The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-12-03
OLDEST METHODIST MINISTER.
Rev. sedgwick ". BidwelI Of MiddIebury
Is Nearly 100 Years Old.


Is Nearly 100 Years Old.
Mfddlebury, Dec 3 Next Monday the
Rev. sedgwick w. BidweII. who il now
passing the sunset Of his days at his
home at East Middlebury, win have
reached bis Tooth year. For r. years
preacher Of the gospel, bis faculties
are still retained to 4 remarkable degree,
and his phvsique is veil preserved Els
wonderful memory goes hack with the
history Of three generations. He re
members the battle Of Plattsburg, and
distinctly recalls hearing the boom and
roar Of cannon during that famous fight.
The venerable preacher was evidently
destined for the ministry. for he relates
with considerable pleasure little incl
dent, which occurred when he was only
FIVE years old, this incident showing the
tendency of his mind and heart at the
close Of bis FIRST days AZ school the little
fellow invited a number Of his playmates
"a gather about stump, which he
mounted and preached to them AT the
age Of seven years he could deelaim the
English reader With psomptuess and won
a prize Of sweetmeats Tor committing
a selection 10 memory.
The Rev Mr. Bidwell i q native Of
Stari,sboro. where he was horn December
g. 1900 His parents were English and
were among the FIRST settlars IN that
town. He attended tho schools in that
section and grew up strong N body and
mind the hardships he endured serving
only to strengthen him and TO build the
foundation for his long life 81 service.
His school days we're over at the ago
Of ls. ard during the winters Of 1890
and 1892 be taught the district school.
During this time, there was a religious
revival IN the town. and he became con-
verified In his own schoolhouse One year
later he attended the H:nesburg acad
envy, and IN the same year was admitted
into the Methodist church on probation
for six months subsequently, he joined
in full connection
In the year 1894, he was given II
cenge to preach BY the presiding elder Of
his church. He was then Is years old
and for nearly three,quarterS Of cen.
trry he has been serving his church
During this time he has preached in p
different towns in Vermont and New
York, and. 50 far as known, he IS the
oldest living Methodist minister iii this
country and perhaps ii the world.
In the year 1888, he married Miss
Evaine +. Smith Of Monkton. and upon
her death he married Lucinda Aurora
Topper Of Middlebury.
During his long career as minister.
he has offieiated at more than $50 funer-
ais. and about 400 weddings On sew
eral occasions. he was called upon to
perform the marriage ceremony where
he only received IN return bushe Of
potatoes or q busheI Of corn, while on
some occasions the offerings were smaller
for his trouble
Being asked to preach at The East
Nrddlebury Methodist church three years
ago he did SO with great vigor and to
the full satisfaction Of large eongrega-
ton
Next Sunday, the day preceding the
Tooth anniversary Of Rev AR. Ridwell's
birth. d special service win be held at
the East Middlcburv church. It IS ex.
pected that Mr. Bidwell will give brief
address He takes much exerise every
day, and can at times read and write
without the use Of glasses.