In the summer of 1910, when the writer took a trip to his old home in England, it was suggested by two district superintendents of the North Nebraska Conference, to find five or six consecrated young men who would be willing to come to Nebraska and take a pastorate. The subject of this sketch was one of those young men.
   James Henry Thomas was born in Camborne, Cornwall, England, January 10, 1885, and died at Loretto, Nebraska, August 2, 1913. Brother Thomas came to the North Nebraska Conference in the fall of 1910. He was given supply work at Boone on the Neligh District, where he served two years. At the 1911 Conference he was received on probation, and this year he would have been received into full membership. During his two years stay at Boone he did good work and built up the church under difficult circumstances. At the last conference he was appointed to Inman on the Neligh District. This was a successful year in many ways. The church at Inman was remodeled and the last week in July witnessed the reopening with rejoicing among the people. The Official Board suggested that he take a two weeks rest after the strenuous work. Brother Thomas and wife went to visit his sister at Loretto, Nebraska, where he was taken suddenly ill with appendicitis and other complications. Four doctors were summoned but no help could be given. On the morning of August 2nd, he heard the voice saying, "It is enough, come up higher."
   On May 17, 1911, he was married to Miss Harriet Adelaide Odgers, who came from his old home in England to join him in his work of saving souls. God gave this happy couple one child who only stayed at the Boone parsonage four days. Brother Thomas was laid to rest August 4th beside his little babe in the Boone cemetery. The Rev. George H. Main, D.D., our pastor at Albion, preached the sermon in the church at Boone, assisted by the Rev. A. J. Kellow, our pastor at Primrose. The pallbearers were six young men of his native land, who were his brother pastors in the conference.
   Brother Thomas was a tireless worker and a man who accomplished things. He proved himself a strong preacher and personal worker, for he was a winner of men for his Lord.
   How fitting the words in Riley's poem which says:

And you! 0 you, who the wildest yearn
  For the old-time step and the glad return--
Think of him still as the same, I say
  In love of There as love of Here.
Think of him still as the same, I say
  He is not dead--he is just away."

   The conference has lost a strong man, one who was fully consecrated to the service of his Master. Those who knew him loved him. Only three years of active service in our conference, but they were three years of honest work and years of soul winning for God.

   Rev. Morris Bamford was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, September 16th, 1848, and died in Hastings, Nebraska, September 21st, 1912. Thus ends the history of a good and great man, the son of godly parents. His father was a minister of the United Brethren church. His mother was a devoted Christian helper in her husband's revival and evangelistic work. He was named for Bishop Morris. From childhood he received parental Christian training, but did not make public confession of saving faith in Christ until grown to manhood. His call to the ministry dates from the time of his conversion. He did not heed the call at first and took up the profession of law. His academic training was secured in the public schools and at the Washington Academy, and later he received his M.S. degree with the class of 1876 from the Iowa Wesleyan University. He was licensed to preach in 1870 and in the fall of 1871 he was admitted on trial into the Iowa Conference. On September 28th of the same year he was married to Miss Frances C. Melick, and for forty-one years she shared with him the labor, joys and sorrows of the Methodist itinerancy. To them nine children were born, five of whom survive--Mrs. Chas A. Whitney, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mrs. F. Herron Smith, Nagasaki, Japan; Miss Daisy, Mr. Paul, and Miss Frances Bamford of Hastings. He is survived also by three brothers and two sisters. Dr. S. E. Bamford of Hastings; Dr. E. E. Bamford of Centerville, Iowa; I. D. Bamford of Clio, Iowa; Mrs. Alice Grimes of Clio; and Mrs. Mattie Krouch of Burwell, Nebraska.
   Dr. Bamford began his ministry as a member on trial of the Iowa Conference at Morning Sun. He remained there for three years, and

at the end of that time he had increased the Morning Sun membership from seven to 150, and during the same period had built a new, commodious chapel. His second, appointment was Kossuth, in which he was blessed with large revival results. He remained there for three years, building the church at Mediapolis. At the close of his term at Kossuth, the Mediapolis circuit was organized. He was appointed pastor and continued for three years. He also served Sigourney three years, Fairfield a full term, liquidating a long standing debt from that church. From this pastorate, for health reasons, he was transferred to the Southwest Kansas Conference and stationed at Nickerson and Garden City. In the fall of 1891 he returned to his home conference and was appointed to Grinnell, succeeding Dr. Matt S. Hughes. At the close of this successful pastorate, he was appointed to Oskaloosa and given the important, yet delicate task of uniting the First church and Simpson, which he heroically undertook and successfully accomplished, and erected a magnificent edifice. For a number of years he was a member of the board of trustees of the Iowa Wesleyan.
   He was elected delegate to the General Conference at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1896. He was accorded a place among the best gospel preachers of the Iowa Conference, being an able platform man, entertaining and instructive as a lecturer. He was full of good, wholesome humor, and at home in any social gathering. He was loathe to leave the Conference of his choice, but the severity of the Iowa winters again necessitated the change, and he was transferred to the Kansas Conference, being appointed to Lawrence, the seat of the State University. His work here was characterized by strong and original preaching, and faithful pastoral care of the people.
   After four fruitful years he was sent to Ft. Scott in the South Kansas Conference, where he was instrumental in securing a new parsonage and creating a sentiment that led to the building of a new church under his successor. On account of his old enemy, asthma, he was compelled to seek a higher altitude, and exchanged with Rev. E. M. Evans, of Hastings, Nebraska. During his three years of service in that city he led in the building of a fine parsonage. Declining strength compelled him to ask for lighter work and he was transferred to Ord, in the West Nebraska Conference, where he raised the debt and prepared the way for a new church. In April of the third year of his ministry here, his brothers, who are physicians, advised him most strongly to retire from the active ministry, and at length he consented to do so. He located in Hastings where he was cordially welcomed by his former parishioners and friends, and for more than two years, as strength permitted, he assisted the churches and pastors of that city. His last public service was at the Presbyterian church, where he preached on the first two Sundays in September. He was attacked by acute bronchitis, and after a short illness passed peacefully away on September 21st.

   The first time we met Dr. R. L. Robinson was at Stuart, Nebraska, while he was serving that charge as pastor in the year of 1888. It was largely through my request and the gracious offices of Bishop Foss that he was later transferred to the West Nebraska Conference. When he passed to his reward he was a member of the North Nebraska Conference.
   Dr. Robinson was a man of splendid intellectual attainments, a clear thinker, and a strong preacher. We believe it may be truly said that he conscientiously did his best on every charge to which he was assigned. He was a devout Christian, he possessed a rich sweet Christian experience, and this gave to him a tender affection for all the people of God, and a burning passion for the salvation of souls.
   He loved his brethren in the ministry very deeply. In all the years of our intimate acquaintance we never heard him express a feeling of bitterness over anything or against anybody, or did we ever hear an unclean word escape his lips. He was pre-eminently a man of prayer. During the closing years of his life he spent much time in communion with God. He has been known to often arise at midnight, kneel at his bedside, and for an hour or more pour out the pleadings of his soul to his Heavenly Father for the prosperity of Christ's Kingdom in the world. He was naturally a very timid and retiring man; the only time he grew bold and pronounced, was in pleading prayer and in the preaching of the word of God. We have no account of his last moments, but we have confidence that he died well, for he lived well. If it could be that heaven will have any disappointments, then we shall be disappointed if we fail to see our brother in that bright land.

   Of precious memory was born in the state of Pennsylvania, in the year 1836, and departed this life December 28, 1912, at Elk Creek, Nebraska.
   He emigrated early in life with his parents to Ohio; from thence to Illinois, where in 1857 he married Miss Minnie E. Cowan. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church in the Rock River Conference, in 1858. Later he moved to Kansas and thence to Nebraska, becoming a member of the Nebraska Conference in 1873. He served many of the better churches in this conference. In 1885 he was transferred to West Nebraska, serving a number of important churches in that conference. He was superannuated in 1898. He continued, however, to be more or less active till the day of his departure. He was twice married, the last time in 1907 to Miss Frances M. Kingman. He is survived by this wife and four children.. Brother Rodabaugh was an excellent preacher, thoughtful, logical,

orthodox, and thoroughly Methodistic. Preaching was to him a delight. His wit was keen, yet kind, and he possessed a warm and loving spirit.
   Funeral services were conducted by his pastor in the Elk Creek church, Dr. P. C. Johnson delivering the funeral sermon. The interment was in the Mt. Vernon cemetery at Peru.
   Thus a good man has gone to his reward and his works follow him.

   David C. Brannon was born near Dover, Tenn., August 30, 1830, and died at his home at North Yakima, Wash., November 18, 1912. He was 82 years old. Early in life his parents moved to southern Illinois where he grew to manhood. He was married to Felicia Bayley, June 5, 1851. Though no children were born to this wedlock, they raised nine orphan children, most of them to manhood and womanhood.
   Father Brannon was converted to God at Cumberland Presbyterian camp meeting in October, 1852. Early feeling called to preach, he soon developed unusual gifts of exhortation and prayer, and he was licensed as a local preacher and was ordained deacon by Bishop Thompson in 1866 and elder by Bishop Andrews in the Southern Illinois Conference in 1866. His health failing, he moved to Iowa. When the territory of Nebraska was opened to settlement he moved there and took up a homestead and early united with the Nebraska Conference by transfer. Later, through poor health, he moved to Missouri, thence to California, and finally to Washington territory, where he did supply work very acceptably when his health would permit.. For eleven years past he has been a highly honored and beloved attendant at the First church, North Yakima, though a superannuate of the Nebraska Conference. He leaves a widow, who has been his faithful companion and stay for more than sixty-one years. At his funeral, conducted by his pastor, three superannuated ministers took part--Rev. C. Springer of the Illinois Conference, Rev. Thomas Webb of the Northwest Indiana, and Rev. J. T. Roberts of the Nebraska Conference.
   Father Brannon was characterized by large-heartedness, a godly life and unblemished character. His was the best type of frontier circuit preachers whose ministry was so effective in building up the church fifty years ago.
   His grave is in the beautiful Takoma cemetery at North Yakima, Wash.

   Rev. Willis Clinton Swartz, a member of the West Nebraska Conference, passed to his reward from Los Angeles, Cal., on March 15th, after a protracted illness of several months, and his body was

buried in Englewood cemetery on March 19th. Dr. P. P. Carroll officiated.
   Brother Swartz was born in White Cloud, Kansas, fifty-four years ago, in which place he grew to manhood and spent the early years of his business life in mercantile affairs. In 1886 he married Miss Della M. Church of White Cloud. Five children were born to this union, one dying in infancy, four remaining together with the widow and all residing at 226 East Twenty-seventh street, Los Angeles.
   Some seventeen years ago, Brother Swartz together with his splendid wife, recognized the call of God to the active ministry and leaving a lucrative situation went forth to spend and be spent in the ministry of the Word. Their first appointment was at Hardy, Nebraska, from which they removed to Ayr, Liberty, Merna, Westerville, Lexington, Kearney, Sumner, and in 1910, on urgent request of their former parishioners returned to Merna, where he rounded out his ministerial course. In October, 1911, he removed with his family to Inglewood and a few months later to Los Angeles from which place he was called to be with the redeemed of the Lord.
   During his first pastorate at Merna Brother Swartz led in the building of two neat, modern church edifices, one at Merna, the other at Anselmo, which, together with improvements in other church and parsonage properties, stand as monuments to his constructive ability. Blessed revivals at Sumner, Lexington circuit and other points marked his ministry as evangelistic.
   He possessed an optimistic nature and there was never a proposition too difficult for him not to see success in the outcome. This served him to the last, and with dying grace he left word to his family and friends that "the way ahead seemed bright and clear."

   Easter Sunday at noon our community was shocked to learn of the death of Father Marsh, a pioneer in Methodism, a godly man, one whom to know was to love. His spirit went out to Him who gave it. He was very sincere, humble and devoted, always having the interests of the Master's kingdom greatly at heart.
   Rev. Jeptha Marsh was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, February 6th, 1825, and died at University Place, Nebraska, March 22nd, 1913. Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha Campbell at Kinzua, Penn., August 25th, 1850. To this union eight children were born, six of whom grew to maturity. Five sons survive him, and all were present at the time of his death, one son, the Rev. Luvern Marsh, having preceded him to the future world nearly seven years ago. Of the five sons living, two are in the work of the ministry, Rev. Wilson J., pastor of First Congregational church

at Whittier, Cal., and Byron W., district superintendent of West District, Nebraska Conference, of the Methodist Epscopal church. The three remaining reside as follows: Milton D. at Gibbon, J. Eugene at University Place, and Lucian J. at Lincoln. Father Marsh, as he was familiarly known, began his ministry in Pennsylvania in about 1850, soon after being admitted to the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was pastor of various charges in New York and Pennsylvania until 1873, when he moved to Nebraska, locating first at Gibbon. He did pioneer work in the ministry in what is now territory of the West Nebraska Conference, until the year 1883, when he was appointed pastor of A street church, Lincoln, which developed into Trinity. Since that time he has done work on various charges of the Nebraska Conference, retiring from the active service in 1900. His companion slipped from his side three years from the nineteenth of June, from which time he has made his home with some of his sons. He passed away quietly and peacefully just at noon March 22nd.
   The funeral was held in the First Methodist Episcopal church of University Place, Monday, March 24th, the Rev. Schreckengast, pastor, officiating. Rev. J. A. Nichols read the Scripture lessons, Rev. Hiram Burch made the opening prayer, Rev. H. L. Powers gave a short address followed by a sermon by the pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Alva Campbell furnished the vocal numbers, with Miss Mary Alene Smith at the organ. The body was laid away to await the resurrection, in Wyuka cemetery, by the side of that of his companion.

   It has been impossible to secure an obituary of Rev. J. H. Beery in time for publication this year. The records show that he entered the Ohio Conference in 1870. In 1889 he was transferred to the Nebraska Conference and served several charges within its bounds, retiring on account of ill health after a few years and making his residence at Humboldt. In 1906 he moved with his family to Washington, where he died April 2, 1913, at the age of 69 years, 11 months and 9 days.

   Charles A. Mastin was born at Hector, Thompkins county, New York, April 7, 1851. His father was a member of the Rock River Conference for a number of years, and it was at a revival meeting conducted his father in the winter of 1870, near Elizabeth, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, that he was converted.
   September 8, 1874, he was married to Miss Annie W. Robson, of Galena, Ill. In 1878 he moved to Nebraska, and entered the Nebraska Conference. His first charge was a circuit, Inland and Glenville.
   In 1882 he was transferred to the West Nebraska Mission, which

became a conference in 1885. At different times he was pastor at Fairfield, Shelton, Gibbon, Minden (twice), Holdrege, Kearney (twice), Lexington, Fullerton, Nebraska City, Falls City, and Seward. His last charge was Dorchester.
   He was Presiding Elder of the Holder and Kearney Districts. From 1895 to 1897 he was chaplain of the State Industrial School for Boys at Kearney. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Nebraska Wesleyan University, of which he was a trustee at one time. He was a member of the General Conferences of 1892 and 1904.
   Some time before moving from Seward to Dorchester, in the fall of 1912, his heart was strained while he was moving the altar rail in the Seward church. An attack of la grippe at moving time increased his trouble, augmented, no doubt, by worry over his removal from Seward, after his promised return; so that he gradually became worse. He was taken to the Methodist Hospital at Omaha, about January 1, 1913, where he remained until March 10th, when he was moved to the home of his son, Clyde T. Mastin, at Elm Creek, Nebraska, where he died suddenly at 8:15 A.M., May 9, 1913.
   The funeral services were held from the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Kearney, Nebraska, Sunday, at 2:00 P.M., May 11th. Rev. R. H. Thompson, the pastor of the First Church at Kearney, had charge of the services, assisted by Rev. Erastus Smith, and John N. Dryden, both of Kearney. The interment was made at the cemetery at Kearney.
   He is survived by a wife, Mrs. Annie W. Mastin, and two sons, Clyde T., and Roy R., and an only brother, John T. Mastin.

   Laura J. Boyer was born December 11th, 1849 at Lancaster, Ohio. She became a member of the Presbyterian church at the age of 14. Married Rev. John Beery, August 23rd, 1870.
   She is survived by her husband and seven children, Mrs. J. M. Joseph and Roy Beery, of Kent; Chas. Beery, J. W. Beery, R. C. Beery and Mrs. C. E. Schrengohst, of Burns, Ore., and E. J. Beery, of Seattle.
   In the spring of 1882 the Beery family moved from Ohio to Humboldt, Nebraska, in answer to a call the Rev. Beery had received, as minister of the Methodist church, and in the fall of 1906 moved to Washington, purchasing a home in Springbrook.
   Mrs. Beery became a member of her husband's church at the time of their marriage, and made a devoted wife and mother. Her heart and soul were in her husband's work. Of a bright and colorful disposition, and with a smile and kind word ever on her lips She was always ready to give advice to those in trouble; extend a warm sympathy to those in sorrow, and in the hour of misfortune the helpful hand of Mother Beery never faltered. In the various districts where

duty called the Rev. Beery, Mother Beery was regarded and esteemed as the "Good Samaritan" to the sick and afflicted.
   From Springbrook, Wash., on Wedensday (sic) evening, February 5th, 1913, at 7:50 p.m., Mother Beery passed to the Great Beyond, ending a sickness of over eighteen months, during which trying time, although confined to her bed, she was wonderfully patient, and through all of her suffering was never known to complain, but had a bright word or a smile for all. To know her was to love her.
   About an hour and a half before the end, she opened her eyes and raised her arms above her head, a smile of perfect happiness lighted up the emaciated features, as though she had had a glimpse of what she was going to see. She then lapsed into unconsciousness, gently breathing until, without a struggle or a groan, her blessed spirit was taken into the regions of eternal rest, where, through the merits of that Redeemer in whom she ever trusted, she is now rejoicing in His love.

   Jennie C. Prizer was born in Millerstown, Pa., February 16, 1831, where she attended the public schools and was graduated from high schol (sic) when 15. She began teaching in the public schools at Duncannon the same year of her graduation. For four years the same school employed her. February 16, 1851, Miss Prizer was married to Jacob Kohler, an architect of Baltimore, Md. Immediately Mr. and Mrs. Kohler moved to Philadelhia (sic) where Mr. Kohler died in 1874; previous to his death, having lost his property. Mrs. Kohler took up the work as chaplain for a reformatory home. After two years her health failed and she came West and accepted a position as bookkeeper for a woman's store in Brighton, Ia. In 1887 she was married to Rev. David C. Wortz, a member of the Des Moines Annual Conference. He died in 1899. Since that time Sister Wortz has resided at Wood River, Nebraska. She died September 25, 1912. Mrs. Wortz was converted at the age of 10 and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. While in Philadelphia she was a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. For fifteen years she was one of the class leaders. Among some of her pastors were Dr. Longacre and Dr. Neely, who later became Bishop. She was one of the evangelistic committee which helped to direct Moody's meetings in Philadelphia.

   Wife of Rev. Merrill B. Carman, was born in Berieu County, Michigan, June 5th, 1874, She was happily converted in early girlhood, immediately uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church. On February 10th, 1894, she was married to her now bereaved husband, Rev. M. B. Carman. She was the inspiration that urged her husband into the ministry. She shared the labors of Brother Carman in the Smithfield, Hildreth, McCook, and Minden parsonages. She was.

deeply pious, and many whom she led to Christ will rise up and call her blessed. She was talented in Art, and possessed charming qualities of character. After an illness of five weeks she departed this life August 19th, 1913, at the parsonage in Minden, Nebraska, loved and mourned by all who knew her. The funeral services were held in the church where her husband is pastor. The sermon was preached by Rev. Allen Chamberlain, D.D. Her remains were laid to rest in the Minden cemetery. Four children, the youngest of which is a babe of three months, and a grief-stricken husband remain to mourn her death.

   Was the relict of Reverend J. J. Fleharty who was a member of the North Nebraska Conference for several years and prominent as a preacher in Western Methodism. Mrs. Fleharty has been an invalid for several years and the angel Death came to release her from the burden of flesh that she might be "Forever with the Lord." The end came very peacefully on the morning of January 13, 1913, at her home in Chicago. Very beautiful and impressive services were conducted by her pastor, the Rev. James Beebe, D. D.
   Anna Brace Fleharty was the daughter of Hon. Myrtle G. and Phoebe Monson Brace. She was born in Orange county, Pa., of high birth, her ancestry running back to the Peerage of England bearing the date of 1378. She was related by blood to a long list of brilliant names, connected with the revolutionary and civil war, also men of letters, statesmen and inventors. But this was never evinced by her modest and retiring manner, and was unknown to many of her nearest friends. For she counted it far greater honor to belong to the aristocracy of God than to the royalty of earth.
   For nine years following her husband's death, she gave all her time and strength to temperance and mission work. Five years she was matron of the W. C. T. U. headquarters, where wayward girls found a home. Jail, Purity, L. T. L. and Flower Mission work was carried on.
   The unselfish giving of her life told at last so heavily upon her frail strength that she was forced to give up the work which had become so much to her and she left Galesburg in spite of a unanimous effort on the part of her friends to give her the position for life.
   The home was filled to overflowing with warm, personal friends, and the many beautiful floral pieces told of the loving esteem in which Mrs. Fleharty was held. The daughter took her beloved mother on the night train to Toulon, Ill., where she was met by a large circle of relatives and friends and a second service was held, ere the dear one was removed to Elmira, Ill., and placed by the side of her distinguished and noble husband, who so many years ago laid down his life that the Nebraska Wesleyan University might have its being.
   There in sight of her beloved girlhood home, she rests until "Heaven's morning breaks and earth's shadows flee."