USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Canton > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York > Part 5
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First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York
He was licensed by Otsego Presbytery September 17, 1873, and or- dained by the same Presbytery September 15, 1875. From 1871 until 1876 he acted as stated supply for the churches at Exeter and Fly Creek, N. Y. In 1874 he spent eight months in Egypt and Palestine. From July 16, 1876, until February 27, 1887, he was pastor of the church at New Berlin, N. Y. From March 10, 1887 until March 18, 1894 he was pastor of the Olivet Church, Utica, N. Y. From November 11, 1894 to July 1, 1904 he was pastor of the church at Canton. During his Canton pastorate he received into the church by profession fifty and by letter from other churches sixty-nine. During his pastorate the mortgage was paid, the in- terior of the church refrescoed and electric lights installed, and the church re-carpeted. The church sustained some very heavy losses during this time which greatly weakened the congregation.
Stubblebine, Rev. W. H., the eighth pastor of the church was born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 7, 1886. He was educated in the public schools of the city; prepared for college in the "North Broad Street Select Academy;" spent two years in the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Ursinus College, Pa., in 1889. Spent a year in Union Theological Seminary, New York, and graduated from the Ursinus School of Theology in 1891. He was a student of the "National School of Elocution and Oratory" in Philadelphia. Studied Hebrew in the summer schools of Dr. Harper, late President of Chicago University. For one year he had charge of both the secular and religious instruction of the boys in the Newsboy's Home in Philadelphia. In the summer of 1890 he worked under the auspices of the Evangelical Alliance in the state of New York. For one year was connected with the Seventh Presbyterian Church of Christ, New York. In 1894 he made a voyage to Greenland's Icy Mountains. Has served charges in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio and New York, his present pastorate, which began in August, 1904. During these three years fifty-six united with the church, thirty-seven by profession of faith and nineteen by letter. A new manse, costing thiriy-five hundred dollars was built.
The degree of Ph.D. was conferred upon him by Soule College, Kansas, for post graduate work,
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First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York
CHURCH OFFICERS
Barrows, Prosper, was born August 10, 1804. He united with the church by profession of faith very early in life and continued to adorn the gospel of Jesus with a consistency worthy of commenda- tion. In 1841 he was elected to the office of ruling elder and in 1856 he was elected to the office of trustee. Mr. Barrows' particu- cular interest centered in the Sunday School and he exerted a great influence upon the children. He was Superintendent for a number of years and also teacher of the Young Men's Bible Class. Upon his retiring from active work his class presented him with a large family Bible. He died February 27, 1871.
Chamberlain, John H. W., was born in Massachusetts February 4, 1816. He settled in Canton in 1837, learning the harness making trade. He united with the Presbyterian Church by profession of faith about the year 1847. At about the same time he was elected a ruling elder. In 1856 he was elected a trustee. His health fail- ing him he removed to a farm near the village where he lived until death claimed him on December 15, 1890.
Packard, M. D., was elected a member of the Board of Trustees in 1864 and served the church with enthusiasm and zeal for a num- ber of years. He has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the church and is one of its most generous supporters. In 1876, when the new church project was launched he was appointed one of the building committee. It was due to Mr. Packard's wise manouvering that the stately spire which now adorns the church was erected.
Wright, Silas, jr., was elected a trustee in 1823. Though he never. formally united with the church he was one of its most loyal adherents and liberal supporters. The character of the man can be better imagined when it is stated that during the interims when the church was without a pastor Mr. Wright would read sermons for the edification of the people. In conjunction with Mr. Joseph Barnes he gave all that property upon which the church and manse now stands, and also that which is now embraced in the public
HENRY L. SACKRIDER
H. H. JUDD
DAVID G. GRISWOLD
WM. F. CAHOON, JR.
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First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York
park. Mr. Wright was the most prominent man ever associated with the church. He was a Senator in the state legislature, Gov- ernor of the state, a member of the United States Senate and at one time a strong candidate for the Presidency.
Cahoon, William F. In 1860 Mr. Cahoon united with the church by profession of his faith. A man of unassuming demeanor, he exerted a great influence for good upon all with whom he came in contact. He sacrificed worldly ambition in order to minister the better to the needs of his widowed mother and his brothers and sis- ters. He was faithful to his church and a liberal supporter. In 1877 he was elected a trustee of the church. On January 16, 1895, he was elected an elder, an office which his father had filled for so many years. He died December 18, 1900.
Sackrider, Henry L. In 1841 Mr. Sackrider united with the Congregational Church at Norfolk and soon after was elected to the office of deacon. Upon his removal to Canton he transferred his membership to the Presbyterian Church. In April 1873 he was elected and ordained a ruling elder. In 1863 Mr. Sackrider was superintendent of the Sabbath School and also taught a bible class. Upon retiring from his office his class presented him with an album containing their photos. In 1893, when the General Assembly was endeavoring to raise one million dollars for a mission fund Mr. Sackrider subscribed one hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Sackrider was elected a trustee in 1850. Tho he had filled all the most hon- ored offices of the church he was known by the title of "Deacon" until his death on October 15, 1895. He was eighty-seven years old.
Matthews, Heman P., united with the church under the ministry of Rev. John Waugh in 1860 and immediately became an active participant in all the work of the church. For more than half a century Mr. Matthews was identified with the business interests of the village and was recognized as a man of sterling worth and of consistent christian character. He was unusually faithful in his at- tendance upon all the services of the church and one of its most generous supporters. In 1878 he was ordained to the office of rul- ing elder by Dr. Gardner and continued to fill that office until death released him on September 24, 1896.
Mr. Matthews was one of the most ardent advocates of the new church project and when it was finally decided to build he was elected a member of the building committee. As chairman of the
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First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York
committee it fell to his lot to lay the corner stone. When the build- ing was finally completed he was the one who turned over the keys of the building to the trustees. Mr. Matthews was unassuming in demeanor but a man of strong character and of wholesome influ- ence. For many years his daughter Francis, now Mrs. Whitmyer, of Schenectady, N. Y. was a faithful worker in the church and tho separated from us her interest in the church of her father is still as great as ever.
Manley, Gilbert B., was received into the fellowship of the church by letter of dismissal from the Congregational Church at Homer, N. Y., February 27, 1874. From the very beginning he took an active part in the work of the church. In 1878 he was elected and ordained a ruling elder. In 1889 he was elected clerk of the ses- sion. In 1877 he was elected a trustee and served in that capacity for twenty-one years. He was also treasurer of the church for a number of years. He was frequently elected to represent the church at the meetings of the Presbytery and on two occasions he was elected a commissioner to the General Assembly. A man of great spiritual strength he was none the less devoted to the mater- ial welfare of the church. He was always the man to set the pace. He never asked another to do what he was not willing himself first to do. His private benefactions will never be known. The church had reason to mourn the loss of so great and good a man.
Mr. Manley had long been a sufferer from a serious malady and while on a visit to Brooklyn visiting his son Dr. Mark Manley, who was recovering from a long illness, he himself was taken ill. The only hope of recovery was an operation which was performed. The operation was successful but just at the time when matters seemed the most encouraging complications set in and in a brief time death claimed him. The news of his death cast a gloom over the whole village.
Mr. Manley was for many years the proprietor and editor of the "Plaindealer," prominent in public affairs and a force for good in the comunity. Tho weighted with the responsibilities of business and the church Mr. Manley was devoted to his wife, who had for years been confined to a room in total darkness. Mrs. Manley sur- vives her husband and by her devotion to the church, contributing to its work most generously, continues his memory among us. Mr. Manley died July 28, 1900.
Lawrence, Lorenzo, was elected a trustee in the church in 1849. He also served the church as a deacon for many years. He was a
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First Presbyterian Church, Canton, New York
musician of talent and for years had charge of the music of the church.
Nickelson, Charles, came to Canton in 1863 and united with the church by letter of dismissal in 1864. He filled the office of trustee from 1879 until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1900.
Barnes, Joseph, one of the original members of the church, fill- ing the honorable offices of elder and trustee for many years. The Sunday School was organized by him. He was the superintendent of the building of the first church. He, with Mr. Wright, jr., gave the ground upon which the church stands.
Conkey, Chas. N., was at the time of his death, April 27, 1905, the senior elder in the church, having been ordained to that office in 1871. He was active in all the work of the church and Sunday School. He was superintendent of the school for a number of years.
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