USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 31
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Elder L. T. Holsinger and Wife
L. T. HOLSINGER
Bro. Holsinger was born eight miles south of Muncie, 1850, to John and Sarah Teeter Holsinger. He attended the elementary schools, high school, and a business school. At twenty-five he joined the Meth- odists and preached for them two years. A year later he joined the Brethren (1878) in the Bethel church, Nebraska.
In 1881 he returned to Indiana and labored with the Buck Creek congregation till 1888. He was ordained there in 1885. He and Elder David Replogle had joint oversight of the church till Bro. Holsinger moved to Ladoga in 1888. He became widely known for his evange- listic meetings and his public debates with leaders of other denomina- tions.
He was interested in a Brethren college in Indiana and moved to North Manchester when the Brethren took over the college there in 1895. He was the chairman of the first board of trustees. He served as a trustee two years and elder of the Manchester church two years. In 1899 he moved to Pyrmont. He later lived at Clarkshill, Rossville, Muncie, and at Brethren, Michigan.
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Bro. Holsinger was well-known throughout the Brotherhood. He served as moderator of the Annual Meeting twice and six times on the Standing Committee. He was also a member of the General Educa- tional Board. He was one of the strongest preachers in the pulpit in his day.
He was married to Mary Kern in 1871. They had four sons and four daughters. The three eldest sons died within a period of two years, leaving families. He died 1936 or 1937.
GEORGE HOOVER
George Hoover was born in Virginia in 1814 to John and Mary Kline Hoover. He married Catherine Reiff and they had seven chil- dren. In 1835 they came to Henry County where they united with the church. He was called to the ministry in the early 40's. He was the first preacher of the Upper Fall Creek church and served them nearly fifty years. He spent much of his time in pastoral care and other church responsibilities. He moved his audiences in emotional appeals. Dur- ing the Civil War he was threatened because he preached peace in war- time. A fellow minister was actually shot while sitting in his home.
His preaching extended over most of Indiana and he was well- known outside the state. He served his district twice on the Standing Committee. In 1866, when the Brethren of Indiana agreed to form three districts, he moderated the meeting. He died in 1889.
His son, David F., succeeded him in his church responsibilities. Born 1846, he married Mary C. Bonslog in 1872. They had a family of seven children. He was called to the ministry in 1877 and ordained in 1885. After his father's death, 1889, he had charge of his church till his own death in 1919. He served as an officer of his district and was once Reading Clerk of Annual Meeting. He was interested in the Old Folks' and Orphans' home of his district, located in his own congrega- tion. His wife died in 1908 and he married Minerva Haber of Ohio in 1916.
THURMAN A. HOPPER
Bro. Hopper was born on a farm near Bunker Hill on January 16, 1888. He lived on a farm near Onward till 1903, when he attended school at Nead for a year. In 1904 he entered Manchester Col- lege where he became a member of the church by baptism. During the years 1904 to 1910 he was usually in school either teaching or tak- ing more courses. His principal lines were accounting, art, and pen- manship. From 1910 to 1914 he was engaged in teaching commerce in high school or business colleges. In 1909 he married Fern M. Yerkes. She died in 1916 and he married Fanny H. Myers in 1917.
Mr. Hopper began farming in 1914. He soon received recogni-
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Thurman A. Hopper
tion as an unusually progressive and successful farmer. For ten years he was a lecturer for Purdue's Extension Service. In 1931 he was written up in the Prairie Farmer as a "Master Farmer." As late as 1951 he was written up in the Farmers' Guide as a breeder of Shrop- shire sheep.
But, with all his farming interests, Bro. Hopper has found time to serve the church in many ways. Much of the time he has been a teacher in or superintendent of the Sunday School. He gave a talk at the first Men's Work meeting held in Middle Indiana, at the Upper Deer Creek Church. He served seven years on the Men's Work Cabi- net of his district, with Dr. O. G. Brubaker, chairman, and then be- came chairman for three years. He is now serving a four-year term as Trustee of the Mexico Welfare Home. In the spring of 1945 he went with a shipment of heifers to Puerto Rico. In 1949 he was a member of the Brethren Tour of Europe. He visited places where heifers had been sent and several D. P. camps. He has helped four D. P. families get settled in our country. He also has been active in Parent-Teacher Association work. He has lectured to many farmers' institutes.
I. J. HOWARD
Born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1831, Bro. Howard married Sophia Moomaw. They united with the church in 1859 and he was
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made a deacon the next year.
He later moved to the Mississinewa church and was called to the ministry there in 1867. It is said he preached his first sermon two months later in a log schoolhouse four miles west of Hartford City. Soon he was preaching at several points in three counties. Very active for years in this area, he was ordained in 1881. He was at once given charge of the Summit church which he had largely built up through his efforts. In 1895 he retired from his farm and moved to Hartford City where he was living at eighty-five in 1916. He died in 1924 or 1925.
CALVIN HUBER
Calvin A. Huber was born at Wawaka June 6, 1866. Here he grew to manhood and married Clara E. Swihart October 2, 1887. She was the daughter of Elder George Swihart. March 6, 1896 he was called to the ministry in the Wawaka church. In 1899 he was advanced to the second degree. In 1902 he moved to the West Goshen church, where he spent the rest of his days. In 1909 he was ordained by Frank Kreider and Hiram Krieghbaum. The following year he was placed in charge of the West Goshen church. Under his care and direction the church prospered and it now ranks second in size in the district. Brother Huber had the welfare of the church and people on his heart. They realized this, too. He was loved by all his members. Unfortu- nately his health was greatly impaired and his services hindered by tu- berculosis until his death on November 28, 1926.
SOPHIE TROWEL HUFF
Sophia Trowel Huff died in 191I at the advanced age of ninety- one. She was born in Stark County, Ohio in 1820. She married Abram Huff in 1841 and they moved to Noble County, Indiana in 1848. She lived on the same farm till about 1902. Soon after their marriage they united with the church and Bro. Huff was elected to the deacon's office. Their home was one of the principal centers out of which came the Springfield church, organized about 1850.
Sister Huff, left an orphan, learned how to work. She was, in- deed, a rugged pioneer mother of three sons and seven daughters. At her death she left nearly one hundred descendants.
One of her grandchildren was Adamı Ebey, the missionary to In- dia. Many church leaders were blessed by the hospitality of this remark- able woman.
GRANDMA HUFFMAN
Otho Winger's history included a sketch of this woman, written by W. R. Miller. She lived at Warren and was then ninety-six but
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still able to read her Gospel Messenger and still did needle work.
The fine sketch of her reveals a person who had lived a remarkable life. She raised seven children, one of whom was Lewis Huffman, elder of her home church at the time (1916). Bro. Miller pointed out that old age is not only a matter of years but one of attitudes and inter- ests. He marvelled at this woman's keen interest in the world in which she was living and her acute memory of the world of by-gone days.
C. RAY KEIM
C. Ray Keim was born to Jacob S. and Caroline Snyder Keim on March 10, 1894, in Stark County, Ohio. He was baptized by A. W. Harold at the age of twelve, in Canton Center Church. He married Annie Keim at Nampa, Idaho, 1919. They have one son, John H., teaching music at Peshastin, Washington.
He attended the public elementary and high schools at his home in Ohio; Manchester College, A. B., 1918; McPherson College, A. M., 1923; University of Chicago, A. M., 1924, and Ph. D., 1926 (in His- tory). He taught elementary schools three years in Ohio; in three academies and a high school, Indiana, Kansas, and Idaho, five years ; Iowa State Teachers College, one year ; and twenty-four years in Man- chester College. He is Head of the Division of Social Sciences and Professor of History.
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He was installed into the ministry at Nampa, Idaho, 1921 and or- dained to the eldership at North Manchester, 1936. He has served on two Annual Meeting committees, and as reading clerk and writ- ing clerk in Middle Indiana. His preaching has been for supply and special occasions, mostly. He is elder of the Huntington and the An- drews churches. He did much to make this history possible.
CECIL KEISER
Cecil Keiser was born in South Bend in 1909. The family soon moved to the Pine Creek congregation, where he now resides. He united with the Church of the Brethren in 1922 and was elected to the deacon's office in 1945. He graduated from Manchester Col- lege with the A. B. degree and has taught in the Lakeville High School since 1935. He has been very active in the local church and Sunday School; he represented Northern Indiana on the Trustee Board of the Mexico Welfare Home one term and is at present the secretary of the District Mission-Ministerial Board.
EDWARD KINTNER
Brother Kintner was born near Ney, Ohio, July 1, 1879, to B. F. and Mary Walker Kintner. He was baptized by Brother George Sel- lers in 1898. Called to the ministry in 1900, he was advanced to the eldership in 1912. In 1903 he married Glada Snyder. They have eight living children, seven sons and one daughter. A unique fact about this family is the number of doctors. At present there are two optome-
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trists, one dentist and three medical doctors. The youngest son is en- tering medical school, 1951. The daughter is a dietician.
Brother Kintner was educated in the public schools of Ohio, Man- chester College (A. B. Degree), Ohio State (A. M. Degree), and four or five summer sessions at Indiana University. Manchester conferred the honory degree on him of Doctor of Science. Before he began to teach at Manchester in 1909, he had taught in elementary and high schools in Ohio from 1898 to 1902 and 1906 to 1909. At Manchester he taught in the Academy to 1912 and from that time till 1950 he was a teacher in the college.
Besides being one of the very ablest of college teachers, Brother Kintner did an amazing amount of church work along with it (to him it was not "on the side," but "along with"). He has had the oversight of at least fifteen churches, his home church at Manchester for over twenty years. He served his district on the Ministerial Mission Board from 1923 to 1949. He was twice sent by conference on special Annual Meeting Committees to churches; also, on similar committees in North- western Ohio and Middle Indiana, seven times he was sent to Stand- ing Committee.
His first pastorate was at Lima, Ohio, 1902 to 1904. All of his later pastorates have been part time, with his teaching at the college. They include Blue Creek, Ohio, West Marion, Wabash City, Roann, and Pleasant View. He has held many evangelistic meetings and is engaged in one as these lines are written.
Rarely has the church been blessed with the labors of a man so able, so consecrated, so fine in spirit, so tireless in the tasks of the King- dom.
CECIL J. KISTLER
Cecil Kistler of Elkhart was born in Whitley Co. in 1901. He grad- uated from High School in 1919; attended Valparaiso Normal and the Indiana State Normal at Muncie; took bookkeeping at night school in Elkhart, and accounting by correspondence, receiving his C. P. A. in 1932. He was a member of the Indiana General Assembly two terms. He attended and was active in different denominations previous to his marriage to Sylvia Ulery in 1922, after which he became an ac- tive member of the Elkhart City Church, serving as S. S. secretary and in the church as trustee, financial secretary and treasurer, Pres. of Men's Work, and finally as chairman of the building committee of the new church lately dedicated. In the district he has served as Presi- dent of Men's Work; was treasurer from 1929 to 1938; and member of the District Auditing Com. for a number of years. He also served as a member of the Annual Conference Auditing Committee from 1935- 1949.
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JOHN W. KITSON
John W. Kitson was one of the leaders of Northern Indiana. He was a native of Elkhart County, born in 1860. When 21 was united in marriage to Alice A. Cory. He was called to the ministry in the Solo- mon's Creek church May 29, 1897, advanced to the second degree in the Rock Run church June 7, 1899, and ordained in the Syracuse church December 7, 1907, by Elders I. L. Berkey and Eli Roose. Since then he had presiding charge of a number of congregations.
For two years he was pastor of the Ft. Wayne church, and for three years was pastor of the Goshen City Church. For ten years he was engaged largely in evangelistic work in Indiana and Ohio, holding no fewer than fifty series of meetings, returning to some churches as many as five times. He was a fearless exponent of the truth, and was quite successful as pastor and evangelist. He was frequently an officer at District Meeting. He was a member of Standing Committee at Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1909. He was interested in all lines of church work. For two terms he was missionary secretary, and for some time worked the field in the interest of Manchester College. He was pastor for two years at Champaign, Illinois, and it was while he was pastor at Toledo, Ohio that he was called to his eternal home, Dec- ember 2, 1922.
JOHN KNISLEY
February 12, 1892, Elder John Knisley closed his earthly career at the age of 76. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio. When young he came to Elkhart County, Indiana. Here he married Margaret Bainter in 1837. To this union were born four daughters. He later moved to Marshall County, where he was for years the leading figure in the Union church. He served twelve years in the deacon's office. In 1857 he was called to the ministry, advanced the following year and ordained in 1861. Soon after he was placed in charge of the Union Church and continued its faithful and efficient bishop until advanced age made it necessary for him to turn the work over to others. This was possible, for during his charge he had been careful to train up younger men for the work.
John Knisley was one of the active men of his day. When he took charge of the Union church it numbered fifty. Before many years there were more than 200. He traveled much in unoccupied territory in the state to preach the Gospel, and often offered his services to weaker churches. He attended the Annual Conferences regularly and served on many important committees. Twice he was a member of Standing Com- inittee. He and his wife traveled in a number of states, and he was ready at all times to preach when called upon. He was a regular con- tributor to the church periodicals, supporting any forward movements to build up the church.
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His first wife was called home in 1871. He expressed his great loss in not having her advice and encouragement. In 1873. he was married to Rebecca Engart, whom he found a helpful companion. He spent his last days in the Pine Creek church. One of his daughters married Elder Adam Appleman, the father of Elder John Appleman, a later presiding bishop. Another daughter married Aaron Krieghbaum, whose daughter married S. F. Hendricks, also a later presiding bishop of the church.
FRANK KREIDER
Frank Kreider, son of John and Eliza (Seidner) Kreider was born October 12, 1862. He has been married three times ; first to Mag- gie Paulus in 1899; after her death to Goldie Fisher in 1905; and after her death, to Dora Hendricks, former wife of Elder S. F. Hendricks, in 1929. He was the father of seven children. He was converted at the Elkhart City church under the preaching of Elder I. D. Parker, and was baptized by him October 30, 1893. Just two years later he was called to the ministry, was advanced in 1898, and ordained December 31, 1904, by Elders I. L. Berkey and George Swihart. Soon after this he was given charge of his home congregation, Elkhart Valley, where he had charge in all, 23 years.
He was a recognized leader in the district, being twice moderator of District Meeting ; five times he represented the district on Standing Committee; was a member of the District Mission Board 12 years ; and of the District Ministerial Board 3 years; also a member of com- mittees to churches at various times, He also served as trustee of Man- chester College for three years. Besides his home congregation he was elder in charge of the following churches at some time : Buchanan, Mich., Laporte, Cassoplis, Mich., Goshen City, Bethany, Osceola, Maple Grove and Michigan City. According to his records he offici- ated at 422 funerals and 218 marriages during his ministry. He has been a faithful servant of God. Because of their advanced age and the invalid health of both him and his wife, they sold their home near the Elkhart Valley church early in 1950, and spent their remaining days in a convalescent home at Waterford, just south of Goshen, Indiana. He passed away on May 19, 1950, at the age of 87.
H. W. KREIGHBAUM
The subject of this sketch was born near Akron, Ohio, September 18, 1846. He was the eldest son of William and Rufina Markel Kreigh- baum. The parents were of German descent, and devout Christians. the father holding to the Lutheran confession, the mother to the United Brethren.
When Hiram was but six years old the family moved to a farm near Elkhart. This country was then new and the family was made to
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Elder H. W. Krieghbaum
feel its hardships. Three years later the mother died, but not until she had deeply impressed her character upon the children's hearts. The father was a blacksmith by trade, leaving much of the farming to his eldest son.
Hiram secured some schooling during the winter months. At the age of 20, while on a visit to Ohio, he attended a musical institute and prepared himself to be leader of song in the community. Later he found this of advantage in a higher calling.
April 4, 1871 he was married to Marietta W. Wenger. She was the only daughter of Martin Wenger, one of the pioneer settlers of South Bend. Her mother was a sister of Henry Studebaker, the founder of the famous Studebaker Wagon Works. Brother and Sister Krieghbaum were prominent not only in South Bend, but they took great interest in the church.
After their marriage Hiram and his wife settled on a farm near South Bend. He was a hard worker and a good manager. He came to enjoy not only financial success, but the confidence and respect of all who knew him. In 1895 he retired from the farm to engage in manu-
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facturing business in South Bend. After a few years he retired from active work to give more attention to church duties.
Hiram had been received into the Lutheran church at 15. After his marriage he was brought into close touch with the Brethren. He was baptized by Elder P. R. Wrightsman April 1, 1877. In 1880 the St. Joseph Valley church chose him for their first clerk. His faithful- ness in this and his devout Christian character influenced his call to the ministry in 1882. In October, 1899, he was ordained and given charge of the congregation.
From this on until his death he was a leader in the church. He was as a father unto his own people. No one was too poor or too needy to receive his notice and concern. He and Sister Kreighbaum knew how to make people welcome at their home. He enjoyed the Christian fellowship of his brethren and usually attended the love feasts and other special meetings in near-by congregations. He was much loved by the Brethren of his State District, being known as a safe counsellor and an aggressive leader. He regularly attended Annual Meetings and had a wide circle of friends in the Brotherhood.
When he moved from the farm he built a large, comfortable home in the south part of South Bend, overlooking St. Joseph River. He was the father of two sons and one daughter. Young people in the church and in the city revered him as a father. He was often called to officiate at funerals and at the marriage altar. Few men in South Bend knew more of its people.
His last illness was of long duration, but he patiently awaited the call. He made all funeral arrangements. He peacefully fell asleep, June II, 1912. The funeral services were conducted by Elder Galen B. Royer. The throng of people who were present told more than words could the high esteem in which he was held by his fellows.
KURTZ
"Kurtz" is a very familiar name in the Church of the Brethren. Elder Henry Kurtz was the first editor of The Gospel Visitor, the first paper to circulate among our people. He was a man of large vision and foresaw more clearly than most men the great need of the church for literature and for able men. Elder Henry Kurtz is represented in In- diana history by a worthy descendant, L. P., an elder.
Leander P. Kurtz was born in Elkhart County. He has vivid memories of his experiences as a boy helping father pay off some of the school debt left by Salem College. In 1891 he was married to Julia Berkey. September 12, 1902, while living at Logansport, Indiana, he was called to the ministry. Two years later, while living at West Goshen, he was advanced to the second degree of the ministry. He was ordained in the Walnut Level church while living in Bluffton. He
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is a carpenter by trade. For many years after 1910 he lived on a farm west of Goshen, but for some years now has lived in West Goshen. He was elder at one time of the Walnut Level church in Middle Indiana and at one time of the North Webster ( formerly Tippecanoe) Portage, and Laporte churches in Northern Indiana. He has been for many years one of the faithful assistants in the ministry of the West Goshen church.
MOYNE LANDIS
Brother Landis was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, May 2, 1890, to Noah and Lydia Miller Landis. He was baptized May 8, 1910. On May 14, 1911, he married Kate Martin of Liberty Mills, Indiana. They have had four children, two sons and two daughters.
He attended Sidney and North Manchester High Schools, spent nearly three years at Bethany, two years at Manchester College and one year at Indiana University. He taught in the schools of Sidney thirteen years (principal last seven) and was principal at Silver Lake five years, 1937-42. Besides these positions he taught in other schools near Sidney for seven years.
His pastoral services have been unique for the length of time in his principal pastorate. From 1916 to 1918 he served the Plunge Creek (Liberty Mills, now) church as a part-time pastor. Then he served the Spring Creek Church, his home church, for twenty-six years, to 1944. Since that time he has been pastor of the Oak- land Church in Southern Ohio.
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He was called to the ministry in 1914 and to the eldership in 1919. He served Middle Indiana many years on district boards, was six times on Standing Committee and has served on the Ministerial Board of Southern Ohio since going to that district, 1944.
Brother Landis combined a successful teaching career with out- standing service to the church, principally in pastoral service but also in many other ways.
ISAAC LAWSHE
This family name was identified from an early date with the Am- well church in New Jersey. There Isaac Lawshe was born in 1803 and married Nancy Rockefeller in 1825. His election to the ministry seems to have occurred there in the 30's, before they moved to Ohio, then to Indiana, to the Four Mile church. In the account of that church is a copy of their church letter, granted when they left this church. They moved to the Somerset church where they lived for ten years. Bro. Lawshe was a man of learning and a strong preacher. He moved to Pierceton, in Northern Indiana, where he was killed by a run-away team in 1865. This couple had twelve children, eight of whom grew to maturity. The widow died later in North Dakota, at the home of a daughter. The couple were buried side by side in the Somerset Cemetery.
JOHN LEATHERMAN
Elder John Leatherman, the first elder of the Turkey Creek church, was born in Maryland in 1776. Some of the Leathermans had come to America with Alexander Mack. When a young man John moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he lived thirty years. While here he was called to the ministry and ordained. He moved to Elk- hart County in 1836. Here he found a few members. The following year this little band was organized as the Turkey Creek church, with Elder Leatherman in charge.
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