Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

J. U. H. Wharton

Brother Wharton was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on December 25, 1854 In March of 1874 he married Mattie May who died in 1891.

Brother Wharton married Alice Smith of Farmerville, Louisiana in 1892. He had three sons: Dr. J. B. Wharton of El Dorado, J. M. Wharton of Homer (who served as church clerk for many years) and John H. Wharton. Brother Wharton was ordained to preach in 1875 and, even though unable to attend seminary, he attended Mt. Lebanon University and received his doctorate in 1903.

He first served as pastor near Rison, Arkansas for five years, then Caledonia and nearby churches for eight years more. At this time, he relocated to Lake City, Florida for two years as pastor of the Baptist church there. He then moved back to Louisiana and had combined pastorates at Shiloh and Farmerville, First Church Ruston, Monroe, Bastrop and Strong, Baptist and Immanuel of Little Rock and Hillsboro, Arkansas. He organized a Baptist Church in Blanchard Springs, Union county, Arkansas on September 11, 1885 and served as its first pastor.

While in Monroe, he pushed for the building of a new church plant, encouraging the people to "enlarge the tent." The people of Monroe had had problems for years with declining membership and feared the commitment to a building program. During his ministry, however, the church began to grow and continues to be a strong church.

Though he served Monroe First Church only three years, the people so loved him they dedicated a stained glass window to his memory. Brother Wharton is special to Homer First Baptist because he is the only person to have served as pastor three times. He served from 1898 to 1900, from 1905 to 1909 and from 1912 to 1914. He suffered from poor health most of the time he served as pastor, and in fact gave his health and the need to reduce his work load as the reason for resigning from Homer Church. In some instances, he was aided by his brother, A. J. Wharton, of Bremond, Texas.

While serving in Bastrop, his health failed and he moved back to Homer at the urging of his friends. Brother Wharton was a generous man and optimistic by nature. Mrs. Ola Allen, who remembers him, stated he was reserved when with adults but loved to be with children and tease them. He baptized over three thousand people, married over six hundred couples and led many thousands to Christ. He began building programs in Arcadia and Kyle, Texas as well as in Monroe and served as moderator in several associations, preaching the annual Convention sermon in New Orleans in 1910.

He died January 31, 1925 shortly after having preached the first funeral in the present church building. 28

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish | AHGP

Source: Author's Notice: I hereby give permission for the free dissemination of any and all material included within the book and permit any non profit use of that material. Should any agency wish to use the material in a profit context, permission must be secured from the church body of First Baptist Church, Homer, LA 71040.  By Barbara Smith, Homer, Louisiana.