USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 35
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ISAIAH H. BOONE was connected with Bethel Association at its first session, and was active in its councils, about five years. His grand father, Squire Boone, was a brother of the famous Daniel Boone, the first explorer of Kentucky, and was a Baptist preacher. His father whose name also was Squire, was likewise a Baptist preacher, and was the minister of Boggs Fork church in Fayette county. Thomas Boone, a brother of Isaiah, was long the much beloved pastor of Lulbegrud church in Montgomery county, Ky., and other congregations in that vicinity.
Isaiah H. Boone was probably born in Madison county, some years previous to the beginning of the present century ; but was raised on a farm in Fayette county. He was probably set apart to the ministry at Boggs Fork; but this is not certain. As early as 1825, he was an ordained preacher in Lebanon church, in Todd county, and with it became a member of Bethel Association, the same year. The next year he became a mem- ber of Mt. Zion church in the same county, He appears to have possessed fair preaching talent, and might have attained to considerable usefulness. But he was early carried away with the teachings of Alexander Campbell, and was cut off from the Baptists, in 1830.
WILLIAM TANDY was converted to Christ under the min- istry of Jesse Brooks, at a place in Christian county, called Salubria Spring, in 1813. He, with a number of others, was baptized by Mr. Brocks for the fellowship of old West Fork church, now extinct. The next year, he, with 14 others, en- tered into the constitution of "an arm" of West Fork church, at Salubria Spring. This "arm" was recognized as an inde-
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pendent organization, in 1816, and took the name of Bethel church. Mr. Tandy was licensed to exercise his gift, soon after the constitution of "the arm," and was ordained to the minsitry, by Reuben Ross and Leonard Page, in July, 1816. The following year, he succeeded Jesse Brooks in the pastoral charge of Bethel church. To this congregation he ministered as long as his strength would permit ; and, after his health be- came so feeble that he was unable to preach, the church retained him in the pastoral office, supplying itself with the ministrations of other preachers, till the Lord called their beloved shepherd home. He passed to his final reward in 1838.
Mr. Tandy was not regarded an extraordinary preacher. But his excellent practical judgment, his fine public spirit, and his undoubted piety, gave him a high position in the confidence and affection of his brethren. He was the first minister whose death was publicly noticed by the General Association, of which he was a warm and liberal supporter, as he had been of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He was also the first preacher whose death was publicly noticed by the Bethel Association, of which he was a useful and honored member.
ROBERT RUTHERFORD was a native of Scotland, where he grew up to manhood, made his peace with God, and was in- ducted into the christian ministry. He emigrated to the United States, and, making his way to Kentucky, located with Mt. Zion church in Todd county, about the time Bethel Association was constituted. Never having married, he was able, even at that period, to devote most of his time to the active duties of the ministry. Being an educated man and a devout student of the Bible, he was a very instructive, as well as an edifying preacher. He was located in Hopkinsville, in 1833, but re- turned to Mt. Zion, in 1836, and remained there until the Lord called him home. He died, about the year 1841. Universal tradition agrees with a cotemporary who writes of Mr. Ruther- ford, in 1830, to the following purport: "In his address, he is plain and affable, and in private intercourse, is somewhat re- served and diffident. He insults no man's opinions, defames no man's character, and avoids discord as a deadly poison. Peace and quietude seem to be his native elements. He is a close student of the Bible. In his public discourses, he is lucid and interesting, His Scotch brogue, and the clear manner in which
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he illustrates his subject, attract and fix the attention of his au- dience as by a charm. As to his deportment, I can say : 'Be- hold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile.'"
WILLIAM BRISENDINE was a plain, pious preacher of mod- erate gifts. He was an ordained minister in the church at Elk- ton, in Todd county, as early as 1826. Afterwards he was as- sociated with Armageddon church. He was called to his reward, not far from 1850. Other particulars of his life are not known to the author.
RICHARD W. NIXON was born in Hanover county, N. C., May 3, 1799. In that State, he grew up to manhood, finishing his education at West Point Military Academy. In 1821, he emigrated to Tennessee, where he married Sarah C., daughter of Needham Whitfield, and settled in Haywood county. Here he engaged in merchandising, several years. In 1827, he moved to Montgomery county, Tenn. Here he professed religion, and was baptized by Reuben Ross, into the fellowship of Spring Creek church, in August, 1828. In 1830, he was licensed to preach, and, in April of the next year, was ordained to the ministry, by Reuben Ross and Robert Rutherford. He was af- terwards pastor of Spring Creek and other churches. In 1841, he was appointed missionary by the executive Board of Bethel As- sociation, to labor within the bounds of that fraternity. In this position, he labored three years, at different times, with remark- able success. At the end of the first year, he reported that he had traveled 3,023 miles, preached 268 sermons and witnessed 379 conversions. He continued his labors as pastor and mis- sionary, within the bounds of this fraternity, till 1857, when he moved to Lauderdale county, Tenn. In view of this removal, the Association, "Resolved, That in the removal of Bro. Nixon, this Association has lost one of its most useful and efficient ministers." And, "That we most heartily commend him to the christian confidence and affection of those with whom his lot has been cast." In his new field, he was laborious and suc- cessful. He was pastor, at different times, of the churches at Society Hill, Ripley, Salem, Pleasant Plains, and Fulton. He spent the last year of his life, laboring as missionary under the appointment of the West Tennessee Baptist Convention. He died of pneumonia, Mar. 4, 1871.
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THOMAS WATTS was a native of Virginia, and was born, about 1786. He moved west, in 1810, settling first in Sumner county, Tenn., but afterwards locating in Todd county, Ky. Here he was led to Christ, and united with Mt. Zion church, in 1829. Although about 43 years of age, he began to exhort his neighbors to turn to the Lord, soon after his conversion. In 1830, he was ordained to the ministry. He seems to have pos- sessed but small gifts; but he was pious and faithful, and the influence he exerted, if not extensive, was salutary. In 1842, he moved to Christian county, and united with Bethel church. He remained here only four years, when he moved to Robert- son co., Tenn., and joined Spring Creek church. Here he resided till May 13, 1860, when God took him to himself. Both the church and the Association to which he belonged passed resolutions, expressive of his piety, faithfulness and usefulness.
WILLIAM WARDER was the third son of Joseph and Esther Warder, and was born in Fauquier Co., Va., Jan. 8, 1786. He was brought up on his father's farm, and received a limited knowledge of the primary branches of an Eaglish education. In his 19th year, he came with his brother John to Barren county Ky. In the following year, he sought and obtained hope in Christ. He was not confident in the evidence of his conversion, and delayed his baptism. After remaining in the new country, about two years, he went back to Virginia, whence he immediately returned with his father's family, and they all settled about six miles east of the present site of Glas- gow, in Barren county, in 1807. In April of that year, Wil- liam and his brother Walter were baptized on the same day, in- to the fellowship of Dripping Spring church, by Robert Stock- ton. Walter began to preach almost immediately ; but William, naturally more timid, held back for a time. Meanwhile, he im- proved his education very much by teaching school and apply- ing himself to close study.
In 1809, he was licensed to preach by the church at Mt. Pisgah, in Barren county, into the constitution of which he had recently entered. His improvement in preaching was very rap- id, and, on the 24th of March, 1811, he was ordained to the ministry, by Jacob Lock, Ralph Petty and Zechariah Emerson. For about eight years after his ordination, he devoted him- self to the work of an evangelist, with great zeal and activity.
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In company with, first one and then another, of Hodgen, Vardeman, Warfield, R. T. Anderson, Philip Fall and others, he traveled and preached almost incessantly, from Franklin, Tennessee, to Maysville, Ky. There were no pratracted meet- ings in those days. "A three days meeting," was sometimes held ; but Mr. Warder and his colaborers usually preached one or two sermons at a place, and then went on to the next ap- pointment. He preached in school houses, meeting houses, , court houses and, in warm weather, at "stages" erected in the woods, but still oftener, in the cabins of the settlers. He preached at all the principal towns in Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. In going from one of these to another, he would preach almost every day and night. Immense crowds often at- tended on his preaching, and great numbers were brought trem- blingly to the cross of Christ. After his brother Walter loca- ted at Mayslick, the strong and tender affection existing be- tween these brothers induced William to visit him two or three times a year, when they would spend some weeks preaching to- gether. Sometimes they would cross the river, and make a tour into the State of Ohio. When the time came for William to return home, Walter would travel some distance with him, and then take an affectionate leave.
In 1817, William Warder and Isaac Hodgen were sent as messengers from the Kentucky Missionary Society, to the Bap- tist Triennial Convention, in Philadelphia. They made the journey on horse-back, in order that they might preach on the way. The distance was more than a thousand miles. But so much were these godly men in love with the cross, that the journey, during which they preached almost every night, seemed to them as nothing. From the Convention, they re- turned through Virginia. The effect of their preaching at Waller's, an old church in Spottsylvania county, was truly wonderful. The church was in so lifeless and hopeless a con- dition, that Absalom Waller, the pastor, was looking for a new field of labor. They preached five or six sermons. A most wonderful revival began. A few months afterwards, Mr. Wal- ler published a pamphlet, titled Drops of Mercy from a Bright Cloud, in which he stated that near six hundred had professed to obtain pardon of sin, since the visit of Warder and Hodgen.
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In 1818, Mr. Warder visited Russellville to preach a fun- eral sermon in commemoration of Mrs. Grubbs. After this, he made frequent visits to that portion of the State, sometimes ex- tending his tours as far as Hopkinsville, Clarksville, Nashville and even farther. In February, 1819, he induced Isaac Hodgen to go with him on a tour to the " lower counties." An ex- tensive revival followed their labors. Twenty-seven persons were baptized at Russellville. During the same year, he and Varde- man made a tour through these counties, and, again, their la- bors were successful at Russellville, as they were also at other points.
In the fall of 1819, Mr. Warder and several other gentle- men made an excursion to the north-western territory, and spent several weeks in the neighborhood of Council Bluff and other points on the frontier. They made the journey on horseback, and Mr. Warder preached at St. Louis and other points, where he could collect a congregation. He describes St. Louis as "a flourishing, business town of about 5,000 inhabitants," the beauty of which was much marred " by the narrowness of the streets in the centre of the town."
After his return from the north-west, Mr. Warder con- tinued his labors as an itinerant, with his accustomed activity and success. On the 8th of January, 1821, he made the follow- ing entry in his diary : "To-day, I am 35 years old-half way to three score years and ten. In my 20th year, I obtained a hope of religion, in the month of July The most of my time has been spent in the ministry, and I have reason to hope my labors have not been altogether in vain. Indeed, the Lord has blessed me altogether beyond my most sanguine expecta- tions, and has laid me under infinite obligations to bless and adore him. I grieve and am ashamed, when I look back and see the great lack of fervent piety and zeal, which marks the most of my life. Indeed, when recollection causes the whole scene to pass before me, I find much to lament, and little to rejoice in, at least, so far as it relates to myself; and were it left to my choice to recall it and pass over the same scenes again, I feel as though there would be no hesitancy in letting it pass."
In March, 1820, he was called to the pastoral care of Rus- sellville church, and soon afterwards accepted like calls to the
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churches at Glasgow and Bowling Green. The field of his la- bors now became, of necessity, more circumscribed ; but he was none the less zealous, earnest and laborious. He preached from house to house within the bounds of his pastoral charges, and still made many tours outside of his pastoral field. On the 25th of December, 1821, he was married to Margaret A., daughter of Charles Morehead of Logan county, and sister to the late Governor Charles S. Morehead. The day after his marriage, he wrote in his diary :- " I have entered the married estate under the banner of judgment and unhesitating affection, and feel all the sweet contentment arising from an assurance of meeting the approbation of our Creator, and securing my happiness."
He now settled near Russellville, where he continued to de- vote himself to his holy calling. Everything appeared to move on smoothly in his charges, until 1823, when an ominous cloud hung over the church at Russellville. William I. Morton, a re- spectable lawyer of the town, had recently joined the church. Having been raised a Pedobaptist, he believed in open com- munion, and had privately disseminated his sentiments among the brethren. Having led some of the members to embrace his views, a private caucus was held, and it was determined to pres- ent a resolution to the church, directing a petition to be sent to Red River Association, asking that body to endorse the prac- tice of open communion. Mr. Warder discovered the plot in time to prevent its success. The resolution was presented to the church, but after a spirited debate, chiefly between Mr. Morton and the pastor, the vote was taken, as to whether the resolution should lie over till next meeting. The church refused to consider it further, by so large a majority, that it was never again brought up. In the spring of 1828, Mr. Warder moved to Nashville, Tenn., and engaged with Philip S. Fall, in teach- ing school. But he was unhappy in this position, and, after re- maining there one year, returned to his farm near Russellville. He was soon called to the care of the churches at Bowling Green, Russellville and Union. With these churches, he continued to labor during the remainder of his earthly pilgrimage.
The influence of Mr. Warder, in Red River Association, was extensive and very salutary. He was poorly educated in his youth, but having a strong native intellect, and applying himself to study with great zeal, he became a good general
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scholar. He was a man of large views and practical enterprise, and devoted himself earnestly to the good of his race. When he came into the territory of Red River Association, in 1818, he found the Baptists of that region strongly Antinomian, and opposed to all benevolent enterprises. He immediately lent his energies to correcting these evils. His first move, after preaching among the people himself, was to introduce to the churches, those noble and enterprising men of God, Warfield, Hodgen, Vardeman and Walter Warder. The effect was imme- diate and powerful. The contrast between the preaching of those men, and the stupid, ignorant harangues of the Antino- mian preachers, was so striking that the more intelligent breth- ren began to discuss the matter, and the need of a better edu- cated ministry was soon felt. The Antinomian preachers claimed that every word they uttered from the pulpit was dicta- ted by the Holy spirit. They themselves, and many of their hearers believed this. Of course this superceded the need of study, on the part of the preachers. But many of the more enlightened brethren, began to doubt God's being the author of their silly sermons; and their doubts soon ripened into a posi- tive rejection of the claim. The Association had been some- what divided on these subjects, but the breach now widened rapidly. Ross, Fort, Wilson, Warfield, Warder and a few oth- ers advocated the education and support of the ministry, and the cause of missions, while a larger party opposed them with great vehemence. Meanwhile, Warder organized an " Educa- ting Society," with a view to educating young preachers. All these things widened the breach ; but a reformation was neces- sary, even if it cost a revolution. The time was rapidly ap- proaching when a separation must take place. At a meeting of Red River Association, Mr. Warder preached a sermon on the subject of missions, to an immense audience. In his intro- duction, he said :
"This subject demands a sacrifice, and I may as well be the victim as any one else." In 1825, a portion of the missionary party separated themselves from Red River, and formed Bethel Association. Mr. Warder and his charges chose to remain in the old fraternity, with the hope of reforming it. But a few years proved the fruitlessness of the effort, and they united with Bethel Association.
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About 1830, Mr. Warder was thrown from a gig, and his ankle was so crushed that he had to preach, sitting on a chair, the remainder of his life. He died of a congestive chill, Aug- ust 9, 1836. He left one son, Joseph W. Warder, who is now widely known in Kentucky, as an able, eloquent and devoted minister of the gospel.
ROBERT T. ANDERSON, son of John Anderson, a promi- nent and influential Baptist, was born in Carolina county, Va., April 9, 1792. He finished his education in the classical school of Rev. Mr. Nelson. At the age of 23 years, he was married to his cousin, Patsy Lowry, and, three years later, emigrated to Green county, Ky. In 1851, he professed religion, and was baptized by William Warder. In 1828, he moved to Adair county, and united with Mt. Gilead church, where he was soon afterwards set apart to the ministry. In 1830, he located in Russellville as a school teacher, which occupation he followed most of his life. In this profession he was preeminent, and was of incalculable benefit to the Baptists of Bethel Association, as well as others. He had a department for deaf mutes in his school, and succeeded in teaching some of this unfortunate class to articulate with more or less distinctness. He conducted schools at several different points within the bounds of Bethel Association, and usually preached to churches near his resi- dence. His first pastorate was that of Pleasant Grove church, in Logan county, to which he was called in 1830. In 1832, he was called to the care of Hopewell church, in Robertson county, Tenn., and to that of Keysburg, in Logan county, in 1834. He served these churches till 1838, when he accepted a call to the church at Hopkinsville, to which town he moved, in 1840, and took the additional charges of Olivet and West Union churches. After a few years, he resigned the care of Hopkinsville church, and accepted that of Salem. During his ministerial labors in Christian and Caldwell counties, which continued several years, he gathered Locust Grove and Pleasant Grove churches, to both of which he ministered for some time, and was pastor of the latter at the time of his death. In the winter of 1854, this church, which is in Caldwell county, enjoyed an extensive re- vival. Mr. Anderson labored excessively during the inclement season, by which he contracted a severe cold. He continued to suffer from this cause several weeks, when he was attacked
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in the right arm with neuralgia. This disease gradually moved to his head, and, locating over his right eye, ultimated in apo- plexy, of which he died, June 8, 1854.
Mr. Anderson was not a brilliant genius, but a man of strong mind, clear judgment and superior culture. He was an able, earnest preacher, was very industrious in his holy calling, and his labors were crowned with success. In addition to his pastoral services, he is said to have performed more labor among the destitute than any other preacher in Bethel Association, in his day.
S. S. MALLORY was born in North Carolina, February 13, 1801. He was brought by his parents to Robertson county, Tennessee, while he was yet a child. Here he grew up to manhood, and spent the remainder of a long and useful life. During the revival of 1827, he professed conversion and joined Little West Fork church. After serving this church as both deacon and clerk, several years, he was licensed to preach, in November, 1839, and, in February, 1841, was ordained to the ministry, by Reuben Ross, Robert Rutherford, Thomas Watts,
and R. W. Nixon. His labors were confined chiefly to the territory of Bethel Association, and his principal pastoral charges were Cross Creek and Big Rock churches. Without any especially brilliant gift, he was regarded an instructive preacher. "No man in the county, perhaps, says a cotempo- rary, "was better known or more beloved; a purer man did not live, and none have died surer of the rich reward in store for the faithful." He died of pneumonia, in Clarksville, Tennes- see, February 10, 1883.
WILLIAM S. BALDRY was born in Logan county, Ky., March 24, 1804. On arriving at manhood, he was married to Jane Hampton, August 26, 1826. This marriage was blessed with nine children, seven of whom survived their father, and were all church members. Mr. Baldry professed religion, at about the age of 30, and was baptized by Robert T. Anderson, into the fellowship of Hopewell church, in Robertson county, Tenn. Here he was ordained to the ministry in July, 1838, by Robert T. Anderson and O. H. Morrow. He soon entered the pastoral office, and in that capacity, served the churches at Hopewell, Keysburg, Allensville, Bethesda, Blue Spring and Battle Creek. He also labored as missionary of Bethel
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Association, for a short time. In 1849, he moved to Bal-
lard county, Kentucky. Here he was pastor of the churches at Mt. Zion, Newton's Creek, Lovelaceville, and Salem. After laboring faithfully, and with a good degree of success, in the ministry, about 45 years, he fell asleep in Jesus, February 5, 1883.
ELISHA VAUGHAN. Of this faithful servant of Christ, Elder
J. F. Hardwick writes: "From the best information I can gather, he was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., December 23, 1797, and was of Welsh descent, direct from the Earl of Tis- burn. He was converted in the 18th year of his age, under the preaching of Elijah Maddox, of Tennessee, who also baptized him. A short time after his baptism, he commenced the work of an evangelist, in which he continued four years. After this he took the pastoral care of churches in Sumner county. Hav- ing served these churches successfully for four years, he re- signed and moved to Wilson county. Here he spent several years, during which time he was married to Kittie Moore." About 1837, he moved to Christian county, Ky., where he spent the remainder of his life.
Mr. Vaughan was not a man of brilliant talents, but he possessed some good gifts, which were used with dilligence and success. In his public addresses, he was mild, persuasive and affectionate. In the social circle, he devoted his fine colloquial powers to the cause of religion, and he seldom failed to reach the heart of the sinner with whom he conversed. It is doubt- ful whether he accomplished most for his Master's cause, in the pulpit, or in his private intercourse with men. During his ministry, he baptized over 2,000 persons-a work which few ministers accomplish, although a man of extraordinary gifts,has occasionally baptized many more. He died in calm and peace- ful triumph, at his home in Christian county, Jan, 21, 1879, in the 83d year of his age.
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