USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 36
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Rev. J. C. Bowden, D. D., who resigned July 24, 1870, to assume the presidency of Lincoln University in Illinois. Dr. Bowden was a popular minister, one of the best of men, a cultured scholar and a true Chris- tian. He died in April, 1873.
On January 1, 1871, Rev. W. J. Darby, D. D., was elected to the pastorate, and a few weeks later assumed its duties. To the present time Dr. Darby continues to serve in that relation, and from the beginning of his work has wielded a large influence for good, reaching far beyond the circles of his own church. Tireless in every good and benevolent undertaking, ready and willing always to engage in any effort designed to uplift and elevate the community, zealous and progressive, he has stamped his indi- viduality, not only upon the congregation in his charge, but also upon the community in which he lives. Of clear intellect, pleas- ing manners, superior tact, and executive ability, and indefatigable in church work, he has been eminently successful. Dr. Darby, a native of Kentucky, received his primary education at Princeton, in that state, entered the University of Michigan in 1866, and graduated in 1869. Three years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the same institution. In January, 1871, he graduated from the theological department of Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tenn., and soon thereafter came to this field of labor.
The rapid growth of the congregation rendered the old church wholly inadequate, and in 1876 a new edifice, handsome in ap- pearance and commodious in its dimensions, was erected opposite the old church on the northeast corner of Second and Chestnut streets. Its dedication occurred September 30, 1877. It is built of brick in the modern Gothic style of architecture, with a main auditorium 61x75 feet in size, with a seating
capacity for 700, pastor's study, parlors, etc. The property cost $50,000.00, of which amount Mr. Marcus Sherwood contributed $12,000.00. The church membership has constantly increased for many years, especially during the administration of Dr. Darby, there being now, in round numbers, 600 members, with thirty officers. The church has done a large amount of evangel- istic and benevolent work. The headquar- ters of two of the general benevolent enterprises of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination are located in Evansville - the board of directors of each being made up from the officers or members of this congre- gation. They are the woman's board of foreign missions and the board of relief for disabled ministers and the widows and orphans of deceased ministers. Each re- ceives and distributes many thousands of dollars every year. The present trustees are: William Hacker, S. B. Sansom, E. L. Cody, Charles S. Fendrick and Alvah John- son.
In 1874 a mission Sunday-school was or- ganized in the upper portion of the city and for its accommodation a neat brick chapel was erected a few months later at a cost of $4,000. This mission has grown into a church, now called the Jefferson Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian church. On June Ist, ISS8, Rev. J. H. Miller was employed as assistant to Dr. Darby, his field of labor being chiefly connected with the Jefferson Avenue and Hebron (in Knight township) churches. Mr. Miller isnow pastor of these charges. Large flourishing Sabbath schools areconnected with the churches. That at the parent church has an average attendance of 375, and is superintended by Dr. J. C. Mc- Clurkin; that at Jefferson Avenue church has an average attendance of 150, with Mr. J. H. Barrows as superintendent.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The history
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of Methodism in what is now Vanderburgh county antedates the history of Evansville The first settlers had hardly raised their rude log cabins within the present boundaries of the county before the itinerant preachers be- gan to push their way into the wilderness and preach the word of God wherever a handful of men and women could be brought together. As early as 1811 the Patoka cir- cuit was formed embracing the whole country of the Wabash valley below Vin- cennes, and extending along the Ohio river nearly to the falls of the Ohio at Louisville. This circuit was in the Wabash district and western conference. The preachers appointed to the circuit visited this neighborhood, in their regular rounds, for thirteen or fourteen years before the permanent organization of a society was effected. The first rider of the circuit was Rev. Benjamin Edge, and the first presiding elder Rev. James Axley. The succeeding pioneer preachers were: Revs. John Smith, 1812, with the eccentric and en- ergetic Peter Cartwright as presiding elder; James Porter, 1813; John Scripps, 1814; Thomas A. King, 1815; Daniel McHenry and Thomas Davis, 1816; Thomas Davis, 1817; John Wallace and Daniel McHenry, 1818; John Wallace, 1819; Elias Stone, 1820; James L. Thompson, 1821; Ebenezer Z. Webster, 1822; William Medford, 1823; William H. Smith and George Randall, 1824. The names of some of these early preachers became household words in the Christian homes of the new country. Burn- ing with zeal, they allowed no barrier to keep them from their work. In severe weather and at all times they braved every hardship, and traveled hundreds of miles on foot through the then wilderness, preaching the word and calling sinners to repentance. The organization of classes was everywhere vigorously prosecuted. In the cabins of the settlers, or in the open woods in all the settle-
ments, preaching was held as frequently as possible and converts as well as those who had brought Methodism with them in their hearts from their old homes were brough together in classes. But there is no reliable evidence of the formation of a class int Vanderburgh county prior to that organized in Evansville in 1825. The year 1819 wit- nessed the settlement in southwestern Indiana of many men of intelligence and great moral worth. Many of these were Method- ists who came from across the sea to build new homes for themselves and their descendants in this land of liberty. Perhaps none were more closely identified with the firm establish- ment of Methodism in Evansville than Rob- ert Parrett and Joseph Wheeler, both pio- neer local ministers who did much in their day and generation to advance the cause of morals, education and religion in southern Indiana.
Robert Parrett was born in England Feb- ruary 14, 1791. His early education and training were of a character suitable for his acceptance, at a proper age, of a living under the church of England. But his reading and associations inclined him to ac- cept the teachings and religious views ad- vanced by John Wesley. About the year 1816 the family of Mr. Parrett emigrated to the United States, and here, in a new coun- try, his liberal views became more firmly fixed and resulted in his active participation in the advancement of the tenets of the Methodist faith. In 1819 he located in Posey county and spent the years of his early manhood in the business of farming. At the same time he put himself in com- munication with the pioneer Methodists of the day and contributed his full share toward the establishment of that branch of the Christian church in southwestern In- diana.
In the same year the Rev. Joseph Wheeler
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and an elder brother, the Rev. Richard Wheeler, both men of education and refine- ment and devoted to the propagation of the doctrines of Methodism, had reached Evans- ville from England and taken up their resi- dence in the blue grass settlement in the northern part of the county. These three men were brought together through the in- strumentality of the Rev. John Schrader, who had begun to preach within the Patoka circuit in 1814.
In the double log warehouse of Hugh Mc- Gary, on Saturday, December 12, 1819, the first Methodist sermon in Evansville of which any account can be found, was preached by the Rev. John Schrader, the services being at- tended by Revs. Robert Parrett and Joseph Wheeler. It has been said by one having an ex- tensive acquaintance with pioneer preachers that " No name will ever possess a loftier, purer and sweeter ring among the descendants of the early pioneers than that of John Shrader." Evansville had already been fixed as a point in the Patoka circuit for stated preaching of the gospel, and had been taxed 5614 cents per quarter for the support of the ministry. At the first Meth- odist meeting held in McGary's warehouse it was arranged that the Rev. Robert Par- rett and the two Wheeler brothers should conduct religious services regularly at that place, each of them once every six weeks, and the appointments were so arranged that there was divine service at that ware- house every other Sunday, besides an occa- sional extra sermon by the circuit rider.
Thus matters continued until the spring of 1821, when the few Methodists in Evans- ville obtained permission from Dr. John W. Shaw to use the front room of his new resi- dence, then in process of erection, as a place of worship. The building was weather- boarded and lathed, but not plastered. This house stood on the present site of the Chand-
ler block on First street between Locust and Walnut. The Shaw mansion continued to be occupied by the Methodists as their place of worship until the early part of 1824, when the congregation obtained use of a large room adjoining the Warner tavern, where the meetings were continued for the next three years.
It occupied the space next to the opera- house near the corner of First and Locust streets, and was called the " den," for here the fast young men of the village congre- gated to play cards and drink, but the clever tavern-keeper, when it was time for the preacher to come around, had it vacated, swept and cleaned. Thus side by side, from the same vantage ground, vice and virtue began the struggle for the mastery in this community.
In the spring of 1825 Mr. Parrett took up his permanent residence in Evansville, and continued to reside in Vanderburgh county until the day of his death. While there had been gospel preaching in the village by the Methodist clergyman with some degree of regularity during the preceding six years, it does not appear that there had been any church regularly organized. On Sunday, the 19th day of May, 1825, Father Parrett organized the first regular class at this place, consisting of Robert Parrett, his wife, Mar- tha Parrett, Edward Hopkins, his wife, Mary Hopkins, Jane Lewis, Abraham P. Hutch- inson, Arthur McJohnson, his wife, Mary McJohnson, Hannah Robinson, Jane War- ner and Mrs. Seaman. With this class the Methodist church in Evansville may be said to have been firmly organized, and from that day forward it has grown and strength- ened with the growth and advancement of the city's population. Though the church was established upon an enduring basis, it yet had no stated place of worship. The membership being small, and as with all
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pioneers, their resources limited, it was not possible to build a church edifice. The old court-house was partly finished, and in the winter of 1827, the services of the sanctuary were removed from the Warner tavern to the court room. The accommodations were of the poorest description. About this time a
subscription was set on foot which re- sulted in the building of the "little brick school-house," that stood for many years on the northwest side of the old public square, being for a long time the only school-house in Evansville. In this little school-house or in the court-house, as convenience dictated, the Methodists continued to worship until their number increased to an extent that en- abled them to undertake the erection of a regular church edifice.
As previously indicated, William H. Smith and George Randle were on the circuit in 1824. About this time Richard Hargrave filled out an unexpired term. In 1825 James Garner and Joseph Tarkington rode the circuit. Their successors were: Asa D. West, 1826; Charles Slocum, 1827; Samuel Cooper, 1828; John Fox and A. Arrington, 1829; John Richey, 1830-1831; Enoch G. Wood, 1832; Enoch G. Wood and Cornelius Swank, 1833; John A. Brouse and M. Reeder, 1834; Isaac Owen, 1835; Isaac McElroy and Wm. Beharrell, 1836; Lemuel M. Reeves and Joseph S. Barwick, 1837; John S. Bayless, 1838.
Under Mr. Bayless this point in the cir- cuit considered itself of sufficient importance to mantain a preacher, and therefore became a station, with fifty-three names on the record, and immediately the building of a church was begun. It was completed and dedicated in 1839. In size it was 40x60 feet, and was erected at a cost of $5,350.00. This remained the house of worship until 1865 when Trinity Methodist Episcopal church was built. The property was subsequently sold and
is now owned by the county of Vanderburgh, the building having been converted into rooms for the accommodation of the Van- derburg superior court. In the erection of this church Rev. Robert Parrett acted a conspicuous part. Besides being a liberal donor toward the construction fund the brick for the building of the edifice were made upon his farm. His sons, John, Richard , and William F., wrought diligently in mould- ing the brick for the kiln, and the two last named drove the teams that hauled the material on the ground where the house was built. Here Father Parrett often preached in his happiest vein, and he continued his diligent labors in the church until called to his final rest.
At this juncture a few words may be properly written touching the lives and char- acters of these two pioneer preachers. From the organization of the church until he was called home to his reward, Father Parrett never faltered in the good work which his hands and heart had willingly undertaken. While the church at Evansville was to him a special charge it must not be supposed that his ministerial labors were confined to his services in behalf of this church and in the immediate vicinity of his residence. He frequently spent weeks together at camp- meetings and other religious gatherings, al- ways willingly taking up his burden in the Master's cause, and testifying earnestly of his faith in the saving power of the grace of God. Methodists of the Indiana confer- ence regarded him as a shining light in their church organization.
Intellectually he was a man of rare strength and judgment. His sermons evinced a mind of comprehensive power and com- mhanding logic. He was also at times very eloquent in thought and expression. In the summer of 1827, he delivered an address at Princeton on the life, character and public
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services of Adams and Jefferson, who died within a few hours of each other, upon the preceding Fourth of July, which was pro- nounced by such a man as the late Judge Samuel Hall as a masterpiece of truth and eloquence. The Western Sun, published at Vincennes by the venerable Elihu Stout, said: " This speech has not been excelled by any of the powerful orations delivered in the senate of our country. "
In civil life he stood exceptionally high in the opinion of his fellow citizens. He was never an office-seeker, but in 1858, when there seemed to be a special demand for the best men of the county in the office of county commissioner, he consented to the use of his name in that connection. He was triumph- antly elected over several competitors, and was serving in the capacity of a commis- sioner at the time of his death.
Father Parrett died January 29, 1860, at the age of sixty years, greatly lamented by all who knew him. In his death society lost a good citizen, the church a bright ornament, and his family a counselor whose worth was beyond estimate. But his noble ex- ample lives to be cherished and emulated through all the coming time.
Rev. Joseph Wheeler was a native of Oxfordshire, England, born near Oxford, the great English seat of learning,about the year 1778. His family was reared in the English church, but when a mere youth the teachings of John Wesley took deep root in his mind, and in due time he embraced the faith and became a zealous adherent of the Methodist church. When seventeen years old he was licensed to preach, and, proceeding to London, entered actively into missionary work. He took a devoted interest in spreading the new faith among the people of that great metropolis and along the country lanes, forming classes wherever a handful could be got together.
When about forty years old he migrated to this country, intending to proceed to Albion, Ill., but, reaching Evansville in August, 1819, was detained by sickness, and in a few days hearing of the English settlement in the blue grass region, set out to establish him- self there. He at once began his labor of love in breaking the bread of life to the scattered denizens of the wilderness: he was a ready and willing helper of the circuit rider and scattered many seeds that ripened into good fruit. While alternating with Father Parrett in preaching at Evansville, he generally came on foot, staff in hand. Father Wheeler preached regularly in Blue Grass and attended all the early day camp meetings, and was one of the most success- ful preachers in camp meeting work. Later he preached at Mechanicsville and in all parts of that section. He became devotedly attached to the people of that settlement, and they with one accord loved and honored him as a father. He preached there thirty years and only ceased when in- creasing years and failing strength pre- vented his engaging in the work. For a time he supplied the pulpit of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church. His religious creed rose above sectarianism, and helooked upon all Christians as brothers in the spirit. Among his best and most devoted friends were some who looked to other altars as a place of worship. He was three times jus- tice of the peace, though never seeking worldly recognition. He was a superior farmer and earnestly industrious in every walk of life. Exceedingly vigorous and robust, he always met his appointments on foot and had the reputation of being a great pedestrian. In 1864, at the ripe age of eighty-six years, after a life well spent and full of good work in his Master's service, Father Wheeler passed to his reward.
After the building of the Locust Street
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church, the following ministers succeeded each other at this station: John Daniels, 1839; Anthony Robinson, 1840; John Kearns, 1841 and 1842; Samuel Reed, 1843; F. C. Holliday, 1844; William M. Daily, 1845; G. C. Beeks, 1846; W. V. Daniel, 1847; Thomas A. Goodwin, 1848 and 1849; James H. Noble, 1850; James Hill, 1852; C. B. Davidson, 1853 and 1854; E. H. Sabin, 1855 and 1856; Hiram Gil- more, 1857 and 1858; S. T. Gillett, 1859 and 1860; B. F. Rawlins, 1861 and 1862; Albion Fellows, 1863. Rev. Mr. Fellows died while in this charge in February, 1865, and was succeeded, in April, 1865, by Rev. C. N. Sims, who ministered to the congre- gation until 1867. The year 1864 marks another epoch in the history of this congre- gation. In the winter of this year it was de- termined to build a new church at the corner of Third and Chestnut streets. The work was pushed forward with wonderful rapidity, and in the winter of 1865 the building was enclosed. In the spring of 1866 it was dedicated to God's service by Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, D. D., assisted by Rev. L. Bowman, D. D. The church is built of brick, in the Florentine style of architecture, with an auditorium 65x90 feet in size, with a seating capacity for 800 per- sons; a lecture room, 40x70 feet large, and six additional apartments, devoted to pas- tor's study, organ and parlor purposes. The entire cost of the building was $100,- 000; some $10,000 have been spent in church improvement since.
Since those last mentioned the following ministers have been in charge of the work at the new church, known as Trinity: Reuben Andrus, D. D., 1867-9; L. B. Carpenter, 1870-73 (in the spring of 1872 Mr. Car- penter exchanged pulpits with Rev. H. C. Westwood, of Wheeling, W. Va., Mr. West- wood remaining till the fall of 1873) ; Earl
Cranston, D. D., 1874; Reuben Andrus, D. D., 1875-77; G. D. Watson, D. D., 1878; B. F. Rawlins, 1879; F. C. Igleheart, 1880; J. L. Pitner, 1881-2; Frost Craft, IS83-5; J. S. Woods, D. D., 1886, and at present in charge. Trinity has always had in its pulpit the highest order of talent. Each of the names mentioned in the list of its pastors is familiar to Methodists throughout the confer- ence, and in many instances throughout the state of Indiana. The present pastor, Dr. Woods, is a powerful and effective preacher, being logical and convincing in argument, unique in his style of thought and manner of presentation, happy and strikingly original in the choice of illustrations, fervent and true in appeal and possessing a vast fund of infor- mation on which he draws, to the delight of his hearers, with the skill characteristic of a trained intellect.
Dr. Woods was born in Morgan county, Ind., October 11, 1833, and is the son of . William and Elizabeth (Shell) Woods. His father, a native of Ireland, born about 1806, came with his parents to America when a child. His mother was born in East Ten- nessee about 1809. They came to Indiana about 1830 and settled as pioneers in Mor- gan county. They were pious Methodists, lived useful lives, and were respected by all. Dr. Woods was reared on the farm, attended the district schools, and learned the wagon- maker's trade with his father, which he fol- lowed for eight years. In 1855 he professed religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He was licensed to preach in 1856, and two years later was admitted to the Indiana conference. His first appointment was to the Williamsburg circuit, in 1858, and in 1866 he was appointed to his first station, at Princeton. Thereafter he labored at Mt. Vernon and New Albany in this state. In 1876 he was appointed presiding elder of the Indianapolis district, and after four years
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returned to New Albany, whence he went to Vincennes. In 1884 he was appointed presiding elder of the Evansville district, and after three years was appointed pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. In ISSI the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Asbury, now DePauw, University.
The church is in a very prosperous con- dition, now having 540 members. Trinity is one of the largest and most influential Methodist churches in the state. She is powerful in any spiritual task she under- takes, and has been the inspiration of many of the revivals of religion that have blessed the city. The first Methodist Sunday-school in the city was organized in May, 1837, in the little school-house on Main street, Rev. William M. Elliott being the superintendent, and twenty-two scholars being enrolled the first day. The work of this Sunday-school in the advancement of religion and the bet- terment of society, is beyond human reck- oning. Rev. William M. Elliott remained superintendent seven years. His successors have been: John Ingle, jr., nineteen years; W. T. Iglehart, six years; John F. Glover, three years; F. M. Thayer, eight years; Charles E. Scoville, two years; William B. Jaquess, two years; A. W. Emery, three years; and J. W. Barbour, now serving. The average attendance is 325. The pres- ent trustees are: Joseph P. Elliott, J. E. Igle- hart, William F. Parrett, George Lant, Lee Howell, L. S. Clarke, R. Ruston, Geo. P. Heilman, James Scantlin.
Ingle Street Methodist Episcopal Church. - The Methodists of the old Locust Street church estabished a mis- sion which in 1851, was
Jesse Walker, L. M. Walters, A. Turner, Hayden Hays, J. B. Likely, James Hill, J. H. Clippenger, William E. Davis, J. W. Webb, E. Hawes, J. A. Scammahorn, William Telfer, J. V. R. Miller, John Walls, Morris S. Woods and C. E. Asbury, the pastor now in charge. Mr. Asbury was born in Owen county, Ind., thirty-one years ago and was graduated at DePauw Univer- sity, at Greencastle, in ISSI. He at once began his ministerial work and soon gave abundant evidence of his fitness as a laborer in the Master's vineyard. Of generous im- pulses, strong convictions, and great force of character, he wields a large influence for good. In 1852 this congregation built its first house of worship, which was continued in use until it became wholly inadequate for the comfortable accommodation of the grow- ing congregation. About 1874 a handsome new structure was erected on Ingle street between Seventh and Eighth. It is built of brick in modern Gothic style, 40x70 feet in dimensions, the main auditorium seating 250 comfortably, and the prayer-meeting room seating 100. During the past year, the church has been much improved and beautified at a cost of $3,000. From its foundation this church has manifested great zeal in revival work. The member- ship has at times grown to large propor- tions. At present it numbers 180. The Sabbath-school-George L. Daum, sr., su- perintendent, has an average attendance of 175.
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