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Right the Record: Reverend Willis Jackson Madden

(1862-1948)

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Portrait of Willis Madden

1862

  • Born August 22, 1862, during the Civil War to Culpeper county natives Willis Madden and Maria Fields Madden at Maddensville near Lignum in Culpeper County, Virginia.
  • Younger brother to T. O. (Thomas Obed) Madden, Sr. who also taught school.
  • Graduated from Howard University and Wayland Baptist Seminary of Theology, both in Washington, D.C.
  • Began teaching career offering instruction to students in his home at Maddensville near Lignum, most prominent and well-remembered African American teacher of Culpeper.
  • Returned to Culpeper to teach African American Students in the Colored Graded School No. 2 on South Main Street in the Town of Culpeper; served as one of the first Negro teachers for more than fifty years and was first principal.

1888

  • As one of the founders and organizers of the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association at Antioch Baptist Church in Culpeper in 1888, he served as Moderator for thirty-six years.
  • Reverend Madden spoke up in support of advancement for African Americans regarding their community involvement, equal rights, and education.

1896

  • Reverend Madden was a pastor of several Culpeper County churches, some at the same time, Antioch Baptist Church from 1896 until his death in 1948, Free Union Baptist Church in Eckington/Flats, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Clarkson/White Shop and Pilgrim Baptist Church in Mitchells.

1898

  • Married to first wife Netta D. Grasty Madden on November 24, 1898, in Culpeper until her death from pneumonia in January 1901 at the age of about twenty years old; daughter, Maria from this union.
  • Prominent Pastor of several Culpeper County churches simultaneously, Antioch Baptist Church from 1896 until his death in 1948, Free Union Baptist Church in Eckington/Flats, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Clarkson/White Shop and Pilgrim Baptist Church in Mitchells.
  • Rev. Madden taught school, preached in churches and conducted numerous marriages and funerals until his death.
  • One of the founders and organizers of the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association at Antioch Baptist Church in Culpeper in 1888; served as Moderator for thirty-six years
  • Spoke up in support of the betterment for African Americans regarding community involvement, equal rights and equal education.
  • His two-story home was on Sperryville Pike, just outside the town limits at that time; many years later, his decedents sold the property, and the subdivision Riverdale Circle was built on the Madden property.
  • Rev. Madden and family are consistently featured in exhibits in the Museum of Culpeper History.

1902

  • On May 19, 1902, he married his second wife, Ida Ann Wilhoite Madden of Buena/Culpeper county. Together they had ten children – five sons and five daughters. Eight of their children also became educators in high schools and colleges in other areas in Virginia and in other states.
  • Ida Wilhoite Madden was also a public-school teacher within the Culpeper county school system.
  • Rev. Madden was highly respected by African Americans and whites in Culpeper county and with everyone he encountered in his lifetime; his name is still respected and honored to this very day; a continuous leader in African American community, church, and school.

1948

  • Rev. Madden died at his home April 23, 1948. His wife, Ida Ann Wilhoite Madden died at her home on December 15, 1952. Both are buried in the Madden family plot in the Antioch section of Fairview Cemetery in Culpeper.
  • His two-story home was on Sperryville Pike, just outside the town limits. Many years later, his descendants sold the property, the house was demolished, and the Riverdale Circle subdivision was built on the property.

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