USA > Nebraska > A history of Nebraska Methodism, first half-century, 1854-1904 > Part 24
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I speak of these cases, not because they are excep- tional, or more worthy of note than many others, but as illustrations of the fact that as a rule Methodist preachers have not been attracted to the ministry from mercenary motives, but almost invariably have entered it from a sense of duty, attracted, not by large salaries, but by large opportunities of usefulness and impelled by the convic- tion that God had called them, and that it therefore be- came their imperative duty.
This was certainly the case with D. C. Winship. He was admitted on trial in 1882, and was sent to Wayne, which included Wakefield, rival towns just springing up on the new railroad running from Sioux City to Norfolk. The year before, 1881. W. H. Carter had organized a small class at Wayne, and Josiah Fowler had formed an-
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other at Wakefield. These were the first classes formed
at these places. Winship took his family of five to Wayne, but finding no place to live, and little encourage- ment, he accepted the offer of Wakefield to reside there, they agreeing to build a parsonage. This they proceeded to do as far as possible, but only one room could be made fit to live in, and from January until spring that small room must serve their family of five for kitchen, bed- room, dining-hall, parlor, reception-room, and study. Be- sides the parsonage, a good church building was erected during Brother Winship's pastorate, and Methodism well established at Wakefield. To support himself and wife and three children he received less than $500.
Brother Winship's next charge was Wisner, a circuit of four appointments, and his pastorate here was attended with some revival interest.
When, at the next Conference, D. C. Winship's name was read out for Niobrara, Brother Leedom came to the writer, who had become Brother Winship's presiding elder, and demanded, with no little indignation, why I had sent Winship there, saying it was an outrage. But there had come a great change in Niobrara, by the com- ing of a wealthy and devoted family, Brother C. D. Chip- man and wife, and I felt sure the time had come to send them a strong man, and felt sure they would take care of him as they had promised. The event proved that I was not mistaken. Though he only found twelve ment- bers, he was blessed with a great revival, breaking up vicious amusements, and resulting a large number of ac- cessions, among them M. W. Barnum and wife, the latter the daughter of Brother and Sister Chipman. As an ex- pression of gratitude for this last result, Sister Chipman
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came to Brother Winship saying she had promised the Lord if He would save her son-in-law, and bring his fam- ily into the Church, she would build a parsonage. The parsonage was built and good Sister Chipman drew her check for $650 to pay the bill. As for support, Brother Winship was promised $500, and received $556, fifty-six dollars more than was promised, and more than he had yet received. Though Brother and Sister Chipman were soon removed by death, M. W. Barnum and his devoted wife remained for many years the mainstay of the Church, which even after Dr. Winship's pastorate remained a fairly comfortable charge, served by some of our best men.
Brother Winship next went to O'Neil, where he suc- ceeded in saving the Church, which was having a life-and- death struggle against the predominating Catholic in- fluence there, which has always made it difficult to main- tain our position. After this hard year, during which the wing of the church building was fitted up for a parson- age, he and his family had a pleasant pastorate of two years at Oakdale, where he had received license to preach a few years before. Then to Stanton, where, during a pastorate of three years, he had gracious revivals and cleared the property of debt. Then a year at Old Dakota City, and then to First Church, South Omaha, where more than one hundred souls were converted, and a float- ing debt of $1,200 paid off.
But Brother Winship's outspoken opposition to the vices of the city brought on him the wrath of the saloon power. He did not realize his personal danger until he was waited on in the parsonage by a big ruffian, who talked so abusively that Dr. Winship made a move to put
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him out, when he was confronted with a big knife. It is a great wonder that he came out of the affray alive. The would-be assassin was immediately arrested, and ad- mitted that the saloon men had sent him to "do up the preacher." But he was made to pay so dearly for his amusement that it is not likely that he has ever been in- duced to attempt to "do up" a preacher again.
Brother Winship was secretary of the Conference for many years, was elected delegate to the Ecumenical Con- ference at Washington, and was once elected reserve dele- gate to the General Conference.
He went to Colorado, where he spent several years in . and around Denver, in the meanwhile educating his chil- dren at Denver University, returning to Nebraska in 1890, since when he has served Trinity Charge, Grand Island, and is now pastor at Central City.
During Dr. Hodgetts's administration he inaugurated the district camp-meeting at Oakdale, which continued to be for fifteen years the scene of many great gatherings, and resulted in many great spiritual victories ; as high as one hundred souls were converted at some of them. Be- sides the interest of successive presiding elders and the pastors of the district, this success was due in no small measure to some choice laymen, among them A. J. Leach and others, of Oakdale, and J. H. Barns and Monroe Whitmore, of Cedar Creek.
We must pause a moment to note the pathetic close of the career of S. P. Van Doozer. It was fitting that he who played so large a part in making the North Nebraska Conference, as pastor, but especially as presiding elder of the Covington, or rather, North Nebraska District, should be among those who should help to organize the
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North Nebraska Conference. After a year on the Papil- lion Circuit, where he built a church, largely by his own labor, he is again summoned by the authorities of the Church to district work on the frontier, and is assigned by Bishop Wiley to the new Albion District, lying west of the Norfolk District. The writer was at the same time assigned to the Norfolk District, and we both found it convenient to reside at Norfolk.
Brother Van Doozer seemed yet the very picture of robust health, and as between us, gave much fairer prom- ise of long life than I did. But he threw himself into the work, as was his wont, with his whole soul, not spar- ing himself. This is something S. P. Van Doozer never seemed to think of doing. But lie was greatly enjoying his work, and was in the midst of plans evolved during the first quarter, when with startling suddenness the new's came that he was stricken down with disease while on his way to his quarterly-meeting, and in a few days the sad intelligence came that at Fullerton, at the home of Brad Slaughter, to which his devoted wife had been hastily summoned, S. P. Van Doozer "ceased at once to work and to live."
I have had occasion to refer to the work of this rug- ged, stirring, consecrated man of God, because no history of Nebraska Methodism would be complete without not- ing the great contribution he made in various ways to the making of that history.
His brethren of the Conference put on record the fol- lowing memoir, prepared by his comrade in the Lord's work, J. B. Maxfield :
"Rev. S. P. Van Doozer, presiding elder of Albion District, North Nebraska Conference, and reserve dele-
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gate-elect to the last General Conference, died at Fuller- ton, Nebraska, January 16, 1884. Concerning the exact date of his birth we have no certain information. He was a native of New York, and about fifty-eight years of age. He graduated at the Michigan State University, and attended the Garrett Biblical Institute. Soon after he removed to Missouri and was engaged in our educa- tional work for a time. Brother Van Doozer married in 1871, Miss Sarah E. Malloy, who, with two interesting sons, survives him. As a preacher, Brother Van Doozer was sound in his theology, Scriptural in presenting sal- vation on the terms of the Gospel, 'Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.' That school of the prophets, Garrett Biblical Institute, had taught him that our theology is a complete system, compact, har- monious, strong, and all-sufficient. He was clear and forcible in setting forth the momentous themes relating to man's moral estate and eternal happiness. His flock was fed upon solid truth rather than vapid sentimentalism. He built many churches, often with his own hands, when help was lacking, which frequently was the case. He was a wise builder of living stones into Christ's spiritual temple. To many throughout these borders his memory 'is as ointment poured forth.' He was the intimate friend and co-worker with the gifted and sainted White, of our Nebraska Conference, to whose sudden death his own decease presented such a striking and painful parallel. He was a Christian hero. He was a wise coun- selor. He was a devoted husband and a kind, affection- ate father. The world has been made richer because he lived, the Church poorer because he died."
J. M. Adair spent many years in the work in Ne-
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braska, and was one of our most faithful men. Besides serving some important charges, among them Platts- mouth, it was he who laid the foundations of our Church at South Tenth Street, Omaha, as early as 1872. He bought a small church of the United Presbyterians, and "displayed commendable zeal, both in the city and coun- try, but received for his services scarcely enough to pay house rent," says his presiding elder.
Josiah Fowler transferred to this Conference from Michigan in 1876, when he was advanced in life and somewhat broken in health, and while a most excellent preacher, and faithful pastor, was never appreciated at his full value by the people. He served some of our best charges, among them Dakotah City and Fremont, and was highly respected by all who knew him. But his re- tiring disposition was not well fitted to the rush and push of the Western life. He was permitted to give a third of a century to the gospel ministry, eight of which were spent in Nebraska. He died at his home in Dixon County, in 1889. Three of his sons have entered the ministry, and are now members of the North Nebraska Conference.
Other names connected with this first Conference are worthy of mention. Among the most saintly of men is W. H. Carter. We have already met him on the St. James work, where he was converted at a camp-meeting at Lime Creek, under S. P. Van Doozer's administration, and at once becomes an active supporter of the pastor. In 1878 he is received on trial, and gives many years to the work in Nebraska. He is the first to organize the work in many portions of Antelope and Knox Counties in 1879. He is said to have been "a typical pioneer
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preacher, spending most of his time in the homes of the people, and traveling from place to place carrying the message of divine truth." It was he who first organized Methodism in Wayne, and many other places. He is still a highly respected superannuated member of the Conference, but some years ago, his health failing, he removed to the coast, and is now residing in Wash- ington.
Then there is steady-going, faithful J. R. Gearhart, who has given many years to the ministry in Nebraska. He was received on trial in 1880, and appointed to Madi- son, and afterward served in succession St. James, Wake- field, Humphrey, Coleridge, and other charges. He is now an honored superannuated member of the North Ne- braska Conference and resides with his family at Uni- versity Place.
J. Q. A. Fleharty entered the work in Nebraska in 1874, being received on trial and appointed to Iron Bluffs that year. The next year he has all Polk County, and with his Bible, hymn-book, and a few clothes stowed away in a pair of saddle-bags, he spends most of the time in the saddle. He builds the first church at Wesley Chapel ap- pointment, and has a revival at Osceola, at which over one hundred are converted. Among those converted were the county judge, sheriff, and constable ; and J. H. Mickey, now the honored governor of Nebraska, was among the most active workers during the meeting. North Bend, Columbus, Harvard, Madison, where he builds a parsonage, and Oakdale, are among the charges he has served, on many of which God blessed his labors with gracious revivals, and he has received over 500 pro- bationers while in the ministry.
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While at Madison, ISSI, he was married to the now sainted Ella A. Woodman, "whose desire was to die in the work." After twenty years as a faithful wife and in- telligent worker in the Church, she goes to her reward on the 18th of October, 1901.
Brother Fleharty is now a superannuated member of the North Nebraska Conference, and resides in Omaha.
Charles F. Heywood saw not a little of life before en- tering the Methodist ministry, having practiced law, served a term in the Nebraska Legislature, and was for some time a minister in the United Brethren Church. He comes into our work with a good equipment of natural ability and a large experience with men and affairs.
He is received on trial in 1880, and goes to Niobrara, and the next year is appointed to Norfolk. Here he pur- chases two lots for a church, and that he wisely selected the location is the verdict of all subsequent pastors and presiding elders. With a little handful of members lie proceeded to erect a church, and by doing much of the work himself, he succeeded in inclosing it so it could be used. C. F. Heywood may be said to be the first to give Norfolk Methodism a permanent place in the community. His next pastorate is Madison, where he remains two years, doing excellent work. Then at the Conference in Ponca, in 1885, just after that great calamity in which the new church they had erected had blown down, C. F. Heywood was selected to meet the emergency. His abil- ity as a preacher soon commanded a large congregation, and his careful management of the difficult problems brought the Church through the crisis in good shape. He has given twenty years of efficient service in the effective ranks, but was compelled to take a superannuated rela-
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tion in 1901, and now resides at Central City, greatly respected by all who know him.
Another name that has become well known in Ne- braska is that of J. W. Shenk, D. D. Born at Cobles- ville, New York, January 20, 1842, and converted at the age of fourteen, he began preaching at the age of six- teen. After graduating at Garrett Biblical School, he joined the Central Illinois Conference and was sent as a missionary to Buenos Ayers, South America. But fail- ing health soon compelled him to relinquish that work and he returned in 1867. He was transferred to the Ne- braska Conference in 1878. He served in succession the important stations of Seward, Fremont, Eighteenth Street, Omaha, and was six years on the Grand Island District. While he had a good measure of success in all of these responsible positions, his chief distinction grows out of his relation as editor of the Omaha Christian Ad- vocate throughout its eventful history. As that enter- prise will be treated in another portion of this history, it only needs at this time to mention the fact that Dr. Shenk was once elected delegate to the General Confer- ence and twice elected reserve delegate. He was also a member of the Commission that located Nebraska Wes- leyan University at Lincoln.
J. W. Stewart's name appears among the first meill- bers of the North Nebraska Conference, but inasmuch as he only served two pastorates, First Church and Tentlı Street Church, Omaha, in this Conference, nearly all his ministerial work in Nebraska being in connection with the Nebraska Conference, it might be more proper to mention his work in the portion of this history relating to that Conference. But after all, every Methodist
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preacher, in some large and important sense, belongs to the whole Church, and is equally at home everywhere.
Then there is quaint old Father Janney. He had been preaching for half a century before the North Nebraska Conference had its birth, and began his ministry before most of its members were born. He preached his first sermon in that historic Foundry Church, in Washington, D. C., and was ordained deacon by Bishop Soule, in 1832. He was of Quaker parentage, but was converted at a Methodist camp-meeting near Washington, D. C., and joined the Methodist Church, but retained through life some of the Quaker traits.
He was nearly sixty years of age when he began his work in Nebraska, but he shrunk not from some of the hardest service. After serving De Soto and Fontenelle, he was sent to the Wood River Circuit, 150 miles west, the point farthest west of any circuit in the State. He is already on the superannuated list, but we are glad to reckon him among the charter members of the North Ne- braska Conference.
After a life of over seventy-five years and a ministry of over fifty years, he passes on to his well-earned re- ward, departing this life April 11, 1887.
J. L. St. Clair is well worthy of mention among those who helped to organize the North Nebraska Conference and has done much to develop it into its present strength. He came to us from the United Brethren, among whom he had been a leader for years, and was one of their best preachers, as he was afterward one of our best preachers. He would command large audiences wherever he went, and always left his mark on the charges he served, in the way of accessions, or some substantial advance in
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the way of a church building, or parsonage, or both, for Brother St. Clair had a penchant for economizing means and space by partitioning off the rear end of the church for a parsonage. This was the case at West Point and Albion, at each of which places he built a church. At Columbus he gave our Church its first permanent foothold by the erection of a fine church. His career has been one of uniform success. He tarries with us, but is doubly afflicted with defective eyesight and hearing.
Of the probationers in Conference at its organization, besides those already mentioned, are two well worthy of mention. E. L. Fox was one of these resourceful young men that will make their way anywhere, and that people can not help but like. His few years in Nebraska were very successful, and he is just the man for the difficult mission he is carrying on in New York City.
Another probationer whose subsequent career justifies further notice is J. B. Priest. Brother Priest is a native of Iowa, but came to Nebraska in the later seventies, and settled in the neighborhood of St. James, where he taught school for some years, and where he was married to Miss Carr, who has proved a helpmeet indeed.
Brother Priest is another one sent down to Confer- ence from the old St. James Charge, and was admitted on trial at the first Conference in 1882. J. B. Priest has been a popular pastor from the first, being a good preacher, an industrious, sympathetic pastor and skillful, resource- ful manager of the affairs of a local Church. His first circuit is Ponca, where all these qualities will be in ur- gent demand throughout his entire pastorate, which con- tinued the full legal term. This first pastorate is typical of all his subsequent ones, in that it brought into action
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those qualities that have made him a pronounced success wherever he has been sent in the last twenty-three years. He found Ponca in a very low state, spiritually and every way, but a great revival, in which he was assisted by a Brother Wendell, an evangelist from Iowa, gave the so- ciety a fresh start along spiritual lines. The revival, however, has so increased the number in Church and con- gregation, that a new church building becomes a neces- sity, and under the wise and stimulating leadership of this young probationer, speedily becomes a possibility, and a little later, through the self-sacrificing efforts of pastor and people becomes a reality, in the erection of one of the best churches in North Nebraska Conference. The future seemed bright with hope for the Pouca Church and plans for aggressive work along all lines in the new church were being laid, when suddenly, early in June, a terrific wind storm tore their new temple to pieces, blighted their hopes, and defeated their plans, or seemed to. To make matters worse, the Conference had accepted their invita- tion to hold its next session at Ponca in the new church. A few days after, when the writer, who was then presid- ing elder of the district, suggested to Brother Priest that we might have to change the place of holding the Con- ference, the indomitable pastor said, "No; we need the Conference more than ever." That was one of many cases where the pastor was wiser than the presiding elder, for the Conference met in Ponca and the Methodist preachers came to the rescue of the stricken Church by pledging $500 to aid in rebuilding. With this help the brave society rebuilt under the wise leadership of C. F. Heywood.
It will suffice to say that in all the important charges
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he lias served, such as Norfolk, Lyons, South Tentli Street, Omaha ; Central City, Albion, Randolph, and Blair, this faithful preacher and tireless worker has been suc- cessful. He has for years been secretary of the Confer- ence, and is yet in the prime of life.
John P. Roe is one of the ablest preachers we have ever had in Nebraska. He came to us originally front the Episcopal Church. He was born in England and reared in the Church of England, and coming to America, he naturally became a member of the Episcopal Church and remained such till converted in a Methodist revival, when he seemed instinctively to find his way into the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has ever since been a stanch defender. He was licensed to preach, and served as chaplain during the war. He returned from the war and served several pastorates in the Wisconsin Confer- ence. But probably the greatest service he rendered the Church in Wisconsin was as financial agent of Lawrence University, our Methodist school at Appleton. He suc- ceeded in relieving it of a burdensome debt, and greatly strengthened it financially.
He took a supernumerary relation in the Wisconsin Conference, and came to Nebraska in 1875, residing in Omaha. Here he soon after lost his wife, a most ac- complished lady, characterized by a deep and intelligent piety. Brother Roe served South Tenth Street two years, as noted elsewhere, and also Seward and Crete, and at each of these places his ministry was attended by large congregations, and his strong, faithful sermons made a deep impression on the community.
But perhaps his greatest service in Nebraska was when, as elsewhere related, during his pastorate at the
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little mission church on South Tenth Street, Omaha. It is not too much to say that during the first year he saved the struggling society from bankruptcy by giving his entire salary to pay their debt, and the next year made it possible for them to build their present church by do- nating his salary to the building fund.
John P. Roe is a man with somewhat peculiar traits not often understood by the casual acquaintance and only a few know him sufficiently well to appreciate his true nobility of character. He is still residing in Omaha. In 1831 he was married to Miss Cattell, an English lady with whom he became acquainted during his pastorate at Seward. Sister Roe is a true Christian lady, of great force of character, and is devoting her energies to the task of ministering to her husband, who is rapidly failing in strength. Brother Roe is among the honored superan- nuated members of the North Nebraska Conference.
There is one more name that well deserves mention. J. R. Gortner came to Nebraska in 1882 and settled on a homestead in Holt County. He was at once employed as a supply by Dr. T. B. Lemon, though he had come to Nebraska to rest and recuperate, his health having be- come impaired in Illinois. In 1883 he was admitted on trial in the Nebraska Conference, but was transferred in 1884 to the North Nebraska Conference, and was one of the two men appointed by Bishop Mallalieu to places on the new Elkhorn Valley District, being sent to Inman.
While serving faithfully and efficiently on the frontier for several years. J. R. Gortner's chief distinction lies in the fact that he felt himself distinctly called of God to the mission work in Africa, under that Pauline leader, Bishop William Taylor. So, with his devoted wife and
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