not an officer nor a director. Moreover, there are only 3 references about him in the pages of Zion's Watch Tower, none acknowledging his previous rank!
From ZWT April 1880, R94: Page 8 under "Christ Our Passover"
"It has for several years been the custom of many of us here in Pittsburgh to do this, i.e., remember the Passover, and eat the emblems of our Lord's body and blood, and it has ever been an occasion of solemn pleasure and communion, and was particularly so this year. We met on the night of March 24th, as usual, at the house of Brother and Sister Conley (it being the most commodious)..."
Again, the following year in the April 1881 issue, R 207: Page 2 under "The Lord's Supper" we read:
"We have so observed it here in Pittsburgh for some years and it has ever been a blessed occasion. We will celebrate it this year at the residence of Bro. W.H. Conley, No. 50, Fremont St., Allegheny City, Pa. April 24th, at 8 o'clock P.M., and cordially invite all who can do so, to be present and join with us. Brethren and sisters from a distance will be entertained by the friends here. If possible please send a postal card to 'WATCH TOWER' office, No. 101 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., and call there on your arrival."
So far, we have learned the location of the Conley house and that it was a commodious dwelling, which would seem to indicate that he was well to do. Not surprising, I learned on another site that he was the president of the Third National Bank of Pittsburgh.
To those who might wonder if he had a falling out with Russell, I don't think so, although I am puzzled as to why Russell didn't tell his readers more about Conley. He merely identifies him as a brother in the early Allegheny Bible Class, with no hint to his ever being president of the Watch Tower Society. This from the June 1, 1894 number, page 176 under "Voice of the Church": "Pennsylvania
"[Another brother who was a member of the early Allegheny Bible Class writes as follows:]
"MY DEAR BRO. IN CHRIST:--I have read carefully pages 92 to 119 of 'A Conspiracy Exposed and Harvest Siftings' with special interest, and must say my recollection of events named by you are very much like your own; and while there are details, in some cases, of which I know nothing, and hence cannot speak as to them, yet I do know there were such transactions as you name, and at the dates given. I am quite conversant with some of the dealings, and am surprised at the very merciful manner in which you speak of those with whom you were associated. 'The servant is not greater than his Lord.' ' If they have done these things in a green tree, what will they do in the dry?'--"Perils among false brethren,' etc. etc.
"As to myself, you can rely on one thing; viz., All reports stating that I deny the ransom are absolutely false. The no-ransom people may talk, but they 'have nothing in me.' "
"As ever, Yours in Him, W.H. CONLEY"
Be that as it may, at the death of Conley at Allegheny on July 25, 1897 not one mention is made of it in the pages of ZWT. Yet both W.I. Mann and J.H. Paton, who were disassociated from Russell noted and commented on Conley's death in Paton's Aug. 1, 1897 "The World's Hope," pages 234-235. It is not at all clear to me whether Conley died a Bible Student or whether he went over to the other camp within this relatively brief interval. Whatever the case, not much is made of this president of the Watch Tower Society, either by Bible Students or by Jehovah's Witnesses.