The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-03
OLDEST METHODIST MINISTER
Rev. sedgwich w. 6idwell of Middle
bury is Nearly 100 Years Old

10 iNCdiiJ wv Oid
Middlebury, Dec. 3.-Next Monday
the Rev Sedgwich w Bidwell who is
now passing the 9unset of his days
at his home in East Middlebury, will
have reached his Tooth year. For
76 years a preacher of the gospel, his
faculties are still retained to a re-
markable degree, and his physique is
well preserved. His wonderful mem
DRY goes back with the history of
three generations. He remembers
the battle of Plattsburg and distinct
ly recalls hearing the boom and roar
of the cannon during that famous
fight
The venerable preacher was evil
IDENTIFY destined for the ministry for
he relates with considerable pleasure
a little incident which occurred when
he was only five years old, this incid-
ent showing the tendency of his mind
and heart. At the close of his first
days at school, the little fellow invit-
ed number of his playmates to gath
er about a stump which he mounted
and preached to them. Al the age of
seven years he could declaim the Ing
fish reader with promptness, and won
prize of sweetmeats for committing
selection to memory.
The Rev Mr.. Bidwell is a native
of Starksboro, where he was born
| December 6, 1908. His parents were
English and were among the first set,
tiers in that town. He attended the
schools in that section and grew up
strong in body and mind, the hard
! ships he endured, serving only to
strengthen him. and to build the foun-
dation for his long life of service.
His school days were over at the
age of IS and during the winter of
1880 and 1882 he taught the district
school. During this time there was
a religious revival in the town and he
became converted at a meeting at his
own school house One year later
he attended the Hinesburg academy,
and in the same year was admitted
into the Methodist church on probat-
ion for six months. Subsequently he
joined in full connection.
In the year 1894 he was given
license to preach by the presiding ell
der of his church. He was then 25
years old and for nearly three-quar-
ters of a century he has been serv-
ing his church. During this time he
has preached in % different towns in
Vermont and New York and so far as
known he is the oldest living Meth
odist minister in this country, and
perhaps in the world.
In the year 1888 he married Miss
| Evaline l.. Smith OF Monkton and up
on her death he married Lucinda Aur-
ora Upper of Middlebury
During his long career as a minis
ter he has OBLIGATED at more than $50
funerals and about 400 weddings. On
several occasions he was called upon
to perform the ceremony of marriage
where he only received in return a
bushel OF potatoes or a bushel Of corn
while on some occasions the offerings
were smaller for his trouble.
Being asked to preach at the East
! Middlebury Methodist church three
years ago he did so with great vigor
and to the full satisfaction OF large
congregation.
Next Sunday, the day preceding
the Tooth anniversary of Rev. Mr..
Bidwell's birth, a special service will
be held at the East Middlebury
church. 1t is expected that Mr.. Bid
well will give n brief address. He
takes much exercise every day and
can at times read and write without
the use of glasses.