The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-12-23
In Memoriam
Contributed by Rev. Emory MlllerJ

In the decease of Rev. John Wesley
Snodgrass. Saturday l2 inst at Boone
there passed away one of those ency
clopedia persons whose stay in this
world has been so long and varied, pro
jected on such a high and wide table
land of significant events, that
they become gnomons by which gener-
ations rise and pass in the march OF
progress. His career was noted in re-
spect of it's duration, its wide arena
and the high order of men with whom
he was colaborer. The itinerant
system was especially in his etficient
days, a levelling system by which tie
ablest men were often appointed to the
weakest churches. Preachers of rar-
est gifts rode on horseback extensive
circuits and districts. The 81 years
Of his life saw him graded in Virginia,
later teaching school ir young man
hood in his native state, with .. p.
Mitchell as one Of his pupils who be-
came distinguished preacher and
debater in the Pittsburg and Kansas
conference. Having become convert
he joined the Methodist church, and
in 1884 he was officially recognized as
being called Of God to preach the gos-
pei ny granting of licnse and recon-
mendation for admission to the Pitts
burg conference. Thus 50 years ago
began his ministerial career
The writer of this notice is prone
to stop at this point to dwell in
admiration of the group of great
preachers into whose society Rev.
Snodgrass was then admitted. Rev.
Dana Hess, a mighty revivalist, pre-
sented his name for license to preach.
Dr. William Hunter, eminent preacher
editor. hebraist and poet, was the Pre-
siding Elder who assured the quarterly
conference of his fitness, aud signed
his license to preach. Simon Elliot,
James q, Sapsom, the best preacher
whom the writer has ever heard. and
/ Gordon Batelle, Moses Titchineil, j. j.
Swazie, Charles Coo6, DR.. Wakefield,
T. M. Hudson constituted galaxy OF
great preachers the like of which we
! have never met with since.
! During the church life of our sub.
jeCJ have occurred the disruption OF
mis- church on the question of slavery,
which resulted in forming the Metho.
dist Episcopal Church South, This
event which John G. Calhoun encour
aged and rejoiced over helped on &c
the war and secession and all that has
followed in its train. Meanwhile
Father Snodgrass continued a faithful
and useful preacher of this old fashion
ed but successful type. and in the open
ings of providence and the call of duty
found HE way to Iowa in 1863. W.
find by the records that it was usua
thing with him to continue at his ap.
pointed charge during the time liml
and build up the church. The unset
fish devotemenL of this man of Goo
needs no further proof than the dimin
utive salaries he received for these
years of faithful and heoric effort I,
win souls. sometimes the monetar,
compensation was ridiculously small
Vet he wavered not, halted not, bu
pressed on, so he might "finish hi
course with Joy. !" That JOY came t,
him last Saturday afternoon at tn
home of his daughter, Mrs j. B, Bar
nett when after having had good healti
up to this autumn but failing some
what for three weeks just passed. sud
denly became i'll, and after paroxisn
of coughing which lasted about thre
hours he regained composure and il
mental clearness, peacefully passe'
away with an expression of countenanc
which reflected the light of brighte
I'd. Bending over him his daugh
ter read upon his lips his last faintl
articulated word Hallelulah"
! He was born in Monongahelg &c
West Virginia, Aug. Is, 1911, Marie
Miss Marparet Dudley, sister of Rev
j. NJ, Dudley, in 1894 ordained in du
order deacon and eluer, by Bishop
l Hamline and James. His childre
Mrs. J. B. Barnett, of Boone, Mrs.
j. Robinson. of Denison, and W.
Snodgrass, of Council Bluffs were pre-
ent at his death. DR.. J. q. Robinso
of Denison. and brethers are his gram
sons.