USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A Century of history of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church of Evansville, Indiana : with sketches of it's [sic] pastors, officers, and prominent members and reminiscences of early times > Part 6
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pleasant, Sabbath morning finds her in her pew listening to the words of truth and righteousness.
Mrs. Farrell has never forgotten her home across the sea, and she keeps herself well informed in regard to its present history as well as that of the earliest periods. Her fondness for, and knowledge of history is quite remarkable ; she remembers more about the crowned heads of Great Bri- tain and their descendants than almost anyone, and is often referred to by her friends in matters of this kind. She is fond of reading and society, and the down-hill of life is made pleasant for her by the host of loving friends who en- joy her society, and she still retains an interest in them and the affairs of life, which makes her time pass pleasantly and happily away.
"Cheerful as the day declines, Cares depart with setting sun, Peace and trust now fill the mind Till life's earthly sands are run."
CHAPTER XVI.
HON. JOHN W. FOSTER.
Among those who have in years past removed from Evansville and have been very much missed in the church and so- ciety, are the Hon John W. Foster and his excellent wife. During the civil war, as Colonel of a regiment and command- er of a cavalry brigade in Burnside's army, John W. Foster was a leader in the service of his country and won the honors which were afterward conferred upon him. Seldom has any man so secured the confidence of the head of the nation as to receive three so important appointments as were given him. He was eleven years Foreign Minister of the United States, first to Mexico, afterwards to Russia, and lastly to Spain. From 1866 to 1873 Col. Foster was editor of a daily paper in Evansville. He lived in Cincin- nati perhaps two years after the war, and was a ruling El- der in the Lane Seminary Church, Walnut Hills, and also in the Walnut Street Church, Evansville, and now in the New York Avenue Church, Washington, D. C.
To the memory of their children who died in Evans-
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ville, Col. and Mrs. Foster have erected a beautiful little church, at the corner of Elsas Avenue and Delaware Street, where a mission school has been established by Rev. L. M. Gilleland, formerly of Walnut Street Church. There has been no regularly organized church there as yet, ministers of other churches supplying the pulpit every Sabbath.
Evansville has a right to congratulate herself on being able to send out into the world men who become not only nationally distinguished, but those who are valuable mem- bers of the community where they reside and whose influ- ence is only for good.
Since the writing of this sketch, Gen. Foster has won added laurels in the diplomatic field. Hewhiuo
Since the writing of this book, Gen. Foster has now added laurels in the diplomatic field.
He was a member of many important Commissions :
Reciprocity Mission to Spain-1890.
Behring Sea Arbitration-1891.
Secretary of State under President Harrison-1892. Fur Seal Conference-1897.
Joint High Commission Canadian Affairs-1898.
Hague Peace Conference-1906.
Alaska Boundary Commission-1908.
Peace Mission to Japan in the interests of China after Chinese-Japanese War-1894.
His home was in Washington, D. C., where he was an elder in the church and a Bible School teacher, a friend and supporter of Missions, and a leader in all philanthropic work, until his death in 1917.
MRS. ELIZA J. McMERSON.
Mrs. McFerson is the mother of Mrs. John W. Foster, and also one of the early members of the church. Hearing her at one time relate some of her early history, the writer was led to think that the strong minded women of this day possibly believe that they are something new in the world, and that they are quite in advance of all their predecessors; perhaps they are, in making plans of what women ought to do, but the thought arose, has any one of them done more that is really heroic than Mrs. McFerson. The ambition and perseverance of a young woman of that early time of which she writes below, was remarkable. One who could accomplish so much in the way of educating herself when so few facilities were enjoyed, is an example worthy of emulation. It is to be hoped that the account solicited for
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this book will encourage the young people, whatever their circumstances may be, to qualify themselves for any emer- gency that may overtake them, by obtaining a thorough education, and that the faint-hearted who would give up in time of trouble to despondency, will take courage from this example and as bravely defy misfortune as the subject of this sketch has done.
Carlyle says: "The past is holier, the farther we go from it." And a person can imagine the emotion experi- enced by one who after passing the three score and ten years allotted to her, sits down and recalls the scenes of a long and eventful life. Mrs. McFerson is a strong char- acter, and her influence is felt wherever she is known. Hav- ing been the wife of a minister, she feels a deep interst in the church, and her opinions are of value in all matters per- taining to it. She is now able to rest from the arduous duties of life, and passes her time pleasantly with her daughter in Washington, and her son, Mr. Theodore Mc- Ferson, in Evansville, calling the latter place her home.
A good idea can be gathered from the following sketch, by men of large families, who are not able to educate all their children. Let them try the plan of educating one, and let that one teach the rest. In New England, fifty years ago, it was painful to see the effort made to educate one child for a profession while the others were neglected and allowed to look up to the educated one as a superior. Mr. Ezra Reed, the father of Mrs. McFerson, was a New Englander, but his coming west perhaps developed this new idea which proved a success.
Mrs. McFerson says: "I was born January 1st, 1818, near Urbana, Ohio. My father was from Massachusetts, my mother from Maine. My father built the first brick house in the region of country where he settled; and was the wonder of all the inhabitants, inasmuch as he sent all of his boys to college, six of whom were older than myself. The neighbors spoke of my brothers as "college head." A room was set apart in my father's house for study, in which we gathered. As one after another of the sons finished his college course, and was studying his profession, the first year in private, he would take charge of the study room, and prepare the next younger to enter the regular college class. Here I sat as a little girl learning my lesson. I was
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taught to read by my grandmother, on my father's side, before I was four years old. My mother died before I was five years old.
"When I was eight years of age my oldest brother took me with him to Athens, he having graduated and become a tutor in the Ohio University. He immediately put me to studying Latin grammar, hearing me recite at noon and in the evening; he drilled me month after month on the de- clension of the nouns, pronouns, adjectives and conjugation of verbs so that they remain with me until this day; the lessons were learned on Saturday as on other days, and on every Sabbath afternoon a hymn or Psalm or both.
"About the time I had mastered the Latin grammar my brother, hearing that a cultivated French family had come over and settled a few miles from Athens, concluded to place me in their charge to learn that language. Only one member of the family spoke English; they taught me to ask for everything in French, and paid no attention if I spoke in English. I suffered untold agonies in the woods with these strangers, speaking only in a foreign tongue. I remained here several months.
"Occasionally, when not convenient for my brothers to instruct me, I went to school; the study and discipline here was mere play compared with what they required of me.
"At the age of fourteen, I was sent to the Marietta Fe- male Seminary, conducted by some Eastern ladies, remain- ing during two school years; here I studied arithmetic, his- tory, botany and other branches taught in the best female schools of that day. I returned to Athens in the latter part of my fifteenth year, making my home with my oldest brother, who was then married and was Professor of Latin and Greek in the University. The brother next older than myself was then a student in the college, and with him I commenced the study of geometry (old Euclid). After I had mastered the first book containing forty-nine proposi- tions, my brother, Prof. Read, said he was going to ask the Professor of Mathematics to review me. He was a severe man, a graduate of West Point, who said that women had not sense enough to master higher mathematics, so I trem- bled, but did not dare to object. I stood at the black-board two or three hours, reciting every proposition in the first book. The Professor praised me to his college classes, say- ing I had done more than they could do, as he had not re- quired so much of them. He afterwards said that he would like to have me study algebra with him, as I would need it as I went on in geometry ; this I did, two of my friends join- ing me. During these years I read Latin, (Cicero, Virgil,
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etc.) with my brother, Prof. Read, French with a brother fond of the modern languages, and studied mathematics with another, devoted to that branch of study. I found a letter, a few weeks since, written by the last named, fifty- six years ago, in which he said: 'Improve your time, read history-occasionally, a good novel, and don't neglect to look over your algebra and geometry.'
"I had not thought of becoming a teacher, but when about nineteen years of age, our pastor suddenly resigned his position over the church. His wife, a New England teacher, had opened a young ladies' school, and was in the middle of a term. She came to me to complete her term ; this I agreed to do with fear and trembling, as many of my own acquaintances were in the school, some older than my- self. After I had taught a few days, this minister con- cluded to remain. His wife came to me again, wanting her school. I was ready to yield, but my pupils objected. I taught two years, after which time I was married to Rev. Alexander McFerson, who had been a student at Athens. I was married at Urbana, and went with my husband to Salem, Ind., where he had been in charge of a church for a few months. My father took us in his carriage to Day- ton, Ohio, from thence we went by canal to Cincinnati, by river to Louisville, by stage to Salem. My husband had preached here six years, when he caught a violent cold from riding ten miles in a snow storm, to fill an appointment for preaching; this brought on inflammatory rheumatism, which caused his death. I was left a widow at twenty- seven, with three babies, the oldest not five years, the youngest two months old.
"We had a sweet little home of our own, a cow, horse and carriage, but support was cut off when my husband died. Two brothers, one a Supreme Judge in Ohio, the other a Naval Officer, came to see me; they were distressed at my condition, and said : 'What can you do but take these babies and go to father, your brothers will supply you with the money you need.' They left me $50, quite a gift for those times. I did not tell them what I would do, but as I thought over the matter, concluded that I did not choose to be dependent, giving my children only the advantages they pleased to allow; so when my baby was six months old, I cleared out my parlor, put in desks and opened a school. After teaching here a year I was invited to take charge of the Female Seminary, at Bloomington, Ind., where my old- est brother was then Professor of Languages in the State University. I took charge here when my baby was eighteen months old. Before doing so I went to Cincinnati to look
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into schools, to see if there were any new methods of teach- ing or new text books. I brought teachers from the East, one a fine musician. There was but one piano in the place before my own arrival. I had a school of one hundred young ladies, many coming from a distance with brothers who came to college. I introduced singing and calisthenics into my school, which were quite new then, and added in- terest.
"I kept house with my children and teachers, superin- tending all myself, and teaching six hours every day. After a few years, during my fall vacation, I took a trip East to visit the best schools; this was before the days of many railroads. I visited the State Normal school at Albany, N. Y., also the best schools in Hartford, Conn. Here I met and consulted with Miss Kate Beecher, who was much in- terested in education, and was connected with a society for sending teachers to the West.
"I also visited the old Ipswich and Mt. Holyoke Sem- inaries. At Ipswich I learned some new methods for in- teresting my girls in spelling, an important branch of edu- cation.
"I remained ten years in Bloomington, educating my own children, as well as some orphan girls; two from Sa- lem, whom I kept in my family several years. All the min- isters' daughters of the place were received into my school without charge for tuition. My brother used to say to me : 'I think if you support and educate your own children, you will be doing well without educating others free." I was not dependent upon brothers, or any one else, and could do as I wished. I never received aid from my family during the years I was bringing up and educating my children, amounting to one hundred dollars; it was not necessary. I perhaps, have not had as much sympathy for helpless wo- men as I should have, but all cannot help themselves. I had opportunities in my younger days to prepare myself for this work, and God blessed me with health, and strength, and energy.
"I taught in Bloomington ten years, then went with Dr. Monfort as Lady Principal, to Glendale, where I re-
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Worthington
Rev. J. R. Barnes and Mrs. Barnes.
mained five years, until I was called to Evansville to be with my daughter, (married and settled there), whilst her husband went to the army.
"I taught eighteen years of my life, and don't remem- ber that during that time I was absent from school a single day, on account of illness.
"I feel today like saying with the Psalmist: 'Bless the Lord, O, my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.'
E. J. MCFERSON."
CH'APTER XVII.
MRS. E. T. DREW, NOW MRS. BARNES.
Persons who read this volume will expect to see the familiar name of Mrs. Drew in its pages; though mention has been made of her before under the name of Mrs. Barnes, it will not quite satisfy those in whose heart she occupies so large a place not to find any further mention of her. Mrs. Drew, as we still like to call her, because it brings pleasant memories, was a native of Hartford, Conn., and was educated in Montreal, Canada, to which place her parents had removed. She was a niece of Arthur and Wm1. B. Tappan, who were celebrated in their day, both for their anti-slavery views and for rare intelligence and influence in New England. The latter was also a poet, some of the best hymns sung in our churches having been written by him. Mrs. Drew came to Evansville more than forty years ago, and was so associated with the church and all its be- longings, that when she left for a home in New Orleans, she was missed in every department of it, as well as in al- most every household. Few persons have done with their own hands so many acts of kindness as she has done, all of which it seemed her greatest pleasure to perform.
How many weary nights she has watched by the bed- side of the sick and suffering, even breaking down her own health in this way, her labors at one time resulting in a long illness. No home where there was trouble was long without her kindly offices. She was always ready for loving and generous deeds, which were worth far more than money to the recipients-making clothing for the destitute and helping all who needed help. Mrs. Drew was strictly ob- servant of all her church duties, never failing to be found in her accustomed place at its services, without regard to
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the weather, sickness alone preventing her faithful attend- ance. She was for many years a manager of the Industrial School of which Mrs. Samuel Bayard was the president ; also a manager of the Home of the Friendless. The Sunday School, Missionary Society and every other good work had her sympathy and support. Time did not dampen her ar- dor or energy for the accomplishment of any good object, she was as ready at seventy years of age to engage in any new plan for the benefit of others as she had been many years before. Her whole life was given to making everyone happy, and this she accomplished, in a great measure, by always being employed in kind and loving acts. Numerous mementoes of her affectionate regard are cherished keep- sakes in the homes of her friends. Her example of cheer- fulness and her disposition to look on the bright side of every event, was also a source of happiness to others, and she was a person of whose society one never grew weary. Her friends rejoice to know that she is happy as Mrs. Barnes, in her beautiful home in Marietta, Ohio, among new and kind friends.
CHAPTER XVIII.
..
PROFESSOR TINKER.
Milton Z. Tinker was born in Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 25th, 1834. His youth was spent in the ordinary routine of a farm labor- er. He assisted upon the farm during the summer, and attended school dur- ing the winter. In the former capacity he laid well the foundation for a sound, physical constitution, such as only agri- cultural pursuits can give.
He spent most of his leisure mo- ments in the study of music, applying himself diligently in all of the several departments, especi- ally in that of voice culture. He was a reguiar attendant upon the exercise of the old-fashioned singing school, musi- cal institute and musical convention, thereby securing every advantage to be gained which these gatherings afforded.
In the fall of 1854 he commenced teaching his first day- school, at a salary of $12 per month, for a term of five
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months, and, as the custom was then, "boarded around" the district. He gave instructions to singing classes at night in the communities where he was teaching, a prac- tice he continued for four successive years.
On the first of May, 1858, he went to Chicago and en- tered the Normal Musical Institute, of Messrs. Bradbury & Cady, and took a thorough five months' course upon prac- tical teaching, including the subject of harmony and voice training.
He at once began the work of conducting singing classes, musical institutes, and musical conventions. Suc- cess crowned his efforts at all of the places he visited.
In the fall of 1863 he was employed by the Board of Education of the city of Terre Haute, Ind., to introduce and superintend the instruction of vocal music in the pub- lic schools of that city. Continuing the work in Terre Haute until 1867, he then resigned and accepted a like posi- tion from the Board of Education of the city of Evansville, Ind. He commenced the work in Evansville on the first of September, 1867 ,and has held the position continuously during a period of nearly twenty-five years.
He united with the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church in 1869. In the fall of 1870 he succeeded Mr. Theo. Russeli, as leader of the choir, and still holds this position. He has been the leader of the Philharmonic Society, the Lyric So- ciety, and the Ideal Opera Club. He has, at all times, been identified with every movement which had for its object the musical advancement of the people of Evansville.
The choir of Walnut Street Church has been fortunate in having so competent a leader for so many years as Prof. Tinker. Father Chute was the first person who led the choir, and soon after him Col. C. K. Drew, Sr., who in the "Little Church on the Hill," played on the bass-viol the ac- companiment to the sacred songs of Zion. His son Col. C. K. Drew, Jr., who now resides in New Orleans, was the or- ganist after the new church was built. Miss Amelia Law- rence, Mrs. Maclean, Miss Laura Thompson, Miss Talbot and Mr. Arnold Habbe, have filled the position of organist, which Mrs. Millis now occupies. More atention has been given to music in the last twenty years than it received during fifty years before in Evansville. In 1836 the first piano was brought to the place, and for fifteen years after, there was but one teacher who gave lessons on that instru- ment.
No one has contributed more to the entertainment and advancement of the community, in its music, than Prof.
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Tinker. His connection with the public schools, as well as with the church, has accomplished this. It is impossible to estimate the good that has been derived from his ser- vices for the many years past. in which he has trained the youth in the divine art. Who can say how the undeveloped minds of the young have been elevated and inspired to the pursuit of the chaste and ennobling avocations of life by his teaching? The little untutored urchin in the public school, in whose home music's sweetest strains are never heard, and where, perhaps, only discordant sounds have met his ear, is charmed with the sweet songs he hears in school, all breathing of purity and love, his little heart is broken up and the good seed is sown in it which will bring forth fruit such as never before grew about his humble home. Music is the solace of life. Who that has been jostled through its rough highways and filled with care and anxi- ety, does not gratefully welcome the strains of some old familiar song? It calms and rests his weary soul.
The music of the present day is more artistic than the songs of "Lang Syne," but the latter will never lose their charm; their notes strike a chord in the heart which will ever vibrate with pleasure to the sound. We may be charmed with the brilliant compositions of the greatest composers, we may drink in the melody of the most gifted songstress, but there are no sweeter strains to us than those we first learned to love.
"I remember a song whose numbers throng As sweetly in memory's twighlight hour, As the voice of the blest in the realms of rest, Or the sparkle of dew on a dreaming flower. T'is a simple air, but when others depart Like an angle's whisper it clings to my heart.
That song, that song, that old, sweet song, I gather it up like a golden chain- Link by link, as to slumber I sink,
And link by link when I awake again;
I shall hear it I know when the last deep rest Shall fold me close to the earth's dark breast."
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CHAPTER XIX.
REV. LELAND GILLELAND, D. D.
In 1884 Dr. Gilleland was called to supply the pulpit of Walnut Street Church. On his first appearanc in the sacred desk he captured the hearts of his hearers by his earnest and enthusiastic preaching, and throughout the time that he remained with this people they never lost their interest in his sermons, and in almost every household they were the subject of conversation when the service was over. It is impossible to estimate the extent of value of the good work accomplished during the six years that he remained in connection with the church. Dr. Gilleland came to Evans- ville from Tideout, Penn., and previous to his residence there he had lived in White Pigeon, Michigan, where he had charge of a church. Born of Protestant Irish parents, he inherited their staunch Presbyterian views from which he never departed, and few men have ever seemd to human vision, to be worth so much to the church and the world. That his earthly usefulness was cut short could only be be- cause some service more grand and fruitful than any on earth awaited him in the heavenly life. The resignation of Dr. Gilleland was received by the church with the most profound regret. He removed to Lake View, Chicago, in October, 1890, and had entered upon his work with the pro- mise of a bright future opening before him, when he was stricken down with disease and died on March 17th, 1891. It was a noble testimony to his character, as true as it was exalted, which Dr. Marquis bore at his funeral, when he said: "I think he was as little influenced by considerations of personal ambition or emolument as any man I ever knew. He never asked concerning a project or act, 'what will it do for or bring me?' but 'what will it do for Christ and for men ?' He was single-eyed in that, the controlling purpose of his life was to please Him whose servant he was. It is not to be wondered at that such a man should be rich in friends, the possession of that best earthly heritage, the de- voted friendship, the strong confidence and the lasting af-
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from
that's
Rev. Leland M. Gilleland.
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fection of the right minded and sincere. The loss to the church and the world is to be deplored when such men are summoned away from a life of usefulness to a higher and better sphere."
A few weeks after the death of Dr. Gilleland his wife, who had faithfully nursed him through his long and severe illness, was taken with the same disease (typhoid fever) of which he died, and in a few short weeks was laid to rest be- side him, leaving a young family to be cared for by friends and relatives. The members of Walnut Street Church and the church of which Dr. Gilleland was pastor made up a handsome sum for the education of his children, which was a praiseworthy act.
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