USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 49
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In 1871, in hopes of regaining his health, he removed with his family, to West Tennessee, so that he might continue his work. For a season he continued to improve. But he was seized with fever, and died in great peace, January 21, 1872, in Knoxville, Tennessee, leaving a widow and three children to the care of the church.
Mr. Russell was an acceptable and faithful preacher, and was highly esteemed by the people he served .- (From Minutes.)
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S. H. HYDE. J. MOOAR. N. ANDREWS.
SILAS H. HYDE.
Rev. Silas H. Hyde was a native of Montery, Massachusetts. He was converted and joined the Methodist church at the age of sixteen ; he graduated at the Concord Biblical Institute in 1855, and immediately commenced his ministry at Woodfords, Maine.
He was admitted, on trial, to Maine Conference, in 1857, and appointed to Gorham, Maine. His next appointment, was at Kenne- bunk.
In 1860, he was appointed to Wesley church, Bath. His health soon failed, and he was compelled to leave his work; his health continued to decline, and his labors closed in death September 8, 1861, in the thirty-second year of his age.
Mr. Hyde was a young man of superior talents. He was an able and eloquent preacher and a christian gentleman. During his last sickness he gave up, with entire resignation, the cherished objects of his affection, among them was an amiable wife and an infant child, and passed peacefully away, in confident hope of immortality .- (From Minutes.)
JOSEPH MOOAR. -
Rev. Joseph Mooar was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 17, 1812. He was converted at a camp-meeting September, 1830, and received into the church at Wilton, Maine, 1834 ; he received license to exhort in 1841, and a local preacher's license in 1848, and was admitted to Maine Conference, on trial, in 1855.
He continued in the itinerant service till 1870, when he became supernumerary, and in 1879, superannuated ; he was married June 21, 1838, to Miss Polly Dresser, who died January 21, 1842 ; he was subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth Lawrence, February 1, 1844 ; he had one son by the first marriage, and two children by the second marriage. His son, J. F. Mooar, is teacher of penmanship in the Commercial College in Boston.
NATHAN ANDREWS.
Rev. Nathan Andrews was born in Paris, Maine, July 21, 1813. He was converted January 12, 1834 ; received license to exhort in 1844, and local preacher's license in 1845. He was admitted on trial, in Maine Conference, in 1856, and continued in effective service till 1876, (21 years).
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N. D. CENTER. J. C. STROUT.
In 1877, he retired from active service in consequence of failing health.
He was married April 6, 1834, to Miss Nancy Cummings. They had five children.
NATHAN D. CENTER.
Rev. Nathan D. Center was born in Lovell, Maine, July 24, 1822. He was converted at Sweden, Maine, in 1831, and received into the church in 1852.
In 1856, he was admitted on trial, in Maine Conference and with the exception of four years, (supernumerary, superannuated and located), he continued in itinerant service till 1886, when his health broke down and his name was placed upon the list of superannuates.
Mr. Center has been twice married and has four children.
JOSEPH C. STROUT.
Rev. Joseph C. Strout was born in Cornish, Maine, 1833. He was religiously educated, and at the age of thirteen was converted.
In 1862, he removed to the eastern part of the State, and served for some time, as class-leader at Calais, with great fidelity. Being satisfied of his call to the work of the ministry, he entered the East Maine Seminary at Bucksport, where he remained one year.
In 1856, he was appointed, by the Presiding Elder of Portland District, to Maryland Ridge, in Wells.
In 1857, he was received on trial, in Maine Conference, and re-appointed to Maryland Ridge, where he labored with increasing success. He continued in the itinerant work, and in 1861, he was appointed to Shapleigh and Acton ; while there, his health failed, and he closed his labors in death, January 25, 1862.
Mr. Strout was a sincere and faithful laborer in the vineyard of the Master. Some were converted on all the charges which he served. His end was peaceful .- (From Minutes.)
JOHN COLLINS.
Rev. John Collins, son of Rev. John Collins, a Wesleyan local preacher, was born in Ireland, January 20, 1832. The family came to St. John, New Brunswick, in 1843. John was converted at Collinsville, New Brunswick, in June, 1849.
In May 1852, he came, without money or friends to aid him, to
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J. COLLINS. C. PHILBRICK. H. B. MITCHELL.
Kent's Hill, in pursuit of an education ; he was kindly taken in by Dr. Torsey, the Principal, and assisted in his efforts, and remained in the Seminary till September, 1855 ; he was licensed to preach at Kent's Hill, May 19, 1855, and traveled one year on the New Portland Circuit, under the Presiding Elder, and in 1856, he was received on trial, in Maine Conference, and continued in the itinerant service, with the exception of one year located and two years superannuated, till 1886, when he received a supernumerary relation, for the purpose of lecturing on temperance, and visiting his friends in England.
Mr. Collins is a thorougly honest and faithful minister, a radical temperance advocate, an uncompromising enemy of rum and all ungodliness. He is a rapid and animated speaker, severe in denouncing the rum traffic ; often exceedingly excited ; abounding in lively gesticulation, not always according to the rules or oratory given in the books.
His severe assaults upon the rum power, and other evils, have sometimes involved him in trouble on his charges. He is, however, a kind, generous-hearted christian minister, and highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry.
CYRUS PIIILBRICK.
Rev. Cyrus Philbrick was born in Sutton, New Hampshire, in 1812 ; he was converted in Saco, Maine, about 1838, and united with the Methodist church, becoming an active religious worker. He resided, many years in Biddeford, where he rendered good service in the church, especially in the social meetings.
In 1857, he was received on trial, in Maine Conference, and entered upon the work of the ministry with great zeal. Soon after commenc- ing his second year's pastorate at Goodwin's Mills, in 1862, he was stricken by disease which became more and more serious, till he was obliged to give up his charge. On the first of March he fell asleep in Jesus.
He was emphatically, a man of one work, and was unusually successful. There were conversions on every charge where he labored. (From Minutes.)
HEZEKIAH B. MITCHELL.
Rev. Hezekiah B. Mitchell was born in Kittery, April 8, 1837. He was converted in 1852 ; received into the church in 1856, and licensed to preachi in 1857.
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BLACKMAN. BARTLETT. NEWHALL.
He was admitted on trial, to Maine Conference in 1858, and continued in effective service till 1887.
He was married to Martha P. Morse of Gray, December 26, 1860. They have had three children, two of whom are living.
CHARLES W. BLACKMAN.
Rev. Charles W. Blackman was born in Augusta, Maine, October 19, 1829. He was converted in Lawrence, Massachusetts, October, 1851, and received into the church in that place. He was a student in the New Hampshire Conference Seminary four terms, and graduated at the Concord Biblical Institute, and was admitted on trial, to Maine Conference in 1858, and continued in effective service, till 1879, when failing health compelled him to retire from active service. Since he became a superannuate, he has resided at Kent's Hill, rendering such preaching service. as is open to him, and working with his hands to support his family.
He was married to Clara T. Prince, July 28, 1858. They have had three children, one son and two daughters.
WILLARD B. BARTLETT.
Rev. Willard B. Bartlett was born in Gorham, Maine, May 26, 1817. He was converted April, 1831, under the labors of Rev. John Lord ; he joined the Free Baptist church in 1839.
In 1854, he was received into the Methodist church and was licensed as a local preacher in 1859, and the same year was admitted on trial, in Maine Conference, and has continued in effective service till the present time, 1887. He was married to Almira B. Judkins, 1838.
JOSIAH H. NEWHALL.
Rev. Josiah H. Newhall was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1837, and was converted in 1852 ; he graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1860, and the same year was admitted on trial, to Maine Conference and appointed successively to Cornish, Brunswick, Gorham, New Hampshire, and Oxford ; two years at each place, except the last. named, from which he was transferred to the heavenly rest.
He was a good man, a devoted christian, and a faithful minister ; he was patient in sickness and resigned to the will of God .-- (Minutes.)
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BARBER. COBB. GIBSON.
GEORGE W. BARBER.
Rev. George W. Barber was born at Epping, New Hampshire, October 30, 1834 ; he was converted at Lawrence, New Hampshire, May, 1852 and received into the church the same year.
He attended the Philips Exeter Academy in 1854 and 1855, and graduated at the Coneord Biblical Institute iu 1860, and the same year was admitted on trial, to Maine Conference, and has continued in effective itinerant service to the present time (1887).
December 23, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary M. Rogers of Sandwich, New Hampshire. Their children are William H. and Nellie M. Mrs. Barber, a woman of rare excellence, after patiently enduring a distressing illuess, passed to the rest of heaven, in the winter of 1887.
Their son, William H. Barber, was admitted on trial to the Maine Conference, at the last session (1887).
GERSHOM F. COBB.
Rev. Gershom F. Cobb, son of Rev. John Cobb, was born July 16, 1833. He was converted at Baldwin and received into the church by his father who was preaeher in charge.
He entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary in 1850 and remained there most of the time for three years. He received lieense as a local preacher in 1859.
In 1860 he was admitted on trial, in Maine Conference and ordained deaeou and elder in regular course. His first appointment was at Bridgton. where he remained two years; he has continued in the effective serviee till the present time (1887).
He was married to Miss Mary Luella Lamb of Saccarappa, November 7, 1855. They have had four children.
JOHN GIBSON.
Rev. John Gibson was born in England. He was admitted to Maine Couferenee, on trial, in 1860, and has continued in effective service, in itinerant work till 1886.
In 1887, he retired from active service, on account of the feeble health of his wife.
ABEL W. POTTLE.
Rev. Abel W. Pottle was born in Salem, Maine, September 23,
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Per. A. M. Cattle
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POTTLE. LAPHAM. BALDWIN.
1834. At the age of fifteen, he was converted under the labors of Rev. N. C. Clifford, preacher in charge of the circnit.
His advantages for education were limited in his early years. At the age of sixteen, he was impressed with a conviction of duty to prepare himself for the work of the ministry ; he attended the academy at Farmington, and was two years a student at Maine Wesleyan Seminary. At a camp-meeting at East Livermore, he received a spiritual anointing for the work of the ministry, and soon afterwards received license to preach.
He graduated at the Biblical Institute at Concord, New Hampshire, 1861, and the same year was admitted on trial in Maine Conference ; he has continued in the itinerant service till the present time (1887), having served as Presiding Elder during the last four years ; he has been twice a delegate to General Conference.
He was married to Miss Eaton in 1861. They have had four children (daughters). The eldest died while a student of high standing in Waterville College.
JOHN B. LAPHAM.
Rev. John B. Lapham was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, June 7, 1832. He was converted in 1843, while a student at Providence Conference Seminary, and the next year was received into the church.
After graduating at the Wesleyan University, in 1855, he was licensed as local preacher.
In 1861, he was admitted on trial in Maine Conference, and has continued in effective itinerant work till the present time (1887).
He was married to Miss Mary D. Greenleaf, of Brunswick, Maine, May 1, 1867.
WILLIAM W. BALDWIN.
Rev. William W. Baldwin was born in Blenheim, New York, May 30, 1837. He was educated at New York Conference Seminary, Union College and Concord Biblical Institute.
He was received on trial in Maine Conference in 1862, and continued in effective service till 1865, when he was transferred to Colorado Conference, and remained eight years in Colorado and Michigan Conferences.
In 1873, he was transferred back to the Maine Conference.
In 1883, he was editor of the Maine Christian Advocate, in connection with his pastoral work.
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KIMBALL. BEAN. ADAMS. JONES.
In 1884, he was transferred to New England Conference.
He was married to Miss Carrie Thompson, of Derry, New Hampshire, August 6, 1862. Children, Foy Spencer and Levi Eston.
REUEL H. KIMBALL.
Rev. Reuel H. Kimball was born in Mercer, Maine, in 1816, and passed the early part of his life on a farm with his father, serving some time as clerk in a store, and some time learning the carpenter's trade. He was educated in the common school, High school and Seminary at Kent's Hill, He was converted while teaching school in Solon, and joined the church in Mercer ; he subsequently went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he received license as local preacher. He graduated at the Concord Biblical Institute in 1862, and the same year was received on trial in Maine Conference, and has continued in effective itinerant service to the present time (1887).
LEONARD 11. BEAN.
Rev. Leonard H. Bean was born at Pleasant Ridge, Maine, November 8, 1831. By occupation, a boot and shoe maker. He was converted at Hallowell, in 1857; received license to preach in 1858; he was admitted on trial in East Maine Conference in 1862; transferred to Maine Conference in 1875, and continued in effective service till the present time ; he has been remarkably successful, especially in church and parsonage building.
October 27, 1851, he was married to Miss S. Frances Morrill. They have had five children.
ENOS T. ADAMS.
Rev. Enos T. Adams was born in Wilton, Maine ; converted in the same town, and joined the Protestant Methodist church ; he was licensed to preach in 1855, and joined the Conference of that church in 1856.
In 1865, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was admitted to Maine Conference the same year, and has continued in effective service till the present time (1887), having served some of the most important charges in the Conference.
In 1856, he was appointed Presiding Elder of Lewiston District.
WILLIAM S. JONES.
Rev. William S. Jones was born in Bristol; England, February 14,
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P. H. HOYT. J. W. SAWYER.
1830. He was educated at the school called Queen Elizabeth's Hospital in Bristol ; he became a local preacher of the Wesleyan society in England.
In 1862, he came with his family to America, and in 1863 was admitted to Maine Conference on trial, and has continued in the itinerant work till the present time, 1887.
He is one of the prominent ministers of the Conference ; he was a delegate to the General Conference in 1880 and 1884 and is now Presiding Elder of Portland District.
PATRICK H. HOYT.
Rev. Patrick H. Hoyt was born in East Ware, New Hampshire, January 4, 1827, and was converted in 1857, under the labors of Rev, George Hoyt.
In 1862, he was licensed to preach, and in 1865 was admitted on trial in Maine Conference, and continued in the itinerant work till 1869, when he was appointed to Monmouth, where he closed his earthly labors, September 22, the same year.
He greatly loved the church of his choice, her doctrines and polity ; yet he possessed a catholic spirit and a kind heart. The Lord gave him many seals to his ministry. At the beginning, apparently, of a career of uncommon usefulness, while actively engaged in the duties of his calling, he was suddenly called away .- (From Minutes.)
JAMES W. SAWYER.
Rev. James W. Sawyer was born in Palmyra, September 16, 1838 ; converted at Pine Street Church, Portland, in 1854, and received into the church the same year; he was licensed to exhort December 10, 1861, and in 1862 he received a local preacher's license.
In 1864, he was admitted on trial in Maine Conference, and ordained deacon in 1866. His first appointment was Gray and Raymond. He continued in the itinerant work, rendering satisfactory service till 1869, when he was stationed at Maryland Ridge; while actively engaged in the enterprise of building a church in that place, he was prostrated by sickness, and died, leaving the plan so far matured that the enterprise went on.
He was a faithful and devoted young preacher, and gave promise of much usefulness.
He was married to Miss Julia A. Swett, April 11, 1864. The widow and one child were left in bereavement .- (From Minutes.)
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E. 11. MCKENNEY. C. J. CLARK.
EMERSON II. MCKENNEY.
Rev. Emerson H. McKenney was born in Durham, Maine, October 23, 1841. He was converted in 1866.
In 1867, from a conviction of duty, he offered himself to the Mainc Conference, and was admitted on trial, and continued in the itinerant work six years, when, in consequence of feeble health, he retired to the rank of supernumeraries, and in 1873 removed to Lynn, Massachusetts. After partially recovering his health, he entered the work of the ministry again, and royally served the church for a number of years ; he organized a society and built a church at Saugus, serving the. people, three years ; he supplied at Essex, and his last appointment was to Wilmington, Massachusetts, where he gathered a class and organized a society, which subsequently built a church. He died at Saugus, February 17, 1884.
Mr. McKenney was a holy man, and a successful minister. All who knew him respected him. His last siekness was severe, but the end was victorious .- (From Minutes.)
CHARLES J. CLARK.
Rev. Charles J. Clark was born in Portland, Maine, April 6, 1839. He was converted at Chestnut Street Chureh, Portland, March 12, 1858, under the labors of Rev. Henry Cox, by whom he was received into the church.
He was a student in Maine Wesleyan Seminary from December, 1858, to February, 1861 ; he received license to preach in 1861.
In 1863, he had charge of the Periodieal Department of the Methodist Book Concern, New York, which position he resigned in 1864 and engaged in business till 1869, when he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and appointed to Saeo; he continued in effective work in Maine Conference, to the present time (1887), with the exception of three years (1874-5-6), when he served as pastor of Highland Church, Boston.
He was four years Presiding Elder of Portland District; Soc- retary of the Maine Conferenee from 1877, five years ; a delegate to the General Conference in 1880 and in 1884, and one of the Secretaries of that body ; he is a member of the Book committee, and served as Secretary of that committee in 1885-6.
He was married to Miss Sophia G. Babb of Portland, January 20, 1862. They have had six ehildren. All but one are living.
Rev.
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J. E. WALKER. G. E. WILKINS.
GEORGE WINGATE.
Rev. George Wingate was born at Great Falls, New Hampshire, July 27. 1837. He was converted in 1850, and received into the church in his native place the next year.
He was licensed to exhort in 1857, and the next year received license to preach. He entered the Troy University, but left that institution in 1862, and graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1863 ; he was received on trial in Maine Conference in 1864, and at the same time was ordained deacon and continued in the itinerant work till 1869, when, on account of failing health, he took a supernumerary relation, and died December 4, the same year.
He was married to Miss M. Etta Bancroft, in Boston, August 14, 1866 .- (From Minutes.)
JOSEPH E. WALKER.
Rev. Joseph E. Walker was born in Wilton, Maine, in 1847. He was converted at the age of twenty, and licensed to preach in 1869.
In 1871. he was received on trial in Maine Conference. After three years of itinerant service, his health failed, and he took the relation of a superannuate ; his health continued to decline till he was called from his earthly labors, August 26, 1875, aged twenty-eight.
He was clear in his experience, studious in his habits, and earnest and successful in his labors. He was graciously sustained during the months of wasting consumption, and triumphant in the dying hour .- (From Minutes.)
GEORGE R. WILKINS.
Rev. George R. Wilkins was born in Wilton, Maine, in 1847. He was converted under the labors of Rev. T. P. Adams, in 1870; he joined the church at Wilton, and was soon licensed to exhort. In less than a year from his conversion, he commenced preaching ; he commenced a course of study at Maine Wesleyan Seminary, but was soon compelled to relinquish his purpose to take a collegiate course, by impaired health.
In 1873, he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and continued in itinerant work, with good success, till 1881, when his health, for some time feeble, broke down, and he died of consumption, November 14, the same year.
Mr. Wilkins had more than ordinary ability, and gave promise of
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B. F. PEASE. E. W. SIMONS.
great usefulness. He endured with much patience a protracted and painful sickness, and died in the triumph of faith.
In 1874, he was married to Miss Hattic E. Fuller, an estimable woman, and a valuable helper in his work. She is left with four small children, to the care of the church .- (From Minutes.)
BENJAMIN F. PEASE.
Rev. Benjamin F. Pease was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 1823. He was converted at the age of fourteen. For several years, he served as a local preacher in Boston and vicinity.
In 1870, he came to Maine and served as a supply at Cornish, York and Hollis.
In 1874, he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and continucd in the itinerant service till 1884. His last appointment was Industry Circuit. He removed to his charge, though in feeble health. In a few weeks, he was compelled to leave his work and return to Cornish, the home of his wife, where, in July, 1864, he passed triumphantly away from earth.
Mr. Pease was a good preacher and a faithful pastor .- (From Minutes.)
ELWIN W. SIMONS.
Rev. Elwin W. Simons was born at Pleasant Ridge, Maine, April 7, 1847. His parents moved to Stark in 1856. He attended the Eaton school in Norridgewock, and, at seventeen years of age, he became a teacher of music.
In 1872, he was married to Miss Louise Duly, of Stark.
In 1876, at the North Anson camp-meeting, Mr. Simons and wife knelt together for prayers, and were converted; he immediately began to work for the salvation of others. They soon united with the Methodist church. Rev. D. Pratt, then in charge of the circuit, called the newly converted couple into active service, in protracted meetings during the winter. As the result of these labors, about two hundred persons were converted.
Mr. Simons received a local preacher's license, and was employed by the Presiding Elder to supply Weld and Phillips Circuit, in 1878 ; he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and continued in charge of the same circuit. By great personal effort, aided by a generous collection at Conference, he succeeded in cancelling the debt upon
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E. W. SIMONS.
the church in Phillips, and infused new courage into the little society at that place. There was a revival under his labors.
The next three years, he was appointed to South Paris and Norway charge. A great amount of pastoral labor was required. The church at Norway was built during his pastorate.
In 1884, he was appointed to Berwick. The effects of excessive labor soon began to appear ; he continued to grow more feeble, till, at length, he returned to his father's house in Stark, where he died of consumption, May 23, 1885, at the age of thirty-eight.
Mr. Simons was a man of more than ordinary promise ; of goodly personal appearance, tall and well proportioned ; he had an ardent nature, an uncommon degree of energy, and was thoroughly consecrated to his work. Revivals almost constantly followed his labors ; he had in his possession the names of over five hundred persons converted under his labors, during the six years of his ministry. During his sickness, he was sustained by the faith which he had preached.
Mr. Simons' history adds another example to those of True Glidden and Henry Martin, of the premature blighting of great promise of usefulness, by excessive zeal .- (Minutes.)
The names of more recent preachers, with brief personal notices, may be found in Alphabetical List, in Appendix E.
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LOCAL PREACHERS.
CHAPTER XXIX.
JAMES LEWIS. JOHN THOMPSON. MOSES EMERY. OBED WILSON. MOSES FRENCH. HOWARD WINSLOW. STEPHEN- BENNETT. DAVID YOUNG. JAMES WILLIAMS. JAMES BUCK. JOHN E. BUXTON. JACOB MCDANIELS.
LOCAL PREACHERS.
The establishment of an order of lay or local preachers, is one of the peculiarities of Methodism. The church is indebted to the sagacity of John Wesley, who, against his strong prejudices, by the advice of his noble mother, recognized the services of this class of ministerial laborers, and established rules for their direction and encouragement. The local ministry has rendered valuable service for the church. It is still an important force, deserving honorable recognition. The few sketches given in this chapter, have been obtained with considerable difficulty ; the list should be largely extended.
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