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 21
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Converting power came down amain And proved their pleadings not in vain.
Others shouted, leaped and praised, And thus a holy tumult raised.
There had been naught emotional, But quiet, deep devotional ; 'Twas sudden like a lightning flash Followed up by thunder crash. All were constrained to praise or pray Except two boys, who ran away ; Of these 'twas said they ran with haste
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As if by unseen spirits chased. St. Joseph District then took in What now is Elkhart and Ft. Wayne. This territory I canvassed o'er As a "Conference collector," In connection with my charge, Which now would be considered large.
I had much mud to travel through, And heat and cold ; hard labor too. But, after all, as you shall see, It was a blessed year for me, For here I found a joy of life, The girl who later became my wife, When the year had come to end I went to Conference at South Bend; Bishop Long again presided ; When the stationing was decided, And we heard our disposition, I was sent to Spring Grove Mission; 'Twas a mission lone and small; Eleven members, that was all. Two appointments for a start, In school-houses twelve miles apart. The members, too, were separate, At one place three, at t'other eight. One school-house I soon exchanged For a good church, and so arranged That we could use it free of charge. At first the attendance was not large, But ere the year to end was brought, A change in this respect was wrought. 'Twas providential, I've no doubt ; In this way it was brought about : When first I for the church applied, A young man there the work decried; The ministry he vilified, And Christian character minified, By which my soul was sorely tried ; He in the spring took sick and died. The family was large and rich, Their influence afar did reach.
To preach the funeral I was called, At which my heart at first appalled ;
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But I resolved to preach the Word So, if they ne'er before had heard, They now should hear the Gospel plan Which God provides for sinful man, Whereby we may salvation have And endless life beyond the grave; The dead I'd leave with God to deal, And to the living I'd appeal. When I rose the throng to face, I was enabled, by God's grace, In that to me, important hour, To speak with unction and with power. The Word with favor was received And good impressions, I perceived, Were made on many, and from thence I did not lack an audience, But as I seek not fame nor glory, I'll here abruptly stay my story. Should whim possess, perhaps I may
Resume my tale some other day. AN OLD FOSSIL
MINISTER AND PARISHIONER
(One Side)
Young Farmer Brown was plowing corn ; He had been out since early morn ; "Twas nearly noon ; His strength was getting well-nigh worn; He hoped the welcome dinner horn Would call him soon.
The field was large, the rows were long, The weeds grew rank the corn among, In the rich soil; The horse went slow, but time seemed slower In bringing on the wished-for hour Of rest from toil.
He plodded on with lessening speed. Stopping anon to pull a weed Along the row;
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The neighbors' bells clanged all around ; The horns gave forth their blaring sound; Not his, oh, no!
And now once more he reached the fence And stopped a bit, in brief suspense What best to do; But soon resolved another bout He better make, and then turn out And home he'd go.
His thrifty wife that morn had churned ; Then to her weekly washing turned; Now all was done; "And now," she said, "I will in haste Prepare for John a quick repast And call him soon."
"I having had so much to do, He knows that I am tired, too, As well as he; And so he will not scold nor fret,
If I a 'patched up' dinner get For him and me."
Their minister lived in the town, About five miles from Farmer Brown, With his young wife; Though both were healthy, strong and brave, They more did ease and comfort crave Than busy life.
The night before he had gone through Keats, Tennyson and Byron, too, To find some verse, With which, he thought, on Sunday next His chaffy sermon and his text To intersperse.
His wife had her piano thrummed, And various tunes had lightly hummed : At last, upstairs They both with quickened steps had sped And softly crept into their bed, With shortened prayers.
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That morn they did not rise till late; The clock's hands showed the hour of eight ; The sun was high. With groan and yawn at last they rose, And drowsily they donned their clothes With many a sigh.
"What shall we do today?" she said, "To cook or bake I so much dread; "Twill be so hot!"
"I'll tell you, Angie," he replied,
"To Brother Brown's we'll take a ride And share their pot."
"Though Mary, you know, makes no pretense Her baking and cooking are immense; Her pie and cake, Her bread, her butter, chicken, ham, Pickles, preserves, jelly and jam Would premiums take."
"And honest John, so blunt, but kind, (A nobler fellow you cannot find, Go where you will), Has hay in barn so nice and sweet, And oats and corn, a plenty to eat For our horse Bill."
"On Science, Literature and Art In converse, he can't take much part, But listens well : So I can show how much I know ; Then how to sow, plow, reap and mow That he may tell."
"Mary knows naught of modern play, Lawn-tennis, golf, ping-pong, croquet ; 'Accomplishments !' But in house-keeping she's au-fait, And can converse with you all day With good, sound sense."
"Why, Archie, dear! you must have had An inspiration! Oh, I'm so glad For your nice plan !
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'Twill be so fine to drive out there And have the sweet, fresh country air Our faces fan !
"And then to think of the good things That Mary to her table brings! 'Tis with delight I hail the thought! Then we can stay For supper too, and come away By cool moonlight."
"Well, then, a hasty breakfast get, A cup of coffee, an omelet, And the cold meat
That we had left of yesterday ;
And then we'll haste to get away, Or we'll be late."
Their scanty breakfast soon was done; When they had eaten all was gone ; No crumb to show. "And now," said he, "I'll hitch up Bill, And you get ready, if you will, And off we'll go."
The "patched up dinner" Mary fixed With various dishes intermixed, All clean and neat.
"And now," she mused, "I'll call John home, I know he will be glad to come Out of the heat."
As Mary went to blow the horn To call John from his field of corn, Adown the road She spied the preacher and his wife; Bill bearing on with vigorous life His precious load.
"Oh, dear! What shall I do?" she said, As back into the house she sped Somewhat irate.
"I wish that they had stayed away, Or chose a more appropriate day, Nor come so late !
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"They will expect the best we have, Nor care a fig how much we slave For them all day ; But they will talk, and lounge, and eat, Nor turn a hand to help one bit, In any way."
"They seem to think that we were made To toil and sweat that they may feed And take their ease. But this I'll do, I'll quickly go And get another dinner; so, I'll try to please."
She cut her ham so sweet and nice ; Pared her potatoes in a trice ; Her coffee ground ; Her biscuit rolled so nice and fine ; A custard pie was next in line ; Then with a bound
She got some lettuce, crisp and new, Young radishes, and onions, too, And a bouquet ; Her table spread with damask white, And placed her ware, all shining bright, In grand array.
Her baking, boiling, frying done, She brought her golden butter on, And honeycomb. Though she's forgot the horn to blow, John having done his stinted row, Had now come home.
She met him at the dooryard gate, To him her troubles to relate ; He only laughed, And said, "I know it all, my dear; I saw the rig as I drew near, And knew the craft,"
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"And that they came at noon; you know That that's the way they always do; So I well knew That you your dinner had prepared, Designed by me to have been shared With only you;
"And that your plans being all upset, Another dinner you did get; For that's your style; Whate'er the imposition is You always others try to please With self-denial."
But, now, to wind my story up: The preacher stayed to dine and sup With Farmer Brown ; And then with buggy-load complete, Of butter, lard, eggs, flour and meat, Drove back to town.
He had not thought of having prayer Nor yet of Mary's toil and care Amid the heat. But Angie to her husband said : "Oh, what a splendid time we've had To rest and eat!"
But Mary to her John did say : "Oh, I've been sorely tried today ! I'm all outdone ! Of all the sponges of my life, I think our preacher and his wife Are Number One."
John calmly said: "I know 'tis so, But Conference sent them here, you know. In patience wait: Next year we'll get a man to work And pray, instead of play and shirk, And loaf and eat."
D. S. OAKES, 1904.
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EDWARD J. OLIVER (1871-1901)
The tragic, early ending of this useful man's life has re- mained an unsolved mystery. Earnest, highly gifted and eminent- ly successful, he won his way into the hearts of his people and the brethren.
Born in Lake Co., Indiana, Dec. 16, 1871, and when but one year old was moved with his parents to Kansas. Here he re- mained until he was sixteen years of age. After this time he had the support of himself, and managed to spend eight years at North-Western College, from which he graduated in 1897. April, 1899, the Indiana Conference, at its session at Rochester, licensed him as a preacher on probation, and assigned him to Peru Mis- sion, a newly opened field. He served this field with great ac- ceptability for two years.
At the session held in Berne, Indiana, he was ordained as deacon in one of the most impressive ordination services held in the Conference, in which Oliver received an overwhelming bless- ing from the divine Spirit. He was assigned to E. Germantown, Indiana, which charge he was not permitted to see. Leaving the Conference session, he hastened home as rapidly as possible, in order that he might get to Illinois as soon as he could, for on the Thursday following he was to be married to Rev. J. B. Elfrink's daughter, Anna, who lived in Aurora, Ill. Instead of going to the depot when the train pulled into Peru he alighted at the "target," right near his home, in order to be able to catch the next train out for Chicago. As he alighted from the train, looking forward, he stepped on a side-track and was run down by an approaching train, frightfully mangled and killed. His fiancee had previously had a vision of this entire happening, and, informing him thereof, warned him to be exceedingly careful. The shock was terrible to all who knew him, and especially to his betrothed. His burial took place just 24 hours before the wedding march should have begun. What sadness and unbearable grief a few hours did bring! This tragic death occurred Monday, April 15, 1901.
AN APPRECIATION
Brother Oliver was a man of powerful physique. He pos- sessed the body of an athlete. He was gifted in many ways. He had a fine bass voice, which he used to glorify God in song. At the Conference, which proved to be his last, he sang, as a solo, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," to music of a special setting, to the edification of all present. He also was a member of the original Conference quartet that was formed at this session, but did not
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get to sing with it. The members of the quartet, as organized, were: S. H. Baumgartner, J. H. Breish, G. B. Kimmel, E. J. Oliver. Oliver was the director of this first quartet.
He was held in the highest esteem by the people of Peru, both of his own congregation and of other churches. His affable nature won him a large place wherever he went. He possessed a strong intellect, was exceeding careful, exact and orderly in the preparation of his messages and teachings, forceful and effective in delivering them. Nor did he hesitate to correct wrongs wher- ever he found them. On one occasion when a naughty boy of his neighborhood mistreated some smaller children he ran after him, pursuing him into his very home. He told the boy's mother what her boy had done, and that he was going to apply some "palm- oil," to which his mother gave leave. When the lambasting was over the boy was bettered, the mother satisfied, and the smaller children of the neighborhood had peace.
THE OBSEQUIES
The funeral services were conducted by his Presiding Elder, S. H. Baumgartner, who preached from the text, "There is but a step between me and death." The services were held in the Presbyterian Church, because our own church was too small at that time to accommodate the throng of people that desired to at- tend. After only a few hours' notice the church was filled to over- flowing, and all the local ministers gave witness to their high re- gard of Brother Oliver. A number of our own ministers were present and assisted in the services. The body was then taken to Hebron, Indiana, where interment was made.
HIRAM E. OVERMEYER (1836-1895)
This servant of God was born in Jackson Township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, May the 27th, 1836. He was the eighth child of hon- est farmer folks, Hugh and Elenora Overmeyer. The early part of his life was spent upon the farm, where a few books and a very limited opportunity for schooling had to suffice, even if it could not satisfy the cravings for a good education. He bor- rowed every book he could get hold of, and sought to acquire what learning he might. At the age of twenty he won a teacher's cer- tificate that entitled him to teach public school. In the spring of 1857 he entered Otterbein University, alternating teaching with going to school. This he did for a number of years. His tenacity and plodding won for him a liberal education. When the war
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broke out he enlisted in Co. I of the First United States Chasseurs, afterwards the 65th of New York, in which he served for three years, after receiving an honorable discharge Feb. 20, 1865. As a Christian he kept himself free from the ordinary corruption of army life, and exerted a wholesome influence all about him.
HIS MINISTRY
He moved to Marshall Co., Indiana, in the spring of 1866, south of Plymouth. Ever since his conversion, which took place Jan. 7, 1857, he felt the call of God upon him, but now it became more urgent than ever. After much mental stress and agitation he finally yielded to the Spirit's call and applied for license, which he received Sept., 1870. He then served the following fields: De- Kalb Circuit, 1870-1; Spring Grove, 1871-3; Elkhart, 1873-4; New Paris, 1874-5, after which he located on account of impaired health and family necessities. In the fall of 1881 he again took up the work and joined Wildermuth at Twin Lake, and he served the following fields thereafter: Twin Lake, Mishawaka, 1883; Logansport, 1884-7; Wolcottville, 1887-9; Berne, 1889-90; E. Ger- mantown, 1890-1; Twin Lake, 1891-2; Noblesville, 1892-4. In November of this year he was obliged to lay down the work, for his health was rapidly failing him.
HIS DEMISE
Just a month before his death he wrote with his own hand these words, "And now my life's record is before God and my fellow-men. How much has met the approval of the Master only the future can reveal. To all that has not the approval of His "well done" I can only trust to His pardoning mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ. And yet I believe that my life has not been a failure, but that many precious souls have been saved through my feeble efforts, and I hope to find many stars added to my crown of rejoicing. I am happily, gloriously and eternally saved through the wondrous grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
The funeral rites were held in the Evangelical Church at Noblesville, Indiana, C. F. Hansing, his Presiding Elder, preach- ing the sermon. F. G. Schweitzer and J. Harper and ministers of the city assisted.
He left a widow, whom he had married as a Margaret Kem- merling of Ohio, March 5, 1857, and seven children.
Interment was made in Crownland Cemetery, Noblesville, In- diana.
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WESLEY PINKERTON (1836-1911)
The subject of this sketch was born in Holmes County, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, Jan. 21, 1836. His parents were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and spent their lives on the farm, as did also their son. Wesley enjoyed but a common school education, but gave himself to continuous reading, which greatly broadened his mind and usefulness.
He was converted under the labors of Rev. Kaiper in 1874 or 5, at the Island class, Nappanee Circuit, and united with the Evangelical Association. The Indiana Conference licensed him as a probationer in April, 1878. He never entered the active work, but preached as often as opportunity and health permitted. He was a great friend to the traveling ministers.
It was said of him: "He was a great man of faith, trusting in God implicitly in all circumstances. While he was a great suf- ferer for many years, he was always patient and cheerful. He won many battles upon his knees, and his great gift of prayer re- sulted in the conversion of many souls. His life was modest, but consistent with his confession, his preaching plain, calm, but convincing." He was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
In 1860 he was married to Emaline Kinney of Bucyrus, Ohio. He was the father of one son and three daughters. He lived his entire life, excepting the first three and the last seven years, on his father's homestead near Milford, Ind. When he retired, in 1904, he moved to Milford, Indiana. He died Dec. 4th, 1911, at Milford, Ind., and was buried in the same place. Rev. A. B. Aegerter, as- sisted by other local ministers, conducted the funeral services.
G. G. PLATZ (1817-1904)
The subject of this sketch is full of interest. His life was eventful, fruitful, and continued to a full old age. George G. Platz was initiated into this life in the city of Colmar, Ober-Rhein, France, April 9, 1817, and departed this life April 22, 1904. His father and mother were loyal members of the Lutheran Church, and George, the fourth of 6 sons, was catechized in this faith and con- firmed in his fourteenth year.
In 1833, March 1, his father set sail with his family for Amer- ica, settling in Erie County, Pa. Here George assisted in clearing away the heavy hemlock and chestnut timber on his father's farm, and teamed with an ox-team. He was deprived of all school privileges in this land, but he made good use of the schooling he
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had obtained in the fatherland. It was here that George was brought under the influence of the preaching of the Evangelical Association. He was converted to God, January, 1840, and united with the church. When he became of age he learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed until he entered the Gospel ministry. He was licensed as preacher on proba- tion by the Ohio Conference, March 9, 1844. The Illinois Con- ference at this time was still em- bodied in the Ohio Conference.
His first field of labor was, with A. Nicolai, Mt. Carmel Cir- cuit, then a part of Illinois Dis- trict, supervised by Samuel Baum- gartner. This was an exceedingly large field, extending from Mar- shall, Ill., down to Lawrenceville G. G. PLATZ and Mt. Carmel, then south-east- ward into Southern Indiana as far as Huntingburg, and to Troy and Rockport on the Ohio River, with well-nigh impassable roads and bridgeless streams.
He relates a trip he made on the 6th of June in this year, attempting to go to Lawrenceburg from Indiana. The Wabash River was flooded, and he realized that in order to get across at all, he must swim with his horse. He failed to get across and suf- fered the loss of valuable books he had with him. A few days later he attempted again, and got across to John Schreffler's near Law- renceburg, Ill. Then he went on to Mt. Carmel, and soon returned to Dubois County, Indiana, where he visited friends of the church, and ministered in the Word of Life. Again on the 4th of July he expected to cross the Wabash River at Vincennes, but finding it impossible, turned back to Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana, re- maining over Sunday with Fred Meier, and on the 7th preached in the home of Mr. Klotz. From there he went to Huntingburg, then to Hassville, preaching as he went. After several futile at- tempts to cross the Wabash, he finally succeeded on the 24th of July and reached home in Mt. Carmel. Not having seen his colleague nor heard from him for some time, he started out again from ap- pointment to appointment to search for him, and finally, on July 29, found him sick at the home of a family called Harts.
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Brother Platz was ever on the lookout for new appointments. He sought appointments as far down as Troy on the Ohio River. In these days taking up new appointments was a mark of faith- fulness and interest in the work. In one of his trips he met with earnest Methodist people near Boonville, Indiana, where by re- quest he preached for them. Old preachers were always ready to preach when the opportunity was presented, and feared to refuse. He, on this trip, also sought opportunity to preach near Rockport. He preached in Evansville in April, 1845, being the first sermon that was delivered there by a preacher of the Evangelical Asso- ciation.
He relates a special experience he had in Spencer County, In- diana, at the home of one Merta, December 1, where he was to preach. The people gathered for worship. The "year market" also began at this time. When Brother Platz wanted to begin his serv- ice in his usual manner, the people interfered, saying, "We want to hold service after our manner." Brother Platz yielded. After one had read a sermon, Platz was told he might now preach, if any wished to hear him. He began, and had for a text Luke 18: 1. After preaching one-half hour he was interrupted and charged with errors of truth in his preaching. Platz requested his op- ponents to give proof of his errors. Then there was a hail-storm of boisterous words, one yelling this and others that, until he found it necessary to abandon further efforts here, and looked around for a place where he might lodge for the coming night. Brother Platz often met with very bitter opposition on his extended preach- ing tours, for his preaching was plain, forceful and cut the guilty to the quick. He often realized that "Christ came not to bring peace, but the sword."
June 1, 1845, Platz, with Nicolai, began their long and tedious journey to Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, where the first ses- sion of the Illinois Conference was held. Soon one of the wheels of their conveyance broke down. They borrowed another with the same results the next day. Traveling was tedious in those days.
Platz's second year was spent on Elkhart Circuit, which ex- tended over St. Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble, Whit- ley, Fulton, Huntington, Wabash and Miami Counties. This was a year of temptation, trial and sickness to P., but also of glorious victories, having won many souls for God. During this year he, with Wm. Kolb, his colleague, took up new appointments in Niles, Berrien and White Pigeon, Michigan, and laid the foundation of the future Michigan Conference. He says, "On this circuit they found great spiritual dearth. Those professing religion only had it
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on their lips." He was especially successful around Bremen, In- diana, where many were converted. On December 7, after preach- ing three miles north of Bremen, he started for Hepton, east of Bremen. He got lost in the wild woods and did not arrive at the appointed place until evening, when all had gone home. At the close of this year he thought seriously of locating. But at the Con- ference session he changed his mind, and renewed his covenant with God for a gospel service. At this session he was ordained deacon.
His third field was Whitewater Circuit. Going home to Penn- sylvania he found his parents and brothers still unconverted. Be- ing much concerned about their salvation, he took opportunity to preach for the people of their community. He returned to his field July 12. This was a year of hard work and little success. Rough gangs were frequently encountered, but he worked on. At a camp-meeting, held in September on John Dill's farm, a mean set of boys set fire to the tents, but all were saved except two. The rage of the ungodly here was so great that a note was writ- ten and tacked to a tree, threatening to do violence to God's peo- ple. This militated against the real success of the meeting, but nevertheless souls were converted, and some united with the church. Few Germans lived on this circuit, and most of them denied the existence of a God. About this time he left an appointment in In- dianapolis for September 16. By falsehood, trickery and unfriend- liness to him, the meeting was not announced, but later our min- isters found an entrance to this place. Chill-fever and other sick- ness was so prevalent this year that frequently no services could be held. He tried to hold a watch-night meeting in a certain school-house on this field, but nothing was accomplished. The watch-night became a "Schlafnacht" (sleeping night). He also took great and active part in organizing Sunday-schools, which were then a new thing, but he found much opposition. On a cer- tain occasion a Mr. Williamson collected $4.44 for Bro. Platz, with the request that he buy himself a new hat. Brother Platz there- upon prayed, "O Lord, remember his sincerity."
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