A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for William Henry Clay Sandidge
Posted to SANDIDGE mailing list on 19 Feb 2008 by June Watts:
William Henry Clay Sandidge, the subject of this sketch, was born in Green Co., Ky., at Crail Hope, on 27 Nov 1846; a son of Squire John T. Sandidge; made profession of religion under the ministry of Rev. W. M. Kidd at the old Thompson schoolhouse near Crail Hope on 6 Jan 1863 and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Little Barren Church, now Bethel, soon there after. With a view to the ministery he was taken under the care of the Cumberland Presbytery at Good Hope Church, Taylor Co., Ky, 8 Oct 1868. He had attended the schools of his county, but for a more efficient qualification for the christian ministry, to which the Lord seemed calling him he attended college at Lebanon, Tenn., during the years of 1869, `70 and `71, and was licensed to preach by the Renox Church, Cumberland Co., Oct 1870, and was ordained into the ministry at New Union Church (Camp Ground) near Greensburg, Ky., in Apr 1875. Thus began a long and useful ministry ending only when prostrated by sickness from his pulpit, yet continuing on his deathbed, when the writer visited him a short time before his death, and there, though suffering severely, yet he was happy and preaching reciting many of his favorite passages of scripture. His first marriage was to Miss Helen Hudson, of Greensburg, Ky., daughter of Mr. Drury Hudson, a well known lawyer of Greensburg, Ky. This was a happy marriage, but terminated by the death of his young bride the folloiwing Apr. He was afterwoard married to Miss Edmonia McInteer, of Hart Co., 13 May 1880. To this union was born 8 children, 2 of which died in infancy. Those surviving are Mrs. Vellonis Lee Moore, wife of T. C. Moore, of Gresham; Nora W. Moore, wife of J. W. Moore, near Greensburg; Mrs. Olevia H. Terry, wife of H. E. Terry of Armour, Neb; Mrs. Trammie C. Tucker, wife of F. H. Tucker, of Greensburg, and 2 unmarried sons, Dwight and William worthy young men of a noble sire. He has 2 sisters living, Mrs. Ellen Cassady, of Crail Hope and Mrs. Bettie Curry, widow of Alvin W. Curry, of Pierce, widow of Alvin W. Curry, of Pierce, Ky., whose death Bro. Sandidge mourned as an own brother. He was a loving husband, an affectionate and indulgent father and a staunch friend. His long ministry extended for 44 years, was principally in the counties of Green, Adair, Hart, Metcalfe, Cumberland, Russell and Wayne. How many thousands were brought into the Master's Kingdom through his agency of preaching eternity alone can tell, probably to be revealed in the count of the stars in his crown. He served many churches as a pastor, the longest service to any church was with the Union Church, Adair Co., for a period of 29 years, where he enjoyed the love and confidence not only of his church members both of the entire surrounding country, all other denominations joining in love and respect for him. Thinking probably he might effect more good (which was his life's desire) for a while he connected himself with the Methodist Church, but finding that his usefulness would be greater in his former fold he returned to the Cumberland branch, and when the Union was effected between the Cumberland Church and the Old Westminister Presbyterian Church he accepted the Union and became a minister of the latter named Church. He was appointed and accepted the call as pastor of the Greensburg and Ebeneazer Churches in 1908, in which relationship he remained until his death, 3 Dec 1915. His affiction was long and severe, attended all the time by his faithful wife, who was untiring in her labor of love, and by his daughters and sons and other loved ones. Through all he was sustained by the presence and promises of Him whose he was, and his last days were his happiest days, having glimpses of that glory land into which he soon would be ushered. His preaching was always as though born of faith, heartfelt truths, and his prayers as though he saw the Master to whom he was making a personal appeal. At my last meeting with him I started to leave, when he said, "Sit down, I want to talk," and he made a happy talk, and said he felt it, and wanted on this tombstone, "By the grace of God, I am what I am." Knowing him for many years, I have never heard a word of wrong or evil against his fair name, and was asked by a prominent man the day after his death "Have you ever heard a word of evil spoken against him," and we two agree that we never had. I could but think of the words of the Master on the Mount, "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you." and could only conclude Bro. Sandidge was the exception.
His funeral was preached by Brother Crawford of Pikeville, Ky., whom he had asked to render this service some months ago, and in most appropriate remarks the service was rendered in the presence of a crowded house, many of whom came from a distance, and bore silent testimony to the love and respect, in which this man of God was held by the many attending, after which a large concourse of people followed his corpse to the burial place, in Greensburg Cem., in charge of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member, and their chant "Earth to earth, dust to dust, and the spirit to God who gave it," well bespoke the fitful tide of human life.
There we leave him, realizing that earth is richer for his having lived, his life has been an inspiration to thousands of others, and an honor greater than to have been King, Potentate, Pope or President, is that of the obscure W.M. Kidd under whose preaching is recorded that William Henry Clay Sandidge became converted.
"Shall we be missed, though by other succeeded,
Reaping in fruit we in seed time have sown?
No, for the sowers may pass from their labors,
Only remembered by what they have done.
Only the truths that in life we have spoken
Only the seed that on earth we have sown,
These shall pass onward, when we are forgotten,
Fruits of the harvest, and what we have done.
Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling,
Only remembered by what we have done."
Friend and brother.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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