USA > Virginia > Sketches and portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
-
REV. HENRY W. DUNKLEY.
393
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
proportion of his time to genuine historieal investigations, and has the ability, as well as the taste, for such work. In the pulpit, Mr. Christian is careful. earnest, impressive and often impassioned. Ilis sermons show most careful preparation, and the power of God is in them. Conviction comes to the hearers through his preaching and desire for higher living. In all questions of life and Conference relations, Christian not only brings his intellect, but his con- science as well. He is not controlled by petty feelings or prejudices, but of what seems to him to be right in all these matters. His ideal of ministerial life is high, and he lives up to it. His friendships are intensive rather than exten- sive, and in all things he is true to a friend. lle is not politie, not gushing, but a sincere and courageous man. His clear-cut face is an index to a pure sonl. Asbury Christian believes in Christ, lives Christ.
Mr. Christian is a native of Lynchburg, Va., dating his birth from January 8, 1866. His parents are E. D. and Cornelia Christian. IIe was educated at the High School of that city, Randolph-Macon and Vanderbilt. He entered the Conference in 1892, and has served Washington Street, Richmond; Cente- nary, Lynchburg, and is now pastor of our chief church in Berkley-
REV. ADRIAN L. CARSON.
Mr. Carson was born in Appomattox county, Va., October 24, 1868. IIe is the son of Thomas and Mary Carson, a most worthy couple, who in this year of grace are still living, and naturally (and very justly, too) are proud of their "boy."
Mr. Carson was blessed with descent from healthy . parentage, and had the further advantages of birth and rearing in the country. To the healthy, happy life on the farm in boyhood's days he is largely debtor for a splendid physique, and for health that is rugged, vigorous, enduring. In height and size he is a young giant, and yet he is so finely proportioned and compactly molded you would scarcely realize at first sight that he is much greater in girth and height than the average man.
From the schools in his community and from Emory and Henry College he received his education.
On January 4, 1890, he was licensed to preach by the fourth Quarterly Con- ference of Abingdon Circuit, Holston Conference. During the following sum- mer le engaged in revival work with his brother, the Rev. E. V. Carson, on Chatham Circuit. These initial labors were blessed to the conversion of many souls. The summer and autumn of 1892 were spent on Nottoway Circuit as assistant to Rev. R. B. Blankenship. At the session of the Virginia Confer- ence, held in Norfolk in 1892, he was received on trial, and appointed to the Staunton River Circuit. Here he served one year, and was then sent to the North Pittsylvania Circuit, where he remained three years. In both these charges he did excellent work, and left a people who were devoted to him and who gave him up with great reluctance. In 1896 he was sent to the South of Dan Cirenit, serving with great acceptability four years. Ile is now at Onley. One of his parishioners writes thus of him, "He won the love and esteem of his
-
REV. ROBERT N. HATNESS.
395
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
people by his genial Christian character, and consequently his work has been a great success."
While Mr. Carson was preparing for and making the beginnings of his min- istry the Danville Female College was educating a lovely girl, who was destined to become his bride. And next to his conversion, the greatest blessing of God eame to him in the person of Miss Mattie Hodges, of Halifax county, Va. They were married June 15, 1893. A friend who knew her well, wrote: "She is a Methodist of the finest type and of the best and oldest stock. Endowed with a sweet disposition, the possessor of a noble Christian character, she is a helpmeet of a kind that is not often found." This is high praise, but she is worthy.
By every sign and token Mr. Carson ought to have a future of great use- fulness before him. Thus far he has been a suceess. He is a man of strong personality, of fine, commanding presence, and endowed with those qualities of inind and heart that win and hold friends and favor. He is a good and a grow- ing preacher. He is charming in the social circle. He is ever genial, ever ap- proachable. He identifies himself with his people, and is responsive alike to both their joys and their sorrows. This tribute to his standing as a pastor comes from his present charge: "Brother Carson makes a good pastor. He visits from house to house among all the people. And in particular, the poor are never overlooked. In every home he is weleomed and beloved." And with these words of high and most desirable commendation, from a high and most eapable source, we leave him and his future in the care of God and His Church
REV. LUTHER T. HITT.
May 5, 1866, is the date and Culpeper county, Va., is the birthplace of Luther T. Hlitt. A. L. and M. L. Hitt are the names of his parents.
Young Hitt's home training was decidedly religious. This led to his con- version, when he was sixteen years old. The call to preach was from his ear- liest recollection. He was reared on the farm, loved and learned that vocation. At the age of twenty-two the call to the work of the ministry was so plain and disturbing that, notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of his being specially educated, he surrendered himself to the Church.
At the Rappahannock Quarterly Conference, September 4, 1889, he was li- censed to preach by Dr. A. C. Bledsoe, and at once he entered a school in Rap- pahannock county. In the autumn of 1890 he attended Randolph-Maeon Academy at Bedford City and spent two successful and profitable years. In 1892, at the Norfolk session, he joined the Virginia Conference, and was sent to Chatham Circuit as junior preacher with Rev. E. V. Carson. This was a very successful and happy year with him. About two hundred souls were converted and reecived into the Church. In 1893, he was appointed to Pat- rick Circuit. During his service of two years on that work many were reeceived into the Church. It was on Patrick Circuit that he met Miss Mattie A. Alex- ander, of North Carolina, a noble, gifted, consecrated Christian girl. They were married Angust 28, 1895. That day was a fortunate day for Mr. Hitt. She is truly a help to him in his work. Onley and Locustville was Brother
1
REV. J. FRANKLIN CAREY.
397
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Hitt's next charge. His labors were greatly blessed there, but the health of his wife would not allow him to remain but two years. Scottsville is now en- joying his fourth year's service. Here, as elsewhere, he is popular, both as pastor and in the pulpit. About 700 souls have been converted under his min- istry.
Brother Hitt is rather striking in personal appearance, medium height, crect, complexion fair, brown eyes, full suit of dark-red hair and moustache, features strong and expressive. Ile is sweet-spirited, very cheerful and sym- pathetic in disposition.
As a preacher, Brother Hitt is spiritual, logical, plain, bold, and considered by all who hear him as specially gifted. Every charge he has served has pros- pered greatly under his care.
REV. JAMES KILGORE JOLLIFF.
On December 14, 1868, God saw fit to bless two of his followers, Josiah and Sarah A. Jolliff, of Norfolk county, Va., with a son, a gift destined to be given back some day to ITim and His work.
Mr. Jolliff began life surrounded by positive Christian influences. In the father's family the religion of Christ and ITis worship at the family altar have been for years a part of the legacy handed down from father to son, and both he and his pious wife have sought to pass it on to their children. "To family worship and to my parents' godly lives," says Mr. Jolliff, "I owe the deepest religious impressions I have ever received." For a time, however, God's purpose in the life of the young man was obscured, and he was led away from the religion of his fathers by evil associates. But in 1886, under the infhience of his pastor, Rev. T. J. Taylor, his early impressions were deepened, and he was led to God. Of the time immediately following, he says: "Shortly after conversion the impression formed itself in my mind that I must preach the Gospel. The way did not seem clear to do so, however, as I was deficient in education, and had not the means of obtaining it." But the Lord "made the path plain" before him, and means having been pro- cured he was enabled to attend Randolph-Macon College during the four years, 1887-'91. Ilere he graduated with distinction in English and Biblical Literature. His unusnal bodily strength, good mind, and jovial disposition made him a favorite among his fellow-students, and most of them have good words for "Jake" Jolliff whenever his name is mentioned.
In July, 1890, Mr. Jolliff was licensed to preach. The summer of 1892 found him at South Boston assisting Brother DeShazo in the work, and in November of that year, when the Virginia Conference held its session in Nor- folk, he entered the itinerancy. His first appointment was East Suffolk and Magnolia. While here he was married to Miss Sne Hubbard, of Halifax county. Only eight weeks after the marriage he was plunged into the deep- est affliction by the death of his noble young wife. Mr. Jolliff has since served several charges-Edenton, N. C., Whaleyville and Somerton and Owens Me- morial, Portsmonth, with snecess and to the satisfaction of his people. While
REV. CAMERON E. PLEASANTS.
399
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
at Whaleyville he was again married, his second wife being Miss Mary Liz- zie Taylor, daughter of Rev. Travis J. Taylor, a sweet Christian woman, and a true helpmeet to her husband. Mr. Jolliff is now in the fourth year of a most successful pastorate in Smithfield, Va.
It needs but a glance at the strongly-built, robust form and lofty fore- head of Mr. Jolliff, and attendance upon one of his forceful discourses to con- vince the observer that he is in possession of the essential elements of suc- cess, "a sound mind in a sound body." A further inquiry into his life and works serves to disclose his third great gift-the blessing of the Father. Mr. Jolliff bids fair to become a man of influence and power in each of the sev- eral departments of his work. His mind is quick, clear, logical, well-stocked with useful information; his sermons are strong, well-constructed, and de- livered with force and enthusiasm; his manner is genial and kind to all; his heart is sympathetic and true. May God pour His richest blessings upon His servant, and may the Holy Spirit direct him through life to great usefulness !
REV. RICHARD G. JAMES.
Mr. James is the son of John W. and Margaret E. James, and the grandson of Garland James, who for many years was a local preacher in the Methodist Church of Hanover county, Va. He was born in Chesterfield county, Va., December 29, 1861. At the age of fifteen years he joined the Methodist Church (though he cannot remember the time that he did not fear and love the God of his Christian parents). For a number of years he enjoyed success as a farmer, but being constantly drawn by God's Spirit and urged by Christian friends to go and preach the Gospel, he entered Randolph-Maeon College in 1887, and was sustained there for four years, almost entirely with funds which he had pre- viously accumulated by hard work and economy.
In 1892 he joined the Virginia Conference, and on April 26, 1893, was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Lee Sale.
Ile has served the following charges : New Kent, 1892-'93; Hooper's Island, 1894; Woodville, 1895-'96-'97 ; West Goochland, 1898.
While at West Goochland he was stricken down with a fearful malady, which so disabled him for labors that the Annual Conference of 1899 placed him on the superannuated relation.
Though he cherishes a feeling of due respect and fellowship for all true Christians of other Churches, still by inheritance and culture he is a Methodist and truly loves his own Church, its doctrines and polity. Mr. James is greatly esteemed for his many virtnes, his piety towards God and love of the brethren. Ile had promise of years of usefulness and honor. Alas! he has been called to suffer the will of God. He bears his sufferings as a Christian. He wrought well for the good eanse when in health. lle has the marks of quick parts and constructive powers.
-
REV. WILLIAM L. JONES.
401
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. GRAHAM HEATHI LAMBETHI.
This bright and popular young minister is the eldest son of the Rev. S. S. Lambeth, D. D., of the Virginia Conference, and Mrs. Virginia Parker Lam- beth. Ile was born at the home of his maternal grandparents, Captain and Mrs. Jesse Parker, in Nansemond county, Va., on the 14th day of November, 1870. Ilis paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Lambeth, who were at the time of their death the oldest members of Centenary Methodist church, Richmond, having been connected with it for about fifty years.
Graham gave his heart to the Saviour at the early age of eleven years, in connection with a revival conducted by his father while pastor of Clay Street church, Richmond, and became a member of that church. Later on he became a student in MeCabe's school in Petersburg, and afterwards in Norwood's school, Richmond. In due course of time he matriculated at Randolph-Macon College, and spent some years as a student in that institution.
When he reached manhood he located in the city of Norfolk, where he success- fully engaged in business for several years. While there he was an active mem- ber of Centenary church, singing in the choir, teaching in the Sunday-school, engaging earnestly in the work of the Epworth League, and holding for a large part of the time the responsible office of steward and assistant treasurer. While engaged in these labors as a layman his mind became much exercised concern- ing the question of preaching the Gospel. After many months of earnest con- sideration and prayer, he became fully assured of his call to the ministry, and proceeded to make preparation for the sacred office. In order to greater fitness he entered Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., and took a course in theology. He was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference May 21, 1894, and was admitted on trial into the Virginia Conference at the session of November, 1895, in Richmond, Bishop Charles B. Galloway presiding. In November, 1897, in Danville, he was admitted into full connection and ordained deacon by Bishop Oscar P. Fitzgerald. His first appointment was West End church, Hampton, where he remained three years; then he was stationed at Cabell Street, Lynchburg, for one year and thence he was removed in November, 1899, to LeKies' Memorial church, Norfolk, where he is now laboring.
On the 1st day of November, 1899, he was nuited in marriage with Miss Vir- ginia Murrell Lavinder, daughter of Mr. N. II. Lavinder, a steward of Court Street church, Lynchburg.
Mr. Lambeth has made an enviable record already as preacher and pastor. He inherits much of the vivaeity, intellectual force and oratorical ability of his distinguished father; makes careful preparation in his study, packing his dis- courses full of thought; baptizes his sermons with prayer outpoured from a lowly heart, and delivers them with the most impassioned zeal and unfailing fluency. No wonder that he is popular and successful in his pulpit work. As a pastor he is diligent, careful, impartial, bringing to the management of Church matters the valuable training of his business life, and dealing with his people in a spirit of kindly sympathy, united with unyielding firmness in maintaining the Divine standpoint of righteousness and spirituality. Judged by the ori- teria of "gifts, grace and usefulness," Graham Lambeth has a bright future be- fore him.
.
.
REV. S. OTTO WRIGHT.
403
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
REV. EDWARD TURNER DADMUN.
Mr. Dadmun was born of Methodist parents at Watertown, a suburb of Bos- ton, Mass., May 13, 1863. Ilaving graduated from the high school of his na- tive city, he took a special course in New Testament Greek, logic, metaphysics and New Testament theology under Rev. Henry Lummins, D. D., now an hon- ored professor in Lawrence University, Wisconsin.
In February, 1885, he became Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation at Norfolk, Va., and continued in that position for three years, during which time a handsome and commodious building was erected and dedicated. Ilis next work in Virginia was with the Y. M. C. A. of Staunton, where he brought to completion another beautiful building. Then for two years he served as Assistant State Secretary of the Virginia Association, and in that capacity rendered valuable service, organizing new Associations, encouraging those already in existence, and holding very successful evangelistie meetings for young men.
Realizing a call to the ministry of the Gospel, he resigned his position in the Y. M. C. A., was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of the Staunton M. E. church, South, and, on recommendation of Rev. R. N. Sledd, D. D., was, ou the 15th of February, 1892, employed by Dr. Paul Whitehead, then Presiding Elder of the Richmond District, to fill out the unexpired term of Rev. T. P. Wise at West End church, Manchester. At the next session of the Virginia Conference ( November, 1892,) he was received into the traveling connection on probation, and returned to West End, where he remained until November, 1894.
His next appointment was to Batesville Circuit. Here he had great success in revival work, over three hundred persons being converted and added to the Church during the two years spent on that charge. He has since served one year at Cabell Street Tabernacle, Danville, and is now in his fourth year at High Street church, Petersburg, where he has had a very pleasant and prosper- ous pastorate, aud has greatly endeared himself to his people.
On the 21st of July, 1891, Brother Dadunun was married to Miss Olive Leigh Morgan, a daughter of Mr. O. B. Morgan, and a grand-daughter of Wil- liams T. Davis, the well-known educator of Petersburg, Va. Their union has been blessed with three children-two girls and a boy. Mrs. Dadmun, without neglecting at all her domestic duties, has been very helpful to her husband in his work, especially in the department of Church music, where her fine voice and musical education are turned to good account.
Dadmunn has the knack of making friends. His bright smile and pleasant address give him immediate access to the confidence of strangers, and, once known, his sterling qualities of head and heart bind men to him in lasting friend- ship. Genial, sympathetic, deeply pious, uuremitting in his attentions to the sick and the distressed, ever on the lookout for strangers, having a pleasant word and a hearty handshake for everybody, he is an exceedingly efficient and popular pastor. Nor does he come short in his preaching; on the contrary, his sermons show careful preparation, and are delivered with animation and fervor. He impresses people as a man in dead earnest, and by his godly character, even more than by his faithful and effective preaching, he commends the Gospel to the people among whom he labors, and wins many to the love and service
REV. JAMES E. BROOKS.
405
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
of the Master. Ilis experience in the Y. M. C. A. work renders him partie- ularly efficient as a worker among young men. ITis talent in this direction has been recognized by the Epworth Leaguers, who have promoted him to honor, first as District Secretary and more recently as President of their State Conference, which office he now fills.
If it be true that "the great purpose for which a minister is settled in a parish is to live among the people as a good man, whose mere presence is a demonstra- tion that the things spoken of in Church on the Sabbath are realities," then Edward T. Dadinun is a great success as a minister of the Gospel. Long may he live to allure men to brighter worlds and lead the way.
REV. W. B. BEAUCHAMP, A. M., B. D.
Rev. W. B. Beauchamp was born at Farnham, Va., March 16, 1869. He attended Farnham Academy for early training, afterwards attended Ran- dolphi-Macon, receiving the A. B. degree, and from there went to the Vanderbilt for three sessions, receiving the degree of A. M. and B. D. He joined the Virginia Conference at Danville, Va., in November, 1893, and after a term of four years at St. James, Richmond, was stationed at Broad Street, Richmond, where success attends his efforts for a large membership and congregation.
Mr. Beauchamp is one of the most promising young men in the Methodist Church. He loves his Church. He is a man of fine mind, and is an earnest student. He trusts in the inspiration that comes after hard work, and to a well-furnished mind. He is a man of affairs, knowing how to bring things to pass. When he begins a work he is not willing to give it up until he has accom- plished what he intended to do.
Mr. Beauchamp is a fine preacher. Ile masters his subjeet and presents it with power and pathos. Above all, he is a man of devoted piety. The leagues of the State were fortunate in having him as State President for the past two years. Ile has given time and thought to the league work in Virginia, and has made an efficient officer. Ile is devoted to missions and the missionary interests of our Church, and is seeking earnestly to bring the leagues of the State into more active co-operation with the churches and the Mission Board. He is President of the State Epworth League.
REV. GEORGE E. BOOKER.
Mr. Booker is descended from noble and intellectual forebears. He carries the full name of his honored sire, who for forty years was an active and useful member of our Conference. His mother was Miss Fanny M. Eubank, of Albe- marle county, Va., a lady of superior accomplishments. Mr. Booker was born in the city of Petersburg, Va., March 22, 1872. At birth he became an itinerant.
Ilis earliest mental training was received at the various schools where he hap- pened to be located. Possessed of a laudable ambition to obtain information and knowledge, he made the most of his opportunities and advanced rapidly in all his studies. At the age of fifteen his father took him under his especial tu- torage, and no youth was ever more fortunate in the possession of a preceptor. For several years the cultivated and anxious father endeavored to instill into
-
1. Rev. J. C. Harry.
2. Rev. W. G. Burch.
3. Rev. Frank Bunuss.
4. Rev. F. W. Proctor.
5. Rev. W. T. A. Haynes.
6. Rev. G. F. Greene.
7. Rev. R. P. Lumpkin.
8. Rev. J. B. Lavinder.
9. Rev. W. B. Jett.
10. Rev. J. W. Gee.
11. Rev. T. S. Leitch.
12. Rev. L. L. Banks.
407
SKETCHES AND PORTRAITS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
the studious and aspiring son the rudiments of an English and elassieal edu- cation. During this period a large portion of his leisure time was spent in ae- quainting himself with the works of great poets and the productions of distin- guished authors. In 1889 he entered the ancient college of William and Mary, where he pursued the regular academic course. While in attendance upon this institution he became an ardent and enthusiastic member of the Philomathean Literary Society and was unanimously elected as one of its final orators. After leaving this institution he returned to the home of his parents, who then resided in Sussex county, Va. It was there that he became agitated on the sub- jeet of a call to the Christian ministry. He had grown up with the idea of be- coming a lawyer, and had even sketched Blackstone's Commentaries and several works of legal lore. Having a strange and almost innate fondness for the bar, it was with considerable struggle that he renounced his hopes and aspirations in that direction. During the time that he hesitated between the eall to preach and the natural bent of his inclinations two pictures presented themselves to his mind. In the one he beheld himself a lawyer with political aspirations, the victim of strong drink and evil associations and seeking worldly renown at the expense of all that was pure, honorable and true. In the other he saw himself an humble servant of God, anxious to do His will and ambitious only to win the crown of stars. At length the former became absorbed in the latter, and he undertook the realization of his vision.
In 1892 he was licensed to preach at a Quarterly Conference, held at Stoney Creek, Va., which was presided over by Rev. J. H. Riddick, then Presiding Elder of the Petersburg District. For the space of one year he assisted his father in the discharge of his ministerial duties on Sussex Circuit. In 1893 he was received into the Virginia Conference on trial and assigned to South Chesterfield Circuit. The first revival which he attempted to conduct was at Clover Hill, a mining town, within the bounds of this cireuit. He commenced the meeting with many doubts and fears as to its suecess. Some of the residents of the place were intelligent, refined and pious, but a vast number were skeptical, irreligious and immoral. This latter condition was enough to disturb the young prophet, whose faith and courage had never before been subjected to a erucial test. Ile besought God for strength, courage and power and received the assur- ance of victory. The Truth as preached had free course and was glorified. A half hundred souls were happily converted, and among them was an agnos- tic, whose influence for evil was great. After this gracious revival, in which the presence and power of God were so manifestly felt, the young itinerant thanked God and took courage. At the Conference of 1894 he was appointed to Ashland Cirenit. After surveying the field of labor, he concluded that he could attend to the duties of the charge and at the same time take a course at college. Ile, therefore, matriculated at Randolph-Macon College, and made a speciality of Homileties and Intellectual Philosophy. In November of 1896 he was appointed to Orange, an ideal circuit in Piedmont Virginia. From there he was sent to Fairmont Avenue, Richmond, and is now stationed at Wright Memorial, Portsmouth.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.