USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
WALKER, REV. T. W., of Birmingham, the son of Rev. Emanuel and Charlotte Walker, the property (?) of Benjamin Walker, of Coosa county, Alabama, was born in Coosa county, Alabama, September 5, 1852.
He joined the old Elam Baptist Church, Montgomery county, Alabama, in May, 1879, and was baptized by Rev. Jerry Cole in the same month. On February 26. 1884, he was ordained to the gospel ministry at the call of the Sixth Ave-
1
213
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
-
CHICAGO-EN
Rev. L. S. Steinback, Pastor Second Baptist Church, Demopolis, Ala.
nue Church, in the city of Birmingham, by Revs. W. R. Petti- ford and J. R. Capers. His success has been marvelous.
The writer first met the subject of this sketch in Mont- gomery county in the year 1879, when, though he was not a Christian, he was acting as Sunday School superintendent. He says that on this occasion the question, "How can you lead others in the road to heaven when you, yourself, are not walk- ing therein ?" destroyed all his carnal security and false ease, and was the beginning of a change in his life.
I doubt if any man among us has had more power over the masses than he. While he was building the Sixth Avenue Church there was a constant demand for more room for his audiences. And since he has been serving at the Shiloh Church, the writer has seen not only the building filled to its utmost capacity, but hundreds of eager listeners standing without at the door.
Those who know him best feel that his power over the masses is largely owing to his common sense, goodness of heart, and his simple, steady faith in God, his cool self-reliance and his hard work for and among the masses of the people.
Future historians will no doubt find reasons for record- ing his name high on the best pages of their books."
He relates the following incidents of his early childhood "When I was five years of age, I, for the first time, enjoyed a ride to town. When I got off the wagon Mr. Harrison rolled up my shirt sleeves and the legs of my pants and placed me on a block on the street in the middle of a great crowd of people. I enjoyed it, as I seemed to be the person especially noticed by all. I saw my mother and father weeping, but I could see no reason for it. When I came down from the block, I, with two sisters and a brother, went home with a Mr.
*See chapters on Sixth Avenue and Shiloh Churches, Birmingham, and the Mt. Pligram Association.
£
214
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
215
House, where the crack of the whip, the yelp of the hound and the howl of the wolf were the most frequent sounds that fell upon my ear. The fact and horrors of slavery were first branded into my heart by the tying and whipping of my father before my eyes. When I asked father what it meant, he replied : 'The lash which I fear will soon fall upon your- self, my son, will too early explain what is meant.'" .
A white man to whom he hired himself taught him at night bis alphabet, and started him to spelling and reading during his eighteenth year, and now he reads, writes, and manages his own figures in business. He is a grand man.
He has organized a building and loan association with about 2,000 members.
WARE, REV. WILLIAM, of East Lake, Jefferson county, Ala., was born in said county October 5, 1837. He was con- verted to Christianity in his thirteenth year, and was baptized into Union Church, near Birmingham-that is, where the city now is-by the Rev. Willis Burns (white). He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry November, 1868, by Revs. Edmond Burris and Allen McAlpine.
The Rev. A. J. Waldrop (white) says.of Bro. Ware: " We never had in Jefferson county a man of more stainless charac- ter. He is not an educated man, but he is earnest, honorable and upright."
The writer has found Bro. Ware to be one of the meekest and gentlest of men. He, with Rev. Henry Wood, organized the Mt. Zion Church in 1878, and he was the first moderator of the Mt. Pilgrimn Association. He has held various pastor- ates, and has held them always with credit to himself and profit to the cause.
He lives on his own pleasant home and quiet farm a few iniles northwest of East Lake. He is still an active worker,
and enjoys the love and confidence of the people among whom his light so long has shone to the glory of God.
· WARE, REV. BERRY, was one of the pioneers of the work in Shelby, Jefferson and Talladega counties. Few men in those early days had more power over the masses than he. He died some sixteen or seventeen years ago, and I have noth- ing of his history or nativity. He baptized the Rev. D. L. Prentice, and started the church at Aldrich.
WEBB, REV. GEORGE W., of Eufaula, Ala., was born in Russell county, Ala., in 1844. Fortunately for him, Capt. W. H. Redd carried him, while he was still quite young, to Co- lumbus, Ga., where his perceptive mind was permitted to imbibe such ideas of refinement as did not exist on the planta- tion. Here, under the advice of his parents, he entered upon a sort of irregular course of study, which led to some success in book knowledge. As Gen. Wilson's army was passing through Georgia, he enlisted as a soldier, remaining in service till he was mustered out in 1866.
He was baptized into the fellowship of the white Baptist church at Abbeville, Ala., by the Rev. L. R. Sims. In 1868 he married Miss Eliza Collins, and in 1869 was among those who led in the organization of a colored Baptist church at Abbe- ville. In 1870 he assisted in organizing the " East Alabama and West Florida Association." In 1873 he moved to Eufaula. He was ordained to the gospel ministry about 1874-75. Mr. Webb is a very energetic man and a successful builder of churches. He took a leading part in the organization of the Eufaula District Sunday School Convention, and much of its success is due to his missionary labors. He is a friend of edu- cation and missions, and believes in progress on all lines.
WHATLEY, REV. W. H., of White Plains, is of Georgia nativity, but came to Alabama while young. Without doubt
.
216
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
217
Mr. Whatley is the most influential man in Calhoun county, and yet no man in the county is more modest, deferential and unassuming. He is a man of power, and yet he does not seem to know anything about it. For years he has been the moder- ator of the Snow Creek Association, and except something un- usual shall oeeur he will continue to preside for years to come.
I know of no moderator who has better government in his association than Mr. Whatley, and yet there seems to be no effort to command. He exereises an oversight over every branch of his associational work, appearing in all the general meetings, whether the interest at stake pertains to local church work, to missions, to education, or to Sunday School. He is an ex-student of the Georgia school, and attended while it was located at Augusta. And it is a faet, much to the credit of his white brethren, that they made it possible for him to attend school. He lives on his own valuable farm amid his children, who are now maturing, his son Charles being now a young man.
WITE, Rev. E. C., of Tuscumbia, was born about the year 1842 in Chester county, S. C. In 1859 his master brought him to Alabama, where he has sinee resided. He was con- verted the fourth Lord's day in October, 1869, and in the same month was baptized into the Russellville church by the late Rev. P'. Jones.
Brother White says: " In April, 1868, my wife was hap- tized by the Rev. W. E. Northeross, and hier devoted life con- strained me to desire peace with God. My wife overthrew all my old ways and lovingly compelled me into the ways of the Lord." At onee he became zealous for the cause of Christ, and soon began to speak as opportunity offered itself, first at Russellville and then at Tuscumbia. At the request of a church which he had built up near Tuseumbia, Rev. W. E. Northeross called a eouneil, and on October 8, 1873, solemnly
set him apart to the office of the ministry. He has attained to some knowledge of books, of which he is still an industrious student. Before his whole time was employed in the ministry he tanght in the public schools.
The good people of Russellville and Florence have long beld to him as pastor.
Brother White owes muel to his excellent, Christian wife, who has been a helpmeet for him sinee 1865. He is a hospit- able brother and faithful Christian minister.
WHITE, REV. J. W., the son of Claburne and Elizabeth Hateher, was born in Dallas county, Ala., in October, 1839, eleven miles south of Selma, on the Alabama River. He takes his name from the Mr. White who owned his mother. He was baptized into the St. Phillip Street Baptist Church, Selma, by Rev. John Blevins, in September, 1868. He was ordained to the work of the ministry by the above named church, in August, 1875, Revs. J. Dosier, J. Carter, Henry Stevens, and John Blevins, officiating presbytery. Bro. White was at one time moderator of the Uniontown Association ; was for some months missionary under the American Baptist Publication Society ; was pastor, at different times, of the Mt. Zion, the Summerfield, the St. Paul, and the Providence Churches, near Selma; was pastor at Camden, Ala., and recently retired from the pastorate of the Sixth Avenue Church, Birmingham. He has from the first been officially connected with the Selma University, in which he studied for about three sessions, being the first ministerial student who was enrolled. He is an earnest preacher and a studions man, so that it may be said of him that he is an elevator of the people on all lines. He relates the following story : " During the war, and at a time when things looked rather dark for the South, my stepfather and I were attending a Presbyterian meeting, when he was 15-
-
218
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
21
called on to pray God to ' drive back our enemies.' Father prayed : 'O Lord, drive back our enemies.' When we were at home alone I told him that I found fault with his prayer, for it was really against the interest of his people. The old man answered : ' The our meant the colored people, and the word enemies referred to our oppressive chains.'"
At this time, extending from a time long before, there was an organized prayer circle in Selma, which met on every Friday night beneath a great oak tree in the woods to pray to God to bring liberty to the slave. Brethren Alex. Goldsby and Charles White were among the leaders of this meeting. Doubtless Bro. J. W. White knew of this meeting and of its purpose, and hence was hardly prepared to hear a prayer so seemingly contrary to the wishes and needs of his people.
WILHITE, REV. J. Q. A., of Selma, was born August 13, 1854, in Louisville, Ky. He was baptized in 1866, and in 1878 was ordained to the office of the gospel ministry in his native city. The presbytery of the occasion was Revs. C. C. Stamm, D. A. Gaddie, W. W. Taylor and others. Shortly after this he entered the gospel work in Alabama, beginning as pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Eufaula. He came to supersede the Rev. Mr. Bassett, who for some reason had returned to Indiana. Under his administration the Eufaula Church rose into success and beauty unequaled by anything that had passed before. Beginning with 1886 he was for several con- secutive years financial agent for Selma University. Resign- ing this work he was for sometime pastor of the church at Uniontown, where he was attended by his usual prosperity, both in gathering the people and in raising finances. This position he resigned in order to assume once more the office of financier for the University. At the present writing he is treasurer of the University.
Mr. Wilhite's success is largely owing to the following Self-reliance, industry, tact, perseverance, adaptability of him self and methods to the condition of the people.
Ile is an ex-student of the Roger Williams University. Nashville.
In 1872 he wedded Miss Kate Talbert, who has presented him with a large family of promising young folks, to whose education he is giving special attention. He is to be com- mended for that economy, as well as industry, which has en- abled him to possess a comfortable home for himself and loved ones. He has not been forgetful of the welfare of them over whom God has made him guardian. Like very few preachers, he is a good business man as well as a good preacher.
P. S .- He has recently built a brick edifice at Uniontown. He is now a successful pastor in Birmingham.
WILSON, REV. J. E. A., pastor of the First Colored Bap- tist Church, Pratt City, comes to our denomination from the Methodist Church. He was born January 1, 1861, in Fayette county, Alabama, and was led to submit to Christ as his Say- ior, September, 1882. He was regularly inducted into the Baptist ministry, September 27, 1887, by the laying on of the hands of a council consisting of Revs. A. C. Jackson, V. Huntington and others. He has served acceptably at l'atton, Corona and Jasper. He is unpretending, qniet, brotherly and has a good report from all circles. His school advantages have been rather meagre, but with his youthful vigor and self-control, coupled with the abundant facilities for an in- crease of knowledge common to these times, he may yet be a man of learning and a leader in letters. Of course no man can hope to attain to knowledge beyond his ability to study forever and without any thought of tiring or despairing.
220
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
Notwithstanding he is a man of strong emotions, he has rare executive ability and is hard to equal as a leader.
WOOD, REV. HENRY, of Talladega, was born August 15, 1825, in Greenville, S. C. His father was a lawyer in South Carolina. He came to Alabama with his mother when eleven months old, and was settled in Jefferson county, near Elyton.
He was baptized into the white church by Rev. Joseph Bias, who, at the time, gave it as his opinion that "Henry " would be a preacher. Ordained to the work of the gospel ministry just after the war (1867), he was a timely instrument in the special mission of organization. Mr. Wood has been one of the pioneers of our work in Jefferson, Talladega, Cal- houn and St. Clair counties. In speaking of his struggle after . knowledge in slavery time, he says : " I had been reading for some time and had begun to learn to write fairly well, when the fact came to the notice of the white people. They tied me up and laid 600 lashes on my back ; and, I tell you, I lost all my knowledge of writing after this." Referring to his mis- sionary and pioneer work since freedom, he relates the follow- ing: " For the most part the white people have treated me well. Sometimes, however, I have been troubled with drunk- ards and ' negro whippers.' . As I was riding on my missionary work in Blount county, I once met a man who gave me such a crack over my shoulders with his horse whip as almost broke the skin ; but as I did not so much as look toward my abuser, he let me go with no further harm. I passed on, thanking God that it was no worse with me."
Brother Wood is a man of excellent spirit-is as jovial as he is earnest. His life has been temperate and chaste, and he is approaching the death shadows and the tomb with triumph and in peace. He lias occupied good pastorates and honorable places in the associations. His first wife (Miss Dicey Truss,
-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
221
1
:
St. Louis Street Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala., Rev. J. L. Frazler, Pastor.
whom he married in 1844), has preceded him to the goodly land, and both their children have passed before him. He now lives in Talladega with his second wife (the widow of Mr. Thomas Barclay), in very easy circumstances, and still finds plenty of work to do in the cause of the Master. Few men are more widely known and more generally beloved than he. For wrath and malice he is entirely a child. Nothing could more surprise his brethren than to see him in a fit of ugly temper, or to hear from his lips expressions of ill will. Brother Wood speaks in praise of Revs. Messrs. McCain, Mynett and Law ( white) as friends to their colored brethren in the time of the latter's weakness and inexperience in church work.
1. S .- Onr dear Brother Wood has gone to his crown on the ever bright shore. Peace hover over thy dust, O thou man of God!
WOOD, REV. R. T., of Huffman, pastor of Pleasant Hill Church, and son of Mr. Henderson Wood, of the same place, is the eleventh child of a family of thirteen children. While he was still very small two older brothers were killed by the " K. K. K.," which clan terrorized the country after the close of the war. In consequence of which sad incident, it is thought, his father died of mental depression, leaving the sub- ject of our sketch without a father's presence, guidance and support. Nothing daunted by this host of sorrows and mis- . fortunes, Mr. Wood, industriously and with patient spirit, notwithstanding his delicate constitution, gave himself to such engagements as came to his hand, making horse collars and brooms as well as aiding his widowed mother in spinning, knitting and weaving. In his thirteenth year he was minded to seek for peace with God, and, so at an early age, he began to attain to experiences of grace which have increased with the growth of years.
-
-
1
.
.
222
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
Evidently the family is possessed of sterling qualities, as may be seen in their aspiration and courage. The other mem- bers of the family whom I have met live an independent home life in the mountains near Huffman. Mr. Wood hopes he may. find an opening through which to enter the mission field in Africa, and his name has been sent in to the mission authori- ties. If his life should be spared for a maturer development he will be a tower of strength in good things. He is a gradu- ate from the Grammar Department of Selma University, in which institution he expects to take a higher course.
BIOGRAPHICAL SUPPLEMENT.
IT is to be regretted, perhaps, that this volume has in it a feature which must be considered a supplement. But doubtless the author will be excused when he tells the reader that many have delayed till now-long after the completion of the book-to send in their names. New men, strong men, have lately come to us from other States-men whose names could not well go into the main body of the book, for the reason that this has been done for some time. Also, young men of our own State have risen into such favorable notoriety as to merit honorable notice.
In the body of the book I have placed the names of per- sons in their alphabetical order. Not so here: I have entered the names as they came into my hands. The printer was hurrying me, and I could not stay for proprieties.
CLARK, MR. PETER F., son of P. F. and Daphney Clark, was born in Hale county, Ala., near Gallion, on the Taylor planta- tion. He first attended what in his neighborhood was known as the Vaughn Hill School, and afterward studied at a night school taught, he says, " by one who would have been my mis- tress had slavery continued." Bro. Clark has been remarka- bly successful in business, which is largely due to his industry, economy and courteous manners. He is vice-president of the Penny Savings Bank in Birmingham, as well as one of the directors. In speaking of the line of work out of which he derived his start in business affairs, he remarked to the
.
224
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SUPPLEMENT.
22
writer : " I remained with one firm twelve years." As we see his success in the light of this statement, we are reminded of the old saying, " The rolling stone gathers no moss." So many fail on all lines because they move about so much. Mr. Clark is sociable, hospitable, and courteous.
O'RILEY, REV. J. P., pastor at Compton and Trussville, gives the following sketch of himself: " I was born in Saint Croix, Danish West Indies, August 1, 1850. In 1870 I entered a Catholic school in Baltimore, with a view to preparing for the priesthood. In 1874 I joined the Protestant church, and in 1880 I was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist denomi- nation. My pastorates in Alabama have been in connection with the St. Paul Church at Greenville, Coalburg Chapel, Mt. Nebo at Patton, Mt. Joy at Trussville, and Mt. Olive at Compton."
Bro. O'Riley is a vigorous worker, and is blessed with social qualities which make him an agreeable companion.
FRAZIER, REV. JEREMIAH LEMUEL, son of Richard and Phoebe Frazier, was born in Abbeville county, S. C., June 18. 1857. He says : " My parents were among the poorest of the slaves." In 1867 his parents moved to Florida, where, in 1874, their son was baptized into the Bethlehem Baptist Church, near Madison county Court Honse.
His Education .- He has had no public school advantages. but being possessed of a quiet, appreciative, observing, aspir- ing turn of mind, he availed himself of such educational facil- ities as came in his way. In the fall of 1874, he entered a night school and continued his studies during the long nights of the winter, paying the teacher one dollar per month. Be- ing called off from this advantage by the demands of the farm, he sought knowledge in the Sunday School, and in the study of such books as he could command. He speaks with
pleasure of the fact that his mother prayed that he migh learn to read the Bible, that he did learn to read it, and tha he read it to her in her weary hours of sickness. The affec tionate son is now the affectionate man.
His Work, etc .- On informing his pastor that he was called to preach, he was advised to take up a course of study which he did, continuing it for about ten years, during which time, 1878, he was wedded to Miss Ida Paul, a young lady sufficiently skilled in letters to render him valuable service in his books. Ile was ordained in March, 1885, to take charge of the Zion Baptist Church, Enterpise, Fla., since which time he has been pastor in Sanford, Fla. He is now the beloved, suc- cessful pastor of the St. Louis Street Church, Mobile, Ala. He is a good preacher, good pastor, good financier, good man. The above named church was organized in 1854; their build- ing is worth $20,000.
KELLER, REV. R. H., of Birmingham. This young man is brought into special prominence by his missionary opera- tions in the " Magic City." He began at Avondale as pastor. but seeing that so many people were absentimg themselves from the churches, he conceived the idea that where the people would not or could not go to the gospel, the gospel should go to them. Mr. Keller went to work at his idea. speaking in empty store houses, etc., in the most ignorant and most polluted neighborhoods or sections of the city, to such of the people as he could induce to attend. At last he stirred such interest in favor of his project and plans as influenced many of the good people of the white churches to render sub- stantial aid.
At present all the white and all the colored ministers of Birmingham-except the Catholic and Episcopal-are united in Mr. Keller's support. It is rather a strange fact in gospel
- -
1
226
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SUPPLEMENT.
work that this man should thus represent both races and all creeds. His talks before the white people, so I'm informed, have caused the white women of Birmingham to propose a work upon their part that has for its object the betterment of the home life of the colored people.
" The Union Conference of the White and Colored Minis- ters of Birmingham " is a result of Mr. Keller's labors. . Evi- dently he is a man of strong hope in and strong grasp upon his purpose as well as patience, amidst discouragements.
LOVELESS, HON. H. A., of Montgomery, was born Novem- ber 24, 1854, near Union Springs, in Bullock county, Ala. His ex-master retained him on the old farm for five years after the war was over on the plea that his mother was unable to as- sume his management and support. Finally, however, he es- caped to Montgomery, where he found employment for small wages. Being industrious and economical, he soon obtained a little money ahead which he invested in the butcher's busi- ness. His business tact, push, courage, kindness of heart, politeness and integrity soon won for him the confidence and respect of his neighbors, who marked him as a youth of merit and promise. Ile soon became an earnest, consistent Christian man, from whose hands the poor and needy were daily fed, and at whose house pastors and their families were entertained for years without cost.
Now (1895) in addition to his old business of butcher, he operates a hack and dray line, a coal and wood yard, and an undertaker's establishment, giving constant employment to about twenty-five persons at a daily outlay of about $25. His wife, once Miss Lncy Arrington, whom he married in 1875, is a suitable help for him, no less in his labors of love than in his business enterprises. He is worth not less than $15,000. Ilis life is an inspiration to poor young men starting the
journey of life. Mr. Loveless is an honest man, which in th. . language of another, is the noblest work of God. The char acter of the man may be seen in his advice to his laborers "Pay your debts if it takes the last cent you have."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.