USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 26
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DUDLEY WILLIAMS was among the younger ministers who entered into the constitution of Red River Association, in 1807. He was at that time, a member, and most likely the pastor, of Dry Creek church, in Trigg county. He had probably gathered the church, which was constituted, in 1805, and of which he continued a member, till 1831, when he moved his membership
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to Harmony church, in Caldwell county. He was in the orga- nization of Little River Association, in 1813, and was a promi- nent actor in that body, about 25 years. He was Moderator of the Association at least six years, and, on two occasions, preached the introductory sermon before that body. When difficulties arose in some of the churches, about 1829, in regard to their members uniting with a temperance society, he and J. W. Mansfield defended the society, and the church members who united with it. This, with some other causes, produced a divi- sion of the Association, in 1833. Mr. Williams adhered to the missionary party, and warmly advocated the cause of christian benevolence. His name disappears from the associa- tional records, about 1839.
FIELDING WOLF was a native of South Carolina, and an early settler in what is now Trigg county, Ky. He was an ordained preacher when he entered into the constitution of Red River Association, in 1807. Both his natural gifts and his acquirements were meagre ; but he possessed a degree of self-confidence, and persistence that gave him no inconsiderable influence over that rather numerous class of people, who value a man according to his estimate of himself and the persistence with which he asserts it. Mr. Wolf became a member of Muddy Fork church, perhaps at its constitution, and served it as pastor, some 25 years. With his church, he entered into the constitution of Little River Association, in 1813, and, on at least two occasions, preached the introductory sermon before that body. About 1829, Stephen Ashby, an old licensed preacher, brought a charge before the church against Mr. Wolf, for preaching Daniel Parker's Two-Seeds doctrine. The diffi- culty resulted in the exclusion of Mr. Ashby, and the withdraw- al of several prominent members from the church. About 1831, Mr. Ashby died, and near the same time, Mr. Wolf moved to Pettus county, Missouri, where he died, about 1845. As far as known, his morals were unexceptionable, and he appears to have been quite active in the ministry; but the speculative character of his preaching produced discord among the brethren, and it is feared that his ministry, in Kentucky, at least did more harm than good.
JESSE Cox was born in South Carolina, about 1774. His parents being poor, he grew up quite illiterate. He obtained
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hope in Christ, in early life ; but, doubting the genuiness of his conversion, he did not unite with a church, till Nov. 2, 1802. He moved to Kentucky, and settled in Trigg county, about 1808. Here he united with Dry Creek church. He was licensed to preach, at least as early as 1827, and labored with great zeal, as a licentiate, for a number of years. He was ordained, Sep. 2, 1835. His ministry was profitable, and he baptized a consider- able number of converts. Among these were A. P. Hodges and Wm. Skinner, of Blood River church, in Calloway county, who became useful preachers. His gift was principally in exhortation, but it was used dilligently. He died in great peace, July 12 1849.
WILLIS CHAMPION was born in Edgecomb Co., N. C., Feb. 1801. He was only four years old when he was brought by his parents to Livingston Co., Ky., where he spent most of his long and useful life. His father went into the constitution of Salem church, in 1805, and he was baptized into the same or- ganization, in October 1819. He was licensed to preach, in June 1833, ordained, by J. W. Mansfield and Abel Teague, in December, 1834, and immediately called, unanimously, to the pastoral care of Salem church, of which he still remained a member. To this church he ministered 40 years. In 1840, he gathered Friendship church, between Cumberland and Tennes- see rivers. To this church, which, at the time of his death, was the largest in Little River Association, he ministered 20 years. About a year before his death, he moved to Illinois. But he soon returned to his home in Kentucky, and died, at the residence of his brother, in Livingston county, Aug. 9, 1876.
Mr. Champion's gifts were not above mediocrity ; but he was a man of undoubted piety, and his zeal was according to knowl- edge. He was five times elected Moderator of his Association, and was four times chosen to preach the introductory sermon before that body. During his ministry, he baptized 870 per- sons; and his great popularity was evinced in that he married 440 couples.
JAMES W. MANSFIELD was one of the most laborious, useful and highly esteemed ministers that ever lived in western Ken- tucky. He was born in Albemarle Co., Va., Mar. 18, 1794, but was raised principally in Orange county of that State. He was married to Mildred Clark, Nov. 18, 1813, and moved to
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Kentucky, in the Fall of 1815. He first settled near Danville, where he was baptized, in October of the following year. The same fall, he moved to Christian county, and united with Salubria Spring [now Bethel] church. In 1819, he moved to Caldwell county, where he united with New Bethel church, in what is now Lyon county, by a letter from Salubria Spring church, which recommended him as having gifts suitable to the ministry. On the 20th of May, of the following year, he was licensed to preach. In September, 1825, Donaldson church petitioned New Bethel to grant him a letter of dismission to join them, that they might ordain him to their pastorate. The request was granted, and, in April, 1827, he was ordained pastor of Donaldson church. He served this congregation, about 25 years. In January 1828, he was called to the pastoral care of New Bethel church, which, he served, one Sabbath in the month, till 1851, and two Sab- baths in the month, from that time till his death. He was soon called to two other churches, and was, most of his ministerial life, pastor of four churches. When Little River Association divided, in 1833, most of the older ministers of the body ad- hered to the Antimissionary party. This left the churches of the Association in great destitution. To remedy this evil, Mr. Mansfield regularly supplied several churches with monthly preaching on "week days," till the Lord raised up preachers to take charge of them. In 1851, he gathered a small church in Princeton, the county seat of Caldwell. To this church he min- istered during the remainder of his earthly life. He also preached to Harmony church, in the same county, from 1840, till his death, which occurred, at his residence, in Caldwell county, on Sunday, Oct. 15, 1853.
Mr. Mansfield possessed only a moderate English education, and his gifts were of a practical, rather than a brilliant character. His morals were pure, and he was devoutly consecrated to his holy calling. He labored almost without pecuniary compensa- tion ; but was earnest in his advocacy of missions, education, temperance reform, and other schemes of benevolence. He possessed quick penetration and excellent judgement. He was Moderator of Little River Association 13 years, and preached the introductory sermon before that body, on six occasions. He was eminently successful in winning souls to Christ, as he was in every good work in which he engaged.
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WILLIAM BIGHAM was a pious, zealous, and useful minister of Jesus. He united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in Caldwell county, in early life ; and was set apart to the ministry, by that fraternity, about 1822. He labored several years, first in West Tennessee, and afterwards in the southern part of Mis- souri ; but finally moved back to Kentucky, and settled in Liv- ingston county. Here he united with the Baptists, and was or- dained to the pastoral care of Dyers Hill church. In August, 1852, he was appointed missionary in the western part of Little River Association, and immediately entered this field of labor. But he was soon attacked by a malignant fever, of which he died, Sept. 23, 1852, in the 56th year of his age. He had la- bored in the ministry, with great success, about 30 years.
JOEL E. GRACE was born in South Carolina, Feb. 16, 1801. He obtained a moderate English education, and, in early life, moved to Kentucky. At the age of about 30 years, he united with Union church, and was baptized by J. W. Mansfield. Hc stated that he could not distinguish between the time he fully be- lieved in Christ, and that at which he felt called to the ministry. He very soon commenced holding prayer meetings, and exhort- ing christians to faithfulness, and sinners to repentance. The church gave him license to exercise his gift, and he was ordained to the work of the ministry, by Abel Teague and J. W. Mansfield, Sept. 19, 1835. He labored in the ministry, with faithfulness and success, about 29 years. He was pastor of several churches, during his ministry, and spent considerable time in the missionary field of Little River Association. Hc was an easy pleasant speaker, and his preaching was supported by a spotless christian character. At the time of his death, he was serving Pinkneyville and Caldwell Spring churches, being a member of the latter. He died of erysipelas, at his residence in Crittenden county, Jan. 27, 1864.
Of Mr. Grace, a contemporary says : "His natural good judgement and close discrimination, with a pleasant and easy manner of address, made him a very pleasant speaker. There were but few men in this Association, if any, who had more correct views of the doctrines of the Bible, who were more use- ful in the churches, and more beloved by all who knew him." He was clerk of Little River Association, four successive years,
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Moderator three years, and preached the introductory sermon, on two occasions.
JOHN W. KELLEY was of a Virginia family, from which sprang many useful preachers. Of these, himself, Benjamin Kelley, D. J. Kelley, J. L. Kelley and C. J. Kelly have labored among the Baptists of Kentucky. John W. Kelley was a son of James Kelley, and a nephew of Elder Benjamin Kelley, who la- bored and died in Ohio county, Ky. He was a native of Halifax county, Va., where he was raised up to the ministry, and is said to have been very successful in his holy calling. He emigrated to Kentucky, about 1833. At first he settled in the northern part of Christian county ; but soon afterwards moved to Trigg county. Soon after his settlement in Kentucky, he was called to the care of Little River and West Union churches, both in Christian county, and, it is believed, Harmony church in Cald- well county. To these congregations he ministered with much acceptance. His preaching gifts were above mediocrity, and were faithfully and wisely used. He was a warm friend to mis- sions and ministerial education, which he evinced by contribut- ing $100, to Georgetown College. His useful ministry, in Ken- tucky, was very short. He died, Aug., 17, 1840.
CLAIBOURN WILSON was born about 1809. He united with Crooked Creek church, in Crittenden county, and, after laboring some years as a licensed preacher, was ordained to the ministry by J. W. Mansfield, Joel E. Grace, and Willis Champion, March 25, 1843. He was called to the care of Crooked Creek and two other churches, which he served acceptably, during the remainder of his brief ministry. He also labored much among the destitute around him. His last sermon was preached at Piney Creek church. Immediately after the close of his dis- course, he was attacked with pneumonia so violently that he was unable to ride home, a distance of seven miles. He went to the house of a brother Crane, where he died, February 12, 1849.
THOMAS W. MATLOCK was born, about the year 1807. He united with Harmony church, in Caldwell county, in January, 1840, and was baptized by John W. Kelley. In October, 1847, he was licensed to preach. He exercised as a licensed preacher, with good success, during several years. Having been the prin- cipal instrument in gathering Blue Spring church, in Caldwell
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county, he was ordained to its pastoral care, by J. F. White and J. W. Mansfield, in December, 1852. To this church he minis- tered successfully, several years. Subsequently, he was called to the care of Princeton, Harmony and Liberty churches. But, in the midst of his useful and highly appreciated labors, his brief ministry was suddenly terminated. He died from a stroke on his forehead, by which his skull was fractured, February 16, 1866. As the mortal wound was inflicted while he was alone, in his horse lot, after dark, it could not be ascertained whether it was done by the hand of an enemy, or the kick of a mule.
WILLIAM A. McCHESNEY was born in 1812. He was baptized into the fellowship of Donaldson church, by J. W. Mansfield, in 1841. About 1843, he moved his membership to Clear Spring church, in Crittenden county, where he was licensed to preach, in 1847, and ordained by William Hall, J. W. Mansfield, Ga- briel Sisk and J. E. Grace, in 1852. He was pastor of several churches, at different periods, within the bounds of Little River and Little Bethel Associations. His gifts were not of a very high order, but he was a good man, and full of zeal and faith, and the Lord wrought a good work by him. He was called to his reward, from his home, at Shady Grove, in Crittenden coun- ty, April, 30, 1879.
G. A. PATTERSON was born in Berkley county, Va,, Jan, II, 1814. He moved to Kentucky, in early life, and, about 1840, was baptized into the fellowship of Little River church, in Christian county, The following year, he moved his member- ship to Antioch church, where he was set apart to the ministry, in 1843. He was, at different periods, pastor of the churches at Antioch, Cadiz, Shady Grove, Mount Pleasant, Blue Spring, Hurricane, Canton, Donaldson Creek, Cumberland River and Pleasant Valley, all in Trigg and adjoining counties, All these churches he "served," says a contemporary, "with that fidelity and zeal which was ever chacteristic of the man." In the latter years of his life, he devoted himself with zeal and energy to the work of a missionary, within the bounds of Little River As- sociation. His gifts and acquirements were moderate ; but they were used diligently, during a long and honorable ministry. He died at the residence of his son, J. J. Patterson, near Cadiz, in 1880.
SELDON Y. TRIMBLE was born in Logan county, Ky., Sept.
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17, 1827. At the age of about 21 years, he obtained hope in Christ, and was baptized by Thomas Felts, into the fellowship of New Hope church, in his native county. In 1850, he was licensed to preach, and immediately afterwards entered Union University, where he graduated, in 1854. In 1855, he was sent by Hopkinsville church, as a missionary within the bounds of Little River Association. In 1856, he was appointed a mission- ary to Africa, by the Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and set sail from New York for his distant field of labor, on the 19th of September of that year. He established himself at Ogbomishaw, where he labored among the benighted Africans, about one year, when the failing health of his wife (formerly Miss Mary E. Morehead) induced him to return to his native land. In 1859, he took charge of Canton and Donaldson Creek churches, in Trigg county. He was afterwards pastor of Don- aldson, New Bethel, Eddyville, Eddy Creek, Bethany and Park- ersville churches. He also labored as missionary of Little River Association, about two years. A colaborer in the ministry says of him: "Brother Trimble was a man of carnest picty and unswerving devotion to the truth ; bold in preaching, reproving and rebuking, he sometimes made enemies; but no one in our midst had stronger or more devoted friends. He was a good minister of Jesus Christ. His preaching was plain, forcible, and instructive, abounding in scripture quotations and scripture lan- guage. He was always at work." He died of pneumonia, at his residence, in Parkersville, Lyon county, Oct. 4, 1873.
COLLIN HODGE is among the oldest and most prominent min- isters of Little River Association. He was born in what is now Crittenden county, Ky. Feb., 22, 1816. He was raised on a farm and received a fair common school education. Having a strong intellect, and being fond of books, he acquired an extensive and varied reading. In his youth, he was very fond of worldly amusements. In his 25th ycar, he was converted to Christ, un- der the following circumstances: On his way to a horse race, he met the people returning from Union meeting house, where a revival meeting had just closed, and this thought occurred to him: "As we are going now, so will it be in the end." He became pungently convicted of his sins, and withdrawing a bet he had made on a horse race, turned his attention to the affairs of his soul. The next day, he went to a Methodist meeting,
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and joined the Methodist church, as a seeker. About two months afterwards, he obtained hope in Christ .. He now gave himself to a diligent study of the Bible. Finally, against his former convictions and prejudices, he became convinced of the Scripturalness of Baptist Doctrines, and united with Union church, in Crittenden county, being baptized by Joel E, Grace. He was licensed to preach, in May, 1841, and ordained, by Claibourn Wilson, Willis Champion, J. W. Collings and Joel E. Grace, in July, 1842. He lived in a field of wide destitution, in which he commenced laboring with great zeal and efficiency. In 1844, he gathered Caldwell Spring church, and became its pastor. He afterwards gathered Dyers Hill, Good Hope, Smithland and Golconda (Ill.) churches. Besides those he raised up, he has served the churches at New Bethel, Crooked Creek, Princeton, Friendship, and Paducah. He was early rec- ognized as the most attractive and eloquent preacher in his As- sociation; and, but for his extreme diffidence, might have, ere this, enjoyed a national reputation, as a pulpit orator. He has been three years Moderator of his Association, and has preached the introductory sermon, on eight occasions.
WILLIAM GREGSTON has been a useful preacher in this frater- nity about 30 years. He was born in North Carolina, in 1823, where he received a common school education. In his 2Ist year he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Crittenden county. Here he united with Crooked Creek church, in 1844, and was baptized by Claibourn Wilson. He was licensed to preach, about 1848, and, in 1852, was ordained to the care of Camp Creek church, by Wm. Hale, W. A. McChesney and R. B. Tudor. He was soon afterwards called to New Prospect church. He has since been pastor at different periods, of Livingston Creek, Piney Creek, Dollason, Clear Spring, White Sulphur Spring, New Bethel, Eddy Creek, Pleasant Grove, Harmony and Lebanon churches, all in Little River Association. He is still actively engaged in the ministry. His son, Collin Hodge Gregston, has been several years in the pastoral office, and is said to be a young preacher of excellent promise. He is located at Seven Gums in Union county.
A. W. MEACHAM has been connected with this Association about 30 years. He was born in Christian Co., Ky., Feb. 13, 1818, where he was raised on a farm, and acquired a fair English
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education. On the 10th of December, 1838, he was baptized into the fellowship of Pleasant Hill church, in his native county, by Robert Williams. By that church he was licensed to preach, May 11, 1839, and ordained by the hands of O. H. Morrow, W. S. Baldry and Robert Williams, Dec. 10, 1839. After spending some months in the work of an evangelist, he accepted a call to the church at Paducah, where he remained one year, and baptized 72 converts. He then went to Middle Tennessee, where he labored some time in the employ of the General As- sociation of Middle Tennessee and North Alabama. In 1844, he accepted a call to the church at Shelbyville, Tenn. He was afterwards pastor of the churches at Cornersville, Giles county, Mt. Lebanon, Marshal county, Antioch, Davidson county, and Lebanon Wilson county, all in Middle Tennessee. The last named church, he served three years, and baptized over 200 persons. At the close of this period, he was attacked by hem- orrhage of the lungs, which rendered him unable to labor, for about two years. Supposing that his earthly pilgrimage was drawing to a close, he moved back to his native county, to die among his kindred. But having partially recovered his health, he was called to the pastoral care of West Union church, in Christian county, in January, 1854. Since that time, he has served a number of churches in Little River Association, and has been Moderator of that body, 20 years. Although he has been a man of feeble constitution and very delicate health, dur- ing his entire ministry, few men have been more active or suc- cessful. In a letter to the author, dated June 1, 1880, he says : "I have aided in the constitution of 25 churches, and have bap- tized 4,000 persons, more than 20 of whom, to my knowledge, have engaged in the ministry." He is still actively engaged in the duties of his holy calling.
ROBERT W. MOREHEAD is a highly esteemed minister in this Association. He was born in Logan Co., Ky., April 13, 1834. He was raised up on a farm, and attended the neighbor- hood schools as opportunity was afforded. In 1849, he united with Union church, in his native county. In 1854, he entered Bethel College, where he spent two years. He was licensed to preach, in January, 1856, and entered Union University, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., the following September. Here he grad- uated, with the honors of a class of 16, in June, 1859, and re-
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ceived the degree of A. M. He was ordained to the ministry, Sept. 17, 1859, and took charge of Bethel church, in Christian county, the following January. When the civil war broke out, a large number of young men of Bethel church entered the Southern Army ; and the young pastor was induced to go with them, and look after their spiritual wants. After his return from the Army, he took the pastoral care of Cadiz church, and some others, in Trigg county. Subsequently, he moved to Princeton, in Caldwell county, and took charge of the church in that vil- lage, and of New Bethel church, in Lyon county. Recently, he resigned the charge of Princeton church, and accepted a call to Harmony church, in the same county, between which and New Bethel, he divides his time equally.
JOHN F. WHITE has been a minister in this Association more than 30 years. Most of that period, he has been pastor of Rocky Ridge church, in Trigg county. During his early minis- try, he was very active and efficient in his sacred calling, and many were added to the Lord under his labors. But unfortun- ately for the cause he advocated, he was very successful in worldly business. This gradually absorbed his time and thought and he became proportionately less active in the ministry. He has however, kept his garments unspotted from the world, and is held in high esteem by his brethren. His daughter, Ambie White (now Mrs. Tate), is widely known to the public, as the author of "Leander Hall and other writings."
T. E. RICHEY has been a minister in this fraternity a number of years. He is a native of Allen county, Ky., and was raised up on a farm. He finished his education at Bethel College, in 1856; after which he spent some years in teaching. He was in the pastoral office a short time, but has not been very active in the ministry. He is a man of great energy, and, although he has been an invalid most of his life, he has never been idle. He wields a ready pen, and is widely known as a writer on the sub- ject of temperance, of which he is an earnest and persistent advocate. He is now conducting a literary journal called the American Home.
There are a number of other valuable ministers in this Asso- ciation, the particulars of whose lives and labors have not been obtained.
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BURNING SPRING ASSOCIATION.
This fraternity, which takes its name from a spring that emits inflamable gas, in Magoffin county, is located in Morgan and the surrounding counties. It was constituted in 1814, of eleven churches, most of which were dismissed from North District Association. These churches aggregated 403 members. For a few years this Association was in harmony with the general union of Kentucky Baptists ; but it subsequently adopted the title of Regular Baptists, which it still retains. It is anti-missionary in theory, and practice, and opposes all benevolent societies. For a long time, its growth was very slow. As late as 1860, it numbered only thirteen churches, aggregating 560 members. But after the close of the Civil War, it began to increase in numbers, very rapidly, and has since been quite prosperous. In 1880, it numbered thirty-one churches, aggregating 1, 376 members. It has thirty-two ordained, and nine licensed preach- ers, and its territory extends into at least ten counties. Its preach- ers are nearly all very illiterate, and are far from agreeing in doctrine or polity. Some of its older ministers are Hypercalvin- ists ; but the younger are divided much in their views, some being inclined to Arminianism, some holding to Fuller's views of the atonement, and some teaching Parker's doctrine of the Two-Seeds. Some of them believe in making special efforts for the salvation of sinners, and go so far as to hold protracted meet- ings. This is a modern innovation in this fraternity, to which, however, it owes its recent prosperity.
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