USA > Michigan > The history of the Church of the Brethren in Michigan > Part 16
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Biographical Sketches
HARVEY R. HOSTETLER
elder until October 1944. He was a member of the district ministerial board and served as moderator of the district meeting at the Sunfield church in 1940 and again at the Beaverton church in 1942. He terminated his work at the Detroit church to accept the pastorate at Wichita, Kansas. The dis- trict lost a capable pastor and one who had a keen interest in the whole church program.
ISAAC HUFFORD la- bored in the Bear Lake church at Clarion, Michigan. He was born on May 26, 1841, in Hocking County, Ohio. His parents, Samuel and Mahala Hufford, migrated from Penn- sylvania to Ohio about 1850. His grandfather, Solomon Hufford, came from Virginia and settled in the Ohio Ter- ritory in 1801. The deed to the land was signed by Presi- dent James Madison. "The bears would group around the log house at night, often carrying off the young pigs. Wild hogs and wolves roamed the forest." These facts were related by Isaac Hufford's daughter, Mrs. Mahala Salah, who now resides at Petoskey, Michigan. Isaac Huf- ford was married to Elizabeth Latshaw of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on August 4, 1867, in Clinton County, Indiana. In 1871 he was chosen to the ministry at the Middle Fork church near Rossville, Indiana. He was ordained as an elder in 1917 at Clarion, Michigan. His hearing began to fail at the age of thirty; this proved to be a handicap because he could
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never hear a word of a sermon. In spite of this, his place was never vacant. His parents on both sides were members of the Church of the Brethren. He would never accept money for his church services, funerals and marriages. He died on July 24, 1925, at Petoskey, Michigan.
STEPHEN HUFFORD was born August 28, 1869, near Rossville, Indiana. He is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Huf- ford. He moved to Michigan with his parents. His wife, Julia Otterbein, was a native of Canada. He was baptized at the Bear Lake, Michigan, church in 1902, and was elected deacon soon afterward. He was called to the ministry at this church, in which he continued to serve.
ERNEST RICHARD JEHNSEN was born on January 14, 1920, at Big Rapids, Michigan. He is one of the young min- isters who is becoming vitally interested in the advancement of the kingdom. He is the son of William F. and Emma Jehn- sen. He has taken training at Bethany Bible Training School, Chicago. He united with his home church at Rodney on October 3, 1937, and was called to the ministry there on June 24, 1939. What preaching he did in the early part of his ministry was done largely in his home church. He served a term as a member of the district B.Y.P.D. cabinet. He says, "In my association with leaders in the early days of Christian experience, I never failed to receive inspiration and encour- agement." He gives Elder Samuel Bollinger credit for giv- ing him much encouragement as he began the work of the ministry. He and his wife served in the pastorate of the Marion church, Indiana, in 1944-45. He is now attending Manchester College.
CHARLES G. JEHNZEN was born at Detroit, Michigan, on September 24, 1920. He is the son of Edward B. and Helen Jehnzen. He is a graduate of the Mecosta high school, and was a student at Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan.
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He united with the church at Rodney and was baptized by Brother J. E. Ulery at Jehnzen Lake. In December 1940 he was called to the ministry by the Rodney congregation.
JOHN ELISHA JOSEPH was born February 15, 1868, at Culver, Indiana. He was the son of David and Julia Green Joseph. He married Amanda Yoder, daughter of Solomon and Mary Yoder, September 16, 1888. He took schoolwork at
JOHN E. JOSEPH AND FAMILY
Valparaiso Normal School and also the Bible School at North Manchester in 1896-97. He became a member of the Salem church, Indiana, by baptism when eighteen years of age. In 1891 he was called to the ministry in the Union church, In- diana, and advanced to the second degree in 1894. He was ordained as elder in the White Rock church, North Dakota, in October 1905, and served this church as minister and elder until 1911; then he moved to Surrey, North Dakota, where he assisted with the church work. It was in North Dakota that Brother Joseph was at his prime in the ministry, while Sister
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Joseph gave her best to the needs of the family. Here they formed friendships with many brethren which were always cherished. One elderly minister, eighty years of age and blind, gave him much encouragement and inspiration. In this brother's home the White Rock church was started in 1900. It was in this church, while Brother Joseph was serv- ing, that W. W. Slabaugh was elected to the ministry. After spending some time in Minnesota, the family moved to Onekama, Michigan, in 1917. He was pastor of the Long Lake church for three years and received partial support. Brother Joseph developed a keen interest in fruit, especially apples. In 1938 the Josephs celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In 1940 he was stricken with palsy, from which he never recovered. He was helpless the last two years of his life. He passed to his reward on December 29, 1944, in Onekama, and his body was laid to rest at the Mt. Pleasant church at Bourbon, Indiana.
ANDREW J. KAUFFMAN was born in Shelby County, Ohio, on December 17, 1874. He is the son of Henry and Lydia Kauffman. He married Catherine Abrilla Hollinger on June 19, 1901. He united with the church at South Whit- ley, Indiana, in 1900. He was elected to the ministry at the Beaverton church, Michigan, on May 25, 1913. He took part in the preaching at Beaverton until he moved to Canada. He has served on a free and a part-time basis at Froid and Kalispell, Montana, and in the Bow Valley church in Can- ada. He was ordained to the eldership at Bow Valley in 1930.
CHARLES KEITH was born on February 14, 1857, in Allen County, Ohio, the son of John H. and Eleanor Keith. He united with the County Line church in Ohio in November 1885. On January 7, 1877, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Bowghan. Sister Ella Keith, who is the oldest child, is still a faithful member at the Lake View church. Brother
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Keith received a common school education in Ohio. He was elected to the office of deacon in July 1886, and to the min- istry at the Pleasant Hill church, Shelby, Ohio, on November 13, 1897. In March 1902, he located at Brethren, Michigan, and was living there when he passed away in November 1938. He was a faithful minister and as such served the church for forty-one years.
DAVID HENRY KELLER, son of Jacob and Katie E. Kel- ler, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 6, 1873, and died at Battle Creek, Michigan, February 3, 1940. He graduated from the Hope high school, Hope, Kan- sas, and was a student at McPherson College when he united with the church. At the age of twenty-four he was elected to the ministry. He received a bachelor of arts degree at Battle Creek College in 1932. He was active in educational, social, and church work. He was a lover of children and served as president of the Child Rescue Society of the Church of the Brethren for about eight years. With his wife, who is licensed to preach, he served churches in Iowa, Min- nesota, and Ohio, and at the time of his death was pastor and elder of the Sunfield, Michigan, church. This church, in its statement of appreciation, says: "We thank God for his life and for the privilege we have had of working with him. May the influence of his unselfish service here continue to be a challenge to each one of this church."
MARTHA HILARY KELLER was born on August 23, 1873, in Jasper County, Iowa. She is the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Hilary. She became the wife of David H. Keller, now deceased, on February 24, 1897. After high school she attended McPherson College for two years, and then taught school for six years. While at McPherson, in 1891, she united with the church. She says, "After a three months' struggle with the devil, I had a wonderful conversion experience.
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Like Paul, the course of my life was just reversed." On De- cember 12, 1924, at the Ivester church, Iowa, she was licensed to preach, being probably the first permanently licensed sis- ter. "Preaching and teaching the Word of God has always been the passion of my soul," she declares. She assisted her husband before his death in the pastorates which they served, and after Brother Keller's death she continued as pastor of the Sunfield church until the fall of 1940. She is now residing in Minnesota.
JACOB KEPNER was born in Burks County, Pennsyl- vania, on October 31, 1840. He married Susanna White on October 19, 1862, in Medina County, Ohio. They came to Michigan sometime in 1868 and settled near Potterville, Eaton County. Two sons, John and Amos, were born to this union. The mother died on July 6, 1872. Brother Kepner re- married, but his second wife lived only till September 15, 1874. He moved to Campbell Township, Ionia County, near Elmdale, about 1873. He probably was the first minister of the Elmdale church. He married his third wife, Angeline F. Williams, of Woodland, on August 18, 1875. In March 1890 they moved to Gratiot County, Michigan, which was in the New Haven congregation. He served there until the Crystal church was organized from that congregation; then he preached at Crystal, where he carried on a faithful ministry up to the time of his death on August 4, 1904.
HOMER NEWTON KIRACOFE first came into Michigan to find a companion for life. He married Rachel Mohler Mil- ler, daughter of Bruce and Mary Mohler Miller, on June 5, 1940, at Scottville, Michigan. Homer is the son of Minor Newton and Gertis Bavers Kiracofe. He was born on July 23, 1916, at Mt. Solon, Virginia. He united with the Pleasant View church, near Lima, Ohio, and was baptized in October 1927. He was elected to the ministry at the Sugar Creek
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church, Northwestern Ohio, on May 29, 1936. He graduated from the Central high school in Lima, Ohio, in 1934. In 1940 he received his bachelor of arts degree from Man- chester College. He com- pleted his seminary train- ing in 1943 and graduated with the bachelor of di- vinity degree from Beth- any Biblical Seminary, Chicago. He preached oc- casionally in his home church in Ohio and went HOMER AND RACHEL KIRACOFE into many churches in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois while doing deputation work with Student Volunteers during his first three years in college. He served the Pampa church, Texas, as summer pastor in 1939. The next summer he went to the Waka church in Texas. In 1941 and 1942 he served the Sugar Ridge church in Michigan as summer pastor. Then on September 1, 1942, he took charge of the work there and served as student pastor while finishing his seminary training in Chicago. This was his wife's home church. He and his wife began their resident pastoral program in June 1943 and are now devoting full time to the work of this church. On October 15, 1944, he was ordained to the eldership. He is now the adult adviser to the district youth council and as such he works with the dis- trict board of Christian education. Under his leadership the Sugar Ridge church is making progress as a rural church.
LYLE MILNE KLOTZ and wife have come into the dis- trict to serve the church at Midland. The son of William H. and Hattie Milne Klotz; he was born on January 15, 1917, at Fredericksburg, Iowa. He was married to Gladys Beeghly of Somerset, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the Fredericks-
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burg high school, he was a student for three years at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, and then he went to Mc- Pherson College, Kansas, to complete his college training and receive his bachelor of arts degree. He graduated in 1942 from Bethany Biblical Seminary, Chicago, with the bachelor of divinity degree. He became a member of the Church of the Brethren at Fredericks- burg, having been baptized in October 1934. His home church licensed him to the ministry in March 1939 and he was installed in August 1940. He served the Fredericksburg church as summer pastor LYLE KLOTZ in 1939 and 1940. In 1941 he had a summer pastorate in the Sheldon church, Iowa. After his graduation from the seminary he accepted the call to the pastorate of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, church, where he began a full-time pastoral program in Septem- ber 1942. In 1944 he was called to the pastorate of the Midland church in Michigan. He and his wife, who is also a minister, are promoting an active program, both in the church and in the community. The people are well pleased with their efficient leadership.
GLADYS BEEGHLY KLOTZ, the daughter of Ananias J. and Cora Gnagy Beeghly, was born at Friedens, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on February 17, 1915. She graduated from the high school at Westernport, Maryland, and attend- ยท ed Bethany Bible Training School, Chicago, one year. She was married to Lyle M. Klotz on June 25, 1942. She is a min- ister and in that capacity she will be able to give assistance in the various activities of the church wherever they may be called to serve.
DANIEL KNIESLEY, whose name is found on the rec- ords of the Little Traverse church, came into the state before
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there were many churches established. He was born in Bed- ford County, Pennsylvania, on May 4, 1844. He was the son of Philip Kniesley. His wife was Eleanor Feters of Elkhart, Indiana. She taught him to read and write. By his own studying he was able to educate himself. His baptism oc- curred in 1887, and it is very likely that he united with the Little Traverse church at that time. This church was lo- cated in Emmet County, near Harbor Springs, Michigan. He was chosen as minister in this church in 1899, advanced to the second degree of the ministry in 1900, and then ordained as elder in 1917.
JOHN M. LAIR was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee, December 24, 1855. He united with the church early in life. He served as a deacon before he was elected to the ministry. His ordination to the eldership took place in 1892. In 1895 he moved to Custer, Michigan, and labored earnestly in the ministry. He gave much assistance in the building up of the Sugar Ridge church, which has become one of the strong rural churches of the district. A man of strong physical powers, im- pelled by strong spiritual con- victions, he was diligent in pro- claiming the gospel. His health gradually failed because of a serious accident which disabled him. Death came suddenly fol- lowing a paralytic stroke.
CLIFTON L. LECKRONE was born at Brethren, Michigan, CLIFTON L. LECKRONE on August 28, 1914. He is the son of Daniel and Lowerta Leckrone. He married Joyce Lor- raine Griffiths on September 1, 1940. He is a graduate of the
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Dickson Rural Agricultural School. He attended the Manis- tee County Normal School and also Manchester College one year. In May 1923 he united with the church at Brethren, Michigan, became a good Christian worker, and was elected to the ministry on December 30, 1939, at the same church. He is now serving the congregation as their part-time pastor.
ELMER FRANKLIN LECKRONE is giving an effective ministry to the Muskegon church. He was born on October 1, 1906, at Brethren, Michigan. He is the son of Daniel and Lo- werta Leckrone. He is a gradu- ate of the Dickson consolidated school and of Manchester Col- lege, and has taken graduate courses at Ferris Institute and Western State Teachers College. He united with the Lake View church, Brethren, Michigan, in 1919, having been baptized by L. T. Holsinger. In speaking of his conversion experience and ELMER F. LECKRONE the beginning of the Christian life, he says, "My brother Calvin taught and helped me." He was elected to the ministry in his home church in 1925. He has served as part-time pastor of the Onekama, Brethren, Flint, Battle Creek, and Muske- gon churches in Michigan; and he served the South Whitley and Cart Creek churches in Indiana. He has given free min- istry to the Rodney, Harlan and Marilla churches in Mich- igan. "The Saturday afternoon communion services, and the revival meetings gave one a series of experiences seared into one's being," he says. He gives recognition to Brother Charles Forror, Brother F. E. Mallott, Brother Otho Winger, Brother W. W. Slabaugh, and other prominent church lead-
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ers as having been exceedingly helpful in giving guidance in the early part of his ministry. But he adds: "In the back- ground of it all and running through it all is a father (de- ceased) and mother's dream that I'd make good." He says that one outstanding thing which will linger in his memory is the time that his father waited for the train after a hard day's driving to take him to Brother Forror's residence. It was here that he was to learn of his election to the ministry in the presence of neighbors and relatives of the home church. Brother Leckrone is a member of the district board of Christian education, and is also a representative on the district children's cabinet as the pastor counselor.
KENNETH MERL LECKRONE is the son of George E. and Cora Leckrone. He was born on May 20, 1904, at Breth- ren, Michigan. He was united in marriage to Lillie Irene Hunt on March 15, 1929. He was a minister before his marriage. He graduated from the high school at Brethren. After being a student at Central State College, Western State Teachers College, Michigan State College and Man- chester College, he returned to Michigan State College, East Lansing, Michigan, and graduated with the degree of bachelor of science. In 1927 he was called to the ministry at the Lake View church at Brethren. He has helped with the preaching at Lake View, Harlan, Marilla, Onekama, and Lansing. He has followed the teaching profession and wherever he has preached it has been on the part-time basis. He and his family are now living at Boyne City, Michigan.
WILMER MOHLER LEHMAN is now serving the pas- torate of the Crystal church. Born on October 13, 1903, in Morgan County, Missouri, he is the son of John D. and Lizzie Mohler Lehman. He attended the public schools of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and graduated from the high school
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there. He spent one and one-half year at McPherson College, Kansas, and one year at Bethany Bible Training School, 1943-44. His wife was formerly Florence Ellen Brammel. In 1919, at the age of sixteen he was baptized at Guth- rie, Oklahoma. The Guthrie church elected him to the minis- try in May 1938. He was or- dained to the eldership in Janu- ary 1943 at the Verdigris church in Southeastern Kansas, where he was then serving as pastor. He and his wife began pastoral service at the Crystal church, Michigan, in the summer of 1944. His wife's maternal grandfather, Brother H. F. Crist, influenced him greatly as a young man to pursue the work of the ministry. WILMER M. LEHMAN Both of his grandparents, as well as his oldest brother and others in the family relationship, made the ministry their lifework. Brother Lehman says: "Since our election to the ministry, Mrs. Lehman has been a constant source of help and encouragement."
CLAUDE HECKMAN LESLIE was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, in 1898, the son of Frank and Catherine Leslie. He is a graduate of Manchester College, and re- ceived the master's degree in history at the Ohio State Uni- versity in 1940. In December 1908 he united with the church at Spring Creek, Middle Indiana. He was elected to the ministry at the Center church, Indiana, in 1926. He assisted in the preaching and other church work at Lansing in 1936-37. "I live by teaching school," he says, "and give
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as asked of my services to the church: sing, teach, or preach."
FREDERICK P. LOEHR was one of the pioneer preachers of Michigan and deserves much recognition in this chapter. The following biography was taken from one written by the late Elder A. H. Cassell.
Frederick Peter Loehr, son of Frederick Loehr, Sr., was born on the 17th of April, 1803, in the Rhine Circle of Bavaria, of very poor but virtuous parents, in the Lutheran faith. His mother was a pious woman, but so narrow-minded and exclusive that she thought there was no salvation outside of their Church. She spared no pains in imbuing his young mind with the same principles of faith, and suc- ceeded so well that she almost made a juvenile enthusiast of her boy. "My delight," he says, "was in reading and writing. The eve- nings in our latitude being very long in the winter, I would sit, in the center of the spinning room, reading the historical part of the Bible through every winter." The letters of an uncle who died in Fredericktown, Maryland, caused him to have a desire for America. "My Father," he says, "was a shoemaker, and as soon as I was old enough I assisted him in his trade." He was the oldest of four children. The parents and the children came to America in 1820. The next morning after arriving in Philadelphia his father sent him to find some relatives in Northampton County. He found his grand- father's brother, Frederick Loehr (Brother Henry Kurtz's father-in- law) who sent a team to get them. He lived with his grand Uncle for a year. While there he met Henry Kurtz who was a Lutheran minister. They tried to persuade him then to become a Lutheran minister against his wish or will. Henry Kurtz then married his cousin, Ann Catherine Loehr. He taught school in the German for three years. While teaching he learned to weave by trade. His parents were poor and he served them by paying for their home. Henry Kurtz went to Pittsburgh, and withdrew from the Lutheran Church. This caused F. P. Loehr to leave home in an effort to re- convert Kurtz. The result was that both found our own Church. He was baptized by Elder George Hoke, under whose oversight Brother Kurtz then lived. His mother believed for many years that they had sinned against the Holy Ghost, by making this change in their faith. But in time her scruples all vanished. He married Judith Bair in 1830, and was elected to the ministry about 1840. Sixteen children were born unto them and thirteen were raised. He was fcarful of not being able to support his family, so he sold his little farm of wild land. Sickness and reverses came which caused him to sell the first farm. He bought the second time and was obliged to
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sell. He then moved to Van Buren County, Michigan, where land was very cheap. He says, "We have a good dwelling here and a little reserved land on which I still work some, when I lack the means to fill my calls. Many Brethren blamed me, and said I acted unwisely in going to Michigan, and indeed if the Lord had not pointed out my way, I would think so too. There were but thirteen members here in Van Buren County, when I came, now there are seventy; and in Ionia County only seventeen, now nearly a hundred, and other places are having the pure gospel preached, the seed of which may come up when men sleep. But it cost me a great deal of self-denial and la- bor. Had I stayed in Indiana I could have enjoyed the labor that has been done since I came there twenty-six years ago." He was afflicted with blindness when he lived in Indiana. His wife was required to drive the horse in going to meeting. Then she became blind, but he could see again. On one occasion he said: "My afflic- tions indeed have been many and grievous, but they were the means to make me better acquainted with our common Father." Brother Loehr was, F. P. LOEHR in the fullness of the word, a self-made man. Having a bright mind and great natural ability, he became quite in- telligent. He was a successful minister in English and German. He was in many respects far in advance of the general brotherhood at that time. He took a very active part in promoting higher educa- tion, when it met with bitter opposition. He was also a great friend and advocate of Sunday Schools even when they were yet unpopu- lar among the Brethren. He was also fond of music, both vocal and instrumental. He sometimes taught singing schools gratis, and spared no pains to improve the singing in the Churches wherever he labored. He was a good husband, and a kind father and a wise counselor. Concerning his ministry it may be said of him that he preached the Word without respect to human creed or additions. Elder Loehr died at his home, at Bloomingdale, Michigan, October 11, 1880, after an illness of several weeks, at the age of 77 years, after having been a member of the Church over fifty-one years, and in the ministry about forty years. His funeral services were con- ducted by Elder Daniel Shively, who used as his text, 2 Cor. 5: 12.
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Brother H. R. Holsinger, Editor of the Brethren's Annual, remarks:
We are pleased to be able to lay before our readers so full a bi- ography of our beloved Brother Loehr. He was a man whom we loved at our first acquaintance. He was a friend to the young peo- ple, and we made his acquaintance when we belonged to that class. He also agreed in sentiment upon the subject of music, education and progressive work generally. In fact he held correct and liberal view upon all the live questions of the day.1
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