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Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons

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Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons

Birth	:	7 Nov 1844 Warren County, Tennessee, USA
Death	:	4 May 1895 Birdell, Randolph County, Arkansas, USA
Burial	:	Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.2804604, -73.2017136
Description	:	John M. and Barbara Lemmons had seven sons and two daughters. Barbara died after the birth of their last child, Margaret (b. 1859/60), and by 1880 John , had married Mary Smith. This union resulted in no children. A. J. (Josephus), John and Barbara's fourth son, and gospel preacher extra-ordinaire, was born November 4, 1843, in Warren County, Tennessee, and came to Arkansas with his parents about 1851. Josephus grew to manhood in Randolph County during the trying years before the Civil War. His family, despite being totally Southern, opposed slavery. When the Civil War reached Arkansas, eighteen year old... Read More	John M. and Barbara Lemmons had seven sons and two daughters. Barbara died after the birth of their last child, Margaret (b. 1859/60), and by 1880 John , had married Mary Smith. This union resulted in no children. A. J. (Josephus), John and Barbara's fourth son, and gospel preacher extra-ordinaire, was born November 4, 1843, in Warren County, Tennessee, and came to Arkansas with his parents about 1851. Josephus grew to manhood in Randolph County during the trying years before the Civil War. His family, despite being totally Southern, opposed slavery. When the Civil War reached Arkansas, eighteen year old Josephus felt it was his responsibility to enlist in the Union Army and fight the Rebels at Pea Ridge. The father of this spirited young man took Josephus and his family and moved to Illinois. They immediately set out to establish a New Testament church at Gum Springs, Johnson County, in 1863, four miles west of Vienna. Josephus is specifically listed along with his father as the founder of this congregation. They returned to Randolph County, Arkansas, in 1865. It is possible that Josephus married while he lived in Illinois. Records indicate that he was married first to a Marilda Elizabeth Hendrix and then to a Mutara A. T. Hendrix. Evidence seems to suggest that Josephus had a child by one of these wives. His third wife, Melinda V. Lemmons! died June 16, 1868, and she bore no children. Tennessee Lemmons, whom he married about 1869, died January 10, 1873. She was twenty-five at the time of her death and had given birth to two sons, ages 2 and 4 at the time of her death. Thirty year old Josephus married his fifth wife. Mary Melinda Shelton (age 19), on January 30, 1874.2 Before she died (in 1889), she bore nine children.3 His last wife was the widow of M. J. Wilks. No children were born to this union. Widow Wilks had a daughter, Susan, who married W. F. Lemmons. One month after the death of Melinda, A.J. (Josephus) was "called and set apart as an evangelist" by the Church of Christ at Hubble Creek.4 Perhaps death, which young A.J. knew so well (and would come to know again) may have been a motivating factor in his decision to preach. His license reads: Amos J. Lemmons License to Preach To the congregations or Churches in Christ-Jesus Greeting: This is to cenify thai our beloved brother Amos J. Lemmons having faithfully proved his ability in the proclamation of our Lord's Gospel has this day been called and set apart by the Church of Christ at Hubble Creek in Randolph County Arkansas as an evangelist with full power and authon"ty to do and peifonn all that the Gospel and the laws of the land may guarantee unto him as such, and we hereby heartily commend him to all the brethren in Christ Jesus wherever his lot may be cast in the wisdom of Providence. This July 18, 1868. Eld. John M. Lemmons, Cullin Pyland, L. D. Cartwright, Samuel J. Donnell, S. M. Huffstedler Filed for record Jan. 15th 1869. E. Rockwell Clerk and Recorder by Jos. I. Dinker D.C. The newly licensed evangelist immediately began a protracted meeting at the Surrounded Hill Church in Jackson County just across White River from Newport. Among his converts was Elizabeth Jane Kelley Mason, young wife of J. C. Mason (1845-1934), a pioneer preacher (converted by B.B. Tyler at Litchfield, Illinois) who came to White County, Arkansas, in October, 1867, from Illinois. She and other converts were immersed by Lemmons in the White River. 1 Josephus' path was cut and he became a recognized and effective preacher in Arkansas and Missouri during the next quarter of a century. Lemmons helped establish and preached for many congregations in Randolph County. Lawrence Dalton included A. Josephus Lemmons in a list of Randolph County preachers who "left their footprints on the sands of time. "2 Josephus and his father were present at the cooperation meeting hosted by the Surrounded Hill Church in Jackson County in September, 1871. J. M. Lemmons chaired the meeting. Thirteen congregations from four counties representing a membership of above five hundred reported.3 W. A. Schultz attributed much of the growth of the church in north Arkansas to Josephus Lemmons.4 A great light was put out when he died unexpectedly in 1895. He was only fifty-one years old. His body was laid to rest next to his family in the Lemmons Cemetery. Even though his tongue had been silenced, two of his sons, Amos M. and B. Monroe, a brother, several grandsons and great-grandsons, and nephews became powerful and popular preachers. Footnotes: Nuckels. Nathaniel S. Haynes, History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois (Cincinnati: The Standard Pub. Co., 1915), p. 2. Some family members say Josephus had twelve children. See: Nuckels, p. 4. Reuel Lemmons, another family member, in a lener to John Logan Morgan of Newport, said Josephus had seven children, Aug. II, 1977. S. F.D., "Obituaries," The Gospel Advocate (Feb. 6, 1873):141. Ibid. Marriage Reord D, p. 233, Lawrence County, Arkansas. Nuckels, p. 4. Randolph County Book 2. p. 321. C. Mason, Arkansas Christian (January 1925):1, 3. Mason's daughter, Bertha Mason Fuller (wife of Arkansas preacher J. H. Fuller), wrote a history of the Christian Churches in Arkansas but before she could get it published her home burned on April 5, 1959, and destroyed most of the contents including the valuable manuscript. (See: Lester McAllister, Arkansas Disciples: A History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arkansas (1984), p. 210. History, pp. 122, 125. J. C. Mason, "Arkansas Cooperation," Christian Standard (Nov. 4, 1871):351. Other preaching brethren present were G. B. Croft of Green County, W. R. Hodge, E. Brown and W. R. Castlebery. W. A. Schultz, "The Growth of the Church in Arkansas," Gospel Advocate (July 2, 1914):732. --Arkansas Christians by Michael L. Wilson. Son of John M. and Barbara B. Lemmons. Married 1st: Marilda Elizabeth Hendrix, married 13 MAR 1867 in Randolph Co., AR; 2nd: Mutara A. T. Hendrix, married 2 FEB 1869 in Randolph Co., AR; 3rd: Mary M. Shelton.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons's memorial?
Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons's memorial is located at: Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA.
When did Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons death?
Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons death on 4 May 1895 in Birdell, Randolph County, Arkansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Amos Josephus “A. J.” Lemmons's memorial?
Latitude: 41.2804604
Longitude: -73.2017136

Family Members:

Parent

John Mannon Lemmons Sr.

(1816 - 1898)

Spouse

Mary Malenda Shelton Lemmons

(1854 - 1890)

Siblings

Richard Mannon Lemmons

(1843 - 1915)

Margaret E. Lemmons Hufstedler

(1859 - 1928)

Children

Albert Jerome Lemmons

(1871 - 1971)

Oscar Addison Lemmons

(1875 - 1924)

Dora Ann Lemmons Perrin

(1880 - 1971)

John Franklin Emmerson “Frank” Lemmons

(1885 - 1918)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2804604, -73.2017136

2. Daniels Farm Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2872009, -73.2086029

3. Riverside Cemetery
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2486000, -73.1986008

4. Gregorys Four Corners Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2935600, -73.2416763

5. Long Hill Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2491989, -73.2182999

6. Trumbull Center Cemetery
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2449989, -73.1947021

7. Cutlers Farm Cemetery
Monroe, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3156013, -73.2264023

8. B'nai Israel Cemetery
Monroe, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3202400, -73.2051468

9. Saint John's Cemetery
Monroe, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3223000, -73.2051773

10. Saint Paul Cemetery
Shelton, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2947190, -73.1463800

11. Old Cemetery of Huntington
Huntington, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2941017, -73.1458511

12. Tashua Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2868996, -73.2600021

13. Huntington Lawn Cemetery West
Huntington, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2942009, -73.1436005

14. Huntington Lawn Cemetery East
Huntington, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2933050, -73.1409250

15. Huntington Lawn Cemetery South
Huntington, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2874210, -73.1388740

16. Nichols Farm Burial Ground West Yard
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2410500, -73.1648000

17. Unity Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2364006, -73.1753006

18. Mountain Grove Cemetery
Easton, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2419650, -73.2413060

19. Nichols United Methodist Church Memorial Garden
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2424970, -73.1605450

20. Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Gardens
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2407870, -73.1616710

21. Nichols Farm Burial Ground
Trumbull, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2430992, -73.1578903

22. Monroe Center Cemetery
Monroe, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3321991, -73.1919022

23. Stepney Cemetery
Monroe, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3224983, -73.2632980

24. Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Cemetery
Stratford, Fairfield County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2285995, -73.1513977