USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Fredonia > Centennial history of the Fredonia Baptist Church, Fredonia, New York, organized October 20, 1808 > Part 5
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The women were reported to have adopted their appeal and to be terribly in earnest, de- termined to persevere, and the meeting ad- journed with prayer.
It was about half past twelve when the pro- cession of ladies came forth from the basement of the Baptist church, and a fine looking pro- cession it was, as they quietly walked across the park, Mrs. Judge Barker and Mrs. Rev. L.
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Williams at the head. There were over a hundred in the line, comprising wives of our most respected citizens, venerable and revered matrons as well as many young ladies.
Down the steps of the Taylor House saloon filed the determined band and nearly filled the room. The proprietors, Messrs. M. H., W. W. and D. Taylor were all present and Mrs. Judge Barker immediately informed the head of the firm, the object of their visit, namely to appeal to them personally to cease the sale of intoxicating liquors. Mrs. Wil- liams then read the appeal as follows :-
In the name of God and humanity, we make our appeal: -
Knowing, as we do, that the sale of intoxi- cating liquors is the parent of every misery, prolific in all woe, in this life and the next, potent alone in evil, blighting every fair hope, desolating families, the chief incentive to crime, these, the mothers, wives and daughters, representing the moral and religious sentiment of our town, to save the loved members of our household from the temptations of strong drink, from acquiring an appetite for it and to rescue, if possible, those that have already acquired it, do earnestly request that you will pledge yourself to cease the traffic here in those drinks forthwith and forever. We will
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also add the hope that you will abolish your gaming tables.
A hymn was sung to Pleyel's sweet air, then all joined in the Lord's prayer. Mrs. Tre- maine, a venerable and gifted woman, fol- lowed with a prayer which in its impressive earnestness and christian tenderness, seemed inspired.
Mrs. Barker then asked Mr. Taylor if he would not accede to their appeal. He said he was not prepared to answer. He believed in temperance, does not drink himself, but felt obliged to keep it in his hotel. If he were not keeping hotel, would be as strong as they. The ladies said they did not come for argu- ment, but urged him by the promises of God to head their pledge. Mr. Taylor finally said "If the rest will close their places, I'll close mine;" at which he was heartily cheered. "I mean the drug stores too ", he added, which amendment was accepted.
The women visited all the places in the vil- lage where intoxicating liquors were sold, and in the main, they were courteously received.
Monday evening a prayer meeting was held, word being received that one of the drug stores had acceded to the proposition, not to sell any more spirituous liquors, to be used as a bever- age. Daily visitations continued during the week and the next Monday afternoon, the
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women met and organized with the following pledge.
We, the undersigned women of Fredonia, feeling that God has laid upon us a work to do in the cause of temperance, do hereby pledge ourselves to united and continuous effort to suppress the traffic in intoxicating liquors in our village, until this work be accom- plished; and that we will stand ready for united effort upon any renewal of the traffic. We will also do what we can to alleviate the woes of drunkards' families, and to rescue from drunkenness, those who are pursuing its ways.
This society shall be known as "The Women's Christian Temperance Union of Fredonia ".
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LEWIS B. GRANT
1880-1889
Pastors - 1880-84- Rev. Malcolm MacGregor; 1885-9 - Rev. Charles E. Smith D. D.
Clerk - 1880-89 -A. Z. Madison.
S. S. Superintendents - 1880-81-Dr. F. B. Palmer; 1882 - A. F. Jenks; 1883-85 - George Tate; 1886-87 -Dr. F. B. Palmer; 1888-89 - Prof. F. N. Jewett. MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
1880-84 - Point Chautauqua; 1885 - Forestville; 1886 - Panama; 1887 -Jamestown; 1888 -Brocton; 1889 - Cherry Creek.
LEWIS B. GRANT
EWIS B. GRANT was born October 17, 1809. He died March 16, 1884. Mr. Grant's ancestors were of Scottish descent. His father, John Grant, was born September 13, 1785. His mother, Clarissa Wooster was born Nov. 13, 1782. His parents were married in 1807.
Julia Ann Forbes was born March 20, 1821. L. B. Grant and Julia A. Forbes were mar- ried June 19, 1836.
L. B. Grant's native town was Smithville, Chenango County, N. Y. His school days ended with a few years' study of medicine, which he finally relinquished, accepting a situ- ation as salesman in a store in Oxford, which he held three years. In 1831 he left his native county and engaged himself as chief clerk for
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Camp & Colville at Forestville in this county. This place he occupied for eight years, so much to the satisfaction of his employers that he was offered one half of the stock as a gift if he would enter the firm as a partner.
In 1839 he came to Fredonia and engaged in trade with his father-in-law, Col. John Forbes, and his brother-in-law, D. S. Forbes, under the firm name of J. Forbes & Co., thus commenc- ing a mercantile career which lasted over forty years. After this firm was dissolved, Mr. Grant was in trade alone nearly two years. Then the firm of Grant, Forbes & Co., was formed, consisting of L. B. Grant, Elias Forbes, John M. Grant, and John B. Forbes. This partnership continued five years with one store at Fredonia and one at Jamestown, when Mr. Grant bought out the interest of his part- ners in the Fredonia store in 1853, and con- tinued the business alone until Dec. 1st, 1879. He had then reached his three score and ten, with health impaired by constant application, and retired to enjoy his well earned competence, and the consciousness of a well spent life. But the rest was short. The unremitting vigilance and the intense care of a long and monotonous business career, without recreation, had so ex- hausted his vital forces, that his decline could not be arrested.
During his residence in Forestville, Mr.
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Grant made a public profession of his faith in Christ, uniting with the Baptist church at that place, and since his removal to Fredonia, the Baptist church here, for the past forty-five years, has found him one of its most generous and devoted members.
He led a blameless and quiet life, devoted almost entirely to three objects :- his business, his home and his church .- Verily he was " Dili- gent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." While noted for humility and meek- ness, he had a faith which could not be shaken, and convictions of duty, from which he could not be swerved.
Those who knew him, always knew where to find him. His gifts to the church and other religious institutions were large and numerous, during his whole life, and the last time he wrote his name, it was to sign, together with his wife, a deed conveying the commodious residence ad- joining his own on Main Street, as a gift to the Baptist church, for a parsonage. His work was well done, and last Sunday morning, about the ringing of the second bell, his usual time to walk quietly down to church, he as peacefully and quietly took his departure for the church triumphant.
Mrs. Lewis B. Grant died Feb. 7, 1887.
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REV. MALCOLM MACGREGOR, D. D.
Malcolm MacGregor was born in Osgoods, Ontario, Canada, November 27, 1842. He was baptized by Rev. W. R. Anderson, in Breadalbane, Ont. June, 1854; experienced a call to preach the gospel, under the ministry of Daniel McPhail; completed the prescribed course for students for the ministry, in Wood- stock College, under President R. A. Fife in the Spring of 1868, and in June of that year was ordained. For twelve years, in his native province, he did pastoral work in Kempville, Smith Falls, and Georgetown churches, and evangelistic and fostering work in connection with the Convention East. From the Spring of 1880, to the close of 1890, he labored in the State of New York; first as pastor 1880-1884 of the First Baptist Church at Fredonia, N. Y. and then of the Riverside Church, New York City. From New York, he went to Jackson- ville, Florida, where he was for four years pas- tor of the First Baptist Church. From 1895 to 1908, he made his headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. while he was engaged in evangelistic work in many states.
Dr. MacGregor died in Atlanta, April 23, 1908, after an illness of one month. A letter received from Atlanta, May 21, last, states that his surviving family are the widow and two daughters, then in Atlanta, and a son,
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REV. MALCOLM MACGREGOR
DAVID BARRELL
Will, married and living in New York City.
For the past thirteen years, Dr. MacGregor, besides doing evangelistic work, gained a high reputation in the lecture field. One of his lec- tures. "Nationality in Wit and Humor " was delivered in Fredonia, and also upon the Chau- tauqua Assembly Platform.
DAVID BARRELL
Deacon David Barrell, born Dec. 22, 1803, in Hartford, Washington County, New York. Died Jan. 3, 1888, in Pasadena, California. Buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia, N. Y.
" I have great cause for thankfulness that I may enter upon a new year under such favorable circumstances. I hope I may have wisdom to use what is committed to my care, with prudence, and as may best promote the interests of my family and friends and honor God."
(Close of the year 1860, diary of D. Barrell) (Biographical Sketch by A. Z. Madison)
David Barrell was the fourth son of Deacon Colbun Barrell of Hartford, Washington County, N. Y. He was born near South Hartford village, on the 22d. of December, 1803, on the farm homestead. His education was received wholly in the Common school, and
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in one of the best of Christian families. He worked on the farm until about 17 or 18 and was then, for some three years, a clerk in the store of Benjamin Hyde (the father of the late L. L. Hyde of Dunkirk), in the North Hartford Village. At the close of his clerk- ship, in 1825, he left Hartford and went to Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and was taken in as a partner in a store, by the firm of Rowley & Madison. (The latter being A. Z. Madison of this village). A few months later, the senior partner left this firm and the name was changed to Madison & Barrell. Sub- sequently, some years later, he had a store of his own in same village, and did considerable business. About 1829, he removed to the old village of Evans Center, Erie Co., and did more business in selling goods. About 1836 he removed to Fredonia, where he again sold goods for many years and was well known as a merchant and a successful business man. He was converted to Christ in his youth, be- fore leaving his native town, and has since been known as a uniform christian. He re- turned to Hartford in 1826 and married Miss Clarinda Yale, a niece of David Doane. He outlived all his father's family and also his own; his father, and mother, five brothers, and two sisters, and his wife and four children, all having preceded him. All his brothers and
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sisters were professed christians, and among them, were one minister, four deacons, and one minister's wife. His wife and daughter (the only child that lived to maturity) were professors of religion. This daughter, be- came the wife of Salem Kennedy of Buffalo. She died many years ago, but a warm attach- ment between Col. Barrell and Mr. Kennedy has ever remained, and Col. B. made his home with " Salem ", as he always called him, before leaving for California, the last time. He held several offices, both military and civil, and was active in the discharge of duties incum- bent. While in Gouverneur, he was made Captain of a military company, of which A. Z. Madison was Lieutenant, and in Fredonia, was Captain of the Fredonia Guards, and was afterward made Colonel of militia. In the cam- paign of 1840, he went with his company to Fort Meigs, where was celebrated the famous battle of Tippecanoe, fought by Gen. Harri- son, Nov. 7, 1811, against the Indians. He was one of the first trustees of Forest Hill Cemetery, and for more than twenty years its Secretary and Superintendent.
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1890-1899
Pastors- 1890-99 - Rev. Charles E. Smith, D. D. Clerk - 1890-91-A. Z. Madison; 1892-98 -E. J. Crissey; 1899-Chas. O. Mason.
S. S. Superintendent- 1890-93-F. S. Lyon; 1894- E. J. Crissey; 1895-Chas. L. Goulding; 1896-99 - Chas. O. Mason.
Meetings of the Association.
1890 - Fredonia; 1891 - Forestville; 1892 -James- town; 1893 - Ripley; 1894 - Busti; 1895 - Randolph; 1896 - Panama; 1897- Findley's Lake; 1898 -Stock- ton; 1899 - Cherry Creek.
ALMOND Z. MADISON
A LMOND Z. MADISON was born in Hebron, Washington County, N. Y., August 17, 1803. He died in Fre- donia, N. Y. March 2, 1892. Mr. Madison in early life made a profession of religion, was baptized in 1832 and united with the Baptist church. Before coming to Fredonia he was for several years the clerk of the Baptist church in Gouverneur, N. Y. In 1842 he came to Fredonia, N. Y., where his friend David Barrell then was established in business. In 1848 on the reunion of the two factions of the church, he was made the clerk of the Fredonia Baptist Church, which office he held until 1890 a period of 43 years. It is believed that this is the longest period of continued service of any
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A. Z. MADISON
officer of the church in its entire history of 100 years.
Mr. Madison was an earnest, devoted and wholly consecrated christian. His faithful painstaking business habits, his accuracy in details, peculiarly fitted him to be the model church clerk.
It is to his faithfulness and care in making and preserving the records that the historian of this Centenary volume is largely indebted for much valuable material. The sketch of one pastor - Rev. Charles Thompson, is wholly the work of his pen. Mr. Madison was keenly interested in public affairs and was the able Secretary and Treasurer of the Fredonia Academy, from Jan. 7, 1869 till its close, an institution the predecessor and in a sense the forerunner of our noble State Normal School.
Many a poor boy struggling for the attain- ment of a better education in the " Old Acad- emy " will remember the friendly smile and hand shake of the worthy secretary of that time honored institution. Into the sacred precincts of the pleasant home on Green street, the bi- ographer may well pause before entering. It was a christian home. The two sons became eminently respected and successful men of business. The daughter, a graduate of Fre- donia schools, on the death of both her parents
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made her home with her brother, the late James H. Madison, in Buffalo.
His pastor, Rev. C. E. Smith, D. D., says of Mr. Madison -" He was a remarkable in- stance of undiminished ability and faithful service to the very end of his long and very use- ful life."
Mr. Madison married Deborah Rowley of Gouverneur, N. Y., May 1st 1825. Their sons: - James H. Madison, born March 6th, 1826, died June 23 1899. John R. Madison, born February 21 1829, died October 10th 1898. Deborah Rowley Madison, died Gouv- erneur July 21 1832.
June 23 1839 Mr. Madison married Maria T. Vary (born January 19 1814) of Gouver- neur, N. Y. Their daughter, Sarah M. Madi- son was born June 19 1843 Fredonia N. Y. Maria T. V. Madison died at Fredonia N. Y. March 2 1892.
REV. CHARLES E. SMITH, D. D.
Charles E. Smith was born Jan. 22d, 1835, at Fall River, Massachusetts. He was the son of Philip and Roby Smith, much loved and honored members of the First Baptist Church, in which his father, long held the office of dea- con. This church was, and still is, one of the strongest and most influential in the old Bay State. Its pastors were men of high order
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REV. CHARLES E. SMITH, D. D.
and the standard of character maintained by its membership was such as to produce, in the mind of a child, the utmost confidence and veneration.
Converted at the age of fifteen, he was bap- tized by Rev. A. P. Mason D. D., long a dis- trict secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. At the age of twenty-one, he entered Rochester University, with the secret purpose to prepare for the ministry, but on the very night he left home, the church licensed him to preach the gospel, and thus informed him of its conviction regarding his duty. After a college course of four years, followed by three years in Rochester Theological Semi- nary, he began his ministry as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pawtucket, R. I. in August, 1863, and was soon after ordained by a council of the Rhode Island churches.
He was married Feb. 17th, 1864 to Catherine A. Kimball daughter of Morris and Louisa Kimball of Fulton, N. Y.
This pastorate was followed by others in Cincinnati, Ohio, New Haven, Conn., Syra- cuse, N. Y. and finally at Fredonia, N. Y. The first call which he received from this church, in the Autumn of 1884, was not ac- cepted, but a second call, in the succeeding Winter, convinced him of the divine will, and
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he entered upon his pastorate about the middle of January 1885.
The first year of his pastorate was memo- rable for more than one reason. The Fellow- ship Meeting, which was to be for so many years, such a delightful and profitable occasion to the church, was instituted on April 4th. 1885. Mr. Smith had originated such an an- nual gathering in his previous pastorate in Syracuse, and had found it so profitable, that he lost no time in proposing it to the brethren and sisters in Fredonia. It was called a " Covenant and Fellowship, or Partnership Meeting ", marked the beginning of the finan- cial year, and was celebrated on Saturday afternoon, with appropriate religious exercises ; the calling of the church roll, with responses from those present, and letters from absent members, and finally by a supper in the church parlors, of which all members of the congre- gation were invited to partake. The new in- stitution was at once a great success, and has ever since continued one of the most interest- ing and valuable features of the activity of the church.
During the Summer of the same year, the church edifice was repaired and improved at the expense of about a thousand dollars. The walls and ceiling of the audience room were re-frescoed; the wood work stained and var-
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nished, and the aisles and pews carpeted. When the work was completed, all felt that we had a far more beautiful and appropriate place of worship.
The first baptism by the new pastor, was that of Miss Jennie M. Merrill, May 3d. 1885. The whole number of members received during his entire pastorate, was 250, of whom 133 were by baptism.
The Rev. Lester Williams, a former pastor of the church, having died at Springfield, Mass. appropriate memorial services were held on Nov. 6th. 1885.
From the outset, Mr. Smith made an effort to establish increasingly cordial relations with the pastors and sister churches of the village, and this resulted in a union of the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, for an evangelistic series of meetings, in the Spring of 1886. The services of Rev. E. E. David- son were obtained to conduct the meetings, which continued from April 4th. to May 11th., and resulted in much quickening of the churches, and many additions. On June 24th. the hand of fellowship was given by the pastor to 24 new members, and others were received on subsequent Sabbaths.
The esteem felt for Rev. E. E. Davidson was such that he was again invited by these churches to conduct evangelistic meetings in
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1893. These meetings began April 9th. lasting three weeks, and were fruitful in conversions.
A third union in evangelistic work was en- tered into by the three churches in 1897, and the Rev. M. S. Rees conducted the meetings, with marked success. The fraternal spirit evinced and produced by these united labors, resulted in joint evangelistic services at other times under the leadership of the pastors, and in a united Sabbath afternoon service, during the Summer months, which has become a well established institution.
Early in his ministry, the pastor thought that the work done by the Ladies' Aid Society could be better done by a considerable change in its method of organization. He called the ladies of the congregation together; made known his views, and asked them to permit him to substitute a plan of his own. With their unanimous and cordial agreement, they were distributed into eight sections alphabetically, each with its own chairman and treasurer, and a general treasurer to have oversight of all; these officers to be appointed by the pastor. This plan proved a great improvement; yielded much larger financial results and was adhered to, substantially through the greater portion of Mr. Smith's pastorate.
In September 1886, the time of the Cove- nant meeting was changed from Saturday
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afternoon to Thursday evening. The change was unfortunate in regard to the country members, but the brethren in the village, who had rarely attended the meeting, were now able to be present.
Sept. 8th, 1887, Mr. Thomas Elgar was li- censed to preach the gospel. He soon became widely known as the "Prison Evangelist ", having visited prisons and preached to pris- oners in many states of the Union; held evan- gelistic services in many towns and cities, and has been the means of the conversion of many persons. He has always shown the warmest gratitude and love towards the dear church which encouraged him to begin his mission.
Dea. Barrell died Jan. 3d. 1888 in Cali- fornia, and upon the arrival of his remains in Fredonia, was appropriately honored with a memorial service, in which his life-long devo- tion to the church, was fitly acknowledged. He crowned his devotion by a legacy amount- ing to about $2,500.
Franklin S. Lyon was chosen deacon, Dec. 5th. 1890. A man of remarkably strong char- acter, fervent piety and life-long experience as a successful teacher, he was eminently fitted for the office, and was ideal in the perform- ance of its duties as long as health continued.
In 1891, the pastor was honored by his Alma Mater, the University of Rochester, with the
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additional degree to those already received, of Doctor of Divinity.
The Rev. A. Kingsbury, a greatly respected and loved ex-pastor of the church, died in Fre- donia, June 8th. 1893. It was during his pas- torate, and largely through his influence, that the present house of worship, was erected, and the church enjoyed his counsels, through his later years.
In 1895, Brother Thomas Elgar expressed a desire for ordination, and accordingly a council was called, which gave a unanimous approval, and the ordination occurred on Dec. 17th.
In 1892, on March 2d. Bro. A. Z. Madison, who for many years had been a painstaking and scrupulously accurate clerk of the church, passed to his reward, at the age of 89. He was a remarkable instance of undiminished ability and faithful service, to the very end of his long and useful life.
Our venerable and beloved Dea. Buck ended life by an extremely painful sickness, which he endured with great resignation, on August 16th. 1892.
Bro. William W. Barker who had been a child of our Sabbath School, and of the church, and as such, had won the respect and esteem of the brotherhood, was licensed to preach the gospel, Oct. 2d. 1898.
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In January, 1900, the pastor conducted re- vival meetings, as before, several times during his ministry - sometimes with, and sometimes without assistance. At one time, Rev. G. O. King participated; at another, Rev. Thomas Elgar. On this occasion, he called to his aid, the efficient services of Rev. W. P. Hellings D. D.
At the end of the month of March 1900, Dr. Smith finally closed his pastorate. Three years before; on May 13th. 1897, he had re- signed but the church had refused to accept the resignation, and induced him to take a six months' vacation, and then resume his duties. But, on Feb. 25th. 1900, he again resigned; this time peremptorily, and the church ac- cepted his resignation, and passed exceedingly appreciative and regretful resolutions. He preached his last sermon as pastor, March 25th. 1900, from Phil. 4: 6.
It may be added here to his personal record, what will be mentioned again in its proper place, that the church afterward honored him by electing him " Pastor Emeritus ", thus per- petuating indefinitely, in some degree, the de- lightful relation which has so long existed be- tween this pastor and his people.
The family of Dr. and Mrs. Smith consists of an only daughter - Grace. In the earlier years of the Fredonia pastorate, she married a
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prominent physician of the village - Dr. Nel- son G. Richmond. There are three grandchil- dren living. Early in life Miss Grace showed marked literary tastes and gave evidence of a high order of talent for authorship. For several years past, her contributions to the Ladies Home Journal, and other standard papers have made the signature "Grace S. Richmond " widely known and appreciated, as one of the most successful writers of American fiction.
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REV. A. L. JAMISON
1900-1908
Pastors-1900-1905 - David Lee Jamison. 1906-08 - Merritt J. Winchester.
Clerk - 1900-08 - Chas. L. Goulding.
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