USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 9
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P. S. Hle is now in Birmingham, pastor of the Spring Street Church and principal of an independent school on the south side of the city. He will long be a power in the denomination, if watchfulness and temperance attend him.
GULLEY, DANIEL. T., of Selma, son of John L .. and Amy Gulley, was born near Snow Hill in Wilcox county, Ala. He was the property of James Gulley, whom he served as " wait- ing boy " till the close of the war. Doubtless this position was favorable in the direction of refinement and culture. A taste and relish for the study of books would naturally come of sueht environments. Utilizing some school advantages which came to hand, he soon, as the result of hard work, at- tained tosuch a beginning in letters as enabled him to offiei- ate as clerk of the Antioch Church.
At the opening of Selma University on January 1, 1878, he, at 9 o'clock A. M., was the only student on the ground. He completed a course in this institution with the class of
1884. On the fourth Sunday in February, 1873, he was bap- tized into the Antioch Baptist Church by the Rev. Willis Stalworth. Here he served as elerk of the church and as superintendent of the Sunday School. From the beginning. he has been a substantial friend of ministerial education. Ile was ordained in the session of the State Convention held in Selma in November, 1883, Revs. M. Tyler, W. H. MeAlpine. J. Dosier, E. K. Love, E. M. Brawley, W. R. Pettiford, II. Stevens and the writer, officiating as presbytery. He has held various pastorates and different positions in the general work, and is now Sunday School missionary under the Publication Society.
HAMPTON, REV. JAMES, of Leighton, Ala., was born and reared near where he now lives. On July 25, 1858, he began life's journey a slave, in line with the condition of his race. In 1869-in September-he was baptized into the Mount Pleasant Church by " Father " Henry Bynum, and on June 15, 1882, he was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. B. King, H. Bynum, O. Jackson and T. W. Morris, Brother Hampton is one of the leading men of the Musele Shoals Association, and justly so, for added to his natural talent are many graces of character which come only of labor, aspiration, study, faith, and exalted purpose.
Without the aid of schools, he has attained to a creditable knowledge of letters. He is a builder, an organizer. a pastor and business man. With him and his family, the tired mis- sionary may find a place for rest and refreshment. Ile lives upon his own fruitful farm near Leighton, in Lawrence county. and is a light which shines upon all the Christian enterprises around him.
HAWKINS, PROF. D. D., of East Lake, Jefferson county. deserves honorable mention for his services for religion and
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education. The people of East Lake are comparatively pros- perous and progressive, and to no man are they more indebted for this condition of things than to Deacon and Professor Hawkins. As church officer and as school teacher he has long and faithfully served his church and his community, and his spirit and labors have been like the leaven which. the woman hid in the meal.
The writer has ever found him a quiet, industrious, hospitable brother, with ready heart and open hand in support of every good work. Ile is an honor to his school-Selma University.
HALL, REV. S. M., pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church at Warrior, Ala., is one of our most robust, handsome and spotless young men. He was born in Walker county, Ala., October 26, 1867. Attended the public schools of his community for five years. In October, 1885, he joined the Oak Grove Church in Walker county, receiving baptism the same month. He has attended the Birmingham Institute two years, and has given three years to the work of teaching. Ile is one of those jovial, happy, friendly souls which one always enjoys. flis hard work in the study of books shows that he sees and appreciates the value of knowledge, and recognizes that there is no easy, lazy road to learning, to culture and refinement.
HAWTHORNE, REV. LAMBERT, of Evergreen, was born March 15, 1859, in Pine Apple, Wilcox county, Ala. When he was only six years of age his mother, Mrs. Sarah Haw- thorne, died and left him and two other sons to such cold charities as might chance to fall in their way. From the time of his mother's death till he was 18 or 20 he was an appren- tice to Col. J. R. Hawthorne, of his native connty. This gen- fleman sent him to school, sometimes paying $2 per month to
Mi -- Ella Knapp, Missionary, Birmingham, Ala.
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his teacher, thus enabling him in his early years to lay an educational foundation upon which he has continued to build. As might be expected of any person possessing his native talent and industrions turn of mind, he has successfully drawn upon every literary opportunity that has fallen in his way, to increase and beautify his store of knowledge and wis- dom. He studied in Talladega College, entering that institu- tion 1875 and leaving in 1879.
In 1879 he was induced, doubtless by denominational in- fluences, to enter Selma University.
Both as teacher and as preacher he has been a very busy man. At different times he has been principal of the city schools of Opelika and Union Springs, and now he presides over the Evergreen High School. Ilis most prominent pas- torates have been the First Church, Union Springs, and the Bethel Church, Evergreen. For the latter church Mr. Haw- thorne is now completing a good church edifice. In 1873 he was baptized at Pine Apple by Rev. W. Allen. In 1883 he was ordained to the ministry in Opelika by Revs. Thomas Glenn, Il. Clark, N. B. Robie, D. D. (white), and others. In 1880 he was wedded to Miss Laura E. Drake, of Opelika, an affable lady, by whom he has six children. Mr. Hawthorne is energetic, sociable and full of work.
Homoway, Rev. W. H., who spent two years in the Presbyterian Theological School at Tuscaloosa, is preaching and teaching at Thomas. Affable and industrious, he is mak- ing friends and followers.
HESTER, Rev. HENRY, of Faunsdale, son of Reuben and Abigail Hunter, is now (June, 1892) about 77 years of age. He was baptized by Rev. James Caldwell since the close of the war, and in 1866 he was set apart to the work of the gos- pel ministry in a council of which the Rev. James Caldwell
was chairman. Speaking of his education Brother Hunter says : "By chance I learned to read the Bible." He is one of the pioneers of Marengo county in the work of the colored Baptists. He is naturally talented, is unassuming, deeply pious, and is known by his brethren as being sober, upright and honorable. He has property worth about $1,000. He is quietly expecting a peaceable end to his earthly career, and like Abraham, has his eyes upon another country where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary shall be at rest.
HurenINS, REV. P. S. L., of Gallion, son of Reuben and Sylvia Hutchins, was born October 13, 1862, in Barbour county, Alabama. In 1879 he was baptized into the Eufaula Baptist Church by the Rev. Jerry Shorter. He, in youth, was a person of observing, active mind, and hence by the time he came to early manhood he had fairly prepared himself for the position of school teacher. He took the college course in Selma University, from which institution he graduated with the degree of A. B. in May, 1890. On May the 31st, of the same year, he was publicly and officially set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, Revs. M. Tyler, C. L. Puree, C. 1 .. . Fisher, J. Q. A. Wilhite, R. T. Pollard. L. J. Green, A. N. McEwen and the writer, officiating as presbytery. At the time of this writing Mr. Hutchins is pastor at Gallion and also at Newbernc. At both these points he has succeeded in leading his flocks to the crection of good church edifices. He is full of energy and pluck as well as of literary aspiration. Like O'Bryant and other rising men among us, he is a moving man, and has muscles as well as brains.
He is physically as well as mentally strong, and so, if wisdom, prudence and Providence shall continue to be his companions, a long life, a growing life, a useful life, an honor- able life is to be his. 11-
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P. S .- Since writing the above Mr. Hutchins has been abundant in labors in building houses of worship at - differ- ent points. Great physical strength is proving to be a very convenient instrumentality ginder the powers of a strong mind.
JACKSON, REV. A. C., the son of Roderick and Ellen Jack- son, was born in Piekens county, Alabama, December 13, 1848. He was baptized into the African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Ala., by the late Rev. Prince Murrell.
ITe was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry at the request of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Birming- ham, by Revs. J. R. Capers (one of the most worthy organ- izers of the Alabama work), Henry Wood and N. G. Scurlock. The writer first met Brother Jackson in Mobile, in 1875, in company with Rev. P. Murrell. His Birmingham work was crowned with success. Beside what he did in the matter of increasing the membership, he laid at the hand of his succes- sor in the pastorate of the Sixteenth Street Church about $3,000 worth of salable land and the present church site. He is accepted by his brethren as being an honest, earnest, in- dustrious, studious man, especially noted for his hospitality to his brethren. Beside the pastorate above mentioned, he has been a builder and leader of other churches. He is now pres- ident of the Sunday School Convention of the Mt. Pilgrim As- sociation and chairman of the Ministers' Conference of Bir- mingham. He has had sore trials, but in all his changes his love for Jesus has been manifest to all.
JACKSON, REV. JJonx W., pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church of Eufaula, was born at Whitesville, Ga., about thirty years ago.
Educational Advantages .- He has enjoyed only such ad- vantages as the free public schools of Atlanta, Ga., afforded
him, but because of his native talent and studious application to the study of books, and his association with men of thought, he is possessed of a fair education. His unassuming manner and happy, brotherly spirit win and hold for him the love of his brethren in the ministry as well as the tender, confiding respect of his flock.
He was led to faith in Christ in his sixteenth year. In December, 1890, he was installed into the work and office of the gospel ministry by a council, in which Revs. W. II. Tilman and E. J. Fisher, of Atlanta, Ga., officiated. He was called to labor in Alabama May, 1892. The Eufaula Church, of which he is pastor, was organized about the year 1867, and is there- fore one among the oldest churches in the State. This church began on the river bank in a little board shanty, but they now worship in a nice large frame building on a main street of the city. Mr. Jackson follows m this pastorate Revs. J. Shorter. J. Q. A. Wilhite, G. W. Berry. Mr. Forbes, and Mr. Bassett ; and he feels gratified with the assurance that he leads a church from which have gone forth some of the best people in the country. " Be thou strong, therefore, and show thyself a man."
JACKSON, REV. DENNIS, of Tuscumbia, is an honest, in- dustrious man who has a large place in the love of his brethren.
JAMES, REV. LEWIS D., son of James and Priscilla James, was born in Sumter county, Ala., December 24, 1859. Bap- tized by Rev. A. Gordon, of Gainesville, Ala., in August, 1875 Had limited educational advantages in youth, but has since. his manhood increased bis stock of information by study. in which labor he has been aided by Prof. E. D. Lord and Dr. A. F. Owens, of Mobile, and Dr. Pettiford, of Birmingham.
He was ordained to take charge of the Bethel Church at Warrior, Ala., October, ISSS, by Revs. A. C. Jackson, J. W. White, A. D. Jemison and W. R. Pettiford, D. D. Ilis brethren
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of the Mount Pilgrim Association have laid on him various positions of honor, such as president of the Sunday School Convention, distriet missionary, etc.
JAMES, REV. VAN B., pastor at Avondale, is a brother of Rev. L. D. James. He is a progressive, industrious young man, whose breast is filled with longings for a higher life for his people. His preaching is characterized by thought rather than by emotion. In all the interests of the devotion he shows himself substantially concerned.
JOHNSON, REV. GABRIEL. B., of Courtland, Ala., son of Beverly and Sophia Johnson, was born in King George county, Va., in 1849. Two years before the beginning of our civil war, the subject of our sketch, with three other children and his mother, were brought to Alabama as slaves. IIe was led to seek Christ in consequence of a revival conducted near Courtland by Revs. F. Bowman and S. Watkins. In 1867, in February, he was baptized by a white brother. Shortly after his baptism, he began to speak for Jesus in the public meetings under the authority of a license from his church. In 1873 he was solemnly set apart to the sacred office of the gospel ministry, Revs. G. Garrett, J. Belle, B. Swope and C. S. Gibson officiating, after which he was called to the pastoral charge of the Courtland Church, in which ca- pacity he now serves. His first marriage was to Miss Millie Davis, daughter of Harry and Susan Davis. As the fruit of this marriage, there were seven children born to him, four of whom still live. In 1887, and some time after death had robbed him of this good woman, he was wedded to Miss Mariah Jarman, daughter of John and S. Jarman, of Leighton, Ala.
He has had but poor educational advantages, but has used to considerable effeet such as have come within his
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reach. He has had some access to the free publie schools and a few months in the Roger Williams University, Nash- ville, Tenn.
He has been Sunday School missionary under the joint ap- pointment of the Muscle Shoals Association and the American Baptist Publication Society, has for several sessions assisted Prof. H. H. Stewart in the Courtland publie school, and is at present the moderator of the Muscle Shoals Association. He has the confidence and love of his brethren, and will doubtless ascend into still greater things. Being physically strong. he will be a young man for years to come. His kind manner and polite disposition readily commend him to the favor of all persons who are inclined to be friendly, and hence a host of friends follow him with good wishes.
JOHNSON, REV. DANIEL, Oakland, Lauderdale county, Ala., son of Lewis and Martha Johnson, was born near Florence, Ala., November 11, 1844. Baptized by Rev. H. Beckwith in 1872. Ordained by Rev. H. Beckwith, Thos. Bruhes and A. Davis, in January, 1880.
Brother Johnson has been pastor of Zion No. 1 for some , time past and is a cheerful supporter of all the general enter- prises of the denomination.
Jonssos, REV. RienARD, pastor of St. James Church, Bir- mingham, is one of our worthy pioneers, in the Macon county churches.
JONES, REV. C. P., pastor Tabernacle Church, Selma, hails from Arkansas. We have nothing of his history. He comes to us highly recommended by those who knew him best, and so far he is making an excellent impression in his praise. Be- side his moral worth and fine intellectual talents he has other personal graces very rarely seen.
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The writer loves especially his earnest devotion to his sacred calling. He is of Georgia nativity, is about 27 years of age and is a good scholar. He has been in Alabama only three months. What he has accomplished in books is proof that he is a man of studious habits.
P. S .- Since the above was written Brother Jones has gone to Mississippi, forcing from Alabama Baptists an ac- knowledgment of his exalted piety, child-like faith, sound sense and superior pulpit power. Brother Jones is now in Mississippi, still growing in grace and popularity.
JONES, REV. SILES, of Mt. Meigs, Montgomery omity, son of Jupiter and Caroline Jones, was born May 1, 1847. He was baptized into Elam Church, May 1, 1866, by Rev. John Holmes. (white). Was ordained to the work of the gos- pel ministry May 20, 1870, under the auspices of the white Baptist Church, of Wetumpka, Ala., by Revs. A. Carleton, J. Cole and Thomas Smith. The writer first met Brother Jones in Mobile in 1875-has been with him in his pastorates at Wetumpka, at Sandy Ridge, at Mt. Meigs and at Calhoun. He did not learn the alphabet until after he was abom 1- - years of age, and hence his very manly struggles for a knowl. edge of books have not been attended with the perfection which comes of early training. But he is a man of natural ability and rare taet, and what he knows is most thoroughly utilized. His home Christianity includes a system of regular Bible study for children as well as for hired help. He is an exemplary pastor. He is an industrious Bible student and preaches the truth with telling effect. His urbanity and other elements of personal magnetism bind his people ahont him with strongest cords of confidence and affection. No one man has done more for the education of his people than he, as the schools at Mt. Meigs and Calhoun must show. Brother
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Jones is still young and strong and promises a long life. He has good property. His family docs him honor. He is a strong man and coming days will give him the honors due him as a man great in service for home and country.
JONES, REV. POPE, of Russellville, was born near Tuscum- bia, Ala., June 15, 1839. He was baptized some time between 1862 and 1866, and was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry in 1869 by Revs. Joseph Shackelford, D. D. (white), and W. E. Northeross. Brother Jones was in many respects a very remarkable man-no man in the Muscle Shoals Asso- ciation, no man in Northern Alabama, had so much power over the masses of the ministry and the great body of the laity as he. He was an executive man and a natural magnet, and men gathered about him and cheerfully submitted themselves to the sway of his opinions. He was as affable as he was firm, as joyons as he was carnest. He peaceably passed from this life in 1888,
JONES, REV. W.M. B., of Demopolis, was born in 1847 in Marengo county, Ala. Was baptized June 16, 1867, by Rev. John Scott. lle has accomplished some work in the churches.
KENNEDY, REV. F. R., of Columbiana, was born December. 20, 1864, in this State. He was baptized at Calera by the Rev. Henry Clay in 1881, and in 1886 he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. P. Fancher and John Tran- holm. Mr. Kennedy at the age of 18 did not know his letters, but perceiving at an early age the value of book learning he resolved at the time named to attain to some knowledge on this line. Ile has availed himself of such facilities and oppor- tunities as have fallen in his way, and in consequence he now reads and writes fairly well. No doubt much of his advance- ment and general success are due to the knowledge, aspiration and persistence of Mrs. Kennedy, whose educational advantages
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have been superior to her husband's. Brother Kennedy has been pastor in his own town, in Birmingham, at Calera, and now he preaches in Anniston.
KENNEDY, REV. SAMUEL, once pastor Union Church, Mobile, is one of those unassuming, modest, friendly men whose heart pours forth in kindness upon everybody. Like many others his chief misfortune is that he bears the marks which deelare his want of early school advantages. However, he deserves praise for many good qualities and commendable labors.
KING, REV. BOLING, of Leighton, Ala., was born in Orange . county, Va., August, 1836. He was converted to faith in Christ under the ministry of Rev. Henry Bynum, by whom, aided by . Dr. Shackleford, he was baptized into the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Leighton. In 1868, in same church and by the same brethren, he was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. Though he never attended school he can read and write, and is a natural leader. He is pastor of some of the largest churches in the Muscle Shoals Association. Ile is an industrious, honorable man and has accumulated about $1,700 worth of real estate. He is one of the pioneers of the work in this section of Alabama. He is still of youthful vigor and leads in the Sunday School the same as in the church.
€ Korros, PROF. ABNER C., of Tuscaloosa, son of llenry and Susan Koyton, was born in Marietta, Ga., but was reared in Summerfield, Ala. Mr. Koyton graduated from the State Normal School, Marion, Ala., in 1880, and delivered the first annual address to the alumni of this institution.
Under his principalship, and on his plans, so the writer is informed, the city schools (colored) of Tuscaloosa began to operate under their present graded system. He is now just inaugurating the Tuscaloosa Baptist Academy. lle is young,
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but studions and progressive. His youth is dignified by his gravity and piety.
LAWSON, REV. A. J., of Cainden, son of Mr. A. and Mrs. Julia Lawson, is doing a good work at Camden. His chief educational advantages have come of the Camden schools, and what he has accomplished in the way of letters, is evidence of his vigilance and application with reference to the opportuni- ties which came to his hand. He was baptized by Rev. David Small, of Clark county, in Isso, two years after which time he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry at Camden by order of the Camden Church, which was then under the pastoral care of Rev. J. W. White. His labors are well spoken of by his brethren.
LAwsos, BEv. A., of Union Springs, the pastor of Mount Pleasant Church, now about 45 years of age, is one of the leading men of the " Old Pine Grove Association." Like most of the men of his time. his education has been hindered. However, he is a very clear-headed man and, having a large following. has done much good in Bullock county.
LEAVENS. REV. CHARLES, the man who led to the erection of the brick structure in which the St. Louis Street Church now worships, was of Virginia nativity, and was born about 1:05. The writer is of the opinion that no man in Alabama did so much in pioneer days to organize the Negro Baptists in the State as Mr. Leavens. At the close of the war he was not ordained, but was the most enterprising, pushing, san- guine and infinential man in his church. Naturally, therefore, the work of guiding the Rock fell upon his shoulders. As he could not get ordination of his white brethren, be songht it in New Orleans. Finding himself now possessed with the com- mission of a gospel minister, he sought to touch and commis- sion men for the other cities and towns of the State. The Rev.
Philip Gambrell was ordained about the same time. Calling in this man's services and assistance, Mr. Leavens ordained Messrs. P. Murrell, of Tuscaloosa ; J. Bleavens, of Selma ; James Caldwell, of Demopolis ; the writer, and a great com- pany of others, who went out into the various sections of the State to organize the people into churches. Of course, as might have been expected, he sometimes put out the wrong man, but it was a time to do and dare. His exeuse for hasty action was : " This is a peculiar time whose peculiar circum- stances call for bold methods." His chief questions to appli- cants were : " Can you and do you read the Bible? Do you believe it, pray about it, and practice its teachings ? Are you a good, whole Baptist ? Are you a republican ?"
LEAPD. REV. JAMES, of Birmingham, son of AAlfred and Elizabeth Leach, was born July 16, 1-32, in Marengo county. Ala. In Isto he was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Fox, of Union- town, and on November 26, 1867, in the African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. P. Murrell, P. Bowler and James Caldwell.
In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary Martin. He Was once pastor of the African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, and one time presided over the Bethlehem Association (organized in 1877) as moderator. Mr. Leach has held various pastor- ates, is a hospitable man, and has a very pleasant family.
The writer has often found-when weary and sick-a pleasing and invigorating refuge within the quiet home of these good people.
LEFTWICH, Jons C., of Montgomery, onee editor and now manager of the Baptist Leader, is noted especially for energy and independence. He is, at the time of this writing, tem- peranee lecturer for the State of Alabama under the ~ Na-
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tional Temperance Society." Doubtless he inherits his push and ambition from his father, who was at one time a meni- ber of the Alabama legislature. He is quite a young man, and if wisdom shall rule over bis purposes and plans in years to come, he will write himself upon the men and the occasions of future years.
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