USA > Missouri > Annals of Methodism in Missouri : containing an outline of the ministerial life of more than one thousand preachers, and sketches of more than three hundred ; also sketches of charges, churches and laymen from the beginning in 1806 to the centennial year, 1884, containing seventy-eight years of history > Part 13
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Farmington circuit was set off from Saline. Methodism had been planted here in an early day. It was one of the pre-historic places (Murphy's settlement), where Joseph Oglesby preached in 1804. Here in the house of Mrs. Murphy was taught the first Sabbath school west of the great river,
1834. 135
and William Murphy-"Billy the good"-took the first religious newspaper.
It is said. that at one time every man in the neighborhood was a member of the Methodist church but one, and he was a Baptist, yet I cannot give the dates of organizations. Alvin Rucker, L. E., has been prophet in Farmington thirty years. Cook settlement is the home of "Rough and Ready" Watts, and he has deeply impressed himself on the country. The Murphys, Smiths, Dawsons, Postons, Ashburnes, McHenrys, Taylors, Hills, etc., were Methodists. Farm- ington is now a station with a membership of nearly two hundred, while the circuit has a membership of nearly five hundred. The churches are valued at $7,000. David H. Murphy, who was found guilty of committing crime against the peace and dignity of the State of Missouri," under the Strong-Drake contrivance, because he preached the Gospel of peace to men, and by whose appeal to the Supreme Court this nefarious act was set aside, and thereby many preachers released from bonds, was licensed to preach by this circuit.
Greenville was a prominent circuit in south-east Missouri for a long time, and for many years, beginning with 1850, was at the head of the Greenville district. But the railroads have changed centers and the circuit and district have disap- peared from the list of appointments.
1834.
The Conference for this year met in Belleview valley, a camp ground half a mile west of where Caledonia now is. The name Belleview first occurs in 1815, when Merrimac circuit took that name. The valley was settled in a very early day, and most likely the church was organized there by
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CALEDONIA CIRCUIT.
Thomas Wright during the great revival on the Merrimac circuit in ISog. Here Concord Presbyterian church, the first in Missouri, was organized in IS16.
The Evans and Woods families, who were Methodists, settled there in an early day, and probably constituted the first class. The Relfs, Goodykoontzs, Ronalds, Petersons, Thomas, and other names, were among the early Methodist families. Jacob Lanius, Greene and J. O. Woods, John Thomas and N. B. Peterson were among the early preach- ers this circuit sent into the itinerant ranks. H. M Long was for a long time Bishop of Belleview. A tanner and saddler by trade, a merchant by profession and a preacher by calling and grace, he was a man of affairs, and made things move. He was a tall, lank, fair-complected, sandy-haired, blue-eyed, big-mouthed, nervous man. Had he devoted his life to the work of the ministry, he might have become a veritable Bishop. He battled with disease all his life ; was conquered a few years ago, and went home to rest. He was a grand man, a great preacher, and now enjoys his reward.
J. P. Davis was also a prominent local preacher there.
I do not know when nor where the first church was built. I suppose in or near Caledonia. The present church edifice there must have been built forty years ago. It is now valued at $3,100. The St. Louis Conference met there again in 1874. Smyrna church, half mile east of Belleview postoffice, was built in 1837. Other churches have been erected in the valley since. It is a charming valley, about sixteen miles long and eight wide, nestling in the Ozark mountains on the head waters of Big River. Going down this stream, which runs north to the Merrimac, the next early settlement was where Bonne Terre now is, and was
IS34. 137
·called Big River Settlement, afterwards Big River Mills, and later "Dixie." Here a prominent and wealthy Methodist by the name of Baker lived, whose daughter became the wife of Rev. J. H. Headlee. Also, a Mr. Evans lived there.
The church was organized in this neighborhood as early as 1825, probably earlier. About this time (1834) Brick church was built. A few years later, Stone church, in the Poston neighborhood, was erected. Here Milton Poston, one of the best of men, and a long time recording steward, lived and died. Flat River church, on Flat River, and Salem, on Three Rivers, frame churches, were built later.
La Mine circuit was divided this year, out of which came Boonville and Arrow Rock circuits. Columbia circuit first appears this year. Possibly the first classes organized by Jos. Piggott on Boonslick circuit were in Boone county. William Henderson, an octogenarian, who was raised in that county, has furnished me the facts that enable me to sketch the old Brick Chapel, now Locust Grove. The first class was organized by Jos. Piggott in the house of Rev. Reuben Hatton, in 1817. The charter members were: Reuben Hatton and wife, Reuben Hatton, Jr. and wife, Wm. Douglas and wife, Margaret Laughlin, Harriman family, McMullins family, and Finly family. Soon after, A. M. Ellington and wife joined. He served as class leader for many years. Peter McClain and wife, Abram Funk, wife and two daughters, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. McGhee, Miss Anderson and Rev. Jno. Bennett. The last as well as the first, was a useful local preacher and did much good. He was the principal instrument in building the Brick church. He died in 1843. The Brick Chapel was built in 1830 and was dedicated by
13S
COLUMBIA CIRCUIT.
Wm. Douglas. In this, the people worshipped forty years, .. and in IS70 built the present church and named it Locust Giove. This was dedicated by J. D. Vincil, in IS71. Under the ministry of Asa McMurry, in 1843, there was a great revival in which seventy persons were added to the church. This class has recommended the following persons. for license to preach: W. B. Hatton, J. W. McGhee, W. . T. Ellington, J. B. Watson, J. S. Todd, P. Phillips, and R. C. Hatton. This is a good Methodist point and many camp. meetings and revivals have been held here.
Rev. Moses U. Payne came to Boone county in an early day and wrought here in the capacity of a local preacher for many years. I did hope to procure some valuable facts from him but have failed. He lived three miles below Rocheport and in an early day there was a class in the neighborhood. I suppose this was the Genesis of the Rocheport class. Yet, Brother Payne still pays the Rocheport preacher sixty dollars a year to preach at a school house on his farm for the benefit of his old neighbors who cannot go to town. He yet holds his membership in Rocheport, though he lives in Iowa. I cannot find out when the church was first organized in Rocheport, nor who were the first mem- bers. The present church house was built in IS44, mostly by Brother Payne, to accomplish which he sold his saddle horse. The excellent parsonage was also the gift of this benevolent man. Money is a good thing for a man to have who knows how to give it to the Lord. I doubt if any other man in Missouri has given as much as M. U. Paync. J. S. M. Gray, a very useful local preacher, began his ministry in this neighborhood. C. Hartman, a local preacher, once lived here. B. F. Dimmitt, Henry Tumcy and John Bell. are prominent members there now.
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1835.
Brother McAlister, now the oldest member of the Meth- odist church in Columbia, and has for many years been a pillar there, sends me some helpful facts. He tells me that Wm. Reed and wife, Dr. George Wilcox and wife, Nathan Cutler, wife and daughter, Mrs. John Evans and daughters, were among the early members at Rocheport. He tells me that Turner R. Daniels, wife and daughter, McPherson and wife, J. R. Boyce, wife and daughter, H. G. Berry and wife, J. B. Douglass, wife and daughter, Nathan Schoolfield and wife, and M. S. Matthews and his mother were the early members in Columbia. To these I add B. McAlister and wife. Most of these good people have gone home. A few linger still to show others "The way our fathers trod."
The first church house in the town was built by two men-one a Methodist, the other a Baptist. These two churches worshipped in this house for many years in harmony and love. The first Methodist church was built during the pastorate of P. M. Pinckard in 1849 and 1850. The present church was built during the three years pastorate of J. D. Vincil, beginning in 1870, and was dedicated by Bishop Marvin. Brother McAlister sends me a list of the pastors, but they will be found in the appendix. If the church has ever licensed any person to preach, he does not report the fact to me. There are other churches in the county but I am unable to prepare sketches of them. The increase this year was 19 per cent.
1835.
The Conference for this year met at Arrow Rock camp ground, in Saline county. Arrow Rock circuit organized in IS34, and now fifty years old, has always been and is still,
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ARROW ROCK CIRCUIT.
though now reduced to two churches, one of the best charges in the Conference.
In IS15 Henry Nave crossed the Missouri river on a raft and settled in Edmondson's bottom. He was a Metho- dist. and John Scripps found him there in IS17. I suppose the first class in Saline county was organized by Scripps in ISIS. The first authentic record I have been able to get of the Arrow Rock class is that of 1831, when the members were : William Brown and wife, Miss Nancy Fretwell, Mrs. Mary Bingham, Rudolph Hawpe and wife, Joseph Patterson and wife, Benjamin Huston and wife, and Jesse and Margaret Reid. A frame church was built in 1849, and dedicated in IS50 by James Mitchell. The class recommended J. C. Thomson for license to preach. The class at Smith's chapel was organized in 1824, and was composed of Wyatt Bing- ham and wife, Adam Steele and wife, Walker Adkisson and wife, and Benjamin Brown.
The present church was erected in IS57, at a cost of $2,000. The following preachers were the product of this class : Milton and J. W. Adkisson, G. P. Smith, W. M. Bewly and D. L. Rader.
In 1837 G. WV. Bewly organized a class in old Jefferson, which was the first county seat of Saline, of which the fol- lowing persons were the members : Robert and Mary Martyr, Winston and Francis Loving, R. C., America, Charlotte B. Land, J. A. Hicks and Mary A. Wooldridge. The first church was built in 1840. Afterwards the church moved to Cambridge, and the church there was crected and dedicated by James Mitchell in 1854, at a cost of $2,000.
In 1834 or 1835 A. Millice, then on the Arrow Rock circuit, organized a class near Miami, under an elm trec.
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IS35.
" Mother Ferrell, Brother Clemens and wife, and Brother Perry and wife " were the first members. Later James Isbell and family, W. S. Brown and wife, R. R. Crusen and wife, William Eustace, Mrs. Eustace, Mrs. Music, Mrs. Martin, and others were added. Mother Ferrell was a power for good in Saline county. She went far and near to meetings, and was wonderfully gifted in prayer and exhortation. Her name is still a sweet savor there.
The first house of worship, a frame building, was located in the southern part of town. This was burned during the war. The present substantial and elegant brick was erected under the pastorate of the author of this book in 1869, and completed in 1871 at a cost of $6,500. The Southwest Mis- souri Conference met here in 1876. A year or two later Mt. Carmel class was organized. The following, taken from a class book now in the possession of R. L. Brown, was sent me by Rev. M. M. Pugh :
" The Friday preceding each quarterly meeting is set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. Pray for the prosperity of Zion and your servants. JESSE GREENE, P. E.
B. R. JOHNSON, P. C." "April, 1839.
That looks natural to an old preacher. Alas! I fear it is not so with the new.
The class then numbered twenty-one members. Their names were: William Brown, C. L. ; L. A., Adalade, M. J., R. W. and E. A. Brown ; S. P. and M. E. Irvine ; Wm. and Mary Lewis ; John, Francis and Lewis Duggins ; T. II., Elb. and Jane Harvey ; John and Sarah Gault ; Florence Paine, Lucinda Johnson (wife of B. R. Johnson), and Fanny, a colored woman.
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ARROW ROCK CIRCUIT.
The church, a good brick, was built in 1850 and dedi- cated by W. M. Prottsman.
T. R. E. Harvey has been a pillar in the church there for many years. This old circuit licensed W. J. Brown and J. B. H. Wooldridge to preach in the early days, and but recently J. N. Huggins, in addition to those given above.
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CHAPTER V.
SECTION I.
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a pathway for our God."
1836.
A class of ten was received on trial this year, and three came by transfer.
W. D. SHUMATE was junior preacher on Danville cir- cuit and discontinued in 1837. He lived, practiced medicine, and was abundantly useful as a local preacher in St. Louis county until a few years back, when he passed away.
CONDLEY SMITH, admitted this year, had traveled with J. Monroe on Richmond circuit the year before. He located in 1811, after having served the following charges: Colum- bia, Shelbyville, Bowling Green, Richmond.
SAMUEL GROVE also located in 1841. His appoint- ments were : Boonslick, Danville, Columbia, Paris, Keytes- ville.
H. K. ARMITAGE located in 1845. His fields of labor were : Osage, St. Louis circuit, Sarcoxie, Osceola, Smith's Creek, Niangau, Fredericktown, Jefferson. He was super- annuated one year.
JOHN N. MITCHELL traveled Barry and Bloomfield mis- sions and discontinued in 1838. Mr. Mitchell was a son of
CONSTANTINE F. DRYDEN.
Rev. James Mitchell, of Polk county, Missouri, and was. licensed to preach, August 5, 1836, at Cave Spring camp ground near Springfield. He married and settled in New Madrid county, where he died many years ago.
CONSTANTINE F. DRYDEN impressed himself more deeply on Missouri Methodism than any other member of this class, and, therefore deserves a more extended notice.
He was born in Washington county, Virginia, May 20, I Sog. When twenty-one he came with his parents to Mis- souri and settled in Daviess county, where he was converted and joined the Methodist church July 17, 1833. He was licensed to exhort the next year, and to preach, by the quar- terly Conference of North Grand River mission, February 21, 1835, Jesse Green, presiding elder. In 1878 he wrote the following letter to me: "In February, 1836, I left my father's in Daviess county, for Seneca mission, which lay mostly in Barry county. Barry then included what is now Barton, Jasper, Newton, MeDonald and Barry counties. I also had appointments in the Quawpaw and Seneca nations, and preached at Maysville, Arkansas. The distance around my mission was three hundred miles, which I traveled every three weeks. I was the first preacher, if I could be called one, that traveled Seneca mission. There was no plan, so I had to establish my own appointments. On my way to the mission I met Brother W. W. Redman, the presiding elder of the district, who had employed me to travel the mission, at Pleasant Hill ; also Brother Henry Clemmins, who was my guide and traveling companion through the wilderness.
"We went via Harmony mission, on the Maries des Cygnes. After leaving the Osage, we had one and a half days' travel, without a solitary house on the way. We
IS36. 145
camped during the night in a skirt of timber near the Dry Wood. Through divine mercy we reached my field of labor, and I at once entered on my work. It is needless for me to attempt to recount my discouragements. I was some three hundred miles from home and kindred, with responsibilities resting upon me that I felt unable to bear. There was no local preacher or exhorter to counsel and assist me. I went with a heavy heart, and often wept by the way. But, bless God, I was often victorious, and then rejoiced. I reported twenty-five members to Conference."
After his admission on trial he served the following charges : Bowling Green, Niangua, Green, Sarcoxic, Inde- pendence, two years, Chillicothe, Weston, Cravensville. He located in 1845. He was readmitted in ISGS, and wrought nine years more in the Master's vineyard. Took a superannuated relation in 1877, in which he was continued until his journey was completed. He reached the termina- tion thereof near Whitesboro, Texas, November 21, ISS2, at 3:30 p. m., in the seventy-fourth year of his age and the forty-eighth of his ministry.
After his location Mr. Dryden first settled in the Grand Prairie, west of Springfield ; he afterwards moved to Pleas- ant Prairie, east of Springfield, near where Marshfield now is. My first circuit (Mount Vernon) included his home in Grand Prairie-he was one of my local preachers, and did more to correct my numerous imperfections by "telling me what he saw wrong in me" than any other man. I shall never cease to be grateful therefor. He was as nearly abso- lutely correct in the use of the English language as any man whom I ever heard speak. He helped me by example, as well as precept, to correctly use my mother tongue.
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REUBEN ALDRIDGE.
As a preacher he ranked much above an average. I still have a distinct recollection of the outline of sermons I heard him preach nearly thirty-five years ago.
Yet this good and great man had one imperfection.
He was a deceiver of the people.
Many persons, when they saw him first, have said : "That little man with pug nose and squint eyes can't preach," but after hearing him said, "He deceived me."
During the war he served as chaplain of Gen. Par- sons' Brigade C. S. A., and a faithful, true and useful one he was. Had he never located he would have taken high rank as a leader in Israel.
Mr. Dryden was married by Rev. T. T. Ashby, Sep- tember 17, 1838, to Miss Rebecca C. Burford, who proved to be a faithful helpmeet to him through life, and now waits in widowhood the coming of her Lord. She was a most affectionate mother to me when I was her boy preacher.
REUBEN ALDRIDGE traveled Monticello, Peoria mission, Grand River, Chillicothe, Spring River, Bloomington, two years, Paris and Savannah circuits His name disappears in I845.
JAMES L. FORSYTHE received the following appoint- ments in Missouri: Paris, Columbia, Keytesville, St. Charles, St. Louis African charge, two years, Danville, Lexington Station. In 1844 he was transferred to the Mis- sissippi Conference, where he has continued ever since, in charge of circuits, stations and districts. So far as I have traced him, he has never been located nor superannuated. He has been continuously effective longer than any other
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IS36.
man that was ever received into the Missouri Conference, and longer than any one who ever was a member of it, except A. Monroe and D. R. McAnally.
Of the fifty-two preachers that received appointments with him in 1836, only three besides himself-Patterson, Stateler and Berryman-are living. Of the 106 who wel- comed him to the Mississippi Conference in 1844, only ten still have their names upon its roll, four of whom are super- annuated. The above facts show that Mr. Forsythe is a remarkable man.
Under his ministry, while on the St. Charles circuit, E. M. Marvin was led to the Saviour, who ever after regarded him as his spiritual father.
P. S. Since the above was written this good man has been called home. After a continued unbroken ministry in the effective itinerant ranks for fifty-one years, and an earthly pilgrimage of seventy-one years, fifty-seven a church member, he fell on sleep at Madison, Mississippi, Septem- ber 17, ISS7.
GREEN WOODS was born February 27, 1814, and grew to man's estate in the Belleview valley, where he was con- verted, joined the church, and was licensed to preach. After his admission on trial he traveled two years as junior on Farmington circuit, and discontinued in 183S. His name next appears in the class of IS43. From this till 1862 he was a faithful itinerant. At the time of his death (June 9, 1862) he was the presiding elder of Steelville district. In person Mr. Woods was tall and angular, had a fine head, beautiful eyes and a large mouth.
As a preacher he was above the average. He was also a good writer and wrote for the St. Louis Advocate
RICHARD ALLEN.
over the nom de plume of "Forest June." I was interested in the articles and inquired of him one day (he was at the time my presiding elder) if he could tell me who Forest June was. His reply was : "A Forest in June is a Green Woods."
His death was tragical. He was taken from his home and family in Dent county by United States soldiers and murdered for no other reason than that he was a Southern Methodist preacher. The dastardly deed was perpetrated on Monday after he had preached on Sunday, and his body was not found till the next Monday. Green Woods will wear a martyr's crown.
EDWARD ALLEN traveled four years and located in 1840. His appointments were : West Prairie, Ripley, Bloomfield, Cape Girardeau.
The name of Seth Mayhew appears this year on Green- ville circuit, then disappears.
SILAS COMFORT was admitted on trial by the Genesee Con- ference in 1826, and without being transferred was a member of the Oneida and Black River Conferences. From the last he was transferred to the Missouri Conference in 1836, where he spent five years, and was transferred back to the Oneida. His appointments here were: St. Louis district, two years, St. Louis city, St. Charles, two years. After his return to the east Mr. Comfort continued on circuits and districts as long as I can trace him. He ranked well among the strong men of the church.
THOMAS B. RUBLE entered the Pittsburg Conference in 1835, and came to Missouri in 1836. He wrought six years in Missouri and ten in the Indian country, and disappears in 1860.
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IS37.
His fields of labor in Missouri were : Livingston circuit, Platte, Keytesville, Richmond, Nodaway, Warsaw.
1837.
JAMES REED traveled Keytesville circuit this year, and located in IS38.
Thomas D. Clanton traveled Livinsgton, Smith's Ceeek, Bloomington, Plattsburg, and located in iS41. I have been informed that he is still living in California.
JAMES G. T. DUNLAVY, the very embodiment of elo- quence, for nine years attracted large congregations by his oratory, but, failing to "keep his body under subjection," he "became a castaway." He was expelled in 1847. He served the following charges : Ste. Genevieve, Fredericktown, Cape Girardeau, two years, New Madrid, two years, Independence, Osage, Osceola.
EDWIN ROBERSON was born in Tennessee December 17, ISIO. The family, consisting of a widow with seven sons and seven daughters and several sons and daughters-in- law, came to Missouri in 1831, and settied ten miles north of Springfield, in what has ever since been known as Rober- son's Prairie.
Edwin was recommended by the Ebenezer class as a suitable person to be licensed to preach, and on the 29th day of July, IS37, the quarterly Conference of Green circuit, held at Ebenezer meeting house, gave him license and rec- ommended him to the annual Conference for admission on trial. He was admitted and returned to Green circuit as junior preacher with M. B. Evans. He received twenty- eight appointments, seventeen to circuits and eleven to dis- triets, without a break in his itinerant life.
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EDWIN ROBERSON.
His appointments were : Green, Neangeau, Newton, Greenville, Plattsburg, Gallatin, Savannah, Richmond, Cravensville (see appendix).
The minutes of 1865 contain the following memoir: "Edwin Roberson, for many years a presiding elder and 'captain of the hosts' of our Israel in Missouri, fell by the hand of military ruffianism. He was shot from his horse while quietly riding along the highway, simply because he was . a Southern Methodist preacher. A good man and true, we mourn his tragic end and pray for his cruel murderer."
On the 26th of November, 1864, he left his home, two miles south of Fayette (he was in charge of Fayette circuit) to go to Chillicothe. While engaged in conversation with some gentlemen in front of Moore's hotel, in Old Chariton, Captain Meredith, with a squad of soldiers, rode up and accosted him thus :
"Who and what are you?"
"My name is Roberson, and I am a Methodist preacher."
Captain : "A Southern Methodist preacher?" "Yes, sir."
"That, sir, is enough to damn you," responded the mean man of the sword, "and deliberately took out his revolver and fired four shots into his head and chest." Then, after giving orders that no one should touch his dead body, rode away. Some ladies took rails and built a pen around the corpse. The next morning his body was taken to Glasgow, his wife notified of the sad event, and on the following day his remains were taken to Fayette and deposited in the cem- etery, there to await the resurrection of the just. While resting in the basement of the Christian church in Glasgow,
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1837.
many of the militia went to see the murdered man. Some turned away with sad faces, and one remarked, "He was a good man. I have heard him preach a hundred times." Some would say to their comrades, "Come, let's go; it is only a dead rebel. I wish all were in the same fix."
"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried, with a loud voice, saying, 'How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?' "
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