USA > Indiana > Indiana Baptist history, 1798-1908 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
210
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
with him in June, 1865, just after returning home, and the accuracy and breadth of his thoughts of the war and its far-reaching results impressed me almost beyond earthly, although I little thought that within a few months he would be looking down upon these issues from the height of that land where war is unknown. And thus as these twenty-seven years of his labor as pastor of the Lost River church were making up the record for eternity, the Holy Spirit was adding His imperishable seal to this ministry; and time after time came revivals of religion that brought many souls into the kingdom, giving the church a steady growth that after the close of the pastorate, left it united and strong in numbers and faith. And so too when the call came to him in the autumn of 1865, when he was about 64 years of age, "to come up higher" he quietly laid down the sickle, ceasing to reap, and with arms full of sheaves, and with him bearing the confidence and love of the people he had so long and faithfully served, he rose to be greeted by his King with that blessed approval that is the crown of life."
Elder William McCoy was par excellence the domes- tic evangelist of his Association-indeed of his section of the State. He was born in Clark county in 1814; in his youth he was anxious for an education, and in his young manhood he assisted his brother Isaac in teaching both the Wilmington and Charlestown schools, county seminaries. For a time he was a class-mate with the Hon. W. S. Holman in the Wil- mington school. He also taught at Jeffersonville, and
211
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
during the time assisted in forming the Baptist church there. He moved from Jeffersonville to a farm and while there was urged by a negro Baptist minister to enter the ministry. This persuasion but re-enforced a previous conviction, and he was soon licensed by the Salem church to preach. He was ordained in 1844 and at once became the pastor of Mill Creek church-a pastorate continuing forty-seven years, and till his death. He reared a family of six children, one of them being the Rev. J. E. McCoy, well and favorably known in the State. His wife still (1906) survives him. His travelling for many years was on horseback; after roads were built he used a buggy. His manner of preaching was calm yet earnest, and so sincere and kindly was he that he was welcome in any home in his wide circuit-whether it was Bap- tist or not. He wrote a good deal for the denomina- tional papers, especially the Journal and Messenger. He died at the age of seventy-six, loved by hundreds and thousands whom he had helped in their christian life. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. C. F. Dame, then pastor at Salem.
FREEDOM ASSOCIATION (COUNTIES OF MONTGOMERY. PARKE AND VERMILLION ).
This Association was constituted in 1840. Benedict says that "it came out in favor of the cause of benev- olence in the midst of those who oppose it." It does not seem to have sent delegates to the Indiana Baptist Convention till 1854 when it was represented by A. D. Billingsley; in 1855 the Rev. Gibbon Williams was a
212
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
delegate. The same year the Education report says: "Some two years ago some brethren and friends in Ladoga and vicinity met and resolved to found a Fe- male Seminary at that place. They purchased an acre of land and subscribed $3,000 to erect a building on it. At first the enterprise was thought of only as a local one. They accordingly embraced in their plan only one edifice which was 60 by 30 feet and was two stories high. . . . . The school opened in June and had over 80 pupils in attendance the first section . . . " So that Freedom Association had an enterprise for which it must think and give and pray. (Later in this work a fuller account of this school will be given.) The Indiana Baptist Annual for 1906 states that there are twenty-two churches in the body, and 1,419 members. Browns Valley church has the largest membership (145) and Zion is next (133). Waveland leads in benevolence-$120.00-and Dana is next $108.70.
This Association is not lacking in laymen of abil- ity and high purpose. Among these was A. D. Bill- ingsley, positive in piety and ready to advocate and support whatever measures gave promise of advanc- ing the kingdom of God. He was born in Kentucky in 1809, was married to Miss Elizabeth McMurry in 1831, and came to Indiana in 1834, settling in Mont- gomery county. The Sugar Grove United Baptist church, located west of Ladoga, was finally transferred to that village and called the Ladoga Baptist church. A. D. Billingsley was received into membership in 1845, and became an active and leading member. He had the advantage of indoctrination and practical
213
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
training from such able pastors as the Revs. Rees Davis, P. T. Palmer, C. J. Bowles, Sr., and Peter Swaim.
Mr. Billingsley was several times elected clerk of the Association, and more than once was called on to prepare the Circular letter. He was one of the prime movers in the establishment of Ladoga Semi- nary and, first and last, invested $5,000 or more in the enterprise, his chief dividends consisting in the consciousness that he had helped many young men and young women to make a preparation for influen- tial and useful lives.
The influence of the Billingsley home was not lost upon the children; J. J. W. Billingsley has been long prominent in the State not only as a business man but also as one of the reliable leaders in the work of the Indiana Baptist Convention. Another son, H. M. Billingsley, is a foremost member of the Crawfords- ville church; and still another, L. W. Billingsley is a prominent attorney in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Another layman whom his brethren respected and loved was Deacon J. W. Hanna, of Browns Valley church. He was an advocate of progress in religious matters as well as in business. He had broad con- ceptions of life and duty, and was glad to help for- ward the causes represented by his denomination to the extent of his ability. He was particularly inter- ested in Franklin College and was a frequent contrib- utor to its funds. He and his wife gave $3,200 in all. No member of Browns Valley church was so distinct- ly missed as Deacon Hanna, when he was called to his
214
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
reward. He and his wife always made their home a welcome place to their brethren and sisters.
Deacon Hanna was born in 1830; he and Nancy Elizabeth Allen were married in 1854; in 1848 he had joined the Freedom Baptist church, and remained a member there till the organization of the Browns Valley church. He died in 1901.
Foremost among the ministers of the Association was the Rev. Rees Davis. From a brief autobiogra- phy and sketch the following facts are taken: he was born in Virginia in 1813; he was the youngest of eight children; his father, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, died in 1846, leaving the care of the children to devolve upon the mother, a woman of deep piety and resolute will. She died in 1824, when the boy was assigned to a family in the neighborhood where, as he expresses it "the fare was very poor." He further says:
"During the fall of 1828 my brother George came on a visit from Indiana (to Kentucky). I at once caught the idea of going west, and at once began mak- ing preparations to return with him (to Indiana). His business detained him and we did not start till about Christmas. Travelling four hundred miles on horseback is not an easy task, especially amid moun- tains and through such a wilderness as we had to travel. We landed in Montgomery county on the 10th day of January, 1829."
He lived with his brother for a while; he was mar- ried in 1832; and he and his wife gladly accepted the conditions of pioneer life and labored together for
215
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
many years in helping to change the wilderness into a land of plenty and beauty. He was so strong in his temperance convictions that he would not furnish whiskey to those who came to help "roll logs"; they declined to help, but a man farther away who appre- ciated these convictions came with his ox team and the work was quickly and well done. He was con- verted in 1841, but as he could not accept the doctrine of Parker, nor of the Methodists, he did not seek ad- mission into any church at once. In December, 1841, he and his wife offered themselves for membership in the Freedom Baptist church and were gladly re- ceived. It was not long before his mind began to be exercised about the duty of preaching ; at length he was licensed; in 1848 he was ordained, and was at once called to the pastorate of Freedom church, and continued in that service for twenty-three years, dur- ing which time he received 400 persons by baptism. In 1859 he sold his farm and moved to Waveland to give himself more completely to the work of the min- istry. He says that he never dared to preach without distinct preparation, and in his autobiography are to be found some specimens of his sermon analysis. His ministry was mainly among churches of his own As- sociation, but he also had charge for a while of churches in both Tippecanoe and White Lick Asso- ciation. According to records kept by him he had the privilege of baptizing over 1,300 persons during his ministry. He died at his own home in 1880. No bet- ter estimate of his character and labors could be made
216
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
than that made by the Rev. W. N. Wyeth, D. D., who knew him well:
"Elder Rees Davis was an illustration of that meek- ness which inherits the Divine blessing; that gentle- ness which assures an inoffensive life, and that strength of purpose which carries one through diffi- culty to success. . A large section of western Indiana was his field of trials and triumphs, the living and dying place of the multitude he led to the Savior through more than a third of a century. The Freedom Association had his presence and coun- sel for thirty-two successive years; the many who long had the privilege of greeting him at its sessions will, this year, only memorialize him."
HUNTINGTON ASSOCIATION-( COUNTIES OF HUNTING- TON, CASS, MIAMI, WABASH AND ALLEN).
This Association was organized in 1841 at Cole's Mills, Miami county, of seven churches, three of which had been dismissed from the Tippecanoe Association for the purpose, namely, Logansport, Fort Wayne and Crooked Creek. Huntington church was for many years one of the strongest churches in the As- sociation ; communication was at once established with the Indiana Baptist Convention, and kept up till the body was dissolved-the churches joining other Asso- ciations, especially the Logansport and Fort Wayne. In the proceedings of the Convention for 1857 this Association is credited with six churches, the largest being Fort Wayne (106) ; the membership of the As- sociation was 247. Among the leading ministers who
217
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
have labored in the Association were the Revs. R. Tisdale, William Cox, J. H. Dunlap, G. Sleeper, W. Gildersleeve, W. M. Pratt, D. D., U. B. Miller, J. E. Thomas, S. Deweese, H. C. Skinner, J. Babcock, J. P. Barnett, E. Rees and T. C. Townsend.
Deacon John Kenower is one of the most influential laymen in the Association ; he is still living and mani- fests a deep concern for the advancement of the king- dom of God. He is of German descent, and in both business and religion he exemplifies the German char- acteristics-energy, perserverance and steadiness of purpose. He has done much to develop his county and city ; he was the chief factor in the founding and support of the Huntington church and was one of the leaders in forming the Huntington Association. The Association disbanded in 1867, but not on account of failure; it was thought that the kingdom might be better served by the churches connecting themselves with contiguous Associations.
NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION-( COUNTIES OF LA GRANGE, STEUBEN, NOBLE AND DEKALB).
This Association was formed in 1841; the first min- utes accessible are for 1842 and these give the follow- ing list of constituent churches; Mill Grove, organ- ized in 1835; Jackson, in 1836; Johnson, in 1837; Brockville in 1837; Otsego, in 1839; Clear Spring, in 1840; Northwest, in 1840; Jefferson, in 1841, and Van Buren, in 1842. The early population of these four counties came from New England and New York ; the few churches gathered were the result of the faith-
218
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
ful work of persevering missionaries who proclaimed the word at their own charges, or were under appoint- ment by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The membership of the churches for that year was 230; Brother Adolphus Town was elected moderator and Brother S. C. Sabin, clerk. The spirit of progress is manifest, as is testified by resolutions passed favor- ing the convention, the American and Foreign Bible Society, the cause of temperance and Franklin Man- ual Labor Institute; (the Rev. R. Tisdale was present as the agent of the Institute.) Resolutions were passed also deploring desecration of the Sabbath and human slavery. At this session it was decided to em- ploy a missionary for the territory covered by the churches, and the raising of the necessary money was provided for.
The next record accessible is for 1879 and there is evidence of great change and advance; the ordained ministers are the Revs. W. M. Bassett, R. C. Childs, A. Snider, and C. H. Blanchard. Among the more prom- iment laymen are Dr. J. F. Wallace, M. D., and Dea- con L. L. Wildman. The churches reporting are Au- burn, Kendallville, Lima, Orland, Pleasant Lake and Wolcottville; these have a total membership of 410, and the total annual benevolence is $541.88.
The minutes of 1896 record the addition of the churches at Garrett and La Grange and the addition of the following ministers-the Revs. W. P. Pearse, F. E. Dickinson, H. Churchill, and L. C. Hoppel; the total benevolence for that year was $784.66. The Indiana Baptist Annual for 1906 gives the number of
219
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
churches as seven; of these Garrett has the largest membership, 322 ; the total membership of the Associa- tion was 802, and the total benevolence $1,201.65, or an average of $1.37 per capita. The pastors were the Revs. C. G. Roadarmel, W. Lindstrom, Charles Her- ring, and L. F. Taylor.
Among the laymen of the Association well worthy of mention was Deacon L. L. Wildman; he was born in Connecticut in 1821. He came to Indiana in 1838 and settling on a farm near Wolcottville was accus- tomed to the privations and resolute purposes of pio- neer life. He attended the Collegiate Institute at Ontario, Indiana, for a while and afterwards engaged in teaching for several years. He next engaged in mercantile business and carried ón successful enter- prises at Wright's Corners, Rome City, South Mil- ford and Wolcottville. He moved to Wolcottville in 1849 and continued in the mercantile business till 1866 and was successful in all his ventures. He was for many years a stock-holder and director in the First National Bank of La Grange, and organized the Wild- man's Exchange Bank at Wolcottville in 1866, and continued his connection with it till his death. He was a man of earnest conviction and great strength of character and came to be trusted in business and poli- tics beyond most men of his part of the State. In 1858 he was elected representative to the General Assembly of Indiana, and received that honor again in 1884. He was received into the Wolcottville church in 1865 and was a faithful worker and liberal sup- porter. He determined that he would never be worth
-
220
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
more than $100,000 and by gifts to worthy individuals and institutions he kept within the prescribed limits. In 1851 he and Louisa M. Taylor were married and to the union were born Angie G., now wife of the Rev. F. E. Dickinson ; Eva O., who died at the early age of nine ; William W., who died in early manhood, and Herbert H., who is proprietor of Wildman's Bank. Deacon Wildman died in 1892 honored and loved by all who knew him.
Chief among the ministers of the Association was the Rev. C. H. Blanchard, who was born in Vermont in 1817. His ancestors were men of mark; his pa- ternal great grandfather fought in the battles of the American Revolution, serving under General Green during his Rhode Island campaign. His father, Ca- leb H. Blanchard, was a consistent sturdy christian ; the family moved to Indiana in 1834, locating at Or- land. Here the Rev. C. H. Blanchard was engaged in the earnest work of clearing the forest and farming till 1841. Here he was married to Elizabeth Zebra, of Pennsylvania ; she lived but four years after the mar- riage. At the early age of thirteen, Mr. Blanchard was received into the Baptist church and soon became an active worker; he manifested a drawing towards the ministry, and was licensed to preach by the Orland church, in 1841. Conscious of his disadvantages from lack of education he began to look about for a suit- able school in which to begin a course of study; he was recommended by his friend, the Rev. Joshua Cur- rier, to go to Franklin College; accordingly he spent two years in that institution, and came to be greatly
221
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
loved for his sterling christian character and his na- tive abilities. President Chandler always spoke in praise of the man and his work. Mr. Blanchard has told of some of his experiences while a student: Dea- con Lewis Hendricks, a member of the Board of di- rectors of the college often went with Mr. Blanchard on his preaching tours-Hendricks to lead the sing- ing and Blanchard to do the preaching; they had sent an appointment to a place where they hoped to or- ganize a Sunday school, and behold when they reached the place they found the windows and doors closed and barred and nailed-and that was not many miles from the seat of the college.
After leaving the college he returned to Orland and was engaged in missionary labor .; and in 1845 he was ordained to the full work of the ministry-the coun- cil of ordination meeting with Jefferson church, Noble county. The same year he received a call to the pas- torate of the Wolcottville church, which he accepted, and he served the church for forty years. He also preached occasionally for the churches of Cedar Creek, Jefferson, Albion, Brimfield, Rome City, La Grange and Milford. He was one of the pioneer ministers of northeastern Indiana and was quite accustomed to preaching in log cabins and log meeting houses. The first meeting house in Wolcottville was built of logs; but it was succeeded in 1848 by a frame building. Even this at length became too small and in 1876 a brick edifice costing $6,000 was erected and dedicated During his forty years' pastorate at Wolcottville he was often called to go many miles to preach funeral
222
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
sermons; and no minister in all the region was called on to officiate at so many marriages.
His well known business ability and integrity cre- ated a large demand for his services in settling estates, and the division of property and not in a single case was there a suspicion even, of injustice in his dealings and decisions. He was married to Miss Sarah Whit- ney of Van Buren in 1844 and husband and wife la- bored together in the Master's service for many years, and when their work was done they gladly gave all they had to the building up of Franklin College; and not only their own gifts-they influenced many others to give. The Northeastern Association stands cred- ited on the college treasurer's books with $23,432. The Rev. C. H. Blanchard was a man of natural dignity, genial and engaging in manner, and his friendship was sought by not only his own brethren but also by good men of all denominations in his locality. He was a recognized leader in all moral reforms, but his main effort and hope were in the plain fearless proclama- tion of the doctrines of the gospel. He died in 1898 recognized as one of the strongest ministers in Indi- ana ; his wife followed him to the good land in 1902.
SALAMONIE ASSOCIATION-(COUNTIES OF HUNTING- TON, WELLS, ADAMS, BLACKFORD, JAY AND DELAWARE).
This Association was organized in 1840, but the first annual meeting reported was held in 1841. The fol- lowing ministers were present at the organization: the Revs. R. Tisdale, Nathaniel Richmond, G. C.
223
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
Chandler, T. C. Townsend, A. Neal and F. G. Bald- win. The Rev. Robert Tisdale was chosen moderator and R. D. Tisdale, clerk. Doubtless the spelling and grammar found in a note in the first minutes are to be credited to both clerk and printer: "All business of the Association were decide by unannamous vote."
The first anniversary was held with the Marion church, Huntington county. The Rev. R. Tisdale was again chosen moderator and the Rev. F. G. Baldwin, clerk; there were five churches in the body with a total membership of 106. The moderator was ap- pointed a delegate to the Indiana Baptist Convention, and resolutions were passed recommending the Indi- ana Bible Society, the Indiana Baptist Foreign Mis- sion Society and the Franklin Baptist Manual Labor Institute. At the fiftieth anniversary fifteen churches were reported, and 1,200 members; Bluffton church had 327 members and Muncie 141. At this jubilee anniversary the Rev. C. B. Kendall, who had for many years been a pastor in the Association read a historical paper from which many facts here given are taken. He notes that the name of the Association is taken from the river that flows through that terri- tory, and that the river takes its names from the fact that its waters were believed to be impregnated with salts of ammonia. In 1838, on the spot where now stands Montpelier was organized the first Baptist church in all that region, and the Rev. R. Tisdale the pastor was the only Baptist minister in that section of six counties. At the end of the first decade the Asso- ciation had fifteen churches; there was a gradual in-
224
INDIANA BAPTIST HISTORY.
. crease in the number till 1853 when there began to be a decline. The churches of the Association, as time went on, ordained the following ministers: the Revs.' F. G. Baldwin, C. B. Kendall, W. F. Wood, W. W. Robinson, L. C. Hoppel, J. H. Winans, B. Howard, W. Walter, A. Wilson, W. A. Stanton and C. S. Win- ans. The Association began its work in pioneer times ; people went to meeting on horse-back, in ox wagons and on foot; in the absence of bridges they crossed the swollen streams by swimming the horses. The earlier churches were supported in whole or in part by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The sal- aries of pastors were painfully small; it is recorded that the Rev. William Chaffee received $75.00 for half-time service at Hartford City, and the Rev. A. Johnson received $100.00 for half time at Bluffton. The Rev. R. Tisdale was moderator for six years, and the Rev. A. Johnson for fourteen years. For many years Bluffton church led in the number of members, but Muncie First church has had the largest number in recent years. The Indiana Baptist Annual in 1905 credits the Association with thirteen churches and two missions ; Bluffton church has 437 members, Dunkirk 213, Montpelier 158, and Muncie First 576. The lar- ger amounts given for benevolence were Bluffton $325.73, Dunkirk $133.30, and Muncie First $943.59. Salamonie Association takes commendable pride in the fact that it has sent at least two missionaries to the foreign field-Misses Adele and Julia Parrott. Miss Adele finally returned to this country, was married, and has a home in Minnesota ; Miss Julia, after return-
225
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.
ing for a while for the recuperation of her health, again took up her work in Burma.
Among the ministers of the Association who have attained to a measure of prominence are the Rev. W. A. Stanton, D. D., who is now pastor in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; the Rev. N. B. Rairden, D. D., who is general superintendent of the trans-Mississipi Division for the American Baptist Home Mission Society; the Rev. L. A. Clevenger, D. D., who is a pastor in New- ton, Mass., and the Rev. C. M. Carter, D. D., who is a recognized leader in the denominational State work, and one of the most progresive pastors in the State.
Of the more prominent business men of the Associa- tion mention should be made of at least two : George F. McFarren of the Bluffton chuch was born in Indiana in 1844, was reared on a farm, and there learned what is invaluable in business life-the virtue of self reliance. He did not have the advantage of an education-at least a liberal education-but he so im- proved the opportunities at hand that he was able to conduct a school. He took a short business course and leaving his father's farm he went to Bluffton and be- gan merchandising in a small way, and gradually worked his way up till he became proprietor of a large clothing house. He joined the Bluffton Baptist church and was baptized in the Wabash river in 1875; was made a deacon in 1894, and also served the church as trustee for more than twenty-five years. He has been often honored by his brethren by being put into offices of responsibility ; he was treasurer of the Asso- ciation several years, and was made a trustee of the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.