Sketches of holston preachers

 

Nixon, Thomas: Admitted 1812. In Holston one year 1814. Expelled in 1822. Restored 1832. Located 1836.

 

Norman, Jeremiah: In Holston one year, 1792-93.

 

Norwood, Nicholas: In Holston one year, 1813.

 

Nuckolls, Benjamin Floyd: Born Oct. 20, 1838, at Old Town, Va. Son of Clark S. and Rosa Bourne Hale Nuckolls. Educated at Jefferson Academy, Ashe County, N. C. Licensed to preach May 31, 1861. Admitted 1861. Active for twenty-four years. Became supernumerary in 1885. During these years he engaged in business and did much preaching in the section where he lived. Wrote Pioneer Settlers of Grayson County, Va. Married Nov. 6, 1865, Miss Mary Fletcher Goodykoontz. They had four children, two sons died in infancy. Died April 4, 1919, at home of his daughter, Mrs. J. E. Johnson, Cleveland, Tenn. Buried at Galax, Va.

 

Ogle, H. B.: Born Jan. 28, 1848, at Middle Creek, Sevier County, Tenn. He volunteered as a Federal soldier in the Civil War and served to its close. He was admitted in 1888. He served ten charges in East Tennessee. He married and was the father of five children. He superannuated in 1909 and lived for several years in Park City. He died at his home in Knoxville, June 27, 1923. He was buried at Middle Creek.

 

Oglesby, Joshua: In Holston one year, 1804.

 

Oliver, William L.: Born June 14, 1872, in Kentucky. He was the son of Leonard Lewis and Sarah E. Oliver. He was admitted to Holston Conference in 1905. He served twelve charges and one district in thirty years. "He was a true shepherd over the flock." He was married in June, 1899, to Miss Lillian E. Snyder. He was survived by a son and a daughter. He superannuated in 1935 and died July 7, 1936. He was buried in Knoxville.

 

Osborne, James M.: Born in North Carolina, Oct. 18, 1852. He served as local preacher supply for a number of years before he became a member of the Conference (M. E.). Admitted in 1906 and served four charges. His health failed in 1922 and he retired from active work. During the years of retirement he was active and useful in the local church at Graysville, Ga. He married, Aug. 4, 1875, Miss Martha E. Brown. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy. He died Nov. 16, 1939, and was buried in Graysville, Ga.

 

Overall, Abraham: In Holston 1823.

 

Owen, Francis A.: In Holston two years, 1823 and 1824. Was Editor of Memphis Christian Advocate. For four years one of the Book Agents of the M. E. Church, South.

 

Owen, Robert Alexander: Born Aug. 25, 1853, in Macon County, N. C. Son of Thomas Pinkney and June Rogers Owen. Educated in public and high school. Was a local preacher for several years and served one year as supply before entering the itinerant ministry. Admitted 1877. He was in active service as a member of Conference for fifty years. He served twenty circuits and one district. He was a good average preacher. The largest salary he received, in fifty years, was $900.00 on Sequatchie District. His average salary for fifty years, was $634.00. A most tireless, methodical and efficient pastor. Twice married: (1) Nov. 11, 1881, Miss Elizabeth Sherrill, Webster, N. C. They had seven children. She died Oct. 9, 1912. (2) Sept. 14, 1916, Miss Ella Roberts Broyles, Johnson City, Tenn. Superannuated 1927. Died April 20, 1929, at Johnson City. Buried at Pearisburg, Va.

 

Pace, John: Admitted 1790. In Holston one year, 1790-91. Died 1839.

 

Page, John: Admitted 1792. In Holston for part of year, 1796, but was returned to Cumberland circuit. Died in 1859.

 

Paine, Sela: Admitted 1807. In Holston four years, 1812-13-14-15. Located 1815.

 

Painter, Charles Edward: Born June 1, 1866, at Tazewell, Va. Son of John and Ellen Carbaugh Painter. Educated in public schools and at Emory and Henry College. Admitted in 1894. He served sixteen charges in forty-two years of active service. He was a faithful and useful circuit preacher. He was married twice: (1) Olivia Matheny, Oct. 5, 1887. They had two children. She died March 13, 1893. (2) Miss Cordelia Edith Johnson, Nov. 24, 1894. They had five children. She died Sept. 25, 1936. He superannuated in 1936. He died March 7, 1938. He was buried at Bluefield, W. Va.

 

Parker, Felix: Admitted 1822. In Holston one year, 1823.

 

Parrott, John H.: Born July 1, 1844, at New Market, Tenn. Son of Capt. Mark J. and Cynthia Caldwell Parrott. While he was a lad his parents moved to Knoxville. He was converted in a great revival in the First Presbyterian Church in Dec., 1867. He united with the Methodist Church on Church Street. There he was licensed to preach Oct. 6, 1871. Admitted in 1871. He served churches in Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, in Tennessee, west of Greene County. He was an effective evangelistic preacher. Endowed with a vigorous mind, well read and with a rich vocabulary, he was an entertaining preacher and speaker and was a vivacious and genial conversationalist. In public speech he gesticulated freely and emphasized with loud inflection. Both in public and private his wit sparkled but did not sting. He had a penchant for public life. He served as Trustee of Marion County, Tenn., 1883-84; and of Hawkins County, Tenn., 1896-97-98-99. He was editor of the Valley Herald, Jasper, Tenn., for a year; and for about the same length of time the News-Gazette at Dayton, Tenn.; and for three years owned and edited the Loudon County Record at Loudon, Tenn. He was an active Mason and a central figure in the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. He married Nov. 7, 1878, Miss Louisa Jane Griffith. They had five children. Mrs. Parrott, after nursing her husband for a long time, preceded him in death by six days. He was supernumerary from 1898 to 1901 and from 1907 to 1911. He superannuated in 1912. He was active thirty years, supernumerary twelve, superannuate twelve years. After long suffering from chronic illness he died April 6, 1924, at his home in Morristown, Tenn., and was buried there.

 

Pattison, William: In Holston one year, 1807.

 

Patterson, Samuel: Admitted (M. E.) 1868. Converted about 1825. Professed sanctification about 1850. He died March 21, 1875.

 

Patton, Arnold: Admitted 1829. Served important charges, beginning with Carter's Valley and ending with Abingdon District, where he died in his third year on that district in 1839. He was a younger brother of William Patton, who preceded him as presiding elder of Abingdon District.

 

Patton, Samuel: Born Jan. 27, 1797, in Lancaster District, S. C. Son of John and Mrs. Nichols Patton. An eager reader from childhood, but with little schooling, he became a learned man. Admitted in 1819. Transferred to Mississippi in 1821. Located in 1824 to return to Holston and was readmitted by Holston Conference in 1825 and continued in the effective roll until his death Aug. 1, 1854. He was the only man of his day in Holston to receive the honorary degree of D. D. As pastor, presiding elder and editor of Methodist Episcopalian he was uniformly successful. He was the central figure in a group of strong men, in Holston, in the troubled times of the division of Methodism, in 1844. Married Miss Nancy Morrison of Sullivan County, Tenn. He died in the home of W. G. Brownlow and was buried at Morrison's Chapel, near Kingsport, Tenn. He was a member of the General Conference in 1828, 1832, 1836, 1840, 1844, Louisville Convention in 1845, 1846, 1850 and 1854.

 

Patton, William: Born Jan. 5, 1796, in Montgomery County, Va. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Hickman Patton. Admitted 1821. He was a successful pastor in many important circuits; and was presiding elder of Asheville, Knoxville and Abingdon Districts. In 1836 Holston Conference met at Reems Creek Camp Ground. Bishop James O. Andrew was present, but was too unwell to preside and appointed William Patton to occupy the chair. He was a delegate to the General Conference in 1828 and 1832 and a delegate from Missouri to the Louisville Convention in 1845. Transferred to the Missouri Conference in 1837. Married Jan. 19, 1815, Miss Ann Furgus, Montgomery County, Va. Mr. Patton sang well and preached loud and long. His health was probably impaired by strenuous preaching. At times he suffered severe hemorrhages. He died March 14, 1856, in Missouri. A man of solid intellect, a laborious student, conscientious and faithful.

 

Paulsaul, John: In Holston 1820.

 

Paxton, John Moore: Born March 11, 1863, at Fairfield, Rockbridge County, Va. Son of William Moore and Sarah Martha McCormick Paxton. Educated at Washington and Lee University. Taught school for several years. Admitted 1891. He was effective for thirty-three years and served sixteen charges. Handsome in appearance, alert and capable in mind, he was a strong preacher and devoted pastor. Married Oct. 5, 1892, Miss Minnie McGhee, daughter of Rev. Frank P. McGhee of Western Virginia Conference. They had seven children. He superannuated in 1924 and was never able to return to active work. He, with his family, lived in the Reynolds superannuate home, Bristol, Tenn. He was especially thoughtful of others more infirm than himself. Died Nov. 28, 1930. Buried at Emory, Va.

 

Payne, Jacob R.: Born Jan. 24, 1840, near Washington College, Tenn. Educated at Washington College and was an excellent English scholar. Taught school several years, was one year Editor of Holston Methodist. Was in pastorate. Served many circuits until 1884, when he took supernumerary relation because of ill health; and this relation was continued until 1897, when he superannuated. Married Dec. 19, 1866, Miss Hester Tatum, Asheville, N. C. She died Jan. 2, 1911, only twenty days after the death of her husband. He was Statistical Secretary of Holston Conference for many years and did highly valuable work toward the development of the printed Minutes of the Conference. He died Dec. 10, 1910, in the same neighborhood in which he was born. Buried at Telford, Tenn.

 

Payne, Thomas: In Holston 1820.

 

Pearce, Isaac A.: Born Jan. 1, 1839, in Harmony, Pa. He was educated at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. He was admitted to the Pittsburgh Conference in 1861. He enlisted in the Federal Army; there he became lieutenant and afterward chaplain. He transferred to the East Ohio Conference in 1876, to the Pittsburgh Conference in 1881, to the Kentucky Conference in 1884, to Holston Conference in 1885. He withdrew from Holston Conference in 1889, united with the Presbyterian Church and took a pastorate near Island Lake, Fla. He was (see Journal, 1889, page 54) readmitted from the Presbyterian Church in 1907 and became supernumerary in 1913. He was married and had two daughters and two sons. He died April 5, 1912, and was buried at Knoxville.

 

Peck, Jacob: In Holston one year, 1793-94.

 

Peck, Joseph H.: Admitted 1847. Son of Looney Peck, Mossy Creek, Tenn. Died in 1850 of consumption.

 

Peck, Wiley B.: Born at Mossy Creek, Tenn. Admitted 1820. In Holston 1820. Transferred from Tennessee Conference in 1825. Located in Mississippi Conference in 1826 and afterwards united with Protestant Episcopal Church.

 

Peery, Edward T.: Born in Tazewell County, Va. Admitted 1822. Transferred to Missouri 1827. Was a missionary among Indians. Married Mary S. Peery, daughter of Andrew Peery. Located in Kansas City, 1856. Died Nov. 28, 1864.

 

Penley, J. N.: Admitted into Virginia Conference in 1872. Died in 1893; and was buried at Dryden, Va. No memoir was furnished.

 

Peoples, Benjamin: Admitted 1816. In Holston one year. Located 1822, and lived in Tennessee Conference.

 

Perkins, J. A. L.: Born Jan. 7, 1864, at Elk Creek, Grayson County, Va. Educated in public schools. Admitted 1887. He served nine appointments in ten years. Supernumerary in 1898. Located in 1901, but was readmitted in 1909. Superannuated 1920. As a preacher he was plain, pointed and practical. Married in 1888 Miss Sarah Flora. They had seven children. He later married Miss Mattie Baker, Crab Orchard, Tenn. Died Dec. 17, 1926, at Swan Pond, Roane County, Tenn., and was buried there.

 

Perry, James F.: Born Aug. 4, 1849, in Meigs County, Tenn. His early education was limited. He was licensed to preach and admitted to Holston Conference in 1872. He served some of the best circuits and was presiding elder for four years. "He was a good preacher and pastor and a high-toned Christian gentleman." He was twice married: (1) Sept. 5, 1872, Miss Maggie Brown. They had six children. (2) Aug., 1905, Miss Callie Bishop. They had one child. He was supernumerary 1906 to 1910, but was put on the effective list in 1911. On the last Sunday in March, 1912, he preached in the morning, held a funeral service in the afternoon and led the opening prayer in the evening. At the close of the day he was in the best of spirits. At midnight he awoke in deep distress; and at two o'clock he died, April 1, 1912. He was buried in Meigs County.

 

Peters, Adam Clark: Born Nov. 6, 1843. Son of James and Rachel Peters, the youngest of thirteen children. Admitted to Holston Conference in 1872. His ministerial life was spent in lower East Tennessee. He had a record for building churches. He was thrice married: (1) Miss Mary Jett, in 1872. They had five children. (2) Mrs. Nina Allred, in 1880. They had six children. (3) Miss Clara Cloyd, in 1900. They had two children. He superannuated in 1907. He died May 31, 1917. He was buried at Burrville, Tenn.

 

Petty, John Summerfield: Born June 24, 1838, at Falmouth, Va. Son of Rev. James Spillman and Margaret Eleanor Petty. The family moved to Washington City; and he attended the public schools of that city. He became a millwright and worked at that trade until 1869. He afterwards taught school in Ohio. He enlisted as a private in the Federal Army in 1862, became First Lieutenant and served until the end of the war. He was admitted into Holston Conference in 1866 and continued in active service for forty-five years, serving as pastor and presiding elder, and as Business Manager and Assistant Editor of the Methodist Advocate Journal. He was married four times. He died at his home in Morristown, Tenn., Feb. 4, 1911. He was buried at Chattanooga, Tenn.

 

Phillips, Sewell: Born Aug. 20, 1830, in Haywood County, N. C. Moderate educational opportunities; but with splendid intellect. Admitted 1851. As circuit and station preacher and presiding elder he was diligent and successful. Married Miss Ada A. Gillespie of Roane County, Tenn. His wife inherited a large estate; and he managed it profitably and increased its value. But most of the latter part of his life he was supernumerary. He was esteemed for his willingness to preach even in the most obscure places. Died at his home in Roane County, Feb. 27, 1896. Buried at Eagle Furnace, Tenn.

 

Pickens, W. B.: Born 1845, Monroe County, Tenn. Graduated from Poughkeepsie College, New York. Admitted 1877. Married, June, 1883, Miss Lou McLeod, Ducktown, Tenn. Died at the result of falling from a tree, Nov. 30, 1883. Buried at Ducktown.

 

Pippin, Elisha Milburn: Born June 23, 1871, near Mendota, Va. He was the son of Rev. I. N. and Mrs. Ruth Pippin. He was educated at the University of Chattanooga. He was admitted to the Virginia Conference in 1894. He served charges in the Missouri Conference from 1899 to 1901; and transferred to Holston Conference in 1901. During the next thirty-five years he served sixteen charges in East Tennessee. He married Feb. 7, 1894, Miss Clara B. Rhodes. They had five children. He retired in 1935, and lived with his family in Knoxville. He continued to preach wherever there was need. He died at his home April 28, 1942, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

 

Pippin, Isaac Newton: Born June 20, 1847, in Washington County, Va. Admitted to the Virginia Conference in 1883, and was in active service until 1905, during which time he served fifteen circuits. He was given supernumerary relation in 1905. He married, Feb. 2, 1870, Miss Ruth M. Crumley, daughter of Rev. Harmon J. Crumley. They had three children. One son, Rev. E. M. Pippin, was a member of Holston Conference. He died April 24, 1917, at his home in Abingdon, Va., and was buried in Washington County, Va.

 

Platt, Robert Baxter, Jr.: Born Jan. 28, 1877, at Gravella, Ala. Son of Robert Baxter, Sr., and Lucy Andrews Jones Platt. Graduated from Chattanooga High School and Emory and Henry College. Admitted in 1906, and served six stations and two districts, in all of which, save one, he remained the full legal limit of four years. "He was an interesting and informing preacher," a facile writer and a cultured gentleman. He married, Oct. 27, 1909, Miss Nette Lawson, Floyd, Va. They had two sons - twins. He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1930. He died suddenly, Aug. 11, 1936, at Radford, Va. He was buried at Emory, Va.

 

Pope, Thomas J.: Born June 28, 1817 Wythe County, Va. Admitted 1854. Traveled circuits in East Tennessee and North Carolina. Married, 1866, Miss Sarah Baynal, Wythe County, Va. Superannuated. Moved to Missouri in 1885. Later to Honey Grove, Texas. Died July 12, 1892, at Vernon, Texas.

 

Porter, James: In Holston one year, 1814.

 

Porter, Thomas D.: Admitted 1811. In Holston: on circuit 1817 and on Tennessee District three years, 1818-21. Located 1823.

 

Poythress, Francis: Born in Virginia. Converted in 1772; sought guidance of Mr. Jarrett and worked with him before the arrival of Methodist itinerants in Virginia. Was licensed to preach by quarterly conference of Brunswick circuit, in 1775; and on May 12, 1776, admitted on trial, in Baltimore. Of early preachers who labored in Holston he was the first to be admitted on trial. In Holston as presiding elder, 1798. Was presiding elder for twelve years, all told. "A man of superior ability, a devoted Christian and a preacher of power." His last years were passed in mental twilight, probably caused by arteriosclerosis. He died, in 1918, at the home of his sister, Mrs. Susannah Pryor, in Jessamine County, Ky.

 

Prater, John Lindsey: Born Aug. 24, 1853, in Tazewell County, Va. Son of John L. and Mallissa Prater. Graduated from Emory and Henry in 1878. He devoted his patrimony to secure an education in preparation for the ministry. From childhood he was fond of learning and of books. Admitted in 1876. He was an effective preacher for thirty-eight years and filled charges in nearly every part of the Conference. He was everywhere recognized as a scholarly preacher and was successful in his work. Although a very heavy man he often walked to his preaching places. He had very little interest in horses or cars. He was very active. He suffered a stroke of paralysis in May, 1917. He was never afterwards able to take up his work. At his own request he was superannuated at the end of the year (1917). He moved to Bristol. A second stroke came early in May, 1918; and death followed May 28. He was buried at Brisol.

 

Price, Richard Nye, D. D.: Born July 30, 1830, in Elk Garden, Russell County, Va. Son of John Wesley and Mary Miller Price, and grandson of Richard and Priscilla Crabtree Price. Educated at Emory and Henry College (1845-1849), B.A., M.A., and D.D. Converted at eleven at Lebanon Camp Ground, Washington County, Va. Admitted 1850 and located in 1857; but was readmitted in 1858; after which he served without interruption until 1898, when he was located at his own request. He had then been effective forty-seven years. He was readmitted in 1900. His biographer says of him: "Besides being a local preacher, he served as junior preacher, circuit rider, station pastor, presiding elder, Conference secretary, General Conference delegate, college professor, college president, editor of the Conference organ, chaplain in two wars, thirty years apart, and finally as conference Historian and author. In each of these, by all accounts, he acquitted himself with credit, the officer was equal to his office." "A preacher of ability and a man of power in the pulpit." As editor, contributor to the press and author of Holston History he was one of the most prolific writers whom Holston Conference has produced. He ranks mentally with the best men of his Church. He was probably puzzled by the fact that he did not receive greater recognition. He discussed, in his History, why certain men do not receive such recognition. He was a well-known wit; and he was equally well known as a student of the occult. It is possible that these facts may have offset his many superlative mental gifts and achievements. He lived his life from youth to extreme age without stain or reproach.

Dr. Price was a very candid and independent editorial writer. In 1898 he discussed with critical freedom the action of the Book Committee in the Publishing House Case, which was then pending. The Committee on Books and Periodicals of Holston Conference said, in its report: "The editorial management of the Midland Methodist has not been satisfactory." The report was warmly discussed, and various motions to delete the above statement were made. The report was finally adopted without change. It is supposed that this action was the occasion of Dr. Price's request for location. It would seem that the thing involved was a question as to what constitutes freedom of the press in a paper operated by a Conference. After Dr. Price's readmission to the Conference, in 1900, there was no abatement of the esteem in which he was held by the Conference. The Conference made adequate provision, so that he might devote his time to the writing of the History of Methodism in Holston Conference. Assessments were made for this purpose for fifteen years (1908-1922 inclusive), average slightly above $1,200.00 per annum. The income probably averaged around 70 per cent of the assessment.

The work done by Dr. Price in writing this History was a splendid contribution to the history of Holston Conference and of the region which it has served.

He married, May 8, 1855, Miss Anne Edgeworth Vance, of Marshall, N. C. They had ten children. One son, Rev. D. Vance Price, became a Methodist preacher. A brother of R. N. Price also became a Methodist preacher, Rev. W. H. Price. His wife died June 27, 1915.

The greater part of twenty years were spent in writing the History of Methodism in the Holston Conference; and he will probably be longest remembered for the work. It comprises five volumes and covers the entire history of Holston Methodism from 1783 to 1897. He was appointed Conference Historian in 1901 and continued in that appointment until 1921. He was thus technically effective until he was ninety-one years old. He was superannuated in 1921 and so remained until his death in 1923. Seventy-three years marked the time from his admission into the Conference until his departure. This is the longest ministerial service in the history of the Holston Conference. This period is shortened, however, to seventy years, by the three years in the local rank (1857-1858 and 1898-1900). Superannuated in 1921. He died in his own home at Morristown, Tenn., on Feb. 7, 1923; and was buried at Morristown.