Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-24
THE OLDEST METHODIST
MINISTER.
Letter from Rev. Byron Alden. Born
in Hincsburgh, W., over %
Years AFRO.

Tho Rev. Byron Alden OF Streator. H.,
celebrated his 97th birthday last Novcm-
Der. lie is believed to be the oldest Meth
odist minister in this country having be
gun his ministry in New York city in 1880.
At a recent date he was still filling pulpit
appointments. though not in charge of
regular parish. His picture appeared in
a current issue of Leslio's Weekly.
The Rev. Joseph Ayrcs of Sidney. o.. is
the next oldest Methodist preacher. being
but eight months younger than Mr.. Alden
and he. too, was born in Vermont.
Having received a letter from Judge
John II. Allen of Hinesburgh, Mr.. Alden
wrote an interesting reply, which we are
permitted to print, as follows
Streator, H., Dec. 2, 1905.
The Hon. John II. Allen. Hincsburgh Vt:
Dear Sir:-Of many letters that have
come to greet me not one took hold of
my old self like your letter from my boy
hood lone. Indeed Judge, it makes me feel
like boy, skipping over tho Vermont
hills. l remember your father and his
coming to Hinesburgh. Thomas Gibbs,
John Wheelock. Nahum Peck-how fam
liar the sound Of these names. Wife and
l lived over Vermont with calling these
names and others you mentioned, till our
children know them almost as well as J.
My son, Loyal, now gone, was born there
the same year as yourself; but not so
fortunate as to remain in the same place.
for to rowing NJ. H. preacher to be set
tied for a lifetime seems a great bless
ing.
know Just where you lve-can see it
ALL for well knew the Rev. Peter Chase
have been TO his home many times as well
as to John Aliens home. | would love to
lay down pen and run over there now
You ask whore our farm was located. My
father Rupees Aldens farm Joined Angus
tus McEwen's on the Starksboro road
directly south. l taught singing school
and Nahum Peck was greatly Interested
and became quite good singer. Jonathan
Alger lived south of US on small farm
of twenty acres. Joseph Davis was just
east of us, on what you called the foot
hills of the mountain. He married De
borah Alger. and after his death she
married Elhanan Davis. l remember there
was quite q stampede when several of
the citizens started off to look for homes
in Ohio-Elias Calklns and William Cam
field. ! think a few years later there
was another stampede in which Judge
lIinsdalo was the leader-Dan Marvin,
Charles Calkins, two families Of the
Weeds and a number | cannot remember.
This time Kalamazoo. Mich. was the
objective point | often think over these
events. You speak of tho Rays. ] suppose
you mean John Ray. Ills son, L. y. Ray,
lives or lived at Mars, n short distance
from here. He e.. b. was lieutenant
governor ut one time perhaps ten years
ago. Edmund Baldwin married my sis
ter, Polly. lie lived at Elgin with his
daughter and died there few years ago.
Eunies Scholield | remember perfectly,
Elder Hurlburt and the rest you men
ton | know all.
! often think OF n little incident OF tho
Burchard revival. Burchard was a strange
bundle Of humanity. l fear he would not
find many to hold up his hands at this
day. You have had long lived parents 20
You mayhap may live like me a century.
l should love to meet your son, Mon
mouth is but one county south of us and
FIVE or six west | hope We may meet
your wife and daughters. all left to you
what 4 happy man you must be! OF my
five children, only Mrs. Mary Becker OF
Sacramento, Cal, and Mrs. Martha Wool.
with whom l live. are left My wife died
% years ago, and | am quite sure my call
is not far off, Still l am glad to say that
I am well and enjoying life MS one of
the greatest blessings of the Father I
hope in sincerity that my life has not been
in vain. for 1 have loved the work of the
Master and souls have been given me as
n reward, | would love TO be young enough
to do q little more. Are YOU not coming
to the St Louis fair? If so try to make
time to call here Sincerely,
b. ALDEN.
Mrs Wood, to whom the above was
dictated, adds: II am proud Of my father
He is a wonder. intellectually and very
active does most OF my shopping and
is out calling every day"