USA > Georgia > Gwinnett County > Gwinnett churches; a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers > Part 15
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Prof. S. P. Orr, J. F. Wilhite, W. H. Quarterman, Mrs. Mary B. Quarterman, Mrs. H. S. Allen, Callie Wilhite,
REV. C. W. JOHNSON, Pastor Yellow River Church.
J. H. HASLETT, Clerk of Mt. Zion Church.
T. E. COLLINS, Prominent Baptist.
J. W. COGGINS, Methodist Layman, Meadow.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Herbert Allyn. The three first names were ruling elders at the time of organization.
Prof. S. P. Orr, then principal of the Winder public schools, gave a lot of land which was afterwards ex- changed for the lot on which the church now stands, and which is in Gwinnett county.
The house of worship was erected in 1902-3, and is valued at $1,500.
W. H. Quarterman, a prominent attorney, is super- intendent of the Sunday school, and L. C. Russell, him- self an attorney of ability, and Miss Mary Russell are the teachers.
Dr. H. S. Allen was the first pastor. He served for several months, and later went to Braziel as a mission- ary.
Dr. J. B. Mack was the second pastor. Then came Rev. J. L. King in 1898; Rev. James Wood Pogue in 1898-1901; Rev. W. L. Harrell, 1902-3; Rev. Lucian Knight in 1904; Rev. Homer McMillan in 1905 ; Rev. J. H. Dixon in 1906 ; Rev. Fritz Rauschenberg in 1907-11. The church has extended a call to Rev. M. C. Liddell, for- merly of Norcross, but more recently of Oklahoma.
The present membership includes W. E. Edmonds, R. F. Freeman, Edna Freeman, Telford Freeman, Mrs. O. S. Hayes, Sarah Hayes, Mrs. P. P. Jennings, Mrs, E. E. Potts, S. C. Potts, S. M. Potts, Fritz Potts, Cupid Potts, W. H. Quarterman, Mrs. W. H. Quarterman, Keith A. Quarterman, L. C. Russell, R. O. Ross, Mrs. R. O. Ross, Oscar Ross, Julian Ross, J. M. Baird, T. C. Lang- ford.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
New Hope.
Brethern J. Paxon and T. M. Foster organized New Hope Christian church in 1872 at what is now known as Oakland. The church began its career with the mem- bers whose names are given here: Miss Eliza Quinn, Mr. John Quinn, Mrs. Permelia Quinn, Mrs. Ollie Quinn, Miss Martha Quinn, Mr. James Quinn, Mrs. Mary C. Atkinson, Mrs. H. P. Huff, Mr. K. C. Atkinson, Mr. John Hood, Mr. John Cooper, Mr. Thomas Wood, Miss Lula Huff, Miss Fannie Cooper, Miss A. N. Atkinson, Miss Sarah Brown, Miss J. J. Davenport, Miss Emmie Whitney, Mr. Isaac Brown, Mrs. S. O. Brown, Mrs. M. I. Brown, Mr. Thomas Hood, Mr. Gus Tetter, Mrs. Ducilla Willis, Mr. Thomas Quinn, Mrs. S. C. Quinn.
The church has had a gradual growth in point of members and of this denomination is the second in num- ber in the county. !
Joseph Paxon was its first pastor. He served five years. T.M. Foster was pastor for sixteen years. Lon Lee served the church six months; Rev. Golightly, six months; R. V. Omer, one year; Hampton Dodson, one year; L. F. Jackson, nine years; N. D. Meadow, two . years; E. R. Mobley, one year; Dr. Thomas, one year ; A. E. Seddon, one year; B. F. Foster, one year; T. F. Yarbrough is the present pastor. Howard T. McElroy is the secretary and treasurer of the church.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
J. J. Herrington is the superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an enrollment of about 100. Joe Wil- liams is chorister and J. J. Herrington, Miss Lena Wil- liams, Miss Mattie Williams, Mrs. Robert Craig, Miss Azzie Hutchins and Joe Williams, teachers.
The present building was erected in 1884, and is val- ued at $750.
The church roll shows the following members :
P. F. Atkinson, G. A. Atkinson, D. R. Arnold, Deck Arnold, A. H. Atkinson, J. A. Atkinson, John Atkinson, Melvin Atkinson, John Brown, J. J. Herrington, George Huston, Isaac Johnson, Jim Johnson, Andrew Johnson, John Brownlee, John Thompson, H. J. Moon, W. A. Rutledge, J. P. Whitehead, H. C. Whitehead, Edd Wea- thers, J. I. Green, L. H. Cooper, Jeff Warbington, H. P. Wynn, J. W. Wynn, M. W. Brannon, Jesse Smith, J. W. Leopard, N. R. Johnson, John Johnson, H. T. McElroy, A. J. Gordon, Loyd Mills, D. N. Brownlee, Carl Brownlee, J. B. Rainey, Wm. R. Hooper, E. P. Thompson, W. O. Thompson, H. T. Johnson, J. H. Cox, J. A. Pool, W. P. Wallace, G. L. Wells, C. W. Wynn, Laura Mc- Elroy, Marguetett Craft, Nancy Atkinson, Margueret Atkinson, Annie Atkinson, Effie Atkinson, Emmie At- kinson, Davie Still, M. I. Payton, Nora McCulley, L. M., Cooper, Ida Hazelrigs, J. C. Green, M. C. Whitehead, Georgia Singleton, R. E. Wynn, F. O. Wynn, Mattie Rutledge, Minnie Rutledge, Ida Arnold, Maud Gower, Julia Johnson, Mollie Raney, Sallie Bran, Martha Brome- lowe, Georgia Bran, Willie Bran, Ida Bran, Sarah Dan- iel, Gennie Daniel, Cinthana Smith, Ella Johnson, Ada
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Johnson, Emmie Johnson, Ella Kirby, Pearl Cooper, Ora Cooper, Allie Webb, Allie Brownlee, Mamie Crews, Jim- mie Brownlee, Leila Jones, Leila Cole, Sallie Whitehead, Maggie Dooley, Ada Whitehead, Mary Johnson, Dora Wallace, A. N. Leopard, Susie Bouchum, Fannie Bou- chum, Mrs. M. H. Danforth, Mary Atkinson, Mollie Bran, Dora Bouchcum, Loyd Mills, Omie Mae Thomp- son, M. A. Wynn, Lula Bell Cooper, Lee Atkinson, Lillie Wells, Minie Wynn.
Hopewell.
This church was organized September, 1886, witha the following members :
Wilbern Jones, B. F. Maffett, B. F. Shelnutt, S. V. Shelnutt, J. H. Ambrose, W. A. Camp, Mrs. Emily Jones, Mrs. L. V. Shelnutt, Mrs. Mary Maffett, Miss Margie Jones, Miss Sallie Maffett, Ada Maffett.
It is located in Goodwin's district.
The church was built in 1901, but a new building is now being planned and will probably be erected in a short time.
Bliss Woodward is superintendent of the Sunday school, D. J. Funderberg, assistant superintendent, Miss Velva White, secretary, Paul Jackson, chorister, Miss May Funderburg, organist and Miss Mamie Jones, Paul Jackson, D. J. Funderburg, teachers.
L. F. Jackson was the first pastor of the church, ser- ving four years. John H. Wood was pastor six months. N. D. Meadow served nine years. E. E. Hollingworth preached fourteen months, J. F. Green one year, C. R.
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Miller one year, and the present pastor is T. F. Yar- brough.
The members of the church are:
Wilbern Jones, B. F. Maffett, B. F. Shelnutt, S. V. Shelnutt, J. H. Ambrose, W. A. Camp, D. W. Maffett, J. R. Maffett, H. L. Young, C. E Davis, Dilmus Huff, Bliss . Woodward, H. N. Jackson, U. G. Maffett, Wm. Johnson, G. H. Allen, M. W .Bates, D. J. Funderburg, W. A. Bates, James Johnston, Washington Bennett, Dan- iel McDaniel, J. H. Crumley, D. M. Funderburg, Solo- mon Corbin, Honor Corbin, Edith Corbin, H. B. Davis, R. A. Crow, J. A. O'Kelley, Wesley Shackelford, Melvin C. McDaniel, Myer Morrell, John M. Whitehead, Wil- liam W. Crow, Charles Garner, Melvin Whitehead, John Corbin, R. C. Thompson, Emory Cooper, Wayman Mau- ghon, Clarence Jones, Jasper Cooper, Frank B. Hall, George Whitehead, Raleigh Crow, Arthur McDaniel, Paul Funderburg, N. M. Jones, John Jones, T. P. Jackson, S. H. Dodson, -. -. Dodson, Oscar Johnson, Cleveland Peavy, Mrs. Emily Jones, Miss Margie Jones, Mrs. L. V. Shelnutt, Mary Maffett, Sarah Maffett, Ada Maffett, E. C. Maffett, H. H. Maffett, Dora Bennett, Sarah White- head, Emma Cantrell, Penrilipe King, Sarah Bently, Cora Maffett, Elizabeth Young, Elizabeth Camp, Emma Davis, M. F. Maffett, Ora Maffett, R. B. Jackson, Camilla Allen, Alice Maffett, Eunice Sudderth, Eunice Jones, Mattie Funderburg, Mary Maffett, 2nd, C. H. Crumley, Emma Corbin, M. S. Rice, Annie Sudderth, Minnie Hughes, Lillie Davis, Delpha Frazier, Lucy Crow, Georgia O'- Kelley, Alice Jones, Hannah Manghron, Alma McDaniel,
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Parrott Crow, Emily Whitehead, Dora Moore, Mrs. B. F. Maffett, Mattie Jones, May Funderburg, Fellie Davis, Elfie Crumley, Mamie Jones, Edna Whitehead, Parry McDaniel, Adele Corbin, Mrs. Brock, Mrs. J. N. Cooper, Cora Funderburg, Clara Johnson, Edna Mahaffey, S. V. Shelnutt, Etta M. Jackson, Ruth Johnson.
Lawrenceville.
Rev. E. L. Shelnutt conducted a successful tent meet- ing in Lawerenceville in the summer of 1909, and organ- ized the Christian church.
Those who united with the church at its organization are S. Corbin, Mrs. S. Corbin, Adell Corbin, Winnie Cor- bin, Honor Corbin, Conert Corbin, Wm. E. Green, Nina Ware, L. L. Ewing, Mrs. L. L. Ewing, U. G. Maffett, Mrs. U. G. Maffett, Odessa Maffett, J. D. Young, Mrs. J. D. Young, Sallie Bell Young, Paul Young, J. H. Young, Mrs. J. H. Young, J. J. Barnes, Mrs. E. J. Barnes, T. O. Moon, Mrs. T. O. Moon, Zunia Moon,, Charley Williams, H. J. Brooks, Mrs. H. J. Brooks, E. N. Brooks, Mrs. N. D. Bennett, Lula Blissett.
Since that time Mattie Lawson, Mrs. Jesse Richardson and Sallie Patterson have joined this church.
Rev. John M. Small was pastor part of the year 1910. The present pastor is Rev. W. B. McDonald of Statham.
The church holds its services in the Masonic building. It is understood that plans are being laid to erect a splendid house of worship in the near future.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Auburn.
Through the influence of L. F. Jackson, W. L. Pierce and J. D. Helton, the first floor of the Masonic building at Auburn was secured for church purposes at a cost of about $100. Services were held from time to time until September, 1908, when the church was organized with Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Eden, Henry Helton, Vind Helton, Alma Pierce Vanderford, Mary Pierce, F. M. Doster, Mrs. M. B. Doster, W. M. Jordan, Mrs. W. M. Jordan, Alma Jordan, J. E. Williams, L."A. Johnson and L. A. Strickland as members.
Since that time, T. E. Helton, Mrs. T. E. Helton, Myrtle Flanigan, Susie Vanderford and W. D. Pierce have joined this church.
Rev. J. F. Green was pastor in 1908-9; Rev. T. F. Yarbrough in 1910 and Rev. N. D. Meadow is the pres- ent pastor.
Plans are being matured to build a commodious house of worship in the near future.
r
Winder.
The above church was organized in August, 1884, by S. S. Landrum and B. W. Golightly. A church building was erected during 1885 and '86, and dedicated in Octo- ber, 1886, by B. W. Golightly.
The pastors since the beginning of 1887 have been in succession, as follows: T. M. Foster, W. A. Chas- tain, T. M. Foster, E. L. Shelnut, W. F. Reagor, Jno.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
H. Wood, W. S. Withers, L. A. Winn, S P. Speigel, Jno. H. Wood, William Shaw, P. H. Mears and Jno. H. Wood, the present pastor. With the present pastorate, and the two previous periods, Jno. H. Wood will have served the Winder Christian church ten years at the close of 1911. He has done a great work and has not only en-
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
SANDLER AND
WINDER. GA.
3
WINDER CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
deared himself to the membership of his church, but to the membership of the other churches and the citizen- ship of the entire city and surrounding country.
The church since its organization has had a number of able and consecrated ministers who have labored untiringly for its spiritual growth and advancement. Great meetings have been held during the past twenty-
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seven years by B. W. Golightly, W. A. Chastain, T. M. Foster, E. L. Shelnut, Jno. H. Wood, S. P. Speigel, P. H. Mears, W. E. Harlow and E. E. Violett; and during the past five years the membership has grown from 122 to 256
During the year 1908, through the indominitable de- termination of its pastor, Jno. H. Wood, and the loyalty and liberality of the members and donations from friends, a church building was erected to replace the old one at a cost of over $14,000. There are few church buildings outside of the large cities that will surpass it in all of its departments and in its architectural designs. This church has a bright future for doing good and helping to increase the moral and spiritual uplift of the growing little city of Winder, a portion of which is in the great old county of Gwinnett.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
- Duncan's Creek.
Duncan's Creek Congregational church was organized July 23, 1855, with about twenty-five members.
A church building was erected the year of organiza- tion, which was used up to 1889, when the present build- ing was put up. The property is valued at $1500.
Rev. A. M. Stringer was the first pastor of the church. Following in the order named came John Tumlin, John B. Reese, T. J. Pass, J. C. Forrester, A. J. Lyle, W. T. Brewer, J. C. Forrester, W. G Fleming, S H. Letson, Newton Ewing, B. B. Crane and J. C. Forrester, the present pastor.
The Sunday school has an enrollment of 65. Hardy Roebuck is superintendent, Maning Pool, George Pool, C. B. Pool, Rosa Roebuck, Maud Burel, John Roebuck, teachers.
Following are the members of this church :
E. C. Mauldin, W. W. Burel, S. F. Burel, R. M. Burel, J. T. Hays, E. L. Burel, A. J. Crane, M. M. Hays, L. M. Burel, W. E. Forrester, S M Holeman, J K. Elinburg, W. M. Duncan, W. H. Braswell, V. Teagle, Oscar Bur- el, S. A. Patrick, C. T. Daniel, W. F. Mauldin, W. D. Davis, J. W .Roebuck, J. B. Lasson, M C. Cain, Quince Sheffield, Winfred Pool, John Roebuck, W. T. Burel, Wm. Braswell, W. M. Stringer, C. B. Braswell, V .M. Burel, W. M. Daniel, J. L. Davis, Mark Forrester, J. R.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Davis, J. H. Braswell, W. S. Patrick, L. L. Davis, J. J. Braswell, A. M. Burel, W. S. Burel, M W Burel, Rev. B. B. Crane, J. A. Hays, J. O. McEntire, J. F. Chose- wood, J. O. Davis, Hammond Davis, W. R. Duncan, W. S. Durham, W. F. Doss, J. H. Roebuck, J. L. Burel, E.
DUNCAN'S CREEK.
C. Puckett, J. C. Wilbanks, J T. Forester, H. M. Forester, Melvin Hays, Ben Garrett, J. A. Burel, Jack Marby, W. M. William, Ben Patten, Burton Burel, Merron Patrick, T. V. Burel, Cicero Warby, Allen Warby, Frank Crane, Emery Shufield, W. A. Nelson, J. A. Flanigan, R. J. Mauldin, T. B. Burel, A. Robuck, Elmon Burel, Basker Burel, Early Mauldin, Floyd Duncan, E. C. Burel, J. C.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Burel, M. E. Mauldin, Rachel Rees, M. A. Burel, M. A. Daniel, Elizebeth Burel, N. L. Mauldin, E. J. Stringer, N. J. Hays, E. J. Robuck, Percella Holman, Elisebeth Patrick, Josie Burel J. A. Crane, J. F. Chesser, M. E. Holman, Frances Jackson, E. V. Duncan, Angeline Spen- cer, R. E. Walters, Betsy Ann Holman, M. J. Deaton, N. L. Stancil, Octavia Davis, Barby Pool, L. C. Braswell, E. S. Patrick, Ellen Doss, N. !.. Boggs, Lula Patrick, Eliza Davis, Mary Burel, Rosie Robuck, Girlie Daniel, Emily Shufield, Francis Mahaffey, Lula Mahaffey, Asilee Hays, Lillie Finch, Angeline Forester, Ella Patrick, S. L. Sloan, E. F. Wilbanks, N. M. Davis, C. N. Tuggle, Anna Tuggle, Marcie Burel, M. E. Mauldin, Ella Mad- dox, M. E. Burel, M. L. Patrick, D. M. Elinburg, Sallie Benningfield, Asilee Cain, M. E. Duncan, N. A. Lannat, Multis Riley, M. J. Patton, R. M. Duncan, C. E. Duncan, Rether Burel, N. C. Burel, Emma Cain, H. M. Mauldin, E. C. F. Burel, E. C. Daniel, A. E. F. Burel, Emie Burel, M A. Holman, S. J. Burel, A. E. Claburn, Francis Bras- well, Eugenia Childers, Augie Nelson, Della Fanigan, J. O. Harper, J. F. Forester, A. C. Davis, L. J. Burel, E. M. Burel, B. E. Hannah, J. J. Cronie, F. B. Cain, N. J. Burel, C. B. Burel, C. L. Burel, Claud Braswell, S. J. Forester, Jung Cain, Eula Daniel, Vick Garrett, S. L. Williams, Mary Burk, Carmel Buck, Beulah Patrick, Ella Teagle, Georgia Warby, Sallie Holman, Martha Duncan, Nesie Duncan, Hassit Warby, Francis Burk, Mary Titshaw, M. J. Stevenson, Eula Forester, D. N. Coier, Vadie Hays, Tasie Watters, Flossa Burel.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
New Trinity.
New Trinity church was organized September 20, 1903, the charter members being C. P. Branan, J. W. Adams, S. D. Adams, E. M. Turner, J. W. Langley, Mrs.
NEW TRINITY.
M. E. Brown, E. R. Turner, A. F. Branan, S. E. Adams, Rachel Taylor, M. J. Doby, N. P. Jones, Annie Adams, Miss C. C. Fleming, Nettie Brown.
The present building was erected in the summer of 1904, and it is valued at $1,000.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Rev. C. C. King was pastor of the church five years. Rev. M. G. Fleming served one year. Mr. King is the present pastor, having been recalled some time ago.
The Methodists had a church there for many years. Their church was discontinued, and many of them went into the new church at Meadow. Some refused to go, which resulted in the organization of the New Trinity Congregational church. Rev. C. C. King, who organized the church, and who is its present pastor, has endeared himself to the church and the community in his unselfish labor in organizing, building and maintaining the church.
Mr. J. W. Langley has been untiring in his efforts to further the interests of the church.
The membership is as follows: C. P. Brannon, J. N. Adams, E. M. Turner, S. W. Carlisle, J. W. Langley, J. T. Dean, C. W. Dean, R. J. Branan, C. E. Dyer, J. W. Roberts, Eugene Krengie, G. W. Turner, Anna Turner, A. F. Branan, L. E. Adams, S. E. Brown, C. E Fleming, Nettie Brown, Rachel Taylor, N. J. Jones, A. R. Car- lisle, Lillie Brown, S. A. Crimas, M. C. Dean, M. J. · Verner, Maggie Langley, Sallie Singleton, Julia Single- ton, Lemmer Holbrooks, Liza Roberts, Mary Dyer, Della Seay, H. V. Davis, Annie Verner, Arminda Krengie.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
UNDENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES.
Loveless Chapel.
In the development and progress of our country, and back when the large, unbroken forests stretched for miles and miles, and when the strenuous bloody war of the sixties was over, the iron clad determination and stability of the remaining few of our men and women were none the less active. It was equally as important in the re- construction days to call forth all our energies as it was in the days of destruction. All of those whose lives for one reason or another had been spared up until this time were bringing together all the efforts, energies, and in- fluences they could for the sustenance of life. The untold fruits of these efforts, these energies and these influences which are handed down from our high-minded, honored, whole-souled, true christian fathers and mothers are still being and will continue to be felt from generation to gen- eration.
Some of these fruits we see in the erection and main- tenance of Loveless Chapel. During the year of 1865 which was one of the most trying and struggling years ever put on record for our Southern people, Mr. John G. Loveless with his small family moved and settled about six miles east of Lawrenceville, and one mile south of the Dr. S. H. Freeman place. There they lived comfortably and happily until December, 1886, when on the 15th day of that month Mrs. Sarah H. Loveless died and passed
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forever from her loved ones and many friends, all of whom loved her devotedly. Before she died, and while lying on her sick bed looking out through the window on the hill top, she gave an expression of where she wanted to be buried, and there her body was laid to rest,
LOVELESS CHAPEL.
which place marks the present site of Loveless Chapel, and this was known as a family burying ground. She was the only person buried before the chapel was built and since this time there has been a family vault erected in which her remains were placed when it was completed.
Continually from the time of Mrs. Loveless' death,
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
her husband, Mr. John G. Loveless, felt a pressing need to make permanent the family cemetery in which his devoted wife had been placed. Realizing all the time and being thoroughly conscious, that as families scatter and die the cemeteries are sometimes not kept up; and should ungodly, money seeking men become in possession of such property, it would be a matter of only a short time until the family burying ground would be destroyed and entirely forgotten. These burning facts and the anxiety for the establishing of something which would not be destroyed and done away with continued to grow with Mr. Loveless as the years passed.
The movement to build a house of worship was not only for the sake of the cemetery and those who might be buried there, but it carried with it a manyfold pur- pose. It was seen that there was an unsolicited field for doing good in this immediate vicinity, and that many people could be reached and made better, stronger, more influential, more powerful, and more happy by this at- tention, this advantage, this encouragement, and these surroundings. Many of these people for one reason or another would seldom attend worship at other places, and these were some of that part of this sinful, dying world, who are passing out of existance without having Jesus Christ brought and offered to them.
The vacancy of a connecting link for communities was also felt at this place; the need of bringing communities closer together and causing each person to feel more like the other was his neighbor, was another added incentive for a building. With all these and many other things
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
pressing heavily on him, Mr. John G. Loveless gave about one and a half acres of land for the building site of the chapel, and the location of South View cemetery, which is about one half mile south of Dacula.
· Loveless Chapel was erected in the early part of the year 1904. The funds for its erection were contributed by Mr. J. G. Loveless, his family, and friends who were interested in the building of a house for public worship which would in part fill the need and the vacancy which was at this place. It was dedicated to the worship of the Lord in August of the same year, the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. H. N. Rainey, Winder, Ga., and at the same service the corner stone was laid by the Free Masons with appropriate and impressive services.
The house, unlike many others, was built not for sec- tarian purposes, but is open to all true christian denomi- nations ; and its founder and promoters are glad to have religious services of all natures held there, which have for their object the furtherance of Christ and the upbuild- ing of christian religion. When you worship at this place you are worshiping in a house that was built for you ; and you should be at perfect ease for it is your own home. Many religious services of different natures are frequently held there, including annual Sacred Harp singings, the date of which is the fourth Sunday in June.
The first Mother's Day services held in this section were observed at this place the second Sunday in May, 1911, and it is the intention of those interested in the observance of this day to annually commemorate it at the same place.
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
Hoping that the erection of this house may prove a blessing to many in the future, and the interest at this place be perpetuated for many years to come, is the chief desire of those most interested.
J. M. LINDSAY, Baptist Layman.
J. BEN DAVIS, Methodist Layman.
W. J. TURNER, Leader in Pleasant Grove Church.
J. G. LOVELESS, Who Built Loveless Ch Chanel
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GWINNETT CHURCHES.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Rev. H. N. Rainey.
Rev. Hiram N. Rainey was born in Jackson county. His father, Erwin Rainey, was a farmer and descended from the Tennessee branch of the Rainey family. His mother was Emily Pendergrass, a sister of Nixon Pender- grass, a distinguished lawyer and jurist of San Francisco, and also the sister of Nathaniel Pendergrass, a pioneer of Jackson county, whose descendants are among the leading and most influential citizens of that section.
The only educational advantages enjoyed by Mr. Rai- ney were those furnished by the country school at Rock- well. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Con- federate army and saw service mainly with Longstreet's corps in Virginia and Tennessee until the surrender. Returning home in May, 1865, he began life with few advantages. He was engaged in teaching school for several years or until 1872. In the meantime, he had felt the call to the ministry, and was accordingly or- dained in 1867 a minister in the Baptist church. From that day to this he has never been without a pastorate and has served many churches in Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton counties. For thirty years and more, he has been the pastor of Hebron. He is moderator of the Mulberry, Association
He is a tower of strength and a power for good throughout this section, but in his fostering friendship
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for the cause of education he has possibly been of the greatest material benefit to the largest number of people. Having personally experienced the limitations of the com- mon country school, and having only attained his own
REV. H. N. RAINEY.
education by personal effort, he possessed a keen appre- ciation of the advantages of a high school furnished to a community and so working through the church organi- zation, he, in 1892, secured the approval of the Mulberry Association of the proposition to establish a high school within the boundary of the association. The erection of
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the Mulberry High School at Auburn followed. Later the school was enlarged and its name changed to Perry -. Rainey Institute. Mr. Rainey has given much of his time and means in building up the institution, and it is confidently believed that he will endow it ultimately and otherwise extend its power for good.
For more than forty years he has served his people as preacher and pastor, sharing their joys and offering them consolation when sorrow's shadow darkened their homes. His business career has been separate and distinct but in no wise interfering with his consecrated labors in his master's vineyard. His material prosperity has been gratifying and his private fortune is estimated at half a million dollars.
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