Intro - Sec 1 Sec 2a Sec 2b Sec 3 Sec 5A History
of the Isaac Phares Family,
Continued
Section 4
This section includes:
o Biographical sketches on William Wesley Brown, Millie Dewitt, and Thomas Wicker.
o Biographical sketches on Matthew C. Brown and Deacon William Phares.
o Report of funeral and poem- William Phares, 1830-1918.
o In Memorium - William Phares, 1830-1918.
o Tribute to Reverend John Phares by William Phares, his brother.
o Historical Sketch on Reverend S. M. Phares by J. P. Stephens.
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William
Wesley Brown, who
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ has
always lived in sight of
³Picture of³ the
church, was born Dec 12th,
³ ³ 1827.
He united with the
³ WILLIAM ³
church when twenty-four years
³ WESLEY ³ old.
At the time that he be-
³ BROWN ³ came
a member there were one
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ hundred
three accessions to
the
church. Three ministers
were
in the water baptizing
at
the same time. For more
than
thirty years he has
filled
the office of Trustee.
Millie Dewitt, who at the age of seventy-six, walks almost two miles and attends faithfully her church meetings, became a Christian in 1850. Her husband, Robert W. Dewitt, died in 1876 and she has lived in lonely widowhood.
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
Thomas Wicker, one of the
³ Picture³ oldest
living members, was
³ of ³ born
March 9th, 1821. Convert-
³ THOMAS ³
ed in 1851 at Little Blue River,
³ WICKER ³ he
has been for more than half
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
a century a loyal member. Ever
satisfied
with Baptist princi-
ples
and Bible doctrines.
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Matthew C. Brown was born in ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
Hamilton county, Ohio, May 10th, ³Picture of ³
1820. He became a Christian and ³ ³
united with Little Blue River ³ MATTHEW C.³
church in March 1852. His life ³ BROWN ³
was simple and beautiful in ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
faith and trust. He went home
May 3rd, 1904, almost eighty-four
years old. At the time of his
death he was the oldest member
of the church.
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ Deacon
William Phares was born
³ ³ April
4th, 1830. He became penitent
³Picture of³ and anxious and really was converted
³ ³ at
the age of thirteen, but think-
³ DEACON ³ ing that something
more misterious
³ WILLIAM ³ and wonderful must occur
with him,
³ PHARES ³ waited until he was
twenty-three be-
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ fore
he offered himself to the church.
He
was baptized by Matthew B. Phares.
He
attended Franklin College in 1854-
55.
Engaged in teaching for nine-
teen
winters. Was ordained a deacon
in
the fifties, which place he still
holds
in the church. The church and
the
community have the utmost confi-
dence
in him both as a Christian and
as
a man. Few men are held in higher
esteem
than "Uncle Billy".
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³
³
³ Picture ³ ³
³
³ of ³ ³
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ ³ William ³ ³
³ WE MISS THEE
³ ³ ³ Phares ³
³
³ ³ ³
³ ³ ³
³ O, dear father, how we miss thee, ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
³
³ Thou has gone from out our sight; ³ ³
³
³ But from memory thou shalt never ³ ³
³
³ Be forgotten day or night ³ ³
WILLIAM PHARES ³
³
³ ³
³
³ 'Twas by your gentle side, father,³ ³ Born - April 4, 1830 ³
³ You watched our dawning youth, ³ ³ Died - April 26, 1918³
³ & kissed us in your pride of life ³ ³
³
³ And taught us words of truth ³ ³ FUNERAL SERVICES
³
³ ³
³ held at ³
³ And as we wipe the tears away, ³ ³ Little Blue River ³
³ There whispers in our prayer ³ ³ Baptist Church. The ³
³ A voice that speaks from heaven ³ ³ Rev. W.E. Morris of ³
³ And bids us meet you there. ³ ³ Indianapolis, assist-³
³ ³ ³ ed
by Rev. J.L. Brown³
³ ³
³ of Arlington ³
³ But now there is to us a thought ³ ³ officiating. Stewart ³
³ That soothes our aching breast, ³ ³ and Fix in charge. ³
³ That thy freed spirit now has gone³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
³ To its eternal rest. --Anon ³
³
³
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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IN MEMORIAM
William Phares was born Arpil 4, 1830, in Union township,
Shelby county, Ind. He was the eldest of seven children born to Isaac and Pauline Phares. The brothers were: Robert,
Samuel, James and George. The sisters: Mary and Elizabeth.
Being left fatherless at the age of 13, and being the
oldest of the children, care and responsibility fell upon him. Throughout his long life time he felt the need of
a father. He always held sincere sym- pathy for any child left parentless. Through the blessings of an all wise
providence, he found friends who were interested enough to advise and befriend him many times.
Early in life he learned the great lesson of industry
and economy. Physically not overly strong, but blest with an abundance of energy, he met the battles of life bravely.
Having no help, financially he was compelled to begin at the bottom. By the solicitation of his half-brother, Matthew,
he sought an education. His time was that of the old log school house, puncheon floor, split log seat, greased
paper window, etc.
Applying himself at school and at home, after the evening
work was done, by the tallow-candle and fire-place, he met the problems of school successfully, year by year, until
he was handed a certificate of graduation, unsolicited, by John Sharp, the teacher. He then attended the Seminary
High School, at Vernon, Jennings county, for a time. In the fall of 1853 he entered Franklin College, graduated
with the Sophomore class, June 28, 1854. The following year he began teaching school where is now District No.
6, Union township. He con- tinued to teach for 19 years. The enrollment often reached 65 or 70 pupils; a score
of grown young men and women included. He truly re- alized the great obligations of a teacher, and often said he
felt that he tried to do his duty.
In 1855 he was married to Mary A. Brown. To this
union were born Amanda, Carey, Alice and Grant. On August 3, 1869, the devoted wife and mother was taken by death.
In 1871 he married Angelina Copple. To this union
were born Samuel and Mary. His boyhood days were spent along the banks of Little Blue River where up and down the
stream were stationed 19 still-houses. For some almost strange cause he never commenced to visit them and
shunned the companionship of those who did, and therefore never acquired the taste for liquor. The customary
neighborhood horse-race and shooting match never appealed to him as proper places to spend time.
From his earliest recollection he attended services
at Little Blue River Baptist church, where at the age of 13 he accepted Christ as his Savior, and later united
with this body of believers. He at once assumed the duties and obligations he owed to God and the church,
as he saw and understood them, and as long as physically able was active in the work. He served in most all offices
of the church, being deacon for over 60 years. He was ever conscious of his own imperfections. While
truly loyal to the church of his choice, he always rejoiced to see the advancement of the Master's cause anywhere.
His interest in education was great. The ringing of church and school bells was sweet music to him.
He maintained an interest in children and young people, and was pleased to see them trying to live for the
best things in life
He had a love for music, especially vocal; and devoted
enough time to learn the old figure system, and later the round note, and taught several terms of singing school.
He was a thoughtful, cautious, active man, of a timid
nature, a loyal husband, a kind and loving father, ever interested in the wel- fare of his family. His love
was just as strong and pure for his older half-brothers and sisters: John, Isaac, Matthew,
Jane, Naomi, Sarah, and Nancy. He recognized John as father. The deceased was the
last of a family of fourteen.
A few days before the close of his life, while talking
of his prospects for longer time on earth, he spoke as follows: "I do not see that I am making any improvement.
I feel that likely I am soon to finish my course on earth. I regret so much to leave my family, but
I know I shall go to a better place. The subject of death and the judgement is a very serious one. We
must all die and meet Almighty God as our judge. All those who are prepared to meet Him, ought to be the
happiest people on earth."
He will be missed in the home, in the church and in
the community in which he has lived so long. Yet our loss is his eternal gain, and we cannot weep hopelessly for
the dead which die in the Lord.
At the time of his death, April 26, 1918, he was 88
years and 22 days of age. He leaves to mourn an aged companion, two sons, Carey and Samuel; two
daughters: Alice and Mary; many other relatives and friends.
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A TRIBUTE TO REV. JOHN PHARES
BY WILLIAM PHARES -
his half-brother and Deacon of Little Blue RIVER church.
John Phares convicted and converted under the labors
of William Courier a preacher of baptist faith who preached on Little Blue River in early settlement of Shelby
Co. Ind. His call to the ministry was irresistible positive and clear.
Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel was often
repeated by him. Being authorized by the church, he managed to study for the ministry as best he could.
After examining the creed of surrounding churches he
declared himself a natural born Baptist. He asked Little Blue River church to read their Articles of faith
and Rules of deaconism which he heartily endorsed. Was ever after satisfied with his choice. In looking
back over the past history of the church and remembering, her internal dissentions have been our worst enemy, I
see he must have been one of the sure strong pillars of the church. Hence his Tomb stone stands near the
N.E. corner of the church as it now stands- perhaps 2 spaces.
He opposed division. He was a leader in effort to get
the churches to come together. Smith was the leader on the side for the union township church. They agreed on .......
........ ........ The two churches came together as one in 1865. grandest thing ever occurred at Little Blue River
Church.
John always lived near the church. He knew every
one and every body knew him. He would ask them to go home with him and they went. It might be said
he kept a free baptist boarding house. One protracted meeting it took 10 or 12 joints of meat besides other things.
One ............ ....... ...... 60 persons to Panrizo.
Hester Golding and Phares would ..... 20 for each. They went at it in earnest ..... and it was very soon
much ice running freely. All were very busy until Hester had baptized 17 hands. Were so cold she thought
it prudent to quit. The other two soon finished the residue.
Besides work done in home church, John done at Good
will more than any other church. Good will prospered for many years had member ship of 75. After while they
had trouble with pastor a new man. This was beginning of downfall. It took a long time but they died.
Nobody hated to give up a church worse than John. He
labored with Liberty, Mud Creek, Brandywine and Old Shelbyville churches in protracted meetings and otherwise.
William Phares
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HISTORICAL SKETCH ON REV. S.(AMUEL) M.(ATTHEW) STEPHENS (younger brother of Rebecca Jane
Stephens Cooper), Written by his brother, J.(OHN) P.(HARES) STEPHENS. This was received from Shirley Stedman
in Oct. 1997, as being one of the papers that have been handed down in her family.
The Rev. Samuel Matthew Stephens was the fifth son
of Stacy and Sarah Phares Stephens. These parents were blessed with eleven children, six boys and five girls,
all of whom lived to be grown, but three of them have passed over the river. William T., Barbary L.
Benedict, and Samuel Stephens.
The other members of the family still live, four brothers
and two sisters, in Franklin County, Kansas, one in Greenwood County, Kansas, and one in Oklahoma. Of this
eleven children, ten have professed faith in Christ and are members of the Baptist Churches or were when they were
called up higher. The oldest brother has been in the ministry for forty years.
Father, Stacy Stephens, was a deacon in the old Baptist
Church of Brownsville, Ohio, many years before he moved to Kansas. From this church brought letters of recommendation
to any Church of like faith and order.
Samuel M. was brought up among his older brothers and
sisters, all of whom were active workers of the Church and Sunday School of which they were members. The
family was noted for being good singers, and Bro. Samuel M. was doubtless chief of the whole tribe of church vocalists.
By the power of sacred song, he found an open door to many hearts, long closed to the message of Christ's redeeming
love.
The subject of this sketch was born March 27, 1849,
in Washington County, Ohio, three and one half miles from New Mattamoras. He was a bright child, full of
fun, very ambitious, loved and petted by all who knew him. He was an apt and persevering student during his
entire life. His early ambition was to secure a collegiate education. But in this he was disappointed
and lamented its loss through life.
At about the age of fourteen years, he with a number
of other children of about the same age professed faith in Christ, during a meeting held in Salem Hall School House,
by his older brother. This house is situated three miles from the church house of the Brownsville Baptist
Church, on land then owned by the father of Samuel Stephens. He was baptized by his brother, into the fellowship
of Brownsville Baptist Church in 1862. This was an out station of the church and an interesting Sabbath school
was always kept here.
Notwithstanding his youth he was actively engaged in
the Sunday School and prayer meeting service. He soon began to feel the necessity of securing an education,
that he might be able to teach Jesus to others. There were no means of education available to him but the
public schools. He made all the advancement in them that they permitted. He made one trip to Denison
University, hoping to enter upon a course of preparation, but found no way by which to make expenses, he returned
home.
In March 1869 with others of his father's family he
moved to Franklin County, Kansas, and settled on Sack Creek.
He was one of the constituent members of the Sack Valley
Baptist Church. He entered this church at its formation and never left till death called him home. This
church was composed largely of the Stephens family in its origin. By this church he was licensed to preach,
soon after its organization. He attended school at Ottawa University for some time.
He taught school, several terms at Sack Creek, and
Central School in Williamsburg township. In his Central School, a glorious work of Divine Grace commenced
in his school and many of his scholars were converted and by their teacher, they and many others were baptized
into the fellowship of the Sack Valley Church, of which the teacher was the Pastor.
This was a revival of widespread interest and parents
followed the children into the Baptist Church, some from the world and some from the Union Baptist Church of Middle
Creek. This accession of mem bership from the east drew the center from Sack Valley to a position half way between
the two school houses. Here they built a commodious meeting house and called the Church Mount Olive.
They have for years, been the strongest church in Association, outside the cities.
Bro. S.M. was ordained by a council called by the Ruhamah
Baptist Church, of which he was pastor.
He was ordained in Ruhamah Church January 13, 1872,
as pastor of both Sack Creek and Ruhamah Churches. These churches requested the Minister's Conference to
ordain their pastor at their August meeting with Stanton, but the conference refused, claiming a want of authority,
not being called for ordination purposes.
On August 7, 1873, he was married to Elisabeth Crater
of Wellsville, Kansas. She was a very worthy lady and survived her husband several years. No children
were born to them and Mrs Stephens never married again. She was a faithful co-worker in the Master's cause
and has gone home to her rich reward above.
His ministerial work with Sack Creek Church continued
from the time he was licensed to preach until the time of his death, a period of nine years and five months. He
preached for Ruhamah, half time for two years, where much was done to unite a divided church. He organized
Maple Grove Church in Osage County December 1879 and preached for them till death relieved him. This church
was admitted to the Association in September 1880, under the name of Salem Baptist Church. This body prospered
whilst its pastor lived, but its subsequent history is unknown to the writer.
The affection of the people composing his congregation
for their pastor, was simply wonderful. It was simple, childlike, a unity of souls .......... by affection.
They were one in every good purpose and work.
The traits of character most marked in this man were
Humility and Patience under difficulties, perseverence in the work of saving souls, unflinching fidelity to the
truth. Though severely afflicted for years before death, his patience never left him. He endured, as
one seeing Him who is invisible, all the evils of his calling. Though of ten requiring the assistance of
his faithful wife, to get into the buggy, he would go to appointments, trusting God for strength, to preach when
he arrived at destination. His faith in God was simply profound, through faith he endured all the ills of
life.
God's word to him was the end of evil, and through
it, as a sword of the spirit, he believed, he could batter down the walls of sin and unbelief.
With Bible in hand, and sweet songs of Zion in his
heart and on his lips, he went on conquering untold conquest, during the whole of a short but useful life.
By faith he climbed over bodily weakness and the barriers
of sin and unbelief to victory for Jesus and his cause. Success marked his work from the commencement of
his ministry to its close.
Many, who had been induced by him to walk in the narrow
way, will rejoice to hear him sing his triumphs over on the other side of the Jordan.
Though possessed of a boundless store of sympathy and
love he never trained converts to be moved by emotion, but to build under them, the solid foundation of a living
faith in Jesus. This is what made it easy for others to build upon his foundations. The one thing characteristic
of his converts is, they are strong, faithful, intelligent and consistent Baptists.
Very few of them ever backslide, because they were
taught to build on Christ, the living Rock and clothed in garments of Christian obedience.
In his work at Mount Olive, he drew heavily upon the
Union Baptist Church of Middle Creek from whom he gathered many of the young people and some of the more Christ-like
of the older members.
I cannot give the number baptized by this man of God,
but would place it between 75 and 125 persons. The few last years of his life were spent in Williamsburg, here
he preached the Baptist Christ, and several persons united with Mount Olive Church and were a few years later organized
into a church by the writer, in Williamsburg.
The good people of Williamsburg crowded around his
bed of suffering and dying couch, administering all material aid and Christian consolation possible. The
Obituary notice gives among most active in the work the names of Eubanks and wife, Fults and wife, Mr Ullam, Capt
Anderson, Rev. Pendleton, pastor of M.E. congregation at Williamsburg and Mr ________.
Thanks to pall-bearers and all attendants, assisting
to lay away our brother to await the Resurrection.
Dr. P.J Williams, President of Ottawa University, preached
the funeral sermon and Rev. Hetrick of Greenwood and Rev. Maley of Sack Valley followed with impressive remarks.
LIFE AFFLICTIONS
His life afflictions commenced at about the age of
14 years. At this time he visited the school in an adjoining district and while at play his right arm was
dislocated at the elbow. The teacher attempted to reduce the dislocation but failed. When he arrived
at home, the arm was so swollen, Dr's decided to await operation until inflamation was reduced. When inflamation
subsided, it was found that the bone was entirely out of its socket, being slipped upward and serving as a lock,
or lever, prevented bringing the hand up to the face. The Surgeon and two others tried to reset the joint
but all in vain. The Surgeon could not move it without assistance of chloroform and chloro- form would not
effect him at all. So he was compelled to work with a a dislocated arm all the rest of his life.
After coming to Kansas, he and all the family suffered
from ague and malarial fevers. Thus enfeebled he was attacked by hemmorrage of lungs later on in life. From
this he was left much debilitated with fequent severe sick spells. Drs. seemed not to understand. I
always believed Bright's Disease of kidneys took him out of this world. Near the end he endured some excruciating
pains. After enduring one, he said, "A few more like this and it will take me home."
They came quickly and he went home, to die no more.
During closing days he talked constantly to all who
came to see him. He was constantly re________ the promises of the Bible. As his mind weakened, he frequently
would fail to remember and look to his brother to assist him, which he did gladly.
Your Brother,
J.P. Stephens
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