CHURCH: Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, Chapter 8, PA & NY
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________________________________________________
Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 124-146.
________________________________________________
124 WYOMING CONFERENCE
CHAPTER VIII
MATTERS IN GENERAL
CONSTITUENT MEMBERS
Arnold, C. V. Mulkey, J.
Barker, A., sy. Nelson, R.
Barter, S. S. Olmstead, D. C.
Bartlett, P. Owen, E.
Bibbins, E., sd. Paddock, Z.
Blakeslee, G. H. Pearce, Marmaduke, sd.
Breckinridge, E. W. Pearne, W. H.
Bridgeman, P. G., sd. Peck, George
Bronson, A. Peck, G. M.
Brooks, A. Perkins, C.
Brownscombe, H. Pitts, Levi
Carrier, Marcus Porter, G. P.
Chubbuck, F. S. Reed, Fitch
Clarke, H. R. Rice, C. L.
Cooper, J. B. Roberts, W.
Coryell, V. M., sy. Rose, R. S.
Davison, J. W. Round, William
Dewitt, N. S. Rounds, Nelson
Ellis, Benjamin, sy. Safford, J. D.
Elwell, King Schoonmaker, A. H.
Giddings, C. W. Shelp, William
Gorham, B. W. Shepard, D. A.
Grimes, J. M. Silsbee, William
Harris, C. W., sd. Smith, E.
Harvey, C. H. Snyder, J. M.
Hewitt, J. W. Sperry, A. C.
Illman, F. Taylor, C. E.
Ingalls, R. Tenny, E. B.
Johnson, Ahira, sd. Torry, D., sd.
Judd, Gaylord, sd. Whitham, Joseph
Kimberlin, John, sd. Wilbur, J. F.
Lane, George, sd. Wilcox, T.
Leach, G. W. Worden, P. S., sd.
McDowall, O. M. Worthing, Jonathan, sd.
Mead, A. P. Wyatt, William
Morse. O. F.
RECEIVED INTO FULL MEMBERSHIP FROM TRIAL
1852 1853
C. L. Rice W. Shelp
A. Bronson M. Carrier
J. F. Wilbur S. S. Barter
J. W. Hewitt W. Roberts
A. H. Schoonmaker
A. P. Mead
ADMISSIONS FROM TRIAL 125
1854 1859
J. H. Cargill N. W. Everett
Joseph S. David Thomas Burgess
Joseph Madison
1855 Henry Stanley
W. B. Thomas
S. E. Walworth 1860
J. K. Peck Ira T. Walker
S. W. Weiss W. J. Judd
Luther Peck Jacob Miller
Davison Worrall
Albert Brigham 1861
W. B. Kinney William Keatley
A. W. Loomis David Personeus
S S. Kennedy F. L. Hiller
L. Cole
R. Van Valkenburg 1862
H. T. Avery J. G. Eckman
E. F. Roberts J. O. Woodruff
T. D. Walker W. H. Gavitt
George L. Griffin C. W. Todd
1856 1863
J. La Bar Gabriel Westfall
Miner Swallow George P. Porter
C. White Judson L. Legg
A. F. Harding A. J. Van Cleft
David Williams
J. W. Munger 1864
Welcome Smith L. C. Floyd
Stephen Elwell
1857 Jesse T. Crowell
Joshua Lewis S. F. Wright
Francis Spencer Taylor D. Swartz
John Bradbury George Comfort
E. Sibley Ira N. Pardee
B. B. Emory
C. W. Judd 1865
E. F. Roberts (readmitted) William P. Abbott
J. J. Pierce (readmitted) William B. Westlake
1858 1866
Y. C. Smith Winfield S. Smyth
T. J. W. Sullivan S. F. Brown
G. A. Severson A. J. Arnold
A. P. Aiken George C. Hart
George R. Hair N. S. Reynolds
I. P. Towner B. D. Sturdevant
Philip Holbrook
Henry Wheeler
Silas Barner
Julius A. Baldwin
126 WYOMING CONFERENCE
1867 1872
Isaac Austin J. B. Santee
W. M. Hiller G. E. Hathaway
J. D. Woodruff E. W. Caswell
J. H. Weston A. S. Clarke
S. T. Cramp J. H. Taylor
J. C. Shelland
1868 Hu Po Mi
George Greenfield
H. H. Dresser 1873
J. C. Leacock N. J. Hawley
Philip Krohn G. T. Price
George Pritchett J. F. Warner
G. M. Chamberlain J. R. Angell
Richard Varcoe
Edgar M. High 1874
John F. Williams
1869 Josiah R. Wagner
Charles A. Ward P. M. Mott
R. Hiorns J. B. Davis
McKendree Shaw C. O. Hanmer
C. D. Shepard L. A. Wild
George Forsyth A. J. Cook
H. G. Harned
1875
1870 H. C. McDermott
F. A. King J. Hartwell
A. G. Bartholomew S. W. Spencer
J. Underwood G. C. Lyman
J. L. Race S. C. Fulton
M. D. Matoon J. H. Boyce
S. W. Lindsley J. T. Burrall
George W. Reynolds D. C. Barnes
A. D. Alexander William J. Hill
A. M. Colegrove
P. Krohn (readmitted) 1876
M. Shaw (readmitted) S. Homan
S. H. Wood
1871 Elijah Snell
O. M. Martin L. L. Sprague
H. M. Crydenwise H. B. Cook
R. W. Van Schoick F. C. Gendall
M. D. Fuller R. C. Gill
P. R. Tower J. S. Southworth
J. B. Sumner A. B. Richardson
J. D. Bloodgood J. R. Allen
J. N. Lee Ziba Evans
J. A. Wood C. Fay Olmstead
R. J. Kellogg George O. Beers
A. W. Barrows George C. Andrews
1872 1877
S. J. Austin T. C. Roskelly
C. S. Alexander G. M. Colville
D. Larish
ADMISSIONS FROM TRIAL 127
1877 1882
E. L. Bennett I. B. Wilson
J. B. Chynoweth D. A. Sanford
Stephen Jay L. B. Weeks
B. P. Ripley
J. G. Stevens 1883
F. A. Dony J. D. Belknap
D. F. Waddell J. A. Transue
W. C. Norris
1878 H. H. Wilbur
A. W. Hood C. A. Benjamin
E. L. Santee
Cornelius Sweet 1884
George A. Place W. R. Turner
A. W. Cooper J. C. Johnson
C. H. Jewell G. C. Lewis
W. R. Netherton C. H. Sackett
E. C. Herdman C. H. Marsh
T. F. Hall N. B. Ripley
James Ryder A. F. Chaffee
Abel Wrigley
M. E. Bramhall 1885
J. A. Faulkner
1879 G. H. Prentice
G. W. Leach (readmitted) I. N. Shipman
O. L. Severson H. B. Johnson
E. N. Sabin W. W. Smith
P. Houck E. B. Olmstead
H. G. Blair G. C. Jacobs
J. F. Jones T. M. Furey
O. H. McAnulty
Simon Stevens 1886
Cyrus C. Lovejoy W. H. Stang
E. Kilpatrick
1880 F. A. Chapman
C. W. Todd (readmitted) C. B. Personeus
C. H. Hayes
E. R. D. Briggs 1887
F. H. Parsons C. W. Babcock
W. Treible W. Frisby
A. C. Olver S. D. Galpin
W. Edgar M. R. Kerr
D. D. King
1881 J. H. Littell
J. B. Sweet R. M. Pascoe
L. P. Howard T. R. Warnock
C. M. Surdam
D. G. Stevens 1888
F. P. Doty G. F. Ace
A. Loomis W. H. Bailey
Levi Jennison H. B. Benedict
A. G. Bloomfield
1882 J. E. Bone
G. A. Cure J. B. Cook
E. A. Baldwin
128 WYOMING CONFERENCE
1888 1895
A. D. Decker C. Callendar
W. H. Hiller A. D. David
J. L. Thomas G. N. Underwood
C. E. Sweet H. E. Wheeler
F. N. Lowry
1889 F. G. Smith
J. C. Hogan S. G. Snowden
A. S. Holland S. A. Terry
W. M. Shaw L. T. Van Campen
E. H. Truesdell J. H. Worley
H. Williston L. A. Wild (readmitted)
1890 1896
B. N. Butts J. Brundle
Fred J. Jones F. D. Cornell
L. W. Karschner C. M. Olmstead
J. W. Nicholson L. D. Palmer
A. Osborn A. C. Brackenbury
S. C. Simpkins S. H. Flory
G. B. Stone A. W. Noble
C. C. Vrooman G. H. Northrup
L. E. Sanford
1891 W. S. Wilcox
I. C. Estes
A. Schofield 1897
G. E. Van Woert S. E. Hunt
H. A. Williams C. P. Tiffany
Li Shao-wen A. O. Williams
Thomas Eva M. L. Andariese
George Jeffreys E. D. Cavanaugh
Charles Smith J. S. Custard
D. Evans
1892 C. B. Henry
W. H. Alger D. L. McDonald
W. H Blair E. A. Quimby
E. H. Depuy W. A. Wagner
E. S. Godshall
H. A. Greene 1898
L. C. Murdock George M. Bell
C. H. Newing Albert Clarke
G. D. Fisher
1893 J. Humphries
G. B. Wilder D. L McKellar
J. S. Crompton D. L. Meeker
J. W. Price T. J. Vaughn
F. W. Young
1894 J. H. Worley
E. L. Jeffrey
C. H. Reynolds 1899
J. Benninger
H. L. Elsworth G. H. H. Davis
F. D. Hartsock C. Councilman
E. E. Pearce T. B. Miller
L. E. Van Hoesen A. J. Neff
TRANSFERS 129
1899 1902
J. N. Bailey A. R. Burke
R. L. Clark G. S. Connell
J. W. Johnson E. N. Kline
G. G. McChesney C. L. Lewis
P. F. Mead W. H. Crawford
E. B. Singer A. H. Whitaker
M. V. Williams G. W. Crosby
A. D. Finch
1900 E. McMillen
Ira L. Bronson B. R. Hanton
Harry Kelley N. A. Darling
W. S. Adams
E. Colwell 1903
Frank James J. R. Austin
W. W. Watrous W. M. Bouton
A. O. Austin C. H. Seward
G. Gorisse A. E. Potter
D. H. Gridley W. D. Lathrop
William McAlpine
1901 J. N. Goodrich (from Protes-
E. E. Barker tant Episcopal Church)
E. A. Martin
J. N. Meaker
G. A. Warburton
IN STUDIES OF SECOND YEAR - ADMITTED ON TRIAL IN 1902
W. R. McDermott T. Livingston
J. M. Coleman G. L. Granger
A. A. Callendar C. E. Waldron
ADMITTED ON TRIAL IN 1902
S. L. Whiteman A. J. Chapman
F. Lesh C. R. Vickery
C. A. Frear J. L. Serviss
F. F. Gibbs
TRANSFERS
Year From What Conference Name Year To What Conference
Fitch Reed 1852 Oneida
1852 Oneida L. D. Tryon
1853 Vermont John A. Wood 1874 Northern New York
1853 Baltimore Washington W. Welsh
1857 Baltimore John J. Pearce
1864 E. R. Keys 1865 New York
1865 Oneida D. W. Bristol 1872 Central New
York
1865 New York Luther W. Peck
1865 New York D. D. Lindsley
W. H. Pearne 1867 Tennessee
W. P. Abbott 1865 Troy
G. P. Porter 1868 Genesee
1869 Illinois H. G. Harned (on trial)
1869 Central New York W. H. Olin
1869 Cent. Pennsylvania Thomas M. Reese 1872 Cent. Pennsylvania
1869 Rock River William N. Cooley
W. S. Smyth 1870 Central New York
L. V. Ismond 1870 Missouri
G. M. Mead 1871 Central New York
Philip Krohn 1872 Cent. Pennsylvania
1881 East Maine George Forsyth 1872 East Maine
1873 Upper Iowa W. L. Thorpe
1873 Cincinnati D. Copeland
John Pilkington 1873 New York East
1874 Cent. Pennsylvania Philip Krohn 1876 Troy
A. H. Wyatt 1874 Erie
A. C. Bowdish 1874 New York East
McKendree Shaw 1874 Central New York
Thomas S. Abrahams 1874 North Carolina
1875 Central New York W. S. Wentz
1875 West Wisconsin J. C. Brainerd 1882 Illinois
I. B. Hyde 1875 Central New York
1876 Baltimore H. A. Cleveland 1876 New England
I. N. Pardee 1876 Nebraska
1877 Wilmington Joseph E. Smith 1883 West Virginia
1877 Troy W. H. H. Smith
1877 Oneida C. G. Wood 1883 Illinois
1879 New Hampshire O. W. Scott 1886 New Eng. Southern
H. Wheeler 1879 Philadelphia
A. S. Clark 1879 Troy
1881 Northern N. Y. D. Williams 1879 Northern New York
A. C. Bartholomew 1879 Nebraska
1880 Northern N. Y. A. L. Smalley
1880 Wilmington T. B. Killiam
D. F. Waddell 1889 Wilmington
George R. Hair 1880 Minnesota
George Comfort 1880 Montana
1881 Liberia R. J. Kellogg 1886 New Eng. Southern
C. C. Lovejoy 1881 Rock River
1882 Illinois G. W. Miller 1889 Minnesota
O. M. Martin 1882 St. Louis
1883 West Virginia C. P. Masden 1883 St. Louis
1883 Baltimore L. C. Muller 1886 Newark
1883 Detroit D. S. Spencer (on trial) 1885 Japan
1884 Virginia T. M. Furey (on trial)
1884 Colorado J. O. Spencer (on trial) 1885 Japan
1885 New Hampshire N. M. Bailey 1886 New Hampshire
E. W. Caswell 1885 Oregon
1886 Central New York M. S. Hard
1886 Philadelphia M. A. Richards
1886 Newark A. H. Tuttle 1889 Baltimore
1886 Newark J. E. Price 1890 New York
1886 New Eng. Southern W. H. Turkington 1888 New Hampshire
I. T. Walker 1886 Lexington
1886 New Hampshire O. P. Wright 1892 St. Louis
M. E. Bramhall 1886 South Kansas
1887 North Indiana I. J. Smith
J. B. Chynoweth 1887 California
C. H. Marsh 1887 Iowa
Simon Stephens 1887 New York
George Comfort 1888 Montana
H. H. Dresser 1888 Dakota
H. B. Johnson 1888 Japan
1889 New York East W. L. Phillips
1889 New York P. R. Hawxhurst
1889 Genesee A. H. Maryott 1893 Newark
A. B. Richardson 1889 New Jersey
1895 St. John's River N. J. Hawley 1889 St. John's
River
E. A. Baldwin 1889 Central New
York
1890 St. John's River C. C. McLean 1891 Austin
1891 New York J. R. Boyle 1896 New Jersey
1891 Pittsburg W. H. Pearce 1902 Philadelphia
1896 Puget Sound S. Moore 1891 Puget Sound
H. Williston 1891 Puget Sound
H. B. Cook 1891 Colorado
R. W. Van Schoick 1891 Michigan
1892 Columbia River W. G. Simpson
1892 St. Louis W. H. Reese 1894 Genesee
1893 Detroit G. B. Benedict 1895 South America
1893 Nebraska John M. Correll
1893 Newark P. G. Ruckman
F. A. Chapman 1893 Michigan
1894 Genesee W. L. Linnaberry
1894 Colorado A. W. Noble (on trial)
1894 N. Eng. Southern J. W. Webb 1896 Central New York
E. H. Depuy 1894 New Eng. Southern
D. D. King 1894 Michigan
A. Osborn 1894 Genesee
1895 Michigan F. A. Chapman 1897 Michigan
1895 New Jersey John H. Race
Li Shao-wen 1895 North China
1896 New York East C. M. Giffin
1896 Central New York C. E. Mogg
1897 Michigan E. V. Armstrong
1897 St. John's River James Schofield
G. H. Northrup 1897 St. John's River
1898 New England Henry Tuckley
1899 Genesee A. W. Hayes
1899 West Wisconsin H. D. Smith
E. B. Olmstead 1899 Genesee
H. P. Morgan (on trial) 1900 Philadelphia
A. C. Brackenbury 1900 Columbia River
1901 Pittsburg J. H. Bickford
M. L. Andariese 1901 Newark
1902 New York East Joseph Baird
T. B. Miller 1902 New York East
R. L. Reidy (on trial) 1902 Northwest Iowa
N. A. Darling
1902 Holston J. M. Taber
1903 Colorado J. N. Bailey 1902 Colorado
1903 Colorado W. A. Edwards
1903 Dakota G. L. Granger (on trial)
H. B. Burns 1903 Northwest Iowa
Delos H. Gridley 1903 Newark
J. Humphrey 1903 Genesee
132 WYOMING CONFERENCE
LOCATED
1852. J. M. Snyder, Joseph Whitham.
1854. King Elwell, John Mulkey.
1855. Joseph S. David, G. W. Leach.
1856. Marcus Carrier, E. F. Roberts, C. W. Harris, Ahira Johnson,
J. W. Davison.
1858. J. W. Hewitt, E. B. Tenny, E. Owen, C. V. Arnold,
Julius A. Baldwin.
1859. G. L. Griffin, A. P. Aiken, T. J. W. Sullivan.
1860. T. D. Walker.
1861. George Landon, A. P. Aiken, B. W. Gorham.
1862. J. M. Snyder, A. P. Mead, N. W. Everett, H. Stanley.
1863. B. B. Emory, George A. Severson.
1864. George C. Bancroft, John W. Munger, William Shelp, C. Perkins.
1865. C. W. Giddings, O. M. McDowall, J. J. Pearce, A. H. Schoonmaker,
F. Illman.
1867. J. A. Wood.
1868. W. W. Welsh.
1869. B. D. Sturdevant, N. W. Everett, J. N. Platt, Philip Krohn,
McKendree Shaw.
1871. W. L. Thorpe, R. W. Peebles.
1873. James Mullen.
1874. M. D. Matoon.
1875. A. J. Arnold, C. O. Hanmer.
1876. C. A. Ward, C. Fay Olmstead.
1878. A. Brigham, S. W. Weiss, G. E. Hathaway, G. W. Leach.
1879. C. White, George Pritchett.
1880. T. B. Killiam.
1881. D. Larish.
1882. Gabriel Westfall, W. H. H. Williams (by the Conference).
1886. A. L. Smalley, F. L. Hiller.
1887. A. E. Loomis, W. C. Norris, L. A. Wild.
1888. T. C. Roskelly.
1891. G. T. Price.
1892. Arthur S. Holland.
1895. P. R. Hawxhurst, O. H. McAnulty.
1901. C. W. Babcock.
WITHDRAWN
1854. William Roberts.
1856. G. P. Porter.
1865. Jacob Miller.
1874. J. A. Wood, 2d, under charges.
1876. J. F. Wilbur, under charges.
1877. D. D. Lindsley, under charges.
1878. S. W. Lindsley.
1881. A. W. Barrows.
1890. W. L. Phillips, to join Congregationalists.
1892. George J. Jeffreys, to join Primitive Methodists.
1893. M. R. Kerr, to join Congregationalists.
1894. G. B. Wilder, W. W. Smith, to join Congregationalists.
EVOLUTION OF THE MINUTES 133
1895. G. M. Colville, to join Presbyterians.
1896. S. C. Fulton, J. H. Worley.
1897. J. C. Hogan, W. R. Turner.
1898. Fred J. Jones.
1900. J. F. Jones, J. H. Worley.
1901. F. N. Smith, to join Congregationalists.
1901. G. F. Ace, under charges.
1903. W. A. Wagner, S. Guy Snowden, C. B. Personeus, to join other Churches. -
EXPELLED
1852. C. H. Harvey, suspended, afterward expelled. Spiritualism.
1855. O. F. Morse, suspended, after several trials ; expelled 1861.
1863. Welcome Smith. 1864. William Silsbee. 1865. R. Van Valkenburg.
1872. I. S. Thompson. Heresy.
1893. D. A. Sandford. 1899. G. T. Price.
EVOLUTION OF THE MINUTES
The Minutes of the first session of the Conference, held in Carbondale, July,
1852, are put into a small pamphlet of thirty pages, printed at the Democrat
office in Binghamton. It contains the Disciplinary questions, statistical tables
of membership, account of moneys raised and expended for Conference claimants,
tables of preachers' and presiding elders' claims, statement of funds raised for
tracts and number of pages distributed, the appointments, report on parsonages,
resolution concerning "Spiritual Manifestations," an advertisement for Wyoming
Seminary - giving the faculty, Conference visitors, calendar of the school year,
rates of tuition, and some other directions usually contained in a school
catalogue - and the detailed missionary report. This report has been continued
until now, not without opposition, however, as motions have been introduced
several times looking toward discontinuance. In this report you will find
reminders of old times, the gifts of sixpences and shillings. The matter
concerning the seminary notes a charge of $2.21 for instruction in embroidery
for a term of twelve weeks. Statistics of money raised for Bible cause are here.
Treasurer's report, memoir of M. Ruger, pastoral address by George Peck and R.
Nelson, committees of examination and special appointments conclude the make-up
of this first volume of Minutes.
The Minutes of 1853 introduce a report from the committee on education, and
give statistics of educational collection taken during the year, amounting to
$38.78. Statistics of Sunday schools
134 WYOMING CONFERENCE
are given. Committee of finance make a report. Trustees for Susquehanna Seminary
are named. An index is introduced at the end, which does not appear again until
1868.
The Minutes of 1854 introduce a report on temperance. The laymen on the board
of stewards submit a paper urging larger provision for the support of the
ministry.
In 1855 the post offices of the members of the Conference are given, which
does not occur again until 1858.
In 1856 Susquehanna Seminary is given a page.
In 1857 the secretary begins to enlarge the report of daily proceedings. Until
this time no detailed report of each day's work has been attempted. A very able
report on slavery appears, written by H. R. Clarke and B. W. Gorham.
In 1858 the chronological list of the Conference appears. Larger type is used,
which improves the pages much.
In 1862 report on State of the Country makes its debut.
In 1864 the times and places of our Conference sessions greet us, with a list
of delegates to the General Conference in that and previous years. The "In
Memoriam" also begins with this number.
In 1865 the directory of local preachers is first seen.
In 1866 the Rules of Order greet us, the work of R. Nelson, George Peck, and
Y. C. Smith.
In 1867 business enterprise manifests itself in the introduction of
advertising.
In 1868 the table of contents is introduced.
In 1876 the proceedings of the Lay Electoral Conference are inserted in the
Minutes.
In 1876 G. R. Hair made a pastoral record which the Conference of 1877
commended and urged to be largely bought. In 1882 the secretary used this as the
basis of the pastoral record which that year appeared in the Minutes. But few
Conferences publish this annually as do we.
In 1877 the memoir of Mrs. George Parsons is published. This is the first
memoir of a preacher's wife published in the Minutes.
In 1878 the so-called "smelling committee" is first created in this
Conference. It was the creation of Y. C. Smith and H. Brownscombe, and known as
committee on "Reception of Members."
In 1879 by resolution of the Conference the presiding elders were asked to
make their reports in writing the following year. This was done, and in 1880
these valuable historical documents became a part of our annual Minutes.
SINGING BANDS 135
In 1878 the appointments are for the first time arranged alphabetically.
In 1882 special statistical tables are introduced showing preachers' claims
and receipts. Continued until 1893, when the larger statistical tables absorb
them.
In 1883 Bishops' certificates of ordinations begin to be published.
In 1887 italicized captions to each paragraph appear. In 1888 they are put in
heavy-faced type, and in 1897 become shoulder notes.
In 1893 a map of the Conference was published, and half-tone cuts inserted
with the memoirs. These continue.
The Minutes have been printed as follows: 1852-53, at the Democrat office,
Binghamton; 1854, Gazette office, Owego; 1855, Record of the Times, Wilkes-
Barre; 1856, J. D. Bedford, New York; 1857, Gazette office, Owego; 1858-63, Book
Concern; 1864, Westcott & Co., New York; 1865, Sherman & Co., Philadelphia;
1866, Book Concern; 1867, Republican, Scranton; 1868, Philadelphia Book Room;
1869, Republican, Scranton; 1870, Philadelphia Book Room; 1871, Republican,
Scranton; 1872, Philadelphia Book Room; 1873-74, T. W. Durston, Syracuse; 1875-
76, Leader Association, Elmira; 1877, Binghamton Republican; 1878, E. B. Yordy,
Wilkes-Barre; 1879-8O, J. S. Thurston, Binghamton; 1881-82, Elmira Advertiser;
1883, Morning News, Binghamton; 1884-85, Elmira Advertiser; 1886-95, E. B.
Yordy, Wilkes-Barre; 1896-97, Binghamton Republican; 1898, Cosper Printing
House, Pittston; 1899-1903, Binghamton Republican.
SINGING BANDS
Wyoming Conference Trio
This trio was composed of Rev. W. B. Westlake, who sang first tenor, Rev. J.
B. Sumner, who sang second tenor, and Rev. J. C. Leacock, who sang bass. Each of
these brethren had taught singing school and was an independent singer. Their
voices were well adapted to each other, and blended with excellent effect. They
sang together twenty-five years, during which time they were in demand for
concerts and camp meeting work. At our Annual Conferences they were an important
factor, singing at Conference anniversaries and memorial services, frequently
moving their hearers profoundly. By invitation of Dr. Vincent they sang two
seasons at Chautauqua, 1874 and 1876. The death of Rev. W. B. Westlake made a
sad break in a trio whose record can rarely be equaled.
136 WYOMING CONFERENCE
W. B. WESTLAKE J. B. SUMNER J. C. LEACOCK - WYOMING CONFERENCE TRIO [photo]
STEPHENS, JAY, M.A. J. L. THOMAS M. S. HARD, D.D. J. H. RACE, D.D.
WYOMING CONFERENCE QUARTET [photo]
EXAMINATIONS 137
Wyoming Conference Quartet
The brethren who compose this organization are all members of the Wyoming
Conference. Rev. Stephen Jay, M.A., of Dorranceton, Pa., and Rev. John L.
Thomas, of Parsons, Pa., are the first and second tenors. Rev. Manley S. Hard,
D.D., first assistant secretary of the Board of Church Extension, Philadelphia,
Pa., takes the first bass, and Rev. John H. Race, D.D., president of Grant
University, Chattanooga, Tenn., sings the second bass. (Dr. Hard has died since
this was written.)
Brothers Jay, Thomas, and Race began singing together as a trio under the name
of the "Carmel Grove Trio." In this manner they jointly aided each other and
neighboring pastors in revival work, in which they were very useful and
deservedly popular.
Wishing to balance the parts of the music and have a quartet for the
Conference, Dr. Hard joined them. In consequence of their wide separation little
opportunity has been given them to drill for close and technical singing.
They have sung in many churches, at district gatherings, summer resorts, and
the like. Dr. Hard's death made a sad vacancy in this band.
ET CETERA
A Local Preachers' Association was organized within the bounds of this
Conference about 1871, auxiliary to the National Local Preachers' Association,
and continued a number of years. We have endeavored to get definite information
concerning it, but have failed.
In 1872 Dr. George Peck presided over the Conference, Bishop Scott, who was to
have presided, being too ill to be present.
The following members of the Conference completed fifty years in the ministry,
and the fact was noted by the Conference: George Peck, Z. Paddock, D. A.
Shepard, W. Rounds, V. M. Coryell, Lyman Sperry, A. E. Daniels, E. Dennison, W.
Bixby, Luther W. Peck, Thomas Harroun.
The action of the Conference was against lay representation. However, a study
of the Minutes reveals the fact that when it was accomplished this Conference
was in hearty accord, a change of sentiment having gradually taken place.
Our system of Conference examinations is the result of experience. In 1857
quarterly examinations were instituted for the purpose of securing more, and
better, work from the men in their studies. In 1858 this system was changed to
three examina-
138 WYOMING CONFERENCE
tions per year. Apparently this was unsatisfactory, for in 1859 the method was
changed so that the examinations were held during the two days preceding
Conference. This system continued until 1862, when the system was changed so
that the examinations were held on the day preceding Conference. Prior to 1879
the method of marking was: Very good, good, tolerable, deficient. In 1879 a
scale of ten was introduced, sixty per cent of questions to be properly answered
in order to pass. Oral examinations had been the custom from the beginning. A
desire for greater precision in answers, and uniformity of questions, prompted
L. C. Floyd, W. H. Olin, and H. Brownscombe to present a resolution in 1884
recommending written examinations, and the resolution was adopted. Immediate
fruitage did not appear. In 1890 A. F. Chaffee presented the following
resolution, signed by W. W. Smith, O. L. Severson, and T. F. Hall:
"Whereas, The Conference examinations as at present conducted are not
satisfactory, and the need exists of a different method; and it is desirable
that the work of study and examination be evenly distributed through the
Conference year, to be disposed of at the district meetings, or on the plan of
Bishop Vincent's Itinerants' Club;
"Resolved, That we recommend to the Conference the appointment of Drs. Hard,
Sprague, and Floyd as a committee to devise a plan to meet the necessities of
the case and report at the next annual session of the Conference."
This committee reported to the Conference of 1891, and the adopted report was
as follows:
"1st. That great care be used in appointing examining committees.
"2d. That the particular work to be done by each committeeman be assigned
early in the year.
"3d. That all examinations be conducted in writing.
"4th. That in lieu of the one-day examinations as now conducted at Conference
a session of two or three days be held during the autumn, at some central place
in the Conference, where all the classes, and local preachers studying for
orders, etc., shall assemble with the committees, where they shall conduct the
examinations for half the studies of the year. There shall be associated with
the gathering sermons from able and prominent men; lectures; drill in pastoral
methods; question hours as to habits, modes of study, financial methods, manner
of presenting the benevolences, etc., etc.
"Thus half the work of the year will be passed upon before
DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE 139
the special work of the winter is begun. This can all be secured with slight
expense if the gathering shall be entertained by some church and pastor. The
remainder of the course can be conducted at Conference as at present.
"5th. That should this manner of conducting examinations be adopted the whole
matter of time and place, details of the gathering and examinations, be placed
in the hands of the committee of examination, the bishop being requested to name
a chairman for the whole."
This plan was used several years, and some very profitable midyear conventions
were held. It became difficult, however, to find centrally located places in
which to meet, and the question of expense to the young men arising had its
influence. Many preferred to distribute the midyear examinations, giving to each
district a place where examinations might be held. The present plan was,
accordingly, adopted.
The present method of marking was adopted in 1893.
In the earlier years of our history superannuation, location, and transfer
were accompanied by resolutions of good will.
The Conference Temperance Society was organized in 1872, and its constitution
published in the Minutes of 1873.
A Ladies and Pastors' Christian Union was organized in 1873. In 1875 our
Conference Educational Society sprang into existence.
The Conference safe is at the seminary in Kingston, and was the gift of some
laymen in 1880.
The canvass of the Conference in 1886 for the Centennial Fund, by Rev. S. C.
Fulton, resulted in a fund of $48,973.21.
DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE
1856 - INDIANAPOLIS
George Peck, Horatio R. Clarke, George P. Porter, William H. Pearne.
Reserve - David A. Shepard.
1860 - BUFFALO
George Peck, Reuben Nelson, John J. Pierce, William H. Pearne.
Reserves - Horatio R. Clarke, B. W. Gorham.
1864 - PHILADELPHIA
George Peck, Reuben Nelson, Horatio R. Clarke, Henry Brownscombe.
Reserves - King Elwell, Zachariah Paddock.
1868 - CHICAGO
Reuben Nelson, George Peck, Zachariah Paddock, Horatio R. Clarke.
Reserves - Jonathan K. Peck, Young C. Smith.
140 WYOMING CONFERENCE 1872 - BROOKLYN
Clerical - Reuben Nelson, Thomas Harroun, William H. Olin, William G. Queal,
George Peck, DeWitt C. Olmstead.
Clerical Reserves - William Bixby, Henry Wheeler, Luther Peck.
Lay - Ziba Bennett, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; F. T. Childs, Binghamton, N. Y.
1876 - BALTIMORE
Clerical - Reuben Nelson, John G. Eckman, William H. Olin, Henry Wheeler.
Clerical Reserves - William G. Queal, George R. Hair.
Lay - Payne Pettebone, Wyoming, Pa.; Horace G. Prindle, Norwich. N. Y.
1880 - CINCINNATI
Clerical - William H. Olin, David Copeland, Young C. Smith, William Bixby, John
G. Eckman.
Lay - W. F. Clements, Moscow, Pa.; M. T. Winton, Binghamton, N. Y.
1884 - PHILADELPHIA
Clerical - William H. Olin, Austin Griffin, Asa J. Van Cleft, John G. Eckman,
Fred L. Hiller.
Clerical Reserves - Henry M. Crydenwise, Willis L. Thorpe.
Lay - William Connell, Scranton, Pa.; Royal W. Clinton, Newark Valley, N. Y.
1888 - NEW YORK
Clerical - William H. Olin, John G. Eckman, Manley S. Hard, John C. Leacock,
DeWitt C. Olmstead.
Clerical Reserves - Robert W. Van Schoick, Samuel Moore.
Lay - George Reynolds, Oneonta, N. Y.; Elijah C. Wadhams, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Lay Reserves - Abram I. Decker, Waverly, N. Y.; William Connell, Scranton, Pa.
1892 - OMAHA
Clerical - Manley S. Hard, Levi L. Sprague, Thomas Harroun, Austin Griffin, Asa
J. Van Cleft.
Clerical Reserves - George M. Colville, Lyman C. Floyd.
Lay - Marcus W. Scott, Binghamton, N. Y.; Thomas H. Dale, Scranton, Pa.
Lay Reserves - Jonathan C. Latimer, Tioga Center, N. Y.; William Connell,
Scranton, Pa.
1896 - CLEVELAND
Clerical - John G. Eckman, Manley S. Hard, Austin Griffin, Levi L. Sprague, Asa
J. Van Cleft.
Clerical Reserves - Edwin B. Olmstead, Henry M. Crydenwise.
Lay - George S. Bennett, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Abram I. Decker, Waverly, N. Y.
Lay Reserves - William J. Welsh, Binghamton, N. Y.; William Connell, Scranton,
Pa.
ATTEMPTS AT HISTORY 141
1900 - CHICAGO
Clerical - Webster H. Pearce, George Forsyth, Austin Griffin, Manley S. Hard,
Hugh C. McDermott.
Clerical Reserves - J. Alfred Faulkner, Truman F. Hall.
Lay - William J. Welsh, Binghamton, N. Y.; Pierce Butler, Carbondale, Pa.
Reserves - Arthur J. Dibble, Binghamton, N. Y.; John W. Thomas, West Pittston,
Pa.
Provisional - George K. Powell, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Abram I. Decker, Waverly, N.
Y.; G. Frank Reynolds, Scranton, Pa.
Reserves - George L. Peck, Scranton, Pa.; Daniel Powell, Dunmore, Pa.; Sylvanus
Moore, Oxford, N. Y.
ATTEMPTS AT HISTORY
In 1857 "B. W. Gorham was appointed to prepare a tabular statement exhibiting
the principal points in the lives of the members of the Conference, and take the
necessary steps to preserve a permanent record of them."
Dr. George Peck contemplated publishing a Conference memorial. Whereupon
George Landon and W. H. Pearne presented the following resolution to the
Conference of 1858, which was adopted:
"Resolved, That early in the ensuing Conference year we will collect on our
respective charges all such facts and reminiscences as are intimately connected
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have an intrinsic and historical
interest, and will forward the same to Dr. Peck, to be incorporated in his
memorial of Wyoming Conference."
In 1867 the Conference elected Dr. Peck Conference historian, "to write the
history of the Conference from its organization to the time of our next annual
session." The following year he was reappointed Conference historian, and R.
Nelson presented the following, which was adopted:
"Resolved, That Dr. Peck be requested to report, through the Northern
Advocate, those charges whose history he has not yet received, and that the
preachers on those charges be requested to furnish the histories in question
forthwith."
In 1874 George W. Leach, W. H. Olin, and W. B. Kinney presented the following
preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, At the previous session of this Conference, resolutions were adopted
requesting all of its members to furnish brief autobiographical sketches, to be
preserved in the archives of the Conference; and,
142 WYOMING CONFERENCE
"Whereas, Said resolutions have rarely been complied with, and their existence
is probably unknown to many of the younger members; therefore,
"Resolved, 1. That each member of the Conference be earnestly requested to
prepare such a sketch during the ensuing Conference year.
"Resolved, 2. That in future the examining committee of the third year be
directed to inquire of the respective members of the class whether this request
has been complied with and embrace the answers in their report."
It is evident from reading the above that historical material was not easily
gathered. No such material is found among the literary remains of Dr. Peck. We
presume the failure of the members to respond is the cause of Dr. Peck's failure
to produce the volume. It is a matter of profound regret. Facts were
ascertainable then which are now lost forever. In our present search for
material we have again and again been told that "the only person who knew our
early history has recently passed away." We have run across less than a half
dozen churches whose history was written at that time. Had the material been
furnished, Dr. Peck's historic spirit, scholarship, and taste would have greatly
enriched the history of Methodism.
REDISTRICTING
In 1859 Honesdale charge petitioned the Conference to reduce the number of
districts to two. The petition was presented on Friday of Conference. The
following Monday the question was discussed. "After a full and free interchange
of views on the subject, and the presenting of several other petitions of the
same import, it was, by a very large majority,
"Resolved, That as a Conference we are adverse to the prayer of the
petitioners.
"Resolved, That we respectfully request the bishop and presiding elders so to
divide our Conference into districts as to enable the presiding elder of each
district to attend in person the four quarterly meetings of each charge.
D. C. OLMSTEAD,
A. W. LOOMIS,
G. R. HAIR."
In 1873 the Conference had a spirited discussion over the question of reducing
the number of districts.
In 1886 a committee was appointed to take into consideration the redistricting
of the Conference. The Minutes do not give the names of the committee. However,
it is generally understood
REDISTRICTING THE CONFERENCE 143
that the committee agreed on a five-district plan, and that Dr. W. H. Olin, who
was on the committee, was enthusiastic in support of the plan. The report of the
committee went to the cabinet of the Conference of 1887, and failed of being put
into execution because of the protest of one elder whose territory was to be
disturbed more than he desired. As the years passed the conviction grew that our
territory ought to be more equally divided. Accordingly, in 1900 the following
resolution was presented by A. F. Chaffee, and on motion of M. S. Hard was
adopted:
"Whereas, Many have long deplored the disparity between the districts of our
Conference, and believing it highly desirable to secure a more equable division
of the territory; therefore,
"Resolved, That a commission be appointed by the bishop, which shall report a
plan to the next annual session of our Conference, for a more equable division
of the territory of our Conference, and we suggest that a plan for five
districts may be the most desirable solution of the problem.
A. F. CHAFFEE,
J. A. FAULKNER,
MANLEY S. HARD."
The bishop appointed the following commission:
A. F. Chaffee, chairman; Binghamton District, H. M. Crydenwise; Chenango
District, Thomas Harroun; Honesdale District, G. A. Place; Oneonta District, H.
C. McDermott; Owego District, S. B. Keeney; Wyoming District, W. H. Pearce; and
the presiding elders.
Prior to the meeting of the commission A. F. Chaffee made a map of the
Conference, dividing the territory into five districts. This he did upon his own
responsibility, and simply to demonstrate the feasibility of such a plan. When
the commission met in Carbondale it was divided, a majority favoring six
districts and an adjustment of the territory which would equalize the districts,
while a minority favored five districts. It was agreed to present a majority and
a minority report. Accordingly, Rev. J. F. Warner, as secretary of the
commission, secured the floor during the Conference of 1901 and began his
report. The bishop interrupted him, commended the five-district plan, and asked
the Conference to continue the commission another year, with the request to
bring in, if possible, a unanimous report at the next Conference. The Conference
so ordered.
The commission met during the year in Binghamton, and Rev. G. A. Place was
made secretary. The commission was unable to
144 WYOMING CONFERENCE
agree, and a majority and a minority report was agreed upon. At the Conference
of 1902 G. A. Place, in behalf of the commission for redistricting the
Conference, made the following report:
"The commission appointed by Bishop Foss, at the session of the Conference at
Owego, N. Y., and reappointed by Bishop Fowler at the last session of the
Conference, met in the Centenary Church, Binghamton, N. Y., March 24. There were
present at the meeting, A. F. Chaffee, H. H. Dresser, J. F. Warner, L. C. Floyd,
H. M. Crydenwise, T. F. Hall, C. H. Hayes, G. A. Place, and S. B. Keeney. G. A.
Place was chosen secretary of the meeting. After quite a lengthy discussion and
consideration of plans the following resolutions were passed:
"1st. That the commission, by motion which was adopted, recommend a
readjustment of the district boundaries of the Conference.
"2d. Motion was made and adopted that two reports, first a majority, and
second a minority report, be submitted for the consideration of the Conference.
"The majority report recommends that a readjustment of the district boundaries
be made on the existing plan of six districts.
"The minority report recommends that a readjustment of the district boundaries
of the Conference be made on the plan of five districts, and in accordance with
the recommendations a detailed plan, which it is thought will be found entirely
feasible, is hereby submitted in blue print. (Signed)
A. F. CHAFFEE, Chairman.
G. A. PLACE, Secretary."
A. F. Chaffee moved that the section of the report which favors a
redistricting of the Conference and the minority report which favors a five-
district readjustment of the Conference be adopted, and supported his motion by
giving the reasons which favor such an adjustment.
After considerable discussion the making and withdrawing of several motions,
A. F. Chaffee's motion was adopted by a vote of 109 in favor and 34 against.
Austin Griffin moved that a commission consisting of six ministers to be
appointed by the chair, and six laymen, to be elected by the various district
stewards' meetings, be appointed, which shall divide our territory into five
districts, and report the same to the ensuing Annual Conference, to become
operative at that time. The motion was carried, and the following ministers were
appointed: L. C. Murdock, A. F. Chaffee, Wilson Treible, H. M. Crydenwise,
George Forsyth, J. H. Littell. The laymen
REDISTRICTING THE CONFERENCE 145
elected were: A. A. Lord, Binghamton District; Mr. Stanton, Chenango District;
A. E. Tiffany, Honesdale District; Dr. Bourne, Oneonta District; A. I. Decker,
Owego District; W. H. Peck, Wyoming District. The committee met on the day
preceding Conference (April 15, 1903) and made a division of our territory into
five districts. When the report was made to Conference it, with a four-district
plan presented by Rev. M. D. Fuller, was referred to the bishop. The bishop took
no action, on the ground that 1904 would be a more favorable time to redistrict,
the terms of three presiding elders expiring with that Conference. It is
understood that Bishop FitzGerald thinks the Conference ought to be
redistricted, and favors five districts.
146 WYOMING CONFERENCE
SESSIONS OF CONFERENCE
Year Time Place Bishop Secretary
1852 8-Jul Carbondale, Pa. Scott N. Rounds
1853 27-Jul Brooklyn, Pa. Waugh B. W. Gorham
1854 21-Jun Waverly, N. Y. Janes G. P. Porter
1855 June 20-25 Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Ames G. P. Porter
1856 July 2-10 Binghamton, N. Y. Morris H. Brownscombe
1857 May 6-11 Abington, Pa. Scott B. W. Gorham
1858 May 6-10 Pittston, Pa. Baker R. Nelson
1859 May 12-18 Newark Valley, N. Y. Ames R. Nelson
1860 April 19-25 Scranton, Pa. Scott R. Nelson
1861 April 11-16 Owego, N. Y. Simpson R. Nelson
1862 April 9-14 Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Scott R. Nelson
1863 April 8-14 Susquehanna, Pa. Janes H. Brownscombe
1864 March 23-29 Waverly, N. Y Janes Y. C. Smith
1865 April 12-17 Carbondale, Pa. Baker Y. C. Smith
1866 April 18-24 Owego, N. Y. Thompson R. Nelson
1867 April 17-22 Hyde Park, Pa. Simpson R. Nelson
1868 April 8-14 Binghamton, N. Y. Kingsley V. C. Smith
1869 April 15-19 Honesdale, Pa. Ames Y. C. Smith
1870 April 13-18 Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Janes R. Nelson
1871 April 5-10 Norwich, N. Y. Janes R. Nelson
1872 April 3-9 Owego, N. Y. G. Peck, Pres. R. Nelson
1873 April 2-8 Waverly, N. Y. Ames G. R. Hair
1874 April 15-20 Wilkes-Barre, Pa. G. Haven F. L. Hiller
1875 April 14-20 Oneonta, N. Y. Scott W. N. Cobb
1876 April 5-12 Binghamton, N. Y. Bowman F. L. Hiller
1877 April 11-17 Honesdale, Pa. Merrill F. L. Hiller
1878 April 17-23 West Pittston, Pa. Peck F. L. Hiller
1879 April 16-23 Norwich, N. Y. Simpson F. L. Hiller
1880 April 14-19 Scranton, Pa., Adams Ave. Harris F. L. Hiller
1881 April 6-11 Waverly, N. Y. Andrews W. J. Judd
1882 April 5-10 Carbondale, Pa. Hurst W. J. Judd
1883 April 4-9 Binghamton, Centenary Wiley W. J. Judd
1884 March 26-31 Scranton, Pa., Hyde Park Warren W. J. Judd
1885 April 9-14 Owego, N. Y. Foster T. P. Halstead
1886 April 8-13 Wilkes-Barre, Pa., First Mallalieu T. P. Halstead
1887 April 14-19 Norwich, N. Y. Fowler Manley S. Hard
1888 April 11-17 Oneonta, N. Y. Walden Manley S. Hard
1889 April 3-8 West Pittston, Pa. Foss Manley S. Hard
1890 April 2-7 Binghamton, Tabernacle Merrill Manley S. Hard
1891 April 1-6 Waverly, N. Y. Bowman Manley S. Hard
1892 March 23-29 Wilkes-Barre, Pa., First Goodsell Edwin B. Olmstead
1893 April 12-17 Honesdale, Pa. FitzGerald Edwin B. Olmstead
1894 April 11-16 Scranton, Pa., Elm Park Hurst Edwin B. Olmstead
1895 April 10-15 Carbondale, Pa. Andrews Edwin B. Olmstead
1896 April 1-6 Binghamton, Centenary Vincent Edwin B. Olmstead
1897 April 7-12 Oneonta, N.Y. Warren John B. Sweet
1898 April 13-18 Norwich, N. Y. Fowler John B. Sweet
1899 April 12-18 Kingston, Pa. {Joyce John B. Sweet
{Newman
1900 April 18-23 Owego, N. Y. Foss John B. Sweet
1901 April 9-15 West Pittston, Pa. Fowler John B. Sweet
1902 April 16-21 Waverly, N. Y. Merrill John B. Sweet
1903 April 16-20 Binghamton, Tabernacle FitzGerald H. C. McDermott