The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-07-29
SERVED FIFTY YEARS
Rev. ] E. Snowden Rounds Out
Long Career in Ministry.

A dispatch from Cedar Falls contains
the following mention of ma1 well
known and beloved in Oskaloosa:
Dr., James. E. Snowden, for the past
twelve years pastor of the Congrega-
tional church in Cedar Falls, complet-
ed fifty years OF active service as a
minister OF the gospel this morning.
the pastor of the Congregational
church to large audience, composed
of the members of his own congrega-
ton and members from the other de-
nominations in the city. With the
completion of the half century Of SER
vice as minister Of the word. DR.. Snow
den retires from the active work of a
pastor and will take pastor emeritus
relations with the church over which
he has presided during the past twelve
years of his long service In the min
istry, The members of the church in
this city commemorated the retire
ment of DR.. Snowden by having an ap-
propriate service at the church this
evening at which DR.. E. B. Jones, pas
tor of the Baptist church; Rev. George
II. Birney of the Methodist church, and
Or. ID. w. Fahs, pastor of the Presby-
terrain church, and President Seerley
eff the. Iowa State Teachers college.
took part DIR. Snowden gave fitting
and very touching response to the
kind remarks made by those who pre-
tceded him on the program. Z
. # The first eight years of DR.. Snow,
tden's services in the ministry were
spent in the mission fields Of Ohio
and West Virginia. Forty-eight years
ago in January OF this year DR.. Snow.
den came to Iowa to accept the pastor
ate of the Congregational church at
Oskaloosa, where he remained for six
teen consecutive years. He was pas
tor at Lemars for eight years and was
at Fayette for three years. He came
from Fayette on invitation of the Ce-
dar Falls congregation and conducted
a morning and evening service. The
members of the congregation were
much pleased with him and at the
prayer meeting on the following We'd
nesday evening and he was given a
, unanimous call to become the pastor
of the church. After due deliberation
he accepted the call. During his
twelve years as the pastor of the
church here DR.. Snowden has officiated
at 81 weddings, conducted 240 tuner
ais and has preached over 1900 SER
. mons. DR.. Snowden will be Is years
of age on Aug. A. During his forty
two years as pastor of the four Congre.
gational churches of Iowa, DR. Snow
den has represented the state at eight
of,the national council meetings, wiz:
Detroit, Syracuse, Chicago, Williams,
town, Des Moines, Portland, Columbus;
Dayton and Cleveland. DIR. Snowden
has always been very popular minis.
ter wherever it was his privilege to re-
side, being popular not only with his
3bers of all the other denominations in
the town. ,,.-.. ~. -. .- 80,
] For several years during his pastor
ate in this city, in addition to preach,
ing to his own congregation twice each
Sunday. he would walk two miles in
the heat of the day to conduct a relig-
ious service for the residents of East
Cedar Falls, many of whom did not
affiliate with any church but always
came out to the service which he con
Quoted in the grove near the Hewitt
home in East Cedar Falls. Prior to
entering the ministry DR.. Snowden
worked at the carpenters bench for
six years. The desire to be carpen.
ter still clings to him and he is a very
frequent visitor at all places where
mechanics are at work and takes a
keen interest in watching them work
and in talking with them about their
work. .r. 49," 80
The church here at their annual
meeting offered to DR.. Snowden very
comfortable home on Washington
street and all the income from another
home which they own during the re.
maiDder OF his life and he accepted
their offer Both houses have been
modernized. At his own request the
trustees permitted him to have a part
in the undermining of these homes and
he with several of the older members
of his church donned overalls and did
considerable of the work of remodeling
both houses themselves. .'.-