William Clarke McCoy was born near Granville, Monroe County, Missouri, October 8, 1843. But little is known by this writer of his parents or his early history. His mother was a pious, industrious housewife, with holy and lofty aspirations. It was from her no doubt that William inherited much that afterward developed into true greatness. His early years were passed at home in a rural district. While there was plenty, the educational facilities were quite limited; so much so that when the war broke out between the States he was in his eighteenth year, and had been to school only three months in all his life. He grew up inured to toil, with an ardent, impulsive nature, a strong physical constitution and great courage. So that when the first drum beat for braves to defend their country's cane, it found William McCoy, with intense Southern convictions ready to take up aims in her defense. The first service rendered was under Quantrell's band of partisan rangers. That did not suit him.
He soon left Quantrell and joined the army of Northern Virginia, under Stonewall Jackson. In a short while he was one of Jackson's trusted couriers. Shot and shell never came too thick and fast for him to go to any part of the line with an important message. In a hand to hand contest on Sunday, May 12, 1864, being overpowered, he surrendered himself a prisoner of war. The prisoners were taken at once to Elmira, N. Y. It was here in prison, through a kind providence, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Blount, of Alabama, he was led to "repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
After the surrender of the Confederate forces, Missouri was in such an unsettled state that it was thought best for him not to go back to loved ones at home. So aimlessly the soldier boy wandered in tattered garments, till late one afternoon he sat on the rail road track in North Alabama, in a pensive mood; the tears from his eyes unbidden flowed. Approaching night and hunger drove him from his place of despondency. In the not far distance could be seen smoke curling from an unpretentious hut. Thither the downcast wanderer went and asked for food and lodging for the night. It was here he fell into good hands. It proved to be the house of a local preacher in our Church. That night began an attachment between James Cox and W. C. McCoy that knew no abatement.
On July 25, 1867, he was happily married to Miss Annie E. Vaughn, of Blount County, Ala. To this union were born six children, one of whom, little Gurley, preceded him to the heavenly mansions. On November 27, 1869, he was granted a license to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Marshall Circuit, Tennessee Conference, M. E. Church, South, signed by A. F. Driskill, presiding elder. The next he traveled the Marshall Circuit as a supply under A. F. Driskill. In the fall of 1870 he was admitted on trial at the organization of the North Alabama Conference at Gadsden, Ala. Bishop Paine sent him that year to Sand Mountain Mission. In 1872 he served the Coffeetown Circuit. Among the deacons ordained by Bishop Doggett at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in November, 1872, stood W. C. McCoy. When the appointments were read, his name was announced with the Van Buren Circuit. This charge he served for four years. In the Methodist Church in Huntsville, Ala., in November, 1874, he was ordained elder by Bishop Doggett. His next charge was Jones's Valley Circuit, for four years.
At the Conference at Tuscaloosa, Ala. in November, 1880, he was appointed, by Bishop Paine, presiding elder on the Birmingham District. In this field he served the Master four years. His next appointment was Decatur District, which he served only about six months, when, in June, 1885, Bishop McTyeire appointed him Financial Agent of the Southern University. In 1886 he was appointed editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, which paper he edited for four years. His next and last appointment in November, 1890, was to the Decatur District as presiding elder. In many things he was a model presiding elder. The expectations of the people were always fully met at 11 o'clock on Sunday. A Quarterly Meeting Conference where William McCoy was presiding elder was always an occasion of interest. As a college agent he was par excellence. He seemed to the manner born. No man ever did so much in so short a time for reviving and building up the Southern University as he did. As editor of a religious journal he made quite a reputation. His labors during the time he edited the Advocate were great and incessant.
In January, 1890, that fearful malady known as la grippe seized upon him, and from that time he never had a well day. The Advocate was given up by him in the fall of 1890, in hope of regaining his lost health; and he was appointed by Bishop Granbery to the Decatur District as presiding elder. Feeling relieved of a great responsibility, his health seemed to improve for awhile, and some of his friends had great hopes of his complete recovery. In April he took his bed, and for nearly four months be lingered, a great sufferer, but never complained. One day a physician said to him: "It seems hard for you to have to suffer so much and so long." But he said: "Stop! For forty-six years I had uninterrupted good health, and shall I now complain? No; I will not." It was my good fortune to be much with my brother, for such he was to me, in his last illness. On being asked, "Do you find the gospel you have preached so long to others real and sufficient in this trying hour?" he said: "Real does not express it; it is everything to me."
He settled all his temporal matters and called to his bedside his wife and children, and gave to each his parting blessing, and said: "Wife, train the children so that, with you, they will meet me in heaven." May the Church help her in this work! Just before the spirit went to God we sung, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," to the chorus "Home, sweet home," and when the chorus was first sung, he pointed his finger up and clapped his hands in holy ecstasy, while a heavenly radiance beamed in his countenance. Just before he breathed his last I told him that he would soon be at rest, and asked him: "Do you still trust the Saviour?" He said: "Yes, he is precious to me." With all his mental faculties unimpaired, at 8 o'clock Friday evening, August 14, 1891, Rev. W. C. McCoy died in great peace, and his spirit joined the triumphant hosts on high.
In June, 1886, the honorary title of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Trustees of Emory College, Oxford, Ga. The North Alabama Conference, at Huntsville in November, 1889, put him at the head of their delegation to the General Conference. The General Conference at St. Louis put him on the Board of Missions. In all these positions of trust he was faithful and true to the interests committed to him. May his name and memory be like ointment poured forth!
He soon left Quantrell and joined the army of Northern Virginia, under Stonewall Jackson. In a short while he was one of Jackson's trusted couriers. Shot and shell never came too thick and fast for him to go to any part of the line with an important message. In a hand to hand contest on Sunday, May 12, 1864, being overpowered, he surrendered himself a prisoner of war. The prisoners were taken at once to Elmira, N. Y. It was here in prison, through a kind providence, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Blount, of Alabama, he was led to "repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
After the surrender of the Confederate forces, Missouri was in such an unsettled state that it was thought best for him not to go back to loved ones at home. So aimlessly the soldier boy wandered in tattered garments, till late one afternoon he sat on the rail road track in North Alabama, in a pensive mood; the tears from his eyes unbidden flowed. Approaching night and hunger drove him from his place of despondency. In the not far distance could be seen smoke curling from an unpretentious hut. Thither the downcast wanderer went and asked for food and lodging for the night. It was here he fell into good hands. It proved to be the house of a local preacher in our Church. That night began an attachment between James Cox and W. C. McCoy that knew no abatement.
On July 25, 1867, he was happily married to Miss Annie E. Vaughn, of Blount County, Ala. To this union were born six children, one of whom, little Gurley, preceded him to the heavenly mansions. On November 27, 1869, he was granted a license to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Marshall Circuit, Tennessee Conference, M. E. Church, South, signed by A. F. Driskill, presiding elder. The next he traveled the Marshall Circuit as a supply under A. F. Driskill. In the fall of 1870 he was admitted on trial at the organization of the North Alabama Conference at Gadsden, Ala. Bishop Paine sent him that year to Sand Mountain Mission. In 1872 he served the Coffeetown Circuit. Among the deacons ordained by Bishop Doggett at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in November, 1872, stood W. C. McCoy. When the appointments were read, his name was announced with the Van Buren Circuit. This charge he served for four years. In the Methodist Church in Huntsville, Ala., in November, 1874, he was ordained elder by Bishop Doggett. His next charge was Jones's Valley Circuit, for four years.
At the Conference at Tuscaloosa, Ala. in November, 1880, he was appointed, by Bishop Paine, presiding elder on the Birmingham District. In this field he served the Master four years. His next appointment was Decatur District, which he served only about six months, when, in June, 1885, Bishop McTyeire appointed him Financial Agent of the Southern University. In 1886 he was appointed editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, which paper he edited for four years. His next and last appointment in November, 1890, was to the Decatur District as presiding elder. In many things he was a model presiding elder. The expectations of the people were always fully met at 11 o'clock on Sunday. A Quarterly Meeting Conference where William McCoy was presiding elder was always an occasion of interest. As a college agent he was par excellence. He seemed to the manner born. No man ever did so much in so short a time for reviving and building up the Southern University as he did. As editor of a religious journal he made quite a reputation. His labors during the time he edited the Advocate were great and incessant.
In January, 1890, that fearful malady known as la grippe seized upon him, and from that time he never had a well day. The Advocate was given up by him in the fall of 1890, in hope of regaining his lost health; and he was appointed by Bishop Granbery to the Decatur District as presiding elder. Feeling relieved of a great responsibility, his health seemed to improve for awhile, and some of his friends had great hopes of his complete recovery. In April he took his bed, and for nearly four months be lingered, a great sufferer, but never complained. One day a physician said to him: "It seems hard for you to have to suffer so much and so long." But he said: "Stop! For forty-six years I had uninterrupted good health, and shall I now complain? No; I will not." It was my good fortune to be much with my brother, for such he was to me, in his last illness. On being asked, "Do you find the gospel you have preached so long to others real and sufficient in this trying hour?" he said: "Real does not express it; it is everything to me."
He settled all his temporal matters and called to his bedside his wife and children, and gave to each his parting blessing, and said: "Wife, train the children so that, with you, they will meet me in heaven." May the Church help her in this work! Just before the spirit went to God we sung, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," to the chorus "Home, sweet home," and when the chorus was first sung, he pointed his finger up and clapped his hands in holy ecstasy, while a heavenly radiance beamed in his countenance. Just before he breathed his last I told him that he would soon be at rest, and asked him: "Do you still trust the Saviour?" He said: "Yes, he is precious to me." With all his mental faculties unimpaired, at 8 o'clock Friday evening, August 14, 1891, Rev. W. C. McCoy died in great peace, and his spirit joined the triumphant hosts on high.
In June, 1886, the honorary title of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Trustees of Emory College, Oxford, Ga. The North Alabama Conference, at Huntsville in November, 1889, put him at the head of their delegation to the General Conference. The General Conference at St. Louis put him on the Board of Missions. In all these positions of trust he was faithful and true to the interests committed to him. May his name and memory be like ointment poured forth!
William Clarke McCoy was born near Granville, Monroe County, Missouri, October 8, 1843. But little is known by this writer of his parents or his early history. His mother was a pious, industrious housewife, with holy and lofty aspirations. It was from her no doubt that William inherited much that afterward developed into true greatness. His early years were passed at home in a rural district. While there was plenty, the educational facilities were quite limited; so much so that when the war broke out between the States he was in his eighteenth year, and had been to school only three months in all his life. He grew up inured to toil, with an ardent, impulsive nature, a strong physical constitution and great courage. So that when the first drum beat for braves to defend their country's cane, it found William McCoy, with intense Southern convictions ready to take up aims in her defense. The first service rendered was under Quantrell's band of partisan rangers. That did not suit him.
He soon left Quantrell and joined the army of Northern Virginia, under Stonewall Jackson. In a short while he was one of Jackson's trusted couriers. Shot and shell never came too thick and fast for him to go to any part of the line with an important message. In a hand to hand contest on Sunday, May 12, 1864, being overpowered, he surrendered himself a prisoner of war. The prisoners were taken at once to Elmira, N. Y. It was here in prison, through a kind providence, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Blount, of Alabama, he was led to "repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
After the surrender of the Confederate forces, Missouri was in such an unsettled state that it was thought best for him not to go back to loved ones at home. So aimlessly the soldier boy wandered in tattered garments, till late one afternoon he sat on the rail road track in North Alabama, in a pensive mood; the tears from his eyes unbidden flowed. Approaching night and hunger drove him from his place of despondency. In the not far distance could be seen smoke curling from an unpretentious hut. Thither the downcast wanderer went and asked for food and lodging for the night. It was here he fell into good hands. It proved to be the house of a local preacher in our Church. That night began an attachment between James Cox and W. C. McCoy that knew no abatement.
On July 25, 1867, he was happily married to Miss Annie E. Vaughn, of Blount County, Ala. To this union were born six children, one of whom, little Gurley, preceded him to the heavenly mansions. On November 27, 1869, he was granted a license to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Marshall Circuit, Tennessee Conference, M. E. Church, South, signed by A. F. Driskill, presiding elder. The next he traveled the Marshall Circuit as a supply under A. F. Driskill. In the fall of 1870 he was admitted on trial at the organization of the North Alabama Conference at Gadsden, Ala. Bishop Paine sent him that year to Sand Mountain Mission. In 1872 he served the Coffeetown Circuit. Among the deacons ordained by Bishop Doggett at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in November, 1872, stood W. C. McCoy. When the appointments were read, his name was announced with the Van Buren Circuit. This charge he served for four years. In the Methodist Church in Huntsville, Ala., in November, 1874, he was ordained elder by Bishop Doggett. His next charge was Jones's Valley Circuit, for four years.
At the Conference at Tuscaloosa, Ala. in November, 1880, he was appointed, by Bishop Paine, presiding elder on the Birmingham District. In this field he served the Master four years. His next appointment was Decatur District, which he served only about six months, when, in June, 1885, Bishop McTyeire appointed him Financial Agent of the Southern University. In 1886 he was appointed editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, which paper he edited for four years. His next and last appointment in November, 1890, was to the Decatur District as presiding elder. In many things he was a model presiding elder. The expectations of the people were always fully met at 11 o'clock on Sunday. A Quarterly Meeting Conference where William McCoy was presiding elder was always an occasion of interest. As a college agent he was par excellence. He seemed to the manner born. No man ever did so much in so short a time for reviving and building up the Southern University as he did. As editor of a religious journal he made quite a reputation. His labors during the time he edited the Advocate were great and incessant.
In January, 1890, that fearful malady known as la grippe seized upon him, and from that time he never had a well day. The Advocate was given up by him in the fall of 1890, in hope of regaining his lost health; and he was appointed by Bishop Granbery to the Decatur District as presiding elder. Feeling relieved of a great responsibility, his health seemed to improve for awhile, and some of his friends had great hopes of his complete recovery. In April he took his bed, and for nearly four months be lingered, a great sufferer, but never complained. One day a physician said to him: "It seems hard for you to have to suffer so much and so long." But he said: "Stop! For forty-six years I had uninterrupted good health, and shall I now complain? No; I will not." It was my good fortune to be much with my brother, for such he was to me, in his last illness. On being asked, "Do you find the gospel you have preached so long to others real and sufficient in this trying hour?" he said: "Real does not express it; it is everything to me."
He settled all his temporal matters and called to his bedside his wife and children, and gave to each his parting blessing, and said: "Wife, train the children so that, with you, they will meet me in heaven." May the Church help her in this work! Just before the spirit went to God we sung, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," to the chorus "Home, sweet home," and when the chorus was first sung, he pointed his finger up and clapped his hands in holy ecstasy, while a heavenly radiance beamed in his countenance. Just before he breathed his last I told him that he would soon be at rest, and asked him: "Do you still trust the Saviour?" He said: "Yes, he is precious to me." With all his mental faculties unimpaired, at 8 o'clock Friday evening, August 14, 1891, Rev. W. C. McCoy died in great peace, and his spirit joined the triumphant hosts on high.
In June, 1886, the honorary title of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Trustees of Emory College, Oxford, Ga. The North Alabama Conference, at Huntsville in November, 1889, put him at the head of their delegation to the General Conference. The General Conference at St. Louis put him on the Board of Missions. In all these positions of trust he was faithful and true to the interests committed to him. May his name and memory be like ointment poured forth!
He soon left Quantrell and joined the army of Northern Virginia, under Stonewall Jackson. In a short while he was one of Jackson's trusted couriers. Shot and shell never came too thick and fast for him to go to any part of the line with an important message. In a hand to hand contest on Sunday, May 12, 1864, being overpowered, he surrendered himself a prisoner of war. The prisoners were taken at once to Elmira, N. Y. It was here in prison, through a kind providence, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Blount, of Alabama, he was led to "repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
After the surrender of the Confederate forces, Missouri was in such an unsettled state that it was thought best for him not to go back to loved ones at home. So aimlessly the soldier boy wandered in tattered garments, till late one afternoon he sat on the rail road track in North Alabama, in a pensive mood; the tears from his eyes unbidden flowed. Approaching night and hunger drove him from his place of despondency. In the not far distance could be seen smoke curling from an unpretentious hut. Thither the downcast wanderer went and asked for food and lodging for the night. It was here he fell into good hands. It proved to be the house of a local preacher in our Church. That night began an attachment between James Cox and W. C. McCoy that knew no abatement.
On July 25, 1867, he was happily married to Miss Annie E. Vaughn, of Blount County, Ala. To this union were born six children, one of whom, little Gurley, preceded him to the heavenly mansions. On November 27, 1869, he was granted a license to preach by the Quarterly Conference of Marshall Circuit, Tennessee Conference, M. E. Church, South, signed by A. F. Driskill, presiding elder. The next he traveled the Marshall Circuit as a supply under A. F. Driskill. In the fall of 1870 he was admitted on trial at the organization of the North Alabama Conference at Gadsden, Ala. Bishop Paine sent him that year to Sand Mountain Mission. In 1872 he served the Coffeetown Circuit. Among the deacons ordained by Bishop Doggett at Tuscaloosa, Ala., in November, 1872, stood W. C. McCoy. When the appointments were read, his name was announced with the Van Buren Circuit. This charge he served for four years. In the Methodist Church in Huntsville, Ala., in November, 1874, he was ordained elder by Bishop Doggett. His next charge was Jones's Valley Circuit, for four years.
At the Conference at Tuscaloosa, Ala. in November, 1880, he was appointed, by Bishop Paine, presiding elder on the Birmingham District. In this field he served the Master four years. His next appointment was Decatur District, which he served only about six months, when, in June, 1885, Bishop McTyeire appointed him Financial Agent of the Southern University. In 1886 he was appointed editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, which paper he edited for four years. His next and last appointment in November, 1890, was to the Decatur District as presiding elder. In many things he was a model presiding elder. The expectations of the people were always fully met at 11 o'clock on Sunday. A Quarterly Meeting Conference where William McCoy was presiding elder was always an occasion of interest. As a college agent he was par excellence. He seemed to the manner born. No man ever did so much in so short a time for reviving and building up the Southern University as he did. As editor of a religious journal he made quite a reputation. His labors during the time he edited the Advocate were great and incessant.
In January, 1890, that fearful malady known as la grippe seized upon him, and from that time he never had a well day. The Advocate was given up by him in the fall of 1890, in hope of regaining his lost health; and he was appointed by Bishop Granbery to the Decatur District as presiding elder. Feeling relieved of a great responsibility, his health seemed to improve for awhile, and some of his friends had great hopes of his complete recovery. In April he took his bed, and for nearly four months be lingered, a great sufferer, but never complained. One day a physician said to him: "It seems hard for you to have to suffer so much and so long." But he said: "Stop! For forty-six years I had uninterrupted good health, and shall I now complain? No; I will not." It was my good fortune to be much with my brother, for such he was to me, in his last illness. On being asked, "Do you find the gospel you have preached so long to others real and sufficient in this trying hour?" he said: "Real does not express it; it is everything to me."
He settled all his temporal matters and called to his bedside his wife and children, and gave to each his parting blessing, and said: "Wife, train the children so that, with you, they will meet me in heaven." May the Church help her in this work! Just before the spirit went to God we sung, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," to the chorus "Home, sweet home," and when the chorus was first sung, he pointed his finger up and clapped his hands in holy ecstasy, while a heavenly radiance beamed in his countenance. Just before he breathed his last I told him that he would soon be at rest, and asked him: "Do you still trust the Saviour?" He said: "Yes, he is precious to me." With all his mental faculties unimpaired, at 8 o'clock Friday evening, August 14, 1891, Rev. W. C. McCoy died in great peace, and his spirit joined the triumphant hosts on high.
In June, 1886, the honorary title of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Trustees of Emory College, Oxford, Ga. The North Alabama Conference, at Huntsville in November, 1889, put him at the head of their delegation to the General Conference. The General Conference at St. Louis put him on the Board of Missions. In all these positions of trust he was faithful and true to the interests committed to him. May his name and memory be like ointment poured forth!
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