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 18
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JOS. A. MAIER (1836-1914)
Joseph was born Oct. 23, 1836, at Obermachtal, Wuerttemberg, Germany, and died of old age in Carmi, Ill., Sept. 26, 1914. His body was laid to rest in the Maple Ridge Cemetery near Carmi. His father was a carpenter and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Joseph finished the ordinary German school, graduating with honors. After this he learned the cooper trade, following it until he entered the ministry.
He was converted to God at Carmi under Wm. Wessler's la- bors in '56, and united with the Evangelical Association. He served 3 years in the Civil War with the 87th Illinois Infantry. After the war the Carmi class recommended him to the Indiana Conference, and in Sept., '66, he was licensed and assigned to the following fields : 1866-8, St. Mary's; '68-70, to Richmond Mis- sion ; '70-72, to Evansville; '72-74, Mt. Carmel; '74-75, to Mound City ; '75-76, Jonesboro. Then he located on account of family conditions. He was ordained deacon in '68, and as elder in '70.
He had ordinary success in the ministry. He was rather slow in speech and lacked animation in delivering his sermons. He was often opposed to introduce English preaching into the congregation
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where it was really needed, being quite jealous for the German, even to the injury of Christ's kingdom. He was German class- leader for years after he located.
He was married to Clara Erkman, Aug. 7, 1865, of Carmi, Ill., and had 4 children. His wife and one son survived him. Pas- tor A. G. Stierle officiated at his funeral, and was assisted by J. W. Feller and Martin Speck.
MELCHIOR MAYER (1815-1888)
The earthly life of Rev. Melchior Mayer, of whom this brief history gives an account, began January 26, 1815, in Westheim, Canton Germersheim, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, died in Mt. Carmel, Aug. 8, 1888. His body was laid to rest in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. His father's name was John Jacob, who died August 10, 1833. His mother's maiden name was Mary Eva Deshler. This union was blessed with six children. He received the rite of water baptism as an infant, with Melchior Eisenhardt and Eva Kath. May as godfather and godmother respectively. His par- ents were pious and devoted members of the Lutheran Church, who reared their children to be religious and devoted to their church, sending them regularly to school, where they were taught to reverence and obey the Bible, and received catechetical instruc- tion along with other studies they pursued. They were taught to faithfully attend all of the church services, and as much as pos- sible adhere to all that was good and pure. Thus we see that Melchior Mayer was reared in a religious atmosphere, and early imbibed Christian principles, and enjoyed good educational ad- vantages. In his autobiographical sketch nothing is said as to his manual work as a young man, nor of his moral conduct in life.
In 1829, at the age of fourteen years, having satisfactorily completed the course of catechetical instruction, he was confirmed, and for the first time permitted to partake of the Lord's Supper. When he was thirty years old he decided to enter the matrimonial life with Anna Caroline Hostermann. Their civil marriage took place June 28, 1845, and their church marriage July 13, 1845. Pastor Roos officiated. They lived in Westheim.
In the spring of 1851 there arose a strong desire in their hearts to emigrate to America. They began to make the neces- sary preparation for this interesting voyage across the Atlantic. On the 9th of September they left their fatherland, and after 48 days' sailing they arrived safe and sound, on November 4, at New Orleans, La. On the 5th of November they left for Evansville,
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Ind., per steamboat, where they arrived November 17. Here they were met by his cousin, Jacob Mayer, who was ready for an in- land trip with a wagon team, and drove the same day to Newburg, and the next day they reached their destination at the farm of an- other cousin, John George Mayer, ten miles from Rockport, Ind. Here he settled with his family, living on the farm of his cousin, John George.
When M. M. arrived here with his wife and two daughters they were almost penniless; they felt lonely and forsaken in a new and strange country. But they were soon visited by German settlers, who were Christians, and gave them needed help and encourage- ment. A quarterly meeting of the Evangelical Association was being held November 25-26, to which Mayers and Deshlers, a brother-in-law and his wife, who came with them from Europe, were invited. They consented to go. Brother Henry Bachmann came for them. Bros. Geo. A. Blank, P. E., F. Wiethaupt, P. C., and F. Scheuermann, a traveling minister, conducted the quarterly meeting. M. says, "They preached the Word of God clearly and powerfully. We were at once inwardly convinced that we were not right with God, and cannot in our present moral condition be saved." Here we see the providential leadings of God.
These ministers went to Huntingburg, Ind., to hold a quar- terly meeting, and invited Mayer and Deshler to go along. They concluded to go. Brethren at Rockport provided them with horses to ride, and Bro. Romig went along as guide. While at Hunting- burg they faithfully attended the services. M. says, "Here I fully learned to know myself, and felt that a change of heart must take place. I became a penitent, acknowledging my sins, and continued until I found peace, joy and conscious salvation on November 30, 1851." At this time he also united with the Evangelical Associa- tion. A week later his wife was also happily converted and joined the church. "From now on," he says, "we served the Lord in weakness, and made use of every opportunity to attend the preach- ing of God's Word and the prayer-meetings, which was not in vain, for we made progress continually, and grew stronger in the cause of Christ."
In 1852, their class being divided in two, M. was elected as class-leader for the second class, and served, he says, "in great weakness," but the Lord was with him. He served the class from May, 1852, to November, 1854. During this time he often felt con- strained to preach the Gospel. He revealed his call to Brother Wm. Bockman and Jacob Keiper, his pastors. K. brought his call to the ministry to the attention of his class, which then gave him a rec-
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ommendation to the Quarterly Conference at Huntingburg, where he also was received as a preacher on probation in November, 1854. He now began preaching in Rockport and vicinity. When his call to the ministry was plain to him, he said, "I will go as soon as the way opens." One day a minister came and said to him, "Come along and enter the work." He was then in the field working with a team, and at once unhitched his horses, got ready and went along. This was in May. June 2nd, 1855, at the Conference ses- sion held in Otts settlement, near Syracuse, Ind., he was received into the itinerancy, and with Wm. Wessler was appointed to Du- bois Circuit, to which he belonged since he was a member of the church.
Thus his real work as a minister dates from June, 1855. He kept a daily record of his travels, where he preached, when, and from what text. His first text was Romans 1: 16. Surely he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for he experienced that it was a power unto salvation. In these days many camp-meetings were held, which the brethren on the districts faithfully attended, and all took their turn at preaching. He made a record of all texts that were used by the different pastors, and often stated with what spir- itual results. Dubois Circuit was composed of Huntingburg City, Maple Grove, Rockport, Zoar, Grandview, Warrington, Bluegrass, Kohlmeier's, Paris, Broomville and Evansville.
M. M. served the following fields: Dubois Circuit from Sep- tember 1855-6; here he had some fifty accessions, and nearly as many conversions. Clay County Mission from September, 1856-7. This was a newly formed mission with six appointments (of which Terre Haute was one) and eighteen members. Sickness hindered him greatly in his work. At the Conference session held at E. Germantown in September, 1857, he received his ordination as dea- con. He served DeKalb Mission from September, 1857-9. In May, 1858, he had a very severe illness, caused by taking cold, which laid him up for nearly a month. He reports a camp-meeting which he attended in August, 1858, at Fuhrman's, near Decatur, Ind., where many were converted. Twenty-seven adults were baptized by A. B. Schaefer, and 199 took part in the Lord's Supper. The second year on this mission was again a successful one in conversions, ac- cessions and spiritual quickening of the believers. He was or- dained elder at the session of September, 1859. He traveled White- water Circuit from September, 1859-60, with ten appointments. Montgomery Mission from 1860-1. This year's work resulted in 18 conversions. On this field a son was born to them, but died soon after. Marshall Circuit was in his care from September, 1861-63.
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He relates a trip he made with his family to Huntingburg camp- meeting. The weather being extremely hot, ague was prevalent. His two daughters took sick on their return with fever, and they were obliged to tarry at Warrington, near Tabor, Elberfeld Cir- cuit, where Margaret died at the age of sixteen years, and was laid to rest in Tabor Cemetery. She was her mother's support, who was weakly. Their return from here was a very sad one. The second year on Marshall work he introduced a Christmas enter- tainment with a decorated Christmas tree and presents for the children. He was progressive. He says, "Manifold were our ex- periences on this field. We had sickness and crosses to bear, we had testings and trials, but the Lord helped through them all, praise His holy name." On January 26, 1863, on his 48th birth- day, he prayed as follows: "I thank Thee, my God and heavenly Father, that up to this time Thou didst lead me with patience and love, and didst give manifestations unto many good things and deeds, both bodily and spiritually. I pray Thee that Thou wouldst pardon all my sins, mistakes, shortcomings and weaknesses, and give me a really grateful and loving heart, and strength from above that I may always love Thee, and faithfully serve Thee unto a blessed end, through Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Amen." From September, 1863-5, he served Evansville Mission, resulting in 11 conversions and some accessions. From 1865-7 he was mission- ary in Louisville. He arrived October 7, and soon thereafter, after a general testimonial meeting, opportunity being given to unite with the Evangelical Association, 20 persons united, and the first church of the Evangelical Association was organized in Kentucky.
M. was a good and faithful missionary. In February, 1866, he held a revival which resulted in 10 conversions and 13 acces- sions, and in the second year on this mission he held a meeting that lasted seven weeks, resulting in 30 conversions and accessions for which he greatly praised God.
At the session held in Dayton, Ohio, September 4, 1867, he was newly elected Presiding Elder, and stationed on Whitewater District. He was also elected, for the first time, a delegate to General Conference, to be held in Pittsburg, Pa. Many successful quarterly meetings and camp-meetings were held during this term. In the third and fourth year he was considerably hindered by ill- ness. On September 8, 1871, he was re-elected Presiding Elder and assigned to Evansville District, and was again elected a dele- gate to General Conference, which convened at Naperville, Ill. On arriving in Chicago he saw the terrible devastation of that great Chicago conflagration that consumed one-third of the city.
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This year he made a special missionary tour to Cairo, Ill., and held blessed camp-meetings at Huntingburg, Olney and Marshall. This year he could fill all his appointments, the work expanded, there were many conversions on the district. The second year of this term he was again sick for three weeks, yet three successful camp- meetings were held. The third year was also a good one. At the Conference session, held September, 1875, he was assigned to Cin- cinnati Mission, was re-elected delegate to General Conference, to be held in Philadelphia. While there he visited the Centennial Ex- position buildings. He had the great pleasure to help establish the Japan Mission (1875) and to create the South Indiana Con- ference. He says, "At this General Conference $4,600.00 was se- cured by cash and subscriptions, mostly for Japan." On the way home, in company with Hoehn and Kaufman, he visited the United States Government buildings in Washington, D. C., also the White House and the Capitol. In September, 1876, at the Conference session, held at Bremen, when the Indiana Conference was divided, M. cast his lot with the new South Indiana Conference, and had Evansville Mission assigned to him. This was a good year, re- sulting in 21 conversions and 14 accessions. In September, 1877, he was returned to Evansville, and at this session the Conference time was changed to spring, so that this Conference year was only a half year. March, 1878, he was again returned to Evansville. March, 1879-81, he served Carmi; March, 1881-84, he served Huntingburg, and his last field was Mt. Carmel, from 1884-7, when he located and made Mt. Carmel his home for the rest of his life.
Thirty-two and one-half years he stood in the active ranks without intermission. He served country and city missions. cir- cuits, stations and districts with tact and acceptability. His labors were abundant and taxing to his frail body. God's people were edi- fied under his preaching, strengthened, grounded in love and es- tablished in the faith. His preaching was unctuous, scriptural, plain. In March, 1887, at the Huntingburg session, he was neces- sitated, owing to age, illness and depleted strength, to locate, which he did reluctantly, yet he was very grateful to God, who was so wonderfully with him throughout his ministry. In the summary he states that he traveled by railroad, steamboat, and per horse and buggy 75,330 miles, and preached 4,407 times.
He was entrusted with various important and responsible of- fices, in the capacity of which he proved himself true, faithful and conscientious. He served eleven years as secretary. He was Con- ference treasurer of the South Indiana Conference from 1876-86. He was a true and earnest Christian, his characteristics which he in-
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herited were augmented in the service of God. He was fervent in spirit and effectual in his appeals to the people, and cordial in his intercourse with men, firm to his convictions, fearless in exposing sin and wrong-doers, opposed to pomp and hypocrisy in religion, popular amusements, intemperance and unrighteous conduct. He always tried to be at his post of duty. He peacefully died in Mt. Carmel, August 8, 1888, aged 75 years, 6 months and 12 days. The following is the Conference memorial report concerning his death and work :
1. Resolved, That we lost in the departure of Bro. M. Mayer a decidedly faithful co-laborer in the service and calling of the Gospel, and that we lost in his departure a very reliable and true servant and a fatherly counsellor, and that we greatly realize the loss of him.
2. Resolved, That although we deeply realize our loss, that we, nevertheless, rejoice in the knowledge that this worthy departed left a clear, definite witness of his godly consecration through his life in hardships and sorrows, and is now entered as a faithful servant into the joys of the Lord."
CHARLES McCONNEHEY (1876-1907)
Charles, the son of Wm. and Maggie McConnehey, was born in Monroe, Adams Co., Ind., Feb. 26, 1876, and died Oct. 16, 1907, in Decatur, Ind., and was buried in Decatur Maplewood Cemetery. In his 15th year, while studying the Bible, he read, "The wages of sin is death," which Scripture passage made a very deep impres- sion upon him. At once he decided to accept Christ, and soon found a wonderful peace of soul. Six months later he united with the Evangelical Association in Decatur, Ind. He became active in the church, and occasionally would go out into the country, when but 17 or 18 years old, and conduct prayer-meetings. In the spring of '93 the Decatur class recommended him to the Confer- ence, and in April of this year the Conference licensed him as preacher on probation. From youth up he had an inclination to preach, and when yet a child would play church with children, him- self acting as preacher.
When he was 4 years old his parents moved to Decatur. He graduated from the grammar schools, and later, for one term, at- tended the Angola Normal. He was of a studious disposition, but lacking means could not continue his school life as he desired. When he was out of school he became a lather in the summer and an egg-case maker in the winter.
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On Sundays, when others sought worldly pleasures, he went to the Evangelical Sunday-school and church in Decatur, to which his mother belonged. He was one of the faithful in attendance, and won the prize, a Bible, for regular attendance. This Bible was highly prized by him, and helped leading him to Christ.
He served the following fields: Noblesville and Cicero with C. D. Rarey, '98-9; then Altamont, Ill., '99-1900; then Edgerton Circuit, 1900-1; then Lancaster, Ill., 1901-4; then Culver Circuit, '04-6. While at this latter place his health suddenly began to fail, and, although he was a stoutly built man, weighing 185 pounds, in 3 months' time was reduced to 135 pounds. Here a great revival was conducted by his Presiding Elder, S. H. Baumgartner, dur- ing the second year, which resulted in about 100 conversions, all churches in the town participating. Dancing was broken up, and the dancing master said, "It will be 6 months before another dance can be had." Bro. McConnehey attended the meetings, but did no preaching, owing to his physical condition. Shortly before his breakdown, by urgency of his Presiding Elder, he took out insur- ance, which proved a great blessing to his wife and 3 children. At the close of this year he thought of locating, but when Con- ference was in session at West Salem, Ill., he again applied for work, so anxious was he to continue. E. Germantown was as- signed to him April, '96, but he soon found that disease was fast depleting his vitality, and by the urgency of his doctor resigned his work in October, and moved with his family to Decatur. He then took up collecting insurance, thinking that outdoor life would help him. On the 15th of October he was out collecting, but that night he suddenly collapsed and died the next morning. He was ordained deacon April, 1900, and as elder in 1904.
A. B. Haist had charge of the funeral service, assisted by C. D. Rarey, A. Van Camp and others. He was married to Mollie Dienst of Louisville, Ky., who, with 3 children, survived him.
His preaching was practical and usually interwoven with con- siderable poetry, sayings of other men, and anecdotes. He won many souls for Christ. He was earnest in his work for the Lord, and had a passion for souls. His decease came all too soon.
HENRY E. MEYERS (1864-1902)
This brother was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, May 29th, 1864, and died in Oregon, Mo., March 4th, 1902, where he is also buried. He received a common school education and early in life gave his heart to God and united with the Evangelical Association. He
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was a member of the Salem class, Edgerton charge, where, as a young man, he heard and heeded the call of God to the ministry. His class duly recommended him, and the Indiana Conference licensed him in 1887. He was sent to Ft. Recovery Circuit. He was timid and reserved, which, with his limited education, made his beginning in the work very difficult. However, he staid by the work and developed into a very useful man. In '88-9 he served Defiance Circuit; '89-90, E. Germantown. He then located for one year, moving to Kansas. In '91 he entered the Kansas Confer- ence, serving the following fields: '91-3, Winston; '93-5, Car- thage; '95-7, Newton; '97-01, Derby, and '01-2, Oregon Mission. Two weeks before the session of the Kansas Conference in '02 he passed away.
Rev. M. C. Platz, his Presiding Elder, said of him, "He was an earnest and conscientious preacher, a faithful pastor, ever try- ing to lead souls to Christ. He was conservative and cautious in his dealings, not given to trifling, either in conversation or in business. His conduct commanded the respect of all."
He married Adell Adair, and was the father of four chil- dren, all of whom survived him. His illness was brief, and death found him at his post of duty, busily engaged in collecting money for the Conference. His Presiding Elder, M. C. Platz, officiated at the funeral.
SAMUEL MIESSE (1806-1883)
Bro. Miesse, son of Jacob and Katherine Miesse, was born in Reading, Pa., Feb. 2, 1806, and departed this life Aug. 22, 1883, in Greenville, O., where he is also buried. He was christened as an infant by Pastor W. Hendel of the German Reformed Church, and confirmed by Pastor Meier. Later realizing his unsaved con- dition, he sought and found salvation through faith in Christ, and then united with the Evangelical Association. He became a faithful member of the church. Hearing the call of God to preach "Christ crucified," he yielded, and, on recommendation of his class, was licensed as preacher on probation in his 22d year by the East Pennsylvania Conference.
Some time later he entered the active work and was quite successful, being able to lead precious souls to Christ. The ex- posure to all kinds of weather and the hardships of pioneer work impaired his health to such an extent that he was obliged to lo- cate in '42.
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He re-entered the active work in '43 and served Lancaster; '44-6, Mohawk Circuit; '46-7, Syracuse Mission in New York ; '47- 8, Lake Circuit. In '48 he located, due to impaired health and tem- poral affairs. He was ordained deacon in Allentown, Pa., March, '42, and as elder in the same Conference in March, '45.
In '53 he moved to Greenville, O., where he made his home with is brother, Dr. Gabriel Miesse. In '81 he became paralyzed, which affected his mind more than his body. Although he was unable to recognize his loved ones he did not fail to know his God, and his interest in Him became more intensified, continuing in prayer and constant communion with Him. His friends verified "that in all of his afflictions he never said anything that was un- Christian." But on Aug. 22, just before his decease, he rallied for a few moments and said, "Jesus, bless my soul," and then in quietness passed away. He was never married. He was survived by 2 brothers, Dr. Gabriel and John.
Jacob Miller, pastor, wrote "that his whole conduct was lov- able, friendly, humble, and that he found great satisfaction in the Lord's work. Rev. Miller had charge of the funeral. M. W. Stef- fey preached the sermon, and the city pastors served as pall- bearers.
SAMUEL K. MIESSE (1816-1882)
This brother was born in Berks Co., Pa., March 4, 1816, and passed away, Noblesville, Ind., Sept. 18, 1882, and was entombed in the Noblesville Cemetery. He was one of 16 children. He was married to Phobe Bohner, Nov., '37. Six children were born to them; his wife and 4 children survived him. He was converted to God in Pennsylvania in his 13th year, and united with the Evangelical Association. He was faithful in the service of Christ as a youth and made commendable progress. In '39 he moved to Fairfield Co., O., and continued his Christian activities. In '40 his class, having given him a recommendation to the Western Confer- ence (now in Ohio), licensed him as preacher on probation, and assigned him to Sandusky Circuit. In '43 he again located, con- tinuing thus until his demise. In '59 he moved with his family to Hamilton Co., Ind., and later moved into Noblesville.
His pastor at the time of his death said of him, "He occa- sionally preached. His sermons were clear, simple and earnest, which was evidenced by conversions that followed his preaching in former years. Miesse loved the church of his choice, and was always willing to support her, her institutions and doctrines. He
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especially insisted upon the true and tried methods of church work." The Conference record shows that he bequeathed $500 to the General Missionary Society. He was the chief instigator of our former work in Noblesville, and kept things moving along while he lived and could attend. But after his death the Society was in a condition like that of a wagon wheel with the hub gone. He was modest and unassuming, but sociable and indulgent with his family. Jos. Fisher and D. Martz officiated at his funeral.
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