USA > Arkansas > Pulaski County > Little Rock > The annals of Christ church parish of Little Rock, Arkansas, from A. D. 1839 to A. D. 1899 > Part 10
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At night, after service by Mr. Wingfield, Mr. Stout preached from Luke xvi. 23, 24, on the certainty of future punishments; and warning men against the seductions of "science, falsely so-called." The day was altogether a joyful one to those who pray for the prosperity of our Zion in these parts.
From some unaccountable reason, Arkansas has been ap- parently avoided by clergy seeking locations in the Southwest. The State is healthy. (See the census report on this matter.) Society is as good as it can be without the Church. The peo- ple are kind and cordial, and no one can be here long without forming strong attachments. There are many places where the services of a minister are greatly desired, and a competent support can be had. Brethren, "come over and help us !" VIATOR.
St. Augustine College, Benicia, Cal., Monday, June 27, 1898.
To Mrs. W. A. Cantrell, care Dr. W. A. Cantrell, Little Rock, Ark. :
My Dear Old Friend -- Your much esteemed letter is at hand and I take advantage of the opportunity to write a brief reply. I am delighted to receive it and to know that I still live in the memory of my old Little Rock friends. who are kind enough to remember me when I have been separated from them for forty years. Yours is the first letter I have received from that city since I left there, with the exception
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of one from iny old friend, Langstrouth, with whom I lived, you may recollect, over the bank, and one from the Rev. Mr. Carnahan, when he was Rector of Christ Church. Strange to say, I have never met with any people from your city except General Albert Pike and Bishop Pierce, both of whom were so full of their own business that I could never learn anything of my old friends and acquaintances. My! what a flood of recollections is let loose by your valuable letter. It seems like a dream that I ever went to Little Rock and the two years I spent there were two of the happiest of my life. But to business ! You ask me for a history of myself. I will try not to weary you.
A. D. 1856-1897. In 1858 I was a student of Divinity in the Theological School, near Alexandria, Va., and in the summer vacation went on a trip to Niagara Falls. From some imprudence I took a violent cold which left me with a wretched cough and this was followed by slight hemorrhages. Just at this juncture Colonel Wm. Ashley was looking for some one to take charge of his school for his son Chester, called the Ashley Institute. His brother Henry, who was a class- mate of mine at St. Timothy's College, near Baltimore, where we had graduated together, recommended me to the place of principal. I accepted and took charge in October, 1856, and continued to pursue my theological studies under the Rev. Andrew Freeman. On the 16th of January, later, 1858, the Rev. Otis Hackett, of Helena, Ark., and the Rev. Wm. C. Stout, of the Diocese of Mississippi, arrived at Little Rock and I was examined for Deacon's orders, and the next day Bishop Freeman came across the street from his residence to ordain me. In the afternoon I preached my first sermon and continued to assist the Rector until June, 1858, when I re- turned to Virginia, reaching Portsmouth, Va., July 4, and going at once into the pulpit to assist my father, the Rector of Trinity Church in that city.
The following summer, 1859, I passed my examinations for Priest's orders and was married to Miss Mary Imogene Chandler, the youngest daughter of Surgeon John Chandler,
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United States navy. Her sister is now the wife of Rev. Dr. Beard, of Birmingham, Ala. I remained Associate Rector in Portsmouth, Va., until 1863, when I fell into the hands of "Beast Butler," who condemned me to three months' imprison- ment in the penitentiary and to wear ball and chain and sweep the streets of Norfolk, Va. As soon as I was released from prison I went with my wife and babe to a country parish, near Bel Air, Harford County, Md. On September 17, 1864, the mother died of galloping consumption, leaving me with a lovely boy of four months. If he were alive to-day he would be 35 years old, but alas! he was spared to me only to be murdered on the streets of Benicia, July 8, 1889 !
Three of my brothers were in the army of Confederate States, one a colonel on General Blanchard's staff, the second on General R. E. Lee's staff as inspector general of all his hospitals, and the third, my youngest brother, was a lieuten- ant in one of the Norfolk companies. I was enlisted in a company but drilled only once, while I served as chaplain on two occasions to the soldiers in camp. All the rest of the time I was not confined in prison, I held continuous services in Portsmouth, Va., and in Harford County, Md.
In January, 1866, I returned to assist my father as Associate Rector of Trinity Church, Portsmouth, Va., and remained with him two years, when, in 1868, I accepted a call to Petersburg, Va. In 1866 I married Miss Lee, of Bel Air, Md. We were very happy in Petersburg and St. Paul's con- gregation of that city, but alas! deathi entered my home and robbed me of my wife, in August, 1872. I received several calls while there. One in New York City, one in New Orleans, one in Galveston, and one in Savannah, but finally a call from Trinity Church, San Francisco, came and it seemed that I must go. So I married a widow-Mrs. Anne Garland, of Mecklenburg County, Va., and went, on June 18, 1874, to take charge of my new field on the Pacific Coast. In the fall of that year I was elected Bishop of Northern California, and in April, 1875, began my work here.
I presume you have been wondering why I should write to you with a pencil. Well, my dear old friend, I will tell
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you. All my life I have enjoyed most excellent health; in fact, I fancied that nothing could break me down. My nerves seemed to be made of steel, and my muscles of adament; so I gave myself up to hard and continuous work, until at last, on the 23d of May, 1896, I fell on the floor, stricken with paralysis .* My whole left side was suddenly rendered utterly helpless. I was in a condition of entire unconsciousness. The doctor said I was paralyzed from overwork. I had on that day performed my fifteen thousandth service; and do you wonder that I was paralyzed ? I remained unconscious until May 21, 1897, on the morning of which day I woke from my sleep-once more myself. Thus, nearly a whole year I knew nothing and recognized nobody. Still my imagination was active, for I thought I was traveling all over the world and reviewing my life. My wife says I talked of all my old friends who had lived in the various places where I had spent my early life. She says I talked of you and all my other Little Rock friends. It all seemed as real as though I had actually talked with them in the flesh.
On the 7th of June, 1897, I was brought down stairs and have ever since occupied my parlor for a chamber. I suppose I must be getting better, but my progress has been slow- scarcely perceptible. My appetite is very good, and I have discharged my doctor, retaining only the continuous services of a trained nurse. My wife watched me with constant care, and I expect to pull through in the course of time. It requires of me much patience, but I am hopeful and cheerful. Bishop Graves, of the Platte, has been sent to relieve me and perform all Episcopal offices, so that my jurisdiction has not suffered very much. If the good Lord should be pleased to restore me soon to health and permit me to go to Washington City next October to attend the meeting of General Convention, I'll promise to go by way of Little Rock and stop off a day to see my old friends. At present it looks dubious, however, and I can scarcely hope to be able to accomplish my fond desire, but if I am well enough to travel I'll surely make the
*Caused by cerebral hemorrhage.
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effort to go. My only child, my daughter, Mrs. Jas. Hamil- ton Scott, who lives in Richmond, has exacted of me a promise to that effect.
I am very sorry to learn that Christ Church was burned in 1873. If you have a photograph of the old Church and its successor, may 1 take the liberty of asking you to send me a copy ? My wife promises to send you copies of some clip- pings of newspapers which I preserved. I think they will interest you in making your book. Bishop Pierce has a book called "the Episcopate of America." Ask him to let you see it. Bishop Perry, of Iowa, got it up a few years ago, and I am sure you will be pleased with it. Ask him if he has another book by Rev. Mr. Batterson called "The American Episcopate," also. My wife says I must stop, but I cannot close without asking after all the people of Little Rock, in whom you may think I am interested. Is General Churchill alive and his wife ? If so please tell him, I still prize a fine Prayer Book, which he gave me on my ordination day. 1
would like to inquire after Dr. Hooper. I saw his name as a member of the Medical Society which met in San Francisco a few years ago, and intended to hunt him up, but was pre- vented doing so. I wonder sometimes if my old friends are still living-the Ashleys, the Waits, the Reardons, and many others I cannot recall now. Please write to me, and believe me, with love to everybody that remembers me.
Your affectionate friend,
J. H. D. WINGFIELD.
GONE TO HIS REWARD.
BISHOP J. II. D. WINGFIELD IS NO MORE-THE HEAD OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHI OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SUCCUMBS TO PARALYSIS.
This community was startled on hearing the sad news of the death of the Rt. Rev. J. HI. D. Wingfield, which occurred Wednesday afternoon at 4:45 o'clock.
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Notwithstanding the fact that he had been sick for the past two years, caused by a stroke of paralysis, it was generally supposed that he was in a fair way to recovery.
The death of Bishop Wingfield is a great loss to the Church, of which he has been a prominent member since 1853. He had filled the position up to the time of his death-Mis- sionary Bishop of the Northern District of California -- hav- ing been elected to this position in 1874. A short resume of his life will be of interest to his many friends on this Coast :
Bishop Wingfield was a native of Portsmouth, Va., where he was born September 24, 1833, and educated at first privately and then at St. Timothy's, Maryland, at which in- stitution he was for two years an instructor. He was gradu- ated at William and Mary College in 1853. He pursued the vocation of a teacher until 1855, when he spent a year at the Theological Seminary of Virginia, and then resumed his pro- fessional work as the head of the Ashley Institute, in Little Rock, Ark. He was ordained Deacon in Christ Church, Little Rock, Jannary 17, 1838, by Bishop Freeman, and ad- vanced to the Priesthood by Bishop Johns, in the Chapel of the Virginia Seminary, July 1, 1859.
After serving as a curate to the Rector of Christ Church, Little Rock, he assisted his venerable father, the Rev. John H. Wingfield, in Trinity Church, Portsmouth, Va., and sub- sequently served in Maryland at Christ Church, Rock Spring, returning to Trinity, Portsmouth, 1866. He served at St. Paul's, Petersburg, Va., 1868, where, in 1871, he founded St. Paul's School for Girls; and in 1874 became Rector of Trinity Church, San Francisco, Cal. The College of William and Mary conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1869, and that of Doctor of Laws in 1874.
The Missionary District of Northern California having been created at the General Convention of 1874, Dr. Wing- field was chosen as the first Bishop, and was consecrated in St. Paul's, Petersburg, Va., December 2, of the same year, by Bishops Johns, Atkinson, Lay, Pinkeney, and Lyman.
On removing to his Missionary See he became president of the Missionary College of St. Augustine, at Benicia.
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Later he assumed the headship of St. Mary's of the Pacific, in Benicia, and also became Rector of St. Paul's Church, Benicia. During a laborious and devoted administration, Bishop Wingfield has declined four opportunities for transla- tion-in 1879, the Bishoprie of Louisiana; in 1882, the As- sistant Bishopric of Mississippi; and in 1886 and 1887, the See of Easton.
His administration, under many untoward circumstances impeding his work, and with a tragic episode in which all hearts were won to him in sympathy and marked respect, has been earnest, acceptable and successful. His eloquence, zeal, devotion and energy commended the Bishop and his work to all men.
His published works are "The Sacrament of Warriors;" "Answers to the Charge of Uncharitableness;" "The Church- man's Gratitude ;" Sermons, Pastorals, etc.
Bishop Wingfield, as a member of this community, was respected and loved by all who knew him. The members of his congregation of St. Paul's Church worshipped him. His charity was unbounded and his hand was always open to the needy. All who were educated under him at St. Augustine's College will hear with regret of his demise. Hle always had a kind and hearty greeting for all, and to those who had gained his friendship he was a frind indeed, and his loss will be felt by many who had always looked to him for advice and counsel.
He leaves a widow, Anne M. D., and one daughter, Mrs. Mary Scott, who now resides in Richmond, Va.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral services were held on Friday at 6:30 p. m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The remains were taken from his late residence to the Church, where the Rt. Rev. Wm. Ford Nichols. D. D., Bishop of California. in the full robe of his high office, and assisted by the Rev. J. T. Shirtleff, of Auburn ; Rev. John Partridge, of Petaluma: Rev. James Cope, of Santa Rosa ; Rev. Chas. L. Miel, of Sacramento ; Rev. Wm. A. George, of Chico; Rev. A. A. McAllister, Chaplain U. S. N., Vallejo: Rev. Caleb Ben-Ham, of Napa. and Rev.
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J. H. Waterman, of Benicia, met the funeral cortege at the outer door of the Church and escorted it to the Chancel, Bishop Nichols chanting a prayer. It was a most solemn and impressive scene, and one never to be forgotten by those who attended. When the words, "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord" were spoken by Bishop Nichols there was hardly a dry eye in the congregation. The singing by the choir, which was especially chosen for the occasion, was beautiful. At the end of the burial service the remains were taken to the evening train for transmission to Petersburg, W. Va., where the remains will be interred in the family plot.
The Church was handsomely draped in the Royal Purple, interwoven with white carnations and roses, and branches of the triumphal palm helped to make it a beautiful and impres- sive scene. The following gentlemen acted as pall bearers : Colonel W. W. Lyman, of St. Helena; W. W. Armstrong, of San Francisco; Dr. W. A. Moore, of Benicia; Judge J. M. Gregory, of Suisun; F. W. Gabriel, of Suisun; F. P. Wein- mann, of Benicia. The honorary pall bearers were as follows : Captain Geo. White, of Oakland; W. R. Porter, of Watson- ville; Elliot McAllister, of Oakland; Jas. A. Nowland, of San Francisco; Geo. H. Andruss, of Oakland ; Major Wm. B. Hooper, of San Francisco; Dr. T. M. Todd, of Auburn ; John A. Walker, of Benicia ; Dr. S. A. Deuel, of Benicia ; Herbert J. Show, of Sutter Creek; Dr. R. P. Smith, of Santa Rosa ; P. Torelli, of Benicia.
The world hath lost a man. Ilis path he strewed With gentle kindnesses and words of grace. From all degrees of men his open face Won high regard or earnest gratitude. With sturdy honesty and truth endned, Ilis soul was written on his countenance, And all might read him at a casual glance, As on a world-wide pedestal he stood.
By unclean pelf his hand and heart unstained, Strong for the right, and turning not aside Whene'er the public weal was in debate,
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He justified the honor he had gained. If specks in marble envious eyes espied, His faith in God was his sure armor-plate.
The will of the late Bishop Wingfield was filed for pro- bate in the Superior Court of Solano County August 15. The estate consists of money in the savings bank, investments and promissory notes, amounting to $57,086, and real estate valued at $22,420; total $79,506. The will was dated January 16, 1893, and the entire estate was bequeathed to the widow, Mrs. Anne M. Wingfield, for her sole use during the term of her natural life, after the expiration of which it passes to the daughter, Mary Wingfield .- The Pacific Churchman, San Francisco, Cal., volume xxxiv. number 111, September 1, 1898.
REV. WILLIAM C. STOUT.
A. D. 1824-1858. Rev. William C. Stout, who assisted at the ordination of Mr. J. H. D. Wingfield, principal of the Ashley Institute, was the son of John G. and Mary Kirby Stout. He was born near Greenville, Tenn., February 18, 1824; ordained Deacon in Alexandria, Va., by Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana, in 1847; ordained Priest in Fayetteville, Ark., by Rt. Rev. Dr. G. W. Freeman, in 1848. In 1851 Mr. Stout was married to Miss Mary Jor- dan, of Marshall County, Miss. In 1852-53 he officiated at Calvary Church, Memphis, Tenn., and in 1858, moved to Little Rock, Ark.
A. D. 1860-1886. During the interval between his mar- riage and that date, Mr. Stout was almost always employed in the care of his wife's possessions, consisting of slaves and plantations, of which she was the orphan heiress. The care
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of these souls he felt to be imperative-a trust from the Creator, as well as a trust from his wife. She was left entirely alone on the death of her father and was very de- pendent on her husband. But whenever an opportunity for mission work offered that he could combine with his first, im- mediate charge, he embraced it gladly and wrought faithfully in the Master's vineyard, without compensation other than that bestowed in the blessing on his labors by the just house- holder. In the summer of 1860 Rev. Mr. Stout took charge of Christ Church, as Acting Rector, during the absence of Bishop Lay and Dr. Wheat, the Rector in charge. He had many friends in the parish. The bulk of his wealth dis- solved during the Civil War, but in adversity as in prosperity he did not forfeit his allegiance to Him he vowed to serve. He died at Morrilton, Ark., on the 11th of December, 1886, deeply mourned by his bereaved family and at peace with God. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stout were :
1. William Jordan Stout. Who married Miss Fannie Farrish, of Jackson, Miss., and died in 1883.
2. James Jordan Stout. Unmarried; died in 1885.
3. Arthur Polk Stout. Unmarried ; died in 1883.
4. Thomas Percy Stout. Married Miss Ida Wendel, of Brownsville, Tenn.
5. Mary Irene Stout. Married Mr. G. P. Lane, of Mississippi. They have a son, De Lisle, and a daughter.
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REV. JOHN THOMAS WHEAT, D. D.
A. D. 1801-1867. Rer. John Thomas Wheat, D. D., who succeeded Rev. Andrew F. Freeman as the second Rector of Christ Church, was born November 15, 1801, in Washing- ton City, where he lived until he became of age. He then re- moved to Alexandria, Va., where he studied for the ministry under Rev. Dr. Wilmer, of that city. While studying he also, at the age of 21, instructed thirty youths in the higher branches of learning. Under his good instruction and dis- cipline this school increased to eighty or ninety pupils, requir- ing two assistants. Mr. Wheat was then, in 1825, admitted to the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church by Bishop Moore, of Virginia, in Christ Church, Alexandria, and in 1826 he was ordained Presbyter by Bishop Kemp, of Maryland, in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore. The next year he took charge of a Church in Wheeling, Va. From 1835 to 1838 he was
Rector of St. Paul's Church, New Orleans, La. In 1839-49 he was Rector of Christ Church in Nashville, Tenn., leaving there to accept the chair of professor of logie in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he remained until 1859. He then became Rector of Christ Church, Little Rock, Ark. During the war, in 1863, while cut off by the fall of Vicksburg, from his parish in Little Rock, he was chaplain in the Confederate army. From July, 1867, until he retired from active service in the ministry he was Rector of the Monu- mental Church of St. Lazarus, at Memphis, Tenn., which he resigned after nearly half a century of clerical labor. The farewell services, on his taking leave of his congregation, were very impressive. Previous to the opening of the regular ser- vices, Dr. Carmichel, of a neighboring Church, made an
REV. JOHN THOMAS WHEAT, D. D.
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address, in which he paid a just tribute to Dr. Wheat's high standing and abilities, showing the effect of his eloquence upon his hearers. The Memphis Appeal in quoting from the address, says :
"Sixteen years ago, when the speaker was a young lawyer in Fredericksburg, Va., Dr. Wheat delivered an address to the young men of that town. The fervid eloquence, the lofty piety of the minister, and the great and glorious truths he re- vealed that day were not without their effect upon everyone there, and at once decided him to resolve to study for the min- istry. This resolve was carried into effect, and it was owing to the earnest efforts of Dr. Wheat that day that he, the speaker, became a minister. His gratitude, his apprecia- tion for the good man who had induced him to espouse the cause of the Lord were deep and lasting."
A. D. 1838-1866. Besides his local clerical labors, Dr. Wheat has filled the honorable position of Delegate to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, during the triennial meetings of 1838, 1841, 1844, 1847, 1868, and 1871. In 1846 Dr. Wheat received the degree of D. D. from the University of Nashville, Tenn. In 1866 he published a "Preparation for the Holy Communion." On March 10, 1825, in the city of Alexandria, Va., Dr. Wheat married Selina Blair Patten Roberdeau. In 1875 he celebrated his golden wedding. For that occasion he wrote and published a poem, dedicated to his wife, entitled "Reminiscences of My Pre-Nuptial Life," containing the mention of many interest- ing incidents. Their children were :
A. D. 1826-1862. 1. Chatham Roberdeau. Born in Alexandria, Va., April 9, 1826. He fought under General Winfield Scott in the Mexican War. After peace was de- clared, fought under Mexican generals for the State against the Church, going twice into the City of Mexico with a con-
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quering army ; first with General Scott, and afterwards with General Alvarez. He went to the rescue of General Walker in Central America ; tried to liberate the Cubans under Lopez ; . went to offer his sword to Garibaldi in Italy, and was there styled "the Murat of America," because of his fearlessness on the battlefield; returned to America at the beginning of the Civil War and commanded the celebrated "Louisiana Tiger Rifles." He fell at the head of his command while carrying the colors that had five times been shot down in almost as many minutes, at the battle of Gaines's Mill, June 27, 1862.
A. D. 1827-1872. 2. Selina Patten. Born June 12, 1827. Married Dr. John Seay, of Nashville, Tenn. Died November 8, 1872.
A. D. 1830-1862. 3. John Thomas. Born Decem- ber 3, 1830. Was killed in the Civil War at the battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862.
A. D. 1833-1853. 4. Josephine May. Born Febru- ary 22, 1833. Married Hon. Frances E. Shober, secretary of United States Senate, July 11, 1853.
5. Reginald Heber. Born January 5, 1837. Died June 7, 1839.
A. D. 1841. 6. Leonidas Polk. Born May 5, 1841.
A. D. 1888-1896. Dr. Wheat lived to be 87 years old, spending the last few years of his life among his children. He entered into the Life Eternal February 2, 1888, from the home of his much loved granddaughter, Mrs. May . Shober Boyden, at Salisbury, N. C., ministered to in his last illness by his faithful and devoted wife, his daughter, Josephine May, his granddaughter, May, and her husband Archibald Boyden. He was buried from St. Luke's Church, Salis- bury, N. C., Sunday morning, February 5, and interred in
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the old English graveyard near the Church. Dr. Wheat's old parishioners of St. Lazarus, Memphis, sent, as a memorial to their beloved pastor, a communion service of gold, enclosed in a brass bound oak casket, to St. Luke's Church, Salisbury. St. Mark's Church, Berkley, Cal., which he established while sojourning there in 1876, has placed on the altar a handsome brass cross and vases as a memorial to the founder of the parish. All Saints' Church, Concord, N. C., erected a hand- some chancel window to Dr. Wheat, who organized that parish and was the first Rector. This was his last work on earth. His wife survived him nearly ten years. She fell asleep on the eve of Christmas, 1896, in the ninety-second year of her life, and was buried from St. Luke's Church, Salisbury, N. C., and laid to rest by the side of her beloved husband, there to await the resurrection morn.
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