In a recent issue of the Standard of Bourbon, Mo., is an interesting account of a surprise dinner given in honor of Rev. J.R. Hamlin, in connection with his 93rd birthday. The dinner followed a Sunday church service, conducted by Mr. Hamlin’s son, Dr. M.M. Hamlin, and the occasion, from the description given, was a veritable love feast.
The article contained the following sketch of the aged minister, who is well known in this county, and who is a brother of J.M. Hamlin of Brevard:
“Rev. J.R. Hamlin was born July 9th, 1828 in North Carolina. He came to Missouri in 1869, and settled on a farm near Leasburg, in the vicinity of Cross Roads. He was married to Mary Ann King in 1849 and is the father of three living sons and two daughters: Dr. M.M. Hamlin of St. Louis, C.W. and O.T. Hamlin, both of Springfield, Mrs. Mary A. Long, also of Springfield, and Mrs. E.V. Lewis of Leasburg, with whom he is living. There are 21 grand children and 51 great grand children. He has one brother who is his junior by 11 years and lives in Brevard, North Carolina.
“After the dinner was over with, those present went into the church and after a few songs, Rev. Dr. Hamlin read a passage of scripture and made a short talk, not intended to be a sermon, nor was it in any way a personal discourse, but one of those coincidences where his text fitted into the occasion and the life of his father so beautifully that it was very touching and brought many tears to the eyes of those who heard it. Truly Mr. Hamlin, the Nestor of the Baptist denomination hereabout can say with Paul, “I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith.” Rev. Hamlin closed his discourse by reading the 23rd Psalm.
“Rev. Hamlin has preached the gospel for 70 years. He established through his individual efforts the churches at Cross Roads, Mount Olive, Fairview, Leasburg and Bourbon and others in other counties.
‘During his pastoral career he built seven church houses in Missouri and two in Oklahoma. He has no doubt married more couples and preached more funerals than any other preacher in the state.
“Luther Evans took a picture of those of the party who were over 65 years of age. There were about 20 of them. Among the oldest of whom were: Wm. Barton, Eld. J.W. King, Judge Thomas Reeves, Rev. M.A. Clayton, E. King, Mrs. Harriet King, Susan Bish, Mrs. M. Clayton, Mayor Samuel Blair, John West, Joseph Jones, Mrs. Jones, W.G. Stevens, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. S.D. McCormick, Mr. Allen. Wm. Barton, J.W. King, E. King and Harriet King are his brothers and sister-in-law.
From The Brevard News, July 29, 1921
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