Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I, Part 14

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 14


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35


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year they moved to Kankakee, Ill., where they abode three years, and then removed to Enterprise, Ill.


HIS CONVERSION AND EDUCATION


His mother was converted in Chicago. Henry and his father bowed at the altar at the same time, in Enterprise, under the labors of C. Wessling and Jacob Mode, when they both found light and forgiveness. They both joined the Evangelical Associa- tion at Enterprise.


His educational advantages were limited. He obtained a good start in Alsace in Germany. In Chicago he attended the public school, and for the next few years he was allowed to go to school in the winter when the weather was unfit to work on the farm. In 1892 he attended the winter term at North-Western College, work- ing his way through as best he HENRY GOCKER could, and borrowed the money to pay the rest of his expenses. At this time he tried very hard to plan a way of getting a better educa- tion, but all plans failed. He had no resources, and so he was com- pelled to go back to farming. But he believed the Lord knew what was best for him, and so submitted to the inevitable. He often said, "I could not depend on my education, but when the Lord gave me grace I could preach, and when he did not, I failed."


HIS CALL TO PREACH AND MINISTERIAL WORK


After his conversion, Henry took an active part in the Lord's work. He made commendable progress, and soon felt it his duty to preach the Gospel of Christ. His parents having moved 15 miles from Enterprise, he could not often go to the prayer-meet- ings. So he started a cottage prayer-meeting where they lived, and served as class-leader. He also started a Sunday-school at their school-house, and had the superintendency of it. He felt he must be about his Master's business, and tried to make himself useful wherever he had an opportunity. He found great joy in this work. There seems not to have been any doubt in his mind but that God called him to preach. He yielded at once. He had a passion for


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souls. His life evidenced it clearly. He often said while in the ministry, "There is nothing I would rather do than to stand be- hind the sacred desk and preach the Gospel." The pulpit was his throne. .


The Enterprise class recommended him to Conference to give him license to preach, which was granted by the Conference, held in Dayton, O., April, 1893. He was then assigned to Phillipsburg charge, and served it with success. In April, 1896, he was sent to West Salem and had 65 conversions, and was returned in 1897. In 1898 he was assigned to Grayville, Ill., and served it four years with blessed results. In 1902 he was sent to Elberfeld, where he served 3 years. Here his health began to fail, and, therefore, lo- cated one year, and moved on a farm near Elberfeld. In 1906 he resumed the Gospel work, and again had West Salem assigned to him, which he served 2 years. His health again gave way, and he located and moved back on a farm near Elberfeld in April, 1908. Here he remained farming, and, later, mining in a coal mine until November, 1911, when he accepted a call to Davenport, Washing- ton Conference. The change of climate was beneficial to his health for a while, but in course of time again failed him. He served Davenport until Dec. 27, 1914, when he preached his last sermon. He preached 14 years in the Indiana Conference, and 3 years in the Washington Conference, and was 4 years in the local re- lation.


He was very conscientious in his work, faithfully filled his appointments regardless of bad weather. He sacrificed his life for Christ's sake. He led several hundred souls to Christ, and there was not a year that he failed to win some. Even yet, in No- vember and December, 1914, he held a very successful revival on his charge, and won several for Christ. His preaching was simple, but biblical, earnest, unctuous, and often overpowering. He was also of a jovial disposition, which he controlled properly, and made it a blessing to young and old. He often had great victory in his soul, especially in revival meetings, which found expression in shouts and hallelujahs.


He was married to Elizabeth Dassel, of Elberfeld, Ind., June 11, 1896, C. F. Hansing, Presiding Elder, tying the nuptial knot. Seven children were born to them. His ailment was of a nervous affection, which developed into a complication of diseases. His health became seriously impaired in October, 1914, when the doc- tor gave him little hope of recovery. In January, 1915, he decided to take his family back to Elberfeld, and arrived here Jan. 30, and on Feb. 18, about midnight, his spirit departed. He made his own


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funeral arrangements shortly before death. He was conscious to the end. His last words were, "I am going home to glory. Hal- lelujah!" He suffered much in his ailments, but bore it patiently and uncomplainingly. In the spring of 1914 he was elected Branch Young People's Alliance president of Eastern Washington Con- ference. He was ordained as deacon in 1895, and as elder in 1897. On Feb. 22 funeral services were held by his Presiding Elder, J. J. Wise, assisted by G. A. Stierle, M. L. Scheidler and G. F. Winter.


PETER GOETZ (1807-1882)


This servant of God was born Feb. 27, 1807, in Ross Co., Ohio, and closed his earthly life near West Liberty, Iowa, Feb. 18, 1882. Peter Goetz, sometimes written Gates, was a pioneer preacher in the Ohio, Illinois and the Indiana Conferences. For some twenty- five years he bore the brunt of pioneer life as an itinerant, under- going all manner of hardships for the Gospel of Christ. He was a faithful servant of the Cross, energetically forging ahead with the message of salvation. Many new fields were opened by his ministry, and of him it can be truly said, "One sows and another reaps." "They have labored, and we have entered into their labor."


The following fields, all of them circuits, were served by him : Wayne, 1843; Greenville, 1844; Pickaway, 1845; Lancaster, 1846-7; Miami, 1848; St. Mary's, 1849; Fulton, 1851. Then he became a charter member of the Indiana Conference, serving Whitewater, 1852; Fulton, 1853; Elkhart, 1854; St. Mary's, 1855; Miami, 1856. In 1857, he located on account of physical infirm - ties, and some years prior to his death moved to West Liberty, Iowa, spending the declining days of his life on his beautiful farm. Here with his family he had many peaceful hours, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord.


His end was peace. The Gospel which he preached, where- with he sought to comfort many hearts, comforted his own heart in the hours of his transition. After three days of illness he an- swered the call of his Lord, "Come thou, good and faithful serv- ant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of the Lord." Rev. W. Swain conducted the obsequies, and his body was laid to rest in the West Liberty Cemetery, Iowa.


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JOHN MICHAEL GOMER (1833-1891)


Brother Gomer was born, Adelshofer, Baden, Germany, May the 3rd, 1833, of parentage that was highly esteemed in Lutheran Church circles. He was given a creditable Christian training, which had its fruitage in the life of John. Bishop Esher said of him that he was talented, and knew how to use his abilities to the very best advantage for the glory of God and good of man. From youth he feared the Lord, and had a keen sense of righteous- ness. He possessed a deeply pious nature, and as a young man was modest and unpretentious. He lacked but one thing-a true, experimental knowledge of salvation.


HIS CONVERSION


In 1853 he immigrated to America, and located at Carmi, Ill., where he successfully followed the cooper trade. He also came under the influence of the preaching of the Evangelical Association at this place, and discovered the way of true salvation. Deep con- viction for sin seized him, and through the power of the Holy Spir- it he was born again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He now united with the Evangelical Association. This was in the year 1853. From the very hour of his conversion Brother Gomer was an active participant of the work of the church in this place and wherever he went. "He en- tirely consecrated himself to God, and served and worshiped God with his whole mind, heart, soul and strength."


In course of time both he and the society, of which he was a member, perceived his divine call to the work of the ministry, and, upon application, the class gladly recommended him to the Annual Conference for license. In 1859 he received his license as preacher on probation.


BISHOP ESHER'S EULOGY OF HIS WORK


"In the early part of his ministry he was honored with mostly mission fields of labor in Michigan and Indiana, because of his faithfulness to enjoined duties, not for one moment shunning any kind of labor, or trial, or deprivation. He forged ahead in the Master's work, which was recognized by the Annual Conference, and, in due time, honored him with the most prominent fields. Every- where he faithfully discharged his duties, was pious, energetic, devoted to his call, and was a warm, sympathetic shepherd of his flocks. He was a living example to believers in word, in conversa- tion, in charity, in faith, in purity and in godliness."


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Again the Bishop said, "His preaching was biblical, plain, instructive and effectual. He was untiring in his work, a fine disciplinarian, a safe counsellor, possessing excellent foresight and good judgment." From the results he achieved in his Mas- ter's vineyard, it is evident that he took a deep interest in the wel- fare of the sinner, the saved, the young and the old, the poor and the rich. Therefore God graciously owned and blessed his efforts in the conversion of many souls, and in the establishing of the be- lievers." Wherever he labored he was acknowledged as a pious and devoted servant of God, and had the undisturbed confidence of his brethren, in his congregations, in the ministry, and from such as are without." Where he had once been, he was always welcome to return, and nowhere did he leave a stain.


THE FIELDS HE SERVED


In the Indiana Conference: Fulton, '59; Berrien, '60; Cal- houn, '61-62; South Bend Circuit, '63; Indianapolis, 1st, '64; Dayton, 1st, '65-66. In '67, he was appointed collector for the building of churches. Mt. Carmel, '68; Ft. Wayne, '69-70; Indian- apolis Mission, '71-72; South Bend Station, '73-4-5; Laporte, '76- 77; Dayton, 1st,'79-79. On all of these fields he won souls for Christ.


In 1880, he was sent as missionary to Galveston, Texas, and founded and established the work of our church there. He spent 11 years in this great State with untiring faithfulness, proved himself a wise, painstaking steward, and an excellent manager of pioneer work. Success to a marked degree crowned his efforts. His labors were very abundant, and time would fail us to chronicle them all. Until his decease he was in the harness, and the Presid- ing Elder of the Texas Conference. He died July 24th at Carmi, Ill., where he also is buried. Bishop Esher conducted the services. He was survived by his wife.


CARL F. W. HANSING (1852-1895)


Synopsis : Born, Julietta, Marion Co., Ind., March 25th, 1852. Died March 15th, 1895, on his farm on Bunker Hill Circuit. Bur- ied in the Zion Church Cemetery of the Bunker Hill Circuit. Con- verted at the age of 17 years, united with the Evangelical Associa- tion at Julietta. Licensed by the Indiana Conference, Sept., 1875. Ordained as deacon, 1885, and as elder, 1887.


Carl was the fourth of ten children. His parents, Christian and Sophia, were poor, but industrious and economic, and under the blessing of God succeeded in getting a home. Under such cir-


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cumstances Carl had the opportunity of tasting the joys and sor- rows of rural life. He enjoyed but limited school privileges, but made every use of the opportunities as they presented themselves to him.


Under the preaching of the Gospel by our ministers at Ju- lietta the Holy Spirit enlight- ened him, and led him to repent- ance and salvation. He was made a new man in Christ Je- sus, and lived a very pious life, devoting himself to God and the church. He stood high in the esteem and confidence of the members of his class. In a few years the Lord came a second time to the Hansing home, and, laying His hand this time upon Carl, as He had previously done to his brother Charles, said, "Go thou also and labor in my vine- yard." "But," says his brother Charles, "being rather modest and reserved, it required some earnest solicitation to persuade him to enter the field that was CARL F. W. HANSING white unto harvest." Finally he yielded to the call, and he was licensed in the year 1875 as a preacher on probation.


HIS MINISTRY


Under the charge of B. Uphaus, in 1875, he was sent to Greenville Circuit, and labored successfully. During the year he contracted a severe cold, which, with other circumstances, neces- sitated his return home. Owing to poor accommodations, many a young minister failed in health, and prematurely had to retire from the active work. In the year following he sufficiently re- gained his health and entered into marriage with Elizabeth Arns- man, of Huntington, Indiana, in 1877, and for five or six years lived on a little farm near Julietta. A part of this time was spent in Evansville, and in 1883 he moved to Elkhart, Indiana. In April, 1884, he re-entered the ministry and was assigned to Me- daryville, which circuit he served very acceptably and with bless-


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ing for three years. From 1887-90 he served Bremen Circuit, and again led many souls to Christ. In 1890-1 he served Ft. Wayne, and in 1891-3 he labored on Bunker Hill Circuit. Here this noble warrior laid down the warfare, and, receiving his dis- charge from the King Himself, entered his heavenly rest. Illness, that had previously shattered his health, relentlessly seized him and ended his earthly career, March 15th, 1895. Just before he passed away he had his brother Charles read 2 Timothy 4: 6-8, and then said, "This is my exact experience."


Carl was thoroughly conscientious in all his work. His walk was upright, his preaching earnest, full of fire, unctuous, plain and practical. His appeals to the unsaved were strong and often eloquent. He gave himself to the church and to his fellow-men as a sacrifice. His life is held in blessed remembrance by all who knew him. He was genial in his social relation with the people. All self-seeking was averse to him. He walked humbly before God and man.


He was survived by his wife and children. Revs. Peter Speicher and A. J. Troyer officiated at his funeral. In him the Indiana Conference lost a worthy member and an efficient pastor, and the family an indulgent father. "Many will rise in the king- dom of glory and call him blessed."


ADAM HARTZLER (1836-1878)


This servant of God was born Oct. 21, 1836, at Lancaster Co., Pa., and at the age of 11 years, in '47, he came, with his parents, to New Lisbon, Indiana. Here he grew to manhood, enjoying the ordinary school privileges, and afterward learning the black- smith trade. Physically, he was a large man, having a height of about 6 ft. 4 or 5 inches, and a weight of over 300 pounds, and although corpulent, was yet very active and energetic.


He was converted at New Lisbon, Indiana, under the labors of Ed. Evans, in 1862, and united with the Evangelical Associa- tion. He at once became active in the work of the church, and it was not long before a clear call came to him from the Lord, ap- pointing him to service as a minister. He realized that God had other work for him to do, than to hammer out iron and weld it, and that he was to go forth with the hammer of Divine Truth, and weld immortal souls to God. His class at New Lisbon also realized this and recommended him to the Indiana Con- ference, from which he also received license in 1867. After he had his license to preach he did not forthwith enter the


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active ministry. But in Sept., 1865, he was received into the itin- erancy, and was assigned to Huntington Mission. In 1866-7 he served Defiance Circuit. They lived in Brunnersburg, 2 miles north-west of Defiance, in a two-story house. The lower part was used for a church, and the upper part for the parsonage. They had many hardships on this work. The people were poor, and, hence, the support was meager. He was gone much of the time, the circuit extending over a number of counties. Mrs. Hartzler said, "They were very limited in eatables, often only had a lit- tle cornmeal, no meat of any kind, no potatoes and other neces- saries. No money to buy anything, children sick with fever, and no medicine from a doctor, only home remedies. She had to stay up night after night to watch over her sick children, while he was away, not knowing where he was, or when he would return. And the town was often full of drunken men, carousing around, mak- ing the night hideous. In 1867-9 he served St. Mary's Circuit with the parsonage, seven miles out in the country, 34 of a mile from church, practically surrounded with timber. In 1869-72 he again served Defiance Circuit, and had splendid success. In 1872- 5 to Benton Circuit, in Elkhart Co., Ind. In 1875-7 Twin Lake was given him, and 1877-8 Nobleville Circuit, which was his last charge. His last sermon he preached was in the neighborhood of Pendleton, Ind., on Sunday, Oct. 13, his text being 2 Cor. 6: 14-18. He was called from labor to reward in the midst of his usefulness and maturity of life. M. Krueger said of him in his biography: "That he had not the splendid talents that some of the other men had, but, nevertheless, he was successful in his work for the Lord." He died at his post. His sermons were practical, expository, biblical, and, at times, profound. A number of the ministerial brethren assisted in the funeral services.


JOHN M. HAUG (1836-1904)


Brother Haug was born at Gingen, Wurttemberg, Germany, Nov. 15th, 1836, and departed Sept. 18, 1904, at Indianapolis, Ind. He grew to manhood in the land of his nativity, and while he enjoyed but limited school privileges, he made use of every oppor- tunity. Studying diligently by candle-light, he mastered the Ger- man language, and exhibited considerable literary ability. Later in life, after coming to America, he studied the English language, and achieved good success therein, although it was tinged to a great degree with the German accent. His parents were religious


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people, members of the Lutheran Church. His grandmother, es- pecially, seems to have been deeply pious, and was greatly con- cerned about John's future life. She had much to do with his be- coming a preacher, and looked up- on the calling of a minister as high and holy. When John was old enough to study the Catechism, he was put through a catechetical course, and, being confirmed, be- came a member of the Lutheran Church.


Having completed his school- ing, he was apprenticed to a tailor, with whom he worked three years.


While Rev. John Nicolai, mis- sionary of the Evangelical Asso- ciation in Germany, was carrying on his labors in the fatherland, John was brought to genuine re- pentance and true faith. After JOHN M. HAUG his conversion, which took place in 1855, he united with the Evan- gelical Association in Germany, and soon began preaching to his countrymen. This greatly delighted the grandmother, who thus had her wish fulfilled, and it was soon known to all that the call of the Lord was upon him. He was then duly licensed by the Germany Conference and received into the itinerancy. Being blessed with natural abilities, a striking personality, a good phys- ique, a pleasing voice and a well-poised, emotional nature, to- gether with the divine call, he was well fitted to the work of the ministry.


HIS WORK IN AMERICA


In 1856, as a young man of 20, he immigrated to America, settling at Cleveland, Ohio, where he did his first preaching in this country. In '59, he was stationed upon Ann Arbor Circuit, in Michigan, in '60 to Dearborn Mission, in '61 to N. Michigan Mission, to which he was returned in '62. The greater part of his ministry was spent in the Michigan Conference, but in '91 he came to the Indiana Conference, of which he remained an active member until his decease.


He served the following fields: In the Michigan Conference, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Dearborn, Owosso, Detroit First Church, then as Presiding Elder for 12 years. After this he was again


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assigned to First Church, Detroit, and then to Howell. In the Indiana Conference he served: Indianapolis 1st Church '91 and '92, Presiding Elder on the Indianapolis District four years, and in '97 he was appointed to Dayton First Church, which he served for four years. He was then appointed as collector for the Con- ference church debt, which amounted to $15,000, in which he proved successful. In 1902, he was again elected as Presiding El- der, and assigned to Louisville District, which he served 31/2 years, until his demise, which occurred, Sept. 18, 1904.


AN APPRECIATION


Brother Haug was a successful soul-winner from the begin- ning, and had the favor of the people wherever he went. He pos- sessed considerable executive ability, which gave him a place of leadership among his brethren, and duly promoted him to offices in the Conference, such as Presiding Elder, delegate to General Conference, etc. As a preacher he was Scriptural, effective, and frequently quite eloquent. He faithfully proclaimed the Word of Truth, and insisted on the need of heart purity and full salvation. He himself professed to enjoy a higher state of grace, but never claimed to be beyond faults. Once, in a sermon, he was heard to say, "that there are many who seek entire sanctification, who ought first to seek a genuine reconversion, or regeneration." "That from a lack of knowledge and good judgment, not a few give evi- dence of the fact that, while the heart may be right, the head may be woefully wrong."


Aside from being a good preacher, he was also quite a good leader in song, and was able to sing the Gospel of comfort and sal- vation into the hearts of sorrowing and penitent souls. He loved to preach better than do anything else, and sometimes allowed the temporal matters to suffer ; evangelistic services, especially, appealed to him. In all his work he was extremely impatient over delay. "The King's business demands haste," and nothing dare hinder it. He kept his heart tender by preaching such sermons that call forth the sympathetic nature. He was gifted with a social talent that is rarely surpassed, and he was never so at home as when in a crowd. He was not a hobbyist, but, being broad in his views, had a warm place for all real Christians. He was devoted to the church, loved her jealously, defended her and ever sought to advance her inter- ests to the best of his ability. He had an energetic spirit and an untiring disposition. Fr. Schweitzer, a life-long friend, preached the funeral sermon in German, and J. H. Breish, pastor of our First Church in Indianapolis, in English. Other brethren that


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were present were Geo. Roederer, his predecessor in office on Louisville District ; D. S. Oakes and C. F. Hansing, Presiding El- ders of Indianapolis and Elkhart Districts, respectively, assisted. Other ministers were present to show their last respects. His body was laid to rest in the beautiful Crown Hill Cemetery at Indianapolis.


His first year's salary on Ann Arbor charge, Mich., '59, was only $85.00, and yet he laid up some of it, although he was mar- ried. Brother Haug and his family had to forego many pleasures and comforts in their early life. Instead of using butter upon their bread, they used lard. They passed through many hard- ships and disappointments. He was married twice, first to Mary Regina Hanz, who died at Owosso, Mich., May 10, '80, and sec- ond to Christina Hartbeck in '81, who died in 1900 at Dayton, O. He was survived by 7 children.


D. S. Oakes wrote this memorial of him:


A year ago one sat in our midst;


A forward place he occupied with us;


His face, his name, familiar to us all.


His presence we revered, his countenance we esteemed,


Today he is not here, his presence greatly missed,


His spirit's flown unto that bourne


From whence no one can e'er return. Weary and worn with many toils, He's gone to share the victor's spoils.


'Tis John M. Haug has passed away


From clouds and shades to endless day.


He hailed from Swabia's wine-clad hills.


In early youth, in native land,


He gave his heart to God, becoming thus


A timely trophy to the efforts given By our missionaries in


The German fatherland.


Coming to our shores, we find him first


Joining in Ohio's faithful ranks


Of heralds of the Cross, with Walz and Zinser,


Strawman, Kopf, Spreng, Koch and Stull, And many others of like spirit, All worthy of our greatest merit.




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