ABNER, DAVID, JR. ,

PROFESSOR DAVID ABNER JR.

A Rising Young Professor in Bishop College, Texas—Editor—Lecturer.

DAVID ABNER, JR., was born November 25, 1860, in Upshur county, Texas. He is the son of Hon. David Abner, sr., and Louisa Abner. There has always been something peculiar yet pleasing about the life of this young man. When quite young he exhibited a great natural gift, and it was at once seen what this, properly cultivated, would amount to. His parents sought early to give him a good training. In 1870 they moved to Marshall, Texas, where they now live. After sending him to the best schools around there, Wiley University included, they sent him to Straight University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Here he began his course in classics. He not only stood high in his branches of study, but exerted a noble influence on the school. This institution burned while he was in attendance, and he served nobly during the fire, gathering and throwing valuables from the rooms. The faculty and people highly commended him for his bravery and invaluable service. He returned in 1877. Having attended the same institution one session, he was sent to Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained three successive sessions, prosecuting the higher branches with much ease. He had power to grasp and here he showed it, and was pronounced a successful student. Specimen work of his composition in Greek was put on exhibition in the Nashville Exposition. He returned home in 1881. At this time the Baptist Home Mission Society of New York had established at Marshall a grand institution known as Bishop College. He immediately connected himself with this, and in 1884 graduated from the classical course with high honors. The evening of his graduation, his father, who had filled many positions of honor for both county and State, presented him a gold-headed cane as a token of respect for his obedience and faithfulness at home and in the classroom of four institutions. He has the honor of being the first thorough colored graduate of an institution of his native State, and was an assistant teacher every year except one until he graduated; yet this by no means impeded successful work in the classroom.

He is a strong believer of the Baptist faith and doctrine. His connection with Bishop College had become of such an intimate character, and his power to instruct so effectual, that the Baptist Home Mission Society of New York made him one of its professors the year he completed his course, which position he yet fills. The Texas and Louisiana Association, composing a membership of sixteen thousand, chose him moderator over that body in 1883, which position he still holds. That same year he was chosen by his State at the capital seat and served as delegate to represent it in the National convention of colored men, which convened in Louisville, Kentucky, September, 1883. The Baptist State Convention of Texas, representing a membership of seventy thousand in 1884, chose him corresponding secretary ; in this position he has been serving every year since. In the meanwhile he edited a paper in the interest of that body, then known as the Baptist Journal, now Baptist Pilot, previously conducted by Rev. A. R. Griggs, a heart-knitted friend of his. For three years he has been serving as district master of one of the strongest fraternities in the State. He travels every summer, delivering lectures, and ably presents the claims of the great institution in which he is engaged, and the work generally of both the Baptist Home Mission Society and the State convention. He speaks with command and ease, and seldom if ever leaves an assembly unmoved. He takes hold of nothing without thought, and when he does take hold success ever attends his efforts. Though honored as he is for actual deeds done, he is wholly unselfish and without the least spirit of boastfulness. It is a saying, "That this is why he takes with others and others take to him."

Few young men are rising to true eminence faster. His ruture is a great one. He often contributes to some of the leading colored papers of the State, and thoroughly handles his subjects. He is not only strong in mental but also in financial resources. His estimated worth is about nine thousand dollars. It is earnestly hoped that this life, which has made such a marked beginning in the interest of humanity and God, will be so preserved that it will continue to do all that it is capable of doing.

 Sketch from Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive and Rising By William J. Simmons, Henry McNeal Turner