USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 7
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such a thing before. I bought the book from Brother Wood- small, and, coming upon my subject, I read till late at night, in order that I might be in line with things next day. When the hour came I was up on the subject of sanctification, much to the pleasure of the teacher."
Mr. Barton is ever ready to contend for his views, but is remarkably free from bitterness in discussion, is hardly ever wrong in his opinion on things, and is a remarkably winning preacher with the masses. Mr. Barton is now president of our State Convention.
BACOTES, REV. MI-As the Cyclopedia goes to press the Rev. Mr. Bacotes comes to the charge of the Marion Academy and Marion Church. The writer wishes he knew something of the history of one so much favored and so highly reconi- mended as Mr. Bacotes is. ITe has important trusts in hand.
BATTLE, REV. AUGUSTUS A., of Hurtsboro. Russell county, the son of Deacon A. A. and Mrs. Jennie Battle, was born in Tuskegee, July 1, 18GO. As his parents were pions people, he was very early the subject of religions impressions, which in Ist culminated in a public profession of faith in Christ. On the third Sunday in August he was baptized by the Rev. Richard Lloyd, of Georgia. In the year 1879, aspiring for a liberal education, he entered the Talladega College, in which he graduated from the normal and the theologieal courses.
He is a young man of high moral tone, and his agreeable manners have won for him many friends. At present he is pastor at Sylacauga, and teacher of the city school in Tal- ladega.
P. S .- Since the above was written, our good Bro. Battle has been called to the Mt. Zion Church in Anniston, and under his industrious and wise leadership his people have con- structed a two-story brick edifice. To do what he has done
in these hard times, in the way of raising and expending money, is to prove himself a man of no ordinary parts. The writer has enjoyed the hospitality of his quiet Christian home, where he has learned that the young minister has found helpful companionship in the person of a modest, intel- ligent wife.
BATTs, REV. J. H., of Florence, is an aspiring young man. and is very active in the enterprises of the Muscle Shoals As- sociation and Sunday School Convention. Evidently, he has not enjoyed early access to books and schools, but his thoughts are orderly an I elcar, and he does not hesitate to give expres- sion to his views.
BEAVERS, REV. JASPER, was born May 9, 1825, in St. Clair county, Ala. Ilis father and mother were slaves, and of course, he inherited their lot. He now lives at Easonville, in the county in which he was born, and is still a useful, as well as a very pious man. In 1851, he was baptized by the Rev. Jesse Collins (white), and in 1868 was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. Henry Wood, J. Collins and T. Bush.
He was the first moderator of the Rushing Springs As- sociation. In spite of the laws of the master forbidding such things, he, in slavery time, learned to read and write. By his industry and economy he has obtained real estate worth about $2,000. Brother Beavers is a man of fine personal appear- anee, is modest, genial, industrious, honest, firm. In the early days of our work, there was no more efficient man in St. Clair County than he. A large family of children are the support of his old age.
Since the above was penned, Brother Beavers has passed to the world that lies beyond. He was the most self-possessed and of the most commanding figure of any man in the Rush-
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ing Springs Association, though no man among them was more modest and humble.
BELLE, REV. JonN, of Courtland, was born in the State of Georgia and came to Alabama after the close of the war. He says : " In Stuart county, Ga., in the first part of 1861, I fol- lowed the white preacher to his different preaching stations, and he would preach to the white people in the morning and and I would speak to the colored people in the evening. I could not say anything about Moses and the children of Israel.
" I went on preaching without any trouble for some little time, till at last, as I could read a little, it was decided that I should be hung. As I was ready for execution, and as I was praying God for help, a dispute arose between the white people which resulted in my release. I again went on, till on one occasion when I had displeased my mistress with reference to some garden work, and when, as she started to strike me with the rake, and I fled, she reported to her husband that I bad tried to kill her and that she only saved her life by run- ning into the house out of my reach. Of course, it was de- cided at once that I ought to and should die. On the night before I was to be executed, the lady became very ill and owned that she was only angry with me for getting out of her way, and that I had done nothing. She died that night. However, her dying words had set me free and so I returned to my work for God, feeling that I could not die till my work should be accomplished."
Brother Belle has labored in different States, but his principal labors have been in Northern Alabama, where he has been one of the chief organizers of our work in this sec- tion, beginning his operations here in 1868.
It appears that Brother Belle was ordained in Helena,
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Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala.
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Ark., some time in 1867, the late Rev. J. T. White, who was then pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church, being one of the officiating presbytery.
Hle is still a strong man. For several years past he has been pastor at Iuka, Miss., and of the Red Bank Church in Lawrence county. His pleasant manners have always made him an agreeable companion to his brethren.
BELSER, REV. S. L., pastor of the First Church. Bessemer, deserves the respeet and love of the denomination for his beautiful brotherly spirit and unassuming manners.
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BERRY. REV. G. W .- Although this good man is no longer among us, his name is still fragrant with his exalted faith and pious life. Like his stay on earth, his stay in Alabama was short, but nseful and endearing. He was the son of Piekens and Mary Berry, and was born in Edgefield county, S. C., in 1859. Having studied some time in the Benedict Institute in that State, he, after doing some effective work in that State, eame to Alabama to take the pastoral oversight of the church in Eufanta. Here it was that after a short illness he exchanged the cross for the crown, singing as his soul retired from the earth, " My Lord calls me and I must go." To know him was to love him, for his gentleness of spirit was beautiful to look npon.
Berrs. Rev. J. W., of Huntsville, Ala., son of John and Edith Betts, was born June 4, 1861, near Courtland, in Law- renee county, Ala. In the fall of 1873 he was baptized into the Courtland Church by the Rev. Gabriel B. Johnson. Brother Betts is among the younger men of the Muscle Shoals Asso- ciation. Ile is a clear thinker and a lover of books. Ile is a business man, industrious and economical, and does not live of the donations of his people, but the labors of his own hands. Ilis style is rather didactic for the masses, but it is 9-
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plain and his doctrine is in line with the teachings of the "Good Book."
BERRY, PROF. J. S., son of Jack and Clara Berry, of Union- town, is one among the most proficient Sunday School workers in Alabama. He is president of the Sunday School Conven- tion of the Uniontown Association. His happy, unselfish spirit fills all his work with pleasantness and sunshine. He is now about 35 years of age.
BLEVINS, REV. Jons, long the leading man and pioneer of Dallas county, the first pastor of the St. Phillip Street Church after the close of the war, was for his opportunities and times a very strong man in the work of organization. May it ever be told of him that he led his people-his church, to become the foster mother of Selma University in the time of its in- faney and weakness. This fact is one of the brightest spots upon his memory, and should never be forgotten.
The buildings in which the St. Phillip Street and the Green Street Churches now worship were built by Mr. Blevins. lle died eight or ten years ago at the age of 65.
Bin, Rev. Ww. T., son of Linzy and Caroline Bibb, was born in Montgomery, Ala., in 1853. Brother Bibb is one of the most worthy of our rising young men. He is not noted for brilliancy, but for constant application in the race for knowledge, for pushing things to a finish in search for truth, for the purest life and loftiest piety, he is hardly to be excelled. Already he has been entrusted with various pastorates, in- cluding one at Marion and another near Birmingham. I had the best opportunity to learn him while I was pastor at Selma. llere he was superintendent of my Sunday School and aided me in iny ward prayer-meetings. He completed two courses at the Selina University, graduating with the title of A. B., and with the highest confidence of all the faculty. In looking
upon his open countenance one instinctively feels the impress of an honest, earnest man-a man free from hypocrisy and guile.
BRADFORD, REV. WILLIAM C., pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church, Union Springs, son of Henry and Elizabeth Bradford, was born in Montgomery, Ala., in 1862. His early years were spent in the Swayne school in said city, in which he succeeded in laying the foundation of a liberal English education. In his eighteenth year, and two years after his father's death, he was baptized into the fellowship of the Columbus Street Baptist Church, Montgomery, by the late Rev. James A. Foster. Feeling a call to the work of the gospel ministry, he, with a view to fitting himself for this solemn charge, entered Atlanta Theological Seminary. In school as well as ont among his brethren, he has managed to occupy a place with those who formed the van.
In the person of his good wife, once Miss M. H. Allen, of Georgia (daughter of Rev. T. M. Allen, ex-member of the Georgia Legislature), whom he wedded in 1884, he has found happy and efficient help in his studies as well as in his calling. For awhile Mr. Bradford followed the tailor's trade, but at the call of the Gilfield Church in Wetumpka, the Dexter Avenue Church, Montgomery, in 1856 set him apart to the work of the gospel ministry. At Wetumpka he built a church edifice worth about $700. While pastor at Clayton he led to the erection of a building worth $1,000, and just now is rejoicing with the good people of Union Springs on his entrance into the new brick structure which was dedicated on the second Sunday in October, 1892. He was principal of the city school while in Clayton, and now holds several positions of honor and trust. Mr. Bradford is one of the strongest and is among the most successful young men in Alabama. His affable man- ner commends him to all. He is now at Tuscaloosa.
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
BROOKS, REV. G. J., of Selma, Ala., son of Joseph and Sancy Brooks, was born in 1830 near Richmond, Va., in which My he lived till his eighteenth year, when he was carried to New Orleans, La., and from thence to Texas. 1849 was spent a St. Louis, Mo., and in 1850 he was brought to Huntsville, Ala. In this same year he was baptized into the Primitive Baptist Church of Huntsville by Rev. Wm.] Harris (colored) .* if this period of his life Mr. Brooks says: " By the will of WMr. Kenedy I was left free, but as the administrator of the will, Mr. Clark, refused to execute this point in the will, I remained Llave." In 1867 he united with the Marion Church, under be pastorate of the Rev. James Childs. Near this town he aught school, till in 1872 he went to Kentucky, where, in 193, he was ordained to the work of the ministry. After erving various offices in the work in Kentucky, he came to Vima in 1875, where, after a few years, he became pastor of the St. Philip Street Church. By the assistance of the white family he learned to read at the age of 14. In Marion he ex- ended his studies under Prof. Card, and under Presidents Woodsmall, MeAlpine and Brawley he further prosecuted his .tudies in the Selma University. Brother Brooks has held farious offices of trust under the State Convention and the Uniontown Association. His health is now rather below his qual strength, but his love for the Master's eause seems nothing abated. Ilis wife, Mrs. Anna, is among the leading women of Alabama.
BROWN, REV. Lewis, of Epes. Sumter county, was born hear St. Louis, Mo., March 23, 1835, and came to Alabama in bis tenth year. Ile united with the church in 1869, and was baptized by a Mr. Edmonds into the fellowship of the Jones' Creek Church, by which church he was called to ordination in
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. the fall of 1868. The chief persons in the presbytery were Dovs. Abner Scarber (white) and Mr. Wright. Mr. Brown's main pastoral charges have been Jones' Creek, nine years; Sumterville, thirteen years; New Bethel, thirteen years : and Mount Olive, four years. He has long been moderator of the Bethlehem Association, and is known and recognized as a firm and tried friend of education and missions ; and his children give evidence of pure and wise aspirations. .
Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, a slave girl on the same plantation with himself, in 1852. Seven sons and one daughter are the fruit of the marriage. He is a very industrious and economical man, and has possession of valua- ble property, worth $15,000. Seven or eight hundred acres of his farm onee formed part of the plantation on which he (with 500 others) worked as a slave till 1865. He says that his master, Mr. Brown, was a Christian, and that after the close of the war this plantation gave to this county most of its reli- gions leaders.
BURWELL, L. L., M. D., the son of Charles and Amanda Burwell, was born in Marengo county, Ala., October 25, 1867. At the age of seven years he was given to his brother. Charles A. Burwell, of whom the Doctor says: "To him my suceess is largely dne." For quite a while he lived with this brother on a farm in Perry county. He attended the county schools till he entered Selma University in the winter of 1883-84. Ilis love for books and his quickness of apprehension werc early manifestations of native talent which, if properly culti- vated, would unfold to his own honor and to the profit of his people. Each vacation found him upon the farm, earning money with which to re-enter school. During his entire course at Selma University his mother was able to spend upon him but $30. In 1886, he graduated from the above named school with the honors of valedictorian, and in the fall of the same year
" It appears that this denomination, Primitive Baptists, had some one or two dained colored minister -.
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he entered Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C., to take a course in medicine. The course extended through four years,- but he completed it and received his diploma at the close of the third year, again receiving the honors of valedictorian of his elass. In 1889, he passed an examination before the State Board of Medical Examiners of Alabama, and began the prac- tice of medicine in the city of Selma, where he now resides amidst many friends, a paying practice, and a successful drug business. Commencing withont a dollar, he has saved from his income about $4,000. In school he was called artist, Dator, scholar. He says: "As a doctor I have for my motto: Crurare Cito."
Brows, Rev. R. E., of Selma, the pushing, energetic leader of several associations, deserves honorable mention as i man of pluck and push -- a man of courage and observation. ByseM. Rev. HENRY, of Leighton, Ala., was born in Bal- timore, Md., January, 1820. In 1851, in Colbert county. Ala., he was led to exercise faith in Christ by the humble conversa- tion and pions life of a fellow-slave by the name of Isane. As his master did not believe in the Bible and its Christianity, his baptism was delayed till 1854. In 1867 he was set apart to the office of the gospel ministry by two white ministers, ne of whom was Dr. Joseph Shackelford, of Trinity, Ala. He and Rey. Steven Coleman were the first ordained colored preachers in northern Alabama. He was married the first time in 1857, but his family were soon taken from him and he has never seen them since. His present wife is a most excel- lent lady, and affords him that help which only a good woman can bestow. He has good property, and he and his wife keep one of the most hospitable homes in northern Alabama. Bro. Bynum was the first colored minister in this section to ad- minister the rite of baptism. He is now awaiting his change with triumphant hope, and still enjoys fair health.
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CADDELL, REV. PERRY, pastor in Shelby, Ala., son of Ed- mond and Edie Caddell, was born September 9, 1859, in Cen- treville, Bibb county, Ala. He was baptized into the Bethel Baptist Church, Calera, by Rev. John Trainholin, in February, 1873, and was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, Deeember, 1877, by Revs. Henry Wood and Mack Jackson. HIe learned his letters at the age of 12 years, and, though he has never had any help from teachers except such as he eould get at night school, he has been a steadily growing mah till the present time. Ile feels that he owes his beginning in letters to his mistress (Mrs. Caddell), who, after the close of the war, taught him to read, and to write his name. Of his father he says : " Ile was, no donbt, a believer; but in slavery time he refused to unite with the church for the reason that he felt that master and slave all the week eonld not be broth- ers on Sunday. And after the close of the war. he would not join for the reason that there was no colored Baptist church near his home."
Bro. Caddell is an exemplary man in his family. I have found no family where the mother and children study the Word of God with more system and regularity. He has a ready command of language, both in speech and with pen, and is sociable and genial everywhere.
CAPERS, REV. J. R., of Elyton (since gone to Oklahoma), was born in Camden, S. C., April 22, 1828. In 1845 he was baptized into the Marion Baptist Church (white) by the Rev. Mr. Devotie, and in 1869 he was solemnly set apart to the sacred office of the gospel ministry by Revs. Henry Wood, of Talladega, and Arthur Hall, of Jonesboro. He, with Revs. W. H. MeAlpine, Berry Ware, Jasper Beavers, and others, organ- ized the Mt. Pilgrim Association, in Mt. Pilgrim Church, in 1868. Of this association he was the moderator for eleven years. Bro. Capers is known among his brethren and neigh-
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bors as an intelligent, industrious, thoughtful, faithful, Chris- tian man and earnest gospel preacher. Ile is a successful carpenter, and by industry, skill'and economy has attained to the possession of a good deal of choice property. No doubt he owes much to his good wife, whom he married in 1850, and by whom he has a large family of thrifty children. Bro. Capers was an organizer in the Jefferson county work, and has left the impress of his decided character upon the workers of this section. He is now in Oklahoma Territory.
CHAPMAN, REV. F. A., of Flint, Morgan county, Ala., was born in the county and State in which he now lives, Novem- ber 12, 1843. In 1861 he was baptized into the Sand Hill Church by Rev. M. A. Verser, and in April, 1868, he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by a presbytery which was presided over by the brother who about eight years before had administered the rite of baptism.
Mr. Chapman is one of the most sober, quiet, pious, earn- est, hard- working preachers in the valley of the Tennessee river. He aided in the organization of the Muscle Shoals and Flint River Associations. Most of his time has been spent in mission and pioneer operations. In 1868 he was wedded to Miss Alabama Garth, by whom he has a large family of inter- esting children. Their home is a retreat for weary preachers and a Christian example in their community.
In a speech which he made before our our last State Convention, he said : " The brethren ordained me in 1868, not because of my fitness for the work, but in recognition of a necessity. There was need for a Negro to baptize Negro believers, and I was chosen as an answer to this want with- out any examination."
CHANDLER, REV. F. C., is pastor of Walnut Street Church, Rosedale, and bears a good name.
Rev. S. [ .. Belser. Pastor Red Mountain Baptist Church, Bessemer, Ala.
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CLARK, REY. HENRY, of Opelika, son of David and Pa- tience Clark, both of Virginia birth, is one of the fathers of the work in Lee county. -
Brother Clark was baptized at Auburn, Ala., by Rev. H: C. Toliver, of Tuskegee, in 1860. He was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry June 27, 1868, by Revs. W. E. Lloyd, D. D., and Thomas Glenn, since which time he has been busy going about and doing good. He has been a harm- less, industrions, pioneer preacher, laying foundations upon which others have builded. He is a tried and faithful friend of missions and education. The writer has always felt that his every pledge was worth every cent it promised. Notwith- standing he has had no educational advantages, still he has, by study of books and by association with men of letters, ob- tained no inconsiderable store of knowledge.
The churches of Lee county and the Alabama Association owe much to the faithful, efficient labors of Brother Clark. Ilis loving beart ever adorns his face with the smiles of peace and good will. Truly, he is a harmless man. ever ready to do a brotherly deed.
ConLey, REv. Moses, of Talladega, son of Rev. Boney Sawyer, who was a preacher over fifty years ago, is abont 55 years of age. lle has never had any school advantages, but has attained to a fair knowledge of books. He is a remark- aby clear headed man, dignified and self- possessed. Mr. Col- ley is a hard working, successful farmer, and by this calling, he has obtained a comfortable support for himself and family. He was baptized by Dr. Renfroe in 1856, and was ordained to the ministry in 1872. He held several important pastorates in Talladega, and was once moderator of Rushing Springs Association. He is guarded in speech, but his manners are always affable. No act of folly or crime mars his good name.
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For many years he has held the pastorate at Mardisville, where he is esteemed no less for his piety than for his sound doctrine.
COLLINS, REV. ASA CYRUS, of Hazen, Ala., was born November 1, 1861, in Dallas county of this State. Lost both parents at the age of 8 years. Was baptized by Rev. A. Wal- ler in his, sixteenth year, and soon began preaching. In September, 1881, he was officially set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. Mr. Collins has been pastor at various points, and is held in high esteem by his brethren. For several years he has been moderator of the Dallas County Association, over which he presides with eredit to himself and with pleasure to the body. Brother Collins is still a rising young man.
CURRY, REV. J. C., of Mount Meigs. Montgomery county. the son of Rev. Philip and Venus Curry, was born in Marion, Ala., October 17, 1852. He was baptized at Felix. Ala., by Rev. D. R. Willis in 1873. On the occasion of his call to the pastorate of the Friendship Church, Shelby, Ala., he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. P. Cad- dell, M. Jackson, and Henry Scott. Mr. Curry is liberally educated. having been among the first students of Selma University. He is a close, clear thinker, a forcible speaker and a good preacher. He has been pastor at Shelby, pastor of the Dexter Avenue Church, Montgomery, and is now pastor at Mt. Meigs and Tuskegee.
At different times he has been engaged in the newspaper business ; and I am informed that he is now assisting Prof. B. T. Washington in collecting certain statistics for the Tuskegee school. Mr. Curry is a man of rare energy and will force, and being endowed with good intellectual gifts there is no reason why he may not become one among the strongest men of the State.
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Cunris, Hox. A. I., of Marion, Ala., was born in Raleigh, N. C., December 29, 1829. ITe came to Alabama in 1839 with the Ilay wood family. He was the property (?) of E. Hay wood, and served as a waiting boy in the store of Stockton & Hunt for many years. Ile moved to Marion in 1848 and was the body servant of R. T. Goree for two years. After this he was barber for some years. Succeeding by industry and economy in obtaining some eash, he, in 1859, paid Mrs. E. Haywood $2,000 for his freedom, and during the same year went to New York and was emancipated. After the war he engaged in mereantile pursuits and the barber business. In 1870 he was elceted to the lower house of the General Assembly of Alabama, and in 1872 he was elected State Senator from the Twenty- second senatorial distriet. No other colored man ever pre- sided over the Senate of Alabama. He was connected with the legislature of the State for eight years, and not only en- joyed the respeet of his fellow legislators of all parties but elosed his service in this connection with growing confidence in his integrity. He was baptized in 1851. In 1850 his mar- riage occurred. His wife was a suitable helper for him and is still alive enjoying the honors and success which justly erown their offspring. The Curtis brothers and sisters are a praise to their parents. The senator was a strong man in society, in church, in State. He died near Marion, July 20, 1878, as the result of a bruise from a fall from his buggy. Three of his sons are successful physicians; two are north; Dr. A. J. Curtis is in Montgomery.
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