USA > Iowa > A history of the Church of the Brethren in southern Iowa > Part 2
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
John H. Filmore
By J. D. Haughtelin
The subject of this sketch was born at Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1820, and died in Van Buren County, Iowa, Dec. 9, 1889. Between these two dates the scenes and labors of a varied, busy and useful life were enacted. Of his an- cestors I have nothing, except that his father, in an excit- ing chase after a deer, overheated himself and died sud- denly.
As a boy John was lively, mischievous, up early and at it all day long, with a host of admiring friends around him to whom he was true, though sometimes they were the victims of his wits and pranks. His education was lin- ited, but his keen conception and wide-awake, observing nature enabled him to increase and reduce to practice his store of information.
He was a man of strong individuality ; bold to declare and defend his convictions. This caused him to be talked about much by those best acquainted with him. Though I never lived near- er than sixty miles of him, I often heard of him before I first met him in September, 1864 (war times). He took much delight in wood-chopping, and did a great deal of it. It was natu- ral for him to obey the injunction, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to· do, do it with thy might." Even in his old days he took great pleasure in having a neat, orderly woodpile near his kitch- John H. Filmore en door, and he delighted in doing his best, whether chopping wood or preaching the Gospel.
In 1849 he was married to Mrs. Sarah Hyatt. (The first
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time she saw him he was discoursing on the temperance problem.) To them were born three sons-Wm. H., David T. and Jacob C., and one daughter, Rachel A., now the wife of Bro. J. T. Couser, of Britton, S. Dak. Her mother lives with them.
In 1850, near Washington, D. C., Bro. Filmore sought religion by the shouting Methodist mourner bench route, so popular in the East in those days. His energetic, investi- gating mind soon caused him to long for something more substantial than the emotional and sensational. By reading the Scriptures he learned that "the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation." Coming in contact with the Brethren, in Maryland, he, in 1854, accepted the fuller light, and soon became a very earnest advocate of their teaching. In 1856 he was chosen to the ministry, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The next year he moved to Waterloo, Iowa. His zeal and impulsiveness soon brought him to prominent notice. This increased his self-reliance, which, in time, brought him into trouble which caused him to exercise his wits in making his defense. "Forgetting the things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before," caused him to become a ready talker and quite suc- cessful, especially in new territory.
This peculiarity in his make-up caused him to move often. As nearly as I can learn, he moved from Waterloo to Linn, Butler, Benton, and Jefferson Counties, successive- ly, in Iowa, then to Grundy and Davis Counties, in Missouri, thence to Lee County, Illinois ; from there to Adams, Har- rison and Shelby Counties, in Iowa, and from there back to Jefferson County in his declining days.
Being quite sensitive he was very easily elated or de- pressed by environments. One incident will illustrate : He held a series of meetings in a new place, with marked suc-
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cess. This elated him. Before starting home a number of generous sisters laid together and procured a dress pattern for his wife, and some valuable presents for the children. These were given into the hands of a good, reliable deacon to give to him. He, seeing how elated Bro. Filmore was, pre- sented the gifts with the following little speech: "Bro. John, here are some presents the sisters are sending your family, but we don't want you to think it is pay for your preaching. We have brethren here who can preach just as well as you." It struck a tender spot. He said to the breth- ren who took him to the train, " Did you ever know a man to get such a downsetting to start home with? "
At a certain place in Iowa his aggressiveness caused a minister of another denomination to challenge him for a discussion. Some of the brethren opposed his accepting it, and some encouraged him. He either underestimated the ability of his opponent, or overestimated his own, but he accepted and was defeated. The Brethren in general were not willing to leave it go at that, but soon arranged to have Bro. Quinter discuss with his opponent. When Bro. Quinter came and was introduced to the opponent, N. A. McConnell, Bro. Filmore said to Mr. McConnell, "You will find you will not have John Filmore to handle this time." Quickly the reply came, " I am aware of that. I have a gentleman to meet this time." The thrust wounded him, but he did not lose his wits, as his reply shows. He gravely replied, " I wish Bro. Quinter could say as much."
Upon one occasion I heard him in all the fervor of his soul, contending for the cause of his Master, and, catching the eye of a veteran brother, who was well acquainted with his troubles and weaknesses, he exclaimed, " Oh! Brethren, if I could only live it as well as I can preach it." He was called by the church to one of his successful earlier fields
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of labor where he spent his last days peacefully in the serv- ice of his Master.
Dec. 9, 1889, being somewhat indisposed, he was sitting in his easy chair, singing, " In that sweet by and by," when he peacefully closed his eyes in death. His mortal remains were laid in the narrow limits of the grave at Libertyville to await the call of the resurrection morning.
Thus ended the busy life of one who had labored in many different parts of the Master's vineyard. May the good seed he has sown bring forth a bountiful harvest.
Panora, Iowa.
Peter Lutz .
Peter Lutz was born in 1811, but of the place of his birth we are not certain. We were able to learn but little of his early life, except that he was a care-free boy, not being curbed by the conventionalities which restrain some of the lads of the present day. It is not likely he ever attended school for any considerable time. The principal event of his early life, of which we have a record, is his marriage to Miss Mary Kyle, who survived him some thirteen years.
He was baptized into the Church of the Brethren and was chosen to the ministry in the East, coming from Som- erset County, Pa., to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1847. Of his after years a great deal could be written, because his was an unusual life. He was undoubtedly one of the most eccentric men for miles around. In his personal appear- ance he was careless. It was a common thing to see him with one trouser leg rolled up and hanging over his boot top and the other reaching down to the ankle. In his day buggies or light wagons were scarce, and he despised going on horseback, so he was known to walk ten to fifteen miles to fill an appointment and back the same day. Sometimes he walked ten miles barefooted, and in that condition filled
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the pulpit. Nothing strange was thought of it. In his finan- cial affairs the same unconcern was manifest, and the result was a great deal of waste, although he always had plenty. However, we are concerned most about him as a preacher.
It is said that he rarely took a text, as is common among preachers, but in his discourse he would quote one scripture after another, so that he was considered a ready Scripturist. He was what young folks called long-winded, both in prayer service and preaching. He once said to a deacon, " Bro. Joe, I hate to begin a story and have to quit before I get through." At one time when a visiting min- ister was expected to preach, Bro. Lutz arose to open the meeting and took so much time in exhorting and prayer that the visiting minister dismissed the services immediately after opening prayer. At another time Bro. Lutz was mak- ing the closing prayer after the burial of a friend in a drizzling rain. When all had left except one deacon brother, who nudged him, he turned and asked the brother why he did not tell him sooner. When Bro. Lutz was preaching at communions in other congregations sometimes the other ministers would pull his coat tail to get him to sit down.
Bro. Lutz was very outspoken in some of his utter- ances, and for this reason often made enemies. He did not like to preach the funeral of a wicked person, because he knew that he would say something to hurt the feelings of the relatives. Once, when a young brother made his first attempt at preaching Bro. Lutz belittled the effort, and said that he was ashamed that such a failure was made in the pulpit. The young brother was greatly discouraged, and perhaps would never have made another attempt had not a good deacon taken him home with him and given him the needed encouragement. Because of his outspoken ways in the time of the war and because he performed the mar- riage ceremony of a brother and divorced woman, Bro.
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Lutz was relieved of the ministry and for some years he did no church work, until Bro. J. H. Filmore moved into the congregation and was instrumental in bringing about a reconciliation. Perhaps on account of the qualities and conditions already mentioned Bro. Lutz was never ordained. Although he had many qualities that are not considered favorable to one who would be an ideal minister, he was a really entertaining preacher and was considered a power in the pulpit. While his brethren came in for their share of his rebukes, in general they overlooked his faults and he accomplished a great deal of good. He was progressive and aggressive, and seems always to have favored Sunday- schools, protracted meetings, etc.
Eld. John Garber
Eld. John Garber was born Feb. 16, 1802, in Mary- land. His father, being a poor man, apprenticed him to a hat maker, which trade he followed in a small way after he moved West. Little is known of his early educational advantages, but they must have been superior to those of the " common run " at that time, perhaps because of his own personal efforts. He was a splendid penman and taught several terms of school. Autograph letters, still in the possession of his grandson, though written with a quill, are marvels of neatness.
Later in life he moved to Pennsylvania where he was married to Sarah Albaugh, and they united with the Church of the Brethren. He was elected to the ministry in Cambria County, Pa., and in 1838 with his family moved to Jeffer- son County, Iowa, coming down the Ohio and up the Mis- sissippi to Burlington in a steamboat. He entered land north of Libertyville and continued to farm until his death. He was ordained to the eldership soon after coming to the State, being the first elder of his faith to be ordained in
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Iowa and the second west of the Mississippi. The services were held in David Peebler's barn, and were conducted by Eld. George Wolf. He was blessed with a family of seven children, as follows: Susanna, Catherine, Sarah and Phœ- ba; Samuel W. and David, both ministers in the Church of the Brethren, and Daniel. Most of the children em- braced the faith of their parents.
The few letters, previously mentioned, and what has been gleaned from the few persons now living who re- membered him, are the only means I have of giving to pos- terity a knowledge of his character. I may truthfully say that from those who knew him I have not heard a word of criticism concerning his life. His letters overflow with reverence to God and gentleness and love for his family. As long as he lived he was quite active in the work of the church in Southern Iowa, often visiting the churches in adjoining counties. He spoke in both English and German and he sometimes was called upon to preach in German.
Dec. 11, 1859, he departed this life on the farm he had entered twenty years before, and was laid to rest in the cemetery west. of the churchhouse. The writer recently visited the old homestead. The mound where the house stood, the well and some rosebushes are all that remain to mark the spot. Time will efface these, but his labors in the Lord will abide forever.
His life is a vivid illustration of the fact that our in- fluence may reach farther than we suspect. He deemed his life so humble that he kept no record of it, yet he was a pioneer of Iowa. When he erected his cabin in Jefferson County, hundreds of savage Indians occupied the forests and prairies of Iowa, and pioneer life was full of dangers. He gave his time and talent to establish the church in her borders, and now, fifty-eight years after he passed away,
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we eagerly grasp every scrap of history he made. As a minister he was not emotional nor boisterous, but calm and deliberate, and his preaching was effective because backed by a loving and consistent life. He was a good counselor and the church prospered under his eldership. The mem- bers felt especially bereft, because a man so useful to the church and society should be taken before he had rounded out even his threescore years and ten.
F. A. Garber.
CHAPTER II
Fairview Church
This church is situated near the center of Udell Town- ship, Appanoose County, Iowa, three miles east of the town of Udell.
As early as 1849 or 1850 members, mostly from Indi- ana and Ohio, began to move into the above-mentioned community. Among those who received letters of mem- bership which are preserved to the present time are Samuel Whistler and wife in 1849, Henry Whistler and wife and Anna Bashore in 1850, and before 1853 were John Clem- mens, John Whistler, Jonathan Lantz, Wm. Stickler, Geo. Masters and Benjamin Leavell with their wives. In 1853 a number of members met and were organized into a work- ing body, with proper officials. We were unable to learn with certainty what elder or elders assisted them in the organization, or who first had the oversight of the church. The number of members who handed in their letters at the organization is also uncertain, as one individual gives it at fourteen, which is also the number given in the record of the faithful, while another places the number at seven or eight, but whichever number is correct, there certainly were others who had letters ready to hand in and others came later, so that in two or three years after the organiza- tion there must have been more than fifty members. Bro. Benjamin Leavell was perhaps the first minister to serve the church. A minister by the name of John S. Holsinger handed in a letter of membership, which was perhaps in the early day. Bro. Leavell died in the early sixties. Among the first to be called to the ministry were Abraham Replogle, Daniel Zook, Wm. Stickler, and Joseph Zook.
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Among the members were some of the most success- ful financiers of the community. Many of them were sub- stantial and faithful workers in the churches, so that this soon became a center of religious and moral activity for the eastern part of Appanoose County, and was recognized in other communities. These stalwart tillers of the soil shed an influence for good and right, which will not soon be eradicated from the standing of the community. They prospered while they held their services in schoolhouses and their communions in barns or in open air, until 1866, when they were enabled to dedicate their first churchhouse, which is still standing. Perhaps the first resident bishop to have active charge of the congregation was Bro. Abra- ham Replogle, who, on account of infirmities of age and blindness, resigned perhaps before 1880, and Bro. Daniel Zook was given charge and remained at the helm until 1894, when he resigned and moved to Van Buren County. Bro. Martin Replogle then succeeded to the place until 1898, when he resigned, and Bro. Abram Wolf was called upon to be their shepherd.
Soon after the building of the meetinghouse, perhaps about 1868, the people of the community began meeting for Sunday-school work, which met with the most flatter- ing success. It was a union Sunday-school and had a regular attendance of from 250 to 300 patrons each Sun- day.
The prosperity of the church continued until about 1880, when the number of members had reached 125 or more. This prosperity was attained without any special efforts in the way of protracted meetings, such as have since been used, and the church bade fair to become one of the strongest in the District. The Sunday-school continued to do good work without much active opposition. While some were opposed to it and would not enter the church
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while the Sunday-school was in session, they did not make any disturbance.
Perhaps the first series of meetings was held by Eld. D. B. Gibson about 1878 or 1880. This may have been followed by other like efforts until about 1881 or 1882, when S. H. Bashor held a protracted meeting, during which some thirty applicants were baptized, all of whom after- wards, with the exception of two or three families, went with the Progressives. About this time some five or six families, feeling that the congregation was becoming too Progressive, withdrew and joined their fortunes with the Old Order element. A few members had all along been out of sympathy with the councils of the church, and some were not in love and fellowship with their brother members. This proved to be an opportunity for the lead- ers of division to get in their work. Two of them chanced to see S. J. Harrison and S. H. Bashor on a train, and soon made arrangements for them to come and hold a series of meetings, which resulted in thirty or more mem- bers withdrawing from the fellowship of the church. Most of them were young heads of families. Among the num- ber were two or three ministers and some of the deacons. This proved a hindrance to church work, which time will not soon overcome. However, the few remaining have continually used their energies for the cause which they love so well. The Sunday-school and preaching services were continued, and through the grace of God they are still contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. They have their communions twice a year, their protracted meetings nearly every year, and for some time have had their Sisters' Aid Society and Christian Workers' meet- ings.
Perhaps the most joyous time they have had in a long time was in the fall of 1915, when Bro. J. F. Swal-
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low, of Franklin County, held a series of meetings for them, and twenty-eight were received into the church, in- cluding a considerable number of young people.
Bro. A. Wolf had charge of the church from 1898, and moving into the congregation in 1903 he remained their elder until 1911, when on account of age, he resigned, and Bro. Orlando Ogden was selected as overseer. Their pas- toral needs are looked after by three ministers, Bro. An- thony Sanger being active leader, with O. Ogden and J. H. Keller, both elders, as helpers, assisted by a number of deacons.
Always there were members living in adjoining neigh- borhoods, and the ministers often were called to many near- by places to preach the Gospel in different parts of the county. While these appointments without doubt accom- plished much good, yet they resulted in establishing no per- manent churches. Eternity alone will tell what good some of those old soldiers of the cross accomplished. Besides the ministers mentioned elsewhere, some of those serving the church were as follows: J. W. Hawn, elected 187-, killed, 1899; Joseph Zook, elected perhaps after 1860, went Progressive, 1888; Tazwell Gray, received by letter from neighboring Missouri congregation, died after 1900; Wm. Krewson, received by letter about 1890, died in Idaho after 1900; H. A. Whisler, elected 1891, went to California be- fore 1900; Orlando Ogden, installed 1893, ordained about 1908; O. W. Leavell, minister, 1893, moved west about 1900; J. H. Keller, minister, 1894, advanced 1895, ordained 1904; Jacob Bahr, time of service unknown, but strong minister ; Samuel Bucher, letter 1902, here two years; D. A. Wolf, elected 1902; Theo. Price, elected 1909-1912; John Price, elected 1909, moved to Libertyville 1915.
Some of the principal deacons were as follows : Samuel Whisler, died 1875; Henry Epperly, Old Order, 1882 or
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FAIRVIEW CHURCH
1883; John P. Jennings, died 1892; Henry Whisler, died 1899. The above four deacons were among the first, but the date of their election could not be secured. A. M. Whisler, elected 1898; Charles Deahl, 1898; M. A. Whisler, by letter, 1912; John Burger and Fred Ulerich, elected 1915; Ellis Peebler, by letter, 1908, died 1916. All the last named are living except Bro. Peebler.
Pleasant Valley
Some of the members living in the southwestern part of the county, who were members of the Fairview church, felt that they could accomplish more work in a separate congregation. So, in harmony with this feeling, in 1877 they were organized into a separate body, known as the Pleasant Valley church, with twelve charter members. Among the families represented were Sticklers, Beers, Corders, Krewsons, Kellers, and Kerschners. They never built a house of worship, but preached in schoolhouses and held their communions in improvised brush arbors. Bro. Wm. Stickler was their elder, and at least two ministers were included within their church territory. Harvey Cor- der was minister during the life of the organization. E. Teeter was minister for a while. Some of the deacons were Henry Keller, James Beer, Aaron Kerschner, and John Sharpe. In 1881 they numbered fifty-five members, which was perhaps the high mark of the congregation in the way of membership. They still worked as ministers with the Fairview church, and in 1886 or 1887, on account of Bro. Stickler's failing health, they disorganized and again became affiliated with the Fairview congregation.
Abraham Replogle
Abraham Replogle was born in Bedford County, Pa., Aug. 8, 1806. We are not informed as to his early train-
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ing and environment, but we find that the county of his birthplace had quite an influence for the brethren. His parents died when he was but five years old, so that he hardly knew the real love and care of a godly parentage. Thus he was thrown upon the mercy of relatives or friends, or suffered the hardships of an orphan's life. He was mar- ried to Barbary Miller Feb. 24, 1828. We find that about this time, or sooner, he emigrated to Wayne County, Ind. He was the father of fourteen children, all of whom, ex- cept one, became members of the church. He came to Ap- panoose County about 1854 and was soon afterwards elected to the ministry. It is likely he was one of the first elders of the Fairview church. We were not able to secure as much of the history of his life and character as we would like, but he must have been evenly tempered, of a fatherly disposition and a good elder, as the church seemed to pros- per under his care. He was fairly strong and fluent as 2 minister, and preached considerably in surrounding com- munities and churches. It is said that he and Bro. Wm. Stickler traveled together a great deal and thought as much of each other as two brothers could. He continued his labors until the infirmities of age and his blindness interfered. He passed from labor to reward Dec. 31, 1885. His faithful companion passed away three years before. His funeral was conducted by Eld. Wm. Stickler.
Eld. Wm. Stickler
William Stickler was born in Miami County, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1819. We are not informed of his parental train- ing along religious lines, but from his life and character he must have inherited considerable religious zeal and a strong character. His father dying when he was but three years old, his education was limited to thirteen days in school, but he arose above his environments and in his
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life acquired a developed mind and intellect. At the age of seven he was bound out to a man named Ebenezer Yates. He often told how he was mistreated by this man, even when he tried to do his best and when forbearance ceased to be a virtue. At the age of 14 he ran away and from then he started to be the architect of his own fortune.
In 1839 he was married to Mary J. Delong To this union six children were born The wife of his youth dying, he was again married, to Nancy Ann Thomas, to whom four- teen children were born. Thirteen children survived him and were present at his funeral. Some have since died.
In early life he united with the Methodist church, but July 28, 1842, he became a member of the Church of the Brethren. He came to Iowa with his family in 1852, and located in the southwestern part of Appanoose County. Here he was called to the ministry May 28, 1855, and later ordained to the eldership.
In his younger days he contended with a weakly body, being inclined to consumption, but in later life he was in some way permitted to overcome in a measure this infirm- ity, and became a strong man and a hard worker. He al- ways followed the vocation of farming and was sufficiently successful, so that he was not strained for support in his old age. While, as before stated, he was not blessed with a school education, being a tireless worker and an ambi- tious man he obtained a general education above the aver- age and was exceedingly wise in his ability to apply it. One of his children has truly said he was a self-made man. He was a student of religious literature and history, and especially the Bible, and never lacked for words to express and emphasize what he wanted to say. It has been stated that he had a voice like a lion, and when at his best he preached with his whole body as well as with his tongue.
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