Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I, Part 11

Author: Evangelical Church. Indiana Conference; Baumgartner, Samuel H; Haist, A. B
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Indiana Conference
Number of Pages: 412


USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I > Part 11


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His death, which occurred in Sept., 1894, was tragic. "He under- took, in the night, to remove his shot-gun, which he had used during the day, fearing that his children might get into trouble with it, and in so doing the gun, in some way, was discharged, tearing away the half of his head. Eternity alone will reveal how it happened."


The brethren H. Weisshaar and C. Kalwitz preached at his funeral, and C. F. Hansing assisted. His body was interred at San Pierre, and later removed to Carmi, Ill., where his widow, a Katherin Zeigler, had located.


WILLIAM G. BRAECKLY (1849-1913)


This genial brother was born at Phedelbech, Wurttemberg, Germany, Sept. 22, 1849. His parents, Gottlob and Margaretha, were highly esteemed citizens, frugal, industrious, upright and re- ligious. It was their earnest desire to give their children the proper training for a useful life. William was the youngest of 10 children.


HIS EDUCATION AND CONVERSION


He was especially endowed with gifts, which, if properly di- :ccted and invested, would make him a very useful man. His teacher and pastor soon observed this and appealed to his parents to direct him to choose some educational calling. He availed him- self of all the educational opportunities that offered themselves to him, both by the school and the church. At 14 years of age he completed his catechetical course, was confirmed and became a member of the Lutheran Church. He desired to continue his stud- ies, but his father induced him to assist him in his work. In '67 his brother-in-law, Valentine Schaaf, of Indianapolis, Ind., visited the fatherland, which William always considered to have been providential, and he concluded to leave his home and go with Mr. Schaaf to America. On March 10, '67, they safely arrived at Indianapolis, Ind. Here, by the influence of his sister, he was brought under the preaching of the Evangelical Association, and


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through the labors of John Fuchs awoke to his real condition. Later, under the ministry of Fr. Wiethaup, he was, as he loved to put it, "born again deep into eternal life." At once he be- came an active member of the 1st Church and took a deep in- terest in Sunday-school, prayer- meetings and all other public services. He soon gave evidence of possessing gifts for public work, and that the divine call to preach was upon him. Though very limited in means, he de- cided to enter North-Western College, in order to better pre- pare for the work of the holy ministry. Upon hearing this, his relatives and friends in In- dianapolis cheerfully assisted him with means. He completed the German Course with credit, WM. G. BRAECKLY besides pursuing other select studies. His school-life was not without its hardships, as he oftentimes related. Great economy had to be exercised and luxuries denied. Meals were of the sim- plest kind, and for a time were prepared by himself and his room- mate. He had the spirit of industry, frugality and honesty, and was possessed of a great ambition for soul-saving.


He was licensed to preach Sept., '71, by the Indiana Confer- ence, and was assigned to Rockport. Here he remained for 2 years, serving it with blessing and profit. He served the follow- ing fields: '73-74, Elkhart, Division St .; '75-77, Olney; '78-80, Louisville, Zion ; '81-83, Evansville; '84-85, Olney; '86-88, Terre Haute; '89-90, Marshall; '91-92, Evansville; '93-96, South Bend, 1st ; '97-98, Indianapolis, 1st ; '99-02, Bremen ; '03-05, Huntingburg ; '06-10, Louisville, Zion; '11-13, Huntingburg. In all he gave 42 years of uninterrupted service to the ministry in the Indiana Con- ference, including the time spent in the South Indiana Conference.


When this South Indiana Conference was formed he became one of its charter members, remaining with her through all her turmoils, until the reincorporation with the Indiana Conference in '93. He served this Conference as its secretary from '76-86, and in '88. In '87 a church-building society was formed in that Con- ference, of which he became president. Twice he represented


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that Conference as trustee to North-Western College and Union Biblical Institute. In '81, he was one of four elected to gather material for the second volume of our Evangelical Association History. He built three churches and three parsonages during his pastorate at Olney, Bremen, and Huntingburg.


AN APPRECIATION


Brother Braeckly was blessed with a strong, symmetrical physique, a good bearing that gave him a commanding appearance, and proved to be a great asset in his work. He possessed a power- ful sonorous voice, which he ably used in song as well as in pro- claiming the truth. He had a cordial disposition, a strong person- ality, was congenial, a good conversationalist, and blessed with a good store of mother-wit and humor.


He was a lover of good music, both instrumental and vocal. He was an enthusiastic singer himself, and could inspire his peo- ple with that same enthusiasm. He readily translated songs that he fancied into either the German or English language. He was the owner of a very fine violin, of rare make, which he refused to sell on account of its rarity, and, which he claimed, was converted with him. He would frequently use it in divine service. He was somewhat of a poet, and at times indulged in it. In his younger days he was a frequent contributor to the Botschafter under the assumed name of "Indianicus."


As a preacher, he was mostly practical and exhortative, always earnest and effective. He preached a full salvation. In his work he was always enthusiastic, and won many souls to Christ. His path was not always smooth, nor free from sorrow. Three times he was called upon to follow the bier of a loved and highly use- ful companion.


THE OBSEQUIES


Sickness deprived him of the privilege of attending the Con- ference of 1913. One month later he entered the Land of Rest. On May the 2nd the funeral services were held in our church at Huntingburg, where he just closed his ministry and preached his last sermon on Easter Sunday. He requested that Phil. 1: 21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," be his funeral text. Brother Luehring and A. B. Haist conducted the services at Hunt- ingburg, and D. E. Zechiel, Geo. Roederer and D. O. Wise at Louis- ville, where, in that beautiful city of the dead, Cave Hill, his body sleeps until the resurrection. He was survived by his last wife and six daughters.


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JOHN BRUCKERT (1845-1910)


Brother Bruckert was born in Germany, August 15th, 1845, of honorable Lutheran parents, and with them he came to Amer- ica, in 1849, locating in Cincin- nati, Ohio.


While here he received an or- dinary school education, and then learned the art of making trunks. Upon hearing that at Louisville, Ky., better wages were being paid for trunk-making, he moved thith- er, and identified himself with our Zion Church, taking an active part in her services. Ever since his conversion, which took place at Cincinnati, in '71, under our mis- sionaries, he took a deep interest in the welfare of our church, and loyally supported her to his end.


The church recognized his fit- ness for the work of the ministry, and urged him to enter it. How- ever, he regarded himself as un- qualified for so important a work, JOHN BRUCKERT and for three years refused. He had no rest, and after a severe inner conflict, yielded and was recommended by his class to the Conference for license. He was very timid, and prone to discredit his own ability. On the day he left his home for the Conference, in company with Geo. Roederer and some other applicants for license, he got discouraged and would have turned back home again, had not the brethren with him persuaded him to continue the journey to the Conference. He was at that time already at the boat-landing, ready to get aboard for Evansville. He pro- ceeded to the Conference and was duly licensed. This was in the year of 1875.


HIS APPOINTMENTS


In '75 he was sent to Defiance Circuit with E. Einsel. In '76-78 he served Julietta ; '78-79, Rochester Circuit with D. J. Pontius. While on this work, becoming greatly discouraged, he wanted to surrender his license to his Presiding Elder, M. W. Steffey, and go home, but Brother Steffey prevailed upon him to continue, and he resumed his work. In April, '79, he was as-


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signed to North Webster Circuit, serving it three years. In 1882 he was sent to Bunker Hill under very trying circumstances and difficulties. In '83 he was assigned to St. Mary's Circuit, and in '85 to Edgerton. At the end of this year, April, '86, on account of great discouragement, he located. But when A. R. Schafer died, before he even reached his appointment in Mishawaka, Brother Bruckert was prevailed upon to re-enter the active work. This incident encouraged him to believe that after all the Lord had some work for him to do, and he resolved never to locate until the Conference saw fit to do so of her own accord. In '88, he was sent to Newville, where he remained two years. His health began to fail, and he felt a change of climate must be had. Consequently, in Sept., '90, he united with the South Indiana Conference, serv- ing Rockport until the reincorporation of the South Indiana Con- ference in 1893. He was then sent to Tabor, now Elberfeld, and in '94. to West Salem. For two years he served this place, and passed through severe financial distress. In '96 he was again sent to Bunker Hill, and after two years found it necessary to locate, on account of bodily infirmities.


Brother Bruckert had a hard time financially, having a large family to support, and never received $500.00 salary until he moved to Bunker Hill the last time. He was a very liberal giver, even to a fault, and, in consequence, his family at times had to suffer. He was kind and helpful to the poor, even to the extent of buying clothes for beggars. He was affectionate and kind in the home, and had great trust in God. He was earnest and punctual in his work. In his preaching he was exhortative, clear, Scriptural, practical and unctuous. He led many souls to Christ, and was highly esteemed by the brethren. He endured many hardships, on account of poor traveling facilities, poor accommo- dations, and meager financial support. At one time, while riding along in his buggy, his wife being with him, he was not satisfied with the gait of the horse, and, giving it a lash, caused it to start on a runaway. Not knowing much about horses at this time, he said to his wife, "This is the way I like to ride." Ere long, both of them were thrown out of the buggy, and badly scarred and bruised, but not seriously hurt.


After a protracted illness, Brother Bruckert fell asleep in the Lord, October 9, 1910. His body was buried in the Bunker Hill Cemetery, awaiting the call of God on that great Day. His wife, a Sarah Hansing, and six children survived him.


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PETER BURGENER (1820-1889)


Peter Burgener saw the light of this world, Feb. 12, 1820, in Grindelwald, Canton of Berne, Switzerland. His father, Christian by name, was a shoe-maker, and together, with his wife, Kathrina, was a pious member of the German Reformed Church. Peter was care- fully reared in the faith of his par- ents, being baptized, catechized and confirmed, according to the tenets of the Reformed Church. Even from his childhood he was studious and religious, which no- ble characteristics continued with him throughout life. His school- teacher, "Peter Glaus," testified that he was "studious, diligent and talented, having made marked progress in his studies, and de- ported himself grandly." With his parents he immigrated to America in the spring of 1834, and located in Wayne Co., Ohio. In the fall of this year his father died, leaving a PETER BURGENER widow and 5 children, of whom Peter was the second in age. Two years later his elder brother was accidentally killed, and the sup- port of the family rested largely upon him until his 24th year.


HIS CONVERSION AND CALL TO THE MINISTRY


In the fall of 1843 he married Barbara Grossman, who proved a great blessing and help to his life. At their marriage both he and his wife were unconverted, and were strangers to grace. In the spring of 1845 he heard a preacher deliver a message on Rev. 3: 20, which went to his heart like an arrow. He was deeply con- victed of his sinful condition, and began at once earnestly to seek the Lord. That he was sincere, was evidenced by the fact that he immediately set up a family altar, kneeling in prayer. This greatly incensed his father-in-law, who accused him of apostasy from Protestantism, and with leading his family back to popery. His father-in-law became so embittered against Peter that even when he moved away he refused to take the hand of parting that was extended to him. The same spring, P. Burgener, with his


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family, mother, brother and sister, moved to Hepton, Kosciusko Co., Indiana. While here, he and his brother-in-law began hold- ing prayer-meetings, to which also some of the neighbors came. None of them were as yet converted, but in the fall of this year some Evangelical preachers came into this neighborhood and preached. But not until 1846 did any conversions take place. First a neighbor's wife, and then Peter's wife were converted. This experience of theirs greatly encouraged Peter, who sought more earnestly than ever after the "Pearl of Greatest Price." While out in his clearing, one day, he knelt in prayer, and the Lord of grace filled his soul with peace and light. He knew he was saved.


He at once felt a great inner persuasion to preach the Gos- pel of salvation to his neighbors. Soon others were converted, and a class was formed, he becoming the leader. Having served one year as class-leader-Satan trying him sorely-he was elected to the office of exhorter, which office then was next to that of a minister. His impression to preach grew as time went on, and finally he received license. The license to preach in itself did not satisfy him, for he believed that he ought to give all his time to this work. However, he considered his temporal affairs to be such that he could not leave his family, without first providing more fully for their wants. Hence he gave himself more earnestly to farming and clearing, hoping soon to be able to lay a little by, so that he could give himself to preaching. After toiling hard for two whole years, and having met with some severe reverses, he felt that he must obey God at once and preach the Gospel, no mat- ter what the cost. Thus June found him attending the Annual Conference in Des Plaines, Ill., where he was received into the itinerancy.


HIS MINISTRY


With Peter Goetz, he was assigned to St. Mary's Circuit, which embraced Williams, Defiance, Van Wert and Mercer Coun- ties in Ohio, and Jay, Adams, Wells, Huntington, Wabash, Allen, Noble, DeKalb and Lagrange Counties in Indiana. There were some twenty appointments on this field, which required about 450 miles traveling on horseback to make one round. Roads were very bad, and many streams unbridged. His home was 50 miles from his nearest appointment, and he was almost constantly away from his home. At one time his horse was not able to travel for a period of nine weeks, and he obliged to borrow another. This one became so lame that he had to abandon it and travel the rest


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of the way on foot. With undaunted courage he made his ap- pointments, and during this one year traveled some 4,000 miles and preached 198 times. His greatest enemy during this year was chill-fever.


In 1851 the Illinois Conference session was held in Brookville, Ill., and he was returned to St. Mary's with B. Uphaus as preacher-in- charge. Their labors were crowned with conversions and acces- sions ; however, he was greatly hindered by malarial fever, at one time being disabled for three weeks. In April, 1852, he assisted Brothers Goetz and S. Dickover in holding a revival meeting in Lindsy school-house, Wells Co., Ind. A number knelt for prayer and sought the Lord and found Him precious and real to their souls. This was the beginning of our work at Linn Grove.


In 1852 he became a charter member of the Indiana Confer- ence, and was assigned to Dubois Circuit, the now Huntingburg Churches, and the counties in South-western Indiana. G. Franzen was his colleague. Upon his return from the Conference session one of his children died. This was, indeed, a sad blow, coming, as it did, just upon the eve of their removal to a home 300 miles dis- tant. After a two weeks' journey, per buggy, they came to their new "parsonage" (?), all tired and spent. This year was in many ways a good year, the Lord crowning his labors with success. One occurrence gave him much joy. A young woman and her husband were converted and joined the church. The mother of this woman threatened "to cut her throat" if she joined these people and their fanaticism. He also had the pleasure of receiving Christian Ude, who afterward became one of our preachers. Frequent recur- rences of chill-fever, however, greatly hindered him in his work. Still he pushed onward and upward. In 1853 he purchased two church lots in Evansville, Ind., for the sum of $360.00.


In 1853 he was sent to Olney Mission in Illinois, and moved into a small house on Grand Prairie, 4 miles from Olney. As yet we had no society in Olney, but in December, 1853, he succeeded in getting a lot donated and secured subscriptions amounting to $600.00 for a church building. A structure 32x45 ft. was soon un- der way. He labored with his own hands in building of the church, working in stone and timber, and did much of the hauling. (This frame church was dedicated 1855.) During this same year, 1853, he laid the foundation of the West Salem society. Olney and Fox River classes were organized by him in May. At the Conference session he was returned to Olney, only to face a year of great trial and bereavement. His youngest child passed away in Oct., 1854, and his bosom companion and constant sup-


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port departed Feb. 6, 1855. His wife had been a very pious woman, a great and godly mother, who, with the meager allow- ance, managed to keep her brood in food and clothing.


In 1855 he was sent to Marshall Circuit in Illinois. He was greatly handicapped because there was no mother in the home to take care of the children, and upon urgent advice from his brethren in the ministry he married Louisa Wiechman, July 17, 1855. She became a great help to him and lifted a great burden off his heart. He was eager with the other preachers of those days to find new openings for the preaching of the Gospel. And there were many openings, for the simple reason that the Ger- mans were neglected, and our preachers worked in the German exclusively. He succeeded in making new appointments from time to time.


In 1856 he was assigned a second time to St. Mary Circuit, where he had good success. Especially was he successful at the Reserve, around Huntingburg, at Young's in Wabash County, near Celina, and about Van Wert. In September of 1857 he was re- turned, and this year had 104 conversions and 114 accessions. He dared to deviate from the time-honored custom of a few days' meeting, and continued them 8 to 14 days. At the Hertel appoint- ment the wife of an unconverted man, while enjoying the bless- ings of God in a meeting, was suddenly stricken dead with apo- plexy. Burgener greatly feared for the result, but when the hard- hearted husband and haughty daughter came to meeting where the dead mother lay, they were seized with deep conviction, and the daughter was gloriously saved then and there. This greatly encouraged the believers and made them strong to do exploits.


In 1858 he was assigned to Fulton Circuit, then to St. Joseph Circuit, and in 1860 to his home field, Yellow River Circuit. This was very agreeable to him, and for two years he served it with great success. In September, 1862, he retired from the active work on account of some measures in the church he did not like, and for a time withdrew from the church altogether. However, he later reunited with the church, and was reinstated to his former relation to Conference.


His later life was that of a farmer. Selling his farms, he purchased one near Prethy Lake, Plymouth, Ind., and here he spent the remainder of his days. He seldom preached in these later years because there was little opportunity to exercise in the German. Brother Oakes says of his preaching, "It was earnest, unctuous, eminently biblical." In character he was upright and


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uncompromising ; in his work methodical, in his convictions fixed. His life was well spent, and his reward well earned.


On April 16, 1889, after a short but painful illness, he slept the final sleep of death. Brother D. S. Oakes officiated at the funeral, assisted by J. M. Dustman and W. S. Tracy. He lies bur- ied near his farm at Prethy Lake, Ind.


J. M. CONDO (1845-1870)


Brother Condo was born in Indiana, Jan. 7th, 1845, and died in Greencastle, Iowa, March 23rd, 1870. He was converted Jan. 15, 1863, and united with the Evangelical Association. He was elected as exhorter during the same year. Sept., '64, he was licensed as preacher on probation, by the Indiana Conferenece, and sent to Fulton Circuit. He traveled only four weeks when he had to resign on account of sickness. In '66, he moved to Iowa, locating in a place where the Evangelical Association was not represented, and there united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. As his health somewhat improved, he traveled under the Methodist Episcopal Presiding Elder a few months. In '68, he visited his relatives in Greencastle, and reunited with the Evan- gelical Association, and took work again. He was appointed with B. Monischmit to travel Winterset and Afton Mission. Here he labored seven months with great success. At the session of '69, he was received by the Iowa Conference and assigned to the Des Moines Mission. But his health soon failed, and he was com- pelled to locate again. After a few months he took Greencastle work, where he seemed to improve in health for a while, but ere long he again had to lay down the work. He lived a pious life. With praises he looked into the beyond. Rev. H. J. Bowman, of our church, conducted his funeral services. Interment was made at Greencastle, Iowa.


ELI E. CONDO, 1846-1880


Brother Condo was born July 12, 1846, in E. Germantown, Ind., and was killed by a cyclone in Marshfield, Mo., April 18, 1880. He was buried at Freeport, Ill. He was reared in an Evan- gelical family. His mother died in his infancy. He was converted to God, March 15, 1863, and joined the Evangelical Association. In 1866 he was licensed to preach by the Indiana Conference, and was sent with Wm. Bockman on Elkhart Circuit. In 1867 he served on Fulton Circuit. In 1868 he was ordained deacon, and


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was sent on Twin Lake Circuit alone. In the fall of 1869 he filled a vacancy on the Naperville Mission in the Illinois Confer- ence, and joined this Conference in the spring of 1870, and was assigned to Freeport Mission, serving it two years. In the fall of this year he was married to Esther Dreisbach, of Carthage, Mo., daughter of J. E. Dreisbach, then Superintendent of the Orphan Home at Flat Rock, O., with whom he lived happily until his tragic death. In 1873 he moved to Carthage, Mo., and united with the Kansas Conference, serving Carthage 3 years as a supply. In 1876 he joined the Des Moines Conference and served Des Moines Mission one year, and again returned to Missouri, in Dec., 1877, and united with the St. Louis Methodist Episcopal Confer- ence. In the spring of 1878, he was sent to N. Springfield, Mo. In 1879-80 to Marshfield. The closing scene of his life was as follows given by D. B. Beyers, of the Illinois Conference: "On April 18, Sunday A. M., he preached a very impressive sermon on 'The Goodness of God,' as if to prepare his own heart for the coming tragedy. In the afternoon he taught his colored Sunday- school class. Two hours later, when selecting hymns for the even- ing service, having already selected 'What a Friend We have in Jesus,' he heard the awful sound of the approaching cyclone. He rose quickly, walked out of the door, gathered his family under a large peach tree in the front yard, putting his arm around them, out of fear of them being carried away. In an instant the crash came; all was as if it had been chaff before the cyclone. After the furious blast was over he inquired, 'What does all this mean?' He was much mangled and injured. His wife was brought to him bleeding profusely. He asked, 'Is she hurt much?' He was so much concerned for the welfare of his family that he said to the doctor, 'Let me die, and save my family.' In two hours he passed away."


TIMOTHY CARROLL (1834-1894)


This servant of God was born in Richland Co., Ohio (now Ashland), July 19, 1834. He was converted in his 19th year, and at the age of 20 joined the United Brethren Church, in which church he entered as a minister and was ordained as deacon and as elder.




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