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MEMORIAL SKETCHES 1870-1912
W. T. ANDREWS
Gc 976.1 An26m 1135822
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02342 410 1
Presented to Billy Pistle by his friend. Maxim R. Heflin. April 16th 1947,
Gc 976.1 An26m Andrews, W. T. Memorial sketches of the lives and labors of the deceased ministers .
U
بسـ
REV. W. T. ANDREWS.
MEMORIAL SKETCHES
OF THE
LIVES AND LABORS OF THE DECEASED MINISTERS
OF THE
NORTH ALABAMA CONFERENCE,
PERY WAYLE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
(1870-1912.)
5
1 1
1 1
COMPILED AND EDITED IN I'912 BY
REV. W. T. ANDREWS, Author of "A Waif-A Prince" and "Interviews with Jesus."
NASHVILLE, TENN .; DALLAS, TEX .; RICHMOND, VA .: PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. SMITH & LAMAR, AGENTS. 1912.
1135822
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED BRETHREN THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. "THEY REST FROM THEIR LABORS, AND THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM."
Sutter - 4.50
NOTE OF EXPLANATION BY THE COMPILER.
IT will be observed that forty years intervene be- tween the roll call of 1871 and of 191.1 ; also that of the ninety-two on the roll of 1871, only eleven are on the roll of 1911. During the forty years the number on roll has increased from ninety-two to two hundred and fifty-six. Add to this number forty-six first- and second-year undergraduates, and we have a total of three hundred and two on the roll of 19II. Then if we add forty-eight lay delegates for 1911 (in 1871 there were none), we have a grand total of three hundred and fifty; increase, two hundred and fifty-eight.
These figures show the North Alabama Confer- ence to be now composed almost entirely of a new membership since its first session after organization in 1870, and that this new Conference in forty years has grown to be nearly three times as large as it was at the beginning.
In preparing this Memorial volume the compiler has drawn largely upon memoirs published in our Conference Minutes; in fact, some of them have been used almost as written and published, because they contain just the data that were needed and the facts of history well expressed. But in all cases we
6
NOTE OF EXPLANATION.
have used the right of editorial surgery, cutting out what could be spared without injury to the general subject and adding what seemed to be needed. Some of these sketches. we have written de novo, getting the material wherever it was to be had. On this ac- count some of the sketches are much shorter than others. Most of the memoirs from which the sketches have been compiled were without signatures, and consequently no personal credit could be given. To those who are known we give credit as follows :
Writer.
Memoir.
Rev. F. W. Brandon, D.D.
Rev. Anson West, D.D.
Rev. S. L. Dobbs, D.D.
Rev. C. L. Dobbs.
Rev. S. L. Dobbs, D.D ..
Rev. T. G. Slaughter.
Rev. L. C. Branscomb, D.D.
Rev. C. D. Brooks.
Rev. M. E. Butt, D.D ..
Rev. C. D. Oliver, D.D.
Rev. F. P. Culver, D.D.
Rev. J. D. Ellis.
Rev. R. I. Walston.
Rev. W. A. Montgomery.
Rev. G. T. Harris.
Rev. G. J. Mason.
Rev. L. C. Branscomb, D.D
Rev. W. C. Hearn, D.D.
Rev. W. O. Horton
Rev. E. W. Jones.
Rev. R. W. Anderson.
Rev. G. W. Hall.
Rev. J. S. Glasgow
Rev. L. K. Knowles.
Rev. E. M. Glenn.
Rev. F. T. J. Brandon.
Bishop J. H. McCoy, D.D.
Rev. T. W. Reagan.
Rev. J. W. Norton. Rev. J. C. Prince.
Rev. G. E. Driskill.
Rev. G. W. Hamilton.
Rev. J. F. Sturdivant, D.D.
Rev. William M. Sturdivant.
To all the authors, both known and unknown, we gratefully acknowledge indebtedness for material for this volume. Indeed, we would have been put to great inconvenience but for their aid.
EDITOR AND COMPILER.
MEMORIAL PUBLICATION.
THE North Alabama Conference at its last ses- sion, in Florence, Ala., in 1911, adopted the follow- ing preamble and resolutions, which explain the rea- son for the writing and publication of this volume :
Whereas the North Alabama Conference more than forty years ago entered the list of Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, notwithstanding its apparently unpropitious and small beginning, has forged its way to the forefront and is in many respects the equal of any in our great connection; and whereas this marvelous success has, under the blessing of Almighty God, been achieved through the heroic labors and sacrifices of the men who composed the membership of the Conference at its beginning; and whereas many of these godly men who thus labored and suffered to make our Conference what it now is have passed to their great reward; and whereas we, their younger brethren who have entered upon the rich results of their labors, desire that their names as well as their labors shall abide with 11s in sacred memory; therefore be it
Resolved: I. That we will endeavor to express our appre- ciation of the great worth of our ascended and glorified breth -· ren by erecting to their memory a modest monument, not of stone or marble, but of history, which will enable them, though dead, yet to speak.
2. That in order best to accomplish this desired end we undertake to publish in book form a brief biography, at least, of the older members of our Conference who have died.
3 .. That we adopt the following plan for the work-viz. : Let subscriptions be taken from members of the Conference (and others who may desire to take part in the enterprise) un- der the following conditions : First, subscriptions to be due
8
MEMORIAL PUBLICATION.
when a sufficient amount has been pledged to make the enter- prise an assured success. Second, when the book is published and ready for the market, each subscriber is to receive the full amount of his subscription in books at the cost price of publi- cation and delivery. Third, that a committee of three be appointed by this Conference, to be known and designated as the Conference Publication Committee, consisting of the follow- ing brethren-viz., S. L. Dobbs, J. H. Wilson, and J. D. Simp- son. The duties of said committee shall be to superintend and be responsible for the publication and distribution of the above- named book, with full power to execute and facilitate the work in such businesslike manner as may appear to them to be right and reasonable, and to have the work completed as soon as possible. Fourth, that this Conference here and now appoint Rev. W. T. Andrews as editor and compiler of said book, whose duty it shall be to collect material for said book, edit, compile, and prepare the same for publication, subject to the inspection and approval of the Publication Committee. Fifth, that this Publication Committee shall call a meeting and or- ganize at the earliest possible time by electing a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Sixth, that as soon as a sufficient amount is subscribed to finance the enterprise the Secretary shall proceed to collect said subscriptions and turn the same over to the Treasurer, to be applied to the expenses of the en- terprise as shall be ordered from time to time by the committee. Seventh, that suitable and reasonable compensation shall be allowed the editor for his services, the amount to be deter- . mined by the Publication Committee.
J. F. STURDIVANT, L. F. WHITTEN.
ROLL CALL.
FLORENCE, ALA., NOVEMBER, 1871.
Anderson, J. H.
Hawkins, V. O.
Powers, J. B.
Andrews, J. E.
Henderson, P. L.
Ragan, R. G.
Andrews, W. T.
Hunkapiller, J. C.
Roberts, E. F. S.
Anthony, J. D.
Johnson, M. E.
Roberts, T. P.
Armstrong, W. H.
Bartee, J. T.
Kirk, W. R. Larrabee, B. F. Lassiter, C. S. D.
Sampler, R. J. Scales, Robert.
Blackwell, R. T.
Lea, B. F.
Scruggs, F. P.
Boland, J. M.
Livingston, C. M.
Shelton, T. N.
Booth, H. L.
Lynch, G. R.
Slaughter, T. G.
Brandon, F. T. J.
Mabry, W. E.
Smith, C. W.
Brindley, P. K.
Marks, J. S.
Stevenson, J. B.
Brown, Hardie. Brown, T. F.
McCoy, W. C.
Timmons, R. A.
Cameron, J. H.
McDonald, D. S.
Towls, J. M.
Cameron, W. E.
McLelland, E. B.
Tucker, J. H.
Clifton, W. L.
McLeod, C. N.
Turner, H. P.
Coleman, J. L. Coons, R. W.
McQueen, W.
Ward, D. W.
Cox, James.
Melton, I. Q.
Weakley, W.
Curry, J. T.
Moody, Theo.
West, Anson.
Davenport, T. H.
Mountain, R. F.
Whitten, J. W.
Davis, J. S.
Neely, J. A.
Whitten, L. F.
Driskill, A. F.
Newman, J. W.
Whitten, M. L.
Duncan, Daniel.
Nicholson, E.
Whitten, T. G.
Dupree, J. N.
Nicholson, P. E.
Williams, Uriah.
Foust, M. G.
Nicholson, W. D.
Williams, W. R.
Gaston, B. J.
Norton, E. B.
Wilson, G. B.
Glover, J. N.
Oliver, C. D.
Wilson, J. G.
Gurley, J. G.
Pattillo, W. T.
Wilson, L. M.
Hamer, J. M.
Phelps, Dawson.
Young, H.
FLORENCE, ALA., NOVEMBER, 19II.
Abernathy, Paul L. Andrews, Wm. T. Black, John E. Akin, John W. Archibald, Robt. M. Black, John T.
Aldridge, Frank L. Armstrong, Thomas. Blythe, Sylvester V.
Aldridge, Henry L. Barnes, William F. Bonner, Oscar A.
Aldridge, Wm. E.
Beal, William R. Booth, Henry L.
Alley, George W.
Bellinger, Bela M. Anderson, Robt. W. Bennett, Franklin.
Bowen, Cawthon A.
Bowen, James A.
Rowland, W. T.
Bell, L. R.
Mason, G. J.
Thompson, J. A.
McMeans, E.
Walker, J. G.
.
10
ROLL CALL.
Boyd, George E. Brandon, Frank W. Branham, Wm. S. Branscomb, L. C. Brittain, James L. Brock, James A. J. Brooks, Simon W. Brown, LeRoy A. Burns, Samuel N. Butt, Moses E. Cantrell, Boyd T. Cary, James W. Chadwick, John S. Chappell, A. J. Clark, James F. Cornelius, John P. Craig, John C. Crim, Henry F.
Culberson, John W. Hawkins, Ira F.
Culver, Frank P: Crow, Joseph J.
Daniel, Solomon T.
Daniel, William T. Davidson, John N. Davis, Hiram G.
Dill, Ralph L.
Dobbs, George C.
Dobbs, Samuel L. Dormon, Wm. W. Dowling, Z. A. Draper, Walter E. Driskill, George E.
Holdridge, Wm. T. Morris, Joseph T.
Morris, Moses N.
Morris, William E.
Neil, William. Newman, John W.
Newton, Marvin M.
Newton, Pierce L.
Nicholson, Rufus.
Norton, Ethelbert B.
Norton, John W.
Emerson, Eugene E. Johnson, James W. Notestine, A. J.
Emerson, Jehu V.
Johnston, J. D.
Emerson, Samuel R. Johnston, Milus E. Farrell, John M.
Jones, Jesse J.
Ferguson, John L.
Foust, Fred B.
Foust, William E. Francis, James C.
Fulmer, Edward.
Gamble, Foster K. Gardner, Frank H.
Gaston, William G. Leslie, James H. Gault, Joseph E.
Glasgow, B. B. Glasgow, James S. Glenn, Edgar M.
Godbey, Crockett C. Martin, George T.
Guthrie, William E. Matthews, Henry S.
Matthews, K. N.
Hamric, William A. Mathison, Albert L.
May, John A. Mays, William A.
Means, George H.
McCain, Marvin W.
McCain, Theo. B.
Hartford, Robert H. McClesky, James M. McDonald, T. L.
Hawkins, Virgil H. McDonald, W. M.
Hawkins, Virgil O. McDonald, W. P.
Hayes, Thomas W. McGlawn, David S. Heflin, Marvin R. Heflin, Walter W. McGlawn, W. P. McNutt, Daniel C. Hendricks, Wm. L. Henry, Waights G. Melton, Isaac Q. Miller, James T. Millican, Oscar L. Herndon, Wm. F. Herring, Charles L. Moman, Arthur C.
Hewlett, F. K.
Morris, Joseph E.
Duncan, James A.
Duncan, William R. Dupree, John N. Dye, David T. Echols, Robert. Eddins, William R.
Emerson, E. D.
Jenkins, George L.
O'Neal, Carrol C. Parrish, David L. Parrish, Louis F.
Pass, Joseph H.
Patterson, L. D.
Kennamer, Wm. A. Pattillo, William T.
Kerr, Thomas A.
Lancaster, James P. Lane, James T. Lee, Jackson W.
Lester, Francis F.
Lester, Samuel R. Maples, Samuel E. Marable, C. S.
Hall, George M.
Hanes, James O. Hannon, Robert Y. Harris, George T.
Harris, John H. Harris, Lando M.
Holmes, Lewis A. Holmes, Oliver N. Hope, William B. Horton, Wiley O. Howard, Harry C. Howell, W. McD. Hurst, Henry M. Igou, James M.
Jones, Robert H. Jones, Thomas O.
Persinger, Jesse C.
ROLL CALL.
İ İ
Pettus, William H. Price, Newton H. Price, W. Frank. Pruitt, Samuel L. Ralls, Hamilton B. Randle, George M. Ray, John O.
Read, George W. Redus, Edward B. Reid, William J. Rice, Walter L.
Rickey, Harry W. Riddick, C. B. Robertson, John S. Roberts, Isaac B.
Stansill, Luther F. Stevenson, H. M. Sturdivant, Joel F. Stoves, George. Sumner, C. L. Sutton, Willis A.
West, Samuel P. Whitehead, Harry. Whitten, L. F. Wilkins, John T.
Roberts, Thomas K. Swindell, Samuel A. Williams, James.
Roy, Edward L.
Syler, James W. Tabor, John M. Terry, John T.
Wilson, Reuben J. Wilson, Robert.
Scott, William W. Seale, Charles W.
Self, James T. Sellers, George W. Shaw, Melville L.
Simpson, John D. Tyler, Robert E. Vann, Felix A. Simpson, Wm. K. Slaton, Samuel T. Smith, George G. Vann, Joseph H. Smith, Melvin R. Waites, Bennett T. Smith, Samuel B. Waites, Harvey P. Waites, Louis A. Snyder, Jefferson D. Walker, John G. Speer, Robert A. Spencer, James W. Ward, Dempsey W. Walston, Robert I.
Warren, Joshua.
Wells, Marshall H.
Williams, Jos. I.
Rudisill, James F. Sandlin, Jesse J. Sargent, Isaac B.
Thompson, Barney Wolford, Charles. Thompson, Robt. A. Woodall, Wm. B. Totherow, Edley D. Yoe, Alfred M.
Young, Luther. W.
Tucker, James W. Turner, John R.
Tyler, Richard T.
SESSIONS OF THE NORTH ALABAMA CONFERENCE FROM 1870 TO 1912.
DATE.
PLACE OF MEETING.
PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY.
Nov. 16, 1870.
Gadsden, Ala
Bishop Paine
J. G. Wilson.
Nov. 15, 1871.
Florence, Ala.
Bishop Pierce.
J. G. Wilson.
Nov. 20, 1872.
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bishop Doggett.
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 19, 1873.
Talladega, Ala.
Bishop Marvin.
Nov. 11, 1874
Huntsville, Ala.
Bishop Doggett.
J. A. Thompson. J. A. Thompson. J. A. Thompson. J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 17, 1875.
Birmingham, Ala
Bishop Marvin
Dec. 13, 1876 ..
Decatur, Ala.
Bishop McTyeire.
Nov. 7, 1877 ...
Gadsden, Ala.
Bishop Keener.
J. A. Thompson.
Dec. 3, 1878 ...
Athens, Ala ..
Bishop Kavanaugh ...
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 26, 1879
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bishop Paine.
J. A. Thompson.
Dec. 15, 1880 ..
Oxford, Ala.
Bishop McTyeire.
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 23, 1881.
Huntsville, Ala
Bishop McTyeire. ... J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 22, 1882.
Lafayette, Ala.
Bishop Keener
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 14, 1883.
Birmingham, Ala
Bishop McTyeire
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 19, 1884.
Talladega, Ala.
Bishop Keener
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 18, 1885.
Gadsden, Ala.
Bishop Wilson. J. A. Thompson.
Dec. 1, 1886 ...
Florence, Ala ...
Bishop Hendrix
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 16, 1887.
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bishop Keener.
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 14, 1888.
Anniston, Ala.
Bishop Hargrove J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 20, 1889.
Huntsville, Ala.
Bishop Duncan
J. A. Thompson.
Nov. 19, 1890.
Birmingham, Ala
Bishop Granbery. ..
J. W. Newman.
Dec. 3, 1891 ...
Decatur, Ala.
Bishop Galloway ..
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 16, 1892.
Lafayette, Ala ..
Bishop Keener.
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 15, 1893.
Talladega, Ala
Bishop Duncan ..
J. W. Newman.
Dec. 3, 1894 ...
Athens, Ala.
Bishop Duncan
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 21, 1895.
Gadsden, Ala.
Bishop Galloway .. J W. Newman.
Nov. 18, 1896.
Bishop Granbery. J. W. Newman.
Dec. 1, 1897.
Florence, Ala.
Bishop Galloway ..
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 23, 1898.
Huntsville, Ala
Bishop Key .. J. W. Newman.
Nov. 22, 1899.
Birmingham, Ala
Bishop Candler J. W. Newman.
Nov. 28, 1900.
Decatur, Ala.
Bishop Hendrix. J. W. Newman.
Nov. 27, 1901.
Anniston, Ala
Bishop Hendrix. J. W. Newman.
Nov. 19, 1902.
Lafayette, Ala.
Bishop Key J. W. Newman.
Nov. 25, 1903
Tuscumbia, Ala
Bishop Smith J. W. Newman.
Nov. 23, 1904. Talladega, Ala.
Bishop Wilson. J. W. Newman.
Nov. 22, 1905.
Athens, Ala.
Bishop Galloway J. W. Newman.
Nov. 28, 1906.
Gadsden, Ala.
Bishop Hendrix J. W. Newman.
Nov. 27, 1907.
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Bishop Hendrix. ..
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 18, 1908.
New Decatur, Ala
Bishop Morrison. J. W. Newman.
Dec. 1, 1909 ... Roanoke, Ala.
Bishop Morrison.
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 30, 1910. Huntsville, Ala
Bishop Kilgo J. W. Newman.
Nov. 29, 1911.
Florence, Ala ..
Bishop Hoss.
J. W. Newman.
Nov. 20, 1912. Birmingham, Ala
Bishop Hendrix.
J. W. Newman.
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
INDEX.
PAGE.
Allison, L. R .. 308
Anderson, John H. .293
Armstrong, Thomas 316
Baird, R. B. . 195
Bartee, J. T
I7I
Bell, L. R .. 62
Berry, H. P 312
Bradford, J. W. 303
Brandon, F. T. J .22I
Brindley, P. K. 237
Brooks, C. D 156
Brown, Hardie 47
Carver, R. D. 150
Christian, J. W 89
Clifton, W. L
334
Coleman. J. L. 277
Coons, R. W 60
Copeland, A. G. II4
Curry, J. T. I4I
Davenport, T. H .210
Davis, J. S. 245
Dobbs, C. L. 66
Driskill, Ambrose F I7
Duncan, Daniel. 28
Dunkin, G. M. G 36
Ellis, J. D. 167
Ellis, J. F. 271
Glover, J. N. 213
Godbey, Crockett 123
Gregory, J. B 85
Gurley, J. G. 73
Hall, G. W .. IIO
Hamilton, G. W. 107
Hardin, T. F. . 220
Hawkins, E. H. .299
Heard, J. A. .I34
Hearn, W. C .. ΙΟΙ
Henderson, P. L 266
Hewitt, G. L I53
Hill, Sion. 307
Hunkapiller, J. C. . 203
Jones, E. W I04
.Kirk, W. R .. 287
Knowles, L. K .202
Larrabee, B. F 28.1
Lassiter, C. S. D. 40
Lea, B. F. . 93
Mabry, W. E. I93
Marks, J. S. 164
Mason, G. J. 99
Mathison, J. A. 247
McCain, J. E I39
McCain, T. B 184
McCoy, W. C.
42
McClellan, E. B. 297
McDonald, D. S. 97
McGibboney, C. E I46
McLeod, C. N. I43
McMeans, Edward 269
Millican, J. T .. 18I
Montgomery, W. A. 249
Moody, Theophilus
.261
Neely, J. A. 37
Nicholson, Evan 27.2
Nicholson, P. E. 320
Nicholson, W. D. 280
Norton, E. B .II2
Odom, E. C. 319
Oliver, C. D. I26
Parker, Z. A. 24I
Parrish, D. L 190
Phelps, Dawson 34
Powers, J. B 324
Price, E. H.
208
Prince, J. C. .
206
Ragan, T. W.
I76
Reagan, R. G.
.253
Rhodes, William
323
Riley, P. P.
. I44
Roberts, E. F. S I18
Roberts, T. P.
. I2I
Samford, N. P. D
.217
PAGE.
16
INDEX.
PAGE.
Samples, O. W. 158
Self, N. H.
83
Sims, L. C. . 148
Slaughter, T. G.
52
Stevenson, J. B 75
Sturdivant, W. M 325
Timmons, R. A. 230
Tucker, J. W. .173
Turner, H. P 282
Waters, J. R.
197
West, Anson 22
West, E. A. 322
Whitby, T. H.
339
Whitten, Joel W .257
Whitten, M. L
28g
PAGE.
Williams, M. G. 187
Williams, M. J. 305
Williams, Uriah 215
Williams, Wilson 235
Wilson, G. B. 295
Wilson, L. M. I30
Wilson, T. M. 16I
Youngblood, J. B
310
AUTOBIOGRAPHIES.
Andrews, W. T 340
Dupree, J. N. 356
Melton, I. Q. 345
Newman, J. W 349
Whitten, L. F 353
MEMORIAL SKETCHES.
REV. AMBROSE F. DRISKILL.
R EV. AMBROSE F. DRISKILL, son of John and Polly Driskill, was born in Rutherford County, N. C., June 16, 1801 ; and died at his home in Madison County, Ala., March 7, 1875. Brother Driskill's parents were reared by Presbyterians, but four years after their marriage he and his wife were converted and joined the Methodist Church. Then, of course, their son Ambrose was brought up in this Church, and that too in the strictest manner. At the age of seven years he joined the Church as a seeker, and when nine years old he was happily converted. His father's house was the home of the preachers who came that way, and this gave young Ambrose the advantage of the association of preachers in his early days, which he improved with great profit to himself. He was early impressed with the duty of preaching the gospel. At the age of twenty-one he was licensed to preach. It is said that he and his father were licensed to preach at the same time. He was admitted on trial into the Tennessee Confer- ence in 1822 and appointed to the Paint Rock Cir- cuit as junior preacher; 1823, Richland Circuit, junior preacher; 1824, Sandy Creek Circuit, preach- er in charge. In 1825 he was sent as a missionary to the Indians. During this year that celebrated chief Ed Gunter was converted; also another young In-
2
18
MEMORIAL SKETCHES.
dian who was baptized as "Fletcher Boots." He afterwards became a distinguished preacher. In 1826 Brother Driskill was sent to the Madison Cir- cuit as preacher in charge; 1827, Bedford Circuit; 1828, Lebanon Circuit (I suppose he must have served this work two years, as the record does not show any appointment for him in 1829) ; 1830, Tus- cumbia Station; 1831, Lebanon and Cairo; 1832, Brownsville and Covington; 1833, Forked Deer Cir- cuit ; 1834, Columbia Station; 1835-36, Shelbyville District. This year he was married to Miss Sarah Jane McGhee, who was a great help to him in his work, for she was in thorough sympathy with all his labors. From 1837 to 1839 he served the Hunts- ville District. His health having partially failed, he was a supernumerary during 1840; 1841-44, Flor- ence District ; 1845-48, Murfreesboro District ; 1849- 51, Nashville District; 1852-55, McMinnville Dis- trict ; 1856, supernumerary ; 1857-58, Madison Cir- cuit ; 1859, Maysville and Bold Spring; 1860-61, Elk River Circuit. In 1862 he served the Madison African Mission, which he continued to serve till the close of the war. In 1865 he served Fayetteville Station; 1866-67, supernumerary; 1868, employed by the Madison County Auxiliary of the American Bible Society ; 1869-70, Larkinsville District; 1871, New Market Circuit; 1872, Triana Circuit; 1873- 74, Madison Circuit. This was his fifty-third and last appointment. He died at his post. His life was a demonstration of his profession. He lived
19
REV. AMBROSE F. DRISKILL.
for God's glory and man's good. For this he gave his young manhood, his riper years, and his declin- ing days. He visited from house to house, taught, preached, and lived the gospel. He was a pattern of good works of every kind. To work, sacrifice, and help the poor and needy were the delights of his
life. The desire to save souls grew upon him with the years. He worked for the missionary cause with the zeal of one who had himself been a missionary. He was a rigid disciplinarian, because he believed most ardently in the doctrines and polity of his Church. He not only kept but tried to enforce the rules of the Church.
In 1840 Brother Driskill was sent as a delegate to the General Conference. Also in 1845 he was sent as a delegate to the convention that organ- ized the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was one of the first delegates to the first General Conference of the Southern Church. As a preacher he was clear, profound, and practical in the exposition of the Scriptures. On February 28, 1875, he filled two of his appointments. The next day he was much exposed to the inclement weather, which brought on a severe cold. In going to his appointment he had to cross a creek which was swollen by recent rains. His horse fell into the water with him, and he had to go a mile distant to get to a house where he could dry his clothing. He then proceeded to his appointment, but was in a bad condition physically. Returning home the next morning, he had the kind
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MEMORIAL SKETCHES.
ministrations of his devoted wife, and by evening he felt somewhat relieved. He retired as usual and seemed to sleep quietly, but later he grew worse and soon was suffering intensely. A physician was called, who pronounced it a severe attack of pneu- monia. The next day his fever raged fearfully, and in his delirium his utterances were incoherent. In the afternoon he became conscious and in great feebleness attempted to talk, but with hesitation, as if unable to express his wishes. "I want-I want," he said ; but could go no farther. His wife, much distressed, asked him: "What is it you want, my dear?" "To express my feeling," he replied. "I feel my acceptance with God. There are no doubts, no doubts." Seeing his wife's distress, he added : "The separation will not be long; the Lord will sus- tain you." In his slight delirium, which occasionally came on him, he was about his Master's work lead- ing the hosts of. God on to battle. Other physicians were called in, and they, with his family and friends, did all that human love and skill could do, but all in vain. When told that he could not get well, he said : "Well, I have nothing to fear; I see my way clear."
His friends sang and prayed with him, and he be- came very happy and exhorted those about him. To his distressed wife he said: "Put your trust in God ; his grace will be sufficient for you." At one time with great emphasis he exclaimed: "My feet are on the Rock!" At another time he said : "If I pass
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REV. AMBROSE F. DRISKILL.
away, all will be well; but I hate to see Jane [his wife] so much distressed." The old veteran was fighting his last battle with the enemy, but he won the victory through the atoning blood of Christ. He defied death and seemed to be glad that the battle would soon be over and the final victory won.
On that last evening, as the hour for family prayers drew near, his wife with choking voice said : "My dear, shall we have family prayers now for the last time together?" He readily consented, and lis- tened to the reading of the Scriptures; and when the prayers were ended, he requested that they sing his favorite hymn, "How Firm a Foundation!" His face beamed with heavenly radiance as he listened ; the sweet thoughts expressed in the hymn seemed to fill his soul. That radiant smile remained even after the soul had fled away to God and heaven.
Ambrose F. Driskill was no ordinary man. Punc- tuality was a prominent virtue of his life. He was a Methodist both in name and practice. His fidelity was of the highest type and of the most fearless character. He carried his religion with him every- where, and went nowhere that he could not take his Lord with him. His name and life are a rich legacy to his Conference and the Church at large wherever he was known. Beneath an apparently cold exterior there was a warm, loving heart full of the sunlight of religion. He rarely laughed, yet there was no frown on his brow. To look into his face was to read there the smile of peace that the world cannot give.
REV. ANSON WEST, D.D.
R EV. ANSON WEST, D.D., was born in Robertson County, N. C., September 3, 1832; and died at his parsonage home in Athens, Ala., July 3, 1906. When he was about two years old his father moved to Georgia, and again to Henry County, Ala., when the boy was about six years old. Again, when this son was about grown, his father moved to Barbour County, Ala.
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