USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume II > Part 20
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MOOS CLASS, SAN PIERRE CIRCUIT
This class was organized by A. Parker in 1864. The worship here was in a schoolhouse, about 13 miles S. E. of San Pierre, Indiana. It has been a part of Medaryville, Wanatah, and San Pierre Circuit. No large success was attained here. A few good German families gave good support. Before 1876 the class belonged to Fulton Circuit, and in 1916 to Lake Bruce. It was abandoned in 1920. Some precious souls were led to God here in 1915 when F. F. McClurc had 11 conversions in a meeting.
MORGAN, LAPORTE CO., INDIANA
A. S. Fisher took up this class about six miles cast of Wanatah, near the
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Penn. R. R. in 1887-88. A gospel meeting was held here with two conversions. His successor abandoned it.
MORGANTOWN, NEAR JULIETTA, INDIANA
In 1894 this appointment became a part of Cumberland Mission when it was organized and continued a few years, F. Reutepoehler, pastor.
MOUND CITY, ILLINOIS
Mound City Society belonged to Mound City Mission in 1874 when it was established by the Indiana Conference. It was in the extreme southern part of Illinois. The mission embraced this place and Cairo, Illinois, which were six miles apart. Jos. Maier was the first missionary here. In 1875 the mission was named Jonesboro. At Mound City, the missionary erected his standard, and courageously unfurled the banner of Christ, but he found it very difficult to gather an audience. The people were indifferent to religion, and many were skeptical. When M. would visit the people, some would laugh in his face, scoff and deliberately mock about boly things, going on in their way, eating and drinking, saying, "Away with the Bible and Pfaffentum, (Popery)". After a num- ber of years of futile efforts, the place was given up.
MT. PLEASANT, WABASH CO., INDIANA
This society was located about three miles south of Rich Valley, Wabash Co., Indiana. In 1911 Ira Dawes of Spikerville Charge held a meeting here in an old abandoned church. He had a number of conversions and then organized a class of the Ev. Association. In 1912 B. G. Smith remodelled the church at a cost of $600.00. For a while prospects were favorable, but some deaths and removals necessitated the abandonment of the place in 1920.
MUNCIE, INDIANA
This city was taken up as a preaching place quite early in the fifties, and belonged to E. Germantown Circuit. In 1865 this society with Smithfield was added to Mississinawa Mission with Geo. Kloepfer assigned as preacher. In 1866 it belonged to Greenville Circuit; 1868 to E. Germantown again. In 1869 a committee was appointed to thoroughly investigate the situation in Muncie and dispose of the property in the best way. The indebtedness on the church was the main drawback, which increased rather than decreased. The Conference was then in its infancy and money was scarce. In 1872 the committee reported an indebtedness of $1,948.48, and that the church was sold for $1,850.00, leaving . $100.00 for the Conference to pay. Other causes for quitting here was the per- sistent demand to hold the services 'in German, and the non-dependable char- acter of the constituency. The M. P. Church bought the property and built up a strong society. In English we would, no doubt, have succeeded.
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MURPHYSBORO, ILLINOIS
Murphysboro Mission was established in 1875. In 1876 it was ceded to the South Indiana Conference. Geo. Berstecher was the first missionary. In 1877 he wrote, "When this work was started the people showed a distant attitude to- ward the Ev. Association. Most of them had not heard the Gospel preached for 15-20 years, many not since they left Germany." After many discouragements to the pastor, light began to penetrate through the darkness. Some were con- verted. Prayer meetings were fairly well attended. On Christmas of '77 the society received a church as a Christinas gift. The only drawback to it was its smallness. In 1878 J. Mode served here. In 1879-81 it was served with Lake Creek Mission by E. Bohlander. 1882-84, F. Thiess; 1885-86, E. J. Nitsche; '87, J. H. Schnitz; '88, Casper Doering; '90, with Jonesboro by C. Kohlmeier; '91, alone by E. Braech; '92, with Jonesboro by G. F. Winter; '93, unsupplied; '94 the church was sold for $150.00 of which $25.00 was used for sclling expenses, and the balance flowed into the Conference treasury.
MT. CARMEL, ILLINOIS
The initial work of the Ev. Association began in and around Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in 1836. Some Pennsylvanians from Lehigh Co. moved here this year. The church historian says, "Here the first conversions took place in Illinois by means of, our ministry". John Butz, a class-leader, was one of the active mem- bers. In 1837 he reported, "I am like a solitary bird upon a roof, and meet with sore opposition, but the Lord has thus far been with us. Three souls have been converted to God in our prayer services. The Lord alone be praised." At the session of the West Penn. (Ev. Landmark) Conference in May, 1838, Mt. Car- mel and vicinity was taken up as a mission with Peter Wiest as missionary. From 1839-41 no record found. In 1842 all appointments in southern Illinois and Indiana along the Wabash River constituted the Mt. Carmel Mission in the Ohio District of the West. Penn. Conference with C. Augenstein, missionary, and J. G. Zinser, P. E. Nearly 100 persons joined the Ev. Association on this field this year. The mission extended over parts of Wabash, Edwards, Law- rence, and Clarke Counties in Illinois, and into Dubois, Perry and Vanderburg Counties in Indiana. Augenstein preached salvation from sin through faith in Christ, wherever he could find German people. Wabash County, Illinois, was headquarters and received first attention. The work was hard, but not in vain. In 1839 it became a part of the Ohio Conference which was organized this year.
In 1843 Chr. Lintner and A. Nicolai were pastors with John J. Kopp as P. E. This year, on September 14, Bishop J. Seybert made a visit here, and also to St. Louis, Mo., by invitation of the missionary of the Ger. M. E. Church, and preached for him and assisted in the observance of the Lord's Supper. Mt. Carmel now had 22 members. At the organization of the Illinois Conference in May, 1844, this field became a part of it and a part of the Indiana District with
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A. B. Schafer, P. E., and A. Nicolai and G. G. Platz as pastors. On September 7th Schafer and Platz held a meeting, resulting in conversions and 18 accessions.
At this meeting trustees were elected. The society obtained a church lot gratis. A small brick church on 4th Street, near Cherry Street, was built and dedicated December 24, 1848, by A. B. Schafer. In December, 1844, fourteen Christliche Botschafters, and six Evangelical Messengers came to Evangelical homes. A Sunday School was also organized this year. In 1845 S. Tobias and Ph Bretsch were assigned here. The Indiana appointments were now detached from Mt. Carmel Mission and formed into Dubois Mission, and Mt. Carmel Charge became a circuit. September 4-9, '45, a camp-meeting was held nine
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Mt. Carmel Church, Mt. Carmel, Ill.
miles west of Mt. Carmel on Adam Stoltz's farm. God's people were greatly revived and some souls were converted. On July 4, 1846, Bishop J. Seybert ar- rived from Cincinnati, accompanied by J. Trometer, one of the pastors who had become seriously ill on the way with a fever that threatened his life. The Bishop in great concern fell upon his knees at T's bedside, beseeching the Lord to re- store the sick brother, if in accordance with His will. Presently T. arose and they resumed the journey to Mt. Carmel riding 30 miles that day. The Bishop praised God greatly for the speedy answer to his prayer. Seeing how wickedly the town celebrated the Independence Day, he ordered the church bell to be rung to invite people to services, determined to demonstrate how this day could and should be spent. In his diary an account of this day reads, "The ungodly celebrated the Fourth with gluttony, drinking, swearing, shooting, and howling,
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besides other Satanic exercises. I, however, was on my feet betimes, visited nine families in the morning, greased my boots, shaved, bathed, put on clean clothes and rode 30 miles that day."
A. B. Schafer, P. E., again held a camp-meeting on Stoltz's farm in August, 1846. J. G. Miller, assistant pastor, reported December 17th, there are many bere that earnestly work out their salvation. He was absent from the field eight months as ordered by his P. E. to hunt up appointments in the vicinities of Vandalia, Decatur, Springfield and Pulaski, Illinois. This was a round-trip of 600 miles. He also prospectively visited southern Illinois "Hochland" and St. Louis, Mo. Dne to illness, Trometer was unable to serve three months. In 1847 Wm. Fichte was pastor. Dne to illness he resigned and Chr. Glans served his charge with Olney Circuit. He labored with much success. Another camp- meeting on Stoltz's farm. Bishop Jos. Long was present Sunday, August 3rd. Nearly the whole population of Mt. Carmel was present. At each invitation penitents came to the altar. Many were converted and joined church. The . celebration of the Lord's Supper and the closing services were exceptionally spiritual and precious.
On quarterly and special meetings the Evangelicals in Wabash and adjoin- ing counties gathered in the Mt. Carmel Church "to have a good time". This church became the spiritnal birthplace of many souls. In 1849 S. Dickover, P. E., and C. Glaus, pastor. In 1850 Mt. Carmel Circuit had 550 members, and was now divided, the northern part becoming Marshall Circuit with H. Ragatz, pastor of Mt. Carmel Charge. In 1851 Geo. Messner and J. Wolf were assigned to Mt. Carmel. They reported blessed results.
In 1852 the Indiana Conference was organized and Mt. Carmel became a part of it. For ministers see Volume I, Mt. Carmel, circuit and station. S. Dickover, P. E., reported a quarterly meeting held September 19, '56, at which time he said, "The harps of praises sounded forth wonderfully from Carmel's elevation, especially Monday during the experience meeting and celebration of the Lord's Supper. It was heavenly! Never before was I at such a melting testimony meeting. Tears of joy flowed freely. Yea, it was a Pentecost." In 1861 Carmi Circuit was jointly served with Mt. Carmel Charge. In June, 1861, the first "District Meeting" was held on Wabash District. All present were convinced that such meetings are of great importance to the preachers, being rich in blessings and general benefit. Following are some of the themes that were considered: "The Fall of Man": "The Free Will of Man"; "Repentance"; "Faith"; "Righteousness by Faith"; "Regeneration"; "Holiness"; "I Cor. 3. 10-15"; "Rom. 5:18; 6:12-14"; and "Mark 13:32". In 1868 Mt. Carmel with Sugar Creek Class became a station. In '73 the society was granted permission to seil their first church and to apply the proceeds to a new brick church which was built this year and dedicated Jan. 4, 1874, by Bishop Thomas Bowman. It was placed on the corner of Elm and 6th Streets. It was then one of the most at-
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tractive churches in the Conference. The cost of it was $4,800.00. In 1876 Mt. Carmel became a part of the South Indiana Conference. On June 4, 1876, Mon- day, a terrific storm passed over Mt. Carmel, when 14 persons were instantly killed and 75 fatally wounded. One hundred houses were levelled to the ground. The M. E. Church suffered great damage. The Presbyterian Church was to- tally ruined, and our church also was much damaged. The most of our people suffered by it. Some saved their lives only, becoming dependent on public charity for a time. H. Schleucher made a successful appeal for help for our people through the church papers.
In the summer of '87 a new two-story parsonage was built. G. M. Hall- wachs was pastor at this time. He had 36 conversions and 31 accessions. The revival lasted nine weeks. He organized a W. M. S. this year. Monthly meet- ings were held. There were 38 members. In '91, under Fr. Theiss, the church was remodelled at a cost of $400.00. C. P. Maas, '06-08, organized a local La- dies' Aid Society in July, 1908. '15-16, D. O. Wise was pastor. Under his ad- ministration about $7,000.00 was secured in pledges for a new church, and a building committee was elected. '17-20, C. H. Hartman. The church was rebuilt in colonial style, costing $16,000.00. It was dedicated by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel April 14, 1918. The Ladies' Aid Society and Sunday School each raised $1,000.00. This church is constructed with an auditorium, two galleries with class-rooms below and above, basement under the whole church, equipped with electric lights, steam-heat, straight pews, chairs and choir loft. The seating capacity is 600. On dedication all departments of the church again pledged heavily to cover the indebtedness. The building committee consisted of pastor, J. C. Brun- ner, Jr., Wm. Beck, W. E. Brunner, H. Mayer, Ed. G. Seitz, and O. A. Unbe- hanen. O. A. Overholser was appointed here in 1921, and serves at the present writing, 1923.
MT. CARMEL, ADAMS CO., INDIANA
This appointment lies eight miles S. E. of Berne, Indiana. H. Arlen re- organized the society as Bethel Class in 1886, but it later was named Mt. Carmel. Previously as an unorganized class it belonged to St. Mary's Circuit up to 1875, when it was added to Decatur Mission. In 1876 it was added to Celina Circuit. In 1895 Wm. Ackerman had 23 conversions and 25 accessions. In 1897 it be- longed to Berne Circuit, and then back to Celina in 1898. In 1905 the P. E. in - formed the pastor, J. L. Buyer, "You can drop, or continue this class as you feel about it." The class was revived. J. M. Lantz rebuilt the church and or- ganized a Sunday School. In 1910 it became a part of Chattanooga Mission. In 1915 it belonged to Berne Circuit again. For pastors see St. Mary's, and Celina until 1910 when it was served by E. R. Roop; '11-12, E. B. Jones; '13-14, J. L. Buyer, Jr .; '15, E. E. Roberts; '16, E. O. Habegger; '17, J. E. McCoy; '18-21, E. H. Baumgartner. It was added to Bryant Circuit, F. J. Stedcke, '22-23.
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NAPPANEE, INDIANA
In April, 1891, Aug. Geist and J. W. Metzner were assigned to New Paris Circuit, and were to take up this place as part of their work. In the latter part of 1890, D. S. Oakes preached in this town. A few Evangelical families from other fields had moved here. In the fall of 1891, A. Geist organized a society in father Jacob Phend's home, namely: J. Phend and wife; Samuel and Caroline Mosiman; John Moyer and wife. Soon thereafter Sol. Yoder and wife; Enos Newcomer and wife; John Ruhl and wife; and Mrs. Carl. S. Mosiman was the first class-leader, serving 12 years to 1903, when she moved away.
At the first, services were held in the Hartman Hall, then in the Coppes Hotel Hall. The first church (frame) was built in 1892 by the Mennonite Breth- ren in Christ, and the Ev. Association as a Union Church. It was dedicated in the fall by S. Heininger of Elkhart Division St. Church. D. Martz was P. E. The two denominations held a Union Sunday School. This partnership con- tinued five years when in 1897 the Evangelicals bought out the half interest of the other church for $900.00, and paid $400.00 cash. S. Hofferbert was pastor at this time. The church was then rededicated. Improvements which cost $3,000.00 were made. In the spring of 1897 Conference granted its pastor the privilege to collect funds on Elkhart and Kendallville Districts to liquidate a $500.00 debt. In 1893 Nappanee, Island, Panama, and Hepton Societies became Nappanee Circuit.
The first board of trustees here were S. Mosiman, J. Phend and I. Moyer. This board with A. Miller, Engelmeier and Watterman of the M. B. Church, constituted the building committee. The Sunday School dissolved partnership during Reinoehl's second term. In - - the church caught fire and suffered considerable damage, which, fortunately, was covered by insurance. Repeated improvements and repairs were made. Also street and sewer improvements were made at considerable cost. In 1903 the society bought an additional lot and built a commodious parsonage. The building of a modern church is now (1923) contemplated. The society has enjoyed a gradual and substantial growth from the start, the increase coming largely from the country appointments.
For ministers who served here, see Volume I. '14-16, E. E. Miller served; '17-19, A. H. Doescher; '20-22, A. B. Haist; '23, C. H. Hartman. Presiding el- ders always those of Elkhart, except 1897-98, when it belonged to Kendallville District.
NEW CARLISLE, INDIANA
In 1877 J. M. Gomer took up this place where six persons united with the Ev. Association. Nothing further is found.
NEW PARIS, INDIANA
New Paris Society was first organized in 1862 by Joshua Paulin who first preached here. Charter members were: D. D. Rohrer, John Unbehauen and
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wife, J. D. Unbehauen, M. Zimmer and wife, George Zimmer, David Dausman and wife, Elizabeth Croop, John Castetter and wife, John Swart and wife, James Philips and wife, Geo. Phillips, John Spiker, T. J. Heriman and C. A. McComb- er. M. Zimmer was the first class-leader; J. Phillips, exhorter; J. D. Unbehauen, S. S. Supt. All services were held in the German language in the old M. E. Church.
The first church (frame) was built in 1862 and was dedicated December 2, '62. The trustees were D. D. Rohrer, David Dausman and John Castetter. The cost of the church was $1,400.00. This church was found to stand in the street and was moved to its present location in 1870 and was remodelled and rededi- cated. In 1897 it was sold to the Progressive Brethren after the present brick church had been built, which J. Rees commenced and W. H. Mygrant finished in 1897. The cost of this church was $6,000.00. The dedication, however, had to be deferred, due to the financial burdens that involved the society, until Janu- ary 22, 1899. Editor S. P. Spreng officiated at the dedication. This church is 41 x 49 feet, seated with circular pews, has a class-room, corner tower, art-glass windows, hot-air furnace, and has a part of the basement equipped for S. S. work.
In March, 1881, S. S. Albert reported that a revival meeting closed at New Paris, conducted by Savilla Kring, at which 70-80 bowed at the altar, of whom many were converted and 42 joined the Church. On January 13, 1885, D. Martz reported a meeting here declaring, "Old time religion and methods of work, had been pushed into the background to the regret of many members. Old time methods and gospel preaching were again tried for three weeks with no favorable results. But the few earnest ones became more determined. Then God sent the power in streams of light, showing the need of deliverance from sin. A real revival was on now. 47 persons were gloriously saved, 22 of them heads of families, and 35 joined the Church."
New Paris Society belonged to Elkhart Circuit until 1872 when Middleport, (now Dunlaps) Moors, (Ebenezer east of Syracuse), Harrison Centre, Island. Ringels, Billman's (west of Wakarusa) with New Paris was constituted New Paris Circuit. For pastors from 1862-72 see Elkhart Circuit. The following ministers then served: '72-73, Jos. Fisher; '74, H. E. Overmeyer; '75, D. J. Pon- tius; '76, J. F. Bockman; '77-78, A. R. Shafer; '79-80, S. S. Albert and H. Arlen the first year; '81-82, C. C. Beyrer; '83-84, D. Martz; '85-87, J. M. Dustman with D. D. Speicher the second year. For pastors from 1889 to 1915 see Volume I. '15, J. E. Young, '16-19, G. A. Weishaar; '20-23, R. L. Handschu. The presiding elders are those of Elkhart, except for 1897-98, when it belonged to Kendall- ville District.
The New Paris parsonage was built in the fall of 1881. In 1886 a new one was bought by the parsonage trustees: E. Sharpie, Levi, Stahley and Frank Ott. and has since been the home of the pastors. The first Y. P. Alliance was or-
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ganized in 1894 with Mrs. Ida Buttsfield, Pres., and the first Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1895 with Orpha Maurer as president.
NEW HARMONY, INDIANA
The work here had its origin at Stewartsville, Indiana, formerly known as Paris, five miles N. E. of New Harmony. In 1842 Mt. Carmel Circuit preachers preached here. In 1843 this place became a part of Dubois Mission and was served by its pastors until Warrenton Circuit was formed when it was added to this field. The members in 1849 were: John and Caroline Hain; Emmanuel Rhein; Ludwig Miller; Father Weiss; Louis Miller; and Jacob Schnad with their families. Jacob Keiper was pastor in 1849 and also in 1854, when he names also these members: Ludwig and Catharine Barth, Mary Buckel, Fr. Keller, Chr. Rhein, Sam and Lizzie Brown, F. and Lizzie Schneck, John Kehler's, Her- man Pretzst's. The preaching was in private homes. On March 5, 1855, a mis- sionary auxiliary was organized and pledges taken amounting to $45.75, after C. Glans had preached a missionary sermon. At a revival meeting held this year in March, Keiper had to cease preaching one night because of the crying for mercy by penitents. They were all saved.
In 1859 M. Klaiber of Warrenton Circuit came into the vicinity of New Har- mony to preach to the German families, who heartily responded to the Word as preached. Some were converted and a class was organized, namely: E. Miller and wife, Henry Miller and wife, C. Trometer, Elizabeth Schnarr, J. Hickman and wife, L. Hibner and wife, John Hein and wife. E. Miller was class-leader. The work prospered, but they had no church here. Worship was held in a Union Church. The other denominations here were English. By deaths and removals this society gradually died out. Some members moved closer to and into New Harmony. In 1899 this place was abandoned and its remaining mem- bers were merged with the society that was now organized in New Harmony. An eye-witness said about this abandoned society in early days, "The Spirit of the Lord so came upon the people that they broke out into loud praises and shoutings. Often services continued until midnight. Some would fall into a trance and remain so for hours after dismissal of the meetings." Part of the time this class was attached to Carmi Circuit, then to Enterprise, and last to Grayville Charge.
NEW HARMONY CLASS
The beginning of this society was in April, 1889, when E. J. Nitsche of Gray- ville Charge effected the organization. On July 11th a lot was bought for $175.00 and a small frame church was built (26 x 40 feet) and was dedicated as Salem Church by J. Kaufman, P. E. Some of the charter members were: Ernest, Minnie, Mary, Caroline, and Emma Sundermeier; Albert and Lonis Schumaker; John and Caroline Hain of Stewartsville; Albert and Mary Lauger; Fred and Marg. Sickman; Louis and Marg. Miller of Stewartsville, and Elizabeth Schnarr
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o! Griffeth. A. Lauger was first class-leader. At first the work developed fairly well, but later the enthusiasm waned and the class lingered along until 1918 when the property was sold, as ordered, for $1,100.00. Half of it, by order of Conference, was given to the Linwood Church in Evansville, Indiana, towards its debt, and the other half to Grayville Society towards a new parsonage. For the most part, this socicty was served with Grayville, except five years when it was alone. During this time new life was manifest, but soon died out again, fol- lowed by an occasional reviving of the work. From this society went forth Victor Chafin as a missionary to Japan under another church mission board in which service he died.
NEW HOPE, OHIO
This class was situated in Preble Co., Ohio, north of Eaton. J. Keiper preached here in 1852. It was then a part of Miami Circuit of the Ohio Confer- ence, and at the organization of the Indiana Conference remained with the Ohio Conference. In 1856 it was ceded back to the Indiana Conference, and was served by J. Keiper and P. Goetz. The members then were: John Breuscher's, Gco. Grenzlein's, C. Mangus', John Schafer's, Wm. Miller's. This society be- longed alternately to Miami and Montgomery Circuits; in 1883 to Greenville, then to Richmond Mission, and then to Vandalia and then to Phillipsburg Cir- cuits. There was at one time a parsonage in Mt. Hope. The time of the aban- donment of this society is not known.
NEW LISBON, INDIANA
In the summer of 1847, G. G. Platz reported that the people here were build- ing a church which was dedicated in the fall as Zion Church. C. Glaus was pastor. The class had been organized several years before. Early members were: Habel's, Deubler's, Hartzler's, and Berg's. In 1848 C. Glaus organized the first missionary auxiliary. In 1849 H. Ragatz reported three Christmas meetings in which 10 souls were saved. For list of pastors see E. Germantown. There was a Sunday School here in early days. The appointment was some- times called "Jimtown". A church was built in 1866 and dedicated November 18th. The society died out and the church was sold for $175.00 in 1905. From this society went forth three ministers: Adam Hartzler and S. S. Albert in 1865, and Jacob Huntsinger in 1872.
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