USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 11
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nocent wit. He is a young man of hopeful prospects-if his present wise course should continue to the end. His father before him is a Baptist minister, whose life is held in high esteem, and hence the subject of this sketch comes into his public career having his own excellent personal graces savored by the good name of his revered ancestor.
Owexs, REv. A. J., of Moulton, is an ex-student of Selma University ; he is an agreeable companion, a kind father, an orderly thinker and a forcible preacher. The writer has greatly enjoyed the hospitalities of his home and the abund- ance of his good humor.
OWENS, REV. ALBERT FRANKLYN, editor of the Baptist Leader and pastor at Mobile, was born in Wilcox county. Ala., January 1, 1854. Early in life he left Alabama for Louisiana, in which state he was led to exercise faith in the Son of God and was baptized into Little Mt. Zion Church by the Rev. G. Stemley, of Avoyelles Parish. In April, 1873, he was licensed to enter upon the work of the gospel ministry. At the call of the Third Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala., he was ordained to the functions of the ministerial office by the Com- mon Street Baptist Church, New Orleans, La., May 28, 1877, by a council of which Rev. Marsena Stone, D. D., of Ohio, was chairman, and Rev. A. M. Newman was secretary. His longest and hitherto most prosperous pastorate has been with the church who called for his ordination, and whom he led to the purchase of their neat briek edifice on St. Anthony street.
Beginning with them in the spring of 1887, he left them for Uniontown, September, 1890, in excellent quarters and free from debt. This he did at such patient self-sacrifice as may be found in only a very few men of his age.
In 1873 he entered Leland University, New Orleans,
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where he remained four years persuing the classical and theo- logical courses under Drs. Gregory and Stone.
While in Louisiana he' was engaged in teaching school and was intimately associated with the general Baptist work, being at one time editor of their state organ, the Baptist Mes- senger. In 1884-85 he was editor of the Baptist Pioneer, lo- cated at Selma, Ala., and has served as general superintendent of missions for the State of Alabama. For many years he has been on the Board of Trustees of Selma University, and in recognition of his solid worth and general information he is now the bearer of our denominational standard.
Mr. Owens is a typical, Christian gentleman. No other man among us has a library so select, so varied and so valu- able as he has, nor has any man in Alabama a clearer evidence of literary talent and literary relish. He is a many-sided man, and the beauty of his solid personal qualities is greatly en- hanced by his indigenous vivacity, unstinted hospitality, and perennial benevolence. In the hovels of the poor and in the times of the sources of disease, no man among us is more welcome than he, neither is there one of his brethren whose duty renders more heedless of danger or blind to personal privations and material losses. Whether he builds houses of worship, preaches, lectures, teaches, writes- whatever may.be the engagement of the hour, that engagement focusses the whole man. The following incidents will show something of the style of his mind : On one occasion when severely tried in administering discipline, and when he had allowed his feel- ings of indignation to run too high, he was so distressed that for many nights sleep almost entirely forsook him. The writer overheard him on this occasion, saying, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight."
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Upon another occasion in the midst of a session of the Convention, and as one of the policemen of the town
walked in and was seated, he arose and remarked : "Brother president, I see in our assembly a policeman of the city in which we are convened. I think this a fit time to give notice to any who may feel inclined to be unruly that they must ob- serve good order or I'll have them arrested." This eame in just at a condition of the meeting when a bit of humor was just the thing most needed.
The St. Anthony Street Church, Mobile, is a tangible me- morial of his energy, self-sacrifice and patient industry. Be- side the pastorate of the St. Anthony Street Church (the Third Baptist), he has served in the pastorate of the Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, and in the pastorate of the church at Uniontown.
His speeches are characterized by originality, clearness, force and dignity. He is still a growing man-growing in worth of manhood and in the confidence and love of the de- nomination ; and should his health and life continue, the his- torian who will write of a brighter day than this-a day not far in the future-will point with pride to this man of rare gifts, giving more space than is here accorded him. With special pleasure the writer records the name of Albert F. Owens, D. D., high upon the roll of his personal friends.
And this short notice of a worthy man can hardly close at a point of greater beauty than in an humble tribute to his other self, Mrs. Mary Mims Owens (once Mrs. Taylor), whom he wedded in 1882, and who is held in high esteem as a leader in church and educational circles.
PETTIFORD, REV. W. R., D. D., son of William and Matilda Pettiford, was born in Granville county, N. C., January 20, 1847. He was, when a boy, of an industrious turn of mind, working faithfully at whatever his hands found to do. At one
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time he was with the tanner, and at another time he was running his father's farm.
At the age of 21 years he united with the Baptist Church of Rocksboro, Person county, N. C., and was immersed by the Rev. Ezekiel Horton, of Salisbury. While he was serving this church as clerk, he told his mother, as a secret which he greatly desired she would not reveal, that he felt called to the gospel ministry. As Brother Horton often put up at their home he soon got possession of the secret. Dr. l'ettiford now says: " When I was called into an examining council and learned that my secret was out, I was very much frightened ; but the adviee given upon this day has ever been helpful to me." The writer met the subject of this sketch for the first time at the session of the State Convention held in Talladega in November, 1876. He and the late Senator A. II. Curtis were messengers from the church at Marion. At this time the only traits that were especially noticeable were the frank- ness of his countenance and the geniality of his manners. At the commencement of Selma University in the winter of 1877-78, he joined Brother Woodsmall, becoming a member of the pioneer faculty of the school. It was here that he was seen as the studious, patient, industrions man - loved no less by tender youth than he was trusted by riper years. He was called to ordination by the Marion Church, Marion, Ala., and dedicating hands were laid upon his head in Marion, Ala., in the midst of the conventional session held there in November, 1880. After this he severed his connection with the school as teacher and as financial agent, to enter the pastorate in Union Springs. His open, earnest face, tact, and urbanity of speech, made him one of the most successful financial agents the University has ever sent upon the field. He relates the fol- lowing incident in connection with his field work for the sehoo! : " 1 was about thirty miles southeast of Greenville, Ala.
A colored man by the name of Turner had just been mobbed in Clark county. The colored people along the road were ex- ceedingly frightened at the threatening attitude of the whites, and hence refused to entertain any stranger. I knew not where I was and it was now dark. My horse was broken down. Family after family turned me off. At last one man agreed to entertain my tired horse. Thankful for this little drop of kindness, I stopped and fed my animal. Then I started off-I knew not whither. After awhile I saw through the boughs of the pines a dim light, which seemed far away. Turning towards this light I wended my way through sage field and bush, until I stood beside an old log hut, a rickety relic of an old time Negro quarter. With ease this tiny spark peeped through the great opening in the dirty cabin full into my weary face. Herein, with husband and wife and babies. and a lot of dirt, I was allowed to rest my tired limbs and heavy heart till morning.
" Upon one occasion while Bro. D. T. Gulley and I were on mission work together, we were delayed in Marengo county. Waters were up, Brother Gulley was sick, and the people had no money to give for educational purposes. I went to beg- ging milk cows and succeeded in getting the people to donate six."
Mr. Pettiford married his present wife, Miss Della Boyd, of Selma, Ala., November 22, 1880. She is an excellent woman and comes of a fine family. As might have been ex- pected the marriage has been a happy one for both parties.
Dr. Pettiford is a clear thinker, a concise speaker, a firm friend, a lover of his race, and a fine presiding officer. Every feature in his bearing is indicative of the true gentleman and earnest Christian. He is a firm friend of Selma University, and by this school he has been honored with the degree of D. D. He is at this time (1892) president of the " Alabama 13-
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Rev. W. C. Bradford, Pastor First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Penny Savings Bank " and of the Baptist State Convention of Alabama. He is further noticed in connection with the chapter on " State Convention " and " Selma University " as well as in other chapters.
Closing this sketch, it seems fitting that I should remark that though he excels in many virtues, he is especially pecu- liar in these :
1 He is abundant in plans and measures, so that the variety of his operations almost wholly exclude the monotony so often felt in church work.
2. He is in a peculiar degree a patient man. In all con- ditions he seems to possess his soul in patience.
Since the above was written, he has been elected finan- cial secretary of the State work.
He is now organizing the Alabama Publishing Company. Ile is full of enterprise.
PmLars, REV. D., of Tuskegee, was a " Father in Israel." Those who are old enough to remember him as a slave. say that he sat in council with the white ministers and was permitted to speak in their associational gatherings. Nothing seemed to disturb his peace ; no amount of heated discussion ever caused him to break from his strong hiding place of pious humility. He was a large man with strong will, but every " jot and tittle " of his ponderous being was under submission to his consecrated will, which ruled all like the helmsman steers the great ship. Ile was about the age of Mr. John Dosier, eighty years. He refused to accept freedom till all were free.
PEErs, REV. J. A., pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church in North Birmingham, is a rising young man in the Mount Pilgrim Association. His church, though a new enter- prise, is a snceess, and all plans for gospel aggression find in
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hin a ready and substantial friend. His brethren love him because he is peaceable and benevolent in his dealings with them.
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POLLARD, REV. ROBERT T., son of Rev. R. T., Sr., and Mrs. Mary F. Pollard, was born in Gainesville, Ala., October 4, 1860. A few years after the close of the late civil war, Rev. R. T. Pollard, Sr., moved with his family to Enterprise, Miss. There the subject of this sketch received his first impressions-im- pressions which were to serve as the foundation of his future character. At the age of 12 his mother left him for the better country. The boy, reflecting over his sad loss in the death of his mother, turned unto the Lord, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Mt. Pleasant Church, in which he imme- diately became clerk and Sunday School teacher. Thus, starting right, we are not surprised at the righteousness of the course he now pursues.
By studying at night under his father's instruction, he, at the age of 12, could read and write. At 16 he was known as " the boy preacher." At the age of 20 he entered a school taught by Prof. Paul D. Jones in Meridian, Miss., in which school he studied arithmetic, algebra, English grammar and Latin. He remained here two years. In 1882 he entered Selma University, nnder Prof. Woodsmall. Of this good man he says : " His consecrated life did much toward fixing my charac- ter in the spirit and doctrines of Christ." From this institu- tion he graduated with the class of 1884 as valedictorian. In the same school and in the same year he entered upon the college course and completed the freshman and sophomore years. During this time he was assistant teacher in the Uni- versity. By all, and throughout all, he has been and is now accepted as a student, a thinker, a rigid moralist and faithful Christian. In March, 1885, he was ordained to the gospel
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ministry in Sehna, Revs. E. M. Brawley, D. D., W. H. McAlpine, II. N. Bouey, A. N. McEwen, C. L. Price, and C. R. Rodgers, officiating as presbytery. After this he entered upon and served acceptably different important pastorates in Perry county. With credit to himself and with profit to the denomi- nation, he has, as teacher, as moderator, as recording clerk of the State Convention, and as district Sunday School mission- ary, served the Baptists of Alabama. At this time he is the successful pastor of the Dexter Avenue Church, Montgomery. Thus this quiet, hard working young man has risen up till there are but few that go before him. Mr. Pollard is a philosopher, clothed with the spirit of a child. In him a full heart balances a well stored head.
1 POLLARD, REV. I. M., of Lochapoka, is one of the few men of whom we sometimes feel that they are Nature's favored children. So evenly balanced are all his tempers and passions, hopes and fears, that we are almost compelled to think that so much self-government must have come largely as the gift of nature. The writer has reasons to know him as an honest man-as a man who can handle the money of his neighbor without fault to himself or loss to his friend. Mr. Pollard is held in high esteem by all who know him-white and black. He was born about the year 1840. He possesses a fine per- sonal appearance, a gentlemanly bearing, and is a good preacher of the plain old gospel.
POSEY, PROF. THOMAS H., of Bessemer, the son of Wesley and Patience Posey, was born September 15, 1854, at Besse- mer, Ala. He was baptized into the Canaan Baptist Church about the year 1872 by Rev. William Ware. Brother Posey deserves honorable mention for his faithful services as an edu- cator. He graduated from the normal course in Selma Uni- versity in the spring of 1884, and has proven himself to be
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not only a power in the affairs of seeular education, but a very efficient, faithful worker in the church and Bible sehool.
PRENTICE, REV. D. L., of Selma, Ala., son of James and Caroline Prentice, was born in Shelby county, Ala., Deeember 25, 1852. The home of Ins youthful days, like that of the writer, must have been in a wild country infested by wolves ; for he, in speaking of how he had to go after wood and water into the thick swamps before the break of day, says: "On one morning as I found myself surrounded by wolves, I eried to God for help and was delivered. In my prayer for deliver- ance I made a vow of conseeration, which was the beginning of a new life." In 1875 he was baptized by Rev. Berry Ware. About the year 1865-66 he began studying Webster's speller, and sought information, he says, of every person that he thought had any information to give. He learned to read and write and began figuring under the instruction of a Mr. J. W. Strong, a man, so it is said, who used to be mayor of Selma, Ala. The writer first met the subject of this sketeh while he was student in the Talladega College, and since his graduation from the Selma University, his eonrse. and success as pastor, teacher, missionary and lecturer, has been watched with pleasing interest. He was ordained to the ministry May, 1882, by Revs. Joe Smith and Henry Scott. He is a genuine friend of religion and education, and being young and strong he has a large opening for future usefulness and fame.
Prisce. Rev. J. T., of Gallion, Ala., son of John and Mary A. Prince, was born Mareh, 1853, in Marengo county, Ala. He was baptized into the fellowship of the Bethlehem Church by Rev. D. R. Willis the third Sunday in April, 1871. In 1884 in the St. Philip's Church, Selma, he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. E. M. Brawley, I. N. Bouey, C. R. Rodgers, L. P. Foster and the writer. Heattended Selma
University under the different presidents-II. Woodsmall, W. H. MeAlpine, and E. M. Brawley. He began his education by studying under a white man, whom he paid $1.00 a week. At- tended a publie sehool after he was 23 years of age. He taught in the State sehool. Is now distriet missionary. He is an in- dustrious man and owns good property.
PULLUM, REV. IT. P., of Anniston, son of Lawrence and Caroline Pullum, was born in Piekensville, Ala., March 23, 1862 ; baptized at Carrolton August, 1882, and entered imme- diately upon the work of the ministry, but was not ordained until March, 1889. At the request of the First Colored Bap- tist Chureh at Bessemer, which he had organized and built up, Mr. Pullum received the hands of ordination from Revs. P. Murrell, W. A. Shirley, S. Page, A. J. Austin, D. M. Sewell. and J. C. Crawford. IIe has a large following wherever he goes.
PURCE, REV. C. L., ex-president of Selma University, is no- tieed in this work only so far as other authors have not been able to see him in his peculiar relations to the work in Ala- bama.
It was in 1886, I think, in the most trying period of our history, that Dr. Purce was unexpectedly called (upon the resignation of Dr. E. M. Brawley) to assume the presidential offiee in the Selma University. The school was burdened with $7,000 of debt, its eredit was about gone, its debtors were impatient, its supporters divided, and denominational strife was at white heat. The former president was not only a peculiarly brilliant and cultured man, but had enjoyed special advantages looking toward fitness for the presidential chair. Many feared for Mr. Purce.
However, it was thought by some that caution and economy were the special characteristics called for by exist-
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ing conditions. We needed a man who could shun the strife of factions, keep cool under severe pressure, and cause the school's expenses to drop below its income. Some who had watched Mr. Puree, were' willing to trust him with the diffi- cult duties of this tryings hour, and the writer records with much pleasure, that he kept clear of the quarrels, and mean- while did much to remove the debt by putting the school on plain and well regulated fare.
Dr. Parce has done the Baptists of Alabama very praise- worthy service, not only as an educator, but as an example in the matter of school management; and those who follow him will profit by heeding his caution and economy. And, to his honor it may be said, we have had no president who has been more generally loved by the school.
PYLES, REV. CARTER, of Oxford, Ala., born in Talladega county, Alabama, December 15, 1845, of Christian parents. lle was baptized in 1865 by Rev. Mr. Jenkins, a white minis- ter, who devoted much of his time to evangelical work among the colored people. In 1876 he was officially set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the Rev. Mr. Jenkins, William Taylor and B. Snow. Mr. Pyles is among the leading men of the Snow Creek Association. His pastorates at Jacksonville, Choccoloceo and other points prove him to be a leader of ability. Ile is now undertaking a new work at Oxanna, Ala.
RIVERS, REV. E. C., of Talladega, Ala., was born January 5, 1847. He is the eldest son of Mr. Edward and Mrs. H. J. Rivers, two very worthy old citizens of Talladega. In his twenty-fourth year he was married to Miss Jane Moore, of Talladega, by whoni he has a large family of children.
Ile has a fair English education, having attended the Tal- ladega College for parts of five sessions. In 1867 he united
with the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Talladega, and was bap- tized by the late Rev. Phil. Davis.
Hle was called to ordination by the Salem Baptist Church in 1884, Revs. J. P. Barton and Moses Colly officiating in the rites. He is an industrious, prudent man, and has accumu- lated property worth $3,000 or $4,000. At this time he is the moderator of the Rushing Springs Association, over which he has presided with dignity for several years. Ile is a model citizen and substantial man, sociable and aspiring.
RIVERS, REV. S. A., of Talladega, the son of Mr. Edward and Mrs. II. J. Rivers, was born in Talladega, November 10, 1854. In a series of meetings, held by the writer in Mt. Canaan Church, he was led to exercise faith in the religion of Jesus Christ in 1876. In the same year .he was united with the chureli by baptisni.
Hle immediately began laboring as a leader in Sunday School work, in which he at once proved himself to be a very capable person. He was soon appointed Sunday School Mis- sionary for the Rushing Springs Association, in which posi- tion he was remarkably successful. In 1877 he married Miss Elizabeth Walker, by whom he has three promising daugh- ters. lle is a graduate from the theological department of the Talladega College. Ile is an industrions business man, a Christian gentleman, a clear thinker, a ready speaker, a social genius. No man among us of his age has brighter prospects than he, none more admired and loved. The manner in which he lias succeeded, under trying circumstances in the Mt. Canaan Church, is simply amazing. Toward God he is faith- ful, toward man he is kind, gentle and full of service. He was ordained in 1889 to take charge of the Mt. Canaan Church.
RIVERS, REV. ALEXANDER A., of Midway, Ala., the son
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Rev. 11. Woodsmall, of Franklin, Ind , First President Selina University.
of John and Violet Rivers, was born near Glennville, Ala., in the year 1851.
In his twentieth year he was baptized into the Spring Hill Zion Church by the Rev. A. Gachet, under whose preach- ing he had been led into repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was not long before he felt that he was called of God to the work of the ministry. At the call of the Enon Church he was set apart to the sacred office by the Revs. A. Gachet, P. Johnson and F. Randall. Brother Rivers is one of the strong preachers and successful pastors of the Eufaula Asso- ciation. He has had very limited educational advantages, but he is a constant reader of books and a close observer, and hence he has made considerable educational attainments. Hle is quiet, unassuming, even and hospitable. The writer en- joyed a very pleasant stay with Brother and Sister Rivers at their home in Midway. He once held a very fine pastorate in Texas, which he had to give up because of the poor health of Mrs. Rivers and return to his old home in Alabama.
ROACH, REV. PERKINS, of Stevenson, father of Mrs. M. A. Boothe and of Rev. Thomas Jefferson Roach, was born in Tennessee. He, with Rev. Thomas Roach (who was the first ordained colored minister in Jackson county ), and Rev. Robert Caver, organized the work in northeast Alabama. He was noted for his magnanimity and joyfulness of heart. It is said that his life was as one continuous song of gladness. When a child he was a house boy, which position brought him into continual contact with persons who knew books. He so far utilized this advantage as to learn to read, but his knowledge of writing was delayed till since the close of the war his daughter (now Mrs. Boothe) had sufficiently advanced in her studies to instruct him. This story is toll of him: During
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the war his mistress, the widow of Rev. Charles Roach, Sr., fearing the Federal soldiers, left home and fled across. the Tennessee river into Sand Mountain. The slave remained at home to care for things about the place. With the view of preventing want to the widow and those who were with her, he, regardless of the dangers of his undertaking, and while the shades of night hid his operations, would bear across the river and up the mountain such things as he thought they might need.
Ile has been dead some eighteen years. His widow, Mrs. Charlotte Roach, has done nobly in rearing and educating the children.
Roxen, Rev. Lewis, of Fackler, deserves mention as a hard working, poorly paid gospel preacher. Many years he led the Mud Creek Association as moderator. He, Rev. James Larkin, Rev. Lewis Henshaw, and others, are trying to build an academy at Hollywood, Ala. They deserve success.
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