USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 33
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The Portage church was organized in 1833. The next year he was called to the ministry at the age of 22. This was quite young for a man to be put to work in those days. It was not long, however, until he became a leader, not only in Northern Indiana, but throughout the Brotherhood.
He and his brother, James, worked side by side in their church work. James, however, was more of a home worker. In 1851 they were instrumental in having a large brick house of worship erected eight miles northwest of South Bend. It was the first house built in Northern Indiana and one of the earliest in the state. In this house Elder Miller preached for twenty years, building up a large congregation.
He had talent and special fitness for committee work. He strove
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Jacob Miller, Jr.
for peace and could often get opposing parties together. For twenty years he was placed on as many Annual Meeting committees as any other man. He served eight times on Standing Committee. . In 1866 he was a member of the committee that went to effect a reconciliation with the John A. Bowman Brethren in Tennessee. In 1869 he and Elder D. B. Sturgis were sent as a committee to visit the churches in California and Oregon and organize them for work.
Early in his ministry he went to New York to transact some busi- ness as a guardian. While there he did some preaching by request. A young man asked and received baptism at his hands. Since this man was isolated he gave him a letter to show that he was a member of the church. Twenty years later that man came west, stopped at South Bend and enquired for Jacob Miller. They enjoyed this renewal of acquaint- ance. The young man married a sister in the church, was elected deacon and became an earnest worker for the Lord.
Elder Miller was a large man and wore long hair and beard. He was a man of fine characteristics and stood high in the estimation of his home people. He was a good text preacher and a good exhorter. He had a large library for those days and did much reading.
His death was sudden and unexpected on Sunday evening, Sep- tember 24, 1871. A short time before this he expressed the belief that he would be called away suddenly. His funeral service, conducted by
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D. B. Sturgis and Christian Wenger, was one of the largest ever held here. He was laid to rest in the little cemetery just across the road from his house.
JOHN MILLER
Elder Miller was among the first settlers in Elkhart County. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 15, 1787. He later moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was called to the ministry in the Wolf Creek church. In 1835 he located on Elkhart Prairie, southeast of Goshen. He was an active colaborer of Elder Daniel Cripe, and did his share of the evangelistic work in those early days. He finally located in the Yellow Creek church seven miles southwest of Goshen, where he died in 1856.
Of his children, David Y. Miller became an elder in the Yellow Creek church, but later went with the Old Order Brethren. Another son, Jacob Miller, became the father of Levi and John R., who became a deacon and minister in the church, respectively. David Y. Miller, was the father of Elder Alexander Miller, of Union Center church.
Alexander Miller was born November 7, 1842. He was married to Lizzie King. To them were born four sons and three daughters. He was chosen deacon in 1876, and a few years later was called to the min- istry. He was ordained later and from 1895 until his death in 1905 he was presiding elder at Union Center. He was blind during these last years, but took great interest in church work. His faithful companion read to him the church papers regularly. He attended council meetings in his own and other churches, and frequently conducted series of meet- ings. He was a liberal giver, and turned over considerable property to the General Mission Board. One of his daughters married Elder Christian Metzler, of Wakarusa, whose eldest daughter is the wife of Theron G. Weaver, a minister.
JOHN R. MILLER
Elder John R. Miller was the son of Elder Jacob and Cathrine Rarick Miller. He was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, November 30, 1844. He secured a good education for those days. He taught school for a number of years, the first school being a log house with slab seats and backs and no desks. He married Rachel Rupert February 1, 1868 and two years later they moved on a farm three miles northwest of Nappanee, where they lived until 1917, raising a family of eight children. One daughter, Ella, went out to India as a missionary. A son, Elmer, became a minister, and an evangelist of note. In 1917 he moved to Nappanee where he lived until his death, December 19, 1927. He carried the chief responsibility for the South Union House in the Union Center church.
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Elmer C. Miller, son of John R. Miller, was born August 31, 1874. He was raised near Nappanee and after finishing school there, he took a business course at Manchester College. He was timber buyer for the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend for some years. He was mar- ried to Lucy Buck, and they had one son who died at the age of 14. He was elected to the ministry about 1902. After his business experience he began evangelistic work with Evangelist Beiderwolf and was asso- ciated with him a few years and then continued on his own until his death, February 7, 1947.
Theodore Miller, grandson of John R. Miller, was born in Elk- hart County, Indiana, May 19, 1902. He completed his High School, then entered Manchester College receiving his A. B. degree there and later his M. S. in Education from Indiana University. He taught school most of the time since. June 7, 1931 he was married to Esther Zimmerman to whom were born five sons. He was licensed to the min- istry in 1928; advanced a year later and ordained to the eldership in 1938. He did part-time pastoral work at Milford, Center, North Lib- erty, Wakarusa, Camp Creek and Pine Creek. Was full-time pastor at Pine Creek for a time and then moved to California where he now resides.
Harold Miller, another grandson of John R. Miller, and cousin to Theodore, was born near Nappanee, May 29,1915. After completing High School at Nappanee, he took two years work at Manchester Col- lege and then graduated from the Central Missouri Teachers' College and later received his B. D. from Bethany Biblical Seminary. He was licensed to the ministry in 1933, advanced two years later and ordained to the eldership in 1939. He was pastor at Leeton, Missouri, later at Middlebury, Indiana, for several years. After completing his work at the Seminary he did full time pastoral work near Astoria, Illinois, and at Piqua, Ohio. He is now pastor of the Yellow Creek church, In- diana. He served as part-time Field Man in Middle Missouri, and rep- resented Southern Illinois on the Standing Committee. In September, 1937, he was married to Louise F. Reed, to whom were born one son and a daughter. He has good prospects for large service in the church.
JOHN H. MILLER
Elder John H. Miller, lately of West Goshen, represents another branch of the Miller family, just described. John H. was the son of Elder Stephen E. and Elizabeth (Landis) Miller. Elder Stephen Mil- ler was a half-brother to Daniel Miller, who was the father of Elder Samuel Miller (of West Alexandria, Ohio), and of Anna Miller, who married Robert Wysong and became the mother of Elders Daniel and Henry Wysong. Elder Stephen Miller succeeded Elder John Leather- man in charge of the Turkey Creek church, and remained its faithful
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Elder John H. Miller
bishop until his death in 1873. He was followed by his son, Elder John H.
The early experience of John H. was that of hard labor, with but few educational advantages. However, he acquired the rudiments of learning and a thirst for knowledge that was to lead him in a life search for truth. He united with the Church of the Brethren June 2, 1860. He was called to the ministry February 8, 1868, advanced in June of the following year, and ordained April 15, 1876. In his ministry he was both faithful and efficient. He was presiding elder at Turkey Creek for many years, and for awhile the pastor at Elkhart.
He engaged in evangelistic work for years. It is said that he held at least 140 series of meetings and brought hundreds into the church. He officiated at III weddings and at 251 funerals. He was prominent in the District Conferences, where he served as reading clerk more than any other man. He represented his District five times on the Standing Committee. He was much loved by all the brethren who knew him. He was twice married; first to Sarah Simpson, 1860; and after her death to Elizabeth Miller, in 1903. He was called to his reward May 29, 1914. His last days were spent in the West Goshen church.
LEVI MILLER
Born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1817, he moved to Ohio in 1833 and was married in 1840 to Ursula Eikenberry. In 1842 they
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moved to Miami County. To get money to pay for his land he rode a colt to Preble County, Ohio, sold it, and walked back. But he prospered and died with one thousand acres and interest in a bank.
In 1889 he built and presented to Middle Indiana the Old Folks' Home at Mexico; three years later the Orphans' home nearby. He passed away in 1902. His son, Joseph E., was a prosperous layman who was a liberal supporter of the church at Mexico. He died rather young, leaving a widow and three small children.
MARTIN MILLER
Born in Rockingham County, Virginia, Bro. Miller came to In- diana soon after 1860. His wife was a daughter of Elder Jacob Frantz, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was called to the ministry in the Somerset church in 1905. He died in 1914.
His son, William, was called to the ministry in the Mississinewa church and ordained there. He died in 1912.
Another son of Martin was Jacob Andrew, who was called to the ministry in 1898 at Landessville. He married a daughter of Elder John Tinkel. Later, at Mississinewa he was ordained, 1911. For many years he was active in the Southern district and died recently.
Mary E., daughter of Martin Miller, married William, eldest son of Elder William Tinkel. Their son, William, has been a minister and teacher for many years. He now lives at Albany, Indiana.
ROBERT HENRY MILLER
Robert Miller, father of Robert Henry, was born in Virginia but moved to Shelby County, Kentucky, where Robert Henry was born on June 7, 1825. He was second of a family of eight. In 1832 they moved to Montgomery County, Indiana. The son secured some schooling in the country log schoolhouses of those days. He was studious and at- tended an academy after which he taught two terms in the common schools.
From boyhood he was a great debater, studied law at home, gave temperance speeches, took part in political campaigns, and, therefore, became quite well-known in his community.
Son of a Baptist, he was much interested in a Methodist camp- meeting when he was nineteen. He married Sarah C. Harshbarger, 1846, daughter of a Brethren deacon. He studied the doctrines of the Brethren and both united with the church in 1858.
A few months later in 1858 he and David Stoner were called to the ministry. This home was blessed with eight children, of whom two died in infancy and two after they were grown up. These deaths and finan- cial reverses were too much for the waning strength of the mother. She passed away 1880, only about two months after a daughter had died.
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Elder Robert Henry Miller
From 1860 to 1880, Bro. Miller was very active in preaching, de- bating, and writing. He had become a figure in the Brotherhood. He was offered the presidency of Ashland College in 1880, shortly after his wife died. He accepted and very ably led the college for a year. The trustees favored the Progressive movement and he resigned because he was opposed to it. He moved to North Manchester where he lived the remaining years of his life. His pastorate was strategic because of the splits occurring in the church. He kept the main body of the church to- gether. He labored here eight years, retiring to a little farm near the present West Manchester house. In January, 1892, he was invited to deliver a series of doctrinal sermons at Mount Morris College. While there he was stricken with pneumonia and died on March 8. His fu- neral, very largely attended, was one of the first in the new brick church, now West Manchester. He lies buried in the nearby cemetery.
Elder R. H. Miller was one of our greatest expounders of Breth- ren doctrines. He summed up his views in his book "The Doctrines of the Brethren Defended." He lived in a period of great debates between denominational leaders. He engaged in at least nine great debates. He contributed to all of the Brethren publications of his day. He was a great figure in the Annual Meetings, serving on the Standing Com- mittee twelve times; was moderator once and reading clerk twice. He
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R. H. Miller, Jr.
served on numerous committees, especially in cases where church troubles were to be smoothed out. As a pulpit man, he was one of the greatest in the church of his day.
While at Ashland he married Emma Norris. Four of their five children grew to maturity. Two are ministers, Daniel and Robert H., Jr. The latter is well-known as a preacher and teacher of Bible Philos- ophy at Manchester College.
R. H. MILLER, JR.
Robert Henry Miller, son of Robert H. and Emma (Norris) Mil- ler, was born in North Manchester, February 9, 1889. His father at that time was pastor of the Manchester Church and one of the outstand- ing leaders of the church. The father died in 1892. As a result, young Robert and his three brothers were left to the care of the mother.
Robert's early education was obtained in the grade schools of Montgomery county in Indiana. Not content with these meager edu- cational offerings, he came to Manchester College where he completed his high school work and was graduated from the college in 1916. The same institution conferred on him the degree D. D. in 1923. Addi- tional degrees were secured from Northwestern University (A. M.) in 1937 and from Garrett Theological Seminary (B. D.) also in 1937. On June 6, 1916, he married Maude Reiff of Burnettsville, In- diana. The two became the parents of three children : Robert M., John David, and Mary Emma. These children have grown to maturity and now have their own homes. The first years of their married life were spent in pastoral work. The first two charges were in California : Los
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Angeles (1917-1919) and La Verne (1919-1922). In 1922, Robert ac- cepted the pastorate of the Manchester Church where he served very effectively until 1929. At that time, President Otho Winger invited him to accept a teaching position at Manchester College. This he did and he became the Professor of Religion and Philosophy at that in- stitution, a position he holds at this writing. This place has given an opportunity to wield a powerful influence in determining the direction of Brethren thinking.
Robert was ordained as a minister of the Church of the Brethren in 1911 in the Mt. Pleasant (So. Ind.) Church. He was called to the Eldership in 1917 in the Los Angeles Church.
While he is a teacher in the college, yet he has spent many of his Sundays in the various Brethren pulpits throughout Indiana and the surrounding states. He also speaks frequently in the leading pulpits of other denominations.
Dr. Miller is the author of "The Lord's Prayer" 1929, "The Life Portrayed in the Sermon on the Mount" 1937, and numerous articles in religious publications. At the present time he is a contributing editor of the Gospel Messenger.
He is a member of the National Association of Bible Instructors, The American Theological Association and The American Philosoph- ical Association.
At the present time he and his wife live in their attractive home 606 East Ninth Street, North Manchester, where he continues his teaching at Manchester College. He is being called upon to preach many funeral sermons and has officiated at many weddings, indicative of his wide circle of friends, both old and young.
RUSSEL MILLER
Brother Miller is the son of Brother and Sister Jacob Miller and was born north of Laketon on the Miller homestead. Although living at several different places, he has lived nearly all of his life in Pleasant Township and the West Manchester Church. He graduated from the Laketon High School.
He has been active in church work all of his life. He was one of the early workers in Brethren Service. For several years he has served as chairman of the Heifer Committee. He has donated several of his own heifers. He also has served on the Rural Life Committee of Middle Indiana.
Brother Miller has served his local church in numerous capacities, including the ministerial board, rural life committee, and as a deacon. His son, Wayne, is teaching at Manchester College.
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MISHLER
Elders John D. and George Mishler were sons of Daniel and Catherine Mishler, early settlers in the Eel River church. John D. married Sarah Haines. They united with the church in 1886. In 1896 he was elected deacon, in 1899 called to the ministry, and in 1906 or- dained at Rossville, where he was pastor two years. Although taking up his work late, he became a very successful minister. His ministerial work was cut short by his failing health. He died in 1914, after only fifteen years in the ministry. He was elder of several churches, trustee of Manchester College and a member of the executive board of the col- lege.
George Mishler was called to the ministry in 1896 but soon moved to Nebraska. He married a daughter of Daniel Horning, a deacon in the Manchester church. After her death he married his brother's widow and lived for some years near South Whitley and was active in his ministerial work. He died in 1935.
MOSS
William Moss, first elder of the Mexico church, moved from Four Mile. He was a large, sociable, friendly, and earnest man whose liv- ing had great influence. Some urged him to run for a seat in the legis- lature. A man of some means, Bro. Moss was very liberal to anyone needing help. He spent much time, accompanied by a deacon or two, visiting the scattered membership. He died in 1857 at seventy-three.
He had three sons who were ministers-Abraham, William, Jr., and Philip. Abraham remained in Union County. Called to the min- istry, he served his church very ably for twenty-five years. He was widely known and served on the Standing Committee once. He died of typhoid fever long before he had arrived at old age.
William Moss, Jr., was called to the ministry at Mexico in 1850. He never felt gifted to preach but served his church well through his work as a counselor. Philip was called to the ministry in the Bachelor Run church but moved to Greene, Iowa, where he lived the remainder of his life.
The elder William Moss had another son, David, whose son was Aaron, elected to the ministry at Somerset in 1875. He later lived in several congregations, being ordained at Landessville in 1896. He had a son, Loring, who preached in Michigan and Ohio. He was called to the ministry at Loon Creek in 1905.
A. I. MOW
Aaron I. Mow was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, January 8, 1859. He graduated from the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute in addition to elementary schools. He was called to the minis-
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try in the Camp Creek church in March, 1880; advanced in 1894, and ordained to the eldership December 14, 1902. He served in the free ministry and evangelistic work for forty years; he held Bible Insti- tutes in Northern Indiana and taught Homiletics at Manchester Col- lege for a time. He also did some missionary service in Arkansas from 1892 to 1894. He lived in the Camp Creek church for a number of years, then moved to the Walnut church for some time. He lived in the Wawaka church for a year, then moved to Idaho. In 1916 he moved back to Indiana for a short time and finally moved to Polk County, Florida, where he died February 4, 1925.
In 1888 he was married to Mary Lunettie Baxter. To them were born four children, two of them passing away in early life. The daugh- ter, Anetta, spent a term as missionary in India. His son, Baxter Mow, won the Cecil Rhodes scholarship to Oxford, England. After complet- ing his studies there, he also finished a course in Bethany Biblical Seminary. He was married to Anna, daughter of Elder I. N. H. Beahm. They also spent a number of years as missionaries in India. They are now living in Chicago where she teaches in the Seminary.
J. C. MURRAY
John Clinton Murray was born at Hagerstown, Indiana, February 26, 1846. His parents were Aaron and Marie (Harris). Murray. They were members of the Methodist church. When John Clinton was but a boy his parents moved to a farm near Liberty Mills, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. When the call to arms came in 1861, he early responded, entering the army December 1, 1861 and re- maining in service until October 24, 1865.
After his return from military service Brother Murray be- came most interested in his spiritual welfare. Though raised a Method- ist, he was much impressed with the faith and practice of the Church of the Brethren. He was baptized in the old Eel River congregation by Elder Jacob Metzger in April, 1867. In the next few years he lived at Neosha, Kansas, and Roann, Indiana, later moving into the Clear Creek congregation, where he was called to the ministry on the first Saturday of June, 1878. Before his election to the ministry he was superintendent of a Sunday School at Clear Creek, the first Sunday School in the church. He had always been an advocate and supporter of Christian Education and mission work, even when such support was not popular.
In 1881 he moved into the Huntington congregation. There he was advanced in 1882, and on the 27th of the following February was ordained to the eldership by Elder Joseph Leedy. He was shortly given charge of that congregation. Though there was much disorder in the church at that time, he soon had the church in good condition without
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the dismissal of a single member. In his work as elder, Brother Murray was firm but considerate, and helped to bring some churches through serious difficulties. Besides his services to the above named churches, he has also resided in and served either as elder, minister, or pastor the following churches in turn: Manchester, Turkey Creek, Lanark, Il- linois ; Nappanee; Washington, District of Columbia ; Indianapolis ; and Manchester.
Brother Murray was twice married. In October 1868, he was married to Susannah Baer. To this union were born three sons and one daughter. All of these died while quite young except one son. The companion of his youth died of cancer November 4, 1901. He later married Sister Mary Stutsman, widow of B. F. Stutsman, a former elder in Northern Indiana. They lived at North Manchester for the remainder of his life.
Brother Murray was always an able exponent of the principles of the church. His preaching was sound and gave food for thought. He spent much time in evangelistic work, and through his efforts hundreds were brought into the church. He was a wise counsellor and was often called in cases where good advice was needed. He served three times on the Standing Committee as well as other important committees.
SAMUEL MURRAY
This great pioneer preacher died on a Saturday evening in 1906 at his son's home in Indianapolis. Plans were already made to have him preach the next day when he would have been one hundred years old. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1806, under pioneer conditions. In 1812 his family moved to Ohio, by wagon to Pittsburgh and by flat-boat to Cincinnati, and by wagon to near Dayton. After six years of hard work carving a home out of the wild- erness, the father died. The son learned the carpenter trade and the milling business.
In 1833 he married Phoebe Hart. Soon both united with the Brethren. In 1835 she died, leaving two small children. Two years later he married Sarah Myers, a widow. They had seven sons and six daughters. This wife died in 1863 and he married Catherine Stude- baker. She died, leaving a little girl, and he married Leah Eshelman as his fourth wife.
Bro. Murray was elected to the ministry in Ohio. He came to Miami County in 1851. Finding a few scattered members, he did much to found the Pipe Creek church. There he was ordained, 1857. By 1864 there were three hundred members when he moved to Antioch (Andrews) congregation and later to Salimonie. He greatly strength- ened these churches. Many came into the church under his preaching.
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Elder Samuel Murray
After he was eighty he retired from active service but preached oc- casionally.
ABRAHAM L. NEFF
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