USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism: a series of sketches and incidents grave and humorous concerning preachers and people of the West with an appendix containing personal recollections, public addresses and other miscellany > Part 30
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 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Azariah Freeman was one of the California "forty- niners." He and his family were among the earlier
482
INDIANA METHODISM,
settlers of Valparaiso. £ Brother Freeman was a noble man, and Sister Freeman was an helpmeet in- deed. They raised two daughters to be grown. The elder daughter is the wife of our respected fel- low citizen, Milan Cornell ; the younger is the wife of Brother J:D. Hollett. These daughters, with their families, all highly respected,still remain in the city, while Brother and Sister Freeman have gone to their reward in heaven.
One of the leading citizens of the county, as well as one of the most active members of the Valparaiso church was Sylvester W. Smith. He raised a large and highly respected family. Brother Smith was called to his better home above, several years ago. His widow, a devoted Christian,still survives as one of the pioneer Methodists of Valparaiso. Rev.G.M. Boyd was pastor of the Valparaiso church at the time of Brother Smith's death. He prepared a brief biography of the departed brother, in which he said, "I never knew a better man than Sylvester Smith." The writer concurs in that statement.
The cultured daughters and honored sons of Broth- er and Sister Smith have 'fallen heir to a rich heri- tage of precious memories from their devoted par- ents.
Mother Hicks, as she was usually called, must not be forgotten in this connection. She was one of the best women of Valparaiso. Honorable mention . must also be made of her accomplished daughter, Mrs. Dougall, widow of Captain Dougall, who lost his life on Lake Michigan by the sinking of a steam- er on which he had shipped as commander. Not only Mrs. Dougall, but all the children of the now
483
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
sainted Mother Hicks, have honored their parents by upright and honorable lives.
The Hon. John N. Skinner, deceased, was a re- markable man. He was probably never surpassed as a Sunday-school superintendent. He was also active as one of the founders and supporters of the Valparaiso M. & F. College. His fellow-citizens re- peatedly elected him Mayor of the city of Valparai- so. His widow,one of the best of Christian women, is an active worker in the church. She organized and still superintends what is known as the Valpa- raiso mission ; holds regular Sunday school and other weekly services ; gathers and distributes half- worn clothing, and other things needed among the poor ; is doing, to express it briefly, a grand work among a class of people rarely represented in church congregations. The sons and daughters of John N. and Joanna Skinner are taking their places among the most active, useful, and respected citi- zens of Valparaiso. One of the sons, Hubert M., is an Alumnus of DePauw University.
Another grand woman in the Valparaiso church, who has also gone to her reward, must here be nam- ed-Mrs. Emily Skinner, the mother of the Hon. DeForest Skinner. Sister Emily Skinner was a de- voted Christian woman, and highly endowed intel- lectually. She was a good writer ; as for culture and refinement she had few, if any, superiors in the city.
On Twenty Mile Prairie lived the brothers, Walk- er and William McCool, who were prominent citi- zens of Porter County and highly respected mem- bers of the Methodist church.
Brother Thomas Fifield was one of the best men
484
INDIANA METHODISM,
I have ever known. He lived near the McCools,and worshiped at what was known as the Twenty-mile Grove church. After a long and useful life, he died a few years ago at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Brother and sister Beach, and was buried from the Methodist church of Valparaiso.
Crown Point .- Here lived from 1850 to 1854 Brother Allman, a local preacher. He was a native of Yorkshire, England ; a man of deep piety, and respectable preaching talents. He died happy in the Lord. Rev. Daniel Crumpacker was also a prominent citizen of the town ; he and most of his family have gone to their final home. The elect lady, Sister Wood, one of the early settlers of Lake county, deserves honorable mention. She still lives to bless the church and all that come within the sphere of her Christian influence and example.
Solon Robinson, proprietor of the town of Crown Point, was said to be a disbeliever in the Christian religion. He determined, from the beginning, it is said, that no church or any form of religious worship, should ever be established in the town, if he could prevent it ; that he sought in every possible way, to "rule in" the wicked of all classes, and to "rule out," from settlement in his town, any and all that were disposed to favor the Christian religion. After per- suing that line of policy for some time, he became convinced that his plan was impracticable. Re- ligion or no religion he must have a town ; so, as the account goes, and it seems to be well authen- ticated, when he found that his town-building en- terprisė must inevitably fail if he persisted in his anti-religion policy, he came to a certain Methodist
485
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
preacher, the Rev. Wade Posey, who was then in charge of a circuit that included a part of Lake county, and, addressing the preacher, said : "I have tried my best to build up a town here without. churches, bibles, Sunday schools, or religion ; and, while I am as firm an unbeliever in the Christian re- ligion as I ever was, I see that the people generally like to be duped or scared about the future, clinging to the ghosts and hobgoblins of religion ; and that I will have to change my tactics or Crown Point will never grow." He then handed Brother Posey fifty dollars,saying"Here, I want you to take this, and buy a Sunday school library, and start a Sunday school. I am also ready to help you build a church, as I am satisfied I can never make a town here with- out religious people and churches." Crown Point now, 1892, has several good churches, and a large num- ber of devoted Christian people. The town is rap- idly becoming one of the handsomest little cities in Northwestern Indiana. The effects of Mr. Robin- son's skeptical teachings may, in some degree, yet remain among some of the older people, but has, it is to be hoped, but little influence upon the rising gen- eration. When all the unbelievers go hence, or be- come soundly converted to God, Crown Point will be a very desirable place to live in.
Again I must refer to Valparaiso. Not least among the many attractions of this beautiful city are its educational advantages. The city schools under the efficient superintendency of Professor Banta, are among the best in the state.
The great Northern Indiana Normal with an av- erage attendance of two thousand students, is the
486
INDIANA METHODISM.
largest college of the kind in the United States. The school is under the management of Profs. Brown and Kinsey, assisted by an able corps of teachers! Prof. Heritage, one of the finest vocalists in the country, is at the head of the music department. The school, in all its departments was never in a more prosperous condition than at the present time.
As I now come to write the last word of this volume in the eighty-second year of my age, my heart thrills with the tender recollections of the past and the glorious hopes of the future.
With fond affection I cherish the memory of my brethren in the ministry,especially those of the older life; and not forgetting my own youth, I may be per- mitted to say to my younger brethren in the lan- guage of an ancient king, "Let not him that gird- eth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." J. L. S.
Valparaiso, Ind.,
Sept. 21, 1892.
NOTICES FROM THE CHURCH PAPERS,
THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
REV. J. M.BUCKLEY, D.D., Editor .- 150 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y.
INDIANA METHODISM, by the Rev. John L.Smith, D. D., for forty years a member of the Northwest Indiana Conference, is an entertaining series of sketches and incidents, grave and humorous, con- cerning preachers and people of the West, with an appendix containing personal recollections, public addresses, and other miscellany. Dr. Smith mod- estly disclaims the title of historian,yet he has made a history of our Indiana Church from the standpoint of a personal worker in and observer of its growth. Indiana produced two Bishops, Ames and Simpson, and Dr. Smith intimates that it is quite willing and able to furnish more! To the many members of our Communion in the Northwest, and to the many friends of the aged and revered author, this book will give inspiration and instruction. It may be obtained from Dr. Smith, Valparaiso, Ind., for $1.50, by mail.
NORTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
57 Washington St. Chicago, Ill .- REV. ARTHUR EDWARDS D.D., Ed.
In accordance with the request of his conference Rev. Dr. J. L. Smith of Northwest Indiana has published his reminiscences of Indiana Methodism in a substantial volume of 450 pages. Dr. Smith's ministry covers over half a century, and is coinci- dent with the settlement of the Northwest. His personal acquaintance embraces nearly all the his- toric figures of American Methodism within that period, and the anecdotes of their and his experi- ences are as welcome reading as has appeared in
many a day. Chancellor Sims furnishes an intro- ductory note, and Dr. Frank Hardin of Rock River conference, who was converted in a revival conduct- ed by Dr. Smith, contributes reminiscences of his spiritual father. Portraits are given of the author, Bishops Ames and Simpson, Revs. R. D. Utter, S. T. Cooper, J. W. T. McMullen,J. H. Hull, C. C. Mc- Cabe, and C. N. Sims. The book, which ought to be widely circulated, will be sent to any address by Dr. Smith, who resides at Valparaiso, Ind., on re- ceipt of $1.50.
WESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
190 West Fourth St., Cincinnati, O .- REV D. H. MOORE D. D., Ed.
INDIANA METHODISM. A Series of Sketches and Incidents, Grave and Humorous, Concerning Preach- ers and People of the West. With an Appendix Containing Personal Recollections, Public Addresses, and Other Miscellany. By John L. Smith, D. D., of the Northwest Indiana Conference. Published by the Author. Valparaiso. Ind. $1.50.
John L. Smith is the Nestor of living Indiana itinerants. Fifty-five years, without transferring, he has watched the development of his- tory in his beloved Indiana, and helped to make it. In leafy grove, in the pioneer's cabin, in the assemblies of uncouth and godless men, in elegant temples, and in congregations of refinement and education, as circuit rider, stationed preacher,presiding elder, and General Confer- ence delegate, he has been equally at home. No danger ever cowed him, no august presence ever abashed him, no greatness ever eclipsed him.
Bishops Soule, Morris, Andrew, Waugh, Hamline, Janes, Ames, and Simpson-those earlier patterns of apostolic zeal and wisdom-and such noble men as Allen Wiley. Finley, James Havens, Charles Elliott, Martin Ruter, Quinn, Cartwright, are among the mighty men of God who pass in review before us, as we read the pages of this most inter- esting biography. It is an invaluable contribution to the history of Methodism. The work is well done. There is just enough Smith to enable the reader, unacquainted with the stalwart hero, to conceive his frame and fashion, his spirit and action. Its estimates of men and measures are judicial. Its loyalty to Methodism is inspiring. Its wit and humor have sufficient play to make the history coruscant. Have you read it ?
·
School the Entire Year.
Students May Enter at Any Time.
The Northern Indiana Normal School
-AND- BUSINESS INSTITUTE,
VALPARAISO, INDIANA,
Opened its 92nd Session August 30, 1892.
THE INSTITUTION NOW MORE POPULAR than ever enters upon the work of the new year under the most encouraging circumstances.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL, whatever may have been the criticisms offered, no one who has become acquainted with It has ever doubted the thoroughness of the work done In the Class-room. Specialists as Instructors have been employed for each department. The result of this Careful Work is that it now 18
The Largest Normal School in the United States.
OWING TO THIE RAPID GROWTH of the School, it has often been im- possible for the proprietors to provide just such accommodations as they desired.
THIS DIFFICULTY IS NOW OVERCOME, ample accommodations bave been provided. 300 additional sultes of rooms have been erected.
A NEW COLLEGE BUILDING
Has been erected. It was dedicated May 10th, 1892. His Excellency, GOV. IRA J. CHASE delivered the prinelpal address. It was an able effort, well worthy the dis- tinguished gentleman. HON. H. D. VORIES, State Superintendent of Public Instruction of this State, delivered a brief but very pointed address
. The bullding is a large and commodious one. The first floor is arranged especially for Science Work. The Laboratory is one of the inost thoroughly equipped found at any School. The entire second floor is used for a Chapel Hall. It Is seated with 2041 Opera Chairs, a Grand Concert Knabe Plano Is on the Rostrum. The bullding ja lighted by gas and elec- tricity, and Is licated by three large furnaces.
NEW DEPARTMENTS for the Coming Year. A COMPLETE COURSE IN PHARMACY. This is in charge of A. E. HISS, Ph. G., late instructor In the Chicago School of Pharmacy.
A COURSE IN PEDAGOGY, now very complete, will be made more extensive. A COMPLETE COURSE IN KINDERGARTEN WORK, both Theo- retical and Practical.
No new department is introduced until it can be made one In fact as well as in name.
DEPARTMENTS : Preparatory, Teachers, [Including Kin- dergarten Werk, Teacher. Clas- and Pedagogy], Collegiate, [In- einding Scientific, Classical and Select Course], Civil Engineering, Pharmacy, Special Science, Elocution, Music, Fine Art, Commer- clal, Phonography and Type- Writing, Penmanship, Telegraphic and Review.
"No other School offers, for One Taillon, Anything like as Many Subjects from which to Select.
Expenses Less Than at Any Other School.
Tuition, $10 per term. Good board and well furnished rooms, $1.70 to $1.90 per week.
Catalogue mailed Free, Address,
H. B. BROWN, Principal,
Or O. P. KINSEY, Associate Prin. CALENDAR :- FALL TERM will open Angust 30, 1892; FIRST WINTER TERM will open November S, 1892; SECOND WINTER TERM will open January 17, 1893; SPRING TERM will open March 28, 1893; SUNTIER or REVIEW TERM will open June 6, 1893.
A
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.