REV. JESSE A. WAILES

This worthy son of old Bacon Chapel neighborhood was born on his father’s farm, one and one-fourth mile east of the church, in 1863. He is the son of John W. and Mary P. Wailes and a grandson of John B. Lewis of whom we wrote in the beginning of these articles.

Jesse grew to manhood on the farm, assisting his father in such work as was necessary to manage the farm and support the family. Very early in life, a gift for memorizing, and delivering addresses before the public, was manifested. This gift was first noticed in him in the Sunday school concerts, when, being so small, he was placed on a stand table, that he could be seen by all in the house while he spoke his piece. This is the boy we mentioned in one of our articles, as having made the speech in Shelbyville at one of the annual Sunday school gatherings, that captured the prize and gave Bacon Chapel Sunday school the honor of being the banner Sunday school of Shelby County.

Jesse’s father being a man of moderate means and needing his help on the farm he was deprived of the privilege of attending any school, except the common district school, the school house being on the south corner of his father’s land and known as the Gurdane school. Being a close observer and student he learned something of everything he came in contact with. Having a talent for music, by close study by the time he was grown he was able to teach both vocal and instrumental music which he did for sometime. He made a profession of religion when nine years of age and joined the M.E.C.S. At the age of twenty-one years he was licensed to preach, and the same year was admitted on trial in the Missouri Conference and began his four years course of study. He was ordained deacon by Bishop McTyerie at St. Joseph in 1886. He completed his course of study, and was ordained elder by Bishop Hendrix at Gallatin, Mo., in 1888. Rev. Wailes has, since he entered the ministry, filled the following important stations: Warrenton and Wright City, one year, Monticello four years, Clarence two years, Albany one year, Savannah three years, presiding elder of the St. Charles district four years, Monroe City two years, and is now on his first year in Shelbina.

Besides the above named work, and while filling some of these stations, he was agent for Macon District High School and afterwards agent for the Northwest Missouri College. He has been a close student all of his life and is far above the average preacher of his age, in point of education. He has a combination of natural gifts, equaled by few men of his generation, and by industry, zeal and a determination to succeed in whatever he undertook, the above honors have come to him unsought. He has filled every position in the gift of the church from the lowest field of a Methodist preacher to the highest work assigned them; and so faithfully has he performed his duties that all of the interests of the M.E.C.S. have been strengthened and advanced, and hundreds of souls have been saved from sin and endless death through his ministry. Few men, if any, of his age, have arisen to his present position in the Missouri conference.

Rev. Wailes is a man adapted to the age in which he lives; he points out and condemns sin in high places, as well as among the more humble walks of life, and in so doing he sometimes incurs the displeasure of the wicked and lovers of so called high society; but all Christians, the moral, the educated and refined in all the walks of life respect and honor him. He is brave, courageous and undaunted. Threats, when he things he is in the line of duty, do not deter him.

We know whereof we speak, for we have seen him tested as few men of his age have been. He has few equals socially. He is fond of and indulges in the innocent and helpful amusements of life. He is loved y the old for his many virtues and noble character and respected and honored by the young.

In 1865 he married Miss Hattie J. McRoberts of St. Charles County, who has been a faithful and devoted companion, performing the duties of wife and mother with patience and Christian love, becoming a true helpmate. Her health has become impaired, till she is a great sufferer and has been seeking restoration this winter in the Sunny South. We suggest that those who read these lines bow their heads in solemn petition to Him who doeth all things well, that if consistent with His will that the means being used be blessed to the restoration of her health, and that she be spared many years to cheer and comfort him who is giving his life to the winning of souls to Christ.

Rev. Wailes is a Bacon Chapel boy who we all honor and respect as a neighbor boy, a preacher of ability and power, a Master Mason worthy of the name, and a man worthy of the esteem of all good people.

REV. JESSE A. WAILES

J. H. Pollard