Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I, Part 16

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 16


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was ordained deacon in '97, and only served in the active minis- try one and one-half years on his home charge, preferring there- after to remain with his family. The remaining thirty-five years of his life he continued as a local preacher, and filled the office of a class-leader for many years. Brother Kalwitz had somewhat of a sensitive nature, and was set of will. Having been a class-leader for a long time, he asked to be released from this office, and at an election this was done accordingly. Afterwards he confessed to his presiding elder that he did not think that the class would release him, that he felt lost and feared that he could not work out his sal- vation unless he be reinstated. This shows that he loved the work as class-leader, and probably felt that he did wrong by asking for this release. He was clear and practical in his preaching. He died Feb. 23, 1902. J. H. Evans officiated at his funeral. J. M. Haug and J. W. Feller, his pastor, assisted. His body was interred in the Zion Cemetery, located near the Zion Church.


JOHN KARSTETTER (1806-1879)


This brother was born in 1806 and died at Elkhart, Indiana, 1879. He was for many years a local preacher, held in the highest esteem, a liberal supporter of the Gospel, and true to the Evangeli- cal Association. He traveled several years with M. Krueger on the Elkhart Circuit. It was said of him that he was not a very great preacher, but that he was warm-hearted and sympathetic, and had the confidence of the people. He was licensed and received into the itinerancy by the Indiana Conference in '65.


At the session of '58 he gave $400 to the Indiana Conference Missionary Society to establish a fund, on condition that the Con- ference arrange to pay $600 on the South Bend Church. The Con- ference showed its good intention by at once raising $200 among the ministers toward the $600 required. Nothing further has been ascertained concerning this brother.


JACOB KEIPER (1824-1909)


Brother Keiper, of German ancestry, was born in Reamstown, Lancaster Co., Pa., Dec. 31, 1824. He was the fifth of nine chil- dren, and was well acquainted with the hardships of those early days. His school privileges were limited, but he was studious, dili- gently seeking to gain all the knowledge he could, and became quite proficient in the use of both German and English. In time he became a frequent contributor to the Christlicher Botschafter.


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CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH


During a camp-meeting, held in 1837 near his home, he was led to Christ, and obtained pardon of his sins. Rev. J. M. Sind- linger, one of our Evangelical preachers, was conducting the camp- meeting, and it was under his labors that he united with the Evan- gelical Association. His parents already were loyal and devoted members of our church, and greatly aided him in his Christian life. From the first a great interest in church work and soul- saving possessed his heart, and he gave himself with earnestness to the cause of the Lord. The church at Reamstown soon en- trusted him with the office of a class-leader, in which office he ably acquitted himself.


It was not very long until the voice of God was clearly heard, calling him to the preaching of the Word. He did not resist the call, was recommended by his class, and, according to the custom of that time, was licensed to preach by his Quarterly Conference. In 1849 he came westward to E. Germantown, Ind., and upon his arrival he met Rev. A. B. Schafer, who was just getting ready to leave for the Conference session. Keiper says: "He picked me up and took me along to the session of the Illinois Conference, which was held at Naperville." The Illinois Conference at once received him into the itineracy and assigned him to Dubois Circuit.


HIS MINISTRY


His ministry fell in those early pioneer days when hardship was a constant companion, salary almost at the vanishing point, food-stuff expensive, houses small and rickety, traveling facilities worse than poor. These servants of God could truly say, "In jour- neying often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and naked- ness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for the churches." It was "the love of Christ that constrained them" to do and to dare in His name.


He served the following fields with great success and bless- ings : Illinois Conf., Dubois Circuit, 1849 ; Sheboygan Mission, Wis., 1850, and Whitewater Circuit in 1851. At the formation of the Indiana Conference he became a charter member, and was privi- leged to be one of three who lived long enough to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Conference. In the Indiana Conference he served Miami Circuit, which had 19 appointments,


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extending through Huntington, Wabash, Kosciusko, Marshall, Ful- ton and Miami Counties in 1852; Elkhart Circuit, 1853; Dubois Cir- cut, 1854; Indian Creek Circuit, 1855; Miami Circuit, 1856-8.


On account of a throat affection he returned to the Illinois Conference in 1869, and was sent to Iowa as a missionary to do frontier work. He labored the year through on Grandview Mis- sion, blazing a trail for the preachers of the Evangelical Associa- tion. In 1860 he served Muscatine; in 1861, Lisbon; in 1862-4, Cedar Falls; in 1864-5, Independence. At this juncture the Iowa Conference was formed, and he became a charter member of it, serving Dubuque City and Ackley during the year.


In the fall of 1867 he again returned to the Indiana Confer- ence, and was appointed to Winamac Circuit; in 1868 to Fulton Circuit; in 1869-71 to Elkhart Circuit, and 1871-3, Van Wert. In September, 1873, he located on account of the recurrence of throat trouble, and removed to Naperville, Ill. He transferred his mem- bership to the Illinois Conference, engaging in the Lord's service in various ways until his demise. One year he served Downers Grove and Lockport, and after 1873 engaged in the sale of Bibles and books, traveling over various Conference territories. He preached whenever circumstances allowed. Twice he had the honor of being delegate to General Conference.


AN APPRECIATION


As a man, Brother Keiper was firm, loyal, God-fearing and true, conscientious almost to a fault. He was a man of deep con- viction, and only after proof of error could he be made to retract anything that he had said or led to change his mind. This trait often caused him trouble, and made not a few enemies. Yet his sincerity was never questioned. What he had to say he said with honest intent and with the purest of motives.


When the Evangelical Association was rent by dissention he united with the seceders because he thought they were in the right, and became a degelate to the convention that organized the "United Evangelical Church," to which church he remained true to the end. Yet quite a while before his decease he became an ardent pro- moter of reunion of the two churches, and it was a source of great joy to him to see, yet in his day, that active steps have been taken by both branches of the spiritual house of Albright toward reunion.


As a minister and pastor he was without a superior. Venture- some, ambitious, untiring and devoted, he gave himself to his work with a zest. Several times he nearly lost his life trying to ford streams in his desire to reach his appointments. In 1871, while


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serving Elkhart Circuit, he desired a change, and so did the circuit likewise; but when Conference convened he was returned to this field, and upon his arrival said,, "I know that you do not want me again, and I did not want to come back to you either, but since Con- ference has returned me, let us do the very best we can together," and he said that this turned out to be one of the very best years of his ministry, and the people were loathe to part with him at the close of the year.


As a preacher he was clear, practical and biblical, often force- ful and effective. He was free from the fear of man, and preached as he believed God wanted him to. His messages were pointed and direct, sin was uncovered and slain. Those who opposed the truth naturally became irritated and often persecuted him. He was an effective soul-winner, a good organizer,, and a frequent church builder. He was not ashamed to assist in building churches with his own hands, being a carpenter by trade.


HIS PARTING


It had been his custom for many years to attend watchnight services in the German Evangelical Church at Naperville. While attending the last one, on Dec. 31, 1908, while the audience was standing and singing, he was stricken with paralysis, and com- pletely disabled. He was taken home as rapidly as possible, where he lingered, helpless as a child, until his release, Feb. 8th, 1909. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Naperville, Revs. Fuessele, his pastor, and G. M. Hallwachs and G. A. Manshart of the Evangelical Association conducted the obsequies.


He was survived by his faithful wife, a Sarah Fisher, whom he had married in 1854, and two daughters, Mrs. F. G. Stauffer and Mrs. Rev. S. H. Baumgartner. Three children preceded him in death.


His end was peace, for he died in Him who is the Giver of perfect peace.


JOHN KIPLINGER (1801-1878)


Brother Kiplinger was born, Center Co., Pa., April 30th, 1801, and fell asleep, Fulton Co., Indiana, 1878. When a young man he moved to Wayne Co., Indiana, and engaged in farming. Here he met and married Susanna Loesch, and became the father of 9 children. He had the pleasure of seeing three of his sons, Eli, Samuel and John, Jr., enter the ministry. Father Kiplinger was converted in Pennsylvania, while still a young man, and united


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with the Evangelical Association, of which he remained a true and faithful member. He was licensed to preach in 1857 by the Indiana Conference, having previously, in '43, moved into Fulton Co., Ind. He measured 6 feet in height, and was large-boned. He had a very fatherly disposition towards young preachers. With resignation and success this talented man of God labored as local preacher in this community to the end. D. J. Pontius said of him that he was never indifferent to his duties. What his hands found to do he did with might. That he was an ideal local preacher in looking up new preaching places, helping in revival meetings to the best of his ability. He was a man of faith, prayer and courage. He sought to live a real, earnest, Christian life, which made him a wholesome influence in his community.


Soon after he moved to Indiana his wife died, which was a sore bereavement to him. Later he married Elizabeth Weber, and they had three children. His release came in '78, after great suf- fering, which he bore with patience and resignation. His body lies buried in the Salem Cemetery, Fulton Co., Indiana, south of Rochester.


SAMUEL KIPLINGER (1839-1895)


Samuel was born, Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 26th, 1839. He was the son of Rev. John Kiplinger, Sr. He was converted at eight years of age and united with the Evangelical Association, remain- ing faithful to the end. In '43 he came to Fulton Co., Indiana, with his parents, and was reared on the farm and obtained a com- mon school education. At the age of 22 years the Salem class recommended him to the Indiana Conference for license to preach, which the Conference granted at its session in Sept., '61.


HIS ARMY LIFE


In Nov., 1861, the Civil War having broken out, he enlisted in the 48th Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He partici- pated in the battles of Corinth, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Vicksburg, and Sherman's March to the Sea. He returned with im- paired health, resulting in chronic ailments which caused him much suffering for 31 years. This greatly hindered his usefuilness and marred his happiness. In his army life he maintained an unsullied Christian character. J. W. Lertch, First Lieutenant Company A, 48th Indiana Infantry Volunteers, gave him this testimonial: "I certify that Samuel Kiplinger, a member of my company, has been a good and faithful soldier, ever ready to perform his duty, obedient


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to orders, void of faults. He is one also, among the few, who has not become addicted to the evils of camp life. May he be able to perform his duty to God as he has to his country."


HIS MINISTRY


Returning from the army, he entered the active ministry, and served Greenville charge in '65 for six months; Cicero, '66; Ken- dallville, '67 ; then he located for three years. After this he served Mishawaka, '71-72. He then moved to the Illinois Conference, and served Magus, Iowa, '73; Laporte, Iowa, '74. At the organization of the Iowa Conference, in '75, he became a member of that Con- ference, and served Afton, '75-76 ; Creston, '77-78 ; Belle Plain, '79; Blue Springs, Neb., '82; Creston, '86; Thayer, '90; Nodawa, '91-92; Creston, '93, for six months. In all he served 29 years as a pas- tor, and six years as a supply.


In '82, when the Platte River Conference was organized, he volunteered to do frontier work in this Conference, but soon found that his impaired health could not endure such work, and he re- turned to the Des Moines Conference. When the deplored rupture occurred in the church in '90, he was one of six of his Conference that remained loyal to the church, and amidst great opposition car- ried on the work. He was a blessing to the church wherever he worked. Many souls were won by him for Christ. His end came at Creston, Iowa, June 8th, 1895. Rev. J. H. Yaggy, P. E., preached his funeral sermon from Second Timothy 4: 6, 7. Other ministers were present and assisted. The G. A. R. post and Sons of Veterans turned out in uniform in honor of their comrade. He died in great peace. He was married to Henrietta Ruth, Sept. 27th, 1866. They lived a very happy life together, and had born to them one son and two daughters. To them he left a legacy of a pious, earnest, Chris- tian life. He was survived by the entire family. His body lies at the cemetery at Creston, Iowa.


GEO. KLOEPFER (1812-1886)


Bro. Kloepfer was born at Aaronsburg, Center Co., Pa., March 11, 1812, and died at the home of his son Omri in Oakland, Ind., Sept. 21, 1886. His body lies buried in the Oakland Cemetery. He was led to Christ mostly through reading of the Bible, in 1838, and united with the Evangelical Association. He lived close to God, and was faithful to duty, gaining the confidence of the class-mem- bers. He heard and heeded the Divine call to preach the Word. The Ohio Conference licensed him as preacher on probation, May


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31, 1841, and was received into the itinerancy. His license was signed by Bishop J. Seybert and A. B. Schafer, secretary, who wrote around its margin in German: "This is the first preacher to whom a Conference of the Evangelical Association gave license who lived within the State of Indiana." He married Margaret Snyder, June 1, 1834.


HIS MINISTRY


In May, 1841, he was assigned with C. Augustein to White- water Mission. At the close of this year he located on account of illness, and then remained in the local relation until Sept., 1857, when he again was received into the itinerancy, continuing therein for 16 years on the following fields: Elkhart Circuit, 1857; St. Joseph Circuit, in Michigan, 1858; Lafayette Mission, 1859; Cicero Mission, 1860; Fulton Circuit, 1861; Greenville Circuit, 1862; Ful- ton Circuit again, 1863; Huntington Mission, 1864; Mississinawa Mission, 1865. In 1866 he located due to sickness. In 1868, East Germantown; 1869, Vandalia Mission, and Mt. Carmel Station, 1870. In 1871 he again located. Two half years he filled vacancies. He said of his own work : "When I look on my past life I see more room and cause for humiliation than for exaltation. But God has been very good and kind to me. In Him I trust life and death, and unto Him I commit all now and forever. Amen."


He willed $600 to the missionary cause of the church, but later sent it direct to Treasurer Wm. Yost as an incentive to others to do likewise. When the Indiana Conference was organized his name appears in the list of local deacons. His biographer said: "He was highly esteemed in the Conference, due to his virtue and sterling character, that he was an able preacher in German and English, a wise counsellor, genial in disposition, and a staunch lover and supporter of the church and her institutions." He chose his own funeral text, Phil. 1: 21, and requested M. W. Steffey to preach his funeral sermon, which was done in the Oakland Christian Church. J. E. Smith of Noblesville assisted. He was survived by his wife and six children ; one son previously fell in the Civil War.


MATHIAS KLAIBER (1831-1885)


This servant of God was born in Hausen, Oberamt Tutlingen, Wuerttemberg, Germany, Aug. 13, 1831, and died in Denver, Colo- rado, Oct. 14, 1885. He grew to manhood in his native land, and obtained the usual instruction in the Lutheran Church. When he was 21 years old he emigrated to America. He was married to


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Mary Glunz in 1856. Under the preaching of Rev. J. Klein, pas- tor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Portsmouth, Ohio, he awoke to his need of salvation, and was soon converted to God. Soon after this he moved to Independence, Ohio, and united with the Evangelical Association, there being no Methodist Episcopal church at that place. He was elected as class-leader, and under his exhortation and prayers the congregations were often mightily aroused, and there were many conversions.


HIS CALL TO THE MINISTRY


When he was asked and urged to enter the ministry he strong- ly desisted, but later decided to heed the call. He was recom- mended by this class to the Indiana Conference, which licensed him in 1857. It now became his greatest joy and longing to save souls. He served the following fields : Marshall, '58; Warrenton, '59; Clay Co., '60-61; Mt. Carmel, '62; Carmi, '64-64; Vandalia, '65-66; Louisville, Zion, '67-68; Cincinnati, '69-70; Dayton, 1st, '71-72; Indianapolis, '73-74; Louisville Mission, '75-77. Owing to impaired health he was then necessitated to locate, and left Louisville, Ky., for Denver, Colorado. He was ordained deacon, '60, and as elder, '62. He served as secretary of Conference in '69, and eight times as assistant secretary. He was a very useful man, and had many precious souls for his hire. Since there was no society of the Evangelical Association in Denver, he united with the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and was transferred to the South- west Conference, and served Denver society for three years. In 1881 this Conference made him supernumerary, and in 1884 super- annuated him. He was a faithful laborer, patient in affliction and trustful when dying. He was survived by his wife and children.


CHARLES R. KOCH (1844-1881)


Charles R., the 7th child of Anthony Koch, was born at Bloom- field, Scioto Co., O., Sept. 16, 1844, and died in Cincinnati, O., Dec. 13, 1881, where he also was buried. His parents came from Olden- burg, Germany, and arriving at Bloomfield, O., they became pio- neer farmers. In '58 they moved to Spencer Co., Ind., and contin- ued farming. Here Charles was brought under the influence of the true Gospel in a United Brethren church, where he was converted and united with this church. But in '66 he united with the Evan- gelical Association. He was active and was made class-leader in the Zoar Church of Rockport charge. Here he engaged in farm- ing and carpenter work, until in '70, when he entered North-


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Western College and Union Biblical Institute at Naperville, Ill., and remained 3 years, working his way through. He received his recommendation from the Naperville class, and then in the spring of '73 was sent to St. Paul, Minn., where he preached one year as a probationer. In '74 he was ordained deacon and sent to Minneapo- lis, Minn., serving faithfully 1 year.


On May 14, 1875, he was married to Ottilie Kadatz of Min- neapolis. They were then sent to Maple Grove, Minn., where he remained 2 years. Here the condition of his health gave alarm. He then applied to the South Indiana Conference to try a milder climate. He was received and assigned to Huntingburg, where he remained until the spring of '81, when he was appointed to Cin- cinnati, O. Here he contracted small-pox and died. The funeral had to be private and without delay. As no preacher of our church could reach there in time, Rev. Nagel of the Methodist Episcopal Church preached the funeral sermon, assisted by Rev. Streich of the United Brethren Church. At the following quarterly meeting John Fuchs held a memorial service in remembrance of him.


His work as a minister of the Gospel, although brief, was thor- ough and fruitful. He was sociable and loved by the people he served. Improvements and many blessings followed his work. Charles, as his brother said, "believed with Emerson, that 'preach- ing is the expression of the moral sentiment in application to the duties of life.' In thus doing toward God, he fulfilled his obligation toward mankind often at the peril of his own health and welfare." He was survived by his wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter.


GEO. MICHAEL KOEHL (1819-1897)


Bro. Koehl was born in Zaberfeld, Wuerttemberg, Germany, Jan. 18, 1819, and died May 21, 1897, at Des Moines, Ia., where he also is buried. When he was a boy of 13 years his parents immi- grated to America and first settled in Baltimore, Md., then they moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and later to Bucks Co., Pa., where they located on a farm. Here the family came under the influence of the Evangelical Association, and young Koehl, in his 11th year, was led to accept Christ as his Saviour, and united with the Evan- gelical Association.


In '43 he was wedded to Anna Kath. Mumbauer, who, to- gether, were permitted to share the joys and sorrows of life for 49 years. She preceded him in death 4 years. Eight children were born to them; four survived him.


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In '54 he moved with his family to E. Troy, Wis., where they united with the German Methodist Episcopal Church, the Evan- gelical Association not being represented there. Soon after com- ing here he was elected class-leader, serving 4 years. He also served as Sunday-school superintendent. In '62 he received license as exhorter, and '69 as preacher on probation. In '74, having moved within the bounds of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, he united with this Conference, coming, as he said, "home again to mother."


In the Indiana Conference he served as follows : In '74, Rock- port. When the South Indiana Conference was organized in '76 he became a charter member of it, and continued at Rockport until 21% years were served. Then Shelby Mission, 21/2 years; Vandalia, 3 years; Shelby again, 3 years. In '86 he moved to Des Moines, Ia., and united with the Iowa Conference. In the spring of '87 he took charge of Polk and Laurel Mission, serving 3 years. The rest of his life he rendered service as time and circumstances allowed. The last few years he spent in retirement with his daughter, Mrs. Holmes. He was beloved and honored in the family and by neigh- bors. He led many souls to Christ, as his records show. He de- parted in the full assurance of faith. Rev. Geo. Knoche preached his funeral sermon by Koehl's request, who had also buried his wife and 1 son. The pastor, Auracher, assisted.


WM. KOENIG (1836-1909)


This servant of God was born in Satteldorf, Greilsheim, Wuert- temberg, Germany, April 24, 1836, and died peacefully in Bremen, Ind., Oct. 15, 1909. His body was entombed in Greenville Ceme- tery, O. He was gloriously converted in Greenville in '59. He was recommended to preach the Gospel by the Richmond class of the Evangelical Association, and licensed by the Indiana Confer- ence, Sept. 13, 1869. He was ordained deacon in '71, and as elder in '73. He was married to Katherine Heim, Nov. 23, 1858. To them were born 5 sons and 3 daughters.


Young William came to America in '53. While crossing the North Sea a fierce storm was encountered, the main sail and mast being torn from their places. Some Wuerttemberger boys were on deck, and when the storm began raging were thoroughly frightened. One piteously cried and kept saying in the Wuerttemberg dialect, "E wolt e wer bei der Mutter bliewa!" "I wish I had stayed with mother."


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William, after arriving in America, went to Greenville, O., where he grew into full manhood. Here he learned the cooper trade, which he followed here and in Richmond, Ind., up to the time of entering the ministry.


HIS CONVERSION AND WORK IN THE CHURCH


His parents were Lutherans and reared him in this faith. After coming to Greenville he began attending the services of the Evangelical Association during the pastorate of Rev. Phil. Schwartz. In '59 he became thoroughly awakened and enlightened concerning his sinfulness, and what to do to find deliverance for sin. He turned to God with true repentance, and exercised faith in the atoning blood of Christ, and was gloriously converted to God "in the good old-fashioned way," as he often expressed it. It was his notion that when he became converted his conversion must be "decent and orderly." He greatly disliked and disapproved of loud and wild demonstrations, such as shouting, clapping of hands, and audibly praising God. But when he came under the regenerat- ing power of the Holy Spirit, and fully surrendered himself to God, he entirely forgot his preconceived notions of conversion and experienced, with great outward demonstrations, the pardon of his sins, audibly praising God for the great joy he now realized in his soul. He at once united with the Evangelical Association, and took an active part in all her work. He was soon entrusted with various official duties in Greenville, and in Richmond, Ind., whither he had moved, and gave good satisfaction. He rapidly grew in grace and knowledge and evinced considerable ability and aptitude to lead souls to Christ and believers to better living.




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