Biography of David B Warren, Greene Co, AR

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Submitted by: Michael Brown
        Date: 5 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas

page 180

Rev. David B. Warren, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, residing four miles south of Gainesville, Ark., was born in Giles County,
Tenn., October 3, 1827, and is the fourth son of John B. and Rachael (Hunt) Warren,
who were born near Petersburg, N. C., the former February 27, 1796, and the latter
November 24, 1797. They were married about the year 1817, and about 1824 removed to
Middle Tennessee, settling in Giles County. He was a farmer, and a part of his life
worked at the blacksmith's trade, but gave up both occupations several years before
his death owing to the failure in his eye-sight, and the last five years of his life
he was entirely blind. He was a worthy, good citizen, and in politics was an old line
Whig. He took no part in the late Civil War, but was a soldier in the War of 1812.
His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They both lived to a
ripe old age; he died February 23, 1884, within only four days of being eighty-eight,
and she died in March, 1885, wanting only a few months of being also eighty-eight. To
them were born nine children, all of whom lived to mature age: Henry J. (who [p.180]
died in 1882), Sarah J. L. (deceased), James A., Joseph A., David B., Mary F., Louisa
E., Elmina M. (deceased) and William W. Rev. David B. Warren received a very meager
education in the old field schools of that day, but after he attained the age of
twenty-two attended better schools away from home. In 1850 he taught his first
session of three months, being employed by three of his neighbors for $25 (which was
only $8 1/3 per month). But this small beginning was sufficient to demonstrate his
worth as a teacher, and for more than twenty years—six in Tennessee, and more than
fourteen in Arkansas—his labors were crowned with great success, and many of the most
useful and influential men and women in the communities where he taught in both
States were his pupils in their youth, and received instruction at his hands. In 1854
he made a profession of religion, and two years later was licensed to preach, and has
been a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, ever since. In 1870
and 1871 he was in charge of the Greensboro circuit as a supply. He has been
instrumental in doing much good, both as a teacher and a preacher, and has performed
more marriage ceremonies and preached more funeral sermons than almost any other
preacher in Northeast Arkansas. In 1882 he was a lay delegate from the White River
conference to the General conference of the Southern Methodist Church, which met in
Nashville, Tenn., and faithfully represented his constituents in that highest and
only legislative body of the church. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Marvin, in
1867, and an elder by Bishop Kavanaugh, in 1877, and worthily honors the church in
the faithful discharge of the duties of these important offices. He was married March
4, 1855, to Miss Lucy J. Ford, who was born in Giles County, Tenn., March 26, 1834,
where she grew to maturity and was married. Five of the eight children born to them
are still living: Alice, wife of J. W. Newberry; Ezra, married and living near the
old home place; Ida, wife of G. W. Walden, also residing near the home place; Osmer,
who died November 11, 1883, aged twenty-one years; Mackey, who died February 11,
1882, aged eighteen years; Clara, who died December 2, 1871, aged five years; Minnie
and Albert, who still remain under the parental roof. Mr. Warren has a splendid
little farm of about 100 acres in cultivation, and a neat, comfortable home, and is
much beloved and highly respected for his sterling integrity as a citizen and as a
Christian gentleman. He is a distinguished member of the Masonic fraternity, and has
served in several important positions in a local sphere, and is now (1889) serving
his second year as grand lecturer of the State. He takes a lively interest in the
work and lectures of this ancient and honorable institution, and travels extensively
in the discharge of the duties of his high office. He is also an uncompromising
advocate of temperance, and is opposed to the liquor traffic in all its forms,
believing it to be the greatest enemy to the prosperity and happiness of the people.
In November, 1872, he was elected clerk of his county, to which position he was re-
elected for ten years in succession, and served his people with fidelity and marked
ability, performing the intricate and complicated duties of the office with
satisfaction to the people, and in 1882 he voluntarily retired to private life,
followed by the good wishes and benedictions of all the people, and has well earned
their universal plaudit, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”