USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
328
History of the Church of the Brethren
and there D. B. grew up. In 1885 he received a B. E. degree from Bridgewater College and later studied in Valparaiso University. For six years he taught in the public schools of Virginia and Maryland. In 1893 he married Della Tinkle of Landisville, Indiana; to them were born seven children. Elected to the ministry in 1896 and advanced to the eldership in 1901, he supplied various churches as periodic preacher, while employed as private secretary of Governor George Steele of the Soldiers' Home at Marion. One year was spent on a farm near Brethren, Michigan. In 1906 the family moved to Markle, Ind- iana. For fifteen years he was pastor of the Markle church, for five years of the Pleasant Grove church near Liberty Center, and for five years of the Pleasant Dale church near Decatur, while farming and working for the Markle State Bank and the Majenica Telephone Com- pany. He served many years as a member of the Middle Indiana mis- sion board, was a trustee of Manchester College for twelve years, and was a member of Standing Committee a number of times. His service to the church was rendered almost exclusively in Middle Indiana. He died on December 12, 1937.
MARGUERITE BIXLER GARRETT
The subject of this sketch was born to Elder and Sis. William Bix- ler, of Hartville, Ohio. From childhood she had a great passion for music. She and two sisters gave over three hundred public musical re- citals. She declined to go on the stage, feeling that was not the place for her.
She came into the church while leading the singing for I. D. Parker in a series of meetings. She entered Mt. Morris College for further preparation. She soon became head of the music department, which place she held for three years. When Manchester College opened in 1895, she became the first music director. She became a very widely known director of congregational singing. In 1906 she visited the Holy Land which was a great inspiration to her.
While on her trip abroad she met O. D. Garrett of near Bluffton, Indiana. They were married in 1908 and have lived in Wells County for many years, in the Prairie Creek church. That church gave her the authority to preach. For a number of years she took great interest in district and general meetings, often serving as a delegate. She has served many groups outside of her own church.
GOSHORN
Robert R. Goshorn was called to the ministry in 1870. Later he was ordained and had charge of the Lick Creek congregation. He was a leader in the district, serving on the Standing Committee in 1892.
329
Biographical Sketches
In 1903, while on his way to church he died very suddenly.
Robert R. and Julia Ann Sommers Goshorn had five sons, of whom three were ministers. B. F. Goshorn was called in 1885 and or- dained in 1910. His work was mostly done in his home church, Lick Creek (Maple Grove).
G. V. Goshorn was called to the ministry in 1887. In 1892 he graduated from the academy at Mt. Morris College. He taught country schools ten years and then became a superintendent of Indian schools in the West. He travelled in all the States, Canada, and Europe. His life was ended by cancer in 1910. His last days were full of suffering but also full of faith and hope.
Ezra N. Goshorn spent many years in his educational prepara- tion, receiving his A. B. and M. A. degrees from Depauw University. He edited a Clay City paper and taught a year in Mt. Morris College. He married Lulu, daughter of M. R. Harshbarger, and settled on a farm near Ladoga. Here he was called to the ministry in 1900, and ordained in 1908. He was elder of the Ladoga, (1909-1930), and the Mt. Pleasant, (1909-1911), churches. He passed away April 15, 1930.
GUMP
There are a few men in any community or organization who would stand out prominently wherever they were placed. God has given them the qualities of leadership. To this class belongs Elder Jere- miah Gump. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, May 7, 1829. At the age of 21 he married Sarah Shultz, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. In 1853 they moved to Allen County, Indiana. Here they cleared out of the wilderness a home for themselves and their ten children. One of the first ministers of the Church of the Brethren to preach in this vi- cinity was Elder George W. Studebaker, of Delaware County, Indiana. Under his preaching Brother and Sister Gump were converted and baptized, June 21, 1854. The same fall he and his brother Jacob were called to the ministry. Though his education was limited and his home duties many, he took great interest in his work and proved faithful to his holy calling. He was advanced in 1857 and ordained in 1862.
The field into which he had been called to work was a large one. It comprised almost the whole northeastern corner of the state. Elder Gump was equal in zeal and spirit for the work. He did preaching all over this territory and many were baptized. No weather was too bad and no roads too rough or muddy for him to go to his appointment. In the territory of his labors there are now a number of active congrega- tions. He served as presiding elder of several congregations, and took an active part in the work of his district. Twice he represented North- ern Indiana on Standing Committee.
When the membership grew and the congregations were organized
330
History of the Church of the Brethren
Elder Jeremiah Gump and Wife
separately he became the bishop of the Pleasant Hill organization and remained its faithful shepherd for forty years. He had the pleasure of seeing nearly all of his family in the church that he loved. Before he died there sat with him in the ministers' stand his son, Elder Jesse Gump, and his two grandsons, Charles O. Gump and Elmer E. Pepple. Nothing seemed to please him so much as to see the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren give their hearts to Christ.
In his home community Elder Gump had a great influence. He visited the sick, anointed many and preached many funerals. He had a very friendly nature, which won for him many friends. He was a great lover of children and took a kindly interest in all their welfare. His friends were always welcome to his home. He was a master of pleas- ant and profitable conversation. He was a large man, weighing 200 pounds, of fine physical appearance. He was erect, quick and firm of step, showing energy and enthusiasm in every movement. He was one of those men whose physical and spiritual characteristics cause you to feel better for having come in touch with them.
A few words should be said concerning his faithful wife. They lived together sixty-two years, fifty-nine of which were spent on the
33I
Biographical Sketches
Arlo Gump
same farm. He always gave much credit for his success to her faithful service and encouragement. While he was away on preaching tours she bravely met the difficulties at home, and fully shared with him in every trial and difficulty he was called on to endure. All that knew Grandma Gump loved her.
Brother Gump always enjoyed good health. His last sickness was of only a few hours duration. He passed away November 18, 1912 at the ripe age of 82. Elder George L. Studebaker officiated at his fu- neral. Many were sad to lose so noble a man as he, but all rejoiced in their memories of him and in the hope he had of eternal life.
Jacob Gump, brother of Jeremiah, was his faithful colaborer for more than forty years. They were elected the same day, and later ad- vanced and ordained together. He married Sarah Detrick and raised a family of eight children. Though he was not so widely known as his brother Jeremiah, yet he was a faithful servant at home. When the orig- inal Cedar Creek church was divided into four parts, in 1870, he was given the oversight of three of them.
Jesse Gump, son of Jeremiah and Sarah Gump, was born in 1869. He married Mary Shively in 1892. He was called to the ministry in 1898 and ordained in 1905 by W. R. Deeter and Daniel Rothenberger. His service has been in the Pleasant Hill church except one year at Seattle, Washington. He engaged with success in evangelistic efforts. For a number of years he has lived in Churubusco. His wife passed away several years ago. In 1948 his home church held a special observance of fifty years in the ministry for Brother Gump. He now
332
History of the Church of the Brethren
lives a retired life though frequently exercises in preaching.
Charles O. Gump, son of Albert N. and Lydia Jane Gump, and grandson of Jeremiah Gump, was born October 8, 1879. He was mar- ried to Gertrude McBride, September 28, 1901 to whom were born three daughters and two sons. He was called to the ministry October 22, 1910, later advanced and ordained November 7, 1931. Most of his ministerial labors were given in the Pleasant Hill church of which he was elder for some years. After retiring from railway service in which he engaged for many years, he with his wife moved to New Paris where he now lives. A daughter, Edith, became the wife of Dr. Howard Bos- ler, and they have spent several terms of service on the African Mission field where they live at Garkida, Nigeria. A son, Arlo, was born July 7, 1909. He was married to Dorothy C. Hostetter, August 14, 1935, to whom were born two daughters. Arlo was licensed to the ministry and advanced May 21, 1944, and ordained November 21, 1948. He served his district on Standing Committee in 1949. He has been Dis- trict and Regional Director of Young People for several years, and is especially active in camp work. He received his Bachelor Degree at Manchester College and his Master's Degree at the University of Wis- consin. He has been a teacher in High School but is now engaged in insurance work.
Sarah Heebner Halladay
333
Biographical Sketches
SARAH HEEBNER HALLADAY
Sister Halladay was born in 1900 at Lansdale, Pennsylvania. She attended Westchester State Teachers College, Penn State College and Bethany Seminary. In 1926 she was married to Paul Halladay whom she met at Bethany. She has lived in North Manchester since 1928.
Among her many activities, Sister Halladay has been a member of the General Brotherhood Board since 1947; District (Middle Indiana ) Children's Director from 1931-1943 ; and Board of Christian Education, same district, for eight years and secretary thereof five of the eight years.
She was the president of the W. C. T. U. of Indiana for seven years and is now National Director of Spiritual Life of this organiza- tion. She has also been county chairman of the W. C. T. U. She has spoken on temperance or children's work in every church in Middle Indiana and in many outside. She has spoken for the W. C. T. U. in conventions and in other places over many parts of the United States. She is not only an outstanding woman of the churches of Indiana but of the entire Brotherhood.
HIEL HAMILTON
This strong leader was born in New York, 1811, of Baptist parents. When quite young, the family moved to Fayette County where frontier conditions prevailed. His mother died when Hiel was twelve and he lived six years in Union County with friends. In 1830 he mar- ried Nancy Kingery.
In 1831 this couple united with the Brethren in the Four Mile congregation. Showing evidence of deep spiritual power, he was called to the ministry in 1845. The next year he moved to Howard County, within the bounds of the Bachelor Run church. Here in a backwoods area he began to preach the Gospel. Although he had little education, he had a good mind, read widely, and was soon recognized as the ablest preacher of the area.
In 1852 the Howard church was organized and Bro. Hamilton was ordained there in 1856. For many years he labored there, building up one of the strongest churches of Southern Indiana. In 1880 his wife died and he married Mary Crull, of Flora, in 1881. They lived in Flora but in his last years he lived with a daughter, the wife of George Bru- baker. He died in 1897.
He was often moderator at district meetings and served his dis- trict four times on Standing Committees. He attended twenty-one Annual Meetings. He was a highly respected man who spared nothing to tell the story of the Cross. It is not surprising that this man, so full
334
History of the Church of the Brethren
Hiel Hamilton
of missionary zeal, had a grandson, Dr. O. G. Brubaker, who went to China as a medical missionary.
DAVID HARDMAN
David Hardman was born in 1797 and died in 1863. He had been a member of the church for forty-three years and a minister for thirty- four years. He was a well-read man and, in excellent English, gave forceful expositions of the Scriptures. A man of good judgment, he was often placed on committees by the Annual Meeting. He served on Standing Committee once. He took a great interest in children, among whom was Lewis Teeter, who later recalled the inspiration he received from this good man. His wife, Susannah, was a saintly woman. They had no children. He was a brother of the grandfather of Elder D. R. Hardman, who lived at Warren.
Bro. Hardman died of pneumonia, brought on by a cold con- tracted while on the trip to Conference in Pennsylvania that year. Many came to the funeral in the Nettle Creek church. He was the third presiding elder of Nettle Creek, having succeeded Benjamin Bowman when the latter moved to Mississinewa in 1850.
335
Biographical Sketches
Elder W. R. Harshbarger and Wife
WILLIAM R. HARSHBARGER
Bro. Harshbarger was born in Montgomery County in 1839, to Samuel and Elizabeth Harshbarger. William married Anna Peffley in 1863. A sister of William was the first wife of Elder R. H. Miller.
William and Anna Harshbarger had three sons and two daughters. Both daughters married men who were ministers: Elders H. H. Keim and Lynn Gnagey. Two grandsons have served in the ministry in In- diana: Albert Harshbarger, son of John and Lillus, is a leader in Southern Indiana today and Howard H. Keim, Jr. served at the Huntington and Rock Run churches. A granddaughter. Annie Keim, married C. Ray Keim, who is a minister and teacher at North Man- chester. Another granddaughter, Esther Keim, married D. Stanley Houser of Pine Creek church who has been a teacher in Bridgewater College and is now a practicing physician in his home community. Two other grandsons, Richard and Stanley Keim, of Nampa, Idaho, are very active laymen and widely known in the Brotherhood.
"In 1867, Bro. Harshbarger was called to the ministry and was or- dained in 1880. For about thirty years, till 1909, he remained the ac- tive shepherd of the Ladoga church. He was active in the district, serv- ing as moderator and on the Standing Committee, as well as in numer- ous other capacities. He had the oversight of several churches in his district at times and did much preaching at mission points in his dis-
336
History of the Church of the Brethren
trict. He passed away in 1922 and his companion survived him a few years, when she passed away at nearly ninety.
HARVEY L. HARTSOUGH
Harvey L. Hartsough was born to Joseph and Salome Geyer Hartsough in Elkhart County, February 18, 1883. In 1907 he married Ida Mathews (deceased), of Leesburg and Clara Culler in 1918. There are five daughters in the family.
Brother Hartsough attended the public schools of Elkhart County and Manchester College. He spent sixteen years teaching in his home county. He served the Turkey Creek Church in the free ministry, 1907-
Harvey L. Hartsough
1920. Then he began a successful series of pastorates: Salamonie, 1920-25; Chicago First Church, 1925-29; Manchester, 1929-43. He then became Secretary of the General Ministerial and Home Missions Board, 1943-48. One of his services during this period was a greatly appreciated ministry of visitation to the men in military camps. In 1948 Brother Hartsough came back to Middle Indiana and has served there as District Field Secretary.
Brother Hartsough has become known throughout the Brother- hood for his fine spirit and great adminstrative capacities. He has ap- peared on many conference programs and in numerous institutes, camps, etc. He has rendered a great service to younger min- isters through his encouragement and counsel. At present he is render- ing a very valuable service to Middle Indiana. He has on many oc- casions participated in interdenominational conferences and is highly respected outside his own church.
WILLIAM HATCHER
The subject of this sketch came to Indiana from Virginia at the age of twenty-one. He soon married Ella Dawson. They were mem-
337
Biographical Sketches
bers of the Methodist Church and he preached in that denomination for eight years. In 1893, they were baptized by Elder George L. Stude- baker, in the Mississinewa River when it was twenty-two degrees be- low zero. They soon moved from the Somerset church to the Howard church. Here he was called to the ministry in 1895. He later served Adamsboro, Somerset, Portland, Summitville, and Rossville. He held many series of meetings. In 1915 he represented Southern Indiana on the Standing Committee. He passed away on September 5, 1926.
E. L. HEESTAND
E. L. Heestand was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and was born December 8, 1870. He was the son of George and Christina Heestand. He was baptized in the Wooster church February 9, 1885 by Elder D. M. Irvin. He was married to Saloma Lehman April 2, 1896. While living in the Nappanee church he took a great deal of interest in the Sunday School. October 21, 1899 he was called to the ministry in the Baugo congregation. Soon after he moved to Elkhart City, where he was advanced to the second degree in June, 1900. He was ordained in the Elkhart Valley church in December, 1906 by Elders I. D. Parker and J. H. Miller. He served as minister at Ft. Wayne for one year and was at the Elkhart City church for thirteen years. While working as a carpenter much of the time to support his family, he also found time to hold a number of series of meetings, with good results.
In 1916, when the new organization was effected in Plymouth, he was called to the pastorate and moved his family there. He was one of the aggressive men of his district which he represented on the Standing Committee twice.
Brother and Sister Heestand raised a family of five children. The oldest daughter, Cora, distinguished herself in High School, winning the State contest for the best essay on Peace. She later married Brother E. R. Fisher, a minister who distinguished himself as a pastor in South- ern Ohio. Sister Fisher is now National President of the Women's Work Organization. In 1918 Brother Heestand moved to the Sali- monie congregation as pastor, where he died in 1920. He was much loved by everyone who knew him.
GORMAN B. HEETER
Bro. Heeter was born near North Manchester in 1858, son of John C. and Elizabeth Burkett Heeter. He married Rachel Fan- ning, 1879, Called to the ministry in 1887 and advanced in 1889. He was one of the founders of Manchester College under the Church of the Brethren, 1895, making a considerable sacrifice. Later he moved to Huntington where he was pastor of the city church one year. Then he . moved to Burnettsville (Burnetts' Creek). He was pastor and elder of
338
History of the Church of the Brethren
that church for twenty-five years, 1900-1925. He engaged success- fully in fruit-growing and became widely known for his speaking on that subject. He died 1931. He performed many marriages and offici- ated at eight hundred funerals. He was a man of strong convictions, faith, and sense of duty, a master of his work and a leader of men.
George U. Heeter was born near Roann, Wabash Co. June 4, 1905. He graduated with the A. B. degree from Manchester College in 1927 and with the M. S. degree from Indiana University in 1940. Has taught school in both Middle and Northern Indiana for the past twenty years. He married Martha Gerber in 1928. They have two children, both in Manchester College. He united with the church at eleven years of age and was elected to the deacon's office in 1933. Has always been active in the local church and Sunday School. Was a member of the Dist. Y. P. Cabinet in Middle Indiana; in Northern Indiana was a member of the Dist. Men's Work Cabinet, has been director of Camp Mack for a number of years. (For Mrs. Heeter see page 480).
LEMUEL HILLERY
Brother Lemuel Hillery, a widely-known elder and preacher, died in his home in West Goshen, Indiana, August 30, 1914; he was buried a few days later, Brother W. R. Deeter preaching his funeral. In com- pliance with his request he was buried before the funeral service was held. He was, indeed, a unique preacher, and when at his best often
339
Biographical Sketches
delivered addresses that commanded respect as well as the best atten- tion. He was always in dead earnest and it is said that no one slept when Brother Hillery preached.
Brother Hillery was born near Frederick City, Maryland, May 14, 1843. When about 13 years old he came to Lee County, Illinois. At 19 he entered the army and received injuries that made him a cripple all his life. At times his sufferings were intense. At the age of 23, while living in Iowa, he united with the church, and was called to the ministry a few months later. He spent a number of years in Northern Illinois, and engaged actively in mission work. A few years were devoted to work in Kansas, and a few in Southern Missouri, but the later years of his life were spent in Indiana. In spite of his crippled condition he did a great deal of traveling and preaching, and had a number of warm friends. On the other hand he had bitter enemies. His manner of denouncing the secret lodges and exposing popular sins generally made both friend and enemy. He was no policy man, nor was he a diplomat. He was straight-out Lemuel Hillery, standing like a wall in defense of New Testament Christianity, and defying every phase of opposition in sight. Yet his heart was tender. He loved his family, his friends, the church and those in need of sympathy. Could he have combined diplo- macy with his marvelous ability as a speaker and reasoner, he would have had few, if any, equals among us as a leader. Still he left his mark, and by his strong personality made impressions that will not soon be forgotten. His was an unusual career, and a well arranged sketch of his experiences would make interesting reading.
MARY L. HIMES
Mary L. Harshbarger was born near Ladoga in 1833, the young- est of a family of ten. She married Daniel L. Himes in 1850. Two years later they united with the church, baptized by Elder Elias Caylor.
Her life was typical of the early American mother in the new West. Surrounded by her children, her loom, her spinning wheel, and thrilled by the songs of the birds, she found life rich. Once she took in five motherless children of a relative when their mother died, until they could be placed in good homes. She had twelve children, eleven grow- ing to maturity. These capable and respected children could truly "arise and call her blessed."
Her home was always open to visiting or travelling Brethren. Once she fed forty while they waited for a train that was late. She was a ministering angel of mercy, comfort, and cheer when birth or death, or sickness occurred. She met life's sorrows bravely. In her declining days, in a wheel-chair, she showed no trace of bitterness but kept busy sewing for the poor or making much appreciated gifts for her friends. In her old age, as in her days of vigor and activity, she was a benedic-
340
History of the Church of the Brethren
tion to all who knew her. Perhaps the finest testimony of the church is found in these lives which so beautifully demonstrate what God can do with a man or woman if they let Him have His way with them.
DORSEY HODGDEN
Born to Elder Sidney Hodgden in 1855, in Union County, Ohio, his family moved to Missouri and later to Kansas. His mother was the daughter of Elder H. D. Davy, a well-known elder in Ohio.
Dorsey Hodgden united with the church early in 1874. In the fall he was called to the ministry, at nineteen. In 1875 he came to the Roann church and married Martha Neff in 1878. They moved to Clear Creek the same year and resided there for thirty-four years, rais- ing a family of five children.
In 1882 he was ordained to the eldership by R. H. Miller and Samuel Murray. At once he was made presiding elder of Clear Creek and held that position for thirty years. He spent twenty success- ful years in evangelistic work. He was well-known in the district and served on the Standing Committee twice. For some years he was elder of the Markle church. He was the pioneer in starting the work in the city of Huntington. In 1913 he moved to Dayton, Ohio. He died there in 1939.
RALPH W. HOFFMAN
Born to Ezra and Lydia Ann Dewald Hoffman at Roann April 19, 1895, Brother Hoffman was baptized by Elder C. C. Miller, 1920.
34I
Biographical Sketches
He married Tressie M. Heeter in 1920. They have four children, three of whom are or have been in Manchester College. He was called to the ministry in 1937, and the eldership in 1947.
Brother Hoffman has been a successful school teacher for over thirty-six years, the last twenty-five having been in Miami County. He graduated from Manchester College in 1931 and received his Master's degree in 1940 from Indiana University. For the past twelve years he has served the Cart Creek Church as pastor. He is also a farmer and has served in several capacities in district affairs.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.