This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mwrankins2006 Surnames: Roach Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.greene/9735.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The following is taken from pages 279 & 280 of Goodspeed brothers 1884 "History of Greene & Sullivan Counties..." " THE-OLD-TIME PREACHERS. John O'Neal was a Quaker, and preached many of the early sermons in the township, He was a man of strong personal magnetism, and possessed a rude eloquence which found its way to the hearts of hundreds of his neighbors. The Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, the founder of a religion which has become strong in the land in more meanings than one, and which is yet destined to cause serious trouble in the affairs of the nation, was one of the early preachers of Cass Township. He endeavored to secure proselytes to his faith, but so far as known did not succeed in Cass Township. One wife was enough. The people, though rude, ignorant and impulsive, could not accept Joseph Smith as the Prophet of God or his Bible as the work of divine inspiration. So the famous or infamous Joe sought other and greener pastures. He is said to have been a speaker of unusual power and persuasion. Joe Wilson was another early minister; so was William Plusky, and Ephraim Hall, and John Lynn, and John Wilson, and William Roach, the latter being a resident of Daviess County and a man of gigantic stature and stentorian voice. He was well advanced in years, and is said to have been six feet and seven inches high, and big and heavy in proportion. His voice was like a deep-toned steamboat whistle, and could often be heard at camp meetings two miles away. He wore number fourteen boots, which were prepared expressly for him, at Louisville, KY., but these were really too small for him, and he was forced to wear moccasins made, it is said, by himself. The extraordinary size of his feet, however, did not affect the vigor or pathos of his sermons." Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.