It is with feelings of sadness that I announce the death of our dear brothr W. J. Vineyard. He departed this life at his residence in Phillips county, Arkansas, at 6 A.M., Nov. 6, 1880, of malaria hematuria. Was confined to his bed but a short time--taken sick on Thursday and died on Saturday. Was buried at Spring Creek, on Sabbath, a large and weeping concourse attending his remains to their last resting place. A good man, a true Christian, a faithful minister, a devoted husband, and a kind father has gone. He rests from his labors, but his works will follow him. No man was more abundant in labors than he. I have often thought that he could do more work than any man I ever saw. Brother Vineyard was true to his calling. The cause of the Master was ever dear to his heart. He loved to preach the gospel--it delighted his soul to point men to Christ. He was no ordinary preacher; with a mind well stowed with scientific and Bible knowledge, with a warm, loving heart, he was a power in the pulpit. His sermons were always interesting and edifying. Brother Vineyard loved his Church, labored for her interests, prayed for her success, and contributed his means to her different enterprises. I don't think I ever knew a minister who gave more liberally. I could write much in regard to this good man, but I forbear, hoping that some one more competent will write of his life and labors. I loved him tenderly, and feel that I must pay this tribute to his memory. He will be greatly missed in our Presbytery, of which he had been a member for many years. I do not see how we can get along without him.
We have only four preachers now in the Helena Presbytery, and one of them unfit for active duty. Groves and Vineyard--the standard bearers for so many years--both gone from the Presbytery. The former to another field of labor (Texas), the latter to his reward in heaven.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 25, 1880]
REV. W. J. VINEYARD was fifty-five years, one month, and 1 week old. He was born in Coweta county, Ga.; lived there till he was about fifteen years old, when he father emigrated to Lafayette county, Miss., where he received his education, graduating at the University of Mississippi, at Oxford, in 1854. From there he went to the western part of Arkansas; preached as circuit rider until December 1856. Feb. 24, 1857, he married Miss Phebe Anderson in Dangerfield, Texas, they having become acquainted at Oxford, Miss. They came immediately to Helena, Ark., where he was pastor of the church two years, and taught school at the same time. In January, 1859, he moved out in the county, and in the latter part of that year secured a home. Of his labors since then, in Phillips and Monroe counties, no man knoweth, only the Father. He preached all during the war except two months, at the first invasion of the country. He and his horse swam the unbridged streams; he went throught he pathless woods to break the bread of life to the people in old, uninhabited cabins in the woods with pickets to warm of the approach of the enemy. There was no other Cumberland Presbyterian minister in this county during the war. There are gray headed men and women in this country who found Christ in those hidden meetings, and they love brother Vineyard. Since the war his labors for the Church went on as usual. Leaving home Friday or Saturday, according to the distance he had to go, and getting home Monday or Tuesday night. The distances to his appointments were from ten to thirty-five miles. Youcan see something of the amount of time he spent regularly in the cause, exclusive of the protracated meetings, presbyteries, etc. He over-exerted himself holding a meeting without help six years ago last summer, and has never been as strong since, but did not get down and have any bad attacks; but this sickly summer was too much for him. He passed away as quietly as an infant going to sleep. In his slight intervals of consciousness, he arranged his business, and left his family in the hands of the Lord.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 9, 1880, page 1]