Prominent among "Senior Soldiers," noted for their loyalty and stalwart character, is Rev. J. B. Hadlock. His example during our late ecclesiastical warfare, is worthy and impressive. His name is on record in the minutes of the general assembly, Fresno, California, as signing the famous "Sixteen Articles," in opposition to "Organic Union," with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. His faith in the righteousness of the cause he espoused by that signature, has grown stronger as years have passed by, and conscientious opinions have ripened into facts.
He was born in Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, June 1st, 1844. Professed religion November 14, 1867, and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was received by Morgan Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry March 28, 1868, licensed to preach September 12, 1871, and ordained to the whole work of the gospel ministry April 15, 1873. In October following he accepted a call to a group of churches composed of Owensville, Cynthiana, Pleasant Grove and Mt. Pleasant. Finding the work more than one man could do satisfactorily the Presbytery at his request divided the group, putting Owensville with Bethel church. For the purpose of being more centrally located, he moved his family to Cynthiana. After nine years of service in this field, he resigned, and was succeeded by the late Rev. J. L. Riley. As he left this pastorate, he was encouraged with the assurance that his "labor" was "Not vain in the Lord." The churches had all been strengthened, and he is the only minister of the Indiana Synod that ever put the church paper in every home of his people. This was done when the price of the paper was $2 per year. He says, "For 25c I will tell any one else how to do it." (Let all pastors apply for this valuable information.)
Brother Hadlock was in the active work of the ministry thirty-seven years. His text books on Theology were the Bible and the Confession of Faith of his church--"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord; is laid for your faith in his excellent Word." "Upon this rock will I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"--It was in the profound study of God's word, guided by the Holy Spirit, that the distinctive doctrines of our Confession of Faith were formulated. Brother Hadlock realized this, and no persuasion, persecution, or temptation could cause him to desert its standard. On the way to Fresno Assembly he said to a brother minister, "I'd rather go back home a corpse than fail to do my duty at this General Assembly."
In conclusion of the data for this biographical sketch he says, "But whatever of success I have had in the ministry, I am indebted to my wife for much of it, who was under all conditions faithful and helpful." And now they are spending the eventide of life pleasantly located in a good home, at Petersburg, Indiana, where all Cumberland Presbyterians are WELCOME.
We are waiting, only waiting,
Till this earthly life is o'er'
Only waiting for a welcome,
From our Saviour on the other shore.
[Source: Our Senior Soldiers, The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully [sic: Gratefully] Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 299-301]
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1922, page 272]