Circuit Rider Database

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: RITCHIE, John Marideth Title: Rev

Years Served: 1878-1886
Church: new hope baptist
Village: monticello, Township: , County: lawrence, State: ms
Source: family history
Additional: john m. ritchie and his first wife nancy wilkinson walked the isle at pleasent hill baptist church and made their professions of faith in christ. two days later they were baptised. pleasent hill baptist is in bouge chitto ms. around 1877 or 1878 he was ordained and then licened to preach. he would travil by hourse and buggey to a church that would need a pastor for that sunday. i do not know how big a route he had. it was while going to a church one sunday that he saw a woman by the name of amanda lofton sitting on her front porch. he stopped and got up a conversation with her. he apparently liked what he saw, he told her that if she wanted to get married to be out on the porch with all her belongings, and when he came back through after preaching , he saw her out by the road waiting for him. they were soon married after that. New HOpe Baptist was organized in 1886. he was picked to be their first pastor..
randy ritchie Date: Tue Mar 19 19:54:01 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: WHITE, William Henry Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1860-?
Church:
Village: Shelbyville, Township: , County: Shelby, State: TX
Source: 1880 U.S. Census, Shelby County, TX
Additional: Rev. William White(1839- 1953)served numerous circuits throughout his career.
Clyde Edmonds Date: Wed Apr 3 17:28:14 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: THOMPSON, Calvin Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1833-1838
Church: Wadesboro Methodist Episcopal Circuit
Village: Wadesboro, Township: , County: , State: KY
Source: Memphis Conference Archive, Luther L. Gobbe Lib. Lambuth Coll, Jackson, TN
Additional: Calvin is mentioned in the book, "Western Cavaliers" by Albert Redford on page 51, 59, 60, 61,62, and 63. Calvin Married Susanna Hodges on January 26, 1828, daughter of David Hodges and Nancy Ann James. Calvins father appears to be a James Thompson from Orange County, Georgia. Calvin was born there. James Tompson's father is believed to be Peter Thompson who came to America from Ireland.
Dale Frye Date: Sun Apr 21 15:14:01 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: CROMPTON, Edward Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1855-1903
Church: Primitive Methidist
Village: Danville Twp., Township: Montour Co., County: Pennsylvania, State: USA
Source: family history and write-up in Cristian Science Monitor June 2, 1859
Additional: Rev. Edward CROMPTON may also have been related to Rev Thomas CROMPTON sho served with the Primitive Methidist Church along the same time in various locations in Ontatio, Canada.
Wylla Walker Date: Fri Jun 7 10:42:12 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: ELLIS, Wilford Jefferson Title: Reverend

Years Served: 1891-1949
Church: Simpson Chapel
Village: , Township: , County: Monroe, State: IN
Source: Family history including 2 sons stories and documented sermons
Additional: Wilford rode to Owensburg, Greene County chapel, and others before settling to the Simpson Chapel. He had 12 Children 6 boys 6 girls. Born in Dubois County Indiana. Wilford's father John Wells ELLIS came to Indiana from Wales.
Doug Ellis Date: Sun Jun 9 18:18:18 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: CROSSLAND, Cyrus Milton Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1852-1879
Church: United Brethern Church
Village: , Township: , County: Williams, State: oh
Source: obituary from church paper and other records
Additional: The Religious Telescope March 12,1879 REV. CYRUS CROSSLAND was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and died in Fulton County, Ohio, Febuary 18th, 1879, aged 52 years, 8 months and 8 days. He, with his parents, removed to Williams County, Ohio, in 1847. At a revival meeting held in January, 1853, by the writer, in connection with BRO. P. LAMMON, in the village of Williams Center, Ohio-at which place BRO. CROSSLAND then resided,-he and his wife were converted and joined the Church of the United Brethern in Christ. Being convinced of a call to the ministry of Christ, he obtained license from the quarterly conference to preach, and engaged in the work heartily. About twenty three years ago he entered the travaling connection, and gave full proof of his call and usefulness in in the ministry. He was esteemed by his ministterial brethern. He was promoted to the office of presiding elder twice, which he fulfilled with credit as an able preacher of God's word. He was a man of few words; was exemplary in his social life, and was esteemed as a good man. His health the past year failed so much that he declined to take charge at the session of North Ohio Conference last September. He knew well what sore trials meant, as well as the joys of religion. He leaves a companion and five children to mourn their great loss. As a father and husband he was indulgent and affectionate to almost a fault. His end was easy and peaceful. He regretted to leave his family without a home or visible means of support; but he sais, " The Lord will provide." We commend SISTER CROSSLAND to the sympathies, prayers, and substantails of those for whom our departed brother labored so long for their spirts good. J.FINK CEMETARIES of the DISPUTED (OHIO-MICHIGAN) TERRITORY (Fulton Co., Ohio Cemetaries) Salisbury Cemetary is located in Pike Township, Fulton County, Ohio, less than 1 mile south of the Old State Line, on the north side of Stste Road 16, the following entry is east of the south entrance:"REV. CYRUS M. CROSSLAND, died 2/18/1879 age 52 yr 7 mo 18 dy.. REV CYRUS M. CROSSLAND was born 6/10/1826 in Muskingum Co., Ohio the son of LUKE G. CROSSLAND and REBECCA (RILEY) CROSSLAND. In 1847 the family moved to Defiance Co., Ohio and settled near Farmer Center. On 4/18/1849 he was married to NANCY NELSON in Defiance Co., Ohio. To this union were born 5 children; LORETTA HENERY, MILTON CROSSLAND, WILLIAM CROSSLAND, ELLICE HARMON, GEORGE CROSSLAND( my gr. grandfather), and FRANKLIN CROSSLAND. REV. CYRUS M. CROSSLAND died in Delta, Ohio on 2/18/1879 while his wife NANCY (NELSON) CROSSLAND outlived him 28 years, dying 2/28/1907 in Defiance, Ohio. She is buried in Defiance and he is burid near Delta, Ohio.
Steven B Moore Date: Wed Jul 31 00:07:38 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: NOE, Jeptha Condit Title: Rev.

Years Served:
Church: Wesleyan Methodist Church
Village: Kishwankee, Township: , County: Winnebago, State: IL
Source: The History of Winnebago County, Ill.,-It's Past and Present- 1877 (p.455)
Additional: The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Kishwankee was organized May 17th, 1844, with five members, by the Rev. Jeptha NOE. On the 21st of November, 1863, the church reorganized, and built their house of worship in 1868 and parsonage in 1870.
Ilene Noe' Kreider Date: Thu Oct 10 21:28:18 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: GILBERT, Ivel N Title:

Years Served:
Church:
Village: , Township: , County: , State: KS
Source:
Additional: All I have on Ivel Gilbert is ,he was a minister in the Kansas area about 1940-1980. He was a methodist, but I don't know anything of which church he was affiliated ith. Thank you for your time. Mary Grether
Mary Grether Date: Wed Oct 16 11:47:35 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: GILRUTH, James Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1819-1863
Church: Ohio, Iowa
Village: , Township: , County: , State:
Source: Nelson W. Evans, A. M., A History of Scioto County, Ohio
Additional: A Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, (Portsmouth, Ohio. Published by Nelson W. Evans, 1903), 715. These are notes that Lila Guenther made during her research from various sources: Note 1: "In the winter of 1818-19, a great revival swept through southern Ohio; and in February of the latter year, our subject was, as he himself had said many a time, 'powerfully converted' at a Methodist meeting. By the latter part of March, he had so favorably impressed his presiding Elder that he was licensed to preach; and on the 7th day of August, following, when the conferenct met, he was ordained as a regular minister. He continued in the regular ministry in the Ohio Conference for thirty-two years. He made his first visit to Iowa in 1844; and in that year, or the year following, entered a quarter section of land two miles north of the city of Davenport. He returned to Ohio and remained until the spring of 1851 when he removed with his family to Davenport, Iowa. He became a member of the Iowa Conference, a relation he sustained until the day of his death. He officiated as pastor in charge, or on circuit, whenever appointed, until the year 1863, when he was placed upon the superannuated list. Gilruth Chapel near his home was named for him. In 1853, he moved his family onto a farm near Davenport, where he resided until his death." Note 2: "He had made money, became quite rich, indeed, but he never lost the respect and confidence of the neighbors nor of those who had business transactions with him, be the means of acquiring it. he sustaind his Christian integrity in business as well as in the pulpit. He possessed bright intellect, had vivid imagination, and a love for the beautiful in nature and literature. His memory was very retentive, his command of language good. He was a mighty man physically, and in his prime, his weight was nearly 300 pounds." Note 3: From "The Past Is Prologue", Mary Westlake states: "I remember that the first year of our marriage, having no children, we saved $100. out of the $200. due us and with it, Husband purchased the quarter section of land, in what afterwards became the site of Maumee City. That was in 1823-24. He bought it of the Government and, about 1836, sold it to a company of speculators for $100. per acre. This company failed and he lost a large part of his money. $10,000 of what he really got, he afterwards loaned, without interest, and lost both interest and principal. This last happened while we lived in Berea." Note 4: From the Diary of James Gilruth, Vol 1, 9/5/1831, p. 6 "This day has closed My Minesteral labour on Granville circuit. I have now completed two years ministerial labour on the Circuiit and twelve years of My Itenerant Ministry during the whole of which I have never lost an appointment by stress of wether wet, dry, hot, or cold: but twice have I been stoped by high water for when I could not ferry I have swam: & through the kind providence of God I have lost but 4 by bodily sickness Tho I have lost some by attending to sick and dying relatives In this time I have lost my father, My Brother in law Wm S. Thomas, my daughter Mary Gilruth, my wifs father, Thomas Westlake, with some others. But to return. I fixed up and returned to Granville & foundg my family well." Notes on James Gilruth's wife Mary Westlake: Note 1: Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 100-103. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "In June of 1828, Husband and myself, with little Mary, started for Delaware. Saturday forenoon he preached at Radnor and started to preach in the afternoon. We got to stop with a Mr. Adams. Mary was taken sick and we gave her herb medicine, but she grew worse. Your father went on next morning and filled his appointment and then started for the afternoon preaching place. "We had to go down a long slope, at the bottom of which was a marshy place bridged with round logs--a 'corduroy' bridge. At the top of the hill a half dozen young people, boys and girls on their way to church, frightened the horse with their laughter. The animal ran down hill, and notwithstanding his strength, Husband could not stop him. The harness broke and the buggy ran against the horse's heals, making him almost crazy wild. Husband managed to turn him to one side, but the buggy struck a stump, throwing myself and the baby out. "I did not lose my presence of mind, but as I fell, striking on my right side and much hurt, I whisked the baby over my head so she fell on top and was not injured. The buggy was broken apart, but Husband held onto the lines and was dragged on his face over the ground and bridge until the lines broke in each hand. "His clothes were torn, his watch was broken to pieces. The horse ran on, with the thills and single tree striking him at every step, until men gathered for service saw him and knew he belonged to Mr. Gilruth. But no one dared try to stop him until one man ran out and, clasping the animal about the neck, hung on until others came to his help. "Of course Husband must have been hurt, but he always made light of anything he could bear and so preached as if nothing had happened. The service was held in the house of a brother of Mr. Adams, a Mr. Elijah Adams, and I was taken to a bedroom in his house where I laid to hear Husband's voice in preaching and thought about his torn clothes. "Mary grew worse with dysentery. Next morning the parts of the broken buggy weree placed on Mr. Elijah's Adams' big wagon and were placed on top. Thus we made our advent into Delaware, stopping at the house of Mrs. Gordon (mother of Clara Gordon, whom some of my children knew at school in Worthington-- 'the Ladies Seminary.' Clara was not born until some years later). The horse was called 'Dick' and was the animal for which the horse I brought from home was swapped. He always would run away afterwards when he had a chance. "After getting to Mrs. Gordon's on Monday morning, your father went on to fill other appointments, not thinking that Mary was seriously ill, but advising me to send for a doctor if she got worse. I did so that afternoon. The child was standing by my knee when he came. He looked at her and ordered a dose of calomel. My baby never stood on her feet again. "Ah, that was a horrid night to me! As I sat in the rocking chair holding the litte dear in my arms, a dog howled right under the window of my room. Three times he gave that dismal howl. How could I help being startled! "I laid down with her in my arms and dreamed that I was sitting in a room in Mrs. Bixby's home and baby was lying on a little bed by my side. Husband came in and baby opened her beautifuly big brown eyes and smiled on him. She held out her little arms; he took her up and fondled her a little and laid her in my arms. Just as he laid her down, she went into a spasm. I woke up with the dread of that spasm. "Mrs. Gordon was not well, so the next day I did got to Mrs. Bixby. She was my most inimiate friend in Delaware. One Thursday we sent word to Husband and he got there Friday forenoon and my dream was fulfilled! He came into the room-- Baby opened her eyes and smiled and held out her arms. He took her up, caressed her and laid her in my arms and she immediately went in a spasm. "Spasm after spasm followed until Sunday afternoon. Then she died. We (Husband and I), were bending over her little face. She opened her clear, intelligent eyes and smiled at us, then closed them as if asleep. We dropped on our knees and Husband, in calm, solemn prayer, gave her spirit to God. This was the 29th June; she was less than thirteen months old. "It was not because she died but because it was really so, that we believed her to be the handsomest and most forward or all our children. We buried her in the burial ground (not very far distant from Mr. Bixby's house), which as I remember, was situated on a high knoll and enclosed with a paling. If any of my children ever go to Delaware and go to the old burying ground, perhaps they may ifnd a small, white marble tombsone with her name, 'Mary--Daughter of J. & M. Gilruth' and a partly blown rose cut on it. "When we went back home without our Babe, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, who had slept in our house at night so it might be safe for Hattie and Helen and Miss Dunlevey, said that one night as they laid in my bed, they heard three distinct raps, and the Judge said to his wife, 'the baby is dead.' However that may be, we never heard strange noises there afterward." Note 2: Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 111-112. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "The removal from Putnam was a great disappointment to me. Moving was so hard on me. We wished to visit our mothers again that Fall--so before Conferance of 1832, we started. After passing throught Chillicothe, we had to cross Paint Creek which, when full, was a pretty large stream. I will give my Husband's words, taken from his diary--'In crossing Paint Creek the water came up six or eight inches on the bed of the wagon which, being pretty light and not fastenend down, was not to our advantage. I had teh presence of mind to give time for the bed to fill--that with my weight saved us.' I shall never forget crossing Paint Creek at that time--three litle children with ourselves." Note 3: Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 112-113. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "I went out to bring in their breakfast. I sat the victuals on the table. I did not then know, nor do I now know what they looked like. While sitting at the table, he began again in a sarcastic tone, indicating that I was much elated that my Husband was made Presideing Elder. "I asked, 'What makes you think so?' "'Because you turned so white when I told you.' "That aroused my indignation. Said I, 'The Conferance has made sole- leather of my husband long enough and we have submitted without saying a word, but this I resent and if I had the power to act as I feel, Detroit District might find a Presiding Elder where it could. I would never go one step.'" Note 4: Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 121-122 They "traveled on what was called the 'Zanesville Pike' to Columbus, thence through Delaware, Marion, Upper Sandusky (or Wyandotte Mission), Tiffin, Lower Sandusky (now Freemont), through the Black Swamp to Perrysburg at the head of Maumee Bay." They "had left Helen at French Grant with her Grandmother Gilruth, so that we had our three children--the eldes, our dear Harriet, being eight years old. Somewhere on this journey, althought I have forgotten the place, we came up a steep hill down which the road led." "Husband and I got out of the wagon to light the load, leaving the babe with Hattie. Naomi, a restless little thing, there years old, crept to the front and, trying to peep out, lost her balance and fell right across the wagon track. "Husband saw he could not snatch her up in time, so he caught and lifted up the fore whell of that heavily loade dwagon with one hand and, with the other, snatched the child away. This all happened so quickly that although looking at it, I could not take it in until afterward." *** "We reached Perrysburg at the head of Maumee Bay, on Lake Erie. This was the first appointment of the Detroit District and Husband told the Preacher what time he would hold the quarterly meeting there. We crossed the Maumee River by Ferry, but there was a ford about a half mile distant which was dangerous because of spaces between the flat rocks in the bed of the river, where the horses' feet would slip through sometimes." "At Maumee city, Husband also left word of the time for Quarterly Meeting. From thence we went on to Monroe on the River Raisin in Michigan. Here we learned that it would be better to make our home in Ann Arbor, Washeenew County, than in Detroit, because Ann Arbor was a little nearer the center of the District. Indeed if I remember right, the District embraced all the lower Peninsula of Michigan, and part of the upper. Husband's most distant Mission was on Lake Superior. Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 125. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "Ann Arbor (about the size of Worthington, I think, when we went there in 1837) was divided by the River Huron into Upper and Lower Ann Arbor. We arrived in the Upper part (that is on the tope ofthe Bluff) which had been laid out into streets and blocks. The portion next the river, or the river bottom, was not yet laid off." Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 126. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "There was no house ready for the Presiding Elder in town. So, for the winter, your father rented part of Mrs. Dr. Lord' brick house, one fourth of a mile from the village. She was a widow. Dr. Lord had died not long before. Afterward we rented a house in town. "The years spent in Ann Arbor were the most pleasant, taking it altogether, I had spent since entering the Itinerancy. The people were cultivated, intelligent Easterners--very kind to us. I was young--only thirty one and girlish, even with three children. The young girls from eighteen years and up frequently spent the day with me." Note 5: Taken from "The Past is Prologue" pp 135. Mary Westlake Gilruth writes: "Your father made it a rule to visit his parents and mine once a year, as along as they lived. We went to French Grant in 1833. We learned that Helen had engaged herself to a young man of French extraction. She was so young that Husband insisted on bringing her home with us. But his Mother advised against it. "She thought that all things considered, Helen would be better married to her choice. He was a nice young fellow--named Fredric Didway. The correct name was Duduit (prounced Dudwee) but it became Anglicized into Didway. So, Husband giving his consent, I went with him to Burlington on the Ohio River and then the county seat of Lawrence County, where we purchased such outfit as he would give her. "Her wedding dress was what is now called 'Victoria Lawn.' I made it myself, and I also made her underclothes--and washed and done up such as required. I took cold by doing so, and was too sick either to go to the church where your Father married her, or even to sit up at the wedding dinner. I was confined to my bed in the opper story two weeks, during which time little Hattie was my only attendant; because Husband was taken with cholera. He almost lost his life and every energy was bent to his care. It was sometime in November when we started home. "Husband was able to walk some when we started and could sit and drive; but I had to be lifted into the wagon although I could sit up. It was a slow, tedious, cold journey. We did not reach Ann Arbor until sometime in December. Note 6: Taken from Diary of James Gilruth, in section prior to the beginning of Vol 1. James Gilruth writes on Thursday August 11, 1831: "Returned home at night (ten miles) & found that my wife was in travel-- When I put my horse in the stable I fell down on my knees and besought the Lord to suport her soul & body in this trying hour. I felt much peace in confidence--of his goodness-- her labour lingered till half past 12 when the doctor took upwards of a pint of blood from her--her labor was then speedy and saif--the child was born exactly a 1/4 before 1 A female child I have now had 5 daughters in succession and no son but of this I am sattisfied the my name should sceas with myself--the whole matter of this lying in was..." Note 7: Taken from Diary of James Gilruth, Vol. 1, 9/1/1831-3/31/1832, p. 47 James writes: "Wed: Spent the day visiting some of My old neighbours along up the bank--at night I went over the river & preached at Greenupsburg in the Court house from Matt XI 28 but not much to my own sattisfaction. From the excitement that had been raised about the kidnaped woman & my being viewed as active in opposition to those Measures I had expected that but few of those slave holders would attend: I had however a pretty good congragation--Returned over the river & spent some time with Sister Thomas & then walked up to My Mothers--day clear--" Note 7: Taken from Diary of James Gilruth, Vol. 1, 9/1/1831-3/31/1832, p. 48 James writes: "--Spent the morning till 10 in a pleasent manner with My younest brother in law and father Kowns --Then set out for the french Grant, calling still on my friends as I went down - I got down about an hour after dark- -a neece Daughter of Samuel Kowns, came down with me to see her cousen Helen-- Spent the evening till 2 in conversasion with my Mother, & in settling some business--& in in conversasion with my mother."
Lila Guenther Date: Sun Nov 3 14:27:03 2002

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: WOOD, William Hennery Title:

Years Served: 1852-1908
Church:
Village: , Township: , County: Marion, State: AK
Source: His personal journal
Additional: William Hennery WOOD Born on Dec.31,1825 in Alabama. Married Louisa Jane REYNOLDS October 28, 1858 6 miles below Yellville Arkansas at her parents house. They had 10 children. William WOOD was a Methodist circuit rider and a Methodist Preacher. He preached from 1852 till his death in 1908. This family lived in Marion County Arkansas before the Civil War. After the war broke out he moved his family to Berry County Missouri. After the war was over they moved back to Marion county Arkansas. He also taught school and farmed. His preaching record records that his credentials were recorded on the 23 day of December, 1854 at Osceola Mississippi County Arkansas book c page i38. He was thrown from a horse and crippled July 5, 1857. He soon recovered and continued to preach. I can not find that book or where he was ordained a Minster. I believe his mother's name was Mary TATE if you find out anymore let me know . Oh he was called preacher WOOD ,and his wife Aunt Jane, is the Indian on our side her father is Martin REYNOLDS. Anna Toner and Shirley Taylor http://my.homewithgod.com/ann0family0tree/
Anna Toner Date: Thu Jan 16 15:42:28 2003

--------------------------------------------------

Minister: COLLINS, Isaac Title: Rev.

Years Served: 1823-1867
Church: United Methodist - Baltimore Conference
Village: , Township: , County: , State: MD
Source: Index to Methodist Ministers from Maryland
Additional: Rev. Collins is presumed to have been born in Baltimore Co., Md. in 1789. Military service with FELL'S Point Riflemen, Capt. DYER'S Company, War of 1812 Entered Baltimore Conference in 1823. Married, date unknown, at least 2 children, Mary and Isabella or Arabella. Circuit included nothern and western Maryland, southeastern Pa. counties. Shown in 1850 York County Pa. Census, Shrewsbury District. Died in Baltimore City in 1870 at son-in-law's, Wm. Horace SOPER. Service at Charles St. Methodist Episcopal Church.
Douglas Emerson Date: Sun Jan 26 07:09:16 2003