USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country, embracing original records of Ontario Association, and the presbyteries of Ontario, Rochester (former), Tennessee River, and Rochester City > Part 7
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The latter months of his life were marked by a peculiarly rich and joyful experience. A halo seemed to him to rest upon the summer as it passed, so calm and peaceful and beatific did it prove. Among his latest memorable utter- ances was the expression, "The victory is won-I have crossed over, and oh what peace!"
REV. MILTON BUTTOLPH.
The following sketch of Mr. Buttolph appeared in the N. Y. Evangelist soon after his death :
" He was born in North East, Dutchess Co., in 1792, and consequently was 88 years of age in May last. He com- menced active services in the church in early life, but was not ordained until 1827, and at the same time installed over the church in La Grange, Dutchess County, which he assisted
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in organizing, and with which he remained nearly ten years, leaving it strong and self-sustaining. During these ten years he was called upon to labor in nearly every church in North River Presbytery, holding revival meetings, preach- ing three times a day, besides holding meetings of inquiry. Hundreds would be the subjects of these meetings, some of whom have since become strong and stable official members of the churches. Upon leaving La Grange he removed to Medina, Orleans County, and while in the Niagara Presby- tery in that county he was called upon to labor in many of the churches, as at the East, with great success. After several years in this county, he removed to Scottsville, Monroe County. During his ministry here a very precious revival occurred. The church was greatly revived, and a large accession was made, some of whom to-day are bearing the burdens of the same. He then went to Painted Post and Castile, and after several years of labor in these churches, he removed to Lima, in 1857. During the year he supplied the pulpits in Avon and Richmond. In the spring of 1858 he removed to Richmond, preaching alternately there and at Honeoye for four and one-half years, laboring unceasingly to bring the latter church up to nearly its present inde- pendence. In Bristol, Ontario County, he preached four and a half years. In most of these churches additions were made, and during this time very successful work was done in Rochester, Bergen, Knowlesville, Carlton, and many other places which I cannot now mention. In the spring of 1866 he returned to Lima, where he has since resided.
"His wife died nearly ten years since. She was Miss Elizabeth Christie, of Cornwall, Ct. By her he was greatly sustained and aided during his ministerial career, always ready and cheerfully meeting the demands upon her time and strength. Besides his three surviving children, he had an elder son, Edward, a practising lawyer in the city of Poughkeepsie, who died in Castile, in 1854. Mr. Buttolph's
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prominent traits of character were firmness of purpose, untiring energy, very fearless in defending a cause where a principle was involved. In the early days of the temperance and slavery questions he took decided ground against those evils, regardless of popularity, desiring only to do as the Master would have him. He was not content unless the church which he was serving was advancing, her graces growing, and accessions made to it of such as should be saved. Like David, he served his generation, and now his life work done, he has gone to his reward, to receive that crown of righteousness that was laid up for him. He met death calmly and peacefully, expressing himself as ready to meet his Savior. He was next to the oldest member of Rochester Presbytery."
He died at Lima, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1880.
REV. LEMUEL BROOKS.
The following sketch has been furnished by his daughter, Miss Maria Brooks, of Churchville, N. Y .:
Rev. Lemuel Brooks, was born in Brookfield, Conn., Nov. 27, 1797; united with the 1st Congregational church in Washington, Conn., 1815 ; and studied at Phillips Academy. He took his theological course at Auburn, N. Y. He mar- ried Miss Maria Brown, of Ogden, N. Y., 1827; died at Churchville, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1881; his wife and four daughters survived him.
This sketch of him was published in the Evangelist.
" He was born in Brookfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where his grandfather spent all his life from early manhood to old age, as pastor of the Congregational church, He came to
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Rochester when he was twenty-six years old, in the neigh- borhood of which he thereafter continued to reside. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Rochester, Oct. 1, 1828, at Riga Centre. The following year he was ordained and installed pastor of the church at Penfield by the same Presbytery, Dr. Joseph Penney preaching the sermon. Subsequently he preached in Attica, where his labors were greatly blessed, fifty being added to the church in one year ; to the church in Bethany and in Covington a year, where also there was an ingathering into the church. He preached in Chili four years, the same time in Church- ville, and was settled seven years over the church in Webster. In consequence of excessive labors, particularly in preaching in the evening and exposing himself in long rides to the night air after the preaching, he lost his voice, and in 1847 ceased his work in the ministry and returned to Churchville, where he lived to the time of his death. He was an earnest, active Christian, in full sympathy with revivals of religion, and never so happy as when engaged in them.
" He made a profession of religion in the nineteenth year of his age, when living in Washington, Conn., where he became one of the converts in a wonderful work of grace, under the labors of Nettleton, the Evangelist. During most of his life he was in quite moderate circumstances. On the death of a brother a few years ago he inherited a large fortune, which he conscientiously used as a steward of the Lord, Hamilton College, Auburn Seminary, Lake Forest University, and all of our Church Boards receiving large sums."
His body was brought to Rochester and interred in Mount Hope.
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REV. ELIJAH H. BONNEY.
The following minute, which was prepared by Rev. Henry Wickes, of Rochester, was adopted by Presbytery, Sept. 19, 1882, with reference to the death of Rev. Elijah H. Bonney, who had been received from the Presbytery of Niagara, Oct. 21, 1879.
"Your committee to present a minute concerning the decease of our dear Bro. Bonney, would report his entering into rest on the 26th day of June last, after a life of devoted labor in the work of the Master. He was born in Hadley, Mass., Nov. 4, 1816, was a graduate of Amherst, 1839, and of Union Theological Seminary, 1844, and from 1844 to the time of his death labored successfully in the churches in North Bennington, Pawlet, and Bellows Falls, Vermont, then in Vernon Centre, N.Y., Lenox, Madison Co., afterwards in Somerset, Niagara Co., and last at Clarkson, from whence he has been removed to the church above. In his removal the church meets with the loss of a man with warm sympathies, a wise counselor, quick to see the excel- lencies of others, and ready to cast the cloak of charity over the defects and errors of others.
" He was genial and warm-hearted as a friend, as a preacher and teacher scholarly, sound, instructive and evangelical, preaching Jesus, whom he loved and trusted as the light and life of the world.
" We tender our warm sympathy to the bereaved family, and to the church which has lost so faithful and excellent an under-shepherd, and pray the Great Head of the church to sanctify to them and to us the sore affliction which has been experienced in his decease."
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REV. THOMAS A WEED.
Rev. Thomas A. Weed graduated at Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1843, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1847. He was licensed by the Congregational Association of New York and Brooklyn in 1846, and ordained by the Presbytery of Oswego in 1848. He was received into this Presbytery by letter from the Presbytery of Syracuse, April 11th, 1871, and soon after was installed pastor of the church of Wheat- land (Scottsville).
The following minute, which was prepared by Rev. J. R. Page, D. D., was adopted by Presbytery, September 19th, 1882 :
" The Rev. T. A. Weed having departed this life since our last meeting, Presbytery enter this record on their min- utes, to express their sense of his great excellencies as a Christian man, and of his ability, fidelity and usefulness as a minister of the Word. Our dear brother died, June 28, 1882, at Saratoga Springs, to which place he had gone with the hope of restoring his health, which had become greatly enfeebled. Mr. Weed was born in Stamford, Ct., October 15, 1817. His first pastoral charge was in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y. Here he labored with great assiduity and success for a period of twenty-three years. He manifested great interest in matters of education, and had a large share in shaping the sentiment of the community in which he so long lived.
" He was called to Scottsville in 1870, where he labored until his death. Genial and kindly qualities were his. Of commanding presence in the pulpit, he was very earnest, able and eloquent in his ministrations. The large attend- ance of both the brethren of the Presbytery, and of the com- munity in which he lived, at the memorial services held
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after his death testified to the great esteem in which he was held, and the profound grief felt by all at his death. Above all, none who knew him questioned his earnest, devoted piety. We sympathize with the bereaved family and con- gregation, and exhort them one and all, 'His faith follow, considering the end of his conversation, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and forever.' "
REV. GEORGE MCCARTNEY.
The following minute was presented by Rev. Jonathan Copeland, of Webster, and adopted by Presbytery, June 18, 1883 :
" Rev. George McCartney, who was for many years an esteemed member of this Presbytery, died in Banks, Mich., November 6, 1882, in the 72d year of his age. He was born and educated in Scotland for the ministry, and came to this country while young, intending only to make a brief visit and return; but finding the ocean passage severe, he concluded to remain, and make this his home. He engaged at first in teaching and editing a paper at Harrisburg, Pa. Afterwards he was ordained and installed pastor of the Dutch Church of Watervliet, N. Y., where he had a very successful pastorate of eleven years. Then he labored for a time at Beacon Hill, and afterwards removed to Webster, and became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that place, and continued seven years, when he was obliged to retire on account of feeble health. This was his last work. He was highly esteemed in this relation, both for his piety and able ministry ; and his name among the people is still held in affectionate remembrance. He was a diligent stu- dent, possessed a clear and logical mind, was very thorough
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in his investigations of all subjects to which he gave his attention, and when his conclusions were reached was firmly settled in his opinions, was an able preacher and very warmly attached to the work of the ministry and deeply interested in all that related to the church of Christ. The last seven years of his life were years of confinement, and much of the time helplessness, but he gave ample evidence of the sus- taining power of divine grace, so long as his mind was clear. He left a wife and two sons, one of whom is a minister of the gospel, and three daughters, to all of whom the brethren of Presbytery extend their cordial sympathy. Resolved, that a copy of this minute be sent to the family."
REV. THOMAS AITKEN.
Rev. Thomas Aitken was born in the town of Falkirk, Sterlingshire, Scotland, November 26, 1799, graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1819, and at the United Seces- sion Seminary of Selkirk and Glasgow in 1823. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Sterling and Falkirk, June 8, 1824, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Cupar of the United Secession Church, June 2, 1829. As early as 1825 he went as a missionary to the Orkney Islands, and after a term of service covering about thirteen years in the old country, came to the United States. Here he first preached a short time at Fall River, Mass., but soon settled in Sparta, where he found a people allied to him by ties both natural and ecclesiastical, with whom he maintained the most tender pastoral relations up to the time of his death, March 11, 1884,-a period of about forty-five years ;- he having been released from the active duties of the ministry less than two
REV. THOMAS AITKEN.
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years previous to that date. In him the Scotch clergy had a learned, eloquent and faithful representative. Strongly conservative in his tendencies, and very distrustful of inno- vations, his advocacy of the old school was so earnest that it seemed impossible that he ever could be reconciled to the union, but when once the two bodies came together there was not a man in all our Presbytery who appeared to enjoy the love feast more than he. In social life he mingled most delightfully with the families of his charge. His love of poetry, coupled with a very retentive memory, enabled him to recite copious extracts from his favorite authors for their entertainment.
Dating from his licensure his entire ministry was a little less than sixty years, during fifty-eight of which he promptly and untiringly met the demands of both pulpit and people.
REV. JOSEPH R. PAGE, D. D.
The Rev. Joseph R. Page, D. D., was born in New Brunswick, N. J., August 1, 1817. He pursued studies pre- paratory to the ministry with Rev. Alonzo Wilton, and was licensed by the New York City Association in 1838, and ordained by the Oneida Association, February 6, 1839, at Plymouth, N. Y., where he preached for about a year. He commenced his ministry at Perry, N. Y., in 1839, which, with two interruptions, continued until 1868. The first of these was that he might gratify his desire for a more thorough theological course, which he secured at Auburn, graduating with the class of 1844, and second, that he might accept the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Stratford, Conn., for the years 1857-8. After leaving Perry in 1868, he sup-
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plied the pulpit at East Avon for five years, and then was settled as pastor at Brighton for ten years. He died of heart disease in Rochester, December 17, 1884. As a mem- ber of the former Presbytery of Ontario, he was widely known in this section as very zealous for the New School Assembly, and prominent in the controversies which then prevailed. The merging of Ontario with this Presbytery was largely the result of his influence ; and that his whole heart was enlisted in the welfare of this body was attested by the fact that during the fourteen years of his member- ship he was present at every stated meeting, and at almost all the special and adjourned meetings, giving the strictest attention to business from the commencement to the final correction of the minutes. For fifteen years he was a mem- ber of the Board of Commissioners of Auburn Seminary, and for about twenty years was a member of the Board of Trustees of Ingham University. While as a writer he was clear, concise, accurate and forcible, and as a preacher was arugmentative, scriptural, earnest and convincing, it was as a man among men, dealing with living issues and meeting practical questions, that the peculiar force of his character found its expression. On the floor of an ecclesiastical body he was perfectly at home. Ready in debate, ingenious in the arrangement of his points, honest in his convictions and urgent in his pleading, none could fail to recognize in him a successful leader. For fifteen years the correspondent of the New York Evangelist, for Western New York, the churches in this section knew not how greatly they were indebted to his vigorous pen, until it was laid down never again to be resumed. His ministry of forty-six years was long, laborious and successful.
REV. J. R. PAGE, D. D.
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REV. MALCOLM N. McLAREN, D. D.
The following minute, which was prepared by Rev. F. De W. Ward, D. D of Geneseo, was adopted by Presbytery, September 20, 1887 :
Malcolm Neil McLaren, D. D., closed his long life at his home 'in Auburn, N. Y., July 1st, 1887. At the funeral services the city pastors were represented by Rev. C. C. Hemingway ; the Theological Seminary by Prof. R. B. Welch ; Rochester Presbytery by Rev. Dr. Parsons, of Mount Morris, and Rev. Dr. Ward, of Geneseo. The three first named conducted the devotional exercises ; the last because of long acquaintance and special intimacy of more than forty years, by request of the family, delivered the address.
His biography, in brief words, is this : Born at Albany, N. Y., July 1st, 1799, educated at Union College, (1824) and at Princeton Theological Seminary (1826) ; married Miss Patty, who, with two daughters and a son followed his remains to their last resting place. He ministered as stated supply or pastor at Brodalban, Hamptonburgh, Johnstown, Rochester First Church, Newburgh and Caledonia. Gifted and good are terms truthfully applicable to our deceased associate. Gifted with a form tall erect and graceful, specially courteous in manner wherever, seen; endowed with a mind well disciplined by study; having few equals in rhetoric and expressive pulpit delivery. For all these and for goodness of heart, and fidelity as preacher and pastor he will long be remembered in the many places of his abode and labors. His was an active, useful life, a peaceful death, and who can doubt a blessed immortality, in the pres- ence of Him whom he long and faithfully served, and whose name was the last upon his lips. By his own request there was placed upon his coffin a copy of the Bible which was
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daily read at family worship ; and an edition, dating back a half century, of the Westminster Confession of Faith, whose doctrines had so firmly imbedded a place in his intelligent faith, and were defended as occasion required, with a fear- lessness worthy of his Scotch ancestry and early Presbyte- rian training.
Thus lived and labored and fell asleep at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, the next but one of the oldest of our members ; leaving a name ever to be mentioned with fraternal esteem ; an example worthy of personal imitation. Few of us will reach his age, but be ours the desire and earnest endeavor so to preach from the pulpit, so to counsel from house to house, so to plead with our fellow men, and pray to our God above, that whether called away as many are in mid-life, or with powers exhausted as were those of our venerable father in Christ, we can take up the valedic- tory utterance of the blessed Jesus : " I have finished O Lord the work thou gavest me to do."
REV. BENJAMIN McNEIL.
The following minute was adopted by Presbytery, April 9,1889 :
The Rev. Benjamin F. McNeil was born April 4, 1826, in the town of Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y.
Graduating at Hamilton College in 1852, he for some years after was a successful teacher in Pennsylvania, and was also connected with several newspapers.
In 1868, he graduated at Union Seminary, N. Y., and in May of the same year was licensed by the Presbytery of New York.
Devoting himself to the Home Missionary work, he was ordained as an evangelist in October, 1868, at St. Louis, Mo.
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He soon gathered a church at Beatrice, Neb., where he was instrumental in building a church edifice. He organized a number of churches, and endured great hardships until he was prostrated by a sunstroke in the summer of 1874, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. Returning to the East and unable longer to preach, he made vigorous efforts to maintain his usefulness by editing religious news- papers, but his poor health compelled him in a few years to abandon all efforts of the kind and to seek rest in the min- isters' home at Perth Amboy.
It was while editing a religious newspaper in the city of Rochester that he united with this Presbytery, April 18, 1879, by letter from the Presbytery of Newark; and though he remained here only about two years, he never transferred his relationship to any other body.
Owing to his poor health, his mind became much impaired. While on a visit to his mother in Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass., he died, November 26, 1887.
REV. CHARLES GILLETTE.
The following sketch was prepared by the Rev. John E. Baker, of Rochester, and was adopted by Presbytery, April 10th, 1889 :
Rev. Charles Gillette, a member of this Presbytery, closed his earthly life, and ministerial labors at Rochester, N. Y., December 9, 1887, aged 74.
He was born in Halifax, Vt., Oct. 17, 1813. His parents removed during his early childhood to Ox Bow, Jefferson Co., N. Y. He was fitted for college at Lowville Academy, and Whitesboro, N. Y., graduated at Amherst, Mass., in 1839, and at Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., in 1842
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His first ministerial charge was in Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., where he remained from 1844 to 1847. He next supplied the church in Huntington for one year. In 1848, he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Fort Covington, Franklin Co., N. Y., where he remained until 1858. In December, 1858, he began preaching in Milford, Otsego Co., N. Y., where his pastorate continued twelve years. In 1871, he took charge of the Congregational Church in Mannsville, Jefferson Co., N.Y., remaining with it three years.
His last charge was in Red Creek, Wayne Co., N. Y., which also lasted three years.
Ten years before his death he removed to Rochester, N. Y., for the purpose of educating his children. His subse- quent ministerial labors were confined to occasionally preaching in churches near the city.
He left a wife and four children, pecuniarily well provided for.
While in the Theological Seminary, he established a mission on 50th Street that grew ultimately into a large church. While located at Milford, he was stated clerk of the Presbytery for 10 years. He was a genial man-a faithful and successful pastor, and a kind husband and father. His end was peaceful. He sleeps in Jesus.
REV. CHARLES STODDARD DURFEE.
The following minute, which was prepared by the Rev. S. A. Freeman, was adopted by Presbytery April 11, 1888 :
Rev. Charles Stoddard Durfee, a member of the Pres- bytery of Rochester, after a lingering illness of several months duration, died at East Bloomfield, N. Y., Saturday, December 24, 1887. He was born July 22, 1844, at South Dedham, Mass., where his father, Rev. Calvin Durfee, was
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for fifteen years pastor of the Congregational Church. A graduate of Williams College in 1864, converted to Christ the year before his graduation, his direct preparation for the gospel ministry was made at Hartford Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1869. Ordained the same year, he was installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Newburyport, Mass., where he remained until 1872, when he accepted a call to the Oakwood Avenue Presby- terian Church, Troy, N. Y. Thence, in 1874, he was called. to the Central Presbyterian Church, Geneseo, of which he remained pastor until 1880. In that year he resigned his pastorate for the purpose of facilitating the reunion of the First and Central Churches of Geneseo, whose separation of more than twenty years duration, was a local relic of the old divisions in the church at large so happily healed in 1870. The successful accomplishment of this reunion, toward which our beloved brother, entirely of his own motion, took the first essential steps, was a consummation whose fruitful results for good are largely due to his self- abnegation, creditable alike to the head and heart of the true disciple of the blessed Master,-a consummation which could probably never have been attained without his entire willingness to sacrifice himself and his apparent interests to what he felt to be the highest welfare of Christ's church and cause in a community which he dearly loved.
After a pastorate of three years with the Presbyterian Church, Liverpool, N. Y., in May, 1884, he accepted a call to the Congregational Church of East Bloomfield, N. Y., in the pastorate of which he continued up to the time of his death. A faithful student of God's word, a clear and forcible preacher of the Gospel, a kind and faithful pastor, courteous and attractive in the intercourse of social and domestic life, thoughtful of the welfare of all about him, of whatever age or outward circumstances, our brother was characterized by the unyielding courage with which he
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adhered to his convictions of truth and duty at cost of what- ever trial to himself. Throughout his useful life he showed a deep interest in the work of Christian missions, Christian temperance, and all that pertain to the welfare of the young. His habitual open-handed, though unobtrusive beneficence ministered to the need of many a sufferer. As a devoted minister of Christ's gospel and as a brother beloved, we would revere his name and honor his memory. May the Lord help us who remain, heirs of a like precious faith, to be true to our high vocation, and to work with redoubled diligence while our day lasts !
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