USA > Michigan > Jackson County > Jackson > Minutes of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919 > Part 10
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The funeral services were conducted by his district superintendent, Rev. W. H. Phelps, and he was laid to rest. in the cemetery at Grand Blanc, Mich., near the home of his wife. He is survived by his father, mother, and one sister in England, and by his wife who was Miss Berneda Ried, and a one-year-old son, Alfred Reginald.
Brother Benn's life, measured by years was short, but measured by achievements, was long and an inspiration to all who knew him.
WILLIAM BENNISON BENN.
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O. J. BLACKFORD.
In the death of O. J. Blackford on Sunday Morning, Oct. 27, 1918, Michigan conference lost one of her virile, sweet-spirited, consecrated mem- bers.
Brother Blackford was born at Baldwin City, Kan., Sept. 1, 1867. Scho- lastically well trained for the work of the ministry, a splendid high school course; A. B. from Baker University, and Ph. D. from Chicago School of Science, in 1896, and a careful student of the best of books, all his life.
He is survived by Mrs Blackford. to whom he was married on Dec. 15, 1897, her maiden name being Elizabeth R. Abel; two sisters, Mrs Bert Hayes of Galesburg, Mich., and Mrs Nettie Reynolds of Oklahoma; and two brothers, Wilbur H. of Atlanta. Ill., and John W. of Seattle, Wash.
O. J. BLACKFORD.
Dr. Blackford entered Detroit Conference in 1891, being stationed at Gladstone, 1891-93; Brighton, '93-95: Carleton. '95; Carleton, '96-98; Rochester, '98-01; Vassar, '01-03; Tabernacle, Detroit, '03; St. Clair, '04-09. He then transferred to the Genesee Conference, and filled pastorates at Gowanda, Brockport, and Bath, N. Y. In the fall of 1917, he was transferred to Michigan Conference and was appointed to Haven Church, Jackson.
His pastorate at Haven church was characterized by an evangelistic
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note, a thorough organization of the church, a careful looking after all departments of the church's life and activities, a conscientious performing of the pastoral work, and a pulpit message that fitted into the day in which we live.
Brother Blackford had a rich Christian experience, a growing vision of the greatness of the Church of Jesus Christ, a tender heart, a deep conviction on the essentials for our Christian faith, and the utilizing of the faculties of his being for kingdom purposes.
No public service could be held at the church on account of the "influ- enza' ban," but a few gathered in the parsonage to look upon the face of their pastor and friend, who lay so quiet amid the many beautiful floral offerings. The services were in charge of the writer, assisted by Dr. A. R. Johns, Dr. Frederick Spence, Rev. G. S. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Shannon, of the Plymouth Congregational church, and Rev. W. P. Manning. The body was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Windsor, Canada.
Hugh Kennedy.
JOHN BRETZ.
Rev. John Bretz, pastor of our church at Freeport, died suddenly of heart failure Wednesday morning, April 2, 1919. Bro. Bretz was born in Wisconsin in 1861, and was converted in early manhood and felt his call to the ministry. A call for men in the great northwest took him to the Pacific coast, where he began his work in the Puget Sound conference about 28 years ago, and where he was ordained deacon by Bishop Newman, and elder by Bishop Andrews.
In 1903 he transferred to the Michigan Conference and was appointed to Lake City, on the Grand Traverse district, and since then he has served various charges on this and on the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids districts.
In 1893 he was married to Lititia Crawford of Peotone, Ill., who passed away in 1904, leaving three children. In 1905 he married Flora B. Thomp- son of Marshall. who, with two daughters, Ruth of Peotone, Ill., and Mrs. Etta Miller and two grandsons of Gulia, Tex., survive.
He was devoted to his ministry and loved to preach the gospel, which he did preach with more than average ability. His sermons were clear and forceful and always evangelistic and orthodox according to the standards of the fathers.
He was greatly loved at Freeport by his people and highly respected by all the citizens, which manifested itself in the closing of all places of business in the town during the hour of the funeral service, and the very large attendance of all classes at the funeral, crowding the church to its utmost capacity.
The funeral service was conducted by the district superintendent, as- sisted by Revs. John R. Gregory, I. E. Weldon, J. A. DeGraff, C. E. Hoag and J. H. Wesbrook. The body was taken to Petone, Ill., for burial.
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An upright man, a devoted man, a faithful minister of God, has fallen from our ranks. He died suddenly and unexpectedly, but he was ready for the Master's call.
J. C. Floyd.
JOHN BRETZ.
CHARLES A. BROWN.
Charles Albert Brown was born in the state of New York, Sept. 3, 1861, and moved with his parents at an early age to Montague, Mich. In 1886 he was married to Miss Addie Bettes of Montague. This was followed nine weeks later by the sorrow of her death. In 1898 he was married to Miss Mary Baker of Hope. Her training as a deaconess, added to her natural endowments, eminently fitted her for the position of a pastor's
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wife, and greatly strengthened his ministry. Three children were born to them; one rests in a little grave at Averill, while Byron, aged 12, and Florence, aged 15, with the mother, survive him.
Brother Brown joined the Michigan conference on trial in 1894, was ordained deacon in Lansing by Boshop Walden, and elder in Ionia by Bishop Fowler. He served the following pastorates: Ferry, Averill, Rosebush, Hersey, Morley, Marion, Schoolcraft and McBain.
He was a man of unusual physical energy, accustomed to hard work, and was lavish in the expenditure of his physical forces. These were un- abated until two years ago, when he met with a fearful accident in the explosion of a gasoline lamp. He never fully rallied from this and finally in March his forces collapsed. He lingered for ten weeks, and on May 16 was promoted to the church triumphant.
CHARLES A. BROWN.
His integrity was as strong as the maples of the forest. He was a good man. The tinsel and superficial had little place in his life. He had a correct estimate of values and stressed the genuine and vital. His record of twenty-five years service in the Michigan conference is among the imperishable things of Kingdom construction. and the communities where he ministered were enriched by his virile personality, strong pulpit utter- ances and faithful and sympathetic pastoral oversight. Religious awak- ening, ingathering of souls, increase in benevolences, improvement in prop- erty and a general strengthening of Zion characterized his pastorates. He
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has entered into his reward while we close up our ranks and address our- selves to our unfinished task.
C. S. Wheeler.
A. W. BUSHEE.
Albert Wesley Bushee was born in 1842, in Livingston county, N. Y. At the age of four years he was left an orphan and he drifted from the home of one relative to another until he was fifteen years old, when he was converted. This changed every outlook in life, but the family with whom he was then living objected to his religion, and again he was homeless.
He now determined to prepare himself for the ministry, but the Civil War broke out, and the next three years were spent in his country's service. Upon his discharge, he planned to enter college, but the hardships of war had so worn upon his physical nature that physicians advised him to give up study for a time, which he did, a step which was always a regret of his life; but later he spent several years in Albion College.
In 1864 he was married to Miss Isabelle Young of Chautauqua, N. Y., and five children blessed their home-one son who died in infancy, and four daughters, the youngest of whom died nineteen years ago. The three surviving him are Mrs. Bertha Johnson of Albion, Mrs Grace Slack of Pitts- burg, Pa., and Mrs Lulu M. Raine of Cleveland, O.
Brother Bushee was admitted to Michigan Conference on trial in 1883, and in full connection in 1887. His appointments were Cross Village, two years; Northport, one year; Spencer Creek, three years; Leroy, one year; Traverse City Circuit, one year; Boyne City, one year; Stittsville, one year, and Gresham, two years. He died in Jackson, Mich., February 11, 1919.
With the passing of Brother Bushee goes one of the most devout friends of Methodism, and an affectionate, loving husband and father. The one great comfort to the sorrowing family is the assurance that he is safe with our Heavenly Father, his last words being, "I'm going home."
The funeral services were held on February 14, at his late home in Jack- son in charge of the district superintendent Rev. Jacob Clancy, a friend of many years, sang "I've Sighted the Golden Gate."
Hugh Kennedy.
MARSHALL M. CALLEN.
July 20, 1919, after a Sabbath full of work and worship in which he preached with unusual power and led the congregation in singing, Dr. Callen went to the parsonage home at Marshall, Michigan, lay down to rest, and was awakened by the angel song in the morning of the Eternal Day. Since the death of Mrs. Callen, three years before, he had been lonesome. He was quite alone in the house that night. No one knows the hour of
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his going. He had announced to his congregation that he should leave next morning for Eaton Rapids. The people of Marshall supposing he had gone, did not notice any change at the parsonage. The friends at Eaton Rapids, supposing him detained by pastoral duties, did not inquire until later in the week when it was found that without struggle, save as one hand had been lifted as though answering a summons, he had gone to be with God.
Marshall M. Callen was born in Knox county, Tennessee, May 16, 1849. He had passed his 70th anniversary in life and his 42nd in membership in the Michigan Conference. He was of sturdy mountain stock, and his people were loyal adherents and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his academic training in the Methodist school at Athens, Tennessee-then known as the East Tennessee Wesleyan University. It was at this school he met Miss Helen Bosworth, a music teacher, who gave him musical training, and showed him other kindnesses, and who afterward became Mrs Callen. For forty-three years they walked together in that devotion that made her the sharer of his success, and he the constant re- cipient of devoted attention and most loyal support. Their marriage oc- curred January 1, 1873. They continued in educational work two years, then came to Greenville, Michigan, where Brother Callen had opportunity to engage in a manufacturing enterprise with a friend; but it was to the min- istry he felt his life call and he entered the regular work in the Michigan Conference in 1876, and joined in full membership in 1878. At the time of his death he was the oldest in active service in the Conference save one who joined the same year.
MARSHALL M. CALLEN.
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Dr. Callen came quickly to recognition as a conference leader. He was five times elected to the General Conference, at the head or near the head of his delegation. He was five years Conference Secretary. He served five years as district superintendent of the Kalamazoo District. His pastorates were among the larger churches of the Conference. He left his place at the head of Kalamazoo District to accept appointment at First Church, Jackson, where he had given one full term in the pastorate. Other charges were: Traverse City, Saint Joseph, Portland, Lansing, Central, Hillsdale,, Eaton Rapids, Ionia, Cadillac and Marshall. In his pastorates his strong sermons and able administration were accompanied by soulful singing for which he had gifts and passion. He knew and loved the children of his parish, but was favored with none in his home. A generous giver, he always led his congregation in liberal offerings of money for the church in its local and general work. His latest large gift being $1,000.00 for the Centenary to be credited to the church at Marshall.
For twenty-eight years he had been the president of the Michigan State Holiness Camp Ground Association located at Eaton Rapids. This great meeting was on his heart. He gave it his thought and best effort. He believed in the Wesleyanic doctrine of holiness as taught there, and wit- nessed to the experience. The Callen Memorial Tabernacle, with seating capacity of five thousand, was made possible by his generous gift in memory of Mrs. Callen, though it will now stand as a monument to them both. Their beautiful cottage on the river front has been purchased by the Association as an administration building and home for honored guests.
Dr. Callen was influential in all conference and committee meetings. He had strong convictions and could give clear utterance to them. In debate he was pungent, logical, and fearless. He commanded the attention of the General Conference, and was widely known throughout the church. He at one time received a considerable vote for the office of bishop. He had a good library, always buying the latest and best books of interest to the ministry and read them well. His papers at district meetings and elsewhere showed keen research and were listened to with great interest and profit. A brother beloved in the Conference, he will be greatly missed; possibly no one could be missed more.
The immediate relatives are: One brother, Geo. M. Callen, of Athens, Tenn., two sisters, Mrs Mattie E. Rankin, of Athens, Tenn., and Mrs. Mar- guerite Giffin, of Knoxville, Tenn., with their families and the children of a deceased sister.
The funeral service was held in the church at Marshall on Friday after- noon, July 25th, and was conducted by Dr. Hugh Kennedy. D. D. Martin, W. P. Manning, A. A. Geiger, Geo. A. Brown and A. R. Johns assisted in the service, and many Conference members were present. A brief service was held in the church at Cadillac, on Monday, July 28, Dr. C. S. Wheeler of Big Rapids in charge. He was assisted by Dr. Johnston of the Presby- terian Church, and M. D. Carrel, S. W. Large and J. W. Sheehan of the Michigan Conference. The remains rest by the side of his devoted wife in the cemetery at Cadillac. A memorial service was also held in the tabernacle at Eaton Rapids Camp Ground, Wednesday, July 30, in charge
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of W. P. Manning, at which P. J. Maveety, D. D. Martin, and Evangelist Joseph H. Smith spoke. His brother and two sisters were present at this service.
D. D. Martin.
MYRON A. DAUGHERTY.
At the time of the death of Rev. Myron A. Daugherty there were but eight older living Methodist Episcopal ministers in the denomination. He was born in Macedon Center, Wayne county, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1823. He entered the regular ministry in 1855, and became a member of this con- ference in 1857. His appointments in Michigan were White Pigeon, Mar- shall, Jackson, Albion District, and Financial Agent of Albion College. In 1875 he was transferred back to the West Texas conference, where he did heroic work building churches at Dennison, San Antonio, Austin and Waco, and a college at Odessa, which later was destroyed by fire. After his retire- ment he was transferred back to the Michigan Conference. He passed away December 17, 1918, in Denver, where he had been living for the past sixteen years. He is survived by the widow and two grandsons. The burial is at Crownhill, Denver.
THOMAS T. GEORGE.
Thomas T. George was born in upper Bodington, North Hamptonshire, England, April 17, 1830, and went to his heavenly home Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 1919.
When two years old he came with his parents to America. He was converted March 22, 1850, in Pulaski, N. Y. His call to the ministry was very definite and he was licensed to exhort in 1854. Three years later he was licensed to preach. He joined the Michigan Conference at Lansing, September 18, 1857, received deacon's orders in 1859 and his final ordination as elder in 1861. His marriage to Sophia' Warren was happy and blessed with six children, Zella, Zenas, Nella, Mell, Orlo and Bessie. Four of the children died in infancy or early childhood; Zenas, the son, also a minister, was killed by the cars, at Steele, North Dakota. He was pastor of the Methodist church at Dawson, N. D., at the time of his death, February 3, 1907. Two daughters survive him, Gladys and Marion, who reside with their mother in Grand Rapids.
Brother George was a' good preacher, a faithful pastor, loved by young and old alike, a wide reader, a manly Christian man. His appointments have been Berrien Springs, Lawrence, Coloma, Lawton, Oshtemo, Pokagon, Buchanan, Decatur, Edwardsburg, Bronson, North Adams, Colon,
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MEMOIRS 573
Lawton, Holland, Cedar Springs. Middleville, Rockford, Hart. At Rockford, June 20, 1892, his wife. Sophia, companion of his early manhood and mother of his children, died. In August. 1896, he was married to Mrs Sarah Cole Moon of Cedar Springs. The last appointment which Brother George served was Hart. The family then included Miss Genevieve Moon and Mr. George's daughter, Bessie. Following his retirement, September 14, 1899, the family moved to Cedar Springs and lived at the Moon homestead nine years until the death of Mrs. George in 1908. Following the death of his wife, Brother George made his home with his daughter, Bessie, and son-in-law, Wm. E. Webb, principal of Webb Academy in Grand Rapids. His life in this institution was a constant blessing to the family and to the students, who lovingly referred to him as "Father George." These last years of his life were sweetened and blessed by the ministrations of daugh- ter and son who, with tender solicitude anticipated his wishes and made his dreams come true.
THOMAS T. GEORGE.
During the eleven years which Brother George spent in Grand Rapids, he was very active in the affairs of Trinity Sunday School and Brotherhood, and he radiated sunshine through the whole organization. He prayed to live until the war ended and until National prohibition was achieved, and his prayers were answered.
His favorite avocation was astronomy and often he would prolong his
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study far into the night, even when advanced in years. October 25, 1918, he wrote in his diary:
"The heavens declare thy glory Lord, The universe thy night, But Brighter far thy sacred word Where Love itself's the Light."
Brother George was awarded the conference cane, the gift of Mr George Whitworth, which is held by the oldest member of the conference during. his lifetime. The whole life and ministry of this splendid man was a show- ing forth of "that inward light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," and his sweet life will be long remembered.
C. E. Hoag.
A. M. GOULD.
Rev. Amos M. Gould, D. D., died Wednesday night, July 9, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William R. Fox, Kalamazoo, Mich. Dr. Gould had been in poor health for many years, but it was not until about six weeks before his death that a general breakdown set in.
He was born in Moscow, Hillsdale county, Mich., December 29, 1845. When the lad was 11 years of age the family moved to Jackson. Here he attended the public schools and become a member of the Sunday School of the First Methodist church. He graduated from the Ira Mayhew Com- mercial College of Albion, February 17, 1866. Soon after this he was em- ployed as bookkeeper with the old law firm of Bostwick and Gould, Jackson, Mich. While in this position he was converted, and united with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, having felt his call to the ministry before making this public confession of faith.
The young man at once began preparation for his life work, and by manual labor, teaching school and preaching, he paid his own way through a seven years' course of study. He was graduated from Hillsdale College with the class of 1873, receiving the degree of B. S., and two years later the degree of M. S. He graduated from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1875. In 1895, he was honored by his alma mater, Hillsdale College, with the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Brother Gould preached his first sermon on August 16, 1869. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Thomas Bowman at the session of the Rock River conference, Oct. 11, 1874, and elder by Bishop R. S. Foster at Ionia, Sept. 14, 1879. He united with the Michigan conference on trial at Battle Creek, Sept., 1875, and was appointed to the Leroy circuit. His following appointments were Union City, where, during his pastorate, the new brick church was erected; Niles, where a new parsonage was built; First Church, Kalamazoo, which church under his leadership built and launched the Simpson Methodist church. In all these charges he served the full pastoral term. His later appointments were Ionia, Division Street church, Grand Rapids, presiding elder of Coldwater district, and First church, Coldwater.
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While serving the district and pastorate of Coldwater he suffered much from nervous exhaustion and at the end of his first year as pastor at Cold- water was so broken that he accepted a nominal appointment as pastor of the Kalamazoo circuit and moved to Kalamazoo. This was in September, 1896. After some months' rest and recuperation, although he never re- gained has full health, he arranged with the people of School District No. 6, Kalamazoo township, to hold a preaching service each Sunday in their school house. From this grew the Damon church which Dr. Gould organ- ized, built and served as pastor for fourteen years, thus rounding out thirty- five years of active and efficient ministry in the Michigan conference.
A. M. GOULD.
In the fall of 1912 Dr. Gould was so impaired in health that he felt com- pelled to give up the pastorate of the little church he loved so well, and was placed on the retired list. With his estimable wife he became a member of the congregation of the Stockbridge Avenue church, greatly beloved by his neighbors and honored by the people of the Stockbridge Avenue church.
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Though in such poor health as to be unfit for any active work, his life dur- ing the past six years has been a continual blessing. During these last six years, until his final sickness laid him low, he missed but one regular Sunday morning service and one Thursday evening prayer meeting. Dur- ing the years of his active ministry he had been a great pastor among his people, and in his retirement he was lovely and pleasant in his life and faithful unto death.
Dr. Gould was married to Miss Charlotte Newman of Evanston, Ill., in 1875. To them two children were born. One, a son, Newman Copeland Gould, died in infancy. His daughter is Mrs Carrie Gould Fox, to whose home he was taken during his last sickness and by whom, with Mrs. Gould, he was tenderly ministered unto till the end.
The funeral service was held in Kalamazoo, July 12, and was conducted by his pastor, Rev. A. T. Cartland, assisted by Rev. W. F. Kendick, D. D., President Jos. W. Mauck of Hillsdale College, Rev. M. M. Callen, D. D., Rev. Isaiah Wilson, Rev. J. C. Floyd, Rev. R. H. Bready and Rev. Joseph Peatling.
E. E. SPRAGUE.
Elmer E. Sprague was born on a' farm in the township of Keene, Ionia county, Mich., on August 6, 1861, and died at the Mercy Hospital, Cadillac, Mich., June 14, 1919.
His father's home was an old-time Methodist home and under the sacred influences of his early home he was converted at the age of fourteen years, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. At this early age he received a distinct call to the ministry, but for fourteen years did not obey.
On April 1, 1889, he entered the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection and preached in that church for eight years. Then he trans- ferred his membership back to the Methodist Episcopal Church and was admitted into the Michigan Annual Conference, in which conference he served the following charges: Crystal, one year; East Jordan, four years; Bear Lake, one year; Duplain, four years; Orange, two years; Potterville, two years; Elsie, two years; Elk Rapids, two years, and Kalkaska nearly three years. From here he was called to his higher reward. His labors in every charge were abundantly blessed and many were the souls he won for the Master.
In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Shaw, who survives him. No children were born to them. Besides his devoted wife he leaves to mourn his death two sisters, Mrs. Estella Shaw of Whitefish, Montana, and Miss Ina Sprague of Belding, Mich., and a host of dear friends.
Some time in the latter part of February or early March last he was compelled to undergo a' surgical operation from which he never fully re- covered, but continuing to decline in health and strength, went in June to Mercy Hospital at Cadillac for a second operation. Upon examination the operating surgeon of the hospital said: "Mr. Sprague, there is no chance
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