William Kimbrough Pendleton
1817-1899

     WILLIAM KIMBROUGH PENDLETON was born in Louisa County, Virginia, September 8, 1817. He is of English descent, and his ancestors, both paternal and maternal, have, from the earliest history of this country, occupied distinguished positions in the state and the church. His mother was brought up under Episcopal influence, but his father, Colonel EMUND PENDLETON, was not a member of any church until WILLIAM was about sixteen years of age, when he became a reader of the "Christian Baptist" and "Millennial Harbinger," and, after a full and free investigation of the plea presented by the advocates of primitive Christianity, he determined to be immersed "for the remission of sins." He soon became an active and earnest worker in the cause of Christ, and, through his influence, a church was established in his neighborhood, which was the first Disciples' church in that part of Virginia, and was the nucleus of the Mount Gilboa Church, which afterward became celebrated for being the germ from which sprung many other congregations. The "peculiar doctrines" which the father advocated met with very determined opposition from the various religious sects of the neighborhood. Hence, every position of the new movement was subjected to the severest investigation; and, as his father's house was the center of most of these discussions, WILLIAM had, thus early, every opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with the principles of the Reformation.

     From his earliest boyhood his education was carefully provided for. After attending, for several years, the best schools in that part of the State, he entered the University of Virginia , where, besides the academical course, he studied the law two years, and was licensed to practice. During most o f this time he had been a regular reader of the "Christian Baptist" and "Millennial Harbinger," and a constant and earnest student of the Word of God. He also acted as amanuensis for his father in conducting some epistolary discussions with a Baptist preacher and others; heard Elder S. HIGGASON and JAMES BAGLEY preach for years, besides hearing occasionally many of the most distinguished preachers among the Disciples; was constantly in company with Disciples at his father's house; and, above all, and before all, was carefully trained from his infancy by a pious mother--"a woman possessing the gentleness and mildness of a child, combined with the firmness and courage of a Spartan mother--extremely modest and unobtrusive, yet, when drawn into conversation, showing great depth of thought and clearness of perception, and a mind well stored with information." Such was the character of the religious influences brought to bear upon him, and, under these, having come to a full understanding of his duty, he was, in June, 1840, immersed by ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, at the Mount Gilboa Church, Louisa County, Virginia, being, at the time, in the twenty-third year of his age. In the fall of 1840, he was married to LAVINIA M., daughter of ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, a lady of brilliant intellect and beautiful Christian character, who died in the spring of 1846.

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