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Abernethy, Lincoln Freedom

 Collection — Container: Folder
Identifier: KUMA-02-633

Scope and Contents

Folder 1 (of 1). Photocopy of memoir of Mrs. L. Dora (Pierce) Abernethy, first wife of Rev. Abernethy, published in the Southwest Kansas Conference minutes (1902) Condolence letter from Abernethy to "Brother Williams" (Kiowa, Kansas, September 13, 1926) Oilcloth envelope labeled "Elder's Credentials for [handwritten] Lincoln F. Abernethy" containing: - Certificate, sheepskin or vellum, from Bishop Isaac W. Joyce of the Louisiana annual conference admitting Abernethy to the office of Elder (October 8, 1893) Oilcloth envelope labeled "Deacon's Credentials for [handwritten] Lincoln F. Abernethy" containing: - Handwritten document certifying Abernethy "to hold meetings for prayer and exhortation" for the M.E. Church in the Arkansas City charge, Winfield district, SW Kansas Conference. Signed by W. H. Cline, "Preacher in charge," Arkansas charge (February 11, 1888) - "Local Preacher's License" signed by T. S. Hodgson, President, at Quarterly Conference, Winfield District (July 9, 1888) - Certificate, sheepskin or vellum, from Bishop John Newman of the Louisiana annual conference admitting Abernethy to the office of Deacon (January 18, 1891)

Dates

  • Existence: 1861-1937

Creator

Biographical or Historical Information

Lincoln Freedom Abernethy was born in Osage, Iowa, on May 5, 1861. He attended Northwestern University and graduated from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1896. He married Dora Pierce in 1889; she died in 1901 at age 38, leaving three children, aged three, five, and eight years old. Abernethy remarried in 1902 to Effie Newkirk and she assisted him in his work and in the raising of the children (Pauline, Willard, and Frances). Abernethy joined the Southwest Kansas Conference on trial in 1880 and was admitted into full membership in the Gulf Conference in 1892, serving in Louisiana until returning to his home conference in 1894. There, he served in eleven charges until retiring in 1927. He spent four years as a supply pastor before ceasing his active work, spending his final years "quietly and joyously" in his local Winfield church (Grace Church), "where his presence was always a benediction." Regarding his name, his memoir in the Southwest Kansas Conference minutes says, "Born at the beginning of the Civil War his parents named him 'Lincoln Freedom' and, as the course of history shows, named him better than they knew.... his voice was always raised to strike from men their shackles of ignorance and sin that they might be free indeed. Truly he lived his name.'" Abernethy died on February 10. 1937, and was laid to rest in Highland Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas.

Note written by Sarah St. John

Extent

1.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains documents pertaining to Lincoln Freedom Abernethy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Southwest Kansas Conference.

Arrangement Note

Documents have been removed from oilskin envelopes and placed flat between archival paper. Envelopes were retained. Documents were placed in reverse chronological order.

Other Descriptive Information

Information from Kansas West card file (discarded): b. May 5, 1861 in Osage, Iowa d. February 10, 1937 in Winfield; buried Highland Cemetery married June 7, 1889 to Dora Pierce (she died June 6, 1902) children: Mrs. Pauline Crookham, Mrs. Frances Baker, Willard C. married August 20, 1902 to Effie Newkirk (she died July 30, 1957) Memoirs: first wife - SW KS journal 1902 (p.97), himself - SW KS journal 1937 (p.238), second wife - Cent KS journal 1957 (p.332) 1889 - admitted on trial SW KS Conf 1890 - transferred to Louisiana Conference 1891 - deacon 1893 - elder 1894 - transferred to SW KS Conf 1895 - at school 1896 - Chase - McPherson Dist 1897 - Frederick - McPherson Dist 1901-02 - Kinsley 1903 - Florence 1904-06 - St. John 1907-11 - Harper 1912-15 - Nickerson 1916-17 - Lewis 1918-20 - Coldwater 1921-23 - Guymon, OK 1924-26 - Kiowa 1927 - superannuated

Author
Sarah St. John
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Baker University and Kansas United Methodist Archives Repository

Contact:
518 8th Street
PO Box 65
Baldwin City KS 66006 US
7855948380