USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 49
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While at Jacksonville young Gaylord commenced to preach to the people in the surrounding country. He was possessed with the thought that it was his duty to preach rather than to teach school. He returned to New Haven in 1836 and commenced his theological studies under the Reverend Doctor Taylor.
Having completed his theological course, he made application to the American Home Missionary Society on July 4, 1838, to be sent as a missionary to Iowa.
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He wanted to be sent to what was called the Black Ilawk Purchase. This was granted, and after a journey of four weeks he arrived at Mount Pleasant, lowa. in February, 1839. Mount Pleasant at this time was but three years okl. From this place he commeneed to visit outlying settlements and towns, there to preach, organizing Sabbath schools, and visit the sick. On the 30th of June, 1839, he organized the Congregational Church at Danville. June 25, 1841, the Congrega- tional Church at Mount Pleasant ; on the 22d of December, 1839, organized the Congregational Church at Fairfield; on August 1, 1841, organized the Congrega- tional Church at Brighton, Washington County. Through incessant labor, travel- ing in all kinds of weather, he contracted rheumatism and was compelled to give up for a time the missionary work which he loved. In March, 1844, he received a unanimous call to become the pastor of the Danville Church. He continued in the pastorate of this church until December, 1855.
Grinnell College had its foundation in what was called "The Iowa Educational Association," formed in Yale Theological Seminary. The association was com- posed of Stewart, Hail, Mattock, Clark, Gaylord, Ketchem and Richardson. On the 12th of March, 1844, about six years after the formation of the above named association a meeting was held in Denmark for the purpose of founding a college in the then Territory of Iowa. Reverend Gaylord attended this meeting and be- came one of the active persons in founding Iowa College, which was located at Davenport. All the members of the Yale Board exerted their influence to bring about this result. The Reverend Gaylord was elected one of the trustees, which position he continued to hold until 1855, when he resigned his trusteeship, his field of work taking him to Nebraska Territory.
After a period of ten years the location of Iowa College was transferred to Grinnell, Iowa, and its name changed to that of Grinnell College, by which it is now known.
Having regained his health, he resigned the pastorate of the Danville Church and with his family, consisting of four persons, he started in a two-horse buggy to make the journey 300 miles across Iowa to Omaha, Neb., there to engage in the missionary work. Omaha at this time (1855) contained about one hundred and fifty inhabitants. We have not the space to tell of his work in Nebraska and elsewhere, from 1856 to January, 1880, when his eyes were closed upon earthly scenes.
No person in the West connected with the Congregational Church worked more persistently and with greater zeal in the establishment and organization of churches of that body than Rev. Reuben Gaylord. He was peculiarly adapted to that kind of work. He knew men of all classes, how to approach them and secure their good will. Was methodical in his work; kept a diary of what he did each day. He was not a great preacher, in the sense of being an orator. His sermons were mostly written. He seklom appealed to the imagination or indulged in rhetorical periods. His sermons consisted of a plain statement of gospel truths as he understood them. His great power was that of an organizer, he loved his work, so much so, his earnestness in it made it successful.
The Omaha World, at the time of his death, speaking of him says: "Mr. Gaylord was not only respected for his talents and devotion to his work, but he was much beloved for his kindness of heart, and his admirable qualities as a friend and adviser. His removal has taken away one of the old landmarks that
REV. REUBEN GAYLORD
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will live forever in the minds of the men and women who first made their home on the open prairies among the Indians, in this far West. The old settlers are falling like the autumn leaves, but those like Mr. Gaylord will leave a name behind them that will be as imperishable as that of the founders of a great state with its foundation laid in truth, justice, and good will to men. The memory of his gentle, quiet work will long remain fresh in the hearts of his friends, while he sleeps beneath the sod in the land of his adoption."
Rev. William Salter. Perhaps no minister in the State of Iowa has had a greater influence with his people than has Doctor Salter. He is so well known that it seems useless to give even a short sketch of his life and character in a book devoted to the history of Des Moines County.
Here was spent the greater portion of his life among a people who loved him while living and honor his memory since he has passed away. His life and work among the people of the city in which he dwelt, and those of the state through which he was widely known, was a living example of all that is noble in man. His unswerving devotion to what he considered right and at times when it con- travened the opinions of a great many people of the state, marked him as a man of great strength of character, for it required fearlessness and a devotion to prin- ciple to proclaim from the pulpit the crime of human slavery and call for its downfall.
He was born in Brooklyn, L. I., November 17, 1821 ; graduated from the Uni- versity of the City of New York in 1840. Received his theological training in Union Theological Seminary, New York, and Andover Seminary, Massachusetts. He was a member of what was known as the Andover Band; the purpose of the young men composing which was to engage in the missionary work in the West. He arrived in Burlington in October, 1843. He went from Burlington as a missionary to Maquoketa and Belleview, Jackson County, where he labored for two years.
Reverend Hutchinson, pastor of the Congregational Church in Burlington, died in 1846. Soon after his death, Rev. William Salter, then preaching for the church at Makoqueta, received an invitation to accept the pastorate of the church in Burlington. This invitation was accepted and he preached his first sermon in Burlington, March 1, 1846. He was called to the pastorate of the Burlington Church by a meeting of its members held at the old meeting place where subsequently the Mccutcheon House was erected. Was installed pastor of the Burlington Church December 30, 1846. He continued in the pastorate of this church until the time of his death, August 15, 1910.
It is seldom a minister has such a hold on his people that he is retained in the pastorate of the same church for so many successive years.
He became identified with all those things which tended to the betterment of the people of the city. Was one of the men with James W. Grimes and others who took an active part in the establishment and maintenance of the common schools. Was for a number of years member of the school board of the city independent school district. Took an active part in securing a public library for Burlington and was for many years president of its board of directors. Took an active part in whatever worketh for the establishment of righteousness in the city, county and state. He was not only a minister, but a writer. Many of his contributions can be found in the Annals of Iowa. Published in 1863
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"The Letters of Ida A. Parker," a volume of nearly three hundred pages. Wrote "The Great Rebellion in the Light of Liberty." Wrote and had published the "Life of James W. Grimes." Wrote a history of the State of Iowa. It can safely be said that no minister in Iowa was more widely known, and whose in- fluence throughout the state was felt more, than that of Reverend Doctor Salter. To be appreciated he had to be known. The sincerity of his life as shown in his thoughts, his feelings, and outward conduct to his fellow men, made him the admiration of all with whom he came in contact.
Rev. W. F. Baird. The subject of this sketch was a minister of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. Few men, if any, were more attractive in per- sonal appearance than the Rev. W. F. Baird. His qualities of mind and heart : his gentle bearing, and regard for the feelings of others, together with his clear- ness of thought and expression, gave him great power. He was the leading minister of his day among the Cumberland Presbyterians, and commanded the love and respect of people of all denominations. Wherever he preached, people from all the surrounding country came to hear him. He usually had charge of the camp meetings held at Pleasant Grove, and was assisted by Father Lynn and others. Was not a doctrinaire, although at that time controversy was sharp on certain points of belief. While he had his views on these questions, he never in his preaching, sought to force them on others. That was not his way for the establishment of the Kingdom of God among men. To his mind, it was to be established by brotherly kindness, and making known to men and women God's goodness to them.
At the time of his ministration, certain ministers made frequent practice of proclaiming their view on baptism, foreordination, etc., whenever they preached. This was carried to such an extent, that members of churches in some neighbor- hoods became theological contraversalists. Books written on those subjects were bought and read, and to preach a sermon on any of those subjects was to arouse opposition and controversy. We call to mind one instance. In a certain neigh- borhood there was but one family of Baptists who invited a young Baptist minister just out of college and theological seminary to preach at the schoolhouse. It was a beautiful Sabbath afternoon, and all the people in the neighborhood turned out to hear this young minister. All joined heartily in the singing, and devoutly listened to the prayer. When he announced his text, "And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went both down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and he baptized him." At this announcement the jaws of the listeners began to shut close, for they knew what was coming. The discourse was a hot one, and well spoken. All the passages of scripture sustaining the belief in immersion were quoted, and all tending to the contrary were explained away. The young minister was a master at ridicule. This weapon he used most unmerci- fully. His Baptist friends were proud of their minister. "They can't answer him," they said. The Methodists and Presbyterians went home in ill humor, saying the next Baptist preacher Mr. brought there he would have for his audience Mr. and Mrs. -- and family and no more.
L. G. Bell. The author's recollection of the Rev. L. G. Bell goes almost to boyhood times. Reverend Bell came from Tennessee to Iowa about the year 1837. He was to the Presbyterian Church what the Rev. Reuben Gaylord was to the Congregational Church. His mission was to go through the sparsely settled
DR. WILLIAM SALTER
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country and where he could find Presbyterians, get them together and form a church, hold communion services, then proceed on his way, occasionally would return and preach to the churches thus organized if he had not succeeded in find- ing a pastor for them. To him belongs the honor of establishing the First Pres- byterian Church in Burlington, which he reported to the general assembly as having thirty-two members. With the assistance of the Rev. George Stebbins and Alexander Ewing, he organized the Round Prairie Church August 24, 1839. His work was not confined to any particular location. It was missionary, and embraced any section where he could find Presbyterians.
My recollection of him consists in seeing him coming to my father's house in a buggy drawn by one horse. Back of the seat was a box filled with books published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication. The box containing his books would be brought into the house. During the evening before prayers, while the minister talked with the head of the family, the youngsters would exam- ine the contents of the box, which consisted of Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress ;" "Holy War;" Baxter's "Saint's Rest," Flavel's "Fountain of Life," "The Great Supper," and other books, and numerous tracts. "The Progress" and "Holy War" were the principal ones which attracted attention because of the pictures. It was a wonder to us why a little man like Christian would dare attack a big man like Giant Despair. We could not understand why the Town of Man Soul, fortified as it was, could be captured by those little men outside who held spears in their hands and had no cannon. We had seen pictures of the battle of Buena Vista and General Taylor and his white horse. Had seen pictures of General Scott taking Chapultapec, and knew they used cannons, and it was a wonder to us the general did not use cannons in taking Man Soul.
Rev. Hiram Burnett. The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneer ministers of the Baptist Church, and a more saintly man never lived. In the later years of his life he was called Father Burnett, and no one more deservedly bore the name. He loved goodness and mercy. llis was a religion of faith, hope and love. Was more of a pastor than a preacher. The command: "Feed my flock," entered deeply into his heart. When the Long Creek Church was in its infancy for several years he was its pastor. Wherever he ministered the church grew in strength and numbers. His life was a long one, and devoted to the service of his Master. More than four score years passed before its sunset. When it came no darkness came over him, but a light came shining down from above to light the way as he passed into the great beyond.
Rev. H. W. Thomas. It may be I cannot give a correct sketch of the life and character of this man. He had much to do with giving definition to any thoughts on what are commonly called religious subjects, ideals of life and cor- rect thinking and living. People are accustomed to use words, and when asked to define the exact meaning of the word used, they fail in the attempt. How many are there, if asked to define the word "religion." can give a clear statement of their conception of the meaning of the word? Some may say, it is a system of faith or worship; others purity, etc. To give a definition to the word is like defining the word "justice." What is justice? Some of the old law writers define it to be: "One's continued and persistent effort to render to each man his due." The definition which the Rev. Dr. H. W. Thomas would give to the word "religion" would be, "Man's continued and persistent effort to find out the cor- Vol. I -27
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rect relation he sustains to his Creator and fellow men, and to act in accord there- with." and because he did so, he claimed he was tried for heresy, and cast out of the church. He was a native of West Virginia, where he grew to manhood and was educated and joined the conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came from Virginia to Washington, Iowa, where he preached for several years. From Washington he was sent by the bishop of the conference to Mount Pleasant, where he preached for several years. From Mount Pleasant he was sent to min- ister to the congregation of Division Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Bur- lington, Iowa. His fame as a minister had so spread that he commanded a larger and better field in which to work. He received a call from the Park Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, Illinois, to which place he was transferred from Burlington by the bishop. Here he labored and preached with great success for some years. From Chicago he was transferred to Aurora. While in Aurora he delivered a series of sermons or lectures in the nature of sermons, which were published. Charges were preferred against him, in which it was claimed his teachings were not in accord with the doctrines of the church of which he was a minister. All recognized he was a devout man, that his life and character were pure and upright, but he did not believe in the deity of Jesus, was the church's contention. Why he did not withdraw from the church, when not in harmony with its teachings, is a question concerning which we say nothing. He was a preacher of more than ordinary ability, all admit. That to be honest with his con- victions he was compelled to pursue the course he adopted, all will concede. His greatest power consisted in analysis. To his mind few things were self- evident. By nature he was not fitted to take for granted as true in all its parts any system of belief. His personality was such that all those with whom he came in contact admired him. His was a social nature, he loved to have friends. It mattered little to him whether those of his companions were poor or rich. His ideal of the worthiness of men or women was character. Virtue signified to him more than valor, more than chastity in the common acceptance of the word. To his mind it meant a clean life, clean in thought and purpose, clean in acts and the discharge of duty. It seemed strange to those who knew him that one apparently so frail in body, should possess so much mental vigor. After his relation to the Methodist Episcopal Church had been dissolved, he preached at McVicker's Theater for several years to an organization called the People's Church. He became practically a Unitarian minister in that his thoughts more completely har- monized with those of that body than with any other organization. He continued in the ministry to the time of his death, which occurred a few years ago.
Father Newel. We mention the name of Father Newel, as he was generally called, not so much for the purpose of giving a history of the man himself as to illustrate a class of men in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the early days, a class of men who have disappeared. He was what was called a local preacher or exhorter. Was a southerner by birth and controlled in his acts largely by his early training. Was intensely religious in the sense of being emotional. In his private life he was honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. Was char- itable and kind to all with whom he came in contact. To the sick and those suf- fering from disease he had the strongest sympathy. He believed the Lord had called him to preach and exhort sinners to forsake their sins and become the children of God. Believing he was called to preach, without money, or any
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recompense, except that of a crown in the kingdom above, he went forth to work in the vineyard of the Lord. When he could get an audience, whether of men, women, boys or girls, he sang, prayed and exhorted. It mattered little to him what were the number of his listeners. He was satisfied if they were but four or twenty. He made the surrounding schoolhouses his church buildings and circuit. Generally came to his appointments on horseback, if the roads were muddy, and if good, in his buggy. Carried with him his Bible and hymn book. Was always a little ahead of time in meeting his appointment. Would walk into the schoolroom and kneel down and pray at the teacher's desk, then rise and sit down on the seat behind the desk, open his hymn book and commence to sing. Whether anyone joined in the singing was determined by his auditors. If boys, they sat in the seats with their chins in their hands and looked on ; if men or women who were religiously inclined, they would join in the singing. The boys called him the "locust preacher." Generally he had a fair audience of men and women who were unable to attend regular services of the churches to which they belonged. His exhortations were helpful to those striving to lead a religious life. Ministers like Mr. Newel were not to be despised. They were the product of the times in which they lived. People did not read as much then as at the present. As a rule, there were but few books in a family. Almost every family possessed a Bible, and the children their school books; besides these, their read- ing was from the Hawkeye and Gazette according to the political affiliation of the head of the family. In the matter of instruction in religious affairs, they depended on preaching ; in political affairs, the newspaper and political meetings. The exhorter was in a sense a necessity to keep the fire burning on the altar, and to assist the minister in revival meetings. The good they accomplished in sustain- ing religious fervor and morality among the early settlers was great. Of this class Father Newel was a type.
Rev. Father Lynn. Among the ministers of early times was Father Lynn, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Of his personal history I know noth- ing. He was about five feet eight inches in height, stood erect and had full com- mand of the limbs of his body; was square shouldered ; had a high forehead ; had gray eyes which looked out below large projecting eyebrows. His com- plexion was fair, so much so, one could see the veins of his face and neck. His hair was silvery white. His lips were thin and closed tightly on his teeth. Was always neatly dressed. Was self possessed and had fine control of his mental faculties. He was a frontier preacher, knew the people, their trials, their wants and aspirations in life. In preaching his speech was slow and deliberate; was clear in his enunciation and spoke with great ease. He had a remarkable voice for its carrying power, not so much because of its loudness, but because of his distinct enunciation. Sometimes in preaching he became excited, not in loud expression, but in intensity of look and suppression of feeling. His gestures were few, but when in the intensity of thought and feeling his arms were outstretched and hands open, when with a suddenness he would bring them down close to his side. Was unconscious of manner and gestures. He seldom, if ever, in his preaching indulged in theological controversies.
Rev. Michael See. The subject of this sketch came to Des Moines County with his parents in 1835. His father purchased the northeast quarter of section 18. Danville Township, where young See labored until he became of age. Was a
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stocky, heavy set man, and inclined to corpulency. Was physically strong, and was possessed of an active, energetic mind. In early youth was inclined to be wild. He put his whole soul into whatever he undertook.
The man Michael See. as he was known, commences from the date of his conversion and uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was not an educated man in the sense of having a liberal education. His schooling consisted in attendance for a few months in the common schools of the early days. With his limited education, the intensity of his feelings, his sense of sin, and its awful consequences, as he viewed it, oppressed and weighed him down, so much so, as he afterwards repeated, "That he was in bed when the burden was lifted from his soul and he arose, shouted so loud he could have been heard a mile." From this time he entered on a new life, with different aspirations from the old one. His struggle in preparing himself for the ministry was a hard one under the circumstances. Commencing as a local preacher or "exhorter," by application and study he fitted himself for the ministry and became a power among the churches in the country districts. This power was heightened by his exemplary character and the joyousness of his nature. When the time came for the reports of ministers to the annual conference, none had a better report than the Rev. Michael See. This was not because he was a better preacher than others whose reports were not so good, but because the Rev. Michael See kept at work and looked after the spiritual welfare of the people to whom he ministered.
Rev. Henry Clay Dean. In the Rev. Henry Clay Dean we find a man unlike others. He rose from that of a circuit rider of the Methodist Episcopal Church to become chaplain of the United States Senate. Never graduated at a college, he was a college himself. Never studied the Latin and Greek classics in the lan- guages in which they were written, but was most familiar with them. Could use the finest of language, yet often descended to the use of the lowest of slang. Was a medley of contradictions in thought and life. He despised wealth, yet he coveted its favors. His highest aspiration was to be looked upon as different from others. While he did not want any one to believe that he wanted to appear that he was the particular star in the heavens, still he wanted people to so think. He was a short, heavy built man, inclined to corpulency. Had a large head, joined to a thick neck, which set on broad shoulders. His hair was black, usually cut short and seldom seemed to be combed. Had little regard for his dress or its cleanliness. Had a broad, high forehead and deep-set eyebrows, under which small, black, pig eyes looked out. Was of dark complexion, but not swarthy. Had little and beautifully shaped hands, and small feet. Walked with head erect, and with short but quick steps. Was a great reader and never forgot what he read. His imagination was great and he possessed the power of bringing into consciousness pictures of things which he had seen and read, and had the fullest of power to describe in words the things thus seen. He was an orator in speak- ing and prose poet in writing. Without any doubt Henry Clay Dean was the greatest western pulpit orator of his time. He possessed in an eminent degree thought, expression and feeling. He was aware of his oratorical power, and loved to use it for the effect produced. To illustrate his character, it can be said no man ever preached more vehemently against slavery than Rev. Henry Clay Dean ; no one could paint its horrors more vividly than he, still, when it came to the test, whether slavery should perish, he was charged as not being on
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