USA > Alabama > Memorial sketches of the lives and labors of the deceased ministers of the North Alabama conference, Methodist Episcopal church, South (1870-1912.) > Part 10
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REV. WILLIAM E. MABRY.
R EV. WILLIAM E. MABRY was born in Shelby, N. C., May 2, 1837; and died at Palatka, Fla., March 21, 1895. Brother Mabry's physical mold was tall, spare, and straight. In carriage and bear- ing he was a nobleman. He was a man of the tenderest sensibilities and the keenest insight. He was preëminently trustworthy in all of his transac- tions, and was the very essence of truthfulness. He was a sincere Christian and an evangelical minister of the gospel. His preaching was singularly free from speculations and errors in doctrine. His ca- reer was honorable and his end peaceful.
For four years Brother Mabry served pastoral charges in the Alabama Conference; then for six years he was in the Mobile Conference. He then transferred to the Tennessee Conference and re- mained only one year, transferring to the North Alabama Conference, where he received twenty four appointments. He was received on trial into the Alabama Conference in December, 1850, and ap- pointed to the Blue Springs Mission, in the Blounts- ville District. At the session of the Conference held in Greensboro, Ala., in December, 1861, he was re- ceived into full connection and ordained deacon. The Conference of 1863 was held in Columbus, Miss., which was the last session of the Alabama
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Conference before its division into the Mobile and Montgomery Conferences. At that session Brother Mabry was ordained elder. In 1861-62 he was on the Northport Circuit; 1863, Belmont; 1864, Craw- fordville ; 1865, Mckinley and Bethlehem; 1866-67, Athens District; 1868-69, Meridian Station; 1870, Athens District; 1871, Tuscaloosa Station. In con- sequence of failing health he was compelled to give up the work in the early part of the year. In 1872 he served the Decatur Station; 1873-76, Decatur District ; 1877-79, Gadsden Station; 1880-81, Ox- ford Station. He was then appointed to the Har- persville Circuit, but on account of a vacancy in the Talladega Station he was removed to that charge, where he remained four years. He then served the Gadsden District four years. The last appoint- ment he received was the Lafayette Station in 1894. Here his health so declined that he had to give up work in the early part of the year. He then asked for and was granted the superannuate relation. He then went to Florida in the hope of recuperating his broken-down health. But all in vain; his work was done, and the Master gave him his discharge and took him to heaven to rest and live forever.
In the early part of his ministry he was married to Miss Sallie DeGraffenried, of North Alabama. Seven children were born to them. His son, Rev. IV. E. H. Mabry, at this writing ( 1912) is Presi- dent of the Tuscaloosa Female College.
REV. ROBERT BURTON BAIRD.
R EV. ROBERT BURTON BAIRD, son of James E. and Lucy Baird, was born at Goshen, Ala., Janu- ary 17. . 1851. He was converted in early life at Bethel Church, in Calhoun County, Ala., and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was licensed to preach about the year 1880. In the fall of 1887, at Tuscaloosa, he was admitted on trial into the North Alabama Conference. He was ordained deacon at Huntsville, Ala., in 1889, by Bishop Dun- can, and elder by Bishop Galloway in Decatur, Ala., December 6, 1891. He served the following charges: Warrenton Mission, two years: Ohatchee Circuit, two years ; Berry Circuit, four years ; Heflin Circuit, four years; Lincoln Circuit, three years ; Alexandria Circuit, three years: Piedmont Circuit, two years. In the fall of 1908, on account of the helpless condition of his afflicted wife, he was super- annuated, and was in this relation two years. In December, 1910, he was assigned to the Lanier Cir- cuit, where he ended his labors in peace and passed to his reward on November II, 19II.
In early manhood Brother Baird was married to Miss Mattie. Smith. This union was blessed with several children, two of whom survive at this writ- ing (19II) : Jerome J. Baird, of the Mississippi Conference, and Mrs. R. J. Williams, of Heflin,
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Ala. On December 22, 1910, he was married to Mrs. Willie D. Buckalew, of De Armanville, Ala.
As a man, citizen, husband, and father Brother Baird adorned the commonwealth in which he lived. and "centered within himself the most beautiful graces of a horne in which love presided and from which the holiest influences radiated." He was not a man of showy life and great profession, but he was a man of real merit and true character. He had convictions, and could stand for them with the moral courage of a hero. He was of a kindly dis- position and had a loving heart. In his home and with his loved ones, especially when there was afflic- tion-and there was much of it-he was as gentle and tender as a woman. But it is his work as an itinerant preacher that will stand the test of time and the disclosures of the final day. He was a faithful shepherd, going in and out before his people, giving them a wholesome example of quietness, peace, and love, and ministering counsel, cheer, and comfort as only one can do who has sat at the feet of the great Teacher and learned of him. He was a good preacher, sound and sensible, and liked to preach. His sermons always brought food for the minds and hearts of his hearers, and he was faith- ful to the end. He lived nobly and wrought well; and while we mourn his death, we rejoice in the hope that by and by we shall find him in the better land.
REV. JOHN RICHARD WATERS.
R EV. JOHN RICHARD WATERS, son of Rev. Resin Fletcher and Bettie Womack Waters, was born in Panola County, Miss., September 6, 1877. His father was a member of the North Mississippi Con- ference, and died in October, 1880, while stationed at Rosedale, Miss. A little while before death came to the father the child John was called for, and the father said: "This child is to be a preacher. Be sure to rear him for the Lord." Thus from in- fancy he was dedicated by his father to the service of God; but not until he had for himself answered the call of God did he know what his father had said.
After the death of the father, the mother moved to Florence, Ala., established herself in a modest home, and settled down to the work of rearing for God her two boys, John and his half-brother James T. Johnson, eight years older. At Florence John grew up in the Sunday school, joined the Church when quite young, and became an enthusiastic worker, with never any wavering in devotion to the cause. He attended public school in Florence, of which his mother was principal, and then graduated from the State Normal College, Florence. That he might contribute as far as possible toward his own educa- tion, he worked afternoons and Saturdays at a drug
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store. While quite young he ran one afternoon into his mother's room, his face all aglow, saying : "Mamma, look at my nice new Bible. Isn't it pret- ty?" The reply was made: "Yes, son; you have a number of Bibles now. What do you want with another?" He replied : "Yes, mamma; but I have to preach the gospel." This was the first intimation he ever gave of his call to preach.
After graduation at Florence, Brothers Waters taught for two years at Renfroe, near Talladega, Ala. He then spent two years at Mooney School, Franklin, Tenn., teaching and pursuing studies for further college work. He was superintendent of the Sunday school at Franklin. There he was li- censed to preach ; there he had perhaps the greatest battle of his life and won a great victory. He had about decided to become a lawyer, going so far as to provide himself with books and to begin preparation for that end. The way was opened for him to pursue legal study under eminent instructors in Georgetown, D. C. But a battle was being waged in the heart of the young man, a voice was speaking to his inner consciousness calling him to the minis- try. For several months this battle raged; then he surrendered and the matter was settled. Then came a sweet peace and his spirit was at rest. Being persuaded that the time had passed when a preacher could afford to enter upon his work without thor- ough preparation, he began with a set purpose to fit himself to be a preacher and a teacher. Accordingly
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REV. JOHN RICHARD WATERS.
he entered Vanderbilt University and continued there for seven years, practically working his way through. He received his B.A. degree in 1905 and his M.A.
REV. JOHN RICHARD WATERS.
in 1908, at the same time taking the B.D. degree in the Biblical Department. The next summer he spent at Chicago University, still seeking knowl- edge.
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In November, 1908, at New Decatur, Ala., Broth- er Waters was received on trial into the North Ala- bama Conference and sent to the Hamilton Station, where he did excellent work. His consecration to duty and his lovable disposition made a fine im- pression upon his people and won friends among all classes. . For 1910 he was sent to West Gadsden, and there impressed himself on his people as a man of God. In July, 1910, he was elected to the chair of History and Philosophy in Birmingham College. His people at West Gadsden gave him up with re- luctance. At the opening of the fall session of the college he entered upon his work and pursued it with such a degree of intelligence and earnestness as to betoken great success in his department. In the three months intervening between the opening of the school and the session of the Conference he had convinced all parties that he was the right man in the right place. He was a preacher of decided ability. Clear and strong in the presentation of gospel truth, he spoke as one who knew in his own life the force of that truth. He carried these strong convictions into his school work. He at once won the respect of the members of the faculty, and the students soon learned to love him devotedly. He was interested in everything that concerned the wel- fare of the boys. He was with them in their Chris- tian work, and his daily life was a high example to them. Surely no man ever got a stronger hold on the student body in so short a time than he. Num-
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REV. JOHN RICHARD WATERS.
bers of students in Birmingham College have said : "He was the best man I ever saw."
At the close of the Conference at Huntsville Brother Waters returned home sick. After a few days pneumonia developed, and on December 15, 1910, he passed to his reward in the city of God. His mother and brother reached his bedside when his sickness became serious, and when his mother came into the room never was there on human face a look of deeper affection than was on his. He could not talk much, but his eyes looked the tender love that he could not speak. Before he went away he spoke to friends freely concerning his temporal affairs and of his spiritual condition. He said : "I want to talk to you while I can. I do not know how this will terminate. I want you to know that if I go it is well. My faith in God is strong; in fact, I believe I had a little rather go." It can never be fully told what a great service his good mother did for the world when she reared such a man as John R. Waters. No man could know him without being better for it. Always bright and cheerful, he car- ried sunshine wherever he went. None ever knew a more perfect Christian gentleman. His work is done, and well done.
REV. LUCIEN K. KNOWLES.
R EV. LUCIEN K. KNOWLES, son of James and Elizabeth Knowles, was born in Shelby Coun- ty, Ala., October 8, 1883; and died on June 7, 1908. At a very early age he joined the Church, having been converted under the ministry of Rev. C. L. Herring. His conversion was pronounced, and such was his zeal and loyalty to all the services of the Church that his friends felt assured that he would seek a wider field for service soon. And so it was. He sought and obtained a license to preach, but real- ized that his education was not sufficient for his chosen life work. ' He spent two years in college, a part of the time at Greensboro and the rest at Owen- ton. In July, 1903, he was married to Miss Dora Chadburne, who proved to be a real help and a great blessing to him in his chosen work. He was received on trial into the North Alabama Conference in 1904. He served only two charges, Hargrove Station and Cottondale Circuit; but he served them well and faithfully. His health being completely broken down, the Conference at its next session placed him on the roll of superannuates. He was never able to take work after this, and on the date above given he quietly passed away.
REV. JOHN CROFFORD HUNKAPILLER.
R EV. J. C. HUNKAPILLER was born in Blount County, Ala., September 19, 1833; and died at his home in New Hope, Ala., July 16, 1904. His parents were very poor and unable to give him even an ordinary English education. He was con- verted and joined the Methodist Church in 1847. When he was about twenty years old, he was mar- ried to Miss Nancy C. Parrott. To them were born nine children. The youngest son, Rev. L. P. Hunk- apiller, is a minister and a member of the North Alabama Conference. A few years after he joined the Church he was appointed class leader, and in 1861 he was licensed to exhort. In 1861 he en- listed in Company B, Nineteenth Alabama Regi- ·ment, C. S. A., and was made a corporal in his company, but later was made third lieutenant .. In the Battle of Chickamauga he was wounded, from which he never recovered sufficiently to join his company again. He was a brave soldier and a faithful officer. He maintained his Christian char- acter untarnished through all the years of his mili- tary life, and had the confidence and respect of his fellow soldiers.
Brother Hunkapiller was licensed to preach in . 1861, and for three years (1865-67) he served as
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a supply on the Marshall Circuit. In 1866 he was ordained deacon by Bishop McTyeire, and in 1870 ordained elder by Bishop Paine. At the same time he was received on trial into the North Alabama Conference, and served fifteen years. He then lo- cated, because his family was large and his material support too meager on the charges he served to en- able him to keep out of debt. But during the years that he was a local preacher he was by no means idle, as his services were eagerly sought after in the country where he lived. As proof of this we ap- pend the contents of a letter which he wrote to the Alabama Christian Advocate on the day that he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding :
OUR GOLDEN WEDDING.
January 2, 1903.
This day fifty years ago, by Rev. Uriah Williams, Nannie S. Parrott and I were pronounced husband and wife. The fruits of this union were nine children. Eight lived to be men and women-all members of the Methodist Church. Six are still living; two died in the faith. We have twenty-nine living grandchildren, several of whom are in the Church. We have reason to be thankful to our Heavenly Father for his goodness during these eventful years. "Surely goodness and mercy have followed us."
I was licensed to preach in 1861. After spending three years in the war, I began to preach in the fall of 1864. From that date to the present I have devoted most of my time to the Church and for the good of the people generally. I shall not boast, but I have married more than one thousand couples, preached as many funerals, conducted as many protracted meetings, witnessed as many genuine conversions, and re- ceived as little money for it as any man of my age. My
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REV. JOHN CROFFORD HUNKAAPILLER.
salary for twenty-six years' work does not average more than two hundred dollars per year. But I am glad that I have had the honor of working for the Master. So, after all, we are "unprofitable servants." Still able to work and live, my wife
REV. J. C. HUNKAPILLER AND WIFE.
and I are unusually active for our age. I can travel twenty miles and preach twice a day yet. My wife can do her own work and visit as often as she wishes to any day. So we are happy on the way. May God bless you, the Advocate, and everybody else !
REV. JOHN C. PRINCE.
R EV. JOHN C. PRINCE was born at Sheffield, Tus- caloosa County, Ala., September 6, 1861 ; grew up to manhood in the community where he was born with very limited advantages for an edu- cation ; professed religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1887; joined the North Alabama Conference at Athens, Ala., in 1894. His ministerial and pastoral services were given to the following charges : Westmoreland Circuit, 1895-98; Vinemont Circuit, 1899: Princeton Circuit, 1900- OI; Westmoreland Circuit, 1902; Covin Circuit, 1903-04; Double Springs Mission, 1905; Union Grove Circuit, 1906-07. At the end of 1907, on account of declining health, he asked for and was granted the superannuate relation.
Brother Prince was married to Miss Fannie Ech- ols, of Westmoreland, Ala., January 12, 1894. Soon after his superannuation he was provided with a home at Ragland, Ala., by the agent, Rev. J. W. Norton. (This Ragland home was donated as a superannuate home by Hon. W. T. Brown in honor of his wife, Mrs. Lila Kathryne Brown.) In this home Brother Prince lingered and suffered for about one year, and on December 28, 1908, he was removed to another and better home provided by his Lord and Master, "a house not made with
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hands," in the "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
The ministerial services of this good man were indeed a benediction to the charges he filled, for the people "took knowledge of him, that he had been with Jesus." His life was an open epistle, known and read of men. Consecration, strong faith, and unremitting service characterized his everyday life. Often persons passing his home have heard him singing and shouting the praises of God aloud.
Brother Prince died at a time of life when men are usually in their prime; but God's ways are not our ways any more than his thoughts are our thoughts. Our departed brother sleeps in the quiet cemetery at Westmoreland, Ala., to await the res- ttrrection of the just.
REV. EUGENE HARTWELL PRICE.
R EV. E. H. PRICE was born at Glennville, Bar- bour (now Russell) County, Ala., February 7, 1860; and died at Ethelville, Pickens County, Ala .. September 15. 1911. His parents were people of culture and deeply pious. Rev. William J. Price, of the Alabama Conference, is his brother, and Rev. Jesse Wood, of California, is his half-brother.
Brother Price was converted in early life and joined the Methodist Church, and gave himself without reserve to the service of the Lord. His ideals were high, and from his boyhood he lived as well as he knew how. In 1882 at Spring Hill, near the place of his birth and rearing, he was licensed to preach. Rev. R. B. Crawford was his presiding elder and C. B. Pilley his pastor. In 1887 he was ad- mitted on trial into the North Alabama Conference and appointed to Leeds and Henry Ellen, which he served during 1888; Fernbank Circuit, 1889; Fay- ette Circuit, 1890; Northport Circuit, 1891-92 ; Gor- do Circuit, 1893-94; Gadsden Circuit, 1895-96; South Hill Circuit, 1897; Vernon Circuit, 1898- 1901; Carbon Hill, 1902-03; Brookside, 1904-05 ; Gurley Circuit, 1906-07; Triana Circuit, 1908-09 ; Ethelville Circuit, 1910-II.
Brother Price was all that a successful itinerant preacher should be, barring human frailties common
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REV. EUGENE HARTWELL PRICE.
to men generally. His piety was perhaps his most striking characteristic. He sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all his work, because he had an abiding anxiety to save people from sin. He was not what the world would call a great preacher ; but, nevertheless, he was a great preacher, for the simple reason that he was used of God, and that is true greatness. When he entered the pulpit, his heart was set on accomplishing something for God. In the day of final accounts he may not shine in the galaxy of greatness with St. Paul as a great leader of men, but he will shine in the company of the faithful who labored successfully to save lost men and women.
Brother Price had a genial, sunny disposition, was very susceptible to kindness, and never forgot a favor and the friend who bestowed it. He was called to lay down his earthly work while yet in the fullness and strength of his manhood. The ways of the Lord are strange to us now, but some day we shall understand.
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REV. THOMAS H. DAVENPORT.
R EV .. THOMAS H. DAVENPORT was born in Giles County, near Pulaski, Tenn., in 1835. His character was molded by an intelligent and devout mother, a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. In early life he attended Sunday school under the auspices of the Methodist Church, which privilege he claimed as long as he lived. He was converted at the age of twelve or thirteen years. He was a student at the school at Pulaski, Tenn., and such was his quickness of perception, intellectual vigor, and application to study that a benevolent friend proposed to him to accept the entire course of study prescribed by that institution of learning; but, in- wardly moved by the Holy Spirit to take upon him- self the office and work of the ministry, he declined the offer so generously tendered and applied for ad- mission into the Memphis Conference. He was re- ceived and appointed to the Cageville Circuit, and then to Pontotoc Station. While at that point he joined the army as a private, and subsequently la- bored with fidelity as chaplain. In the Tennessee Conference he served the following charges : Spring Hill, Florence, Stone's River, and Chapel Hill. As a member of the North Alabama Conference he was two years at Jacksonville, one at Birmingham, two at Tuscumbia, three at Leighton, two at Gun-
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REV. THOMAS H. DAVENPORT.
tersville, one at Fayetteville, two at Northport, one at Anniston, three at Hartsell, and seven months at Warrior, where he died on June 3, 1888, after an illness of nearly six weeks.
Brother Davenport was small of stature, sinewy, nervously constructed, and richly endowed with the
REV. T. H. DAVENPORT.
power of endurance. As a man he was kind, social, prudent, confiding, and true. Sincerity permeated his whole nature, enriched his utterances, and gave force to his life. As husband and father he was pa- tient, appreciative, and affectionate. He was a public-spirited man and a patriot. When the tocsin of war was sounded, he responded to his country's call. He did not seek a position of safety, ease,
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emolument, or honor, but entered the infantry de- partment of army service; and whether on the march, on picket duty, or contending with the enemy in the smoke of battle, he was deliberate, earnest, and brave. One of his characteristics was his in- dividuality ; he was at all times himself. He read books that he might acquire a knowledge of prin- ciples and facts which he might utilize with great power. He had an exalted regard for the learned and the eloquent, yet he imitated no man. In the preparation of his sermons the invention and logical development were his own. His individuality stamped his discourses and his originality imparted freshness to his efforts from Sabbath to Sabbath, hence he held the interest of his congregation. He wrote much and was accurate, extemporized much and was ready. He prepared his sermons with care, and when once prepared they were always at his command. He enjoyed the religion which he pro- fessed, and his sermons were cogent and spiritual. His soul often glowed with spiritual fervor as truth intensified his spiritual vision, and then he was truly eloquent. The last work he did was to get the Church at Warrior in readiness for the District Conference. He loved the Church, worked for her prosperity, and gloried in her triumphs. His work is done. He sleeps quietly in the cemetery at Bir- mingham.
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REV. JULIUS NICHOLAS GLOVER.
R EV. J. N. GLOVER was born in Laurens County, S. C., in 1808; and died in Fayette County, Ala., in 1888, at the ripe old age of about eighty years. In early life he was not religious, but rather inclined to speak lightly of such things. But after he was a full-grown man he began to think more seriously on the subject, which resulted in his being awakened to an awful sense of his true condition. He was in great distress of mind and agonizing prayer. But he soon found peace by accepting Christ as his personal Saviour. Not long after his conversion he felt the call to the ministry. He was first licensed to exhort and afterwards to preach. In 1841 he was a local preacher in the bounds of the New Lexington Circuit, Tuscaloosa District, which field embraced what is now Northport Sta- tion, Northport Circuit, Herd Shoals Mission, Co- rona, and the greater part of Sheffield Circuit. He afterwards removed to Pickens County and settled in the bounds of the Gordo Circuit. From this place his name was sent up to the Annual Con- ference to be received, and he was thenceforth, an itinerant preacher. Most of his labors as such were in West Alabama. He was on the superannuate roll for many years, and lived in Fayette County, where he spent his latter years. .
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