USA > Kansas > Fifty years in the Kansas Conference, 1864-1914 : a record of the origin and development of the work of the Evangelical Association in the territory covered by the Kansas Conference > Part 25
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
273
1901
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
elder of Kansas City District, a former Conference class-mate of the deceased, and J. B. Gresser officiated.
Mrs. C. Meeder
Mrs. C. Meeder, the wife of Rev. C. Meeder, pastor of Camp Creek Mission, suddenly passed from time to eternity during the past year, leaving a sorrowing husband and several small children deprived of a mother's care and counsel. Sister Meeder was a de- voted companion to her husband, both in the home and the church where she was so much needed. She was in poor health during the last year, but still endeavored to discharge her household duties as best she could, although under great difficulty. The deepest sym- pathy was felt by all for the family and relatives in their sorrow.
F. M. PEEK
The following interesting reminiscence from the pen of Bro. F. M. Peek, one of the first ministers to push to the extreme west- ern part of the State of Kansas as a pioneer preacher, throws fur- ther light on the condition of the country and the people who braved the hardships of frontier life at a time when the Western coun- try did not bloom as a rose, nor did the people plow with motor power, and travel in automobiles. Brother Peek writes as follows: "My first experience at an Annual Conference was at Willow Springs (now Worden), Kansas, in the month of March, 1886. I was licensed by Bishop J. J. Esher and stationed on Stockton Mis- sion in Western Kansas. During the summer I made three jour- neys into Graham and Norton Counties, once going as far as Raw- lins County to visit and preach to relatives of the sainted Bishop J. Long. Dugouts and sod houses were the order, many of them having but one room. Yet the missionary was a welcome guest and shared their hospitality free of cost. When bed time came the one, or, perhaps, two beds that stood in as many corners of the room would surrender their surplus clothing, from which addi- tional beds were made on the floor. The guest would be invited to occupy one of the beds while the family withdrew to the yard. Later the father would return, extinguish the light, and the rest of the family would quietly retire for the night. Sometimes mem- bers of the family would sleep in the stable or granary even in winter when the weather was extremely cold. This was a time of accommodating one's self to circumstances.
274
1901
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
"The year following I traveled Lincoln Mission with Rev. G. J. Schumacher, he living at Rosette, in Lincoln County, and I at Lindsey, in Ottawa County, fifty miles apart. Our first quarterly meeting was held at Rosette. The Friday the meeting was to be- gin I, in company with three brethren, started early in the morn- ing, and by noon reached Lincoln Center, where we ate dinner. We had not gone far after dinner when we were overtaken by a heavy thunder storm from which we sought refuge in a barn along the road. After the rain had subsided we pursued our journey and soon came to a place where it was necessary to ford a creek three times within a short distance. There were several buggies in our company by this time, and while we did not consider the fords dangerous, yet it was necessary to keep well in the road in order to get through safely. One of our ponies was lame and did not like to enter the water, and, deviating from the road slightly, a wheel struck a hole, whereupon the ponies refused to pull and the water flowed over the rear end of the spring wagon, carrying away our valises which we captured just in time to save them. In the meantime I took off my shoes, rolled up my trousers boy fashion, sprang into the water and lifted the wheel out of its lodging place, after which the ponies drew the wagon out of the water. While this was transpiring the buggy ahead of us got caught in the cur- rent and was in the act of turning over when I ran to its assistance and saved it from upsetting. As it was leaving the water a sack floated out of the buggy, which I attempted to catch, and in doing so lost my foothold and fell into the water up to my chin; fortu- nately it was a warm evening, and at nine o'clock we reached the parsonage, where Sister Schumacher supplied me with some of Brother Schumacher's clothing until mine were dry. What I had on was wet, but what I had in the valise was still wetter. In spite of our exciting trip we had a blessed quarterly meeting, and felt grateful to God for his presence and protection in danger.
"At the Amherst appointment on this mission we had one of the most blessed revivals I was ever permitted to engage in. One young man who was penitent refused to go home at the close of the evening service and remained until three o'clock the next morning. He told the friends : 'You may go home, but I must stay here,' and stay he did. When the fire fell he was not the only one that was blessed, and glorified God. That was a wonderful night, never to be forgotten by those who were present. Fruits of that revival are
275
1902
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
still abounding, though many years have passed by, and some have been garnered in the Father's house above.
"I also made an experience of another kind in the same com- munity: While visiting, attended by my family, we called at a home when the father approaching the buggy said: 'Mr. Peek, your room is preferable to your company here.' I remarked that I did not intend to intrude, when he replied: 'That is what you are doing when you come here; you had better be going.' As we drove out of the yard our little child said : 'Papa, what's the matter with that man? Don't he love Jesus?' The mother and two sons be- longed to our church and were very much grieved over the conduct of the father.
"Through all the trying experiences of the twenty-nine years past, through the joys and the sorrows, the sunshine and shadow, the Lord has most graciously saved and kept us. He is able to save to the uttermost. When I review the past my heart is moved with gratitude as I consider how wondrously the Lord has helped us hitherto."
1902
THIRTY-EIGHTH SESSION
The 38th session of Conference was held at Hiawatha, Kan., beginning March 20, 1902, with Bishop Thomas Bowman in the chair and P. Schumann secretary.
Bishop J. J. Esher, H. E. Meyer, Solomon Reep and B. F. Wade, the latter two local preachers, died during the year.
R. O. Callahan withdrew from the church.
D. R. Zellner, J. H. Kiplinger and J. Wuerth were placed on the list of superannuates, and J. Neuffer on the list of super- numeraries.
W. R. Currier, C. Schmidli and F. E. Smith were retained in the itinerancy without appointment.
J. B. Gresser received credentials to the Ohio Conference.
License was issued to W. H. Manshardt, E. F. Boehringer and C. J. Zager.
C. S. Steinmetz was received as an elder in the itinerancy.
W. J. Schmalle accepted an appointment from Conference, but later refused to serve it.
276
1902
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Deacons' orders were granted to W. C. Johnson, L. Hanne, J. H. Parmer, G. W. Weidemeier, J. S. Stamm and W. M. Plettner, and elders' orders to H. Steenbock and C. Underkoffler.
J. J. Kliphardt was elected Conference trustee for five years, B. H. Hobbs, statistical secretary for one year, and A. Brunner, Conference treasurer for one year.
In response to a letter received from Mrs. E. M. Spreng, presi- dent of the Woman's Missionary Society, Conference expressed appreciation of the work done and pledged herself to assist in realizing the motto: "A Woman's Missionary Society in every con- gregation, and every woman a member."
Brother J. Hoerrman, a probationer, broke down in health during the year and had to give up his work. This dear brother never recovered from an attack of paralysis, which made him a cripple for life, terminating his ministerial career at the very be- ginning. How deep are the mysteries of God and his ways past finding out !
BOUNDARIES
Holton District
a. The appointments Granada, Schumacher and Johnson, of Hiawatha Circuit, and Victory, of Bern Circuit, shall form Gra- nada Mission.
Kansas City District
a. A new mission shall be located in South St. Joseph and be called South St. Joseph Mission.
Newton District
a. Hesston shall be taken from Halstead Circuit and with the surrounding country shall constitute Hesston Mission.
b. Guthrie, Okla., shall be taken from Orlando Mission and form Guthrie Mission.
c. Woods, Woodward and Day Counties, Okla., shall consti- tute a new mission, to be called Woodward Mission.
d. Okeena and Okarchie appointments shall be taken from Waukomis and formed into Okeena Mission.
e. Alden Circuit shall be changed to Alden Mission.
Abilene District
a. A new mission shall be located in Colorado Springs, Colo., to be called Colorado Springs Mission.
277
1902
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
b. A new mission shall be located at Ordway, Colo., to be called Ordway Mission.
MISSIONS
The missionary contributions for the year amounted to $9,371.44, and the appropriations $9,620.00. A. Brunner was elected delegate to the Board of Missions and the old board of officers were re-elected for the coming year.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 877; accessions, 975; membership, 6,460; itin- erant preachers, 62; local preachers, 37; churches, 109; parson- ages, 48; Sunday-schools, 107; officers and teachers, 1,303; schol- are, 7,214; Young People's Alliances, 60; members, 1,660; cate- chetical classes, 37; catechumens, 613; Botschafters, 799; Mes- sengers, 656; Magazins, 486; Missionary Messengers, 259; Mis- sionsbote, 167; Evangelical Heralds, 321; Bundesbote, 75; total for missions, $10,501.72.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-C. F. Erffmeyer, P. E.
Holton, J. J. Kliphardt.
Preston, C. Linge.
Eudora, B. Barthel.
Deer Creek, P. G. Nuffer.
Atchison, P. Schumann.
Camp Creek, L. E. Becher.
Hiawatha Station, G. J. Schumacher.
Hiawatha Circuit, J. S. Miller.
Topeka, C. Brandt.
Falls City, J. Schmidli.
Bern and Granada, G. A. Manshardt and G. W. Weidemeier.
Vassar, J. R. Nanninga.
Westmoreland, J. M. Dreisbach.
Coal Creek, Louis Hanne.
Kansas City District-M. C. Platz, P. E.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., W. F. Wolthausen.
Kansas City, English Mission, T. J. Cox.
Leavenworth, W. J. Schmalle, later D. R. Zellner.
St. Joseph, M. Mansardt.
South St. Joseph, to be supplied. Platte River, C. Meeder.
Oregon Circuit, I. H. Hauptfuehrer.
Oregon Mission, H. E. Bower.
Glasgow, J. S. Stamm.
Shelby, W. H. Manshardt.
Warrensburg, S. Breithaupt ..
East Lynn, H. S. Bower.
Winston, J. W. Keiser.
Carthage, B. H. Hobbs.
Newton District-J. H. Tobias, P. E.
Newton, C. E. Platz.
Emporia, A. Solt.
Peabody, C. H. Hartman.
Yates Center, T. R. Nanninga.
Humboldt and Golden Valley, M. Wal- ter. Dennis, F. M. Peek.
Derby, M. J. Steinmetz.
Cambridge, J. M. Fricker.
Halstead, F. C. Dissinger.
Hesston, F. U. Moyer.
Hutchinson, F. M. Manshardt.
Alden, B. J. Fehnel. Offerle, J. H. Parmer.
Orlando, W. C. Frey.
Waukomis, H. Steenbock.
Good Hope, to be supplied.
Dover, H. B. Vennum.
Guthrie, to be supplied from Orlando.
South-west Oklahoma, J. Kurtz.
Okeena, H. W. Hartman.
Woodward, to be supplied.
278
1902
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Abilene District-A. Brunner, P. E.
Abilene, J. K. Young.
Swede Creek, C. F. Iwig.
Leonardville, A. Rodewald.
Jewell, D. Swart.
Canada and Marion, F. F. Linden and W. C. Johnson.
Alida, to be supplied.
Washington, W. F. Schuerman.
Concordia and Minneapolis, C. Under- koffler.
Lucas, J. A. Spencer.
McPherson, C. J. Eiselein.
Osborne, M. W. Plettner.
Industry, E. A. Bruner.
Lost Springs, S. A. Burgert.
Colorado Springs, C. S. Steinmetz.
Ordway, Colo., C. S. Steinmetz.
MEMORIAL
Bishop J. J. Esher
The following was spread on the records of Conference re- garding the death of Bishop Esher: "During the past year it has pleased the Lord, in whose hands are the issues of life, to remove one of our chief overseers, Bishop J. J. Esher, from time to eter- nity, and inasmuch as the sainted Bishop was held in high esteem by the members of the Kansas Conference, over which he repeat- edly presided, therefore Resolved, That we highly appreciate his wise counsel given us, for by it he, being dead, yet speaketh."
Bishop Esher was the second Bishop to preside at the ses- sions of the Conference. His first service in this capacity was in 1866, at the second session of the Conference, which was held at Leavenworth, Kansas, after which he presided at her sessions in 1868, 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1877, 1879, 1883, 1886, 1888, 1891, 1894, 1896. He served as chairman fourteen times and was on the program for the fifteenth time in 1901, but was prevented because of the illness which terminated his life, April 16, 1901, at the age of 78 years. No other Bishop visited the work in Kansas so often, and presided so frequently at her Conference sessions. He was a father in counsel, and a giant in leadership.
Rev. H. E. Meyer
Rev. H. E. Meyer was born in Crawford County, Ohio, May 20, 1864. He was licensed to preach by the Indiana Conference in 1886, and received deacon's orders in 1888. In the spring of 1891 he came to Kansas. The following fields were served by him : Winston Mission, two years; Carthage Mission, two years; Newton Mission, one year; Derby, four years; and Oregon, his last field, two years.
Brother Meyer was an earnest and energetic minister, who extended his activities beyond the confines of his pulpit and con- gregation into the realms of civic affairs. He was a strong ad-
279
1902
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
vocate of prohibition, and aided the temperance movement with public addresses in the rural districts, as well as with his pen in the newspapers. He was enjoying the best of health and was engaged in finishing up his year's work preparatory to Conference till just a few days before his death. He contracted a cold which was not alarming at first, but developed into tonsilitis and blood poison, and before many of his own people and townsmen knew that he was indisposed, he was dead. His departure coming so suddenly, was all the more a shock for his family, his congregation and his fellow citizens, by whom he was held in high esteem.
He was called away in the prime of life, March 4, 1902, at the age of 38 years, 4 months and 28 days, after having spent 15 years in the Gospel ministry. March 8, 1887, he was married to Adella Adair, to which union there were born one son and three daughters, who, with the mother, survive a gentle and loving hus- band and father. His body was laid away in the Oregon Ceme- tery, to await the call of the Lord when he comes.
Rev. Solomon Reep
The following memorial was spread on the records of Con- ference relative to Father Reep: "During the year the Head of the Church gathered unto himself our beloved brother and father, Solomon Reep, who, for a long series of years, has been a faithful local minister, and for several years lived in the bounds of our Conference. He was always joyful in the service of his Master, ' and always cheerfully responded to every call to duty. We have lost in him a man of God. The Lord comfort his aged compan- ion, who is waiting for the summons of the Lord." Brother Reep moved from the bounds of the Iowa Conference to Kansas sev- eral years prior to his death, and was held in high esteem both in Iowa and Kansas for his spirit and devotion and cheerfulness. He made the world brighter wherever he went. Those who knew him best loved him most.
Rev. B. F. Wade
Rev. B. F. Wade was licensed to preach in the Michigan Con- ference, where he spent most of his life and service. He moved to Newton, Kansas, a few years before his death, and became a member of the Kansas Conference in local relations. His health being impaired by age and infirmity, he could not render much ser- vice, but was willing to do what he could. His labors and suf-
280
1902
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
fering are ended, and he is at rest. He left an aged compan- ion, two sons and four daughters to mourn for one who loved them sincerely. They may, by the help of God, meet him in a better world, in which there will be neither sickness nor death.
SOUTH ST. JOSEPH MISSION
South St. Joseph Mission was started under peculiar circum- stances, inasmuch as there was not a member of the Evangelical Association in the community at the time the work was begun, hence no nucleus to work or build around: During the year 1900 the packing industry of South St. Joseph expanded on a large scale, furnishing labor for a large number of employees who nat- urally settled in the new town additions, which had just been thrown upon the market for homes, and were rapidly being bought and many new houses erected.
Brother O. F. Hanne, of the St. Joseph congregation, was operating a grocery store in the city, and hence made numerous business trips to South St. Joseph. He was impressed with the religious destitution of the new community, and, what was even worse, the shocking indifference on the part of the people who were settling there. His heart being touched by what he saw, he mentioned the matter to his pastor, M. Manshardt, and his presiding elder, who shortly after Conference, in the spring of 1891, visited the work in St. Joseph. After investigating the matter carefully the three agreed that something should be done, and whatever was to be undertaken must be done soon, since open doors of such a character do not remain open very long. How- ever, Conference just having been held, there would now be no way of holding counsel, nor receiving financial aid from it, so there seemed to be an effectual barrier in the way.
A house to house canvass was made, and the fact ascertained that very few people attended church or cared very much about Sunday-school, or church services. On one well settled block there was only one family which attended church, and that family was Catholic. This canvass was made by the pastor, M. Mans- hardt, and the presiding elder, M. C. Platz, who felt that surely something should be done for these people who were living like heathen. A meeting was held that evening in the parsonage in St. Joseph, which was attended by O. F. Hanne, M. Manshardt, John Manshardt, Fred Marti, Milton Erffmeyer and M. C. Platz. They finally resolved to purchase lots and build a little chapel
281
ยท
1902
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
in which to hold a mission Sunday-school, since there was not a building available to rent for that purpose. A stock company was organized and two lots were purchased at the corner of Pryor and Hyde Park Ave., and a small chapel built thereon. The lots cost $400.00.
On June 30, 1901, the chapel was dedicated and a Sunday- school organized, with O. F. Hanne, superintendent; E. J. Feitz, assistant; Jacob Yoss, secretary ; and Fred Marti, treasurer. The officers were all members of the city congregation, since there was no one as yet available for officers in South St. Joseph.
The presiding elder appointed W. H. Manshardt pastor for the remaining portion of the Conference year, with instructions to preach regularly in the chapel and superintend the mission.
On Jan. 8, 1902, a Young People's Alliance was organized, and Miss Sadie Russell chosen president.
At the Conference session held March, 1902, E. F. Boehringer was assigned to the work, becoming the first pastor sent by Confer- ence to South St. Joseph. Brother Boehringer organized the con- gregation during the month of June with seven charter members. P. E. Suess was elected class-leader, R. Wilson, exhorter, and E. F. Boehringer, Sunday-school superintendent. The pastor says : "These were days of experiences. I delighted in the work, but met with many discouragements. One afternoon I made six vis- its and received but one invitation to enter the home, while at two places the door was slammed before my face, and I was turned away."
The total cost of lots and building with furniture was $905.59, not counting the time and labor donated by Brother Manshardt, who had the supervision of the structure in hand. The stock com- pany now offered the property to Conference for just what it cost them in cash. Conference approved the action of the committee, thanking the brethren for their interest in the work, and their activity in starting the Sunday-school and preaching service, how- ever, not being able to purchase the property at present, they re- quested the committee to rent the same to them for a year, which was done.
On May the 15th, 1906, the Conference trustees purchased the property from the stock company for $900.00, and steps were taken to replace the building with a larger and better church, which was accomplished during the year through the energetic labors of the pastor, A. Mattill, who spared no effort to succeed.
282
1903
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
He was finally permitted to see his labors crowned in the comple- tion of a handsome church, which was dedicated by C. F. Erff- meyer, presiding elder of the district. The building completed cost $4,563.92, leaving an indebtedness of only $103.44. At the begin- ning of the Conference year, 1906, the membership of the con- gregation was about 30.
1903
THIRTY-NINTH SESSION
This session of Conference was held at Holton, Kan., beginning March 19, 1903, with Bishop S. C. Breyfogel in the chair, and P. Schumann, secretary.
F. M. Manshardt withdrew from the church during the year, and F. E. Smith, at his request, was placed on the list of local elders.
B. J. Fehnel and G. Sorg were placed on the supernumerary list, the former on account of sickness.
Credentials were granted to W. C. Frey, W. R. Currier, R. R. Brand and C. Schmidli.
The brethren H. S. Bower, J. S. Stamm, J. W. Keiser and B. H. Hobbs were retained in the itinerancy without appointment.
D. R. Zellner was reinstated in the itinerancy.
License to preach was granted to Wm. Russell, Wm. Pittker and E. J. Feitz.
C. L. Sorg received deacon's orders, and was received into the itinerancy, while F. U. Moyer received elder's orders.
Wm. Daeschner returned from the Texas Conference and was received into his home Conference again.
A. Brunner was elected Conference trustee for five years, B. H. Hobbs statistician for one year, and A. Brunner Conference treasurer.
M. C. Platz was elected presiding elder. The districts were supplied as follows: Holton District, C. F. Erffmeyer; Kansas City District, A. Brunner ; Newton District, M. C. Platz; Abilene District, J. H. Tobias.
The following brethren were elected delegates to General Con- ference : C. F. Erffmeyer, A. Brunner, M. C. Platz, J. J. Kliphardt, J. H. Tobias, and J. Schmidli.
The following request was sent to General Conference: "In- asmuch as our mission work in Oklahoma and Colorado, in order
283
1903
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
to properly develop, needs to be supported with more money than the Kansas Conference is able to appropriate for said field, there- fore Resolved, That we respectfully petition General Conference to assist us in a manner that body may deem best." In response to this appeal General Conference ordered the Board of Missions shall make an annual appropriation to the Kansas Conference for the mission work carried on by her in Colorado and Oklahoma.
FINANCE PLAN
The standard for preachers' salary was revised as follows and recommended to the respective Quarterly Conferences for consideration :
For presiding elder, $650.00; ordained elder, married, $600, single, $450; ordained deacon, married, $375.00; single, $350.00; probationer, married, $300.00; single, $250.00.
BOUNDARIES
The following extensive change of boundaries was made at this time, the greatest number of changes made for some years.
District Changes
a. Eudora Circuit shall be taken from Holton District and added to Kansas City District.
Holton District
a. Wolf River appointment shall be taken from Camp Creek Mission and be added to Hiawatha Circuit.
b. Powhattan shall be taken from Hiawatha Circuit and be added to Granada Mission.
c. Atchison and Camp Creek shall be served together.
Kansas City District
a. Holden shall be taken from Warrensburg and with the appointments Zion and Magnolia of East Lynn Mission constitute Holden Mission, and East Lynn Mission shall be discontinued.
b. Emmanuel appointment of Carthage Mission shall be added to Dennis Mission, and Carthage Mission shall be discon- tinued.
Newton District.
a. Zion appointment shall be taken from Halstead Circuit and added to Hesston Mission, which shall be changed to Hess- ton Circuit.
284
1903
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
b. Halstead Circuit shall be changed to Halstead Mission.
c. Okeena Mission shall be added to Woodward Mission.
d. Sweetwater shall be taken from Southwest, Oklahoma, Mission, and form Sweetwater Mission.
e. Good Hope and Orlando Missions shall be consolidated and called Orlando Circuit.
Abilene District
a. Osborne Circuit shall be changed to Osborne Mission.
MISSIONS
During the past year $9,205.02 was raised for missions in the Conference, and $9,770.60 appropriated for the coming year. A deficit of $395.25 was reported in the missionary treasury, which was liquidated by each preacher who served a work the past year, paying a certain pro rata. A. Brunner was again elected dele- gate to the Board of Missions, and the old board of officers was re-elected.
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.