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 19
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JACOB MILLER (1833-1891)
This brother was born Feb. 1, 1833, in Merzheim, Landau, Bavaria, Germany, and died in Dayton, O., Oct. 9, 1891. He was survived by his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters. He was deprived of his parents early in life, which made a very deep impression on his mind, and somewhat tended towards melancholia.
HIS CONVERSION AND WORK IN THE CHURCH
In '53 he came to America, arriving April 5th in Evansville, Ind., at the home of his brother-in-law. He began to attend the services of the Evangelical Association, and under Jos. Fisher's administration was brought under conviction and led into deep repentance. After a long and severe struggle he found Christ pre- cious to his soul, and then united with the Evangelical Associa- tion. He now became active in the church, won the confidence and esteem of the members, and was duly recommended by them for license to preach. In '64, under Mel. Mayer, he received an exhorter's license, as then customary, and served acceptably and successfully in this capacity for 2 years.
In Sept., '66, when the Conference was held in Evansville, he received license as preacher on probation, and, with John Ber- ger, was assigned to Mt. Carmel Circuit. In '67-8 he was sent to Carmi Circuit. In '68-9 he served Clay Co. Mission; '69-70, Mar- shall Circuit, which now included Clay Co. Mission. In '70-2 he served Waupecong (now Bunker Hill) with blessed results. In '72-3 he was partly disabled by lameness in his feet, but took Wabash work. He labored under great bodily difficulties and col- lected money for a new church building.
The church was built and dedicated Aug. 3, 1873. In Sept. of this year he was returned to Wabash work and had 21 acces- sions. In '73-4 he served Shelby Mission in Illinois. In '75 he was assigned to Wanatah Circuit, and served it 2 years and 7 months, Conference being changed from September to April. Dur-
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ing this time 41 united with the church. In '78-80 he was as- signed to Newville Circuit. Here he did not succeed so well, due to language and other hindrances. In '80-3 he served Montgomery Circuit and built the church in Phillipsburg the first year. In '83-6 he served Winchester Circuit, and had 47 conversions and 32 accessions. In '87-8, Ft. Wayne, with 14 accessions. In '88-9 he served St. Mary's charge, and here ended his active ministerial work.
Judging by the results of his labor, Bro. Miller was quite suc- cessful. His sermons, his biographer said, "were not made up artistically, nor so delivered, but they were biblical, clear and thorough." His sermons were somewhat long and tiresome, but he was sincere and earnest, and often with tears pleaded with saint and sinner to live better lives. As a father and husband he was indulgent and much concerned for the comfort of his family.
FINAL LOCATION
In April, '89, he located in Dayton, O. Here he clerked for a while, but later resumed his former work as a cooper, continuing in it until shortly before his death. He felt his end was drawing nigh. He often was under great distress in body, but bore the sufferings with patience and trust in God's abounding grace. With full assurance of endless salvation he departed into eternal life.
He was ordained deacon Sept., '68, and as elder in '70. C. F. Hansing, P. E., preached his funeral sermon, assisted by his pas- tor, C. C. Beyrer, and M. L. Scheidler and G. F. Spreng.
PHILEMON MILLER (1825-1894)
Philemon was born in Fairfield Co., O., March 7, 1825, and died in Altamont, Ill., April 26, 1894. He was survived by his wife and son. He grew to manhood at his birthplace, and enjoyed the common rural school education. In '48, under the labors of Abraham Leonard of the Ohio Conference of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, he was awakened to a sense of his need and led to repent- ance and conscious salvation. He then also joined the Evangeli- cal Association and remained true to her until death.
Being faithful to God and the church he was elected class- leader, and, later, as exhorter, in which capacity he served a num- ber of years. He married Hannah Powell and moved to Fayette Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming. Also here he took an ac- tive part in religious work, and in Sept., '66, being recommended by the class at this place, the Indiana Conference licensed him as
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preacher on probation. In Sept., '67, he was sent to Mt. Carmel Circuit. In '68 he moved back on his farm at Camp Creek, near Brownstown, Ill., where he served acceptably as class-leader and as Sunday-school superintendent. In Feb., '94, he quit farming and moved to Altamont, Ill., where he died. Rev. J. H. Schnitz officiated at the funeral. Interment was made in Zion Church Cem- etery of Camp Creek Circuit.
JACOB MODE (1836-1886)
Rev. Jacob Mode was born in Rhein-Baiern, Germany, Sept. 25, 1836. His parents were loyal members of the Lutheran Church and reared him in their faith. He obtained a fair German educa- tion and a good Bible training, which proved to be of great value to him in later life. He came to America in 1852, at the age of 16 years, landing at New Orleans, and went per river boat up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati, Ohio. Here he re- mained a while, and learned the shoemaker trade. A few years later he removed to the town of Harrison, on the State line of Ohio and Indiana, where he resumed his trade as shoemaker and continued in it until 1861. He then moved out on a farm about three miles from Harrison, where he remained until the latter part of 1867, when he moved to Indianapolis, Ind. In March, 1868, he left Indianapolis, and settled on a farm three miles north of Gray- ville, Illinois.
He was married to Mary Kolb in 1861, and it was near Gray- ville that they, for the first time, had the opportunity of hearing missionaries of the Evangelical Association. They were very fav- orably impressed with the preaching of the missionary, the sainted Rev. John Berger, who was the first of the preachers of the Evan- gelical Association who visited this community, and they were soon convinced of the error of their ways, and keenly realized the need of a thorough change of heart and life. After a short while, un- der the labors of the tireless Rev. J. M. Kronmiller, they were fully brought into the light and soundly converted to God, and then also at once united with the Evangelical Association, in which he after- wards took a deep interest.
HIS CALL AND WORK AS A MINISTER
It was not very long until the call of the Lord was heard by Brother Mode, and he gladly responded. He continued in this work for 12 years, first receiving an appointment as a preacher cn probation under the Presiding Elder in 1874. He served the
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following fields of labor faithfully, tactfully and with success in the old South Indiana Conference: Lake Creek, 1876-8, then Lake Creek and Murphyboro combined in 1879. Harrison in 1880; Ev- ansville in 1881; Mt. Carmel in 1883. In 1882, '84, '86, he served in the local relation and died October 28, 1886. He was survived by his wife (who has joined him since in heaven) and seven chil- dren ; five preceded him in death. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. F. Schweitzer, then Presiding Elder, and his body was in- terred in the Grayville Cemetery, awaiting the resurrection of the just.
His preaching was in a simple style, earnest, moderate in speed. He was always self-possessed. His statements were Script- ural, and he fearlessly exposed and assailed sin. Those who heard him, testify that his preaching was unctuous and manifested a deep insight into Scripture. He wrote most of his sermons, but deliv- ered them extemporaneously, doing this for clearness of expres- sion and for the improvement of his language. As a revivalist he was moderately successful. He was quite a good singer and did lead out well in congregational singing. His last sermon was preached shortly before his demise in Grayville, using the 23rd Psalm for a text; he was then quite indisposed, but, as his friend, Rev. F. Dauner, said, "He preached a powerful sermon." The memorial report of the South Indiana Conference respecting his life is as follows, showing that he was highly esteemed by his asso- ciate ministers: "That in the death of Jacob Mode the Conference lost a faithful, pious, active and successful co-worker."
It is to be regretted that not more of his life-work can be definitely stated. He was a man who kept a faithful record of his work and experiences, but soon after his death his widow had the sad misfortune of having all his records burned in a fire that threatened to consume the whole house.
This brother experienced many hardships in his itinerant life. He served his appointments from home except three years, and this fact necessitated him to make long and dangerous trips at times. Once he came near losing his life while on an itinerant trip, trying to cross the Little Wabash River at Massilon, Ill. The water was frozen over with ice thick enough that he thought he could cross with safety, but the ice suddenly broke and he with his. horse got down so deep that his feet were in the ice-cold water, and after he got out and rode home with wet feet both he and his horse were badly frozen. This incident occurred about 30 miles away from home. Not a few ministers experienced the dangerous thing of trying to cross the Little Wabash River bottoms when out of its
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banks between West Salem and Little Wabash class on one side and Enterprise on the other. A number of them had hair-breadth escapes trying to cross the river. Rev. Jacob Keiper once got into quicksand and came near losing his life. W. H. Luehring, trying to cross, lost his horse by drowning and barely saved himself. Three of the old pioneer preachers once crossed the river at Mas- silon when out of its banks; they were warned by the citizens not to undertake it, calling it "foolhardy." But they did. Then a number of citizens concluded they must be horse-thieves to venture across, and a posse was organized and followed, and overtook them quite a ways on the other side, and asked them "who they were and what their business was." When these Gospel heroes told them who and what they were, they were allowed to go in peace, the posse saying to them, "We thought you must be horse-thieves be- cause you were determined to cross the over-flooded river."
ANDREW NICOLAI (1814 -.... )
Andrew, son of Philip and Martha Nicolai, was born Bir- kenau, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 5th, 1814. His par- ents were of the Lutheran faith and reared their children in alll religious strictness. In their locality it was considered disgraceful to kneel in prayer and to sing religious songs out of the church. In the spring of 1833 they came to America and settled in Green Village, Franklin Co., Pa. Here they came in contact with people of the United Brethren Church, who showed themselves friendly when they sustained a great loss by fire. They began to attend their services and came under evangelical preaching. Moving to Chambersburg, Pa., Andrew's father helped to construct a rail- road. While tunneling beneath the ground, one day, the earth caved in, killing his father's co-laborer. This had a great effect upon him, and soon led to his conversion and that of his wife in a United Brethren meeting. Upon removing to Vandersall's set- tlement in Ohio they united with the Evangelical Association.
Andrew, the oldest of their ten children, was catechized and confirmed at the age of 13, and attended school until 14 years of age. He then engaged in making tiles with his father and to cut timber. When he arrived in this country he pursued the trade of a carpenter. While crossing the ocean, in which his life was in jeopardy, he promised God that he would live better if He would grant him a safe voyage. His sea resolution was neither forgotten nor carried out, for he held that "there is none righteous, no not
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one." No man can be righteous. However, by searching the Scriptures and praying he discovered that there were righteous as well as unrighteous men, and the light began to dawn upon his darkened soul. His parents, who had found Christ, came now to Covington, where he lived, to lead him to Christ. He heard Rev. J. G. Zinser, one of our preachers, preach a sermon on "Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling." This sermon brought him to repentance. One Sunday night, in 1839, he went, with a heavy heart, to a prayer-meeting in his father's house, sat down by his brother-in-law, who was class-leader, and while they were engaged in prayer a strange, conscious faintness came over him, having a blissful sensation. Falling to the floor he won- dered what this could be. It could not be a swoon-it must be conversion ! Assurance grew stronger, bliss more complete, un- til he sprang to his feet, leaping for joy and praising God with a loud voice. Everything seemed new and fresh. Reaching home, he opened both the doors in his house, walking from one to the other, praising God with a loud voice. He was too happy to sleep.
HIS MINISTRY
God's voice was soon calling him to the Gospel ministry, and on May the 28th, 1840, he received exhorter's license. In this capacity he served with much joy and profit. In 1842 he and his father, together with their families, moved to Putnam Co., Ind., where they settled on timber land. After earning enough money he purchased a 40-acre farm, upon which he built a small log cabin. Meanwhile the call of God grew more urgent, but two things hindered greatly, lack of means and the leaving of his fam- ily in the backwoods. His father agreed to look after his family in part, at least, so he borrowed a horse and rode to Conference at Flat Rock, Ohio, May, 1843. He received license to preach and was received into the itinerancy.
He was assigned to Mt. Carmel Circuit, with C. Lintner as preacher-in-charge. His first appointment was Big Creek, near Marshall, Ill. The rains were falling quite heavily at this time of the year, but he managed to keep himself dry with a sheep's pelt. Arriving at Terre Haute, Ind., he essayed to cross the Wabash River, but the ferry-man said that it could not be crossed until the morning on account of the low water in the marshes on the west side of the river. This was Saturday night. He had to put up at a hotel, which cost him $1.00, and in the morning was fer- ried across the river at a cost of 75 cents. This was a great out- lay of money for so poor a man, and caused him no little worry.
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He followed the National Pike to Livingstone, then proceeded south four miles to cross Big Creek. Here he learned that there was great danger on account of quicksand in the stream, so he pro- ceeded 4 miles up the creek to a bridge, came down the other side, and finally reached Manshart, where a few brethren had gathered to hear their new preacher. Monday he traveled 40 miles down the Wabash to Dundore's and Shreffler's; Wednesday he preached at Long's; Thursday he reached Mt. Carmel, where he rested a few days, only to retrace his way back home, stopping and preach- ing at all the points on the way.
After 8 days he started back to Dundore's, where a camp- meeting was to be held. It was a great meeting; sinners came from distances of 40 miles to find peace and salvation. While on his first trip he came to a German settler who was trying to cut a door and window in his cabin, and was making such hard work of it that Nicolai said, "Let me do that for you, seeing I am left- handed." He was astonished that a "Pfarrer" could have such skill and Nicolai invited him to this camp-meeting, to which he came and was saved. When he came to the camp-meeting and offered Dundore money for his entertainment, which was not accepted, he exclaimed, "Why, these are truly remarkable people; I never saw the like."
Upon the request of his Presiding Elder, J. J. Kopp, Hunt- ingburg, Ind., was taken up as a new appointment. J. Trometer, a local preacher, dwelt here and had paved the way for our church. Glorious meetings were held here, and over 60 members were re- ceived into the church. At his return from a four-week trip he found that death had entered his home and had taken away his be- loved and beautiful daughter, who was already buried. This near- ly broke his heart, for he was very much attached to his child.
In 1844 Nicolai was returned to Mt. Carmel Circuit, with G. G. Platz as junior preacher. His father helped him move to one end of his circuit, using a one-horse wagon. His wife walked near- ly all the way, and on trying to cross a stream, over which a log had fallen, she lost her footing and was plunged into the stream. This experience cost her a few days' serious illness. Nicolai was greatly hindered during this year on account of malaria, and often he would go to his appointments when he was hardly able to sit upon his horse. One time he became so weakened that he could go no further, and, tying his horse, walked to the first house. A young woman who was spinning saw him come, and seeing his fever-frenzied eyes, thought him insane and ran out the back door. He sat down and waited, and soon a young man came and
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inquired whether he were not sick. They put him to bed, sum- moned a physician, who gave him a treatment that fearfully sali- vated him, which somewhat impaired his memory. Hearing of his illness, some of the brethren came after his horse, and when he was sufficiently recovered conveyed him to his home. As soon as possible he was at his post again.
At one time he received the apology of a blacksmith who had shown him uncivil treatment in his home. While in Mt. Carmel he and Brother Platz were holding meetings, which a certain blacksmith attended. Being invited to the home by the good wife, they called to see him. When he came in, begrimed with soot, they greeted him with a "How do you do?" to which he responded, "Hum! How do I do? We are to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves, and not as you insolent fellows do. You condemn everybody." After some exchange the preachers left, but before long this blacksmith was converted and made apologies.
When his time at Mt. Carmel was up, according to the limit set by the church, he took his family, household goods and all to Conference, 20 miles north of Chicago, and before he reached Chi- cago his wagon that conveyed all his effects broke down. He had the same repaired at Chicago, only to have another break-down ere he reached the place of Conference session. Bishop Seybert happened to be with him at the time, and rode on, taking Nico- lai's family in his own rig, and deposited them at Ebingers, whom he also sent to assist Nicolai with his broken wagon. At last they reached the place of Conference. At least they lost nothing by this premature action, for they were sent on north to Milwaukee Mission. In 1846 he located for one year, after which he was sent south to Dubois Circuit. It was a year of great prosperity and suc- cess, Rockport especially being fruitful. The year following found him at the same field with equal success, Posey Co., and Maple Grove at Huntingburg were especially prosperous appointments. The Maple Grove camp-ground was purchased this year from the Government for $50.00. A certain parson aided greatly to the spread of the Gospel in an indirect way. He came to the home of one of his parishioners in a drunken condition to bury a child. He was put to bed to sober up, and when he arose the sun was setting, and he, thinking that the sun was rising, said, "Good Morning." This so disgusted the people that they were ready to hear the Gos- pel from sober men. Nicolai attended the funeral service, and an- nounced at the conclusion that he would preach from that same text that very evening at Schawley's. Reutepoehlers, the bereft family, attended the service, received new light and were soon
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converted to God. This made a large entry for the Gospel in this neighborhood.
In 1850 he had a narrow escape. Trying to cross a swollen stream while on his trip through Marshall Circuit he found when he came to the middle of the river that his horse was sinking in quicksand. With greatest difficulty he and his horse reached the shore, each swimming out for themselves as best they could. In the process his sheep pelt slipped half-way off the saddle, frighten- ing the animal, which ran away. At last it came to a bayou, and, fearing quicksand, halted. Nicolai crept up and recaptured the frightened beast. He also fished his saddle-bag out of the river, and then remounted and rode back to his brother's home. Upon finding no one at home, he entered, made a fire, and, having dried his clothes, proceeded on his way rejoicing. Despite the hindrances it was a year of great success.
In the years 1851-3 he served Hamilton Mission; 1852, he became a charter member of the Indiana Conference; 1853-4 he served St. Mary's with considerable success. At Newville, in the home of Emmanuel Niederhauser, he celebrated a great victory. Niederhauser was saved himself, and his house became a place of preaching and prayer. At one time such power was manifest that all were thrown to the floor, a dance in the neighborhood was broken up, in order to discover what the commotion might mean. In the next nine years he served the following fields with success: De- Kalb Circuit, St. Mary's Circuit, Fulton Circuit, Berrien and Bremen.
At the organization of the Michigan Conference he was elected the first Presiding Elder of the new Conference, in which capacity he served eight years. After several years of service as a pas- tor he located in 1876, finding a home in Norvell, Jackson Co., Michigan.
One night, while still on the district, he lost his way in the woods. His horse suddenly came upon a fence in the timber, and could advance no farther. He essayed to turn his rig around and retrace his way when his horse tripped and fell, breaking the har- ness and getting its hind legs under a pine root, and lay there ab- solutely helpless. He loosened the rig and helped his horse get out of the tangle, but was not able to mend the harness in the dark. So he tied his horse to one tree and the shafts of his cart to another, while he wrapped himself in his buffalo robe and spent the night in his cart. Many such experiences happened to him and to others of the pioneers.
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HIS PERSONALITY
He has been described as a man of 5 feet 9 inches tall; bald- headed, round and full of face; witty, ready at repartee, but not boisterous. He was genial, sometimes almost taciturn. He had a merry twinkle in his eyes, giving one the idea that he was laugh- ing more with the eyes than the mouth. At one Conference ses- sion, when Bishop Esher delivered a masterful ordination ser- mon, in which he emphasized the personal assurance to the call- ing of the ministry, Nicolai was asked how he liked the sermon. "Humph !" he replied, "if I could preach like that I would not doubt my call any more, either."
As a preacher he was biblical, theological, a genius at exposi- tion, not of an emotional type, nor yet very enthusiastic, but al- ways instructive and convincing. He was regarded by some to be the most profound theologian in the Conference at his time.
The exact facts relative to his demise could not be ascertained, but he died at Norvell, Jackson Co., Michigan, in the triumphs of faith. He had been married to Barbara Schafer, and was the father of twelve children.
He was a great man of God and did a noble work for the In- diana Conference in her early days.
D. S. OAKES (1837-1906)
Rev. D. S. Oakes had an interesting and eventful life. He was born Sept. 5, 1837, in Dau- phin Co., Pa., about one mile north of Union Deposit, on the Swatara River, a few miles from the birthplace of Bishop Jos. Long, and died in Ft. Wayne, Ind., May, 1906, and survived by his wife, 4 sons and 1 daugh- ter. His body was interred in the Kendallville Cemetery. J. H. Evans had charge of the fu- neral and delivered the sermon. Quite a number of other minis- ters were present and partici- pated in the memorial services. His father's name was John, and mother's maiden name Mary D. S. OAKES Eshelman. His father came,
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with his parents from Ireland to America when six years old, and settled on a farm near Blairville, Indiana County, Pa., later known as "Oakes Knob." After John had grown up he followed Thomas, his brother, to Lancaster County, Pa., where he married Mary Eshelman from near Elizabethtown, Pa. Her ancestors were early settlers in Pennsylvania, who originally came from Europe, probably Switzerland. The grandparents of D. S. Oakes, on his father's side, were Wesleyan Methodist, from the early introduction of Wesley's doctrines into Ireland. Frequent relig- ious services were held in their home. His mother's parents were German Baptists, to which faith they adhered with great tenacity. His father was converted in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Realizing the expediency of knowing German, he insisted that all his children should learn to speak it, which they did. Father John Oakes died a Methodist as a licensed exhorter. His death occurred near Elkhart, Ind., in 1855, to which place he had moved in the spring of 1850. His wife died in 1862 at the same place.
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