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USA > California > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 1
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Original from UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
4.000
L.V. C. t.p.
HISTORI C
STATE
S
THE
CIETY
O
FOUNDED 1849
THE JOHN THOMAS LEE FUND
A History of The Church of the Brethren
Published by Authority of District Meeting of Southern California and Arizona through the following Committee
M. M. ESHELMAN, Chairman W. E. TROSTLE, Secretary W. H. KEIM, Business Manager
D. A. NORCROSS
B. F. MASTERSON
Los Angeles 1917
-
CHP
Table of Contents
Committee on Church History.
Frontice
Preface
8
Personals
9
Elder George Hoxie
10
First Church on Pacific Coast
13
Covina Congregation
14-19
Conejo Church
20
Lordsburg Church
23
Glendora Church
27
Inglewood Church
33-43
Channing Street Mission
44
Boyle Heights Mission.
46
Santa Fe Mission ..
46
Pasadena Congregation
48
Pomona Church
51
First Church of the Brethren, Long Beach
53
Hemet Church
57
Santa Ana Church.
58
Santee Church
60
El Centro Church.
60
Imperial Valley Church.
61
Glendale Church, Arizona
62
Pearce Church
63
Phenix Mission
63
South Los Angeles Church
64
District Conferences
104-107
Northern California
107
History of Lordsburg College.
108-117
First Chinese Sunday School.
117
Ministerial Meetings
118-120
Sunday School Developments.
120-123
Christian Workers Meetings.
123
Sisters Aid Society.
123-125
What Some Sisters Have Been Doing.
183
Mothers and Daughters.
184
Open Way into Book of Revelation.
185
Biographical Section
Bashor, Geo. H.
1.34
Beaver, O. J.
180
Brandt, Harry
165
Brubaker, John S.
136
Brubaker, Nicholas J.
162
Calvert, J. G ...
181
Calvert, Wm. Q.
165
Chemberlen, Geo. F.
142
7
Early Settlers
20
Tropico Church
32
First Church of the Brethren Los Angeles
67-104
Who Has Led, When and Where.
Cline, Joseph W.
Dickey, J. P.
Durr, Francis W ....:
Eshelman, Matthew Mays.
Fitzwater, P. B.
Forney, Edmond
Forney, Peter
Funderburg, Isaac V
Funk, S. W.
Garst, Samuel S
Getz, John H.
Gilbert, James Z
Gillette, C. E.
Guthrie, C. W
Hanawalt, George
Haugh, B. S.
Hoff, C. S.
Hoover, W. I. T.
Hutchinson, Andrew
Johnson, Stephen
Kieffaber, G. Q
Keim, W. H.
Lefever, Elias B.
Lehmer, S. G.
Lehmer, G. G.
Long, S. D ...
Masterson, B. F.
McDonough, Geo. L
Metzger, Elder John.
Miller, S. J.
Miller, Robert Henry.
Myers, Peter S.
Nicholson, C. C ....
Norcross, David A.
Platt, W. M.
Reed, A. G ....
Reppert, J. J ..
Root, A. C ....
Shively, John K.
Snell, Harvey
Snowberger, Andrew C.
Stutsman, Wm.
Taylor, Hewitt R.
Thomas, Wm. J ...
133
Trostle, Elder J. W.
Trostle, W. E.
Vaniman, Albert W.
Wertenbaker, Wm. H.
Wine, John M ..
157
Wolfe, C. Edward
Wolford, A. Klein.
Yoder, C. H.
Yundt, Simon E.
175 174 177 138 158 132 141 181 179 148 166 157 168 176 157 164 145 154 126 159 169 179 166 159 179 169 151 144 126 160 172 150 181 130 170 181 166 144 167 154 149 168 147
128 140 155 171
178 179 154 152
Committee on Church History. D. A. Norcross
B. F. Masterson M. M. Eshelman W. E. Trostle
Wm. H. Keim
PREFACE
The historian must shade his eyes and peer backward along scenes and events and unquestioned motives which lie beneath every act. The fair historian simply recognizes FACTS. He must see the expression rather than the man who gives out the truths and facts. Historic observations should be constructive rather than damaging. And yet no one should illusion himself with thoughts that there have been no discordant elements. There have been contentious tumults in which each note sounded blurred the one that preceded it, and in so doing "slurred" itself. A great thinker said :
"I will try to see things as they are and then try to say them as I see them." So has your committee. The misfits have been worked out and the befits worked in. Happy the man who finds virgin deeds in virgin soil, and then works in virgin hope, through virgin love and finds virgin results.
The authority for this work lies in the following : The "We, the East Los Angeles Church, ask the Dis- Authority. trict Meeting (of 1909) to choose and empower a committee of five members to codify the Minutes of the District Meetings of Southern California and Arizona, and in the codification insert a brief history of each congre- gation and report its work to the next District Meeting." D. A. Norcross, B. F. Masterson, M. M. Eshelman, W. E. Trostle and A. M. White were made such committee. At a special meeting of the Committee, M. M. Eshelman was chosen to prepare the history. Later, A. M. White moved to the north- ern District of California, and W. H. Keim was chosen to fill the vacancy. The Committee has tried to be quite impartial
and could use only such material as came to hand. All is sub- mitted in all grace to all.
Take down your Bible and observe how many Personals. thousands of persons God uses to convey Divine elements to mankind. In this work the things done could not be separated from the individuals who did them, so the Committee has given them as they came. The Committee commends the good actions of God's Workers to all who may read these sketches, and hope that each may strive to have a busy life as Christ makes such lives.
History of the Church of the Brethern
EARLY SETTLERS
Samuel A. Overholtzer and wife emigrated from Mount Carroll, Illinois, by team in 1864 and settled at Elk Slough, Sacramento County, California. A California slough is a body of water running out from a river just the reverse of an Indiana creek, which empties into a river. It was at such a slough that Brother Overholtzer made his first home in California. He next located at Bantos and later settled at Covina and became a leading Orange Grower and a permanent member of the Covina Church. His home was the stopping place of both members and others, who honored the husband and wife for their excellent characters. They were kind, generous, faithful and loyal to their church vows. He gave freely to the cause of Christ and to the Lordsburg College and is yet living in the hearts of many people who knew him.
Another permanent early settler was Brother George Wolfe of Adams County, Illinois. A long, tedious journey from Carthage, Illinois, then down the Mississippi River on through the Gulf of Mexico and Carribbean Sea across the Isthmus of Panama and then up the Pacific Coast to San Francisco, he landed in the Pajairo Valley and later settled at Gilroy, California. His last residence was at Lathrop, Cali- fornia, where most of the members had settled. He was a nephew of Elder George Wolfe, an early settler in Illinois. He opened the cause by holding a camp meeting near Stock- ton, which has been continued to this day. His associates in pioneering were Henry Haines and Daniel Houser, who were the inventors of the combined harvester and thresher.
Elder George Wolfe gathered around him quite a number
10
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
of active workers, whose names we would be glad to mention but cannot for the lack of space.
Elder George Hoxie. In pioneering, Brother Hoxie stands among the first on this coast. Born in Bedford, Mass- achusetts, rasied a fisherman and a whaler, he early took to the seas. His father was a whaler on the Atlantic Ocean.
After securing the whale oil and blubber, the brig sailed around Cape Horn and anchored at San Francisco on the 18th day of April, 1850. In fifteen days he and his father started to Trinity County, California, seeking gold. They went by way of Carson Valley with wagons and pack mules. They reached Trinity River July 4th. By winter, four of them had taken out $1700.00. They wintered on Weaver Creek, and the next year they went to Salmon River with pack train, and sold goods for awhile, then moved to Yreka and went to merchandising. Flour was then $1.00 per pound. It was known as "starvation time." In 1853 they battled with the Rogue River Indians, and in 1854 Brother Hoxie married. In 1863 he moved to Lockford, California. He was chosen to the ministry at Lathrop, California. Later he moved to Oregon and located on Williams Creek, Josephine County.
The conversion of himself and wife took place under the preaching of Elder B. F. Moomaw of Virginia, who did preaching at Lathrop in 1874. Brother Hoxie and wife at- tended the services and were soon deeply in sympathy with the truth. After praying to the Lord for guidance they ap- plied for membership and were received as a very happy couple. FI
He and his estimable wife have pioneered for over thirty years at the headwaters of Williams Creek, Josephine County, Oregon. He traveled long distances and did a great deal of preaching. A few years ago a church was organized at his place and a good house of worship erected on land near his home.
The first love feast ever held in that region, forty miles
11
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
from any other congregation of the Brethren, was held in his apple orchard in the summer of 1911, the writer officiating.
In 1896 rigging up a heavy spring wagon, and pulled by a horse and mule, he and his wife carried out a unique method of missionary work. From their home to Los Angeles is about 600 miles. On the way down he stopped at nearly every house on the highway and knocking at the door said to the one answering the call, "Would you have some tracts and prayer?" The responses usually were favorable, so he and wife gave many blessings which eternity will unfold. At one place the man said, "We do our own praying," and Bro. Hoxie said : "Good." They returned home the same way after visiting nearly all the congregations in Southern California.
THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN ON THE PACIFIC COAST
The discovery of the vast domain in the northwest part of the United States awakened the latent feelings of the indus- trials in the eastern part of the country, hence many thousands of families sought the land to make homes. Among them were some members of the Church of the Brethren. The means of transportation were crude-by oxen, mules and horses-the overland journey was long and tedious, especially to women and children.
In 1850 came into the Willamette Valley, Oregon, Benja- min Hardman, Sr., and wife, Mary ; Joseph and Barbara Hard- man ; in 1853-4, Joshua Hardman and wife, Anna; David and Susan Peebler, the brother being a deacon; Philip Baltimore and wife, Mary ; Jacob Wigelad and wife, Catherine; John and Minerva Ritter; Solomon and Elizabeth Ritter; Daniel Leedy and wife, Mary. All these were members of the church.
In 1855 Aaron Baltimore and wife became successful overlanders from South Bend, Indiana. Aaron died a minister.
Brother Daniel Leedy was a minister in the first degree and from Jefferson County, Iowa. He was the first member to come across the country by ox-team. He settled as did most of the others near Lebanon, east of the county seat, Albany, Oregon. Providence did much for first conditions in the Willamette Valley, fringing the wide region by two great and dense-timbered mountains. By muscular power Leedy made a good home; by spirit force he set the foundation for a strong church and in a few years had a fine community of believers. It was "new wine in new skins," and it became enriching and spiritually aggressive.
In 1855 the loyal members sought to be organized into a working body and to be associated with the Brotherhood of believers in Jesus. They petitioned the yearly meeting held in the Aughwick Church, Pennsylvania, at which there were one hundred and ten delegates, Henry Kurtz being clerk and James
14
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Quinter assistant clerk. They were authorized to empower Bro. Daniel Leedy, a minister then only in the first degree, to organ- ize the first church on the Pacific Coast. We would like to give that letter signed by Elder Henry Kurtz a place here, but its length forbids. Here are the names of the Standing Committee who authorized the organization :
George Hoke, of Ohio; John Molsbaugh, of Ohio; J. Leatherman, John Metzger and Daniel Fry, of Illinois; John Kline and Daniel Brower, of Virginia ; D. P. Saylor and George Bear, of Maryland; Daniel Bolinger, John H. Umstead, John Berkley and Andrew Spanogle, of Pennsylvania. The church was organized in 1856, and a house of worship erected in 1880, seven miles northwest from Lebanon, and the church named Lebanon. Recently this house was sold and a new one built in Albany and the name changed to that of Albany, Oregon. Among those who labored most earnestly in the ministry were M. M. Bashor, Joel Sherfy, Harvey Sherlock, Aaron Baltimore and Jacob Bahr. About twenty years after the organization, Satan built a synagogue here and scattered the flock. Elder Hiram Smith, formerly of Los Angeles, California, is now shepherd of the flock and the work is being blessed.
THE COVINA CONGREGATION
In some sense it is said that the Covina church is "the mother congregation" of the Southern California churches, being the first in the field. Her organization dates from June 20, 1885. Previous to that time there were members residing at various places in this section of the state, mostly, however, in Los Angeles County. An assembly at the residence of Brother Martin Bashor effected an organization. At this meet- ing, Elders A. F. Deeter and J. S. Flory, who then lived at Tehunga, twenty-five miles north of Los Angeles, were placed in charge of the church's interests. Brother Christian Wine, a minister, acted as Clerk. The following named members were enrolled : A. F. Deeter and wife Elizabeth, J. S. Flory and wife Elizabeth, America Finch, Joseph D. Finch, N. D. Hadsell, Levi W. Riley and wife Belinda, Felix Hess and wife Eliza-
15
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
beth, L. E. Miller and wife Lena, Susan Bashor, Esther Mid- daugh, Ella Middaugh, Christian Wine and Henry D. Finch.
These eighteen members thoroughly united, took the name, "The Church of Southern California."
The Covina Church.
There were no boundary lines prescribed; the territory embraced about seven or eight counties. There was certainly room enough for expansive hearts to work in. Measures were taken immediately to erect a house of worship. The solicitors and building committee were Levi W. Riley, Christian Wine, Martin Bashor, N. D. Hadsell and Eli Middaugh.
16
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
One of the pioneers in Southern California was Levi W. Riley, who in an early day settled in Orange, California. His certificate of transfer is dated at Rock Run Church, Elkhart County, Indiana, September 19, 1874. He was an earnest Brother, and with his wife Belinda did a great deal for the cause. She is yet living in Tropico.
The first official election occurred January 5, 1889, Frank Calvert and Darius Overholtzer being chosen deacons. The general mission board sent J. C. Whitmore to preach in South- ern California in the winter of 1888 and 1889. He served the church at Covina, Los Angeles ,Tehunga, Ventura County and Stockton. About twenty-five persons were converted. The ministerial force was strengthened by the arrival of Elder D. A. Norcross, who located in Glendora early in 1888; he presented his church certificate in July of that year. The Covina Church has been "aggressive and pro- gressive" in the truth, much of her early history covering all the territory where the other congregations now exist. Six other congregations sprang from her efforts, viz: Conejo (Ka-na-ho) in Ventura County in 1889, Tropico in 1890, Lordsburg in 1891, Glendora in 1892, Santa Ana in 1903, and Long Beach in 1907. In all the congregations, for the first few years, the increase was largely by immigration from the eastern states. Early after the organization Elder Peter Overholtzer, a man of worth in scriptural study and effort, was active in the church. He ruled for several years before his death with fer- vor, diligence. J. S. Flory was his assistant. Brother Over- holtzer had charge of the church up to March, 1895, and then for awhile there was no resident elder, the labors falling prin- cipally upon George F. Chemberlen, then a young man with considerable vigor and carefulness for the church's interest and separation from contaminating worldly things. Under these conditions the Covina church took on rapid growth, numerically and spiritually. The church has had the aid of the following named persons: J. W. Trostle, D. A. Norcross and Christian Wine, the latter having the oversight of the church for a time and was a successful ruler. He was succeeded in 1900 by George F. Chemberlen, and he by D. A. Norcross, and
17
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
he by Harvey Snell. At this writing George F. Chemberlen has charge.
In the origin of the church there came to help S. A. Over- holtzer. Overholtzer was a man of large heart. His home was a veritable guest-house for both members and others. Here with his large family, some of whom became active workers in the church, he entertained with grace. Brother Overholtzer was one of the founders of the Lordsburg College and gave freely of his wealth for its development. Daniel Houser also gave liberally toward its foundation and eventually gave the greater part of an eighty-acre orange grove to the Brotherhood for mission work. The first house of worship cost Nine Hundred Dollars.
In 1901 the house at Covina was destroyed by fire, being a total loss, as the insurance had expired. The membership immediately erected the present house.
Elders-D. A. Norcross, John S. Brubaker, S. P. Jones, Henry Lilligh, Stephen Yoder, Christian Wine, George F. Chemberlen, Harvey Snell, J. W. Trostle, S. G. Lehmer, W. Q. Calvert, Peter Overholtzer and S. W. Funk.
Ministers-Darius Overholtzer, William Platt, Oscar Mathias, A. M. White, D. H. Weaver, Henry Larick, John Haines, Stanley Gregory, David Overholtzer, S. C. Urey and Harry Brandt. With the present ministry thirty-one preachers resided here in thirty years.
Deacons-William H. Overholtzer, C. J. Brandt, E. G. Zug, John Dunlap, Samuel Fessler, John E. Bosserman, Oscar Middaugh, Henry Brubaker, Ira Netzley, M. P. Custer, William Roberts, William Lewis, Jesse A. Calvert, G. W. Hep- ner, Joseph Brubaker and William Aschenbrenner.
Donated for home missionary work, $216.98, in 1915, $198.00, in 1916, $253.00, or a total of $667.98.
In Sunday School efforts in 1913 the enrollment was 220; teachers, 12, and offerings, $256.04. In 1914 the enrollment of pupils was 188 and offerings $214.37, teachers, 13. In 1915 pupils enrolled 150, teachers 12 and offerings $244.80. In 1916 the enrollment was 195, offerings not stated, teachers 17. The offerings for three years were $713.21.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
An effort to colonize the region around Covina was made early in 1884 by J. S. Flory, P. S. Myers and Hadsell upon lands owned by Mr. Philips; but like some other transient things it never grew into actuality. Elder J. S. Flory had visited the place with his wife in 1883, being correspondent for several eastern papers, gave the country some valuable write- ups. Among the early arrivals were Sister Lavina Mullen- dore, Brother T. E. Finch and Levi Riley, Felix Hess and wife. The first preaching was by Elder J. S. Flory at a week's meeting, corner of San Pedro and Los Angeles streets, Los Angeles, in 1885. He also preached in Compton. Council was held by Brother Flory and others at the home of Tobias Cripe on Jefferson street, Los Angeles, as early as 1885.
Edward and America Finch were early comers into Co- vina, and on July 7, 1888, a mission board was created to meet the ministerial expenses at the appointments at Tehunga and other distant points. The board consisted of J. D. Finch, S. A. Overholtzer. Solicitors were David Flory and Barbara Flory.
Elder D. L. Miller of Mount Morris, Ills., preached his first sermon at Covina Feb. 6, 1888, and while there also de- livered a Bible Land lecture. He had been chosen at Mount Morris just before leaving for California.
The first organized Sunday School was effected April 8, 1888, and Geo. F. Chemberlen was its Superintendent, and Jos. D. Finch became Secretary. There were four classes. No lesson quarterly was permitted, but by 1898 their values were admitted.
As part of the Covina church the first lovefeast was held in Tropico May 30, 1891. At this feast a request was made to organize a church in Tropico. The following named were charter members: J. S. Flory and wife, Felix Hess, Geo. Diehl, Belinda Riley, Jacob Shelly, Mary Shelly, Samuel Cripe, Margaret Cripe, John and Susan Wolf, Moses Flory and wife, Elijah Wolfting, Isaac Boyer, John E. Megie, Lucy Megie, Oliver Megie, Anna Megie, Frank Calvert, a deacon; Lucy J. Bicket, Joseph Bicket, Jacob and Sarah Royer, S. G. Lehmer, a minister ; Lucy J. Kelley, D. P. Flory, John N. Johnson, Ed-
19
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
ward Johnson, Mary Gnagey, Sarah Gnagey, Mary J. Carpen- ter, Bro. Carpenter, S. Morton, a minister ; W. Howard Flory, Lizzie N. Calvert, D. H. Weaver, a minister ; Lizzie and Lot- tie Flory, Fanny Flory, Cunningham, Aaron A. Wolf, Clara B. Wolf, Geo. Sutton, Alva Johnson, Mary Ann Johnson, Ma- tilda Johnson, Martha Johnson, Nettie Royer, Aug. Bush, a deacon; Jane Bush, Benjamin S. Bohn, Ella Myers, W. H. Hedrick, Mary Kiler, Susie Van Horne, Chas. Flory, Ford Mowerer, John Ikenberry.
Levi J. Riley and J. E. Megie were delegates to District Meeting in Los Angeles from Tropico on February 20, 1890. This history which- should appear in the Tropico part is given because the write-up for Tropico is already in type.
The Covina church has undergone many testings and some changes. Cut out of the world it early took on the elements of "separation" from the world. It was really the moulder of sentiment for many years into spirit and genius peculiar to the nickname, "Dunkerism." For however may be the thots and considerations, that name "Dunker," or Tunker from the German word "Taufen" carried with it a spirit of grace not found anywhere else; so the Divine entities or essences which lie undereath the faith and practice of this people, do result in peculiarities which separate from the world. Under the direc- tion of Elders Peter Overholtzer, C. Wine, D. A. Norcross, J. W. Trostle, Harvey Snell and Geo. F. Chemberlen, who had charge for nine years consecutively, and now is overseeing the membership, the actualities have kept on general lines. How much they differed in the various stages laid up with God man cannot always reach a just conclusion. Just as each manifested or drank in the wisdom from above, and operated in its eight parts, (James 3:17) so came results. If the eight elements of that wisdom were all the time exercised the results must be right and acceptable with Him who sends them into human hearts. If only one or a few of those holy elements were given right to heart-love, be assured the growth must be retarded or unfavorably affected. And what such applicaitons were to Covina, as the first congregation, will apply to any other under like conditions. With like force, wherever those eight ele- ments of Divine Wisdom were or are recognized in all their
20
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
power and beauty there results are growth as God knows and brings, and not as man may denominate "growth."
Conejo Church.
The first organization that sprang out of the Covina congregation was at Conejo, Ventura County, Cal. Here Thos. Finch, C. Wine and Geo. Chemberlen made homes early in the his- tory of the Church of the Brethren. It was organized in Feb- ruary, 1889. Christian Wine was the resident minister. Here Brother Geo. F. Chemberlen was chosen to the ministry and C. J. Brandt called to the office of deacon. Fourteen members were enrolled at the organization. The first lovefeast was held May 5, 1888. About the same time the members at Co- vina changed the organization's name from "The Church of Southern California" to that of Covina, which means-see dictionary. The District Meeting of 1891 was held at Conejo, after which nearly all the members moved into other places, so that the organization became inactive.
TROPICO CHURCH
This third congregation had its beginning in Brother Levi and Sister Belinda Riley, who came from Goshen, Indiana. In 1884 he purchased eleven acres on Glendale avenue, in Tropico, and at once took steps to erect a church house. Brother Silas Morton, a minister, came about the same time. Soon after- wards Aaron Wolfe and his father became residents. The Riley place passed into other hands in 1891, Brother Riley having passed away the year previous. Near the center of this block of Riley's the writer of these notes is completing this history. Levi Riley left bequests of $500.00 for Bridgewater College, Virginia; $500.00 for Lordsburg College, $500.00 for missionary work in Los Angeles City, $1000.00 for mis- sionary work in Los Angeles County. Sister Riley, now eighty-five years of age, still lives (January, 1917) just across the street from the old homestead.
The deacon force consisted of Adam Bohn, Aaron Wolfe, E. A. Stutsman, Augustus Bush.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
This congregation was gradually absorbed by the member- ship in Los Angeles from 1890 to 1897. The ministers in Los Angeles maintained appointments, though for six months the services ceased altogther. December 17, 1903, her activities were resumed. Out of this congregation originated First Los Angeles Church, and the Inglewood Congregation, and the Channing Street Mission. In December, 1913, Elder Christian Wine took charge.
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