The subject of this sketch was born in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, December 9, 1825. His parents were William and Catherine Eichbaum. William A. Eichbaum (1787-1873) came to this country from Dublin, Ireland as a very young lad around the turn of the 19th century. As a young man he came to Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee as a saddler by trade. Not long after his arrival he began a bookselling business. According the book, "Old Nashville Families," W.A. Eichbaum built the first brick house on Vine Street in Nashville. He married Catherine M. Stearns (1798-1861) of Massechusetts, a teacher in the Nashville Female Academy, on January 6, 1825 as recording in the Tennessee State Marriage Book. John was the oldest of three children. His sister Mary was born in 1828. Then, his brother William, was born in 1830. John's father was a leader in the city of Nashville. Besides being the chief book and stationer in the city, he had a great admiration for history and the preservation of it. In 1849, he was one of the founding fathers of the Nashville Historical Society. He was listed as filling the office of treasurer for the first ten years of its existence, (1849-1859). He was a lover of architecture. The Nashville Public Library Archives holds a scrapbook that was made by W.A. Eichbaum. In it are beautiful hand drawn sketches of some of Nashville's earliest architecture, including maps of the city. There are drawings of banks, church buildings, the state capital building, including a drawing of the first building of the Christian church in Nashville. All of these have been preserved. Digital scans are available online here. William and Catherine were faithful members and leaders in the Christian church in Nashville in its earliest years. He organized the first Sunday school program in the church of Christ in Nashville October 16, 1831, and later served as clerk of the church (Church of Christ in Nashville, GA 1977, 09.01.1977, p.552). Being a bookseller, he became an agent for the distribution of Alexander Campbell's journal, the Millennial Harbinger, (MH, 1846, p.377 & 1848, p.473). He was a close friend of Campbell's. In the February, 1855 edition of the Millennial Harbinger, Campbell reported that on his eight day visit to Nashville to quell the false teachings of Jesse B. Ferguson, he had only two opportunities to visit in the homes of the brethren. The W.A. Eichbaum family were recipients of one of those visits. (MH, 1855, p.107) John's father lived until late in his 85th year, dying January, 1, 1873. John attended the University of Nashville. Upon graduation, he assisted Tolbert Fanning in Franklin College as a teacher. The 1846 register showed that John was professor of Languages, (Franklin College and its Influences, page 224). Before the age of twenty, John began preaching the gospel. He travelled with Tolbert Fanning on trips and tours of different areas preaching and teaching. He and J.J. Trott were selected as Tennessee state evangelists for three years beginning in 1848. He served on
the Board of Directors of the Christian Evangelizing Association of Tennessee for 1852 and 1853. Reports of his work in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, appeared in the pages of the Gospel Advocate. He planted the church in Jackson, Tennessee and preached regularly throughout the hills of south-central and East Tennessee. His name is inscribed in granite among many others great names of preachers who often preached at the Old Philadelphia Meetinghouse in Viola, Tennessee. John Eichbaum shared his father's love for the printed page. In 1846, Tolbert Fanning began a journal called The Naturalist. John had not long previous joined the staff of Franklin College. The paper was meant to be devoted to science, agriculture, and knowledge. John became editor of the Literary Department. In the paper he would review current books of importance. He would include articles on such items as Affinities of Language, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and the Origin of the English Language. He would contribute articles in the Science section on the geology of Palestine, the Egyptian delta, and fossils and geology in Tennessee. In the late 1840s John became enamored, as did so many, at the influence of Jesse B. Ferguson. When Ferguson took over Tolbert Fanning's paper, The Christian Review (1844-1847) in 1848, he changed the name to The Christian Magazine (January 1848-December 1853). John served as associated editor between 1850 and 1851. When the April, 1852 issue came out with a feature article teaching the possibility of repentance after death, it lit a firestorm that ultimately led to Ferguson's departure from churches of Christ. His demise took its toll on Eichbaum, as well as many other Christians, including another young preacher by the name of David Lipscomb. John's love for the truth never kept him long from what he enjoyed most, preaching the gospel. For years he was a confirmed bachelor, ever committed to the work of the Lord. However, in his 52nd year, he wedded Martha S. Grigg, June 20, 1877. Late in life he became the father of two girls who would later attend Nashville Bible School. His Martha passed away about a year before his departure on March 26, 1897. James A. Harding preached her funeral, and she was buried next to her mother-in-law in the family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville (See GA Obituary below). A little over a year later the seventy-four year old preacher followed his wife into the eternal realm June 4, 1898. Robert H. Boll, a fellow student with the daughters of John and Martha Eichbaum at Nashville Bible School (now Lipscomb University), wrote an article on John's life, that appeared in a journal edited by James A. Harding called The Way. In it was a good description of the man. He was described as being of, "small stature, dark-complexion, quick and fiery in his movements, and a great walker. Often did he walk all day long to get to some poor little backwoods schoolhouse to preach to the eager crowds that assembled there to hear him. (The Way, 05.20.1899, p.74-76.) The article went on to explain that he had a unique way of speaking. "Brother Eichbaum was wonderfully eloquent. When he first began his sermons his eyes were cast down, he seemed timid and nervous. For a while his remarks were dry and tiresome; the audience thought they would be bored. Suddenly his eyes lighted up, a flush came over his face, and from that moment unsurpassed eloquence poured from his lips and thrilled to their innermost depths the hearts of the spellbound hearers. Many a sinful soul trembled as he thus reasoned of righteousness and temperance and judgment to come; many a sinner saw for the first time the horror of his condition; many a sectarian, the error of his way." The fuller text of the article is available here. Special thanks to Dr. Hans Rollman for transcribing the text and providing other information on Eichbaum's life. John D. Eichbaum was a great force for the Kingdom of Christ in the early years of the Restoration Movement. It is a pleasure to have this site dedicated to his life and work.
Sources - Much of the source information in this sketch is mentioned in the text. However, other sites on the web as well as information from the Gospel Advocate, Millennial Harbinger, Franklin College and its Influences, etc. were sited in its preparation. For more info, go to www.therestorationmovement.com
the Board of Directors of the Christian Evangelizing Association of Tennessee for 1852 and 1853. Reports of his work in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, appeared in the pages of the Gospel Advocate. He planted the church in Jackson, Tennessee and preached regularly throughout the hills of south-central and East Tennessee. His name is inscribed in granite among many others great names of preachers who often preached at the Old Philadelphia Meetinghouse in Viola, Tennessee. John Eichbaum shared his father's love for the printed page. In 1846, Tolbert Fanning began a journal called The Naturalist. John had not long previous joined the staff of Franklin College. The paper was meant to be devoted to science, agriculture, and knowledge. John became editor of the Literary Department. In the paper he would review current books of importance. He would include articles on such items as Affinities of Language, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and the Origin of the English Language. He would contribute articles in the Science section on the geology of Palestine, the Egyptian delta, and fossils and geology in Tennessee. In the late 1840s John became enamored, as did so many, at the influence of Jesse B. Ferguson. When Ferguson took over Tolbert Fanning's paper, The Christian Review (1844-1847) in 1848, he changed the name to The Christian Magazine (January 1848-December 1853). John served as associated editor between 1850 and 1851. When the April, 1852 issue came out with a feature article teaching the possibility of repentance after death, it lit a firestorm that ultimately led to Ferguson's departure from churches of Christ. His demise took its toll on Eichbaum, as well as many other Christians, including another young preacher by the name of David Lipscomb. John's love for the truth never kept him long from what he enjoyed most, preaching the gospel. For years he was a confirmed bachelor, ever committed to the work of the Lord. However, in his 52nd year, he wedded Martha S. Grigg, June 20, 1877. Late in life he became the father of two girls who would later attend Nashville Bible School. His Martha passed away about a year before his departure on March 26, 1897. James A. Harding preached her funeral, and she was buried next to her mother-in-law in the family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville (See GA Obituary below). A little over a year later the seventy-four year old preacher followed his wife into the eternal realm June 4, 1898. Robert H. Boll, a fellow student with the daughters of John and Martha Eichbaum at Nashville Bible School (now Lipscomb University), wrote an article on John's life, that appeared in a journal edited by James A. Harding called The Way. In it was a good description of the man. He was described as being of, "small stature, dark-complexion, quick and fiery in his movements, and a great walker. Often did he walk all day long to get to some poor little backwoods schoolhouse to preach to the eager crowds that assembled there to hear him. (The Way, 05.20.1899, p.74-76.) The article went on to explain that he had a unique way of speaking. "Brother Eichbaum was wonderfully eloquent. When he first began his sermons his eyes were cast down, he seemed timid and nervous. For a while his remarks were dry and tiresome; the audience thought they would be bored. Suddenly his eyes lighted up, a flush came over his face, and from that moment unsurpassed eloquence poured from his lips and thrilled to their innermost depths the hearts of the spellbound hearers. Many a sinful soul trembled as he thus reasoned of righteousness and temperance and judgment to come; many a sinner saw for the first time the horror of his condition; many a sectarian, the error of his way." The fuller text of the article is available here. Special thanks to Dr. Hans Rollman for transcribing the text and providing other information on Eichbaum's life. John D. Eichbaum was a great force for the Kingdom of Christ in the early years of the Restoration Movement. It is a pleasure to have this site dedicated to his life and work.
Sources - Much of the source information in this sketch is mentioned in the text. However, other sites on the web as well as information from the Gospel Advocate, Millennial Harbinger, Franklin College and its Influences, etc. were sited in its preparation. For more info, go to www.therestorationmovement.com
The subject of this sketch was born in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, December 9, 1825. His parents were William and Catherine Eichbaum. William A. Eichbaum (1787-1873) came to this country from Dublin, Ireland as a very young lad around the turn of the 19th century. As a young man he came to Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee as a saddler by trade. Not long after his arrival he began a bookselling business. According the book, "Old Nashville Families," W.A. Eichbaum built the first brick house on Vine Street in Nashville. He married Catherine M. Stearns (1798-1861) of Massechusetts, a teacher in the Nashville Female Academy, on January 6, 1825 as recording in the Tennessee State Marriage Book. John was the oldest of three children. His sister Mary was born in 1828. Then, his brother William, was born in 1830. John's father was a leader in the city of Nashville. Besides being the chief book and stationer in the city, he had a great admiration for history and the preservation of it. In 1849, he was one of the founding fathers of the Nashville Historical Society. He was listed as filling the office of treasurer for the first ten years of its existence, (1849-1859). He was a lover of architecture. The Nashville Public Library Archives holds a scrapbook that was made by W.A. Eichbaum. In it are beautiful hand drawn sketches of some of Nashville's earliest architecture, including maps of the city. There are drawings of banks, church buildings, the state capital building, including a drawing of the first building of the Christian church in Nashville. All of these have been preserved. Digital scans are available online here. William and Catherine were faithful members and leaders in the Christian church in Nashville in its earliest years. He organized the first Sunday school program in the church of Christ in Nashville October 16, 1831, and later served as clerk of the church (Church of Christ in Nashville, GA 1977, 09.01.1977, p.552). Being a bookseller, he became an agent for the distribution of Alexander Campbell's journal, the Millennial Harbinger, (MH, 1846, p.377 & 1848, p.473). He was a close friend of Campbell's. In the February, 1855 edition of the Millennial Harbinger, Campbell reported that on his eight day visit to Nashville to quell the false teachings of Jesse B. Ferguson, he had only two opportunities to visit in the homes of the brethren. The W.A. Eichbaum family were recipients of one of those visits. (MH, 1855, p.107) John's father lived until late in his 85th year, dying January, 1, 1873. John attended the University of Nashville. Upon graduation, he assisted Tolbert Fanning in Franklin College as a teacher. The 1846 register showed that John was professor of Languages, (Franklin College and its Influences, page 224). Before the age of twenty, John began preaching the gospel. He travelled with Tolbert Fanning on trips and tours of different areas preaching and teaching. He and J.J. Trott were selected as Tennessee state evangelists for three years beginning in 1848. He served on
the Board of Directors of the Christian Evangelizing Association of Tennessee for 1852 and 1853. Reports of his work in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, appeared in the pages of the Gospel Advocate. He planted the church in Jackson, Tennessee and preached regularly throughout the hills of south-central and East Tennessee. His name is inscribed in granite among many others great names of preachers who often preached at the Old Philadelphia Meetinghouse in Viola, Tennessee. John Eichbaum shared his father's love for the printed page. In 1846, Tolbert Fanning began a journal called The Naturalist. John had not long previous joined the staff of Franklin College. The paper was meant to be devoted to science, agriculture, and knowledge. John became editor of the Literary Department. In the paper he would review current books of importance. He would include articles on such items as Affinities of Language, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and the Origin of the English Language. He would contribute articles in the Science section on the geology of Palestine, the Egyptian delta, and fossils and geology in Tennessee. In the late 1840s John became enamored, as did so many, at the influence of Jesse B. Ferguson. When Ferguson took over Tolbert Fanning's paper, The Christian Review (1844-1847) in 1848, he changed the name to The Christian Magazine (January 1848-December 1853). John served as associated editor between 1850 and 1851. When the April, 1852 issue came out with a feature article teaching the possibility of repentance after death, it lit a firestorm that ultimately led to Ferguson's departure from churches of Christ. His demise took its toll on Eichbaum, as well as many other Christians, including another young preacher by the name of David Lipscomb. John's love for the truth never kept him long from what he enjoyed most, preaching the gospel. For years he was a confirmed bachelor, ever committed to the work of the Lord. However, in his 52nd year, he wedded Martha S. Grigg, June 20, 1877. Late in life he became the father of two girls who would later attend Nashville Bible School. His Martha passed away about a year before his departure on March 26, 1897. James A. Harding preached her funeral, and she was buried next to her mother-in-law in the family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville (See GA Obituary below). A little over a year later the seventy-four year old preacher followed his wife into the eternal realm June 4, 1898. Robert H. Boll, a fellow student with the daughters of John and Martha Eichbaum at Nashville Bible School (now Lipscomb University), wrote an article on John's life, that appeared in a journal edited by James A. Harding called The Way. In it was a good description of the man. He was described as being of, "small stature, dark-complexion, quick and fiery in his movements, and a great walker. Often did he walk all day long to get to some poor little backwoods schoolhouse to preach to the eager crowds that assembled there to hear him. (The Way, 05.20.1899, p.74-76.) The article went on to explain that he had a unique way of speaking. "Brother Eichbaum was wonderfully eloquent. When he first began his sermons his eyes were cast down, he seemed timid and nervous. For a while his remarks were dry and tiresome; the audience thought they would be bored. Suddenly his eyes lighted up, a flush came over his face, and from that moment unsurpassed eloquence poured from his lips and thrilled to their innermost depths the hearts of the spellbound hearers. Many a sinful soul trembled as he thus reasoned of righteousness and temperance and judgment to come; many a sinner saw for the first time the horror of his condition; many a sectarian, the error of his way." The fuller text of the article is available here. Special thanks to Dr. Hans Rollman for transcribing the text and providing other information on Eichbaum's life. John D. Eichbaum was a great force for the Kingdom of Christ in the early years of the Restoration Movement. It is a pleasure to have this site dedicated to his life and work.
Sources - Much of the source information in this sketch is mentioned in the text. However, other sites on the web as well as information from the Gospel Advocate, Millennial Harbinger, Franklin College and its Influences, etc. were sited in its preparation. For more info, go to www.therestorationmovement.com
the Board of Directors of the Christian Evangelizing Association of Tennessee for 1852 and 1853. Reports of his work in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, appeared in the pages of the Gospel Advocate. He planted the church in Jackson, Tennessee and preached regularly throughout the hills of south-central and East Tennessee. His name is inscribed in granite among many others great names of preachers who often preached at the Old Philadelphia Meetinghouse in Viola, Tennessee. John Eichbaum shared his father's love for the printed page. In 1846, Tolbert Fanning began a journal called The Naturalist. John had not long previous joined the staff of Franklin College. The paper was meant to be devoted to science, agriculture, and knowledge. John became editor of the Literary Department. In the paper he would review current books of importance. He would include articles on such items as Affinities of Language, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and the Origin of the English Language. He would contribute articles in the Science section on the geology of Palestine, the Egyptian delta, and fossils and geology in Tennessee. In the late 1840s John became enamored, as did so many, at the influence of Jesse B. Ferguson. When Ferguson took over Tolbert Fanning's paper, The Christian Review (1844-1847) in 1848, he changed the name to The Christian Magazine (January 1848-December 1853). John served as associated editor between 1850 and 1851. When the April, 1852 issue came out with a feature article teaching the possibility of repentance after death, it lit a firestorm that ultimately led to Ferguson's departure from churches of Christ. His demise took its toll on Eichbaum, as well as many other Christians, including another young preacher by the name of David Lipscomb. John's love for the truth never kept him long from what he enjoyed most, preaching the gospel. For years he was a confirmed bachelor, ever committed to the work of the Lord. However, in his 52nd year, he wedded Martha S. Grigg, June 20, 1877. Late in life he became the father of two girls who would later attend Nashville Bible School. His Martha passed away about a year before his departure on March 26, 1897. James A. Harding preached her funeral, and she was buried next to her mother-in-law in the family plot at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville (See GA Obituary below). A little over a year later the seventy-four year old preacher followed his wife into the eternal realm June 4, 1898. Robert H. Boll, a fellow student with the daughters of John and Martha Eichbaum at Nashville Bible School (now Lipscomb University), wrote an article on John's life, that appeared in a journal edited by James A. Harding called The Way. In it was a good description of the man. He was described as being of, "small stature, dark-complexion, quick and fiery in his movements, and a great walker. Often did he walk all day long to get to some poor little backwoods schoolhouse to preach to the eager crowds that assembled there to hear him. (The Way, 05.20.1899, p.74-76.) The article went on to explain that he had a unique way of speaking. "Brother Eichbaum was wonderfully eloquent. When he first began his sermons his eyes were cast down, he seemed timid and nervous. For a while his remarks were dry and tiresome; the audience thought they would be bored. Suddenly his eyes lighted up, a flush came over his face, and from that moment unsurpassed eloquence poured from his lips and thrilled to their innermost depths the hearts of the spellbound hearers. Many a sinful soul trembled as he thus reasoned of righteousness and temperance and judgment to come; many a sinner saw for the first time the horror of his condition; many a sectarian, the error of his way." The fuller text of the article is available here. Special thanks to Dr. Hans Rollman for transcribing the text and providing other information on Eichbaum's life. John D. Eichbaum was a great force for the Kingdom of Christ in the early years of the Restoration Movement. It is a pleasure to have this site dedicated to his life and work.
Sources - Much of the source information in this sketch is mentioned in the text. However, other sites on the web as well as information from the Gospel Advocate, Millennial Harbinger, Franklin College and its Influences, etc. were sited in its preparation. For more info, go to www.therestorationmovement.com
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