The Reverend Bird Kitterman

The subject of this sketch, the Rev. B(u)ird Kitterman, first saw the light of day in Indiana, the10th day of September 1839. When about 25 years of age he was soundly converted, united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and before his term of probation had expired, was an exhorter in the church of his choice. Soon after, he felt he was called to the sacred office of the Christian ministry, and so began preaching. After some time he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and as there was no M. E. Church there, and was ordained by the M.E. Church, South, and was ordained by the Bishop to preach in Louisville conference. After preaching in and around Louisville for about 15 years, he moved to St. Louis, re-united with the M.E. Church, and was sent to the Lutesville charge where he preached five years. From there he was sent to Vichy where he labored in the ministry for five years, thence to Urbana where he preached for four years. At his own request his ministerial labors at Urbana were discontinued, and in the spring of the present year he took charge of the Buffalo Circuit, of which work he remained pastor till his decease. His residence was adjacent to the Shady Grove Church. In the St. Louis Conference he was known as one of the five years men. He was very successful in the work of the ministry, and especially as a revivalist. Not a great while before his death, he informed the writer that during his ministry of thirty years, until the present year, he had never missed an appointment on account of sickness. Surely that is rather a remarkable record for a pastor. During the past summer, he suffered from blood poison in his hand. He had nearly recovered the use of his hand when it was discovered that his foot was diseased. Doubtless the blood poison was still in his system. As a result his foot and leg became seriously afflicted from which he suffered greatly. The fatal disease made such rapid progress that on Sunday, October 16, the affected member was amputated above the knee by Dr. Meyer, who was assisted by two other physicians. It was thought to be the only way of saving his life. In this however, they were mistaken, for on the following Tuesday at 7:00p.m. the sufferer departed the life that now is, and on the following day at 4:00 p.m. his funeral was preached to a full house in the M.E. Church at Urbana by the writer, after which all that was mortal of the Rev. Byrd Kitterman was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery about two miles north-west of Urbana, while the wind was blowing an October gale. By a former marriage he leaves to mourn his loss, five children, four of which reside in St. Louis, and one in Covington, Kentucky. He also leaves a wife and two bright little boys by his living wife to grieve for the husband and father who has crossed seas to the better country, but they sorrow not as those without hope.

While he was undergoing such extreme suffering, this faithful man of God leaned hard on the arm of Him who never left him or forsook him but was with him to the end of the terrible struggle. In Him he found constant support and comfort. The last time we saw him in his conscious recognition of his friends, he reached out his hand and said "Brother, sometime we'll meet in a better world where we will never say good bye." Surely he was a righteous man. It seems all who knew him, so far as we are informed, learned to love him, for they believed in him with all their might. In his conversation and prayers he gave abundant evidence of his complete submission to the will of God, and he was fully prepared for his final departure. Just before his limb was amputated while he was falling asleep under the influence of the anesthetic administered, he was heard to pray. After he regained consciousness he was still praying. A few minutes previous to the surgical operation, he called his devoted wife and his two boys and talked to them and told them to meet him in heaven. When his wife promised to meet him in a better world, he remarked with much feeling, "That is a sealed covenant in heaven." During his illness and in the midst of his physical sufferings, the friends and members of his churches at Shady Grove and Mt. Zion did everything within their power for the stricken minister and his sorrowing family. These good people are entitled to much praise for their helpfulness and their many kindnesses. They stood by him to the end, and are going to keep the warm side of their hearts turned toward his good wife and the boys. The writer would join the many friends of the bereaved ones in the expressions of profoundest sympathy in this their time of sorrow.

FRANK P. RENO