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 27
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TROY, MIAMI CO., OHIO
This appointment existed in 1856 and was a part of the Miami Circuit in the Ohio Conference. In 1856 it was ceded to the Indiana Conference. Troy was then the county seat. J. Keiper's diary shows that this was then a regular ap- pointment. He mentions H. Genslinger's as members.
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UNION CENTER, VAN WERT CO., OHIO
This society is in the center of Union Twp., of Van Wert Co., Ohio, where now the township school is located. In 1895 it was an abandoned field by the English Lutheran Church. D. D. Spangler of Van Wert Charge then took up this class. After a few services here he held an evangelistic meeting which re- sulted in 11 being saved. Being urged by the majority of the Lutherans here, only one or two trustees protesting, he organized an Evangelical Society with 20 charter members. This organization was now refused the use of the church for all services. Thereupon the Grangers, half mile north, offered their hall for Sunday School and preaching services. But in 1897, under D. D. Speicher this society was allowed to re-occupy the church, and later it was bought, re- paired and dedicated as the "Union Center Church" of the Ev. Association. This is a hopeful society, well located in a very fertile country. A number of good revivals have occurred here. Same pastors have served here as at Grand Victory.
UNION, DARKE COUNTY, OHIO
In 1856 J. Keiper and others preached near Union City, Ohio, at the home of Carl Miller's. It then was a part of the Miami Circuit.
URBANA, WABASH CO., INDIANA
This society is an outgrowth of Wabash Society, which was organized in 1871 by H. Preiss. At a revival held in Wabash in 1872, Sophia Schultz, Kath- erine Weck, Martha Welsch and daughters, Lizzie and Louisa, of near Urbana were converted. Jacob Miller of Wabash Mission now began to preach every few weeks near Urbana in the home of Conrad Baker, Geo. Holstein and Wm. Welsch who were already members at Wabash. He held one meeting in the Urbana Schoolhouse, but met with such fierce opposition from Lutherans that he did not continue. At the Speicher Schoolhouse, 11/2 miles east of Urbana, he conducted a catechetical class with four catechumens, Mary and Martha Baker, and Lizzie and Louisa Welsch. In 1874 C. C. Beyrer continued meetings here. In 1875 C. Brauer was stationed on Wabash Charge. But illness compelled him to resign. Then Dr. C. C. Baumgartner was prevailed upon to take the field. He began his work in November. It was a favorable appointment, a Swiss by birth, the families became greatly interested in him. B. also being a skilled physician, gained their confidence easier. They believed him to be the man of God for this place. In the winter of 1876-77, a revival broke out in the school- house appointment. Such meetings of divine power was a new thing here. Op- position, however, was not wanting. Persecution became so keen at one service that it was deemed expedient to give the meeting up in the schoolhouse. Serv- ices were held in father John Speicher's home. The first convert of this meeting was Mary Backer, 16 years old, whose conversion made such a deep impression
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upon the public mind, that many believed in this work as a work of real divine grace. Then the children of John and Christian Speicher and Wm. Welsch were converted.
The Speicher's now withdrew from the Evangelical Synod of Urbana. Dr. B. received church members and organized them into a society as follows, John Speicher, wife and Rosa; Samuel Speicher and wife; Fred Speicher and wife; John Speicher, Jr., and wife; Daniel L. Joseph, Peter S., David, Philip, Speicher; Christian Speicher and wife and his sons, John, Samuel, Fred., Peter, Daniel; Sophia Schultz; Kath. Keck; Conrad Baker and wife; Geo. H. Holstein; Wm .. Martha, Louisa and Elizabeth Welsch and Jacob and Julia Schnitz. David Speicher was elected class-leader.
Early in 1877 a Sunday School was organized with D. L. Speicher super- intendent. Soon after this revival it was decided to build a brick church on the corner of Fred. Speicher's farm. The church was dedicated October 7, '77, by Bishop R. Dubs as "Zion Church". The cost was $2,000.00. Of this $700.00 was raised on dedication day. E. L. Kiplinger was P. E. This was a great year for this people. The interest reached its zenith when the society sent an invitation to Conference in Linn Grove, Indiana, September, 1877, to hold its next session in their church. Next April, 1878, Conference was held here with Bishop R. Dubs presiding.
In 1878 J. K. Troyer was pastor. He had a gracious harvesting here from the sowing. This year John Gurtner and wife and Wm. Schnitz came into the church. The increase for the next 10-12 years was realized through accession< of brides of the young Speichers who succeeded in leading their companions unto salvation, and then the children of these became the natural increase to the church. In 1880 Geo. Schmoll was pastor; 1881-82, E. R. Troyer; '83, J. Berger; '84-85, Geo. Schmoll; '86-87, C. C. Beyrer with A. S. Fisher first year and S. H. Baumgartner second year. 1888, J. Hoffman; '89-90, Geo. Roederer. He had a gracious revival. At this time the language question began to agitate the minds of the people. The older ones preferred the German, and the younger the English. The M. E. Church just had started a mission in Urbana and since some of our people lived in town they became interested in it, though not wishing to join them. The M. E. people, not numerically strong, and seeing that our people purposed to start an English Society, ceased work here. In 1890 W. Wilder- muth was pastor.
In 1891 Urbana was added to West Point and called Urbana Mission, J. Wales, pastor. A camp-meeting was held this year in J. Speicher's grove, with Editor J. C. Hornberger and Pres. H. J. Kiekhoefer as principal speakers. This year the church in Urbana was built, containing one main auditorium 28 x 46 feet, and two class-rooms, one on either side of it each 17 x 28 feet. There are two vestibules in the two towers for entrance. The seating capacity 500. The cost of the church was $4,600.00. Previous to this, services had been held in
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the old Lutheran Church. Samuel S., Fred F., and J. B. Speicher were the trustees and supervised the erection. In January, 1892, the church was dedicated by J. Wales, due to the unavoidable absence. of Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. On September 4, '92, the first Y. P. A. was organized with 30 members.
The old society in the country began losing out when they allowed their children to attend Sunday School in town. This ended the German. In 1893 J. M. Dustman served. He obtained Evangelist Grob for a meeting. Many experienced full salvation. In 1894 Aug. Geist was pastor. He had evangelist McLaughlin for a special meeting in February, 1895. In 1896 the Conference session was held here again with Bishop S. C. Breyfogel presiding. J. E. Stoops became pastor at this Conference session. He had a wonderful revival here. He held four meetings daily for a time, with conversions at all meetings. One time 47 were at the altar and 20 were saved. He had one very impressive serv- ice when 14 husbands with their wives were together at the altar. Business places, even the saloon, closed at 7:15 p. m. for the service. In two weeks 115 bowed at the altar, most of whom were saved and 63 united with the church. "The saloon quietly shut up shop". In 1898 F. E. Zechiel served Urbana. This was a year of sore trial for pastor and people, due to lack of patience one with the other and love that forgives, and forgets. In 1899-02, A. Geist; '03, F. Rausch; '04-07, M. L. Scheidler; '08-11, F. L. Snyder; '12-16, A. A. Knepper: '17, C. A. Wright; '18-20, O. A. Overholser; '21-23, C. E. Geist. Dave Hill and the Petticord party held evangelistic meetings here with success. This society recommended the following men for license to preach: D. D. Speicher, 1885; C. D. Wendall, 1891; Geo. E. Speicher, 1891; P. S. Speicher, 1892; C. E. Geist. 1894; J. L. Speicher, 1908; G. C. Pullman, 1910; E. F. Snyder, 1910. This society has owned two parsonages to date. The present one is a commodious home. Auxiliary to this society are a well equipped Sunday School; a good Y. P. A .; a live W. M. S., and a Ladies' Aid Society.
VANDALIA, ILLINOIS
J. G. Miller in 1846 was sent into this section of Illinois to prospect for new preaching places. Vandalia was one of the places investigated. On July 24, 1846, A. B. Schafer, P. E., left his home at E. Germantown for this place and preached here in a Presbyterian Church. He held a two-day meeting and helped to pave the way for a new field which was taken up in 1847, as Vandalia Mis- sion, embracing a large territory. Later the mission developed into appoint ments as follows: Hickory Creek, S. W. of Brownstown; Camp-Creek, eight miles N. E. of Vandalia; Gilmore Schoolhouse; Grane Class; Westphalia, near - Watson and Breising, S. E. of Effingham; Wolf Creek; Prairie and Colehill in Shelby Co. In 1866 this mission was divided into Vandalia and Shelby Mis- sions. The first covering all of the western part of the old Vandalia Circuit and the second the eastern part. See Campcreek, Emmanuel, Wolfcreek, Prairie, Edgewood, Altamont, Mattoon, etc.
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VANDALIA, OHIO
Vandalia lies north of Dayton, Ohio. There was a class here before 1856 when it was a part of Miami Circuit and later of Montgomery Circuit. J. Kcip- er's record gives the names of a class of 41 members.
The appointment later belonged to Greenville Circuit and then to Phillips- burg. In 1886 Chr. Kimmel, John Dietzel and John Schoenherr of Dayton Commercial St. Church were clected as trustees of the Vandalia Church prop- erty, and were ordered to sell the church and to apply the proceeds to the Mis- sionary Church debt. In 1895 the church was reported sold. This church was built prior to 1856.
VARNA, MARSHALL CO., ILLINOIS
This class was organized about 1871. It was located six miles north of Van- dalia, Illinois, and was a part of Shelby Mission. A church was built and dedi- cated November 3, 1872. The class did not live long. It was abandoned by the South Indiana Conference.
VAN WERT, OHIO
This class was organized with eight members by Geo. A. Hertel in 1863. They were: Mr. and Mrs. Chilcote, Wm. Her- tel and wife, Jacob Haffen and wife. Van Wert Mission was formed in 1863, and included Grand View, Van Wert, St. Peter's, St. Paul, Celina (Hope), Salem (Weifenbach's), Mendon, Rentgers and Willshire, all in Ohio. Hertel served two years. In 1865 this mission was made a circuit with C. Wessling as pastor for two years. In 1867-68, Ph. Porr; '69, Wm. Wessler; '70, P. Roth and S. S. Condo, this society again being placed with St. Marys Circuit. 1871 Van Wert Mission re-established with J. Keiper, pastor for two years.
In 1872 a brick church was built. During a fierce wind storm one of the walls, when nearly up, was blown down. The church was dedicated Dec. 29, '72, by Editor R. Dubs. In 1873 J. F. Bockman was pastor. A parsonage was built, costing $700.00. In 1874 J. Wales served. Language trouble of a serious nature arose this year, actuating the embittered trustees to lock the church-doors against the English language sympathizers, and the pastor, who sought representation on the trustec board. In 1875 C. C. Beyrer was appointed. At this session the Conference exhonerated the ministers involved for their part in the language controversy, and disapproved of the procedure of the trustees for dragging the society into litigation, and for barring the English. Later the court modified
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this last action so the English worship could be resumed. After this modifica- tion the society enjoyed a gracious revival when 60 were saved and united with the church. In 1876-77, this society again belonged to St. Marys Circuit, with S. S. Albert as pastor. In 1878 the Van Wert Mission was again established and served with the same pastor. In 1879-81, B. F. Dill with Wm. Ackerman the first year. In 1881 Dill reported, "The old harassing language difficulty was now removed and there is now English preaching every Sunday night to a crowded house". In 1882-84 J. E. Smith served. He reported February 26, '83, a glorious revival with 38 saved and 30 accessions. And in 1884 he closed a nine-week revival with 60 conversions and 42 accessions, and organized an English Sunday School. In 1885-87, S. S. Albert was again pastor. The last year he reported 14 saved and accessions, and the organization of a W. M. S. with 20 members, and a Mission Band. In 1887 H. Arlen served three months when he was elected by the district as P. E. in J. Berger's place who had re- signed due to illness. J. H. Evans was secured to fill the pulpit here for the rest of the year. In 1888-90, Fr. Rausch; '91-92, J. E. Smith; '93-94, Wm. Acker- man; '95-96, D. D. Spangler. Church repairs were made by the ladies the sec- ond year, costing $400.00. On July 12th, Editor S. P. Spreng re-opened the church with special services. Pastor Spangler being incapacitated by a twelve- week siege of illness, J. O. Mosier, local pastor, took charge of the general services up to Conference time. In 1897-99, D. D. Speicher; 1900-02, D. B. Koe- nig, assisted by W. H. Freshley the second year and G. C. Lutman the third year. In 1903, A. Geist and C. D. Ringgenberg; '04-06, J. E. Stoops; '07-09, WV. H. Mygrant; '10-14, F. J. Stedcke. In 1913 a new modern church was built of brick in two shades, Bedford stone trimmings and with slate roof. The size is 58 x 60 feet. The church contains seven class-rooms, a mother's room, gal- lery on three sides, a total seating capacity of 500. It is lighted with electric lights, the woodwork in red oak finish and there are art-glass windows. The church was dedicated January 11, 1914, by Bishop S. P. Spreng. The cost was $17,000.00. Previous to dedication $8,500.00 had been secured in pledges. The rest was obtained in cash and pledges on dedication day. The Ladies' Aid So- ciety and the Sunday School again displayed a heroic spirit as did individuals in giving generous pledges.
In '15-16, B. Schuermeier; '17-23, J. H. Rilling. During his pastorate he says, "There were no great revivals and large increases in membership, but there has been a steady increase and growth in all of the organizations of the church. The indebtedness on the new church of $5,150.00 almost unprovided for has been paid. The Rally Day offerings the last five years amounted to $1,694.51, the highest for one Rally Day was October 17, 1920, reaching $531.18.
WABASH, INDIANA
For some time Evangelical ministers preached in the vicinity of this city before an organization was effected. The families Gartner's and Maurer's,
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south of the city, received preaching from pastors of Wanpecong Circuit since 1859. A class was there formed which was in 1871 attached to Huntington Charge when H. Preis began preaching in Wabash in homes and the courthouse. He found access to the families of Fr. Rausch's, John Schlemmer's, and others, and organized a class. The work looked encouraging. In September, 1872, Conference established a mission in Wabash with J. Miller as first missionary. Young's and Gartner's Classes were added to this mission. With this small beginning Miller began gathering a membership. Within his two years' time he built a church 31 x 45 feet at a cost of $1,784.00, which was dedicated August, 1873. In 1873 the society obtained the right to collect money for this church from adjoining fields. In 1874 he reported 15 saved and 13 accessions. In Sep- tember, 1874, C. C. Beyrer became pastor; '75, Fr. Brauer. He resigned due to illness and Dr. C. C. Baumgartner of Linn Grove, Indiana, was secured for the place. He served three Conference ycars, beginning in November. There. was a steady development of the work. In April, 1878-79, J. K. Troyer was appoint- ed. He had a good increase in membership. In 1880, G. Schmoll. Shortly be- fore Conference session a parsonage was hought with money he had collected.
In 1881-82 E. R. Troyer served. He labored with marked success. In 1883, John Berger. Soon after his arrival he was thrown out of his buggy and had a leg broken. While he had yet to walk on crutches a fire broke out in the stable, destroying it and a part of the parsonage. In 1884-85, Geo. Schmoll served again. In 1886-87, C. C. Beyrer again, with A. S. Fisher first and S. H. Baumgartner the second years. His assistants mostly preached in the north end of the work. In 1888 J. Hoffman was pastor. He reported seven conver- sions. In 1889-92 Geo. Roederer served. Hc organized a Y. P. A. in May, 1892, with Rose Ransch as president. He had many souls for his hire. In 1893-95. D. D. Speicher served. He had bitter trials due to the language question. The German was now dropped in a measure. He had success in soul winning. In 1895-97, J. E. Smith. English services were now held regularly on Sunday evenings. He had a great revival and took in 80 members. As the church was now too small, an additional wing was built to the south. This cost was about $1,900.00. Bishop S. C. Breyfogel re-dedicated it May 31, 1896. Due to throat difficulty, Smith resigned November 3, '97, and S. S. Albert finished the year.
In April, 1898, S. H. Baumgartner. On June 1, 1898, at a called public meeting it was decided that there should be German preaching once a month on Sunday A. M., and the second and third Thursday evening of each month, and on Saturday afternoons at Quarterly Meetings. All other services should be English. This was a year of severe trials due to doctrinal differences which culminated in a schism. Due to backslidings, removals, withdrawals, and deaths. the membership loss was 53, the gain only 14. In 1899-01, A. S. Fisher served. B. was elected P. E. The canses of the defection of the preceding year having been removed, this administration moved along far more harmoniously. He had
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many souls for his hire. A lingering church debt was paid. In 1902-04, J. H. Rilling served. He had successful revivals. In 1905, C. H. Burgener; 1906-08, D. B. Koenig. He resigned at New-year's, '09, to go west to join the California Conference, and C. Schlemmer finished the year. In 1909-12, F. S. Erne. He had four good years. In 1913-16, P. L. Browns. In the winter of 1910 the church was destroyed by fire. The G. A. R. hall was obtained for worship. A new church had to be built. With $16,500.00 in sight in cash and subscriptions the enterprise was undertaken and the beautiful house of worship was dedicated on December 3, 1916, by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. The work reflected credit to the pastor and people. The entire cost of the church was $21,000.00. The building is classic in design. The walls are of Brazil chinchilla brick in two colors. The main auditorium and S. S. Department can be formed into one large room, scating 700 people. It has 12 class-rooms, men's room, mother's room, music and library room, and a basement under the entire church with all modern ar- rangements.
In 1917-19, E. M. Kerlin. Soon after Conference of 1918 he had Dave Hill for evangelistic work. A pipe organ was installed. In 1920 D. A. Kaley; in 1º21-23, W. E. Snyder. He raised about $1,500.00 each year on the indebtedness.
WABASH, ZION
This society is three miles south of Wabash, Indiana. It was known in carly years as "Turkey Pen" and "Hope Class". Fr. Geisel in 1858-59 was sent to Waupecong Mission which included Zion. On June 15, 1860, just before the Annual Conference met in September, he reported that there is a Swiss settle- ment here, that he visited this place for the first time in the spring of 1859; that 01 June 9th he was inwardly impressed that he should go here to preach, and without previous notification came here, announced that he would preach here and tarry a few days. The people were careful not to be deceived. They, how- ever, came to hear him. His preaching convicted them of sin even unto re- pentance and 18 were saved. Others were yet sceking, 19 joined the Ev. Asso- ciation, and were organized into the "Hope" Class. The members then were: Charles Gurtner and wife, Mother Maurer and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Gochenaur, and Mrs. Lucinda Smith. H. Niederhauser, who later moved to Salem, near Defiance, Ohio, joined a little later, as also did Charles Gurtner, Jr., and wife, Fred and Chr. Gurtner and Elizabeth and Rosa, their sisters. This society was served by pastors from Waupecong until 1867, when it was attached to Huntington Circuit. In 1872 it became merged with the Wabash Society of which they became charter members. Up to this time they worshipped in a schoolhouse and in homes.
In 1889 Geo. Roederer of Wabash Mission took up this place as a regular appointment. Several new families from Ohio, including Albert and Henry Epply's, moved here. They were members of our church in Ohio. Previous
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to this, in 1887, C. C. Beyrer and S. H. Baumgartner had preached some here and held a short evangelistic meeting in the "Turkey Pen" Schoolhouse, but were compelled to close on account of heavy rains. In 1897 J. E. Smith built a frame church which was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Bowman, May 30, 1897. In 1899 Zion was detached from Wabash, and with Bethel and West Point became Wabash Circuit, and was added to Ft. Wayne District. P. L. Browns was pastor for two years. The second year it became a mission. In 1901, H. Schleucher; 1902 it was again added to Wabash Mission until 1908, when it was added to Spikerville Circuit and was for four years served by Ira Dawes. In 1911 the name Spikerville was changed to Wabash Circuit. In 1912 B. G. Smith was pastor; '13, J. M. Lantz; '14, S. J. Kroft. It was this year transferred to Elkhart District. In 1915-17, J. W. Thomas; '18-19, A. W. Feller; '20, E. W. Schafer; '21-22, C. W. Spangler; '23, L. M. Maurer.
WANATAH, LAPORTE CO., INDIANA
The work of the Ev. Association in and around Wanatah had its beginning in the sixties, when preachers from the Illinois Conference came one mile south of this town and preached in what was known as Roselle Schoolhouse. They also preached north at Wellsville and near Valparaiso, Indiana. In 1867 the Pulaski Circuit was formed of fields south of the Kankakee River, and western Fulton County appointments, and also embraced Wanatah, and Morgan appoint- ment, about five miles east of Wanatah. Jacob Miller was pastor. In 1868 Wanatah was detached from Pulaski Circuit and with Medaryville Class (Beth- lehem) became Medaryville Mission and was served two years by C. Heim. The members in and around Wanatah were preparing to build a church. There was a division among them as to whether it was to be in Wanatah or out in the country. Wm. Lueder was pastor during 1870-72. The church was built in the country in 1872. In 1873 the name Medaryville was changed to Wanatah and P. Roth was assigned to it for two years. For the pastors see under Medary- € ville up to 1890 and then under San Pierre except for the years here given.
In 1883 Laporte Mission was formed, including the appointments of Wana- tah Circuit, north of the Kankakee River. Geo. Schmoll was pastor; 1884, Aug. Iwan. On May 11, 1884, the small church in Wanatah was dedicated by R. Mott, associate editor of the Ger. S. S. Literature. In 1885 Wanatah was de- tached from Laporte and with Knox and vicinity constituted Wanatah Mission, and was left to be supplied. In 1886, J. C. Schuh; '87-88, A. S. Fisher; '89, Wm. Wildermuth; '90, B. F. Snyder. In 1891 it was added again to Medaryville and served two years by J. A. Tiedt. 1893-94, E. Bohlander. C. Kalwitz and IJ. Weishaar finished Bohlander's year after his accidental death. 1895-96, M. Krueger; '97-99, J. Mundorf; 1900-01, J. W. Feller. The name was changed to San Pierre where the parsonage was located. In 1911-13, J. A. Tiedt served only Wanatah, thereafter it was placed back to San Pierre to 1923.
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WANATAH, ZION, LAPORTE CO., INDIANA
This society is located six miles S. E. from Wanatah, and preaching com- menced here about the same time as at Wanatah. The church was built in 1872 and dedicated December 1, by E. L. Kiplinger, P. E. The history of this class is practically the same as that of the church in Wanatah as they always werc together. This class, however, was always much stronger numerically. Many victorious meetings were held here. The eastern part of this class reached into Hannah, Indiana, where A. S. Fisher, in 1887-88, tried to establish our banner in the English language. Others did some preaching here. But as the M. E. Church had a small society, the effort was soon given up. This society has maintained a S. S. for many years. Carl Kalwitz was recommended for the ministry by this church. This society owns a cemetery beside the church.
WARES CHAPEL, NEAR ELDORADO, OHIO
The work of the Ev. Association in this community already had begun in 1856 when J. Keiper preached at Holtzinger's, sister Gouch's, Scheyhing's, and Geiser's near the present Wares Chapel. Before 1856 this place was a part of the Ohio Conference, but now of Miami Circuit, Indiana Conference. The original class worshipped in a log building seven miles S. E. of the present church, which was a U. B. Chapel. Our Scheyhing Class people, as they were then often called, helped to build this chapel, and had a mutual agreement with the U. B. people that they could hold their services here. Our members at this place then were: Bernhart Scheyhing, his wife and children Christina, Joh, Eva, Jacob, Matthew, Christian and Kathring; Julia Warc; Gottlieb Hollzinger; Wm. M. Price.
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