Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-02-13
CEDAR RAPIDS ITEMS.
A Great Man Gone.

der if Mr.. Lowery will spend his va
cation at home or short distance
west of the city
On last Saturday evening occurred
the death of Rev. Richard Holly. His
death came as great shock to the
whole community, as he was only sick
a few hours. Funeral service was
held Tuesday at p. m. Rev. Holly
was born July 81, 1848, in Paris, Bu-
borne county, Kentucky. With his
widowed mother, four sisters and
four brothers, at the age Of 7 they
moved to Detroit, Michigan, where
he was converted and united with
Bethel A. M. E. church, under the
pastorate of DR.. Geo. C. Booth, at the
age of %. He entered the ministry
in 1876, after pursuing a course of
studies at Garret Theological Semi
nary, Evanston, III. He was united
in marriage to Susan v. Clark, the
youngest daughter Of Hon. Alexander
and Catherine Clark, at Muscatine.
Iowa, December &, 1877. Three chr
dren were born to their union, Ida,
Edith and James Alexander, all of
whom are deceased. In 1887 he was
appointed pastor of the Bethel A. M.
E. church of Cedar Rapids by Bishop
John M. Brown. 1t was at this time
a remarkable revival came upon the
church, which was instrumental in
bringing many souls to Christ. Rev.
Holly served rs presiding elder of the
Keokuk district of the Iowa confer
ence one year. In 1896 he was by
Bishop Alexander w. Wayman re-
turned to our church, where he re-
mained for year laboring arduously
and successfully for the uplift of the
church and race. Rev. Holly was a
unique character He was a loyal
and fearless friend, faithful to his
church obligations. The body was
conveyed to Muscatine for burial.
Servant of God well done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought,
The victory won,
Enter thy Masters joys.
The voice at midnight came,
He started up to hear,
A mortal arrow pierced his frame,
He fell, but felt no fear.
The pains of death are past,
Labor and sorrow ceased,
And life's long warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.
Deepest sympathy to the bereaved
widow and relatives.
Those out Of town that attended the
late Rev. Holly's funeral were Mrs.
Clara Leiber of Chicago, Mrs. Holly's
niece, and her brother, Atty. Clark OF
Cskaloosa, Iowa, Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Davis and Mrs. Moore of Iowa City.
Revs. F. B. Woodard of Buxton and
T. L. Griffith and S. Bates of Des
Moines were in the city last Wednes-
day for the purpose Of assisting Rev.
| M. J. Burton, state missionary, to
organize a Baptist church in this city
Rev. Burton has been here since JAN
uary 18th conducting a revival meet
ing and looking up the Baptists and
those who believed in the Baptist doc
trine. He was successful in finding
fifty-two Christians and more thar
twenty non-C Christians who were OF
the Baptist faith. Revs. McGee Oh
the First Baptist church (white) ant
Hasty of the Calvary Baptist churcf
of this city were also present and as
sisted in the organization. The ole
Sunshine Mission, which is now the
new Mt. Zion Baptist church, was
filled to overhowing with members
friends and spectators. Rev. c. W
Ross of Washington, D. c., who has
been in the city several months ant
was also instrumental in perfectlnt
the organization Of the church, wa
honored with the privilege of bein|
it's first pastor. A choir has been or
ranized and last Sunday was the frs
regular service, with new pastor, neV
.hoir, new deacons and some of tn
new members on hand to sing "Prais
Cod = From Whom All Blessing
Flow" for giving us the privilege t
Worship Him under our own vine an
10 tree. The Sunday school also ha
cen organized and nice enrollmen
f children were present, despite tn
| Continued on page