USA > Missouri > Polk County > The history of the Polk County Baptist Assciation : with history of churches, biographies, Southwest Baptist College, articles of faith, and church covenant > Part 15
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SAMUEL O. GORDON.
Samuel O. Gordon was born in Washington county, Kentucky, February 11, IS15. Was converted at an early age, joined the church in Missouri. He was married in Kentucky to Elizabeth Askren, October 20, 1836. His children that the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon him are John H., born September 15, 1837; Joseph H., born August 20, 1839; Wm. A., born January 26, 1842; Mary Ann, born December 1, 1844; David W., (deacon), born October 5, 1847 ; Dennis S., born October 21, IS50; Ben F., born May 9, 1853 ; Thomas J., born December 3, 1855. Brother Gordon came to Polk county, Missouri, November 29, 1839. His children are all living at this time, (May '96) and mem- bers of the Baptist church. He has been blessed with long life, having lived to see his Soth year and past. He has seen the country grow from a wilderness to a well ordered civilization ; he has observed the churches rising as beacon lights to illumine and cheer the dreary waste; and his own children have been involved in the heavenly scheme of eter- nal salvation. Surely his has been a happy life! Elizabeth (Askren) Gordon was born March 1, IS17, died October 17, 1894. Brother Samuel is a deacon.
ELD. J. A. NEWPORT.
Eld. J. A. Newport was born September 19, 1853, in Dallas county, Missouri. His father was born in Tennessee January 2, 1830; his mother in Tennessee, July 3, IS31. They were married in Dallas county, Missouri, July 14, 1850. There were given to them 11 children, four of whom survive. The subject of our sketch was the third in the order of their birth. The opportunities for education were quite meager. The schools of his day were inferior, and nothing
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to compare with the grand system of education of the pres- ent day. He was converted September 16, 1871. Joined the church at Bethel, in Dallas county, Missouri. Licensed to preach by the church at Conway, in Laclede county, Mis- souri, October 5, ISS9; ordained at the call of the same church, August 31, 1890. The presbytery was composed of Elds. W. C. Armstrong, W. N. Cain, P. M. Johnson, R. B. Carnett and M. Slaughter, deacons L. L. Beckner, John Davis, A. J. Yeary, A. M. Newport, Wm. Williams and F. A. Davis. He moved to Bolivar, Mo., December 4, ISS9. Entered Southwest Baptist college January 1, 1890, and con- tinued in the same four years. He was quite successful in missionary work, and was called to the care of a number of churches, his time being fully employed up to the present time (1894). He was married November 16, 1871, to Miss P. F. McMillian, of Dallas county, Missouri. Five children were born to them, one daughter and four sons, viz: Maggie, Wm. L., T. C., J. R., J. H. Death called the daughter away August 28, 1SS2, and the mother died September 28, ISS2. Joined in marriage a second time with Miss Mary E. Mallard, of Dallas county, Missouri, April IS, ISS6. The fruit of this marriage was five children, one daughter and four sons, viz: Clara, G. W., B. J., L. J. and Roy Wollard, born June 14, 1894.
ELD. JOHN H. STINECIPHER.
Eld. John H. Stinecipher was born in Morgan county, Tennessee, May 26, 1849. His parents moved to Missouri about I851. He professed religion in 1861, at the age of 12 years, in Stone county, Missouri. His parents were pious persons, his father a Methodist class-leader, his mother was a very earnest and devoted Christian. A careful study of
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baptism, as taught in the New Testament, led him to the Baptist church. He was baptized by Eld. John Wesley Williams in June, 1862, in Dallas county, Missouri. Entered the ministry in 1867 at the age of 18 years. For two years he attended school, making rails a part of the time to pay his board and tuition. During that JOHN H. STINECIPHER time he preached almost every Sunday, and frequently at night in the week. After that he taught in the public schools of Dallas county in the fall and winter, farming each summer, continuing thus for 12 years.
He served as missionary for Old Path association two years. On account of his wife's illness he gave up mission- ary work and devoted himself to pastoral work. His labors have been confined to Dallas and adjoining counties. He has witnessed about 1200 professions and baptized So2 per- sons. Gathered into the churches by letter and restoration about 700. Has organized seven churches. Has ever made it a rule to preach whatever he believed the Bible to teach, regardless of fear or favor. He has engaged in discussion with Eld. Edwards, of Spring River association, on the points of difference between the missionary and anti-mission- ary Baptists. Discussion continued four days. Also, at Halfway, in Polk county, Missouri, he entered the lists with the redoubtable Eld. Hooton (Campbellite), of Kansas, for four days. Also, with Eld. Glover, of Arlington, Mo., (Campbellite). In each of these discussions he won the ap- probation of approving multitudes. In 1894 he was serving the church at Mt. View, in Polk county, and had continued in the pastorate of that church for ten years. He was also pastor at Buffalo for half time under appointment of the
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state board. He was succeeded in the pastorate at Buffalo by Eld. L. J. Tatum, of Hickory county, Missouri, and was elected trustee of Southwest Baptist college May 28, 1895.
B. F. CHAMBERLIN.
B. F. Chamberlin was born in Jefferson county, West Virginia. September 19, 1846. Came to Missouri with his parents February, 1865. Professed religion and after trying for eleven months to be a Presbyterian and taking the Bible for his guide he was constrained to join the Baptists, a thing that he had determined not to do. He was baptized into the fellowship of the church at Mt. Nebo in Cooper county, Missouri, November 26, 1870. Afterward joined Pleasant Hill, and subsequently went into the organization of the church at Pilot Grove, Cooper county, July 26, 1876. Was dismissed by letter from Pilot Grove December, ISS3, and joined Mt. View, Polk county, Missouri, January, 1884. Was married to Miss Mary M., daughter of W. S. M. and Martha Barnett, March 24, 1874. To them were given nine children, viz: Samuel E., T. Elmore, Lanora E., Annie M., John M., Maggie T., Julia M., Frank Ely, and Chas. S., one born since. The first and fourth deceased.
Brother Chamberlin has served as clerk in the Pilot Grove church since its organization up to the time of his re- moval to Polk county. Also, he has served on the board of missions of the association from the time of joining to the time of removal from Cooper. He is now a member of the board appointed by the Polk County association, also a mem- ber of the board of trustees of Southwest Baptist college. He received a license from the church at Mt. View, Febru- ary 3, 1894, to preach the unsearchable riches of eternal re- demption. May he long be spared to tell the story of the
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ELD. AND MRS. B. F. CHAMBERLIN.
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cross. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry, November 3, 1895.
ELD. S. S. PIKE.
Eld. S. S. Pike was born in Polk county, Missouri, August 31, 1859. His parents. James M. and Mary Pike came from Tennessee in an early day and shared in the hardships of pioneer life. James M. Pike was the father of twenty-one children. The opportunities for an education in the early settlement of the country were poor indeed. He was early impressed, on hearing the preaching of the gospel, with the necessity of salvation, he went to the altar of prayer and embraced what he thought was a hope in Christ, and joined the Baptist church at Slagle Creek and was baptized by Eld. G. W. White. About four years he tried, as best he could, to live a Christian life ; but realizing that he had no religion, he asked the church to take his name off the church book.
He remained thus until ISS5. when he listened to some preaching by Eld. J. W. Haines, at what is known as Frog Pond school house, eight miles southeast from Bolivar. This preaching service caused him to think and to study, and in July of 1885 he attended a protracted meeting at the same place and was led to Christ and received an unmistakable change, and was properly received into the church at Brigh- ton, Polk county, Missouri, being baptized by Eld. J. F. Williams, (missionary of Greene county association).
He was licensed to preach the gospel October 16, 1886, and afterward a council was called consisting of Elds. D. T. Baucom, J. W. Haines, I. Ingram, M. Slaughter and W. J. Hunter who examined and recommended that the church authorize his ordination, which was done. He then took the
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care of Providence church one year, after which he was employed by Polk County association as missionary, and then pastor of the church at Turkey Creek.
He was married October 13, ISSI, to Mrs. Lizzie Pierce (nee Ryan) who was born in Polk county, Missouri, Septem- ber 26, 1859. Her parents, Wm. and Rebecca Ryan, came from Tennessee at the first settling of Missouri. To S. S. and Lizzie were given five children ; four of them living, one dead. The living ones are, in the order of their birth, as follows: Stella M., born April 8, 1883, Henry Shelburn, born October 27, 1889; Resie, born August IS, IS91 ; Boney Hubert, born October 11, 1893. Eld. Pike received a second appointment as missionary of Polk County association. He is at present date ('94) pastor of Slagle Creek and Con- cord churches in Polk county, and Oak Grove church in Cedar county, Missouri.
MRS. ESTHER M. LOVELACE.
Biography of Mrs. Esther M. Lovelace (nee Sanford), who came to Southwest Baptist college as an instructor and assistant in mathematics. She taught in the college during that year and at different times since. She came from Marion, Wayne county, New York. Her father, Merritt Sanford, is a son of Stephen Sanford, a pioneer of western New York, and a native of Tiverton, Rhode Island. He belonged to the Sanford family that came from England in early colonial days and settled in different parts of New Eng- land. Her mother, Eliza J. Sanford, is a descendant of the Sharp, or Van Sharpenstien family, as it was formerly called. The history of this family is closely connected with that of the Mohawk valley. Her maternal grandmother was Jane Carpenter, a descendant of Gen. Carpenter, a follower of
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Cromwell, who came to America as an exile, after the restor- ation of the Stuarts.
Merritt Sanford and wife are still living on a part of the old Sanford homestead, where they settled after their mar- riage. They have four children, Esther Marion, born De- cember 24, 1862; Chester Grant, born February 24, 1864; Lillias Engenia, born October 24, 1866; Willis Eugene, born March 21, 1870. During a revival, when Esther was about 12 years old, she was converted, but did not unite with the church until some years later, when she joined the Park Bap- tist church, Ithaca, N. Y. Her elder brother and her sister afterward joined the Marion Baptist church, of which their father is a member. Their mother is a Presbyterian. The children received their early education at the same district school which their father attended, and their grandfather helped to build.
At the age of 14 the subject of this sketch entered Marion Collegiate Institute. At 16 she began teaching in the schools of Wayne county, New York, and by attending school in winter, and teaching during vacation, she completed the classical course at IS, graduating with the class of 1881. Her brother and sister also attended Marion Institute. Lillias graduated in 1887, Chester in ISSS. The latter afterward attended the University of Rochester, and graduated in 1892, with the degree of A. B. He also received the honor of the Phi Beta Kappa key. After graduating he married Louise Nevergoll, of Rochester, and has since been principal of the Candor Union school in Tioga county, New York. He has one child, Frederick Merritt, born July 19, 1893. While in Bolivar, in 1889, Lillias taught in the college for some months to fill a vacancy. She completed her education at the Genesee state normal, Genesee, N. Y. She has since
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been teaching in the Warrensburg Union school, near Lake George. The younger brother, Willis, is engaged in busi- ness in Rochester.
After leaving the institute Esther taught for three years, and in 1884 entered Cornell university. While in the uni- versity she was made a member of the Delta Gamma fra- ternity. After two years she left to accept a position in Southwest Baptist college. She was married to Archibald A. Lovelace February 9, 1887. Mr. Lovelace came to Bol- ivar in 1867. He was the son of Levi and Sallie (Lazenby ). Lovelace, and was born in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. His parents removed to Franklin county; Missouri, when he was an infant, where he lived until his removal to Bolivar. A. A. and E. M. Lovelace had four children: Lucy Al- vard, born November 13, 1887; Levi Sanford, born January 19, 1889; Archie Alexander, born November 5, 1890; Elizabeth Eliza, born December 2, 1893. Lucy, who was a very interesting child, was taken to her higher home just as her influence was beginning to be felt in her home below. She passed away on the 21st of October, 1892.
MRS. ELLA COWEN (PRATHER) BEAGLE.
Ella Cowen (Prather) Beagle was born in Saline county, Missouri. At one year of age her parents settled in Colum- bia, Missouri, and have remained there to the present year. Miss Ella was one of five children, four girls and one boy. Her father, Thos. D. Prather was a native of Tennessee. The mother, B. C. Cowen, was born in Kentucky. Ella C. was educated in Stephens college, Columbia. Graduated in vocal music under Miss Della Angle and was also a pupil of Madam Edna Hall, of Boston, Mass. The next year, 1889, she graduated in instrumental music under Prof. E. M.
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Goldberg, of Leipsic, Germany, and again she graduated in vocal music under Anita R. Bibbins of N. E. Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass. In September, 1889, she accept- ed the position of teacher in music in Southwest Baptist college, and held the position for four years. Two of her sisters are teachers and the brother is a druggist. One daughter at home. Miss Ella was married at her home in Columbia, Missouri, October 29, 1896, to Mr. Charles Le- roy Beagle, a citizen of Bolivar, Missouri, where, at the present time, they are located, and Mr. Beagle is engaged with Jas. C. Weaver in the successful prosecution of the milling business.
JESSE HOWARD MURRAY.
Jesse Howard Murray was born in Washington county, Tennessee, May 9, 1820. He moved to Dade county, Mis- souri, in 1854, and four years later to Polk county, where he continued his residence until October, 1885, he went to Mer- cer county, Missouri, where he died, May 7, 1886. He was converted in IS41. His wife's name is not given ; but the fruit of their marriage is three daughters and five sons. Some of them are honored members of Mt. Zion church in Polk county, Missouri. One of the daughters married brother George Hale. Two of the sons, Nathan and John, are well-to-do farmers. Their children are all members of the Baptist church. The youngest son of Jesse H. Murray, Samuel W., is a Baptist minister, living in Mercer county, Missouri. Many pleasant hours has the writer spent in the home of the brother whose name heads this sketch. The prayer is, that our social joys may be continued in the land of the blest.
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JOHN H. BAKER.
John H. Baker was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 12, 1865. In company with his parents, Wm. H. and Nancy Baker, in September, 1869, came to St. Clair county, Mis- souri, and settled two and one-half miles from Lowry City. Parents were natives of Ross county, Ohio. In the fall of 1878, after having sought the Saviour several months, he ob- tained a hope, and on October 3d was buried in the liquid grave, thus professing to the world his death to sin and res- urrection to walk in newness of life. On February 21, ISSS, was married to Miss Susie R. Boyd, a native of Missouri, born November 2, 1867. He was early impressed with a de- sire to preach the gospel, and was licensed by the church January 24, 1891. Feeling that his preparation was insuf- ficient to meet the demands of the day, he moved to Bolivar, Missouri, September, 1892, and after much trial and serious difficulty, in a financial way, he entered Southwest Baptist college, and received degree of A. B. June 2, 1896.
REUBEN C. SLAGLE.
Reuben C. Slagle was born in Polk county, Missouri, November 5, 1834. His father, Abram, came to Missouri in 1831. His mother, Martha (Lunsford) Slagle, came to Missouri in 1832. and both settled in Polk county and were married December 24, 1833. Twelve children were given to them, of whom the subject of our sketch was the oldest. The schools of an early day were subscription schools, and the school house was a log cabin, with or without a floor, as it might happen. One log left out for a window. The teacher was supposed to be well versed in Pike's arithmetic, where the intricacies of pounds, shillings and pence were dis- cussed.
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Brother Reuben was converted at a meeting conducted by Eld. Robt. Ross at Slagle. Four years after this, at the age of 21, he joined the church, and now in riper years he is convinced he inflicted a wrong upon himself and others by delaying his baptism, and would by this means advise all truly converted persons to be baptized immediately. Brother Reuben was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane Pike, July 9, 1856, who died without issue December 2, 1860. He was married a second time to Miss Sarah A. Mitchell, Septem- ber 12, 1867. Three children were born to them, viz: Mar- tha Jane, born April 25, 1869, died January 19, 1873; the second, Annie M., was born February 1, 1871 ; the third, Sarah E., was born January 24, 1876. Sarah Angeline, the wife, was born June 2, 1847. At the present time both are living and members of the church at Slagle. Their children are also members with them. The first wife, Elizabeth Jane, was born March 10, 1837. Brother Slagle has been clerk of the church for a number of years. He has been justice of the peace 18 years, and still holds the office. He is mer- chandising at Slagle in connection with brother J. P. Brock. He was elected judge of the county court of Polk county, Missouri, November 3, 1896.
W. S. BARNETT.
W. S. Barnett was born August 28, 1So2, near Green- ville, South Carolina. He married Miss Minerva Thruston January 12, 1832. Both converted early in life and joined the Baptist church in their native state. Emigrated to Mis- souri and located in Morgan county in 1833. God gave them eleven children, ten of whom they lived to see grown and married and members of the Baptist church. They moved to St. Louis county, and from thence in 1869 they settled in
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Polk county. He joined the church at Mt. View, and sacri- ficed much in the erection of the church-house at that place. While yet quite old and decrepit he worked on the roof, say- ing that he wanted that building to preach for him when he was gone. He served as trustee of the church until his death, which event occurred September 1, 1875.
W. S. M. Barnett, son of W. S. Barnett, was born in Morgan county, Missouri, November 1, 1834. Converted and joined the Baptist church in 1853. He married Miss Martha L. Blue January 28, 1857. Three children were born to them, viz: Mary, wife of B. F. Chamberlain, Mon- roe P. and Wm. T., both deceased. Brother W. S. M. was ordained a deacon July, 1860. Joined at Mt. View, 1871. He was trustee of Southwest Baptist college four years. He was among the contributors to the college and an advocate for Christian education.
GEORGE W. DAVIS.
George W. Davis was born in McMinn county, Tennes- see, August 27, 1830, the son of Isaac and Dorcas (Plunkett) Davis, who were born in Tobias county, North Carolina. Brother George W. was married January 28, IS51, to Miss Martha L. Hale. To them was given one son, W. T., born December 22, 1851. Martha L. died in Benton county, Ar- kansas, October 16, ISSS, at the town of Siloam. She was born May 10, 1833. She did not join any church, but died in hope, trusting in a Saviour.
The subject of our sketch was converted about the age of 17, and is at present ('94) a member of Slagle Creek church. Brother George was married a second time to Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson, relict of the late Jasper Johnson, February 17, 1890. She is a native of Tennessee. When she was
PROF. ASA B. BUSH.
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one year old her parents brought her from Tennessee to Polk county, Missouri. Her father, Alfred Taylor, died on the plains in the great emigration to California in 1850. Her mother, Mary, died in Grayson county, Texas, April 12, 1888. She was a member of church at Campbell's Grove, and had been a pious member of church for 23 years.
JAMES P. BROCK.
James P. Brock was born May 22, 1861, in Polk county, Missouri. His parents were Terrill and Amanda (Gilmore) Brock. His father died while James was quite young; his mother was yet living in 1894. His education was such as usually found in the public schools. He was converted at the age of 15 years, joined church at Slagle, and was licensed by Slagle church in October, 1891, and has exercised his gifts in preaching in the neighborhood of Slagle. He was married August 1, ISSo, to Miss Alice Johnson. To them the Lord has given two children, Ina L. and Carroll Wade. Sister Alice died January 19, 1891. Brother Brock was married to Miss Fannie Belle Slagle, March 6, 1892. His occupation in 1894 was that of merchant, in connection with R. C. Slagle, of the town of Slagle, Polk county, Missouri. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry March 29, 1896, at Slagle church, in Polk county, and is ('96) living on his farm near Wishart.
ASA B. BUSH.
Asa B. Bush, son of George F. and Joanna (Spring- ton) Bush, was born at Newberne, Gilmer county, Virginia (now West Virginia), September 6, 1859. His parents were ardent friends of education, and strove to give their children the best educational advantages they could ob- tain. The subject of this sketch passed his childhood in at-
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tending school in winter and doing a boy's chores on the farm in summer. At the age of sixteen he began teaching, and continued in this work until he had taught three years in the public schools, teaching and attending school alternately. Having completed a preparatory course, he entered the Uni- versity of West Virginia at Morgantown, and remained there six years as under-graduate and post-graduate, taking the de- gree of A. B. in 1885. A year before his graduation the executive committee of the Board of Regents, upon recom- mendation of the faculty, appointed him tutor in Greek and mathematics, and in the following year the board elected him assistant professor of ancient languages. After holding this position one year, and completing a post-graduate course in science, he was elected assistant principal of Shepherdstown State Normal school, situated at Shepherdstown, West Vir- ginia. At the close of the first year he was made principal and remained in this position four years, having the pleasure to see the school constantly increasing in numbers and èf- ficiency under his management.
Vacations were spent in holding institutes, lecturing on educational subjects, and traveling in the interest of his school. In this way much experience, as well as knowledge of other schools, was obtained. September 4, 1889, he mar- ried Miss Kate Richmond, daughter of Judge Hamp Rich- mond, of Louisiana, Missouri, and a graduate of McCune college. In the summer of 1891 he accepted the presidency of Coushatta Male and Female college, Coushatta, La., where he remained but one year, removing to Missouri on account of the ill-health of his wife and little child, Anna Richmond Bush.
Prof. Bush was elected to the chair of Mathematics and Modern Languages in Southwest Baptist college in 1892, and
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occupied two years. He was then called to preside over Walton college, in Guthrie, Kentucky. At the end of one year at that place he accepted the position of president of Southwest Baptist college, and in September, 1895, began work, and has continued to the present ('97). He brought two of his students with him from Guthrie.
His daughter, Annie Richmond, who was born December 23, 1890, died December 21, 1895. Judge H. Richmond, the grandfather, died a few days after, and both the grand- father and little Annie are waiting for the bodies, which lie buried near Louisiana, Missouri.
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