History of the Eel River Christian Conference, from its organization to the present time--August 15, 1902-- ; also History of all the churches of the Conference from their organization to the present time, together with biographical sketches of ministers and laymen, and much other important matter, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Huntington, Ind. : News Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 176


USA > Indiana > History of the Eel River Christian Conference, from its organization to the present time--August 15, 1902-- ; also History of all the churches of the Conference from their organization to the present time, together with biographical sketches of ministers and laymen, and much other important matter > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12


HISTORY OF THE EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE & ALLEN CO. INN


M. L


--


5


-


GEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02573 5603


Gc 977.2 H622e History of the Eel River Christian Conference, from


.


-


WHERE CONFERENCE WAS ORGANIZED, AUGUST 26, 1844.


. . HISTORY . .


OF THE


Eel River Christian Conference


from its organization to the present time-August 15, 1902-also History of all the Churches of the Conference from their organization to the present time, together with


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


of Ministers and Laymen, and much other important matter.


ILLUSTRATED.


1902: NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY. HUNTINGTON, INDIANA.


Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270


"Life is real ! Life is earnest ! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.


"Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, . And, departing, leave behind us Foot-prints on the sands of time.


"Foot-prints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.


"Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.


-Longfellow.


436417


PREFACE.


This book, a history of Eel River Christian Conference, and of her churches, together with biographical sketches of her ministers. illustrated with cuts of many of those who have labored in "sunshine and shadow" for the success of the Christian church and her principles has been prepared by a committee of the Conference appointed for that purpose. The initial steps for the publication of this work was taken at the annual session of the Conference held in August. 1900. President Whitelock suggested at that time that as ahnost 56 years had elapsed since the organization of the Conference, that if any history of its work were ever prepared it ought to be done soon. The matter was presented at a joint meeting of the Executive Board and Board of Trustees, and a committee was appointed to consider the advisability of preparing a Conference History, consisting of J. Frank Barnes, Rev. R. W. Page and J. M. Brown. This committee reported in favor of printing a history, and recommended that a committee be appointed to formulate a history and prepare it for the press. This report was approved and the following committee was selected: (). W. Whitelock, J. F. Barnes, Peter Winebrenner, David Hidy, R. W. Page.


At the session of Conference held at Six Mile church, August, 1901, Rev. W. J. Young was added to the committee on biography, and has been a very valuable helper in the work. The committee has taken pains to get the facts in relation to our Conference proceedings and to give a correct history of the churches of our Conference as far as obtainable. The work of the committee has been divided among the members. The biographical sketches being in the hands of Elder Winebrenner and Rev. W. J. Young, but they were not all prepared by these brethren. The church histories were, for the most part, collected by Elder Hidy and Rev. Page; the Conference history proper was prepared by our worthy secretary from the Conference records, and the constitution and by-laws codified by the president.


The aim of the committee has been accuracy, but no doubt some errors have crept into the work, but we believe the book is accurate in substantially all the statements of fact. The committee is greatly under obligations to the many brothers and sisters throughout the


Cape Fi 110


6


PREFACE


Conference that have so ably assisted in this work. No attempt has been made to embellish the statements of fact by the use of ornate language, believing that what the brotherhood desired was a faithful historical record to be handed down from generation to generation. The book is a history of the progress of our Conference and churches in the past fifty-eight years. This record of the struggles of the early churches, her ministers and laiety, ought to be an inspiration to us and to our posterity to greater efforts in the vineyard of the Lord, and should encourage sacrifices on the part of the members of the Christian church for the upbuilding of our beloved Zion. If this shall be the fruition of the labors of this committee, then its work will not have been in vain, and we will feel that this book will be a golden chord binding the past to the present and linking this generation with those yet unborn.


We hope the brethren will pardon our mistakes and look upon this book as their own, and will lend a helping hand to send it forth on its mission of good.


COMMITTEE.


HISTORY.


In the earlier settlement of the north central part of Indiana. a few pioneer Christian ministers, who braved the privations of a new country had gone about from settlement to settlement and preached in log cabins and in the open woods until they had gathered together here and there a little band of earnest worshipers. These sturdy woodsmen believed that the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ should not be bound down by any creed but should take the Holy Bible as their only rule of faith and christian practice; that they like the free air of heaven which they breathed unrestrained, should have religious liberty of thought and should be allowed to fellowship all as christians who by their lives gave evidence of a christian character. These scattered flocks and those who, almost "without money and without price" fed them as best they could saw the necessity of organization for better work so they were called together for that purpose.


The first meeting of Eel River Christian Conference was held on Eel River, in Kosciusko county, Indiana, on the 26th day of August. 1844. The opening prayer was made by Elder Atchison. Elder A. Baldwin was chosen Chairman, and W. B. Wade, Secretary.


A resolution was then passed, that the name of this Conference should be Eel River Christian Conference; and one that this Conference should be composed of ministers and brethren in good standing. Also a resolution that this Conference look into the character and standing of ministers and churches, yearly.


The following churches were received at this first session: One near Deals Creek of twenty-six members, one in Miami Reserve of twenty-six members, one in Wabash of twenty-three members, one on Eel River of sixty-five members, the Washington township church of fifteen members, one near Wolf Lake of twelve members, Bethel, at Waterford, of forty-four members, one at Leesburg of fifty members. and the Chipaway church of twenty-three members. A committee of three persons was appointed to transact business during the recess of the Conference. W. B. Wade, Abner McCourtney, and Elias Baker were appointed to labor within the bounds of the Conference during the coming year.


8


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


At the second session, at Leesburg in 1845, a committee was appointed to arrange an order of business, whose report seems to have been carried out somewhat after our present manner of conducting Conference. Three new churches, Pleasant Grove, Trembles Creek and Pleasant Hill were received at this session. A resolution was also passed urging all to patronize the Herald of Gospel Liberty and the Home Missionary. Elders Roberts and Atchison were again appointed to labor within the bounds of the Conference. Delegates to sister Conferences were appointed at this session. Address by Snow Ritchison, of Ohio. Elias Baker, President; W. B. Wade, Secretary.


The third annual session was held near Waterford, Elkhart county, August 13, 1846. Address by Elder J. Roberts. It was decided at this session that Conference support a traveling minister. The minutes do not mention who was appointed to fill this position. Joseph Roberts, President; W. B. Wade, Secretary.


The fourth annual session was held with the Pleasant Grove church, Wabash county, August 13, 1847. Address by Elder H. Barber. This year $176.50 was pledged by the church for the support of the ministry. In the minutes of this session we notice that churches report what they can pay for preaching during the coming year. These sums range from ten to seventy dollars for each church. Elders Roberts and Atchison were appointed to supply churches with preaching, and to take in all the new ground they can, supplying each church with preaching once in two weeks. The amount donated by the churches to be divided between them equally, and if this be not sufficient, the standing committee was to aid them. J. Roberts, President; W. B. Wade, Secretary.


The fifth annual session was held with the Washington township church, August 18, 1848. Elder Joseph Spencer was received at this session. The following churches were also received: Paw Paw, 50 members; Lagro, 13 members; Jefferson, Mich., 20 members; Cass Co., Mich., 5 members. A resolution was passed at this session requesting churches to supply themselves with preaching for the coming year. Wmn. Rodman, President; W. B. Wade, Secretary.


The sixth annual session was held in the Jefferson church, Mich., August 16, 1849. A resolution was passed at this session censuring ministers for not better attending to their appointments, and providing for the dropping of a minister who had not called his congregation together for one year. Elder James Atchison was chosen evangelist at this session. Asa Pratt, James Mason and Peter D. Wood were


O. W. WHITELOCK, President of Eel River Christian Conference.


11


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


appointed a committee to see that Elder Atchison received sufficient support as such evangelist. James Atchison, President; John Simington, Secretary.


The seventh annual session was held at the Bethel church, Elkhart county, August, 1850. Address by Elder F. E. Thomas. Rev. James Atchison, the evangelist, reported having preached 201 sermons, received 79 members, baptized 26, and received $81.79 salary. Joseph Roberts, President; F. E. Sparling and B. Benner, Secretaries.


The eighth annual session was held with the Pleasant Grove church, August, 1851. At this session Philip Zeigler, H. Parker and I. B. A. Keniston were received as members, and S. McGeorge, C. F. Wood, I. Bosely, A. Tabler and J. Gregory were received as licentiates.


The ninth annual session was held with the Merriam church. August, 1852. Address by Elder P. Zeigler. Members received and ordained, Thomas Whitman; licensed, Wm. C. Smith. Churches received, Millersburg, 7 members; Osalo, Elkhart county, 15 members; Saint Jo, 13 members; Mechanicsburg, 15 members. S. McGeorge was ordained. The following resolution was passed at this session: Resolved, That we appoint an evangelist to ride within the bounds of this Conference, to preach to the weak churches; and, that each preacher be an agent to solicit support for said evangelist; and, that Conference pay $75.00 for his services half the time. Elder Philip Zeigler was chosen as such evangelist. A resolution was also passed at this session strongly condemning intoxicating drinks, and urging ministers to use their influence against them. Cyrus Lowman, President; J. Simington, Secretary; T. Black, Assistant Secretary.


The tenth annual session was held in Jefferson, Cass county, Mich., August, 1853. Address by Elder Thos. Whitman. In the matter of Conference evangelist, Elder Zeigler reported having preached 212 sermons, traveled 2783 miles and received $163.06 salary as such evangelist. Churches were urged by Conference, to take quarterly collections for the support of this evangelist. A resolution commending Antioch College, in the strongest teruis, was passed at this session. J. Spencer, President; J. Simington, Secretary.


The eleventh annual session was held at Pleasant Grove. August, 1854. Address by Elder Philip Zeigler. A resolution urging ministers to organize Sunday Schools in all their churches was favorably considered at this session. Also that they use the Christian literature in these schools. The slave question was discussed at some


12


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


length, and strong resolutions of condemnation of both slavery and the fugitive slave law were passed. T. Whitman, President; J. Simington, Secretary.


The twelfth annual session was held at Waterford, August, 1855. Address by Elder George Abbott. At this session the following resolution was passed: That we instruct the churches, that compose this Conference, in the future to take up collections and send them to the Conference, by their delegates, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Conference. Resolutions were also passed condemning lotteries, and urging the passing of a state prohibition law, promising to do all that we can to maintain such a law. P. Zeigler, President; J. Simington, Secretary.


The thirteenth annual session was held near Wolf Lake, August, 1856. Address by Elder Thomas Whitman. W. B. Jones was received as a member. The Millwood church of 42 members, and the Clear Creek church of 29 members were also admitted. Resolutions concerning the further extension of slavery were passed at this session. Churches were again urged to organize and maintain Sabbath Schools. The usual routine of business was transacted. J. H. Gregory. President, J. Simington, Secretary.


The fourteenth annual session was held in the Union church, August, 1857. The church at Rochester of 12 members was received at this session, but no other business of importance, aside from the usual Conference work was done.


The fifteenth annual session was held in the Clear Creek church, Huntington county, Ind., August, 1858. Address by Elder P. Zeigler. This was an interesting session at which six new churches were admitted into the Conference. C. F. Wood and P. Winebrenner were ordained. W. B. Jones, President; L. Goodrich, Secretary.


The sixteenth annual session was held in the Ludlow church in Kosciusko county, August, 1859. Address by Wm. B. Jones. Received three churches, viz: Rock Creek, 53 members; Warren, 22 members; West Union, 31 members. The business of this session seems to have been more systematically arranged, as we notice reports of committees on Publications, Sunday Schools, Education, etc. In addition, the usual resolutions condemning slavery and intoxicating drinks were passed. U. C. College was very strongly commended at this session. Thos. Whitman, President; J. Cunningham, Secretary.


The seventh annual session was held with the Pleasant Grove


13


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


church, August, 1860. Address by Elder Thos. Whitman. The Lancaster church, Wells county, of 34 members, was received at this session. An order of business was adopted which was very similar to that found in our recent publications of the Conference minutes. This was an interesting session of usual Conference work. P. Zeigler, President; J. Cunningham, Secretary.


The eighteenth annual session was held at the Waterford Christian church, August, 1861. Address by Peter Winebrenner. Several ministers united with Conference. The following important resolution was passed at this session: Resolved, That we hereby advise the churches of this Conference to have their organizations incorporated, at least before they build a meeting house, and to deed their property so that it will become the property of the Conference when the church shall have lost its visibility. The committee on missions reported in favor of organizing this Conference into a missionary society. M. McDaniels, President; J. Cunningham, Secretary.


The nineteenth annual session was held with the Merriam Christian church, August, 1862. Address by Abraham Snethen. N. Summerbell was present and lectured on education. He spoke in the interest of Union Christian College. The Antioch church of 40 members was received at this session. A committee reported in favor of organizing this Conference into a legally incorporated body; and recommending constitution and by-laws to govern the same. Conference also provided for a standing committee of five to transact business during the recess of Conference; the president and secretary to be two members of this committee. Each male member was requested and urged to pay 15 cents, and each female member to pay 5 cents missionary money to Conference, annually, for the support of the work, each church to adopt its own plan for raising the same. Geo. Abbott, President; J. Cunningham, Secretary.


The twentieth annual session was held in the Salamonie Christian church, Huntington county, August, 1863. Address by N. Summerbell. This session appears to have been an interesting one. devoted to hearing reports of various churches, and committees, and to the passing of the usual and ordinary resolutions. Elder Zeigler was employed, at a salary of $150.00, to devote one-half of his time to the weak churches. P. Zeigler, President; J. Cunningham, Secretary.


The twenty-first annual session was held in the Tippecanoe township, Kosciusko county, Christian church, August, 1864. Address


14


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


by Elder Thomas Whitman. A. R. Heath was present in the interest of Union Christian College. Active interest seems to have been taken in all matters pertaining to the Conference and its work. Geo. Abbott, President; C. Clemmons, Secretary; O. Garber, Assistant Secretary.


The twenty-second annual session was held in the Waterford Christian church, August, 1865. Address by Elder W. A. Goss. At this session an order of business very similar to that now in use was adopted and put into practice. They also passed resolutions in favor of U. C. College, urging all ministers and church members to give it their hearty support. Other resolutions pertaining to temperance, and urging churches to employ pastor's regularly were also passed at this session. The standing committee of Conference held a meeting in October, 1865, at which time the question of a Conference evangelist, or missionary, was discussed at some length, and seems to have resulted in the employment of such an evangelist. The time of holding Conference was also changed to October, but this change did not seem to be observed, as we notice the next session was held in September, and then the time changed back to August again. Elder Peter Winebrenner, President; R. Abbott, Vice-President; C. Clemmons, Secretary.


The twenty-third annual session was held in the Sugar Grove Christian church, September 26 to 28, 1866. Address by Elder James Atchison. A session of usual Conference business, much attention being given to the interests of missionary work among the churches; also urging churches to better support their ministers, that they might devote their entire time to the work of the ministry. Dr. P. L. West, President; C. Clemmons, Secretary.


The twenty-fourth annual session was held in the Murray Christian church, August 14 to 17, 1867. Address by Elder Win. B. Jones. The usual Conference work much the same as the former session. Philip Ziegler, President; C. Clemmons, Secretary.


The twenty-fifth annual session was held in the Millwood Christian church, Angust, 1868. Address by Philip Ziegler. Churches received: Wakarusa, 50 members; Walkertown, 32 members; Wabash City, 75 members; Liberty Township, 50 members. Elder C. Clemmons withdrew from Conference at this session. Much active interest was manifested along the lines of Church and Sunday School papers, urging all to take and read the Sunday School Herald and Herald of Gospel Liberty. Thos. Whitman, President; C. Clemmons, Secretary.


15


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


The twenty-sixth annual session was held in the Union Christian church, August, 1869. Address by Elder Geo. Abbott. Churches received: Loon Lake and Spring Hill. The reports of the various committees, as set out in the minutes, show an active interest in all church and Sunday School work. About the usual routine, with business well arranged. Geo. Abbott, President; Peter Winebrenner, Secretary.


The twenty-seventh annual session was held in the Merriam Christian church, August, 1870. Address by Rev. J. J. Markley. Churches received: Leesburg and Purviance Chapel. At this session Conference passed resolutions instructing each church to elect a financial board, to take charge of all church work, along financial lines, and to co-operate with the financial board of Conference: also that each male church member pay annually fifty cents to Conference for the support of the work. J. J. Markley, President; Peter Winebrenner, Secretary.


The twenty-eighth annual session was held in the Eel River Christian church, August, 1871. Address by Thos. Whitman. At this session a resolution was passed that Conference shall not ordain any person, only upon the request of the church to which he may belong. and upon the recommendation of said church. A resolution was again passed urging each male member of the churches to pay annually into Conference the sum of fifty cents, in order that the financial board may supply destitute churches with preaching, and for the purchase of tracts and other publications. Thos. Whitman, President: Peter Winebrenner, Secretary; John P. Kitt, Treasurer.


The twenty-ninth annual session was held in the Six Mile Christian church, August, 1872. Address by Elder D. W. Fowler. Churches received: Oak Hill, Warren and Kelso. A committee was appointed at this session to incorporate Conference. The following important resolution was also passed:


WHEREAS, There has been invitations and solicitations from different cities and towns, of importance; and


WHEREAS, There is a growing desire on the part of the creed-ridden and creed-bound people, and also a desire upon the part of many good people who cannot conscientiously subscribe to articles of faith and confessions made by men, and unauthorized by God; Therefore be it


Resolved, That we enter this field of labor by distributing tracts. setting forth the principles of Christian connection, and as soon as


16


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


our missionary fund will warrant, supply those cities and towns with preaching, authorizing the executive committee of this Conference to make selections of tracts already published and authorizing the writing and publishing of such others as they in their judgment shall deem best to answer our purposes.


The ministers living within the bounds of Conference, who were not already members of the same, were urged to become identified in Conference capacity, thereby strengthening the work and submitting themselves to the brethren for the Lord's sake. D. W. Fowler, President: Peter Winebrenner, Secretary; D. W. Jones, Assistant Secretary; John P. Kitt, Treasurer.


The thirtieth annual session was held in the Antioch Christian church, August, 1873. At this session resolutions were passed providing for an equal number of brethren and sisters to be appointed as delegates to Conference. This was to encourage the sisters to attend Conference, something which they were not doing. Also a resolution providing that each church be allowed two delegates, and and two additional delegates for each 25 members, said delegates to be equally divided between the brothers and sisters of each church. A committee on incorporation was appointed at this session. A called session of Conference was held at Pleasant Grove church, October, 1873, for the incorporation of Eel River Christian Conference. Resolutions to that effect were passed, and territory of Conference designated. Five trustees were also elected. D. W. Jones, President; P. Winebrenner, Secretary; John P. Kitt, Treasurer.


The thirty-first annual session was held in the Paw Paw Christian church, August 12 to 15, 1874. Churches received: Rock Creek, Hopewell and Beech Grove. At this session a committee on reform and recommendations, as to church organization, made report. This report is quite lengthy and provides a form of business for the churches, also setting forth the duties of the various officers of each church, providing for quarterly and annual business meetings, defining duties of both pastor and church members, in fact a good model for church organization. They also decided to elect Conference Presidents for a term of three years, or during good behavior. This rule does not seem to have been observed for very many years. At this session David Hidy was President; Peter Winebrenner, Secretary; John P. Kitt, Treasurer.


The thirty-second annual session was held in the Christian church near Coesse, Whitley county, Indiana, August 11 to 14, 1875.


17


HISTORY OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE


Address by Elder George Abbott. The committee on incorporation of Conference reported, at this session, that what had been done did not comply with the statutes of Indiana, and recommended that steps be taken at once to perfect the incorporation. Thereupon the President appointed the following committee for that purpose, P. Winebrenner, John P. Kitt and Samuel Ohlwine.


A called session of Conference was held October 13, 1875, at the Christian church near Wolf Lake for the incorporation of Eel River Christian Conference, to embrace the counties of Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, Wells, Adams, Huntington, Whitley, Noble, Lagrange, Elkhart, Kosciusko and Wabash. The following trustees were elected: For one year, Abraham Studabaker, Aaron Simpson and Christian Myers; for two years, Miller Morgan, Samuel Ohlwine and John P. Kitt; for three years, Robert Gill, David P. Studabaker and Benjamin Benner. Certificates of election of the above trustees were issued and duly recorded in Albion, Noble county, October 20, 1875, in Miscellaneous Record No. 2, Page 45. D. W. Jones, President; Peter Winebrenner, Secretary; J. P. Kitt, Treasurer.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.