Biographical Review of Hancock County, Illinois, page 97
S. E. Harnest
S.E. Harnest, a retired farmer living in Cartridge, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, on March 8, 1835. His parents were John and Anna Spitler Harnest. The former was born on September 20, 1797, and the latter was born on October 3, 1809, their birthplace being Upshur County, Virginia.
The paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, valiantly aiding in the struggle for independence. The ancestral history of the family was one of which the descendants have every reason to be proud, for the men have displayed activity and honor in business and fidelity in all lives relations. At the same time, the women have been marked by their true womanly traits of character, which command the highest respect.
The paternal grandparent, John, and Anna Harnest, were charter members of the Myrtle Tree Baptist Church in Champaign County, Ohio. Elder William Fuson organized this church on April 24, 1830, the first being held on the first Sunday in April 1830. It is estimated that 1000 people were in attendance on this occasion every section of the county is represented.
The name of the church was chosen because of the following circumstances: a short time before the organization, the wife of Elder Fusion had a dream that she had read the first chapter on Zachariah before retiring for the night and meditating on the beauty of the myrtle tree and in her dream she saw the tree in the lovely valley be holding it in all its glory.
The dream so impressed her that at her request, the church was called the Myrtle Tree Church. Its original members were George Pine, Bryant Moody, John Harnest, James Pine, William Fuson, Phoebe Moody, Ann Harnest, Sarah Pine, Sarah Pine, Sr., Deidamia Fuson, Lucy Comer, and Elizabeth Whitmore. All of the above have entered the church triumphant.
Eight of the members received their letters of dismissal from The Symmes Creek Baptist Church in Lawrence County, Ohio, in order to attend the newly organized Myrtle Tree Church, while the remaining five had formerly been members of the Nettle Creek Church.
John Harnest, the grandfather of S. E. Harnest, was the first baptismal candidate. He had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War in connection with the Father of Elder Fusion. He was the first person buried in the cemetery of the new church, his death occurring on September 10, 1830.
John Harnest, Jr. was elected clerk, and John Harnest, Sr., was the church’s Deacon. A house of worship was erected shortly after the church’s organization on land purchased by Samuel Kite, the consideration for the property being a calico dress for Mrs. Kite. Elder Fusion remained the pastor until September 25, 1841, when old age compelled him to resign.
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