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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN IN INDIANA
HISTORY
of the
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN in
INDIANA
by
HISTORICAL COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICTS
MIDDLE INDIANA
-
V. F. Schwalm L. W. Shults C. Ray Keim
NORTHERN INDIANA
C. C. Cripe
Harvey Bowers Russell Sherman
SOUTHERN INDIANA
Mary Stoner Wine J. S. Alldredge (deceased ) L. S. Shively
PUBLISHED By AUTHORIZATION OF THE DISTRICT CONFERENCES of the CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
IN INDIANA 1952
COPYRIGHT, 1952 HISTORICAL COMMITTEES CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN in INDIANA
PRINTED AND BOUND January, 1952
Printed by LIGHT AND LIFE PRESS WINONA LAKE, INDIANA 1952
₹
This book is dedicated to the memory of Otho Winger, preacher, educator, statesman, author, citizen, friend- foremost leader of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana in the twentieth century.
From the library of
Adelle Frank.com
PREFACE
In 1917 there appeared a book entitled, "History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana," by Otho Winger. This book abounded in interesting information about the churches down to that date. Brother Winger felt that the history of the churches would be stimulating to the readers and serve as a convenient reference for much information that would soon be lost if no one collected it and put it in an available form.
There is little doubt that the book served the purposes for which the author wrote it. It has been a source of information, interest, and inspiration to thousands. A few years ago sentiment began to develop for extending this history to the years since 1917. The sentiment grew and each district appointed a committee to gather historical data. These committee members were as follows: Northern Indiana, Charles C. Cripe,Harvey S. Bowers, and Russell A. Sherman; Southern Indiana, Mrs. G. L. Wine, J. S. Alldredge (d. 1950), and L. S. Shively ; Mid- dle Indiana, V. F. Schwalm, L. W. Shultz, and C. Ray Keim.
This committee asked each church to furnish data. Most of the information on congregations was obtained by the fine cooperation of individuals who, at considerable cost of time, furnished the district con- mittees with the data which they compiled.
Since it was impossible to append data from 1917 to Bro. Winger's account, the general plan was to re-write the earlier period and bring it down to date with new material. For the material on the years prior to 1917, the committee relied heavily on the Winger book, usually condensing it somewhat. This was a difficult task and the re- sults may not have been perfect in all cases, but the committee can at least plead good intentions.
For certain parts of this book, reference was had to the Gospel Mes- senger, Missionary Visitor, Minutes of the District Meetings, Minutes of the Annual Conference, sketches of persons furnished by gracious individuals, congregational histories, and other sources, besides the in- formation sent in from the local churches. Doubtless the book is not free from errors of fact. It also may suffer from errors of judgment, but the committee hopes that the work possesses sufficient merit to make it a valuable asset to the churches.
Quite a number of pictures have been reproduced from the book by Otho Winger. Many new ones, including one of every church house, have been added. As in any such work, the task of selecting these pic-
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6
Preface
tures was most difficult and the committee hopes that their labors will meet with general approbation.
When the question of dedication arose, the committee had little difficulty in deciding that this book ought to be dedicated to him who was doubtless the foremost leader in the church since 1917 and who did the pioneer work in the field to be covered.
Finally, this book is presented in the hope it will contribute to the preservation of priceless material and will be an inspiration to us to carry forward the labors in the Kingdom, so faithfully begun by our fathers.
INTRODUCTION TO CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
Indiana was still a Territory in 1809 when our first Breth- ren Church in the State was organized (at Four Mile). Pioneer con- ditions prevailed which meant log cabins, bad roads (if any!), Indian problems, distant markets, lack of educational, cultural, and religious facilities.
These hardy pioneers plunged into the wilderness to establish their homes. Wherever they went they made every effort to have religious services-first in the homes and then in rude log structures used as meeting houses. We get a real thrill today when we read the story of these pioneer fathers who lighted their altar fires as well as the fires in the hearths. The arduous labors of our pioneer preachers is a story that all should read. There was the mother, left to manage the home, with its numerous brood, while the father was away preaching the Gospel to the dwellers of the wilderness. Preaching was not a pro- fession with them; it was a strenuous adventure of hardship and sac- rifice, as well as a joy, to these devoted soldiers of the Cross.
As soon as a family or two of Brethren settled in a particular place they began to have services, even if a minister was not available. Traveling ministers would reach them presently. One might move in or one of the laymen might be called to the ministry. Whatever the de- tails, the little church was soon launched in the back-woods. Often the organization took place when scarcely a dozen members were within reach of the meetings (not church). Then they would build a church or meetinghouse. The membership was usually scattered over several miles of wilderness. Presently a move was started to build a house in another section of the territory or hold services in the homes in that section. If the sections were fairly close together, they might constitute one congregation with several preaching points. Later, one or more might be separated from the parent church and become new congregations.
Reading the story of the Brethren in Indiana impresses one with the tremendous amount of missionary work that the early preachers did. They preached in saw-mills, school houses, homes, mills, and many other places. This work resulted in many churches in new communities. Naturally, not all of these would be permanent. Some soon disappeared but the general trend was in the direction of an increase in the reach of the Gospel. The peak of preaching points or churchhouses seems to
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Introduction
have been reached a little over a century after the first church was planted, or around 1910-15. Changes in transportation allowed consolidations where churchhouses were now too close together. A rapid movement to the cities in the early nineteen hundreds depleted the membership of some rural churches. Lack of leadership, internal troubles, and other causes added to the above situations, account for the loss of many preaching points. The off-setting factor has been the gains in the cities. Yet, the fact remains that we have lost ground in certain areas where the church died out. Territorially speaking, our principal gains have been in the cities during the last half century. We have scarcely held our own in the extent of rural area covered.
It is the hope of those who have brought together the material for this book that the story it tells may be a real challenge to us. We can- not imitate the pioneer fathers always in methods but we need to equal, or even excel them, in achievements. They blazed the trail; we have this rich heritage. We who are the Church of today will write the next chapter, the church of tomorrow. May that chapter record great gains for the Kingdom.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
Page
Preface 5
Introduction 7
I. Congregations-Middle Indiana II
II. Congregations-Northern Indiana
77
III. Congregations-Southern Indiana
I49
IV. Districts-Data and Activities
209
V. Missions-Missionaries-Home Missions 245
VI. Education-Manchester College 265
VII. Camping-Camp Alexander Mack
291
VIII. Biographical Sketches 299
IX. Who's Who-Short biographical Pen Sketches
44I
X. Annual Meetings Held in Indiana. 48
CHAPTER I CONGREGATIONS-MIDDLE INDIANA
AKRON (Co-operative)
Prior to 1930 the Brethren Church had a congregation near Akron called the Highland Church. At the above date the services at this house were discontinued and services were begun in the town of Akron. The outgrowth of this was a movement by this group and mem- bers of the Church of the Brethren, who had no church home in the community, to form a co-operative group. This was accomplished in 1934 when a constitution was adopted by the congregation on No- vember II. The Church of the Brethren was officially represented by Elder Edward Kintner and the Brethren Church by Dr. Charles A. Bame.
For four years Russell Stout served as pastor. Then A. T. Ronk served for two years and he was followed by Lewis Engle who served for several months. Then followed William Overholser for five and a half years ; Dale Brubaker for one and a half years; and Arthur Tinkel for four years, leaving in the summer of 1951. John Smeltzer is now Pastor.
A system of alternating evangelists from the two denominations was followed. Meetings were held by Dr. Charles A. Bame, B. Rollins, J. O. Winger, Leonard Custer, and C. A. Stewart.
Six deacons have served the church: A. E. Dickerhoff, Frank Smith, Fred Walgemuth. Fred Dickerhoff, Paul Pugh, and Wayne Engle.
The superintendents of the Sunday school have been A. E. Dicker- hoff, Mrs. Fred Walgemuth, Edward Kroft, and Joseph Kroft.
For a number of years the pastor acted as administrative head of the church, presiding at council meetings. For the last four and a half years the church has had a presiding elder, Edward Kintner.
ANDREWS
Elder William Moss, of Mexico, preached in the vicinity of Antioch, now Andrews, as early as 1838. There were probably other meetings but the first resident minister was Joseph Leedy, 1853. Preaching was held in Leedy's cabin, in his barn, then in the new schoolhouse in Antioch. Elder John Leedy, brother of Joseph, moved in from Ohio and helped in the work. The church grew by mi- grations and baptisms.
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I2
History of the Church of the Brethren
In 1855 the scattered members were organized as the Antioch church with the Leedy brothers as elders. Elder John Bowman spent the later years of his life and Elder Samuel Murray a few years in this church. Early deacons were Joseph Zook, George Shroyer, Thomas Bailey, and William Bruss. Later deacons were John Crull, Sam Mater, George Rinker, J. H. Barker, A. B. Miller, Isaac Bowles, M. L. Zook, and John Mater. More recently deacons have been elected as follows : Charles Eckman (1915), Wilbur Quinn ( 1920), Howard Z. Jeffrey (1920), Ivan McDaniel (1930), Roy Freshour (1930), Harry Crull (1940), Arthur Priser (1940), and Frank Heitz (1940-d. 1949).
Ministers elected before 1881 were Daniel Hinley, Abraham Leedy, Michael Minnich, O. C. Ellis, J. W. Southwood, Jesse Calvert, Stephen Minnich, and Joseph Lair. Of these, Southwood went with the Old Orders, Calvert with the Progressives, and Minnich and Lair left the church altogether. In more recent years the church has called to the ministry Ray Lantz and Glenn Mulligan.
The present church was built in Antioch in 1860. It was unusual in its day because it was in town and had a bell. In 1866, when Indiana was divided into districts, the meeting was held in this church. Being a strong church, there was serious consideration of founding a Brethren college there. As the membership grew to the south, a house was erected in the village of Dora, seven miles away. In 1881 there were 110 mem- bers at Dora but there was trouble and division and many left the church. With the deaths of the Leedys (John, 1881, Abraham, 1898, and Joseph, 1903) and lack of other leadership, the work suffered considerably. Elder Noah Fisher was pastor and elder for a number of years. The Mission Board of the district placed Ira E. Long there as pastor, 1915-25. Later pastors have been Russell Sherman, Lawrence Goodmiller, Howard Dickey, Frank Mulligan, Glenn Mulligan and Grant Weaver. This church, with Markle, called David Holl as pastor of the two churches, beginning September, 1951. Some elders who have had charge have been J. W. Norris, J. O. Winger, C. W. Warst- ler, D. W. Paul, Walter Stinebaugh, and Amsey Snell.
Sunday School superintendents who have served since 1917 are : Chas. Eckman, Lydia Duncan, Howard Z. Jeffrey, Ivan McDaniel, Arthur Priser, Frank Plasterer, C. E. Eckman and Truman Oswalt. Henry Crull is head of the Men's Work and there is an active Aid
Akron (Co-operative)
Andrews
Bachelor Run
Bethel Center
Buffalo
Burnettsville
Cart Creek
Clear Creek
1
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I
I4
History of the Church of the Brethren
Society. The church has made many improvements in the interior of the building and have plans for further changes.
BACHELOR RUN
Up to the year 1838 the history of this church is that of the Deer Creek church (see Lower Deer Creek). In that year the two were di- vided but the Replogle-Eyman controversy increased, largely, it seems, because Eyman advocated several changes in Brethren doctrine and practices. As a result, a special Annual Meeting was held near Delphi in 1848 to settle the matter. This conference counselled forbearance and loyalty but apparently some were unwilling to yield. At a later meeting held in John Flora's barn, Eyman, George Patton, and others, were disfellowshipped. (They formed the New Dunkers or Church of God, having a dozen or more congregations at present, mostly in White County. Winger, pp. 457-9) Some who followed those disfellowship- ped soon returned.
Although called Bachelor Run, the first church building was erected in or near the southeast part of what is Flora today, 1854. Two years later a second house was built five miles southeast of Flora. In 1882 the country and in 1884 the town house were remodeled. The former was remodeled again in 1910 and was destroyed by fire May 27, 1944. On Oct. 19, 1947, a new brick church was dedicated, the ad- dress being delivered by Bro. T. A. Shively. This house cost $42,000 and was free from debt at the time of dedication. Further, the congre- gation planned to repay a gift of $1500 by the district not later than February, 1950. This congregation (of less than 200 members) is to be commended for this remarkable achievement.
This congregation has been diminished in membership by the or- ganization of separate congregations and by internal divisions. In 1852 the Howard County members organized a separate congregation ; in 1865 the Monticello church was organized; in 1848 the New Dunker movement took some; in 1881 (in 1880 the membership was 350) 126 were disfellowshipped because they went with the Old Order movement (including ministers Abraham Flora, Abraham J. Flora, and Jacob Flora and deacons Christian Eikenberry, John Kingery and Jonas Flora) ; in 1882 some left for the Progressive movement, locally led by Sanford Seawright and Baltzer Gordon.
A long list of ministers have been called or moved into this con- gregation : George Patton, 1841; Isaac Eikenberry (ordained 1856, d. 1889, at 84; wife lived to be 98) and Philip Moss, 1842 (moved out 1855) ; Elder John Hart moved in 1844 (died 1856 at age of 84) ; Hiel Hamilton moved in 1846 (he must have moved out later because Winger says, p. 30, he moved in, 1883, an aged man, along with Elder
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
Abner Bowers who died in 1888) ; about 1846 David Fisher was elected in the northwest part of the territory (Monticello) ; Joseph Eiken- berry and Jacob Flora, 1856; Christian Lesh, 1861 (ordained 1880, d. 1883) ; Abraham Flora, 1862 (Winger gives, P. 30, another Abraham Flora elected 1879. One must have been Abrahan J., referred to in the split of 1881) ; Sanford Seawright and Baltzer Gordon, 1879; Riley Montgomery, 1883; David Niccum, 1883 (ordained 1887, moved to N. Dak., 1895) ; John Lesh moved in, 1888, and was later relieved of his ministry at his request; Elder John Shively moved in 1893, died 1895; J. G. Stinebaugh and Riley Flora in 1897 (d. 1940) ; Elder Solomon Blickenstaff moved in 1898 (he had charge of the church 1896-1901 ; d. 1903) ; and A. G. Crosswhite, minister in sec- ond degree, moved in from Southern Ohio, 1897, serving as pastor, 1897-1912, and elder, 1901-1912, having been ordained here in 1899, along with Henry Landis (elected 1883).
In 1911 the Flora church became a separate congregation and the country house retained the old name. Some of the ministers who have served in these later years are Boyd Bechtelheimer, 1910-13, (moved to Upper Deer Creek) ; Elmer Phipps (moved to Plevna) ; Ira Kreider moved here from Ogan's Creek (around 1917) ; Benjamin Wray (d. 1931) ; William L. Angle, elected prior to 1917, ordained 1923, free ministry to 1935, presiding elder 1923-35 and 1949 -; Robert Sink, pastor and elder, 1935-39; elder 1939-42 ; Clarence Sink, pastor, 1940- 48; elder, 1942-48; and Herbert Fisher, pastor, 1949-50; Lewis Dear- dorff, 1950 -; T. A. Shively is now presiding elder (1951).
Deacons who have been elected or served in this church are as fol- lows: Isaac Eikenberry and John Trent, 1841; Solomon Furry and John Snoeberger, 1856; Christian Eikenberry and Henry Shively, 1873; Abraham Brubaker, Henry Landis, John Kingery, and Jonas Flora, 1879; Richard Callane, 1883 ; Isaac Myers and Joseph Clingen- peel, 1885; Charles Sink, 1898; Charles Myer, Fred Myer, Clarence Wolfe, Otis Clingenpeel, William Croak, (no dates of election given) ; Ralph Toler, Laurence Douglas and Willard Allbaugh, all 1947.
A notable event in the history of the Bachelor Run church was the Annual Meeting held here in 1858. Another was the first recorded series of meetings by George W. Cripe, 1868. But, the most notable series was that of I. J. Rosenberger, 1885, lasting seven weeks and end- ing in 83 baptisms and seven restored to membership. The meeting ended with a great lovefeast occasion. Among the converts were many heads of families, a Methodist and a Progressive preacher. Interest- ingly enough, this followed close upon the Old Order and Progressive splits.
The church has a flourishing Sunday school with Carl Richard- son superintendent (1951). The membership is 170.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
BETHEL CENTER (Hartford City)
At an early date preaching was done by the Brethren from Miss- issinewa (Southern District) in the neighborhood of Hartford City. In 1885 Levi Winklebleck and his mother drove to the Mississinewa church and were baptized. He and others became active and a church was organized in 1886 with about forty members. Levi Winklebleck and Samuel Wilson were elected deacons. The next year the former and John Rodgers were called to the ministry. Soon Winklebleck was ordained and given charge of the church.
A house was built two miles west of Hartford City and dedicated by Elder J. F. Spitzer on January 25, 1887. The church grew to 175 members. A new house was built in Hartford City in 1895 and the congregation was presently divided into separate organizations. Bruce Leonard was called to the ministry and preached his first sermon in 1897. Elder I. J. Howard moved in about this time.
In 1908 Levi Winklebleck moved to California and the work soon suffered and almost ceased. Then a revival came and both churches were under the care of the Mission Board of Southern Indiana. In 1916 they were combined and placed under the care of the Mis- sion Board of Middle Indiana. There seems to be no record of any or- dinations, installations, or licensing of ministers in this church, now known as Bethel Center. The town house is no longer used.
The following elders have had oversight of the church: J. W. Norris, 1921-22; Vernon Browning, 1923-26, 1938, 1944 and 1945; J. A. Snell, 1926-27; J. A. Miller, 1928-31; D. M. Byerly, 1932-33 : William Tinkle, 1934-37 ; Charles R. Oberlin, 1939-43 ; Galen Lehman, 1946, Edward Kintner 1947-48. In 1951 Chas. R. Oberlin was elder.
Ministers who have served as pastors : Charles R. Oberlin, 1918- 19; Ross Gotschall, 1920-21; Oscar Winger, 1922-23; Fred Gowdy, 1924-26; J. A. Miller, 1927-30; Harold Rarick, 1931-32; William Tinkle, 1933-37; Frank Dillon, 1938-44; Ralph Martin, 1945-46; Gordon Bucher, 1947; James Simmons, 1948. Wilmer M. Lehman is pastor, 1951.
Besides the two deacons mentioned above, the following have served from approximately the time given : Milton Cook, 1888 or 1890; Philip Michael, 1898; Herbert Myers, Alonzo Monroe, and Carl Wentz, 1924; Ansley Reasoner, 1920; Gola Coons and Freedith Michael, 1939; and Ira Lucas and Vaughn Fisher, 1949.
Sunday School superintendents, 1919-1948, were the following : Lydia Waters, 1919-22 ; Ansley Reasoner, 1923; John Marshall, 1924; Alonzo Monroe, 1925-28 and 1937-38; Carl Wentz, 1927 ; Lulu Tinkle, 1935-36; Naomi Hubbard, 1939; Mary Myers, 1940-41; Icie Huff-
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
man, 1942-43; Freedith Michael, 1944-47, James Hubbard, 1948, and Vaughn Fisher, 1951.
Bethel Center reported a membership of 107 in 1949.
BUFFALO (Beaver Creek)
Early in the sixties some Brethren families from Ohio settled in Pulaski County, west of Winamac, including Abraham Miller, a min- ister. Later Daniel Freeman, a minister from Ohio, moved in and was ordained in 1873 by Brethren John Knisley and David Rupel. During this same year Brethren John Snoeberger, Joseph Amick, Andrew Culp, J. G. Royer, and J. A. Warren, all of Pike Creek (Monticello) church, met with Daniel Freeman and others and organized the Beaver Creek Church. This joined in one congregation the emigrants from Ohio referred to above and an extension of the work from Pike Creek. A house was built in 1889. Elder Freeman did most of the preaching, assisted by Jeremiah Hahn who was handicapped by ill health. About the turn of the century he appealed for help and the District Mission Board took over the church till 1941. For about the first half of this period many ministers filled the appointments, including Joseph Amick, Andrew Culp, J. G. Royer, J. A. Weaver, Isaac Keys, Abraham Rine- hart, George Swihart, Allen Oberlin, Otho Winger, Joseph Rife, Aaron Moss, A. J. Crosswhite, Frank Fisher, George and A. R. Bridge, and David Dilling, all nonresident. M. L. Hahn and Oliver Capron were resident ministers who served without compensation. Roy Mish- ler, Gorman Heeter, and Robert Sink served as non-resident, part-time pastors for terms of one year before 1920.
Under the Mission Board a somewhat regular supply was pro- vided for a few of the first half of the years. Elder George Deardorf served 1913-1915, assisted by his father, Isaac Deardorf (ordained here, 1915) ; Ellis Wagoner, 1915-17; James Hunter, 1921-22; B. D. Hirt, late in 1922 to 1946, with a short interval in 1927-28, when Mil- lard Wilson, a student from Bethany served. Leo Vanscoyk and out- side help filled the appointments till the coming of Richard Moomaw who served from October, 1947, to June, 1948. In October, 1949, John Mishler began as pastor and left in 1951. Chas. R. Oberlin is now pastor.
Elders in charge have included J. G. Stinebaugh, 1916-1922, and James Norris, Charles R. Oberlin, Perry Coblentz, G. B. Heeter, and J. A. Snell, all sent in by the Mission Board and serving from 1923 to 1930. Ray Shank served 1930-35; B. D. Hirt, 1935-36 and 1941-48; and T. A. Shively, 1936-1941, and 1948 -.
Among the earlier deacons were S. B. White, Edward White, Milo Grafton, William Bowsher, and Rudolph Keever (moved in from Monticello, 1915), Deacons elected 1920 to 1943 are as follows : Rich-
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History of the Church of the Brethren
ard Bramble and Harry Kepp, 1920; John Marion, Joe Hirt, William Marion, and Merle Rotruck, all 1943. Clarence Gibbs moved in from Kewanna, 1932.
For many years Brother S. B. White drove to Winamac or Monticello to meet ministers and he entertained them in his home. This required sixty or more miles of driving each weekend. This was a notable service by this good layman.
Superintendents of the Sunday School, 1915-1948 included Rudolph Keever, Harry White, Harry Kepp, Leo Vanscoyk, Richard Bramble, Lonnie Monbeck, Morris Hefner, John Marion, Grace Mor- ris, Loren Ezra, Joe Hirt, Oris Vanscoyk, Howard Ezra and Loren Ezra, 1949 -.
Of the present membership in 1949, only three antedate the pastor- ate of Bro. B. D. Hirt. These are Cora M. Hahn (a member since 1891) and Leo and Leona Vanscoyk.
Due to the need of a better building and a better location, the church bought the former Presbyterian church building in Buffalo and the congregation was moved there in 1930. Some members were lost, being opposed to the move. In 1932 the district approved the change of name from Beaver Creek to Buffalo. The membership doubled within a few years and in 1942 the church was remodeled and rededicated, Bro. Charles R. Oberlin bringing the message. One year later (Sept. 19, 1943) in an anniversary meeting, the last of the debt was paid. Just before the remodeling began, the church took full re- sponsibility for its own support ( 1941) and has continued so since. The present membership is some under 100.
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