Person:Richard Lyon (8)

History of Middle Tennessee Baptists. Biographies of Deceased Ministers John Harvey Grime, 1902 University of Michigan libraries page 189

ELDER RICHARD LYON.

    This servant of the Lord first saw the light of day February 12 1809. As to his early life, we know little, except that he gave his heart to God while young and united with the Baptist Church, most probably, at old Cedar Creek, near Big Spring. When Athens Church was constituted in 1843, he cast his lot with them and soon entered the ministry. He was ordained by Athens Church November 2 1846 by a Presbytery consisting of Elders E.W. Haile, Jesse Johnson and Louis Dies. He had a fine natural mind, yet uneducated-not what the world would call great, yet efficient in the Master’s work. He was pastor of Athens, his home church, seven years, and Macedonia three years. Besides these, he had calls at other points and did a great deal of preaching in various sections; for instance, Cedar Grove, Cedar Creek (near Big Spring), Short Mountain, etc. He was married to Miss Anna Swan, by whom he had six children, some of whom still linger on the confines of life. He was heavy of build and capable of much physical endurance, and his strength was well used in the service of Him whom he loved. He was a great revivalist and his services in this line were in demand far and near. 

He fell on sleep September 15, 1883, and was laid to rest in the old family graveyard, near the Cumberland River, in the northern part of Wilson County, Tennessee. He still lives in the hearts of the people about old Athens Church. Blessed memory. [5]

Cedar Grove Church. This old church is situated five miles north of Lebanon, near the Hunter’s Point Pike, Wilson County, Tennessee. The church was constituted May 15, 1813, by Elders Josiah Rucks, John Wiseman, John Jones and Thomas Durham. The records fail to give further information concerning the origin of this church. But from the names which make up the above Presbytery we feel almost warranted in saying that this church was an offspring of old Spring Creek Baptist Church and was brought up under the fostering care of Elder John Jones. Pastors Elder Elijah Maddox, 1815-41; Elder E.W. Haile, 1841-45; Elder William Barton, 1845-50; Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 1850-52; Elder D.W Lee, 1852-54; Elder Richard Lyon 1854-58; Elder John Johnson, 1858-60; Elder John S. Rice, 1860-70; Elder Richard Lyon 1870-73; Elder John S. Rice, 1873-81; Elder T.B. Chapman, 1881- 82; Elder G.A. Ogle, 1882-84; Elder J.H. Vickers,1884-87; Elder Z.A. Lyon 1887-88; Elder J.R. Hearn, 1888-89; Elder J.T. Oakley, 1889-90; Elder L.N. Brock, 1890-91; Elder J.H. Grime, 1891; Elder W.J. Couch, 1891-92; J.F. McNabb, 1892-93; Elder J.J. Carr, 1893, and is still serving as Pastor. Clerks: We are not informed as to who acted as clerk prior to 1832; James Arrington, 1832-44; William H.A Jackson, 1844-46; Isaac Hunter, 1846- [6]

1.   1860 U.S. Census Wilson Tenn.

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