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 9
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
On account of failing health, John Beck was necessitated to ask for his credentials and change his residence. His request was granted after Conference expressed her regrets at the step he was compelled to take, and assuring him of her prayers for speedy re- covery.
J. Schesser also received credentials.
W. Lutman, H. Toedman and Jacob McQuillen were licensed to preach on probation, and Wm. Heiser was received into the itinerancy.
The brethren Wm. Meier, F. Harder and J. Emmel received deacons' orders, E. J. Troyer and C. Emmel elders' orders.
J. G. Pfeifer, J. F. Schreiber, J. Wuerth and C. Berner were elected candidates for the presiding eldership, and from among those candidates J. G. Pfeifer and J. Wuerth were elected presid- ing elders and stationed on the Kansas and Missouri Districts re- spectively.
BOUNDARIES
Kansas District
a. Leavenworth and Big Stranger Missions shall be served together and supplied with one minister.
b. Atchison shall be taken up as a mission and served with Wolf River Circuit.
c. The appointments Hiawatha and Spring Creek shall be taken from Wolf River Circuit and added to Nemaha Circuit.
90
1873
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
d. Americus appointment shall be taken from Humboldt Cir- cuit, and with the surrounding country constitute a new mission to be called Americus Mission.
e. Swan Creek appointment shall be taken from Big Blue Mission, and with the vicinity form a new mission, to be called Swan Creek Mission.
f. Blue Springs shall be served with Big Blue Mission.
Missouri District
a. Grand River Mission shall be divided, the northern part consisting of Denver, Grand City, Ringold, Weismiller and Mt. Vernon appointments, shall constitute a new mission, to be called Worth County Mission. The southern portion shall be called Shoal Creek Mission.
b. Cedar County Mission shall be called Osage Mission and be supplied with two preachers.
c. Humboldt Mission shall be transferred from Kansas Dis- trict to Missouri District.
MISSIONS
The Missionary Society reported an encouraging increase of auxiliaries, bringing the number to eighteen, which raised the commendable sum of $743.75 for missions the past year. The total raised for missions by the Conference was $1,140.61. It was or- dered that wherever possible auxiliaries should be organized dur- ing the coming year.
J. Wuerth was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and the following officers were elected for the Missionary Society : J. G. Pfeifer, president ; J. F. Schreiber, vice-president; C. Emmel, secretary, and H. Haas, treasurer.
The amount of $2,325.00 was appropriated by the Confer- ence for missions the ensuing year.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 160; accessions, 332; membership, 1,423; itin- erant preachers, 25; local preachers, 12; churches, 14; parson- ages, 9; Sunday-schools, 29; officers and teachers, 255; scholars, 726; catechetical classes, 17; catechumens, 152; Botschafters, 473; Messengers, 136; Magazins, 92; Living Epistles, 12.
91
1873 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
APPOINTMENTS
Kansas District-J. G. Pfeifer, P. E.
Missouri District-J. Wuerth, P. E.
Holton, C. Emmel.
Oregon, E. J. Troyer.
Lawrence, J. F. Schreiber.
Platte River, H. Koepsel.
Wolf River and Atchison, H. Haas.
Worth County, C. Linge.
Shoal Creek, M. Alsbach.
Leavenworth and Big Stranger, F. W. Voegelein.
Macon, F. Harder.
Nemaha, C. Berner.
Glasgow, H. Mattill.
Big Blue, P. Fricker.
Osage, Wm. Folgate and J. Emmel.
Swan Creek, W. Heiser.
Morgan, W. Lutmann.
Wamego, W. Meier and supply.
Jasper, to be supplied.
Jewell, L. Wenger and J. Schesser.
Humboldt, B. Hoffman.
Americus, J. H. Kiplinger.
Arkansas River, to be supplied.
ALIDA
During the past year a Sunday-school was organized at the Alida appointment, where Rev. Wm. Meier was preaching, and the following officers were elected: Nichlaus Schmutz, superin- tendent; John Ehrsam, assistant superintendent; Geo. Stamm, secretary, and Samuel Finger, treasurer. The school was held in the home of Brother Schmutz for a time, but changed to a school-house, where it was conducted till a church was built in 1882.
DERBY
At the seventh session of the Kansas Conference, held in 1871, a mission was located in South-Central Kansas, in Sedge- wick County, which was called Arkansas River Mission, and sup- plied with F. Harder as its first missionary. The two following years the work was left unsupplied. In 1874 it was changed to Wichita Mission and supplied with Rev. H. Toedman.
This mission comprised appointments south of Wichita, along the Arkansas River, at Derby and Antelope Creek, west of Udall, where members of the Evangelical Association had located and were waiting for the church of their choice. Among those lo- cated at Antelope Creek were the families: Shoup, Troutwine, Anderson and others. At Derby were the families: Adam Glazer, John Glazer, Philip Peoples, John Kriebiel, C. Mohr, John Yergler, Dan. Glazer and Philip Yergler.
There seems to be no record of the organization of the work at either place. The work at Antelope was abandoned during the latter part of the "nineties" because many of our people moved from the community. At Derby the work prospered, and in or about 1886 a church was built which was used for many years by the congregation as a place for worship.
92
Wyandotte, Wm. Lingelbach.
1873
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
A Sunday-school was organized at an early period in the his- tory of the work, however none of the records can be found. The school prospered and has had some very successful workers con- nected with it.
HIAWATHA CIRCUIT
Some of the appointments of Hiawatha Circuit are associated with the early ministry and history of the Conference. Many of the pioneer missionaries traveled through the counties Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha, preaching wherever they found open doors. Those appointments were frequently shifted from one field of labor to another by change of boundaries, so that it is difficult to follow them in their transitions.
The class at Carson appointment, later called Bethel, was organized in 1872 by Rev. P. Fricker, who served the Big Blue Circuit at that time. Among the charter-members were Brother Joss and wife, Adam Schauer and Mrs. Neifler, Philip Weiss and Louis Kessler. The Neifler and Joss families came from Leaven- worth, Kans., where they were members of the Evangelical Asso- ciation. Brother Schauer was the first class-leader.
A Sunday-school was organized in 1872, with Philip Weiss as superintendent, and Louis Kessler, secretary.
A church was built in 1895 at a cost of $1,300.00, and was dedicated by Bishop T. Bowman.
The Lone Star, now Victory Class, was not organized till 1886.
F. T. HARDER
Brother F. T. Harder relates his experience of early days in the Kansas Conference as follows :
"I was licensed to preach at the Conference session held at Platte River, Mo., in 1871, and was stationed on Wichita Mission, which had just been formed that spring. I was the first Evangeli- cal missionary to preach in the territory of the new mission com- prising Harvey, Sedgwick, Butler, and Cowley Counties. The principal towns I visited on my itineraries were: Newton, Hal- stead, Eldorado, Augusta, Wichita, Winfield, and Arkansas City. I traveled over this section of country when it was new and sparsely settled. The settlers were poor and possessed very lim- ited accommodations, which naturally associated missionary work with many hardships and great privations.
93
1873
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
"I had only four members of the Evangelical Association on my large mission field, namely: Brother and Sister Yergler, and Brother and Sister Thoman, with their families. These families lived on the Arkansas River, about 14 miles south of Wichita, near where later Derby was located. Like all early settlers, they were poor, and having but recently moved there could not do much in the way of entertaining visitors. Brother Yergler and family lived in a small board cabin, and when I tarried with them over night I would sleep in the wagon-shed in company with their son. Brother Thoman and family occupied a small log-cabin, and when staying with them I would sleep in an out-door shed adjoining the stable. This was the average condition of the early settlers in those regions in the early seventies.
"Not far from Augusta, on the Little Walnut River, lived two bachelors named Litzke. When visiting them on one occasion I in- quired whether they could keep me all night. They replied that they were poor and had no bed, both of them slept on the floor, and had nothing to eat but bread, and coffee to drink, but, if I were willing to put up with their accommodations, I would be welcome to such as they had. I remained with them that night, and many times afterward. They were both converted later, united with the church, got married and established Christian homes which became great factors for good in the community.
"There were no roads at this time, only here and there a faint trail, which was easily lost. Usually the nearest cut across the prairies was taken to reach a desired point. Sometimes the lonely itinerant would get lost, not knowing whither to go for help save to the One who knows all things, and can help the hum- ble when in trouble. Prayer would be resorted to, and one feature about prayer under those conditions was that no one would dis- turb the worshiper in his devotions.
"The streams were frequently a menace to the traveler. Bridges were, of course, unknown, neither were there any ferries to convey one across the waters. At times the streams were swol- len so that fording was exceedingly dangerous, and the mission- ary would make thrilling adventures. On one occasion while I was attempting to cross the Walnut River, my horse plunged so deep into the water that I was submerged and thoroughly soaked in my bath. I turned my horse loose till I could look after my effects, when, lo! the unruly pony, chilled by the waters, scam- pered away to the timber, leaving me alone in my plight. On still
94
1873
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
another occasion I was returning from a camp-meeting held at Yates Center, Kansas, when I had to ford a stream which was raging. I used every precaution to protect myself and saddle- bags, but finally the water became so deep and the current so swift that I likely should have drowned if help had not providentially arrived just in time to save my life. I had some paper money of 10-cent and 15-cent denomination with me, which was com- pletely soaked with water and packed together so that I had great difficulty to separate the pieces and dry them in the sun before I could pursue my journey. At this same ford I lost a horse a few years later, while my wife and little daughter had a narrow escape from drowning. The foregoing are only two of the many baths received while crossing bridgeless streams.
"I was endeavoring to find a German settlement which I heard was located on Pan Creek; when I finally found the place I was disappointed. I discovered that the settlement consisted of two German men who took up claims, and neither one had yet re- turned to live there. Fortunately I found the cabin of a bachelor who kindly consented to keep me all night. He laid some old clothing and rags on the floor for my bed which was the best he could do, and which was equally as good as the one he occupied. The next morning I rose early and started on my journey with- out breakfast. The preceding day I had very little to eat, save some sand-hill plums which I gathered along the road, which also served for breakfast this morning. About noon I became very ill and could go no farther. I secured my horse, placed the sad- dle on the ground for a pillow and lay down to rest. I attempted to rise several times, but was too dizzy to proceed on my jour- ney. I thus lay on the prairie till toward evening, when the sun was not so hot, when I mounted my horse and let him walk whither he would. Just before dark I stopped before a little sod-house occupied by a Swede family, who received me kindly and cared for me till I was able to pursue my journey.
"Returning from one of my itineraries I found Brother Tho- man away from home, having gone 80 to 100 miles to buy provi- sions for his family. Sister Thoman said they had nothing more than a little corn-meal to eat, and their supplies must be re- plenished.
"We usually held our services in private houses. Sometimes out-doors during summer. We had no churches. Indeed I cannot recall ever preaching in a school-house on Wichita Mission. Even
95
1874
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
school-houses were few in those days. The first service I held on Wichita Mission was held under a large tree at the home of Brother Yergler. A barrel covered with a cloth served as pulpit.
"As nearly as I can recall I had no church-building to preach in the first ten years of my ministry. Services were held in private houses, school-houses, and in some instances court-houses. In Clinton, Mo., I preached and conducted Sunday-school for a whole year in the court-house. In Emporia, Kansas, I preached in the court-house once or several times. I think I was the first preacher of the Evangelical Association to preach in Emporia. Brother J. F. Barthel, who lived there, entertained me while in their midst."
1874
TENTH SESSION
Conference met in the Zion Church, Nemaha Circuit, near Rulo, Richardson County, Neb., March 19, 1874, to hold her tenth session, with Bishop J. J. Esher as chairman. C. Berner was ap- pointed secretary.
Jacob Gehring had his license as local preacher revoked, and Henry Hostig, also a local preacher, surrendered his license.
B. Hoffman withdrew from the church during the year, as also did H. Allaman, a local preacher.
Wm. Folgate located on account of family circumstances, and Wm. Lingelbach received credentials from the Conference. In both cases the brethren were loth to let their co-workers go and gave them beautiful testimonies of esteem, expressing deep re- gret at the thought of separation from them, all the more so be- cause their services were so much needed in the Conference.
G. Marks received license to preach, and the brethren J. H. Kiplinger and L. Wenger received deacons' orders. F. W. Voege- lein, H. Koepsel, and C. Linge elders' orders.
E. E. Condo, of the Illinois Conference, was received into this Conference, and H. Toedman into the itinerancy.
TEMPERANCE
For the first time, as far as can be ascertained from the rec- ords of the Conference, a temperance committee was appointed to draft resolutions and report to Conference. The committee, composed of E. E. Condo, F. W. Voegelein, and J. Emmel, in due time presented the following report, which was adopted :
96
1874 EXTENDING THE BORDERS
"Inasmuch as we are convinced of the moral, social, and po- litical evil of strong drink, therefore Resolved, That we, as a Conference, will use our influence to banish intemperance from our land, and especially from the territory of our Conference.
"Furthermore, that we consider the 'civil damage law' as timely and proper, and since the same is now pending in the Leg- islatures of Kansas and Missouri, we will pledge ourselves to sup- port the measure by our vote and influence.
"Resolved, That we feel grateful to God for the Women's Cru- sade, which has created such commendable enthusiasm in favor of the temperance cause. We believe they are doing a good work for humanity and society, and we wish them God's blessings in their undertaking, and all the more so because their sex is made to suffer especially through the results of intemperance."
Many of the statistics being handed in by the brethren in a very imperfect, not to say careless manner, the Committee on Sta- tistics was instructed to compare the present statistics with those of the preceding year, and where they find discrepancy they shall return them to the brethren concerned for correction.
FINANCE PLAN
The following finance plan was adopted at this time: The salary of a single probationer shall be $175.00 per year. For a married probationer, $200.00.
An ordained single man was entitled to $250.00 per year, and a married ordained man should have $500.00.
The presiding elders were to have the salary of an ordained man with a moderate amount additional for traveling expenses.
APPEAL FOR MISSIONS
The following passionate appeal was issued to the ministers and laity of the Conference :
"Since we, as a Conference, must again keenly feel our ina- bility to enter the field already so ripe to harvest, because of the lack of workers to send forth, and since our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has directed us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the field, therefore Resolved, That the minis- ters shall preach a sermon on this subject on Pentecost Sunday, and appeal to the members of their congregations, to make the call of men to the ministry, and their enduement with Pentecostal spirit and power, the subject of prayer on that occasion. Also
97
1874
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
that we urge our people to continue in secret prayer at the family altar and in the public congregation to this end. Further we urge our society officials to carefully carry out this resolution."
BOUNDARIES
Kansas District
a. Big Stranger Mission shall be discontinued and the ap- pointments shall be added to Leavenworth Mission.
b. Arkansas River Mission shall be called Wichita Mission.
c. Wamego Mission shall be called Junction Mission.
d. Soldier appointment shall be taken from Holton Circuit and transferred to Junction Mission.
Missouri District
a. Osage Mission shall be divided as follows: Warrensburg, Holden, Windsor and vicinity shall constitute a new mission, to be called Warrensburg Mission.
Black Oak, Point, Centerville, White Hall, and the vicinity of Ft. Scott shall form a mission, to be called Cedar Mission.
b. Shoal Creek Mission shall be divided as follows: Winston, Grindstone, and Trenton shall be taken from Shoal Creek and added to Worth County Mission, which shall be changed to Grand Circuit.
Long Gap, Lexington, Moses Class, and vicinity shall consti- tute Shoal Mission.
c. Morgan, and Hamburg Mission shall be served with Ore- gon Circuit.
d. The vicinity of Puelsville, where the brethren Schottel have moved, shall be served with Platte River Circiut.
e. Jasper Mission shall be called Carthage Mission.
MISSIONS
The Missionary Society reported 13 new auxiliaries formed during the past year, bringing the number of auxiliaries to 31.
The amount of $1,623.34 was raised for missions in the Con- ference. J. G. Pfeifer was elected president of the society, C. Berner, vice-president, C. Emmel, secretary, and J. F. Schreiber, treasurer.
J. G. Pfeifer was elected delegate to the Board of Missions.
98
1874 EXTENDING THE BORDERS
STATISTICS
Conversions, 319; accessions, 446; membership, 1,694; itin- erant preachers, 23; local preachers, 10; churches, 16; parson- ages, 9; Sunday-schools, 34; officers and teachers, 276; scholars, 973; Botschafters, 471; Messengers, 137; Magazins, 165.
APPOINTMENTS
Kansas District-J. G. Pfeifer, P. E.
Missouri District-J. Wuerth, P. E.
Holton, C. Emmel.
Oregon, E. J. Troyer.
Lawrence, J. F. Schreiber.
Platte River, H. Koepsel.
Nemaha, C. Berner.
Grand River, C. Linge.
Wolf River and Atchison, Philip
Fricker.
Kansas City and Wyandotte, to be supplied.
Leavenworth, F. W. Voegelein.
Big Blue, J. Emmel.
Glasgow, H. Mattill.
Junction, W. Meier and G. Marks.
Swan Creek, Wm. Heiser.
Jewell, L. Wenger.
Americus, J. H. Kiplinger.
Shoal Creek, Henry Cover.
Wichita, H. Toedman.
Warrensburg, F. Harder. Morgan, to be supplied.
CONCORDIA
In 1873 Rev. L. Wenger, who at the time was serving Jewell Mission, preached at various points in the adjoining counties where he had regular appointments. In the year indicated he organized a class in Cloud County, Kansas, where three brothers, Frederick, Charles and Gottlieb Huscher, and their families lived. Fred Huscher was elected class-leader of the little class. The families named were staunch Christians and loyal church-mem- bers. They passed through many pioneer experiences in early years on the frontier when crops failed and times were hard, however they prevailed, and after 21 years of perseverance, in 1894, succeeded in building a church at a cost of $1,600.00.
A Sunday-school was organized, in 1878, with Gottlieb Huscher as superintendent. The influence of the Sunday-school, in connection with the home-training, went far to mould the char- acter and lives of their children, so that in later years, at least, two young men, sons of Evangelical families, entered the ranks- of the ministry and became useful ministers of the gospel, to which they dedicated themselves.
WASHINGTON
In 1873 Rev. P. Fricker, serving Big Blue Circuit, extended his activities to Washington County, Kansas, and took up an ap-
99
Humboldt, D. R. Zellner.
Macon, M. Alsbach.
Carthage and Cedar Creek, E. E. Con- do and J. McQuillen.
1874
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
pointment at the Star school-house, 8 miles south-west of Wash- ington. A local preacher by the name of J. Leusler, living at this point, was instrumental in starting the work here, and became one of the charter-members of the same. The society was organ- ized this year by Brother Fricker with the following families: Rev. J. Leusler, Jacob Horfer, John Horfer, Martin Horfer, H. Meyer, Sr., Henry Meyer, Jr., and Jacob Benninger. Rev. John Leusler was elected class-leader. A Sunday-school was also started, with John Horfer, superintendent.
About 1876 Rev. C. Brandt began preaching in the town of Washington, and in 1880, or 1881, Rev. D. R. Zellner organized a class with the following members: Henry Bickel, Henry Meyer, Sr., W. M. Polter and wife, M. P. Weldy, and Rev. D. R. Zellner, wife, and son, Edward. H. Bickel was chosen class-leader, and also superintendent of the Sunday-school, which was organized at the time the society was started.
In 1881 a church was built during the pastorate of D. R. Zell- ner at a cost of $1,568.07, with W. M. Polter, M. P. Weldy and Henry Bickel trustees. The church was dedicated by the presid- ing elder, J. Wuerth.
CLEARFIELD (CAPTAINS CREEK)
Clearfield, which was formerly known as Captains Creek ap- pointment, was a part of the old Franklin Mission, which enjoys the distinction of having the first organized society in the Kan- sas Conference. When Rev. George Fleisher, one of the first mis- sionaries sent to the Territory of Kansas, in 1858, by the Illinois Conference, assumed his labors, he began operations in Douglas County, Kansas, in the vicinity of a small town called Franklin. Here he organized the first class of the Evangelical Association in Kansas during the early part of the summer of 1858. This class was composed of eight members, of which J. Epley and H. Eggert were the officers.
Subsequent to this a class was organized at Captains Creek with the following charter-members: Father Brecheisen and wife, Brother Brecheisen and wife, Father Meeder and wife, B. Kramer and wife, G. Hauser and wife, J. Sturm and wife, and J. Seltzer and wife. Brother Meeder was elected class-leader, and B. Kramer, exhorter.
This was an encouraging beginning and developed into a prosperous congregation, being for many years one of the strong-
100
1875
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
est and most influential societies in the Conference. Here was held one of the first two camp-meetings in Kansas during the sum- mer of 1861, with four tents on the ground and an attendance of about 100 persons. There were 30 members, and five preach- ers present. The camp-meetings have been continued at this point every year since without omission. Wonderful demonstra- tions of Divine power were witnessed on these annual occasions. Sinners were rescued from the stronghold of Satan, and led into the kingdom of light and grace. God's people were led into the experience of holiness, and the church was quickened and estab- lished.
A church-building was erected in 1880, in which Conference held her annual session in 1882, and again in 1895. At an early date a Sunday-school was established, which was maintained through the years. The date of organization, as well as the first officers of the school, cannot be ascertained.
In the cemetery near the church lie buried many of the fathers and mothers of pioneer days, who left to their children the precious gift of a godly life, and, although they have ceased from their labors, their works do follow them. Many of those sainted heroes of the cross are held in sacred remembrance by those who had a personal acquaintance with them. Here also lie buried the earthly remains of the sainted Moses Dissinger, who, in his time, was known throughout the length and breadth of the church.
1875 ELEVENTH SESSION
The eleventh session of Conference was held in the Deer Creek Church, on Lawrence Circuit, Douglas County, Kansas, be- ginning March 18, 1875, with Bishop Reuben Yeakel in the chair. C. Berner was appointed secretary.
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.