Biographical Sketch of Elder J. J. Wyatt, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** Elder J. J. Wyatt. One of the most worthy citizens that ever made his home in St. Joseph was born in Sinclair County, Illinois, July 13, 1819. On September 22, 1821, his mother died and his father removed to Flem- ing County, Kentucky, where the youth of Mr. Wyatt was spent. He en- joyed good educational advantages and was a diligent student. Forming a taste for the practice of law he entered the office of John Cavan, a leading attorney of the place, and after a thorough preparation was ad- mitted to the bar. He was married March 28, 1844, to Miss Emily M. Gooding. To them twelve children were born, only three of whom are now living. In June, 1845, Elder Wyatt came to St. Joseph and commenced the practice of his profession. He filled the office of Probate Judge and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and during the years 1866 and 1867 he was Postmaster of St. Joseph and in the various positions of trust and honor, which he was called to fill, he discharged his offi- cial duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He identified himself with the Christian Church in November, 1850, and at once commenced preaching the Word of Life. He was called to take pastoral charge of the Christian Church, of which he was the founder. The congregation first held their meetings in a little log church, situated on the hill, where the present stately court house now stands. He continued in charge of the church for a number of years, and only left its pastoral charge at his own request. But in the meantime he had seen the congre- gation increase from a mere handful to a large number, rich in means and influence, and powerful for great good in our midst. During the past twenty one years, Elder Wyatt had charge of Union Church, near Taos, in this county, and for fifteen years he has preached steadily at Bethel. He, at the time of his death also had charge of the con- gregations at Camden Point and Antioch. Elder Wyatt passed an active life, and the best part of his days were spent in the ministry, preach- ing the word of God to mankind to make them better men, and better christians. It was a work in which he took earnest interest, and it was his delight to be at work in the harness, doing the greatest good to the greatest number. The deceased was one of the founders of the college at Camden Point, and at the time of his death was one of the trustees of that institution. He was a man of strong personal attach- ments, and he endeared to him all who knew him. He died suddenly on April 9, 1881. His private life and public record are alike, untarn- ished and the esteem in which he was held by the pastors of the city is expressed in the following resolutions: Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from our midst by death, our beloved brother and co-laborer in the gospel of Christ, Elder J. J. Wyatt; therefore Resolved, by the Pastor's Union of St. Joseph, Missouri, that in the death of brother Wyatt, the cause of Christ has lost one of its brightest ornaments, and most devoted, efficient and worthy ministerial laborers. Second, That as minister we feel that it is due to the departed and a great, though sad privilege to us to give expression, to our very high appreciation of the sterling worth and Christian character of our brother in the ministry and of his efficent labors and influence for good as a minister of the Lord Jesus. Third, Taht in the mature Christian character and exemplary life of Rev. Mr. Wyatt we feel that our holy calling has been honored before God, and the community in which he has so long lived and labored and by whom he was so well and favorably known, and that we will ever cherish his Christian spirit and example, and be encouraged to greater diligence and fidelity in our calling as ministers of God by the memory of his faithful Christian life, and that we will follow him as he foll- owed Christ, till we too, shall join him in the fellowship of the church of the first born above. Fourth, That we tender to the Christian denomination, in which he so long ministered, our fraternal symapthy in their bereavement and great loss, and most devoutly pray that the mantle of our deceased brother may fall upon others of the church who shall imitate him in his superior Christian character and efficiency of labor in the ministry, and for the salvation of souls. Fifth, That we tender to the bereaved wife and family the deep sympathy of our hearts in this time of great sorrow, and pray our kind Heavenly Father to support them in their hour of grief, and bestow upon them, each and all, the rich consolations of that gospel which our bro- ther so long and so faithfully proclaimed to dying men, and in the certain, blessed hope of which he rejoiced through so many years, and the blessed fruitation of which he doubtless realizes now in its com- pleteness, in the presence of the kingdom of God. Sixth, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, and also for insertion in the papers of the city. E. K. Miller James Runcie, Richard S. Campbell, W. R. Seaver, William Harris, E. H. Sherwood, H. 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