USA > Indiana > History of the Eel River Christian Conference, from its organization to the present time--August 15, 1902-- ; also History of all the churches of the Conference from their organization to the present time, together with biographical sketches of ministers and laymen, and much other important matter > Part 7
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87
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. CHRISTOPHER C. MORRIS Was born in Wayne county, Ind., June 28, 1814. He was raised a strict Quak- er. At the age of 22, when there was division among the Society of Friends, he was led to think seriously upon re- ligious matters.
In 1840 he moved to Huntington county locating in a settlement of Friends about six miles west of the City of Huntington. Later he moved into the city and united with the Bap- tists, there being 110 Society of Friends in the city at that time. He soon be- gan preaching for the Baptists, and teaching public school during the win- ter months.
In the fall of 1847 he went to War- ren and preached for the few Baptists residing there. There being 110 other churches of this denomination near, the Conference paid no attention to it and it soon ceased to exist. Brother Morris then united with the Disciples of Christ and labored with them sev- eral years, until as a congregation, they ceased to exist.
In 1874 during a great revival con- ducted by Rev. D. W. Fowler, in War- ren, Brother Morris asked to be re- ceived as a member and to be put to work. He was gladly welcomed and at once set out in the Christian minis- try, continuing faithfully to declare the Christian principles until he went from labor to reward, September 22, 1887, which was soon after the annual Conference with the Broadway church. In 1877, Brother Morris laid the corner stone for the first Christian church at Warren, the one which was torn down in the spring of 1902 to be replaced by a new temple of worship. He also was a great Sabbath School worker and assisted in organizing the first Sab- bath School in Warren, acting as Su- perintendent for two years. Besides,
he was a very active temperance worker. His influence as an untiring worker in the Master's cause will al- ways be felt in Eel River Christian Conference.
REV. JONATHAN MARKLEY
Who resides at Murray, Ind., united with this Conference in 1869 as a licentiate. He was elected President in 1870 and was ordained two years later. His education consists in a common school education supplement- ed by some work done in Union Chris- tian College. He has had charge of several churches and was the beloved pastor of his home (Murray) church many years. He has done much, not only to sustain his own church, but in building up others of the Conference. He has preached many funerals and while not actively engaged in the min- istry is always ready to bear his part of the work.
REV. WILLIAM MILES
Was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1837. He became a licentiate of this Conference in 1872. During the fol- lowing year he preached most of the time, but in 1874 he took sick which prevented him from doing much work. In 1875 he passed away yet in the prime of life "He was an earnest supporter of the church, a devoted and affection- ate husband and father, a generous. loyal and enterprising citizen."
REV. ABRAHAM KITELINGER
Was received as a licentiate in 1857. His name was dropped from the roll in 1867, at which time he resided at Joliet, Ills.
88
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERERCE
ELDER MOSES McDANIEL
Of Bluffton Conference, became a member of this Conference in 1860 and for the next two years was President of the Conference, delivering the all- nual address in 1862. In 1864 he united with the Northern Indiana and South- ern Michigan Conference. He was all eloquent speaker, often speaking two hours or more, holding his audience spell-bound while he gave word pictures of the scenes and beauties of the glori- fied state. He was an active worker in the interests of Union Christian College in Indiana. He traveled and labored extensively in new fields, es- tablishing the Master's cause. He accumulated little property in this life, but secured to himself the true riches- the gold tried in fire-the everlasting inheritance beyond.
REV. SAMUEL MCNEELY
Was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1845. He united with this Conference as a licentiate in 1873 and was ordained in1 1874. He is an able minister of the Gospel and while at present a member of the Northwestern Indiana Confer- ence, he has done much to build up Eel River Conference. He preaches every Sunday, is zealous in the cause and a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
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REV. S. H. MCGEE
Was born at Mill Hall, Pa. He was a member of the Disciples at Huntington, Ind., but in 1873 entered this Confer- ence as a licentiate and was ordained the same year. In 1877 he was ex- pelled from Conference upon very ser- ious charges, which were sustained by court.
REV. HEZEKIAH MADDOX
A native of Kentucky, united with this Conference in 1859 and was ordained the same year. He was in the minis- try twenty-one years, frequently re- porting his work to Conference. After the year 1880 110 report of his work or his whereabouts is to be found.
REV. SAMUEL C. MINNICH
Of the Antioch Christian Conference, united with Eel River Conference in 1860 and was granted a letter of dis- missal, at his own request, in 1866.
REV. F. K. MOWRER
Of North Manchester, united with this Conference as a licentiate in 1890. In 1891 he was pastor of the Six Mile church, preached 200 sermons and re- ceived 23 members into the church. In April 1892 he gave up his license to Conference.
REV. FRANK MOSURE
Became a licentiate in this Conference in 1882. He reported to Conference as having done some work aiding his own pastor at Vera Cruz and assisting in revivals until 1896, after which time 110 report is made. His name was sub- sequently dropped.
REV. H. C. McCOURTNEY
Was received into Conference as a licentiate in 1868, his address at that time being Watseka, Il1. He last re- ported in 1875.
REV. ROBERT McGEORGE
United with Conference in 1853 and his name was dropped from the roll of ministers in 1858.
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BLUFFTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana.
91
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. R. W. PAGE
Was born near Wilmington, Ohio, June 8, 1858. At the age of 8 years his father lost his life in the war of the rebellion. His mother being left with eight children, it seemed necessary that they be put out among strangers. Since that time Brother Page has made his own way through the world.
At the age of 13 he came to Marion, Ind., where he resided eigh- teen years. In 1876 he was married to Miss M. J. Coppock. When 28 years of age he united with the Methodist Protestant church at Hanfield, Ind., was licensed to preach in 1889 and in 1892 he united with the Sugar Creek Christian church near Marion. His first charge in the Christian church was near Frankton, Ind.
He served as President of the Indi- ana Miami Reserve Conference two years and in 1895 became an honorary member of Eel River. Two years later he was admitted to active men- bership. Since receiving his first license he has been in active service. He has taken into the church 550 men- bers and has preached 104 funerals. He has served some of our best churches and is now pastor of Merriam and Sparta. He is zealous in the work and declares his intention of living and dying in defense of the doctrines of the "Old Christian Church."
REV. DAVID MILLER
Of Millwood, was converted and joined the Christian church in 1843. He be- came a licentiate minister of this Con- ference in 1869. He reported nearly each year until 1886 when his death was reported to Conference and suit- able resolutions were offered by the Committee on Condolence.
ELDER D. A. MCGINNIS
Who resides near Mt. Etna, Ind., was born in Ohio in 1835. He entered the ministry as a licentiate in 1875 and was ordained in 1877. He was pastor at Swamp College in 1888 where he re- ceived 35 persons into the church. He has reported to Conference regularly- generally as having done missionary work.
REV. SYLVESTER McGEORGE
United with Conference in 1851 as a licentiate. He was ordained in 1852. He served on important committees, sustained an excellent character and was dismissed by letter in 1856.
REV. DAVID MILLER
United as a licentiate in 1861. He con- tinued a member of Conference for a number of years. his address being Wawaka, Ind. He preached a little, assisting in several revivals. In 1880 by his own request, his name was dropped from the roll.
REV. C. H. MARKS
Son of Elder Levi Marks became a licentiate in this Conference in 1894. In 1896 he served the Spring Hill and Paw Paw churches. I 1897 he re- quested a dismissal from Conference, which was granted. He is now preach- ing in the Progressive Brethren church.
REV. DAVID MONROE
Was also a licentiate of the first ses- sion of Conference and was a faithful servant until he moved out of the bounds of Conference in 1848.
92
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. WILLIAM PERDUE
Was born in Delaware county, Ind., January 8, 1833. His earlier years were spent in the school of poverty. In ad- dition to these lessons, he received what education the district schools af- forded in the day of log cabin school houses, when slabs were used for seats.
At the age of 20 he united with the Bentonville, Fayette county, Ind., M. E. church and served the church as steward for a short time. Shortly aft- erward, on moving to Blackford Colin- ty, not being able at that time to reconcile his religious views with the doctrines of the M. E. church, and be- coming more intimately acquainted with the Christian church, he united himself with that body in February, 1857. He united with Eel River Con- ference at the Antioch church in 1872, and has been a faithful preacher of the tenets of the Christian church until within recent years. Although he has not been able to preach regularly in recent years on account of physical dis- ability, he has unbounded zeal for the principles of the church of his choice. He moved to Warren in 1882 from his farm in Jackson township, Wells coun- ty. He has served the church there as pastor and is at present deeply inter- ested in the spiritual welfare of the church. He teaches a class in the Sun- day School as regularly as health will permit, and still preaches occasionally. His life in all these years has always stood for the higher teachings of the' Christian religion, and the practical application of these sublime truths in the purification of society and in the ennobling of mankind. J. E. E.
REV. BENJAMIN MONTGOMERY
Was a licentiate of the first session of Conference. He was dropped from the rolls in 1847.
REV. ALEXANDER MCCOLLUM United with Eel River Conference in 1846. His name, however, was dropped from the roll in 1850, he having united with the Disciples of Christ.
REV. JOHN PLUMMER
Of Leesburg, was one of the three charter members of Eel River Confer- ence. He remained in active service and good standing until 1847, the time of his death, which occurred at Lees- burg while engaged in prayer in be- ginning Sabbath services.
REV. SAMUEL POFF
Was a charter member and continued his services in Eel River Conference fintil in 1846 when his name was trans- ferred to the Tippecancoe Christian Conference.
REV. GEORGE PATTON
United with Eel River Conference in 1861, presenting a letter from the Tip- pecanoe Conference as an ordained minister. His name was dropped from the roll 1864.
REV. ASA PRATT
Was given an exhorters license in 1865. He was faithful until his death in 1873. In 1872 he requested Conference to re- lease him from further ministerial duties.
REV. WILLIAM W. POOL
United as a licentiate in 1872, He was born at Burrisville, Md. He reported until 1875 after which time there is no further record.
93
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. WILLIAM GASTON PARKER
Son of Ransom and Milly Parker and the sixth of ten children, was born in Davie county, N. C., Angust 5, 1847. His father died in 1861, leaving his mother with six children. William received his education in his native state where school advant- ages were very meagre. He was converted at the age of 16 and united with the Missionary Baptist church, having had no acquaintance with other denominations except the Methodist church of which his father was a member. His mother was a Baptist and Brother Parker made this church his choice believing as he still does that immersion is the Apostolic mode of baptism.
At the close of the civil war, with his mother and three sisters, he came to Indi- ana (1867) and settled in Madison county near Summittville where he was employed on a farm. He soon heard of the Christian church and after investigating her doc- trines, he became a charter member of the Clarktown Christian church which con- gregation recommended him to the Miami Reserve Conference. He was licensed to preach and in 1874 he was ordained. He has served the following churches as pas- tor: Clarktown, Whetstone Chapel, Harrisville, Prairieville, Olivet, Mt. Zion, Young America, Plum Tree, Purviance Chapel, Salamonie, Paw Paw, Union, Clear Creek, Bloomingsburg, Tiosa, Sidney, Millwood, Sparta, Six Mile, Beuna Vista, Buffalo, Greentown, Center and Swayzee. He united with Eel River Conference in 1889. He was married to Eliza A. Whybrew, of Jonesborough. Grant county. Ind., July 23, 1876. He has one daughter, Sarah Ellen, and two sons, William Albert and Charles Robert.
Rev. Parker now resides at Goshen, Ind. He has a very interesting family, his children being diligent in school work. His oldest, the daughter, has been a suc- cessful teacher for a number of years. Mr. Parker is quite an able preacher and strong in his religious beliefs.
94
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. JACOB N. RITTENHOUSE
Was born at Dayton, Ohio. He was coverted and joined the church in 1857. He entered Eel River Conference, a licentiate in 1863 and was ordained the following year, He then lived at Wolf Lake but later moved to Wawaka, Ind. He was a good man, an earnest zealous Christian minister and served as pastor of many of our best and old- est churches. His ministry covered a period of thirty years, making his re- ports regularly. He was twice married and died at his home at Wawaka in 1900, aged nearly 63 years. While he died in straightened circumstances, he had laid up for himself treasures in heaven, and the influence of his kind- ly teaching will go on through sic- ceeding generations.
REV. JOHN A. REUBELT
Professor in Denver (Ind.) College, united with this Conference in 1877, coming recommended by the Leesburg Christian church as an ordained minis- ter in good standing. While he was not a great preacher, he was an excel- lent teacher, a scholar in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. He last made report i11 1878 from the Denver Christian Normal which he had established in 1877. He reported progress and an en- rollment of about 80 pupils.
REV. M. B. REED
Of the Tippecanoe Conferenee, united with Eel River Conference in 1858. His name was dropped from the roll in 1867, he having joined a Michigan Con- ference.
REV. JOHN POFF
A licentiate of the first Conference was transferred to the Tippecanoe Confer- ence in 1845.
REV. ELIZA ROBINSON
Was born in DeKalb county, Ind., in 1846. She united with the Eel River Conference, a licentiate in 1887, having been recommended by the South Coesse church. In 1889, Sister Robinson or- ganized the North Union church. She was ordained in 1890 and has served as pastor of Thorn Creek, North Union, Dunfee and other churches, reports to Conference each year and is still doing somne evangelistic work. She resides at Fort Wayne.
REV. P. L. RYKER
Was born in Jefferson county, Ind. He became a christian in 1875, entering the ministry in 1878, and was ordained at Mt. Zion in 1879. His connection with this Conference dates from 1884, when he came recommended by the I. M. R. Conference. He was pastor of Markle, Rock Creek and North Man- chester and did much evangelistic work, In 1888 he withdrew from Eel River Conference and is now a miem- ber of a Michigan Conference, residing at Grand Rapids.
REV. JOSEPH ROBERTS
United with Eel River Conference ill 1845. He resided at Waterford, Ind., for a time, preaching regularly and re- porting until 1852 when he emigrated westward and has since deceased. He was the father of James Atchison's first wife.
REV. SQUIRE ROBINSON
United with Conference at a called session held in Wakarusa, May, 1880. He reported at the next session and since then no record of his work is found.
95
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. JACOB M. RITTGERS
Was born in Hocking county, Ohio, February 7, 1847. He grew up on a farm until, on his fifteenth birthday, February 7, 1862, when he offered his services to his country and enlisted as a volunteer in Company F, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, being attached to the Army of the Cumberland in the famous march to the sea. He remained in the service until the close of the war. Returning home in the fall of 1865 he at once entered the high school at Logan, Ohio, and completed the course of study in 1871. He then en- gaged in school teaching, continuing in that profession 16 years. In 1884 he was ordained a minister of the Gos- pel in the Brethren church, in the in- terest of which church he labored for ten years, being considered one of the best doctrinal preachers among them. For seven years of this time he did evangelistic work and succeeded in or- ganizing a number of strong churches in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and
adding to the church over 600 souls.
Having become acquainted with the Christian church and her broad principles, Brother Rittgers was im- pressed that such liberal principles of practical christian living should be taught to the world. True to his con- victions, he united with the Christian church at Huntington in 1895. being received by Rev. Mary A. Strickland. In Angust of the same year he was re- ceived into Eel River Christian Con- ference at Warren, Ind .. as an ordained minister. Brother Rittgers has con- tinually had all the work he could do. He has served as pastor of Benna Vista, Six Mile, Murray, Plum Tree and Dunfee churches.
August 20, 1868, he was married to Frances Red and to them were born six sons and one daughter. Two sons have passed to the spirit world. Eugene, Cleophas, Frank, Harley and Miss Maude have grown to manhood and womanhood, hold the respect of all who know them, and are all members of the Christian church. Brother Ritt- gers is yet in the prime of life, strong and vigorous, both physically and men- tally. With Paul he can truly say. "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high call- ing of God in Christ Jesus." W. J. Y.
REV. D. B. ROLLEN
Was born in Columbia. Tenn., in 1855. He united with this Conference, a licentiate in 1881. He preached some and reported regularly until March, 1888, when at a session of the execu- tive board held at Leesburg. four charges were preferred against him. He surrendered his license rather than stand trial.
96
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. MARY G. RHEUBOTTOM
Was born in Sunbury, Ohio, August 20, 1849, but moved to LaGrange, Ind., with her parents when quite young. Her education was acquired at the LaGrange Collegiate Institute at On- tario, under the tutorage of Professor Rufus Patch, from which institution she graduated.
In April, 1886, she was married to James R. Rheubottom, to which union was born one son, who is the present editor of the Wakarusa Tribune.
Mrs. Rhenbottom has always been interested in the betterment of man- kind, and a great believer in the proper training of children, much of her early work being with them in the various juvenile organizations. She was the first President of the Elkhart county W. C. T. U., and delivered many lec- tures in the cause of temperance. Up to the time of her moving to Wakarusa in 1893, (and where she now resides) she was a member of the M. E. church, but the year following, feeling that she was called to the ministry, united with the Christian church, and at once took charge of the church at Wakarusa as its pastor and served the congrega- tion for two years. Since that time she has had charge of churches at Millersburg. Bellville, Pleasant Hill, Leesburg and North Webster, being at present pastor of the last two named places.
During her ministry she has re- ceived into the church between three and four hundred members, her great- est success being at Pleasant Hill, where she received into the church over one hundred members, compris- ing the very best people of the com- munity, and was instrumental in build- ing at that place a handsome, modern brick church, which is an honor and ornament to the community and has
hanging over it no indebtedness.
That she has been successful in her calling, the result of her work speaks louder than any words of emu- lation we might give. She has always had a heart full of love for the defend- ers of her country, and has responded to several calls for Decoration Day and Memorial addresses. She is inspira- tional, which oftentimes raises her to eloquence in address, and her words not only reach the understanding, but the hearts of her hearers. While health and strength lasts she will con- tinue to proclaim the gospel of "Peace on earth and good will to men."
She was ordained at Six Mile near Bluffton in 1901, at the close of Con- ference held there, after taking the four years course of study as prescribed by the Board of Education. J. R. R.
REV. ELI THOMAS SPOHN
Of North Manchester, was born in Jay county, Ind., May 1, 1859. His father, John Spohn, died the following Sep- tember. Four years later his mother married Andrew Metheny with whom she now lives in Argos, Ind. Eli was the youngest of four children and spent his boyhood days on the farm, At 25 he was married to Mary Alice Metz- ger, of Larwill, Ind. They have two children, Mary, aged 17, and Clarence, aged 13.
Brother Spohn was converted when a boy and at the age of 21 preached his first sermon in the old school house in Tippecanoe, Ind., in a meeting held by Rev. Reed, a Christian minister. He was a member of the M. E. church un- til 1899 when he, with his family, united with the North Manchester Christian church. He served this church as pastor one year, and while not now having any pastoral work he is assisting other pastors very accept- ably. He was admitted to Conference in 1901 as an ordained minister. He is a man of wide experience and excellent ability.
97
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. C. V. STRICKLAND
Was born in Easton, Pa., in 1848. At the early age of 14 he enlisted as a drummer boy in the Union army serving about two years. He was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville and later spent four months a prisoner of war in Libby at Richmond. A few years after the close of the war he came to Indiana. In 1877 he entered Eel River Conference at Sugar Grove church near Collamer as a licentiate. The next year at Murray, he was ordained. Rev. George Abbott, who had received both Brother and Sister Strickland into the Christian church at Wakarusa and who baptized them, acted as forman of the ordination committee.
Brother Strickland has been in the active work ever since, nearly all his time being given to churches in Eel River and the North Western Indiana Conferences. For about 18 months he labored in Iowa and was a member of the DesMoines Conference.
He has met with good success. One year's work should receive special
notice. Assisted by his wife, meetings were held at Argos. Burrows, Shiloh and Eel River, all in the North Western Conference, when nearly 400 members were received into the churches men- tioned. Although this was a year of great blessings, other excellent meet- ings have been held by them.
He is still in the active work as pastor of several churches and resides for the second time in Huntington which is to be his last place of resi- dence upon earth. He and his family are members of the Huntington church. He is a member of the N. W. I. Confer- ence but as he resides within the bounds of Eel River the probablities are that he will bring his membership back at the next annual session.
He has been interested in music, practically all his life, having made it a special study. His publications of Gospel song books, Anthem books, Children's Day and Christmas pro- grams, etc., have reached a wide cir- culation. His name, especially among our own people has become a house- hold word because of his wide ac- quaintance and the many beautiful songs he has written.
REV. JOSEPH SPENCER
Was received into conference in 1848. He presided over several sessions and was a man of talent aiding largely in building up our cause. He was grant- ed a letter of commendation and dis- missal in 1856.
REV. WILLIAM C. SMITH
Of the Jefferson Christian church, Cass county, Mich., was received a licenti- ate in 1852. His name was dropped in 1855, having moved to Bloomington, Il1.
98
MINISTERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
REV. MARY A. STRICKLAND
Has been in the ministry during the past 18 years. While her husband was pastor at Bluffton, Ind., she was en- couraged to speak in public, which she did, showing such marked ability that the congregation urged her to enter the ministry. She entered this Con- ference as a licentiate in 1884 and was ordained at Wakarusa in 1885, Rev. George Abbott acting as chairman of the ordaining committee. Ever since she has been serving as pastor of different churches and besides doing much special evangelistic work. Brother and Sister Strickland have generally arranged their work so that they could both serve the same churches, thus having a convenient double work. Mrs. Strickland has al- ways had more calls than she could serve and has met with marvelous suc- cess, loved by all her people. During the past few years her work has been so extensive that she required an assistant. Miss Emma Isenberg has been her companion in much of her
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