Born: Marietta, Illinois, 1849.
Died: Houston, Texas, April 3, 1939.

The subject of this sketch was born nearly fifty-three years ago in the village of Marietta, Illinois. When he was almost four years old, the family moved to a farm about one and one-half miles away. Here his life was spent on the farm, attending "The Deestrick" school through the three months of winter, where the first and about the only qualification of the teacher was to be able to lick the boys. His father was a poor manager, and somewhat given to dissipation. This, together with the loss of his mother when about seven years of age, left him without any one to care for his training. So, hard work and drudgery on the farm caused him to reach nineteen years of age with scarcely enough education to read, or to write his name. At that age he became alarmed at his condition and much concerned about his education. Therefore, at nineteen years of age, he entered the schools at Chambersburg, Illinois. It was very humiliating to have to enter the classes of little boys and girls from eight to ten years of age. Then, to increase his embarrassment, he stuttered, so that at times he could not tell his name nor call the dogs. This often caused great laughter at his expense. But in his hot tears and maddened determination he resolved that he must win in a great and uneven conflict. One year was as long as he had to stay with those less than himself. He began to gain some attention from teacher and fellow-students the second year. The third year he was sought by the pupils when there was a hard problem to solve or a doubtful place in grammar.

After finishing his three years' course here, he entered Abingdon College, remaining two years. Then, having exhausted all the means he could borrow, and feeling that he must pay up his debts, he began teaching school. He taught one year, and was married to Miss Mattie E. Farr, July 22, 1873. He then became principal of the Bernadotte schools for four years. While teaching here, Clifford S., who is now a missionary in Osaka, Japan, was born. From this place he was called to superintend the Chambersburg schools. It was a proud day in his life when he went there, where he had such a struggle as a stuttering schoolboy (though a man), to take charge of the schools. After two years in these schools and a short pastorate at Detroit, Illinois, he returned to Abingdon College in tbe fall of 1881, graduating from that college in June, 1883, after which he remained one year and graduated from the Bible Department in June, 1884. Since then he has devoted all his time to the ministry. Having filled prominent pastorates in Illinois, he came to Texas in 1899, and is now pastor of the Christian Church at Honey Grove, Texas.