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 25
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When the Civil War broke out he was drafted to enter army life, but on account of decided asthmatic tendencies he was re- leased from doing duty. He served on the following fields: De- Kalb, '63-4; Cicero, '64-5; E. Germantown, '65-7; Vandalia, Ill., '67-9; Fulton, '69-71; Greenville, '71-3, and Edgerton, '73-4. In all, 11 years. In Sept., '74, he located and moved to Hicksville, Ohio, where he remained until death. Here again he took up his old trade and made a good living. In '80 he voluntarily surren- dered his license.
He was one of the early pioneers and endured hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He always took a deep interest in Sunday-school work and delighted to work with children even in old age. He preached both in German and English, although the latter dragged heavily for him. His preaching was mostly text- ual and exhortative. He had a loud and deep voice, and preached with considerable enthusiasm and unction. He laid great empha-
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sis on genuine conversion, and led many to Christ. But he was not without weakness. While on E. Germantown work it was de- cided to hold a Sunday-school picnic. Just about the time to go the young people decided to have drum, fife and a United States flag. This incensed the older members, Schamo included. The opposition almost caused a rupture in the society.
C. H. Hartman, P. C., with other brethren, officiated at his obsequies.
GEO. SCHMOLL (1830-1908)
Bro. Schmoll entered this life in Prussia, Germany, Dec. 7, 1830, and passed out June 5, 1908. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery at Dayton, Ohio, beside his wife, Premelia Rean. They were married in Marshall, III., and had 5 sons and one daughter born to them. At the age of 14 years, when he had ended his school work, he immigrated to America. He landed in New York City, where he tarried a while. Then he ventured west to Mar- shall, Ill. Here he became an apprentice in blacksmithing, and after he had learned the trade, followed it until he entered the ministry.
HIS CONVERSION AND CALL TO PREACH
It was at Marshall where he became acquainted with the Evan- gelical Association and attended her services. He soon became convicted of his sins, repented and found Christ precious to his soul. He also now joined the Evangelical Association and became active in religious work, making commendable progress. After a while he became fully conscious of a call to the ministry, and yielded. From the Marshall class he received his recommenda- tion to preach. At the Indiana Conference, Sept., 1861, having been previously licensed by the Quarterly Conference as preacher on probation, he was received into the itinerancy.
THE FIELDS HE SERVED
1861-2, Mt. Carmel Circuit and Carmi Mission, with John Hoffman. 1862-3, Vandalia Mission in Montgomery Co., O. 1863- 4, Olney Circuit. 1864-5, Richmond Mission. 1865-6, Montgomery Circuit, with J. C. Shuh as assistant. 1866-7, Cincinnati Mission. During this time he was also collector for our church property in this city. He was quite successful in this work, raising over $3,000. 1867-9, Marshall Mission. 1869-70, Huntingburg Sta- tion. 1870-1, Rockport Mission. 1871-75, he located. 1875-
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6, he served Brazil. 1876, to Sept., '78, Bunker Hill Circuit. 1878- 80, Julietta Mission. 1880-1, Wabash Mission. 1881-3, Laporte Mission. He was the last missionary in this place. 1883-6, Wabash Mission. 1886-9, Winchester and Greenville. 1889-91, Montgom- ery Circuit again. 1891-4, Ft. Wayne Mission. 1894-5, Hunting- burg. 1895 he located. In all he traveled 30 years.
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Bro. Schmoll had many hardships and conflicts to endure with his much afflicted family. He was moved quite often, which, in it- self, made the ministerial life burdensome. He was not a very fluent speaker, but sound in doctrine and unctuous in his preach- ing. His labors for God were not fruitless. He had average suc- cess in winning souls for Christ, but had special success in Wabash. He lived a good and consistent life in and out of the church. He was devoted to his work, loyal to the church, and faithful to God. He was cheerful and amiable in spite of frequent affliction in the home, and was esteemed by the brethren.
Several times his horses ran away with him in the buggy, but he never was seriously hurt. In Clay County, Ind., trying to ford a swollen creek, he came nearly being drowned by the raging cur- rent. After locating he moved to Dayton, Ohio, where they bought a small home and spent the rest of their days often in great need, receiving annually some help from Conference. He died June 5th, 1908, in the triumphs of the faith. J. H. Evans, his pastor, offi- ciated at his funeral, with G. B. Kimmel, F. Schweitzer, John Hoff- man and John Kaufman assisting.
FRED. SCHUERMAN
The date and place of his birth could not be ascertained, neither the time of his death. He was licensed to preach by the Illinois Conference, June, 1850, and was sent to Freeport Mission. In 1851 he was sent to Dubois Circuit with F. Wiethaup. When the Indiana Conference was organized in 1852 he became a charter member, and, with A. Nicolai, was assigned to St. Mary's Circuit. In 1853 he was appointed to Fulton Circuit and Huntington Mis- sion under Peter Goetz. In 1854, on account of bodily infirmities, he located. In 1855 his probation as a preacher was retained, hav- ing ruefully confessed his former errors to Conference, for which his ordination was withheld. But in 1858 he was deposed from the ministry and expelled from the church for some misdemeanor. Later he moved West, and all traces of him became lost.
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PHILIP SCHWARTZ (1819-1863)
The time and place of the birth of this brother could not be ascertained, nor facts concerning his boyhood or parentage. He was converted to God about the year '42 on Lancaster Circuit, Ohio Conference, at which time he also united with the Evan- gelical Association. He remained faithful to God and the interests of the church to the end, and was regarded by those about him as a truly pious man. In '46 he heard the call of God to the minis- try, and, applying for license, was accepted as a preacher on pro- bation by the Ohio Conference. He faithfully served in that Con- ference until '58, when he united with the Indiana Conference, and labored with blessed results until death released him near La- fayette, Ind., '63. He bore his great affliction with excellent Christian fortitude and trust in God. He was isolated from the ministerial brethren during his affliction, which greatly increased his sufferings. He often expressed a desire to be soon released from his suffering and be at rest with Christ. His desire was granted, and he departed in great peace at the age of 45 years. The Conference collected a sum of money and placed a suitable tombstone on his grave. The Conference lost in him a useful and devoted servant and the family a kind father. He was sur- vived by a wife and a number of small children.
He was ordained deacon in '53, and elder in '55. He served 12 years in the Ohio Conference, and in the Indiana Conference on the following fields: '58, Miami Circuit, which covered Darke, Montgomery and Preble Counties in Ohio, and extended over into Randolph Co., in Indiana. In '59 he served this same field, which was now called Greenville Circuit. In '60-61 he served Huntington Mission, and in '62, Wabash Mission, around Lafayette, Indiana, where his earthly activities closed.
FREDERICK GEORGE SCHWEITZER (1842-1911)
This true servant of God was born Pfromdorf, Oberamt Tue- bingen, Wuerttemberg, Germany, July 29th, 1842. "His parents," he writes, "were honest citizens, in moderate circumstances, in- dustrious and God-fearing." His father, a blacksmith, died in his 42nd year, leaving a widow with four children. Fred was not yet 13 years of age, and was the oldest of the four. His mother wept and prayed much, and, although only 36 years of age, decided to remain a widow. To her best ability she reared her children in
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the fear of God, "the Lord fulfilling His promise to be a husband to the widow and father to the fatherless."
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Frederick enjoyed the usual school privileges from 6 years to the age of 14, after which he as- sisted the mother in providing for the family. He was also confirmed and admitted as a member to the Lutheran Church (1856). In 1866 he immigrated to America, arriv- ing in good health at Keeler, Michi- gan, June 27th, where his mater- nal aunt and uncles were located. His aunt now became a veritable mother to him, and ere long he found his way to Christ.
His relatives had already been converted and were members of the Evangelical Church. One of his uncles was the class-leader, Wm. FREDERICK GEORGE SCHWEITZER Speck the pastor. His uncles gave themselves to earnest prayer on his behalf, and soon the Spirit of God was working mightily in his heart, and, finally, after a severe struggle, conquered. Being well versed in the Scriptures and apt to teach, he was besought by a class of young ladies to become their teacher. After much and repeated urging he finally consented to teach them. "But," he said, "it is hard to chop wood when the chips are flying into your face," and he felt himself condemned and unable to pro- ceed with the class. At a quarterly meeting soon after this his heart was completely crushed by a sermon preached by the Pre- siding Elder, A. Nicolai. On Saturday evening, January, 1868, he went 8 miles through a heavy snow-storm on foot to a protracted meeting to Bainbridge, Michigan. The next morning, after a severe soul-struggle, God spoke peace. It was to him an inefface- able moment. Of this he says, "The grace that was given me was immeasurable, and I was constrained to shout, 'Hallelujah.'" Im- mediately he felt the inner moving of the Spirit, urging him to preach. A mighty conflict began in his soul, a holy shrinking from the responsibility, but, finally, he yielded himself with glad- ness to the will of God.
Perceiving the need of a better equipment for so great a work he went to North-Western College, located at Plainfield. This was
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in October of 1868. Here he remained, pursuing his studies with great success, for he was an able student, until June, 1870, when, by over-taxation in study, together with improper food and rest, his health was so greatly impaired that he had to abandon his plan of finishing the classical course. Besides, his means were nearly exhausted, having to rely wholly upon his own resources.
AS A MINISTER
He served the following fields in the Michigan Conference with great success: Detroit Mission, '71, with J. M. Fuchs; Ionia Mission in '72 to '74. Here he was left to serve alone, which he greatly disliked, preferring to serve under an older man. This mission had five appointments, stretching out over 65 miles. Here he endured extreme hardships, going long distances through trackless pine forests, with the thermometer registering 15 and 20 degrees below zero. On one of his trips he would have frozen to death but for the hospitality of a Methodist family. He had to get out of his sleigh, time after time, and with his hands dig his horse out of the deep snow-drifts, and when, at last, seeing a house, he turned into the barnyard, almost frozen stiff, asking for shelter. The gruff landlord ordered him off of the place, having no time nor room to fool with "preachers." Wearily he turned his horse about and started toward home. After having gone some miles he happened upon another house where he found hospitality and Christianity. He was so frozen that he could not speak nor help himself, so that he had to be lifted from his seat and carried into the house. Only after much attention did he fully revive. This good farmer saw him drive into his barnyard, and wondered why he did not dismount. After he sat there a while, not mov- ing a single bit, the farmer feared him to be dead, but when he came to him, found as above described. He never to the day of his death could express his gratitude to this man and his good wife for thus saving his life. From '75 to '77 he served Lansing, a newly established mission, having five appointments, to which he added two new ones. The circuit extended 75 miles. He opened a new mission in Howell, where no other Evangelical preacher had been, and where we had no members. The services at first were held in private houses, later on in a hall over a fire-station. It was a source of great joy to him, in his retired days, to see that that little beginning has finally grown into a strong society. From '77 to '79 he served Owosso, a prosperous field, where he was able to enter the home of Brother Kirn. Here he won Prof. G. Kirn, Ph. D., now of North-Western College, and his brothers John and
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Fred, all of whom attended his catechetical instruction, and later entered the ministry. This has ever been as a toothsome morsel to him. In '79-81 he served Bay City Mission, which was, indeed, a difficult field, but not without its victories.
On account of the bitter cold winters and impaired health he was advised to seek a warmer climate, and. calling for his creden- tials, in 1881, united with the South Indiana Conference. He was stationed at Louisville, Zion Church, where he labored three years with great blessing. In '84 he was elected as Presiding Elder and assigned to Olney District, which he served for 316 years, the Con- ference changing from fall to spring. In '87-8 he served Carmi; '88-90, Evansville; '91-92, Tabor. When the Conference was re- incorporated with the Indiana Conference, in '93, he was assigned to Bremen, and after a year to Indianapolis, 1st Church, where he labored successfully for three years. In '97 he was stationed to South Bend, 1st Church, and, in 1900, to Terre Haute, Indiana. Here he remodeled the church and made other improvements. In 1901 he was sent to Dayton, Ist Church, where, with great bless- ings, he labored for four years. In '05 he was put in charge of the 2nd Church at Indianapolis. With great expectations did he be- gin his work here. On Sunday, March 11, 1906, after he had preached twice with great blessing, he retired in apparently good health. On Monday morning, when he awoke, he found himself unable to arise, having been rendered helpless by a stroke of apo- plexy. He believed that he would soon recover and be able to con- tinue his work. The Conference, which convened a few weeks later, granted the desire of his parishioners and sent him back for another year. His strength only partially returned, so that in August he was forced to lay down his task. He moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he patiently awaited the coming of his Lord. His health was sufficiently improved, so that he could attend the serv- ices of the church and occasionally even preach.
Reviewing the 36 years of active service, he could only see the wonderful goodness of God, how that by His grace he escaped death at various times. As to the number of souls he led to Christ he modestly writes: "On every field I served I had the privilege of praying with penitent souls." After finishing a brief auto- biography he laid aside his pen, awaiting the summons of Him who soon would call him to rest. On Sunday morning, August the 6th, 1911, after a long and tedious suffering, his Lord came to receive His servant. He chose his own funeral text, 1 Peter 1: 3, 4. B. Schuermeier, his pastor, had charge of the funeral. S. H. Baumgartner, P. E., preached the sermon. J. H. Breish,
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Ph. Vollmer, of the Reformed Theological Seminary, and others participated in the services. Interment was made in the Wood- land Cemetery at Dayton. His widow, a Henrietta Morganthaler, whom he married, March 26, '74, and five children survived him.
Brother Schweitzer was a reverent and thorough student of God's Word and a great man of prayer. He was well versed in German literature, using a splendid language, and was well ac- quainted with choice poetry, which he appropriately wove into his sermons. He was perfectly at home in philosophical works, which had a great tendency to make him profound in his preaching. He was never trivial in his preaching, but always deep and Scriptural. His messages were expository in character, and he abhorred the over-use of anecdotes. His messages were always edifying and constructive, which were presented in an earnest, unctuous and tender manner. He disliked affectation, sham and inconsistent and wild demonstration, yet he possessed a deep, emotional nature, that was as sensitive as that of a child. He was a great man at debate, and could successfully combat with the isms of the day. In all his labors he was faithful and punctual. He was a good pastor. Although he was a man of conviction, and tenaciously clung to his beliefs, he was charitable toward others who held op- posite views. In his life he was active and faithful; in death he was peaceful and triumphant.
GEO. E. SPEICHER (1870-1893)
This young brother was born near Urbana, Ind., Dec. 3, 1870. His father, Frederick Speicher, was a prosperous farmer, and as a true member of the Evangelical Association, reared his family in an atmosphere of faith. George only had a common rural school education and followed farming until he entered the minis- try. At the age of 7 years he came to Christ under the labors of J. K. Troyer, and united with the Evangelical Association. His father was a man who spent much time in secret prayer, which had a great effect upon this lad, and which led him early to seek salvation. When he became a young man he felt the call to preach, but gave no heed to it, and, in consequence, lost measurably in grace. But in a revival, held in Urbana by Wm. Wildermuth, in 1890, he was fully reclaimed, and the call to preach became very clear again. He told his father he must preach. He was then ad- vised to pray over it and make sure. A few nights later, in his prayer, he asked God if he would not reveal it to him in a dream
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what he should do. That night he dreamed he was holding a re- vival meeting in Spikerville, near home, where the Lord was do- ing great things for him. In the morning he told his father the dream, and said, "Father, I don't think I will go there where they all know me so well." To this his father replied "that there it is where the Lord wanted him to go." He went and began holding the meeting in the school-house. The Lord blessed his work gra- ciously. The school-house becoming too small to hold the crowd, the meeting was taken to a hall where it continued several weeks, resulting in 60 conversions. After this the Spikerville class was organized.
The United Brethren Church of Urbana, of which he seems to have been a member at this time, having been married to Cora Hippensteel, Sept. 8, 1890, who was a United Brethren member, at once, after the above meeting, gave him a recommendation to preach. But our people in Urbana presented his name to the In- diana Conference of the Evangelical Association, held in April, 1891, at Bremen, Ind., and licensed him as preacher on probation. Then he was sent to Winchester Circuit and returned in 1892. It was in one of his meetings at Emmettsville that the call to preach the Gospel came unmistakably clear to J. J. Wise.
In 1893 he was obliged to locate, caused by illness brought on by exposure in traveling his circuit. He died at Urbana, Nov. 3, 1893, where he is also buried. He was earnest and enthusiastic in his preaching, which was mostly evangelistic in character. He was survived by wife and daughter, Marie D. Martz. His Presiding Elder officiated at his funeral.
IRVIN SPENCER (1882-1908)
This brother was born, Ft. Ransom, North Dakota, April 12, 1882, and departed near Mishawaka, Indiana, 1908. His body was laid to rest in the Mishawaka Cemetery, J. O. Mosier and Fred Rausch officiating at the obsequies.
His educational advantages were limited. For a time he fol- lowed farming, and, later, occupied the position of a telegraph operator. This latter work proved too confining and injurious to his health, and he had to quit the same for outdoor work. He was converted under the labors of W. S. Tracy at Lucerne, Cass Co., Ind., where he also united with the Evangelical Association. He moved to Logansport, and, later, on to Mishawaka, at which places he acquitted himself nobly as a Christian.
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His call to preach became clear to him while at Mishawaka, and from this class he was recommended to the Indiana Confer- ence, which licensed him in April, 1906. North Liberty charge was assigned him, which he served with acceptance for 11/2 years where he had some souls for his hire. While in the very prime of his life the messenger of death came and called him hence.
He was quite gifted in speech and in prayer, and gave prom- ise of a useful career as a minister. He had a strong intellect, but possessed a weak body, and inherited a tendency toward an early dissolution. His preaching was earnest, unctuous and edifying. He lived a pious and conscientious Christian life. He never married.
MICHAEL W. STEFFEY (1821-1905)
Synopsis : Born in York Co., Pa., April 27, 1821. Died July 25, 1905, at Dayton, O. Buried in the old cemetery at South Bend, Ind. Converted Aug., '42. Married to Anna Fisher, Oct. 19, 1843, in Pennsylvania. On Jan. 1, '49, he received a Quarterly Confer- ence license to preach from the United Brethren Church. Jan., '50, he was received into the Evangelical Association at E. Ger- mantown as a local preacher. Received into itinerancy Aug., '52. Assisted Peter Goetz on E. Germantown Circuit and Hamilton Mission. Ordained deacon in '54, and as elder in '56. Represented the Indiana Conference 9 times as delegate to General Conference, and for the 10th time as a visitor he attended the General Con- ference at St. Paul, Minn., in '99. Served 16 years as Presiding Elder. One term as a member on the Board of Publication. A number of times on the Board of Missions and Board of Trustees of North-Western College, and filled other important offices in the church.
HIS ANCESTRY AND DAYS OF YOUTH
His ancestors were Pennsylvanians. His father was Lutheran and his mother Reformed, who were faithful and moral mem- bers, but totally ignorant of experimental religion. Among the Lutherans and Reformed lived some people of the Evangelical Association and United Brethren Church.
There being no free school, he was sent to a private school during the winter months. He had great ability for learning and an insatiable desire for knowledge. He enjoyed reading the his- torical narratives of the Bible and all other books he could se- cure, and thus acquired a good fund of knowledge.
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STEPS THAT LED TO HIS CONVERSION
Early in life he was convicted of sin under the preaching of the Gospel without knowing what it meant, nor how to obtain a change of heart. His pastor taught conviction of sin, but that all sin could not be taken away, that the teaching of the pardon of sin was false. Steffey was warned against ministers of the Evangelical Association and United Brethren Church, who did some preaching here. "They were called the devil's preachers, with hearts as black as iron kettles." Steffey was told if he fol- lowed them "they will lead you to hell." He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith when 14 years old. Through catechetical instruc- tions he was led to pray each night before retiring, but having been taught the impossibility of obtaining pardon and heart pur- ity in this life, he did not seek this. He was conscience-smitten, and tried to live right, but could not. He tried to love God su- premely, but lacked power. When 18 years old he went to his brother George to learn the carpenter trade. Here he got into ungodly society. Conviction of sin was at first blunted, but later he gained fuller knowledge of true salvation. He now sought more earnestly, but, lacking aid, again relapsed into apathy. He began at- tending Methodist Episcopal services at Blue Balls and Middle- town, in Md .; here he heard a powerful sermon. An invitation was extended to sinners to come to the altar, but none came. The preacher then asked the members to come forward for a deeper work of grace. They rushed to the altar and prayed as never be- fore, and such a manifestation of God's power was seen that con- viction strong and deep seized Steffey's heart. It was a new ex- perience to him, from which he could not easily free himself.
Soon after this two of his chums died unprepared. At the funeral of the first a heart-searching sermon was preached that deepened his conviction. The Spirit spoke, "If this had been you, where would your soul be? Perhaps you will be next." He had no rest, nor could not free himself from his sins. Matters came to a climax. A friend of his, with whom he spent many days in sin, was married and moved to Ohio. Steffey wrote him a jocular letter, thinking it would please him. At length a serious reply came, saying his wife found religion, and that he was also determined to seek Jesus, and pungently admonished S. "if he continued in sin, destruction would be upon him." S. now determined "to seek the Lord, come what will," and prayed in secret so only he and God should know. But at a Lutheran revival in Manchester, Md., he came to the altar, but was not saved. On a Sunday, Aug., 1842,
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