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 3
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BOMPUS, NEAR CLARMONT, ILLINOIS
Early in the fifties preachers from Olney, Illinois, found German settlers in this community and began preaching to them. Soon a society was organized called "Emmanuel", locally known as "Dutch Flats" or"Bompus". Chr. Glaus built a church here, which was dedicated December 23, 1866, by M. Hoehn. In 1872 this class was detached from Olney and added to West Salem Circuit, and served with it until 1896 when it was attached to Lancaster Circuit to which it has since belonged. The appointment, however, has been abandoned since 1915. In 1879 C. Wessling and M. F. Finkbeiner held a German and English meeting here, resulting in 33 conversions and many accessions. The first church being in great need of repairs, it was replaced in 1916 by a new small one and dedi- cated by E. M. Kerlin of West Salem, Illinois, October 15. The cost, not in- cluding gratis work, was $500.00. A few old loyal Evangelical members are still here and maintain the place just for funeral purposes, the church being located near a small cemetery. Due to the lack of convenient location for the most of our people in this vicinity, who had to cross the Bompus creek bottom, often impassable, our preachers were permitted to preach in a M. E. Church more suitably located.
BOONVILLE, INDIANA
In 1849 Jacob Keiper preached near this place in German, in an M. E. Church, but no class was formed and preaching soon ceased herc.
BRAZIL, AND CLAY CITY, INDIANA
The Clay City appointment was taken up by P. Burgener of Marshall Cir- cuit in Illinois, in 1855. The location is three miles east of Clay City. In a meeting held here, several souls were saved. In June, 1856, Conference formed Clay City Mission with M. Maycr as pastor. It then had six appointments in Clay, Green, and Vigo Counties, and probably in Putnam County where A.
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Nicolai was a member in 1842-43, living in Independence. From here he went out as a minister. Mayer held a meeting in Green County when an aged mother was saved. Others already had been converted. A log church was built near Clay City, Indiana. Here lived the families Schafer, Lichte, Feller, Baumgart- ner. In 1869 this mission was incorporated with Marshall Circuit. In 1873 it was served by pastors from Brazil. By deaths and many removals of Germans the work died out. The English was opposed.
The Marshall Circuit appointments lying in Indiana, including Brazil, be- came Brazil Mission in 1873. John Beck was the first pastor, and organized a society of fifteen members. Prior to this time in 1871-72 C. Stockhowe formed
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Zion Church, Brazil, Ind.
a society of John Steinsberger, Reinhold and Elizabeth Schultz and Katherine Nickel. In September, 1874, Beck was returned and on April 26, 1875, a board of trustees was elected, and on May 10. a building committee was elected. On July 6, 1875, a church lot was bought and deeded to the trustees, and their suc- cessors as the "Zion Church" of the Evangelical Association. The location was at the intersection of Forest and McDonald Streets. A frame church, 28 x 42 feet, was built and dedicated September 19, 1875, by Wm. Yost of Cleveland, Ohio. When, in. 1875, the Clay County parsonage and church were sold the proceeds thereof were applied to the new parsonage in Brazil. In 1887 the last debt on it, $176.00, was paid. In 1894 L. J. Ehrhardt conducted a revival here for Pastor M. F. Finkbeiner which reunited the forces which were seriously affected by the church trouble in 1891. United prayer and work accomplished this. In 1909 cement walks were built on both sides of the lot by the Ladies' Aid Society. In the spring of 1917 ten more feet of ground, adjoining the west side on the parsonage lot from street to street, was bought for $275, thus giving ample room for a comfortable parsonage.
This society experienced many vicissitudes that threatened its life, caused
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by the church schism, language transition, pietistic teachings. It became ap- parent that a modern church was one of the needs to turn public favor to the society. The German worship was abandoned in 1913 for the English. In 1914 the Conference authorized the Conference board of trustees to assist this society in financing a building project, not to exceed $15,000.00. After several arranged co-operative meetings between the local building committee and the Conference committee the building of a new church on the old site was authorized. On September 14, 1914, construction work began and the church building was finished at a cost of $14,903.00. It was dedicated as the "Forest Ave. Church" on September 19, 1915, by Bishop S. P. Spreng. The church is built of brick with a double entrance in front, besides a rear entrance. It has a church and Sunday School auditorium, both with galleries. In the latter are classrooms above and below. It has art-glass windows, electric lights, modern equipped basement, and steam-heating piant. In 1917 the Conference voted this society, out of its missionary treasury, $4,000.00 to be paid in four equal payments.
Pastors
For list of pastors from 1873 to 1915 see Volume I, except for the years when B. belonged to So. Ind. Conference, who were '76-77, C. Heim; '78, W. L. Luehring; '79-80, J. Kaufman; '81-82, G. M. Hallwachs; '83-85, N. F. Platz; '86, E. R. Troyer; '87, W. Koenig; '88-89, F. Matthias; '90, J. Mundorf; '91, G. F. Winter; '92, M. F. Finkbeiner. In 1916-17, E. G. Johnson was pastor; '18-20, J. H. Arndt; '21-22, W. H. Flurkey; '23, L. J. Ehrhardt.
This charge belonged to Wabash District from 1855-70; to Evansville, 1871-75; to South Indiana Conference, Olney District, '76-79; to Evansville, '80; to Olney, '81-82; to Evansville, '83-88; to Olney, '89-92; to Indiana Conference, Indianapolis District, 1893-1902; to Louisville, 1903-10; to Indianapolis, 1912-23.
BREMEN, INDIANA, 1844-1922
In 1844 George A. Blank and S. Tobias were the missionaries of Ft. Wayne Circuit, Indiana District, Illinois Conference. These men helped to blaze the way to Gospel-neglected communities in Indiana and western Ohio. (See under Ft. Wayne.) In 1845 Ft. Wayne circuit was divided into St. Mary's and Elk- hart Circuits. The latter embraced Bremen. A. B. Shafer was P. E., and George G. Platz and Wm. Kolb were pastors. They preached the first sermon in Union Church that stood in the Bremen Cemetery. Finding access to hearts and homes they arranged for a "Big Meeting" in Daniel Ringel's barn, one mile N. W. of Bremen. It was a successful initiation of our work here. The Ger- mans were mostly adherents to the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. They lived in spiritual apathy and many in gross sins and in bitter opposition to each other. But when our missionaries began preaching here, like Pilate and Herod, they became friends, and jointly arrayed their forces against "this new sect", denouncing and persecuting them shamefulty. They were "Bedlam's Host"
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fruitlessly endeavoring to break up the meetings and to drive the missionaries away. But, nevertheless, the Lord's Word, preached by them, gripped men's hearts, and led to their salvation. Among the first conversions were Daniel Ringel and wife, and George Beyler.
Appointments in 1846
In 1846 Chr. Glaus and Wm. Fichte were assigned to Elkhart Circuit, which embraced Mishawaka, Coal-bush, Bremen, Zimmer's (Madison), Hepton, Burr- Oak Flats, Salem in Fulton County, Canada or Union, Otts, and probably other points in Elkhart County,-300 miles in circumference. They found access to many hearts hungering after righteousness. On Christmas they began a meet- ing in the Union Church in Bremen Cemetery. It resulted in glorious conver- sions and the organization of a society. In May, 1847, another four-days' meet- ing was held over Pentecost Sunday. Shafer reported, "It was one of the best he ever attended". June, 1847, G. G. Platz, Fred Wiethaup and H. Welty were pastors, with P. Burgener added later. This again was a good year. In 1848 S. Dickover, and B. Uphaus were the pastors, and C. Augenstein, P. E. Addi- tions to this class this year were: Henry and Sophia Berger, John J. and Pauline Berger, Fred and Elizabeth Knoblauch, Philip and Elizabeth Berger, George and Dora Zimmer, Michael and Fredricka Berger. In 1849 Platz, Uphaus, and George Messner were pastors. Accessions this year were George Weiss and wife, Fred and Katherine Backler, John and Caroline Laudeman, Fred and Saloma Laudeman.
First Church Built
In October, 1849, began the construction of the first church on the N. E. corner at the Barren's cross-road, one mile N. W. of Bremen. It was dedicated early in 1850. It became the spiritual birthplace of many souls. In May of this year, J. J. Esher (Bishop) and J. F. Wolf became pastors; '51, J. F. Ragatz and Joseph Fisher. In 1852 Elkhart Circuit, with Bremen included, became a part of the Indiana Conference now organized.
Pastors Who Served Bremen
From 1852-56 see Elkhart Circuit. In 1857 Elkhart Circuit was divided, and Bremen became a part of Yellow River Circuit. From 1857-1912 see Bremen (Yellow River Circuit) .for pastors in Volume I. From 1912-1916, I. H. Griese- mer was pastor; '17-23, A. A. Knepper. For presiding elders see under St. Joseph and Elkhart Districts.
Early Camp-meetings
In August, 1852, the first camp-meeting here was held in Bellman's grove, one-half mile S. E. of Bremen. In August, 1858, one was held on C. Heim's farm. Twenty-four tents were set up. This was then a permanent campground and kept ready for service. No cattle were allowed to graze on it. Many peo- ple were converted here. On account of the remainder of penitents at the close
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of these meetings, services were continned in the Barren's Church for their benefit. Also in 1859 a camp-meeting was held. In 1860-65 these meetings were held in George Beyler's grove, north of Bremen. Board tents 12 x 12 feet were put up in a circle around the place of worship. The campfire for illumination was built in the center of the gathering place. Four forked-posts, about four feet high, were usually planted in the ground four feet apart in a square, then into these forks were laid two strong poles, and across these were laid planks and covered with a bed of clay to prevent the fire dropping through and burning the planks. A big blaze was kept up by one or two men replenishing the same with dry wood, or hickory bark. This method produced an illumination over the audience. Here and there lanterns were suspended, one especially near the preacher's stand. Usually several watchmen were appointed to keep order among the rowdies and to guard the tents. At these meetings base fellows gath- ered to disturb, and if possible, break up the meetings. One night a godless fellow came and freely indulged in wantonness. Ben Gingrich, a strong young man, a member of the church here, with righteous indignation, suddenly rushed upon him, gripped and hoisted him upon his shoulder like a sack of wheat, rushed out with him, and effectually quieted him. This brought a quietus among the disturbers. In one of these meetings, G. G. Platz, P. E., tall, strong, and fearless, caught a leading disturber behind the preacher's stand where he was performing impishly, bound him hand and foot with strong cords, and then left him lie there through the rest of that night's service. Over night he was guarded and the next morning taken to Bremen for trial before a magistrate. He had a heavy fine to pay. This settled further disturbance.
An Optical Delusion
At one of these camp-meetings Father V., a good but eccentric man, was very happy, but suddenly became possessed with an optical delusion. He thought he saw the devil standing near him. In his excitement he was going to grab him and cast him upon the campfire, saying, "We must burn up the devil" It so happened that he had not gripped the devil as he supposed, but a Mr. B .. a good brother of the church, who firmly resisted V. and admonished him to desist and not give way to a delusion. This was embarrassing for B. and others who saw V.'s delusion. Such an action put religious zeal in a false light. After a little applied persuasion, however, V. released his grip on B. without harming him.
Internal Developments
In 1857 Fred Geisel built the first parsonage at Barren's Corner. This house still exists in a remodeled form. Fred Wiethaup was the first to occupy it. In 1858 C. Ude succeeded in having the second church built in Bremen. The church was dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher (date not found). The Barren's church was sold in 1871. The second one had a high tower with a fine bell. In 1873 J. K. Troyer reported that the society had bought a new parsonage in town
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and had enlarged it. He declared it to be the most comfortable one in the Conference boundary and good enough for a bishop to live in.
The Third Church in Bremen
The third church was built in 1900. The cornerstone was laid August 5th, by S. H. Baumgartner, P. E., after an English address, and a German address by Pastor Braeckly. The collection amounted to $69.00. The building commit- tee was composed of Pastor Braeckly, Wm. Huff, J. J. Beyler, J. F. Weiss and H. Schlosser. The church is built of red, pressed brick, and has a large audi- torium, a large class-room, art-glass windows, gas lights and a hot-air furnace. It was dedicated Jannary 20, 1901, by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. When $10,700.00 was raised by pledges and cash, there was a surplus of $700.000 with which to inake extensive improvements on the parsonage. Under B. Schuermeier the church was re-frescoed, rostrum re-carpeted, floor polished and electric lights installed, all at a cost of $650.00. In 1914 I. H. Griesemer had 52 accessions. In January, 1916, Evangelist C. A. Glass held a revival here when many were converted and joined the church. This year the basement was enlarged and made into a primary Sunday School room.
English Introduced
N. J. Platz introduced English preaching for Sunday evenings once a month for the benefit of the poung people. In 1902 all cvcning services were made English. Under A. A. Knepper all services became English. This society recommended the following men to the Gospel ministry: John Berger and George Zimmer in 1864; Washington Knoblauch in 1869; L. Stock, 1879; E. C. Ewald, 1898; E. Q. Laudeman, 1900; F. B. Walmer, 1901; E. E. Miller and G. A. Weishaar, 1905; G. S. Lozier, 1911; O. O. Lozier, 1914. The wives of nearly all, also, came from this society.
Organizations
A Sunday School was organized early in the history of the society and has grown to be one of the best and largest in the Conference. In 1900 W. G. Braeckly organized a Ladies' Aid Society which did much in furnishing the new church, and since has remained active. A Woman's Missionary Society was or- ganized by W. G. B. in 1902, and it has been a liberal supporter of the Woman's Missionary work. A Young People's Alliance was organized by Wm. Koenig, January 1, 1895. Fred Landeman was the first president. It has continued since and won the silver cup in the Conference Branch Young People's Allianc: Convention several times for contributing the largest sum for missions.
Conferences Held Here
In September, 1876, the last of the Fall Conference sessions was held here. Bishop Thomas Bowman presided. Here at this time the South Indiana Con- ference was organized in the "Bremen Hall" by Bishop John J. Esher. One session was held in 1879 by Bishop Ruben Yeakel, one in 1891 by Bishop T.
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Bowman, one in 1904 by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel, one in 1922 by Bishop S. P. Spreng.
BRISTOL SOCIETY
The date of organization of Bristol Class was not found, but it was a part of New Paris Circuit in 1874. It was near Bristol, Indiana.
BROWN'S CORNER
This class was seven miles S. E. of Huntington, Indiana. It was organized in 1885 by I. B. Fisher of Huntington Circuit. In April, 1886, it was added to St. Mary's Circuit. No further report could be found of this class.
BUCK APPOINTMENT
This class was three miles S. E. of Coal-Bush Society, south of Mishawaka. It was later called "Woodland" Class. Martin Speck took up the class in 1862. He preached in a schoolhouse. It was a place of great wickedness. There was a saloon across the road from the schoolhouse, he said, "whose inebriates often greatly disturbed the meetings". But Speck made inroads upon their wicked- ness. Good people feared for his life. But no harm came to him. Later a church was built here. The class was short-lived and the church was sold to the Reformed Church.
BUNKER HILL, INDIANA
The work of the Evangelical Association around Bunker Hill, Indiana, dates back to 1852 when J. Keiper of Miami Circuit visited the Spangler and Brown neighborhood, three miles S. W. of Peru; the Sharpie community, threc miles south of Peru, Indiana; the Gerhart and Schupp settlement, two miles east of Waupecong, Indiana; the Condo and White Hall vicinity, two miles S. E. of Miami, Indiana; the Walter's place, two miles S. W. of Bunker Hill. But the work in Bunker Hill commenced under B. Uphaus' pastorate and Fred Geisel of Fulton Circuit in 1854. They preached in the homes of Peter Walter, John Kurtz, and at Hepperle's home near Bunker Hill. There were as yet no con- verts. In 1855-56 J. M. Kronmiller became pastor. George Daufel, N. E. of Bunker Hill, accepted the faith of the Evangelical Association and united with her at the Sharpie appointment. In 1858 Waupecong Mission was established with Fred Geisel as pastor. The mission was a part of the St. Joseph District.
The first great awakening took place in the spring of 1859 in the Walter neighborhood, resulting in the conversion of Peter Walter and wife, John and Dora Kurtz, the Mohr's, Hepperle and the Acherle families. These joined the Evangelical Association and were formed into a class with P. Walter as class- leader. In 1860 J. Trometer, pastor; Mr. and Mrs. Spangler, near Peru, joined the class this year. In 1861 this mission was added to Whitewater District. Trometer was returned. He now had 12 appointments. He bought a home in
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Bunker Hill, moved in, and held preaching services in it, and this house eon-' tinued to be the meeting place until 1864 when the Daufel and Walter Classes rented a schoolhouse in town for services. Later this building was bought for a church, located in the north end of town on Main Street. Here services and Sunday School were held until 1873 when this society, under Win. Koenig's labors, built a brick church, 32 x 48 feet, with a small belfry. This church stood in the south part of town and was dedicated November 30, 1873, by R. Dubs, editor of the Christliche Botschafter. A revival was held resulting in 24 conver- sions and 20 aecessions. The first board of trustees consisted of P. Walter, Geo. Daufel and G. Metzger. This society was German, and not until 1890 was English introduced by S. H. Baumgartner, but too late to save and build up the society with two other English churches here. In 1920 this church was sold and half of the proceeds were used for a new parsonage at Zion appointment and the other half was donated to Kokomo Mission.
In 1864 a parsonage was bought in Bunker Hill on North Main Street. Four years later it was sold and one was hought in Waupecong, Indiana, being more central for the work. But in 1883 this was sold and the proceeds used to again buy one in Bunker Hill, just west of the present bank building. In 1890 an additional lot adjoining the parsonage property was bought for about $300.00. In 1899 this property was sold and another one was bought almost opposite the church with an extra cost of $450.00. This one was sold in 1920 and the proceeds applied to the new one at the Zion Church.
Pastors Who Served Here
1852 Miami Circuit, J. Keiper: '53, Fulton Circuit, P. Goetz and Fred Schuer- man; '54, B. Uphaus and Fred Geisel; '55-56, J. M. Kronmiller and Carl Heiden 1st year; '57, Fred. Wiethaup; '58, P. Burgener and B. Ruh. In 1859 Waupecong Mission was formed of appointments south of the Wabash River and served by Fred Geisel. For pastors from 1858-1915 see Volume I. 1916-17, A. W. Bender was pastor; '19-23. I. H. Griesemer.
WAUPECONG AND ZION SOCIETIES, BUNKER HILL CIRCUIT
J. Keiper was the first to preach near Waupecong. (See Bunker Hill). In 1859 Waupeeong Mission was formed. In 1860 a church was built here. Early members here were: Daniel Kuhn and wife, Chr. Pflueger and wife, and J. Hochstettler and wife. The once hopeful society here ceased to be in 1882. The church was sold and the proceeds applied to a parsonage, and the few mem- bers here were incorporated with the Zion Society. But for a few years there- after preaching and prayer-meetings were held in private homes.
The Zion Society was organized in 1865 by J. Kaufman. Previous to this time H. L. Fisher preached some in a schoolhouse on the S. W. corner of the cross-road at the Zion Church. In September, 1864, Kaufman held regular services at this place. Under the Holy Spirit's direction he preached the Gos-
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pel with many tears and with joy reaped a harvest of souls. It was on Easter Sunday when a glorious spiritual awakening broke out and terminated in 27 conversions and 33 accessions. These were mostly Amish people among whom was a Troyer family. At one time in this meeting the rejoicing of the saved drifted into a tumultnous confusion. K. feared that great fanaticism might grow out of this and with weeping and prayer admonished them against wild demonstrations which was hecded and they settled down to a normal rejoicing. In this meeting an Amish boy came to the altar for salvation. When his parents found this out his mother became incensed and rushed to the service with a broom-handle to get her son away from the altar. He followed her home, for nothing else would do, but the next morning he was at the meeting again and in the evening he found peace and was very happy. Further molestation ceased. At the close of this meeting a society was organized, divided into two classes, named Salem and Zoar. J. K. Troyer was leader of the first and E. R. Troyer of the second. Later they adopted the name "Zion" embodying both classes.
In 1866 the first church was built by Kaufman and dedicated as "Zion Church" by Joseph Fisher, P. E. The cost of the church was $1,800.00. The first trustees were: A. J., J. K., and E. R. Troyer. Many glorious revivals were conducted in this church. In 1906, J. M. Lantz, pastor, the church was turned one-quarter around and a large class-room and a corner-tower were built in front. A pulpit recess to the south, circular pews, and acetylene lights were installed. It was re-dedicated November 18, 1906, by Editor S. P. Spreng. In 1916 it was re-frescoed.
The first Woman's Missionary Society here was organized by S. H. Baum- gartner in 1889. The Young People's . Alliance was organized by C. W. Spang- ler on August 25, 1892. The Sunday School was started at about the beginning of the society and has since been maintained and is one of the best country Sunday Schools.
Camp-Meetings
On August 12, 1869, the first camp-meeting on this charge was begun on Father Hochstettler's farm, three miles south of Waupecong. The camp had 26 board tents. Bishop J. J. Esher was chief speaker, M. Mayer, P. E. The. spiritual tide was high. Twelve souls were converted. A special Missionary meeting was held. The men responded liberally to appeals for funds for the missionary cause. Some men made their wives life-members of the General Missionary Society; while others became life-members on their own initiative. Then with exuberant joy they made preachers and preachers' wives life-mem- bers, and as a climax, they made the Bishop an honorary member of this so- ciety as a mark of appreciation of his service. About 75 church members were present and contributed $725.00 in cash and pledges. This was shortly after Zion Society had pledged $80.00 for the Indiana Conference Missionary Society. To the P. E. and the Bishop they paid $90.00 and the traveling expenses of all
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES
ministers present, and the full salary of their pastor. The above sumn ($725) was given toward liquidation of the General Missionary debt. These facts show the result of spiritual eamp-meetings in former days.
In 1871 another blessed camp-meeting was held. The opposition was bitter. The devil's imps, in human form, yelled furiously. Stiff nominal Christians here seolded in anger. Arrests had to be made of some of the devil's chiefs. But in spite of all this, Pastor Miller reported "conversions and 13 aeeessions to the church. God's children had a new spiritual uplift". At this meeting, at the suggestion of the P. E., the people decided that Waupecong Mission should be made a cireuit with the proviso that the missionary money now contributed should be eredited to the field as salary. This was gladly donc. The people gave liberally. At this meeting an appeal was made for the Orphan's Institu- tion. $1,300.00 was pledged. In 1873 this eamp-ground was destroyed by fire. the work of an incendiary, it was helieved. But in 1874 a new camp-ground was seeured. New tents were put up with improved facilities. Soon after this, how- ever, eamp-meetings eeased. In 1883 J. Hoffman had a wonderful revival in this society, when 24 were saved. In 1886 George Roederer had many conver- sions and accessions.
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