The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 90

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Waukesha County > The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc > Part 90

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REV. ROBERT BOYD, D. D.

Outside of the particular denomination to which he belonged, and of which he was always conceded a leader. Robert Boyd was not as widely known, perhaps, as would have been any politician with one-half his ability and energy; but the fruits of his labors will never die nor disappear-the example of his tireless energy will be one of influence for years to come. He wrought himself into the grave for the good of others, which is the fulfillment of the highest destiny vouchsafed to man on earth. Although not one-half of his life was spent in Waukesha County, the fruits of his mind and genius ripened here, and he is claimed as a distinguished rep- resentative of the noble dead of this community.

Robert Boyd was born in Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, on August 24, 1816. His parents were highly esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church. Their anxious desire was that he

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might become a minister of the Gospel. The surroundings of his early home were highly favor- able to the development of his imaginative faculties, and a just appreciation of the grand and the sublime. There, on the one hand, were the heath-clad hills towering rock-ribbed up to the clouds, and on the other, the sea stretching far away toward the setting sun. The arrange- ments of the home were no less favorable to the early development of his religious nature. It doubtless was such an one as the poet Burns so happily describes in his "Cotter's Saturday Night, " where

" The priest-like father reads the sacred page."

When about twelve years of age, his parents moved with him to Glasgow, where he enjoy- ed its superior educational advantages. Between the years of fifteen and sixteen he was con- verted to Christ. Impressions that he ought to preach now ripened into strong convictions, and immediately he began lecturing and preaching extensively in the north of Scotland and in the north of Ireland; speaking to large assemblies in the open air on week days, and, as he had opportunity, in churches and Sunday schools on the Lord's Day; becoming widely known as the " boy preacher. "

While visiting at the house of a Presbyterian Elder whose daughter had become a Baptist, he was requested to convince her of the error of her course. In the investigation for this pur- pose, he was himself converted to Baptist views, and subsequently she became his wife.

In 1843, Mr. Boyd's health failing him, hecame to America, and settled first in Brockville, and subsequently in London, Canada, prosecuting in both places his labors in the pastorate with great zeal and efficiency.

Again, his health failing him, with a view to relief, he accepted the pastorate of the church in Hamilton. In about five months, he was obliged to resign and seek absolute rest. For this purpose he came in 1845 to Waterville, Wis.

In about a year, his health was so far restored, that he accepted the call of the church at Waukesha. In 1855, a movement was set on foot by some of the members of the First Baptist Church of Chicago, which resulted in the calling of Mr. Boyd to that city, and the organization of the Edina Place Baptist Church, now the Michigan Avenue Church. Of his labors here, let one who then enjoyed his pastoral care, and was intimately associated with him, speak : " As we look back upon it, this ministry of eight years, in the Edina Place and Wabash Avenue pul- pit, seems to us to be a truly wonderful one. The theme was always Christ, yet varied by a remarkable richness of illustration, and so treated as to gather about it the whole doctrinal sys- tem of the Christian faith. It could not fail to be evident, even to a casual hearer, that preach- ing was his delight. It was a shining face, bright with the radiance of near communion with God, which he invariably brought to the pulpit. His doctrine was clear, the enforcement elo- quent, his appeals touching and persuasive. As a Pastor, he was a sympathizing brother and friend, a wise leader, everywhere the soul of cheerfulness and inspiration.'

In 1863, he returned to Waukesha. About this time Shurtleff College conferred upon him the degree of D. D. The church in Waukesha, without a Pastor and in a low spiritual condition, called him again to be their Pastor. Although paralyzed in his lower limbs so that he had to be carried to the pulpit in his chair and preach sitting, his grasp for truth was as profound, and his presentation of it as vigorous and interesting, as ever. For four years, with great blessing to the church and the entire community, he was enabled to carry on this precious work.

In 1867, from the effects of holding an out-door service in Pewaukee, he was confined to his house, which he never afterward left, until he went to be with Jesus. He resigned his pastorate, but it never was accepted by the church. Sometimes, when the state of his health would permit, he would preach through the open window to the people assembled in his front yard. A portion of the time he wrote for the columns of the Standard. Most of his time was spent in the preparation of works for the press, one of his daughters frequently acting as his amanuensis. The fruits of these years of patient toil, amid great suffering, he has given to the world in his books : "Glad Tidings, " "None but Christ, " "Grace and Truth, " "Good Shep-

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herd, " "The World's Hope, " " Wee Willie, " "My Inquiry Meeting, " "Lecture to Young Converts, " "Words of Comfort to the Afflicted, " and an autobiography in manuscript.

Little wonder that his pastoral relations with the several churches he served was of the most affectionate nature! His name is a household word with them, and his memory, which lingers in many hearts, is fragrant with the savor of the Redeemer he loved and served. Fidelity to the truth as it 'is in Jesus, and holy fervor in its presentation; clearness of thought, felicity of language, and richness of illustration combined, were his distinguishing characteristics as a minister. The uplifting the Cross, the honor and exaltation of Christ, were the key-note and grand charms of all his preaching.

Robert Boyd died peacefully at his home in the village of Waukesha, August 1, 1879, aged sixty-three. He had had nine daughters, five of whom are living. He lived long enough to see several of his works translated into diffeent European and Asiastic languages-an honor accorded to but comparatively few American authors .*

SEBINA BARNEY.

Sebina Barnay, farmer, was born July 22, 1802, in Vermont; was the son of John and Sally Grove Barney, prominent farmers of the "Green Mountain State." When he was a small boy, his parents moved to Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y. In Adams Village he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and carried on the business fifteen years. On the 2d of February, 1824 he was married to Miss Polly Mandeville, who was born January 1, 1802. In 1827, he was accidentally shot in the shoulder by careless boys who were shooting at a mark ; this affected his health through subsequent life. In 1836, he made a prospecting tour of seven months in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, purchasing land in each State. In July, 1837, he came West with his family and located on what is known as the " White farm." This large farm was sold in 1854 and he bought a home in the northeast part of the town. In 1855, he became connected with the Waukesha County Bank at its organization and was one of its officers until his death, being for many years its Vice President. After 1861, he resided within the village limits. He was, before the war, Postmaster of Waukesha. He was for many terms a member of the Board of Education, and also Supervisor, and was well known as a "city father." He owned considerable real estate in the village and town of Waukesha. He was for many years a believer in Spiritualism, but during the last year of his life many noticed a gradual change in his sentiments. He died May 30, 1879. He had but one son, George M., born in 1825, who is married and lives on a farm in Waukesha. Mr. Barney was a Freemason. He was a suc- cessful farmer and prosperous business man in Waukesha Village and town for fully forty-two years. He was domestic in his tastes and enjoyed his evenings at home. He was liberal to the unfortunate and afflicted-was a humanitarian. He was a safe counselor in all business enterprises, and was the trusted friend of the poor and the rich. He was a veteran pioneer, benevolent, eminently practical and thoroughly reliable.

RUFUS PARKS.

Rufus Parks was born in Westfield, Mass., May 24, 1798, and died at his residence in the town of Summit September 17, 1878. The grandfather of Mr. Parks was one of the earliest settlers in the Connecticut Valley, and in the Revolution stood patriotically by the cause of the colonies. He had two sons, the eldest of whom, at the breaking-out of the Revolutionary war, was a Captain in the British army. The patriotic father urged him to resign and enter into the American service. His refusal so incensed the father that he disinherited him, and at his own expense armed and equipped a company of men, placing his youngest son (the father of the sub- ject of the present sketch), in command. The company reached the patriot army at Bunker Hill, and remained in service during the war. Both sons were present in the battle of Long Island on their respective sides. Mr. Parks, on his mother's side, was the grandson of Nathaniel Gorham, one of the signers of the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts, and for two years President of the Continental Congress. He was also connected with many of the

*The major part of this sketch was taken from a memorial sermon by Rev. Robert Leslie, of Waukesha.

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prominent families of Boston and vicinity. He received an academic education at Phillips' Academy, at Andover, Mass., and commenced business as a merchant in Boston. Failing in this he moved to Bangor, Me., where he studied law, and in 1836 was appointed by President Jackson (through the influence of his brother, who was then in Congress from that State), the first Receiver of Public Moneys at Milwaukee, Wis. This county was in his land district, and during his administration of this office all the lands in this county were sold to the original settlers. It was said of him that for many years he knew three-fourths of all the settlers in his district. Mr. Parks continued in this office until 1842, when he was removed to make way for a Whig, under a Whig administration. Afterward, in 1846, he moved on to his farm in Summit, where he remained until his death. He was prominently identified with the early history of this State and county ; was in the first Constitutional Convention ,of the State, of which he was a prominent member. Was active, particularly, as a Democrat before the organization of the Republican party, but after that party appeared, he attached himself to it, being ardently opposed to the extension of slavery. His integrity was of the strictest kind. In character he was intolerant of what he knew to be wrong, and never believed in any method to gain right from which the light of day needed to be screened. His manners were of the old New England school, always courteous to all without reference to degree or station; and the record of his life has not a single stain or blot upon it. His remains lie in the cemetery at .. Summit, in which town he had lived for thirty years a much respected and revered citizen. Warham Parks, a prominent soldier, and at present Postmaster of the city of Oconomowoc, is Rufus Parks' son.

BISHOP JACKSON KEMPER, D. D.

One of the great and good men of Wisconsin and of the church was Jackson Kemper. The hardships meekly endured, the dangers bravely met, the pleasures cheerfully foregone and the privations heroically suffered in the work of doing good to others by him will never be known to mortal man. He* came of a stalwart race of high-principled, strong-bodied, strong- hearted and strong-brained men. His grandfather, Jacob Kemper, was born at Caub, on the Rhine, the son of an officer in the Prince Palatine's army. He emigrated to America in 1741. The Bishop's father, Daniel Kemper, was born at New Brunswick in 1749. Daniel Kem- per was a Colonel in the Revolutionary army. He had sacrificed his means, which were not narrow, freely in the struggle for national independence, and after the war, through Gen. Washington's influence, held for some time an office in the custom house at New York.

Col. Kemper was one of the original members of the Order of the Cincinnati; among the Bishop's heirlooms is his father's cross and jewel of the order, made in France under the direc- tion of La Fayette, just after the Revolution.

The Bishop was born at Pleasant Valley, in Dutchess County, where the family were temporarily residing, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1879. On Col. Kemper's receiving the appointment mentioned above, he removed to New York City, which was shortly after the Bishop's birth, and it occurred in that way that the child was baptized by Bishop Moore.

His full baptismal name was David Jackson, being so named after his uncle, Dr. Jackson, of Philadelphia. In after years, the Bishop dropped the first name altogether, and his signature was simply Jackson Kemper.

When about twelve years of age, the future Bishop was sent to the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Conn., of which Rev. Dr. William Smith had just taken charge. Here he remained two years. He was then brought back to New York and put under the charge of the Rev Dr. Barry, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and at that time one of the most distinguished classical teachers, as he was one of the most finished scholars, in the country. Under his able care, young Kemper was prepared for college, having as schoolmates, among others, Bishop Onder- donk, of New York, and the Rev Dr. Wyatt, of Baltimore. He entered the Columbia College in 1805, and graduated in 1809, as the valedictorian of his class.

*Much of this sketch is adapted from the Diocesan Memorial, published in 1870 by the Diocese of Wisconsin.

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The Bishop's mind had been fixed all along upon the sacred ministry. He had a vocation to preach the Gospel. From boyhood his purpose was settled, and the sweetness of his temper, his natural and unaffected piety, his purity of mind and character, marked him for the altar and the pulpit.

Immediately upon his graduation, he began the study of theology under the care of Bishop Moore and the clergy of Trinity Parish. There were no theological seminaries in those days, and candidates for orders were under the private tuition of the best learned clergy.

Young Kemper was ready for ordination as soon as he reached the canonical age of twen- ty-one years.

On the second Sunday in Lent, in 1811, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop White, in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, and that afternoon preached his first sermon in St. James'.

He was immediately called to the assistantship, under Bishop White, of the united par- ishes of Christ Church, St. Peter's and St. James', made vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Blackwell. In May, he removed to Philadelphia and entered on the duties of this position which he held till June, 1831-twenty years.

During this time, the young clergyman had two vacations. They used to have " vacations " in those days, and the Rev. Mr. Kemper had his. It is as well we should know exactly what those old-time ministerial vacations were, that we may compare them with modern ones.

In 1812 and 1814, he was granted leave of absence from the parish to perform missionary tours in the West. In Western Pennsylvania, Western Virginia and Eastern Ohio, he took his first lesson in the work to which God was soon to call him for life. In those, at that time. wild regions of the Far West, he traveled far and wide, and, in many places, was the first to hold divine service, and read the Common Prayer.

In 1819 and 1820, he also labored as traveling agent, in the matter of raising means to establish the General Theological Seminary.

These were his "vacations" the only ones he ever took in his life. He needed them because his general health, especially his voice, had failed seriously under the strain of devotion to his parish duties, and so, to rest himself, he turned border missionary, or undertook the thankless task of begging for a church institution.

Bishop Kemper had been twice married. In 1816, to Miss Jerusha Lyman, of Philadel- phia, who lived but two years. In October, 1821, he was married to Miss Ann Relf, of Philadelphia, the mother of the daughter and the two sons who survive him.

In June, 1831, the Rev. Jackson Kemper accepted the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Conn. His residence here was to be short, although marked all his days to him by the sorest sorrow of his life-the early loss of his tenderly beloved wife, who died at Norwalk .. in 1832, and who rests, all that is mortal of her. in the churchyard of St. Paul's.

At the General Convention of 1835, the Rev. Jackson Kemper; D. D., was elected the first Missionary Bishop of the American Church.

Sanctified by his sore bereavement he consecrated himself anew to his high calling. God had quenched the happy light of his home, and from his darkened hearth he was ready to go where the Master called.

In St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, at the altar, where, twenty-four years before, he had knelt to take upon him the orders of a deacon, he knelt again to receive the plenary apostolic commission, a man who had purchased to himself as deacon and priest, if any man had, this highest and last degree. It was the last consecration at which Bishop White officiated, Sep- tember 25, 1835.

The Missionary Bishop left his three motherless little ones under the loving care of their mother's mother, at her home in Philadelphia, and went forth into the wild West to his ap- pointed work. For eleven years, he was literally a homeless man. The fire that had died out into cold ashes in 1832, in Norwalk, was never rekindled all those years, even in semblance. Bishop Kemper was a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. During those eleven years his books were never unpacked. He had not even a study. He traveled on horseback and on

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foot, he went over rough roads and untrodden paths, he swam rivers in his many journeyings. He preached in way-side cabins, in taverns, schoolhouses, and upper rooms. His saddle-bags contained his worldly goods-his robes, and his Communion Service, his Bible and his Prayer- Book.

In his first journey to the West, he was accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, late Professor in the General Seminary, a man of like spirit with himself, who from that time forth has been his loving and most beloved friend, and who, among the many, far and wide, who grieve to-day for his loss, will miss him sorely till the day he joins his dear old friend and Bishop in the Paradise of God.

In 1835, early in the winter, the Bishop reached St. Louis, where he took up his resi- dence, as far as he might be said to have a residence, until he removed to Wisconsin in the fall of 1844.

His jurisdiction comprised "the Northwest." Out of it have been formed the Dioceses of Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Over all those regions the Bishop was expected to travel, to watch their development, to seek out the scattered families of church people, to establish church institutions. He was set as the watchman on the bor- der, and was to move on as the border receded, leaving organized dioceses behind him, for diocesan Bishops to occupy.

It came to him in 1837-38, at the request of Bishop Otey, who was suddenly disabled by sickness, to take care also of the Southwest. He visited the Southern States, from Louisiana to Florida, devoting several months to the work-comfirming, ordaining, and consecrating many churches which had been used, sometimes for years, but had never before been visited by a Bishop.

It was at this time that he was recalled to the East, by being elected to the bishopric of Maryland. This he declined. He was a Missionary Bishop, and a Missionary Bishop he would remain.

In 1844, Missouri, as a diocese, elected a Bishop of its own, the late Bishop Hawks.

Shortly after, the Bishop removed to Wisconsin, and, in the summer of 1846, purchased land adjoining the newly founded institution of Nashotah, and, in the fall of that year, took up his residence thereupon in the humble cottage ("the Bishop's Palace " as it was pleasantly called), which old settlers so well remember, and which still stands beside the family residence, and there, with his children about him, for the first time since the breaking-up at Norwalk, he might be said to have a home.

There still remained all his vast charge except Missouri. Indiana had been an organized diocese since 1838, but had elected no Bishop. She was the next to relieve the burdened Missionary Bishop by the election of Bishop Upfold, who was consecrated in 1849.

Iowa was organized under Bishop Kemper in 1853, and he was relieved by the consecra- tion of Bishop Lee in the year after.

Four years after he organized Minnesota, though it still continued in his care until 1857, when Bishop Whipple was consecrated.

In 1847, Wisconsin had been organized into a diocese, and the Primary Convention had elected Bishop Kemper, Diocesan. This he had declined. He could not see his way to settling down to the charge of a diocese, so strongly did he feel it his duty to be a Missionary Bishop. to the end. It was not till seven years after, when he was again unanimously elected in 1854, that he accepted, and then only when it had so been arranged by the General Convention that. his acceptance would allow him to remain Missionary Bishop still.

He traveled extensively thereafter in the then Indian Territory and Kansas, and during a part of the time in the latter Territory when the border troubles were at their worst. He had some severe experiences during the disturbed times, experiences which his happy temper always: turned into amusing adventures afterward. It is only fair to say that personally he never met. with anything but respect and kindness from men of any party at that time. All recognized. the good man on his mission of love and peace, and the rudest " border ruffian " bade Bishop, Kemper God-speed.

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In 1859, he organized the Diocese of Kansas, and was relieved of that part of his mission- ary jurisdiction thereafter.

At the General Convention of that year, Bishop Kemper resigned his office as Missionary Bishop in the following tonching words :

" I now, with deep emotion, tender to the church my resignation of the office of a Mis- sionary Bishop, which, unsought-for and unexpected, was conferred upon me twenty-four years ago. Blessed with health and cheered by the conviction of duty, I have been enabled to travel at all seasons through Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, and partly through Kansas and Nebraska.

. My days must soon be numbered, for in less than three months I will be seventy years old. As age advances, I trust I have an increasing love for our Divine Master and that church for which He shed His most precious blood."

Rev. Thompson, in his memorial sermon, said of Bishop Kemper :

" He was the father of seven dioceses, the founder of seven bishoprics in the Church of God. It was fitting that the crosier of an Archbishop should rest upon his coffin. He was an Archbishop by the appointment of Heaven. Six dioceses, as well as Wisconsin, mourn their father. If we miss him more here, or love his memory more, it is because we know him better and possessed him, to our blessing, longer. Twice this diocese honored itself by electing the great Missionary Bishop its Diocesan, by a unanimous vote ; once at its Primary Convention, when he declined, and again in 1854, when, to the joy of all Wisconsin churchmen, he accepted."

At twenty minutes past 2, on Tuesday afternoon, May 24, 1870, in his study, to which his bed had been moved a few days before, his children only being present, the Bishop breathed his last. In the same room he lay, in the sleep of death, until the following Monday ; and the few who entered it will never forget the contrast between its monrnful silence then, and its nsual aspect before his work was done.

His age was eighty years and five months, precisely. He lies buried at Nashotah, near the scene of his richest labors-a spot made as beautiful by nature as he had by godliness made his life pure and useful

The funeral took place on May 31, and was very largely attended. Eight Bishops and one hundred clergymen of the Episcopal Church followed his remains to the tomb. The cere- monies attending the interment were beautiful and impressive. Although the body had been kept one week it was in a state of wonderful preservation, and the face of the venerable Bishop seemed to be reposing in peaceful slumber. The chapel at Nashotah, where the body lay, was very appropriately draped in white and purple. It is estimated that about two thousand persons were present at the funeral, nearly all of whom were from a distance, as the mission where the late Bishop resided contains but a small population, mostly made up of students in "Bishop White Hall," the college where young men are educated for the ministry. The ceremonies were concluded at about 6 o'clock. The memorial poem was by Bishop Henry W. Lee, as follows :

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The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 90

Author: Western Historical Co., pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050