The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-08-22
GAVE ALL HE HAD.
Put His $4,000 Into a Church, and Now
He Is Its Janitor.

Denver has the extraordinary in
stance of man who gave his entire
fortune toward the building of church
and then became its janitor," said Will
liam II. Graham recently. "It is moth
ing unusual to see the man who gave
large donation to the church become a
leader in the congregation, but here is a
man who gave every cent of the $37, 900
he had accumulated and was then con-
tent to serve in a lowly position with a
small salary.
"Many years ago there resided in
Alliance, O., man who, in order to
make a better living for himself and
wife, opened a restaurant in addition to
his regular duties as engineer on the
Fort Wayne road between Pittsburg and
his native town. He gained little
money in the pursuit of his vocations.
but when the Western fever broke out
and Denver was looming up out of the
rays of the setting sun as the coming
metropolis of the West he packed up his
earthly possessions and started for that
growing place. With the little savings
he had taken with him he purchased
home surrounded by some little proper
ty. As luck would have it, portion of
the land adjoining his house suddenly
became very valuable and he sold it at
a great profit. Having acquired taste
for real estate he bought and sold, al
ways being successful until his savings
had increased to what in those days,
and we might say even now, were
thought to be considerable fortune
$37, But the engineers path was
not to be all roses, for about this time
his wife died, leaving him alone in the
world. He mourned her loss very Bit
terly. Feeling that he should do some
good in the world he became very much
interested in church work.
"The Christian Church at Denver had
been very successful, but after acquir-
ing a considerable congregation the
work seemed at standstill. The pastor
had received call from another city,
and was about to accept it, when the
argued that his proposed going away
was i'll advised. For he contended,
while our church has increased rapidly,
we are now at a standstill. What we
need now is counter irritant to stir
up the people for the good work. Estab-
lish another Christian Church here, and
you will see what great good can be
DONE The minister concurred in this
opinion but could see no way to ac-
complish the establishment of another
church, as funds were very scarce
With this the engineer agreed to donate
$12, 900 toward purchasing lot, and to
build new church if the pastor would
remain. This offer was accepted; soon
lot was obtained, and in a short time
the tent which was erected to hold the
services held an earnest congregation of
seventy. Interest in the work increased
and building soon commenced. So in
terested did the engineer become that
he not only gave his promised $4,000,
but kept adding and adding to his dona-
| ton until, when the $68, 900 church was
completed, he had given every cent he
had in the world, $37, 600, leaving him
self utterly without money or means of
support. The church proved to be one
of the finest in Denver, and is to this day
the pride of the city.
"But what was this benevolent man
to do? He had given his all to the
church, but he must live. He went
meekly and asked for the position of
janitor. OF course he was accepted, and
to this day he is filling that position.
But he is no ordinary janitor; he is
rather-a king in the congregation. He
is about 20 years old, and lives in the
church. Away up in the belfry which
he built he has a comfortable bedroom
arranged, and down in the basement he
eats his meals. He receives salary,
but every cent that is not required for
his frugal living he gives to the aims
fund. [ said he is looked upon as a
king. On every question which comes
up about the church his opinion is asked
for and respected. He is content with
his life, having made sacrifice of him.
self and his wealth to the great cause.
-P5tts6urg Dispatch.