USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 64
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At the meeting of 1860, which was held at Bloomfield in Stoddard county, there were messengers present from the following churches : Providence, Bloomfield, Gravel Hill, Bethany, Mount Pleasant, Grand Prairie, Kennett, Bethlehem, Pleasant Valley, Pales- tine, Shiloh, Oak Grove, Mount Union, White Oak Grove, New Hope, Duck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Ebenezer, Point Pleasant, Friendship, Union, Concord and Casterville. There were 125 baptisms reported for the previous year and a total membership of 962.
The ministers belonging to the association were R. P. Paramore, Samuel Walker, Ed- ward Allen, F. W. Miller, W. B. Howell, A. E. Watson, W. W. Whayne, William Macom, James H. Floyd, Lewis L. Stevens, John Mil- ler, and Jonathan Snider.
In 1881 a meeting was held at Bloomfield at which time R. P. Owen was moderator and C. B. Crumb was clerk. At that time the ministers of the association were David Lewis, B. F. Bibb, W. H. Dial, T. B. Turnbaugh, R. H. Douglass, T. Hoben, M. B. Baird, L. D. Cagle, J. J. Wester, J. H. D. Carlin, and M. J. Whitaker.
The following synopsis of the first forty- four meetings is taken from the minutes of 1880: 1st. Anniversary held at Greenville Sept. 3rd, 4th and 5th, 1836. First sermon by Bro. McElmurry. Wm. Street, moderator, and Wm. W. Settle, clerk. 8 churches and 228 members.
2nd. Anniversary held with Columbia church Randolph county, Ark., Sept. 30th, 1837. First sermon by Bro. McElmurry. Wm. Street, moderator, Wm. W. Settle, clerk. 9 churches, 252 members.
3rd. Anniversary held at } Providence church, Stoddard county, Mo., Oct. 27th, 28th and 29th, 1838. Wm. Street, moderator, and Wm. W. Settle, clerk. Churches 10, members 287.
4th. Anniversary held at Mt. Pleasant church, Wayne county, Mo., Sept. 7th, 8th and 9th, 1839. First sermon by Bro. MeElmurry. H. McElmurry, moderator, Elisha Landers, clerk. Churches 11, members 312.
5th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Wayne county, Mo., Sept. 12th, 13th, and 14th, 1840. First sermon by Bro. MeEl- murry, E. Rhewbottom, moderator, and E. Landers, clerk. Churches 12, members 320.
6th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Wayne county, Mo., Sept. 11th, 12th and 13th, 1841. First sermon by Bro. W. W. Settle, W. W. Settle, moderator, Elisha Land- ers, clerk. Churches 13, members 357.
7th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Sept. 10th, 1842. First sermon by Wm. Macom. Elisha Spiva, moderator and Elisha Landers, clerk. Churches 12, and 322 members.
8th. Anniversary held with Black River church Sept. 9th, 10th and 11th, 1843. First sermon by Bro. B. Clark, M. A. Short, moder- ator, Elisha Landers, clerk. Churches 11, members 625.
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9th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Sept. 7th, 8th and 9th, 1844. First sermon by Bro. Wm. B. Kere, Wm. B. Gra- ham, moderator, Pinckney Graham, clerk. Churches 15, members 694.
10th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Sept. 12th, 13th and 14th, 1845. First sermon by Bro. N. G. Ferguson. A. A. Shorter, moderator, Pinckney Graham, clerk. Churches 21, members 345.
11th. Anniversary held with Black River church, Sept. 11th, 12th and 13th, 1846. First sermon by N. G. Ferguson. David Pruit, mod- erator, Solomon Kitrell, clerk. Churches 23, members 798.
12th. Anniversary held with Mars Hill church, Wayne county, Mo., Oct. 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 1847. First sermon by Bro. N. G. Fergu- son, Carter J. Graham, moderator, E. Landers, clerk. Churches 21, members 957.
13th. Anniversary held with Mars Hill church, Sept. 29th and 30th, 1848. First ser- mon by E. Landers. Carter T. Graham, mod- erator, and Elisha Landers, clerk. Churches 20, members 1,162.
14th. Anniversary held with Mars Hill church Oet. 6th, 7th and 8th, 1849. First ser- mon by R. P. Paramore. R. P. Paramore, moderator, and Pinckney Graham, clerk. Churches 22, members 1,227.
15th. Anniversary held with Cedar Creek church Wayne county, Mo., Ang. 31st and Sept. 1st, and 2nd, 1850. First sermon by Win. W. Settle. R. P. Paramore, moderator, Pinckney Graham, clerk. Churches 24, mem- bers 1,079. At this session twelve churches were dismissed to form St. Francis Associa- tion, which they did October, 1850.
16th. Anniversary held with Stoddard (now Bloomfield) church Sept. 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, 1851. First sermon by Martin Epps. R. P. Paramore, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 11, members 634.
17th. Anniversary held with Cane Creek church September 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 1852. First sermon by Sanders Walker, Sanders Walker, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 12, members 595.
18th. Anniversary held with Union church Randolph county, Arkansas, Sept. 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, 1853, on the plantation of Deacon Duckworth who died a few weeks before the meeting, but left ample arrangements for the attendants. First sermon by R. P. Paramore. R. P. Paramore, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 12, members 592.
19th. Anniversary held with Antioch church, Butler county, Mo., Sept. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 1854. First sermon by Martin Epps, R. P. Paramore, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 16, members 793.
20th. Anniversary held with Bloomfield church Aug. 31st and Sept. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1855. First sermon by Martin Epps, Martin Epps, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 15, members 922.
21st. Anniversary held with Kennett church Dunklin county, Mo., Sept. 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, 1856. First sermon by Mathew J. Reed, S. Walker, moderator, Given Owen, clerk. Churches 16, members 938.
22nd. Anniversary held with Bloomfield church Sept. 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, 1857. First sermon by R. P. Paramore, R. P. Paramore, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 18, members 1,095.
Cane Creek, Black River, Antioch, Mars Hill and New Hope churches were dismissed to form Cane Creek Association.
23rd. Anniversary held with New Liberty church, New Madrid county, Mo., Sept. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 1858. First preacher, S. Walker, S. Walker, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 16, members 797.
24th. Anniversary held with Oak Grove
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churches, Sept, 2nd, 1859. Introductory ser- mon by R. P. Paramore, S. Walker, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 20, members 825.
25th. Anniversary held with Bloomfield church August 31st, 1860. Introductory ser- mon by S. Walker, S. Walker, moderator, R. P. Owen, clerk. Churches 23, members 963.
26th. Anniversary was held with Palestine church but on account of the war only two or three churches were represented. No minutes of session obtained.
27th. For 1862, and 28th for 1863, and 29th for 1864, and 30th for 1865 prevented by war.
31st. Anniversary held with Palestine church Sept. 14th, 1866. Introductory sermon by L. L. Stevens, L. L. Stevens, moderator, J. B. Rese, clerk ; only 4 churches represented.
32nd. Anniversary held with Oak Grove church Sept. 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th, 1867. Introductory sermon by James E. Floyd, L. L. Stevens moderator, Given Owen, clerk. Churches 18, members 946.
33rd. Anniversary held with Liberty church Sept. 18th, 19th and 20th, 1868. In- troductory sermon by L. L. Stevens, L. L. Stevens, moderator, M. V. Baird, clerk. Churches 27, members 1,313.
34th. Anniversary held with Bethany church Sept. 24th, 25th and 26th, 1869. In- troductory sermon by L. L. Stevens, L. L. Stevens, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 27, members 1,360.
35th. Anniversary held with Oak Grove church Sept. 16th, 17th and 18th, 1870. In- troductory sermon by L. L. Stevens, L. L. Stevens, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk Churches 30, members 1,726.
36th. Anniversary held with Shady Grove church Sept. 15th, 16th and 17th, 1871. In- troductory sermon by L. L. Stevens, L. L.
Stevens, moderator, M. V. Baird, clerk. Churches 30, members 1,628.
37th. Anniversary held with Land Mark church. Minutes lost.
38th. Anniversary held with Oak Grove church Sept. 12th, 14th, and 15th, 1873. In- troductory sermon by Tilford Hogan, David Lewis, moderator, M. V. Baird, clerk. Churches 25, members 1,434.
39th. Anniversary held with Palestine church Oct. 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 1874. Introduc. tory sermon by M. V. Baird, David Lewis, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 26, members 1,354.
40th. Anniversary held with Little Vine church Sept. 24th, 25th and 26th, 1875. In- troductory sermon by David Lewis, David Lewis, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 27, members 1,252.
41st. Anniversary held with Bloomfield church Sept. 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 1876. In- troductory sermon by J. H. D. Carlin, R. P. Owen, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 24, members 1,294.
42nd. Anniversary held with Oak Grove church July 20th, 21st and 22nd, 1877. Intro- ductory sermon by J. H. D. Carlin, M. V. Baird, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 24, members 1,257.
43rd. Anniversary held with Shady Grove church July 27th, 28th and 29th, 1878. In- troductory sermon by David Lewis, David Lewis, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 18, members 959.
44th. Anniversary held with Antioch church July 26th, 27th and 28th, 1879. In- troductory sermon by J. H. D. 'Carlin ; David Lewis, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 18, members 649.
45th. Anniversary held with Four Mile church July 23rd, 24th and 25th, 1880. In-
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troductory sermon by M. J. Whitaker, M. V. Baird, moderator, C. B. Crumb, clerk. Churches 22, members 923.
The meeting in 1885 was held at Oak Grove church in Dunklin county. Eld. R. H. Doug- lass was moderator and C. B. Crumb, clerk. There were 25 churches represented and the total membership was 1,018. The introduc- tory sermon was preached by Rev. S. M. Brown.
The fifty-first annual meeting was held at Philadelphia church in Stoddard county in 1886. Eld. R. H. Douglass was moderator, and R. P. Owen, clerk. The introductory ser- mon was preached by the moderator. Eighteen churches reported 978 members.
About 1890 the association was divided, the churches in Stoddard county organizing the Stoddard county association and those in Dunklin county retaining the original organ- ization and name.
Among the older churches of this associa- tion are Bloomfield, organized in 1846; Oak Grove, in 1858; Liberty, 1866; Shady Grove, 1866; Four Mile, 1866; Kennett and Cotton Plant.
This association is now confined to Dunklin county. In 1910 there were 24 churches in organization with a total membership of 2,449. The churches were : Bible Grove, 76; Caruth, 75; Cardwell, 202; Campbell, 144; Clarkton, 208; Friendship, -; Gideon, 17; Holly Grove, 66; Holly, 36; Holcomb, 90; Hornersville, 276; Kennett, 289; Little Vine, -; Lulu, 98; Malden, 119; New Prospect, 74; Oak Grove -; Octa, 97; Palestine, 115; Parma, 80; Senath, 148; Shady Grove, 82; Stanfield, 73; Varner River, 91.
The man, who more than any other per- haps, contributed to the prosperity of the Baptist church in this association was Elder J. H. Floyd, who was a native of Clark county,
Missouri, born in 1832. Together with his fa- ther's family he came to Dunklin county about 1850 and began the work of preach- ing in 1858 continuing in the ministry there, with the exception of one year, until his death in 1874. IIe was a man of very great energy and not only preached continually, having charge usually of three or four churches, but also supported himself by farming. Doubt- less to his labors is due more than to that of any other man the growth which the church experienced in those years.
Another of the early ministry was John W. Brown, who died in August, 1868, after hav- ing spent a number of years in the work of the church.
Still another one was L. L. Stephens, who served for a number of times as moderator of the association and also as missionary. He died in 1874.
Among the ministers who contributed very greatly to the success of the churches in this association were M. V. Baird, M. J. Whittaker, R. H. Douglass, and J. N. Richardson. Eld. Richardson came to the association from Ar- kansas though a Tennessean by birth. He was a careful student, an original thinker, and a powerful and pleasing speaker.
One of the influential citizens of Dunklin county is and has been for a number of years Rev. Martin V. Baird, who was born in Wil- son county, Tennessee, June 7, 1837. He came with his father's family to Missouri in 1860; he had received a good education before com- ing to Missouri and after living for a time in Dunklin county he was licensed as a minister of the Baptist church and began his active work in 1870; from that time until the pres- ent he has been one of the foremost ministers of that denomination in that county. At one time or another he has been pastor of prac- tically every Baptist church in the county,
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and his influence for good has been strong in every community. In addition to his work as a minister, which has given him a wide ac- quaintance, he has been a successful farmer and owns a large and well improved farm. In 1860 he was married to Ollie B. Hopper ; to them were born two sons, Walter B. and Thomas J. Both these young men were edu- cated at the Normal School at Cape Girar- deau ; both became influential teachers in their county and both met early an untimely death.
Rev. Mr. Whittaker was a self-made man, an earnest, devoted minister, possessing a most commendable influence in his community. He was a native of Kentucky, born in 1832. He was for a time a teacher before coming to Mis- souri. In 1854 he removed to Dunklin county and in 1874 was ordained as minister of the Baptist church. He served as pastor of a number of churches in his home county. He was also a farmer and nurseryman. He served in the Confederate army for a time and was present at one of the skirmishes at Bloom- field.
Rev. R. H. Douglass was a member of one of the pioneer families of Dunklin county. He was a native of Kentucky, born in 1839. He came with his parents to Dunklin county in 1850. He received the school training com- mon to pioneer countries such as Dunklin county then was. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted and served until its close. He was a member of the famous cavalry regiment, the Second Missouri, and participated in all its great battles and marches.
After the war he returned to the farm and won for himself a competence. He was always an active and devoted member of the church and was finally ordained as a minister. On taking up this work he felt the handicap of the lack of sufficient education and set hin- self to the work of self-cultivation. Gifted
with a good mind, great physical and mental endurance, and a determined will, he acquired a good education through his own endeavors.
He was an eloquent and forceful speaker being gifted with a high degree of magnetism and a power of clear exposition. He labored as pastor and evangelist with great success, but it was as an exponent and teacher of the great doctrines of his church that he excelled. Here few men surpassed him in the power and clearness with which he presented his con- victions of truth. Due as much to his uncom- promising stand and able exposition as to any other cause is the prosperous condition of the Baptist church in the Black River Associa- tion.
Personally he was a man of the highest ideals and the firmest convictions of right. No man who knew him doubted his absolute and unqualified sincerity.
He was twice married. The first time to Rebecca J. Wagster. One child of this union survives, T. J. Douglass, of Kennett. The second marriage was to Mrs. Mary E. (Lamb) Richardson, who survives him. Mr. Douglass died in 1904 at his home in Caruth.
The Concord Association is the second as- sociation of the name to be organized in the state; the first, was in Cooper county. The one in Southeast Missouri was composed of churches in Iron and Reynolds counties and was organized in December, 1867, at Big Creek church. The other churches taking part in the organization were Bethlehem, Mount Zion, and Pilgrims Rest ; these churches had a mem- bership of 298. The moderator of the asso- ciation was Isaac Lane and the clerk was E. C. Smith.
In 1858 this association met at Pilgrims Rest church in Iron county and received the following new churches: New Prospect, Pleas-
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ant Exchange, Mount Gilead and Sugar Tree Grove. The ministers at this meeting were Isaac Lane, R. Seal and D. Warren; Isaac Lane was moderator again and Thomas Dick- son was chosen clerk. The next year's meet- ing met at Big Creek church in Iron county, one other organization was added, this being Highland church. The third annual meeting was with Bethlehem church in Reynolds county in 1870. At this time there were only 6 churches in the association, but the next year, 1871, Denning Chapel, Pleasant Valley, Locust Grove, White Oak Grove, Black Oak Grove and Friendship churches were received. The meeting was held at Pleasant Exchange in Reynolds county; Samnel S. Beard was mod- erator. In 1874 the association consisted of 16 churches with a membership of 584 and 6 ordained ministers.
The territory of this association is now in Franklin and Reynolds counties. The asso- ciation had 21 churches in 1910 with a mem- bership of 1,468. The churches were: Centre- ville, 95; Diekens Valley, 90; Lesterville, 136; Pine Dale -; Bethany, 34; Bethlehem, 85; New Hope, 20; Dry Valley, 47; Oak Grove, 71; Redford, 122; Ellington, 149; Lone Cedar, 50; Logan Creek, 54; Roland Hill, 83; Corri- don, 12; Van Buren, 68; Cedar Grove, 196; Sinking Creek, 28; Hopewell, 41; West Fork, 47 and Black River -.
Bethel Association was continually sending off groups of churches for the establishment of other associations. In 1860 a group of churches in Iron county consisting of Mount Pleasant, Big Creek, Pilgrims Rest, White Oak Grove, Sugar Tree Grove, Mount Gilead, Mount Zion and Locust Grove organized an association called the Central Missouri Asso- ciation. The ministers concerned in this or- ganization were William Polk, Harry Young
and James Ritter. All of these churches had been members of Bethel Association and were dismissed from that organization in 1859. This association met in 1860 at Mount Zion in Washington county ; at that time Isaac Lane was moderator and David Adams was clerk. There were 13 churches in the association at this time, 8 of which were represented at the meeting reporting a total membership of 367. The ministers were N. Adams, Isaac Lane, G. W. Bay and P. MeCracken.
The next year Central Missouri Association met at Pleasant Grove in Iron county ; there were 13 churches represented reporting a total membership of 528. Seven of these churches were then dismissed to form a new association called Concord.
In 1874 the Central Missouri Association had 9 churches with a total membership of 283, and there were 5 ordained ministers. The churches constituting the association were no longer confined to Iron and Washington counties, but were scattered over Dent, Rey- nolds and Madison counties as well. This asso- ciation is now disbanded and the churches are in other organizations.
Jefferson County Association was organized at Bethlehem church, October 8, 1853; there were representatives present from Bethlehem, Swashing, Mount Zion, Calvary, Sandy and Little Maramec, all of them being in Jeffer- son county. The ministers of the association were James Williams, Washington Stevens, William McKay, J. C. Hudspeth, Sullivan Frazier and John H. Hensley; James Wil- liams was the moderator of this first meeting. The meeting of 1856 was held with Swashing church ; three new churches were added to the association. The meeting of 1869 was held at Mount Zion church, the moderator being W. Stevens, who also preached the opening ser-
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mon. There were at this time 17 churches con- nected with the association, only 13, however, sent any report which showed a total member- ship of 791. The meeting for 1870 was at Sandy church where three more churches were admitted. In 1871 Mount Zion and Valle Mines churches were admitted to the associa- tion; at the meeting with Swashing church at this time the total membership was 1,390 and there were 22 churches on the roll of the as- sociation. In 1881 the meeting was with Lit- tle Maramec church and the reports showed that there were 20 churches.
The oldest church in Jefferson county is Bethlehem church which was organized in 1829, about 8 miles northwest of Hillsboro. Two ministers, Lewis and James Williams, were the oldest preachers and assisted in the organization of this church; in 1840 there were 60 members. The first house of worship was built in 1843; it was a log house and was 20 x 24 feet.
Another of the old churches was Lebanon which was organized with 7 members in 1833 by James Cundiff and Walter W. Tucker. While a member of the Jefferson County As- sociation the church was situated in Ste. Gene- vieve county ; the first minister was J. C. Ren- fro, who continued as pastor for many years. The first building erected by this church was a log building which dated from about 1835.
Swashing church was organized in July, 1843, with 6 members; W. Stevens was the first pastor. This church is about 10 miles southeast of Hillsboro and 2 miles from De- Soto.
Pilgrims Rest church was organized in No- vember, 1854, with 7 members, by John Huds- peth. It was on Dry Creek in Jefferson county.
Hopewell in Washington county was or- ganized by Elder W. Stevens, September 24,
1855, with 7 members, the first pastor being William McKay.
Cedar Hill church was organized by W. Stevens, April, 1856, with 7 members; it is in Jefferson county northwest of Hillsboro.
In 1910 Jefferson County Association re- ported the following churches having a com- bined membership of 1,169: Bethlehem, 64; Blackwell, 31; Cedar Hill, 14; Cantwell, 62; Festus, 139; Grubville, 30; Highland, 81; House Spgs. -; Hillsboro, 27; Lebanon, 64; Moontown -; Mt Hermon, 76; New Har- mony, 19; Oakland, 30; Oak Grove -; Pleas- ant Ridge, 78; Plattin -; Pilgrims Rest, 159; Providence, 40; Swashen, 106; Temperance Rest, 143.
In 1850 representatives of 12 churches, for- merly members of the Black River Associa- tion, met at Castor church in Madison county and organized the St. Francois Association. The churches were situated in Wayne and Madison counties and perhaps one or two in Bollinger county. The first meeting of the as- sociation after its organization was held at Little Vine church in Madison county in 1851. At this meeting Zion church in Wayne county and Salem church in Bollinger county were admitted to membership. The ministers of the association were C. T. Graham, W. W. Set- tle, J. Duncan, J. P. Wallis, A. Hughes, R. S. Eaton and S. M. Randoff. Other ministers who later worked in this association were L. D. Bennett, A. G. Tidwell, A. R. L. Meador, A. Land, L. Langley, S. Farr, W. H. Mattox, M. W. Taylor and E. J. Bunyard.
The association grew steadily up to the breaking out of the war when there were 29 churches, in 1863 there were only 10 churches reported at the meeting in Big Creek church in Madison county, with only 326 members in the association. In 1874 there were 37
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churches in the association with 1,400 mem- bers. In 1876, 10 churches were dismissed to form the Wayne County Association. At the meeting in 1878 there were representatives present from 24 churches chiefly in Madison and Bollinger counties with a membership of 1,200. At this time the ministers of the as- sociation were J. C. Hornsby, William London, H. F. Tong, L. W. Revelle, A. Tidwell, F. M. Holbrook, M. Robins, V. T. Settle, B. L. Bow- man, J. F. Rudy, and J. C. Hembree.
The oldest church in the association was Big Creek church organized in May, 1835, about 18 miles south of Fredericktown. The first church house was built in 1854; the first pastor of the church was Henry McElmurry ; he was succeeded by C. T. Graham, who served as pastor for 22 years.
Castor church was organized in 1845 by Elders Graham, Settle and Eaton. Little Vine church was organized in 1846 with 21 mem- bers. Marble Hill church was organized in 1848.
The first church of Fredericktown seems to have been organized in 1870 by Elder W. W. Settle and Silas Livermore; there were 31 members at the time of the reorganization in 1872.
Among the prominent ministers of this as- sociation were the following: Carter T. Gra- ham, who was a native of North Carolina and who came to Madison county in 1822, was a well educated man and while he preached for a great many years, supported himself principally by farming. He died in Septem- ber, 1861; Anderson Hughes was a native of Tennessee but settled in Wayne county while very young; he preached for a number of years and died in 1863.
One of the most influential of the men of this association was W. W. Settle, who came to
Missouri from Tennessee in 1833. HIe first lived in Bollinger county and later in Madi- son county ; he became a preacher in 1839 and np to the time of his death in 1870, was a very active, energetic worker as a minister.
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