USA > Michigan > The history of the Church of the Brethren in Michigan > Part 18
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
ISAAC RAIRIGH spent the greater part of his active church life in the Thornapple congregation, but moved to Woodland Center some time before the organization of the village church. He was ordained to the eldership on June 13, 1891, at the Elmdale house, which was then known as the west house of the Thornapple congregation. When the Woodland Village church was organized he became one of
279
Biographical Sketches
the charter members. He was their first elder and continued to assist in the church work until age and failing health compelled him to retire. He died on February 28, 1926, a little past eighty-two years of age. District records re- veal that he was one of the important leaders of that day.
ISAIAH RAIRIGH was born in Indiana County, Penn- sylvania, on May 23, 1844. When a young man he went to Ohio and in 1866 was united in marriage to Sarah Hard- man. To this union were born two sons and two daughters, who are John Ezra, Mary Amanda Roberts, Eva Jane Rai- righ and Daniel Calvin. Eva departed this life February 1, 1897. The remaining children reside on farms near Woodland. In 1880 he moved with his family to Michigan and settled on a farm near Freeport. In the year 1884 he moved onto a farm, now owned by A. J. Roberts, two miles north of Woodland. In June 1892 his wife died. In May 1893 he was united in marriage to Margaret Mohler of Cov- ington, Ohio, with whom he lived devotedly until the Master said, "It is enough." He died on August 3, 1909, aged sixty-five years, two months and eleven days. His was a noble life, one of usefulness and toil; his was a great service to the church, of which he was an earnest and sin- cere member for about forty years. In serving the church he was first called to the deacon's office in September 1872. In November 1873 he accepted the ministry and in August 1888 was ordained to the full ministry. The many who have listened to his preaching and noted his most earnest manner, both in praying and preaching, know how divinely earnest he was in his work. He preached the gospel of Christ for more than thirty years. Brother Rairigh was possessed with a sociable disposition and had a welcome greeting for all he met. The high esteem in which he was held in this vicinity was shown by the large attendance at his funeral in the Woodland church.
280
History of the Brethren in Michigan
ELMA RAU was born on September 13, 1896, in Putnam County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Henry A. and Alice Rau. Feeling the need of more preparation for Christian service, she took some training at Bethany Biblical Seminary. She also has taken many. home study courses, and has com- pleted the Standard Leadership Training Course. In 1907 she united with the Pleasant View church, Indiana. She was called to the ministry at the Beaverton church, Michigan, and is now serving the church there as well as the district. She has been district director of children's work since August 1930. She ELMA RAU has rendered service as an evan- gelistic singer in more than fifty evangelistic meetings, as a director of thirty-seven vacation church schools, and as a camp leader. She has given much time to the work of the Beaverton church. She has served as the general superintendent of their church school and is a wise counselor to their children's division leaders. She is am- bitious, and, in addition to her busy life as a schoolteacher, she maintains a home for her invalid mother. Her qualities of life enable her to fulfill the duties of home, church, and school. Her one great purpose is to labor for the Master and to advance his cause in the community and the world.
JOSEPH STEWART ROBISON was born August 26, 1853, in Crawford County, Ohio, and died April 19, 1925. On September 4, 1873, he was united in marriage to Sarah Amrive; she died on March 8, 1922. To this union were born two daughters, Anna B. Plott and Lucy E. Wells;
281
Biographical Sketches
Anna preceded him in death. He joined the Church of the Brethren in 1886. He was elected to the ministry in 1898 in Ohio and lived a faithful, consistent life. When they first came to Michigan they lived in the New Haven congrega- tion. Later they moved to Vestaburg, Michigan, where they resided at the time of their deaths.
JEFF D. ROSE was born at Stillwater, Kentucky, on May 27, 1869. He is the son of Robert J. and Dulcina Rose. He was married to Mary Victoria Gevedon on August 8, 1890. He received his education in the public schools. He united with the church at Stillwater in 1889. He was elected to the ministry at Dayton, Ohio, in 1910. He served in the Church of the Brethren in Michigan at Brethren, Marilla, and Harlan, as part-time pastor for three years.
JOSEPH SALA is briefly recorded. His name occurs in the records of the Bear Lake church. Considerable effort has been made to trace his family relationship, but it has been without success. The facts that are recorded reveal that he was baptized at the Bear Lake church, near Petos- key, Michigan, and was elected to the ministry in 1908. He moved away soon after being elected to the ministry.
DAVID OLIVER SCHECHTER was born on September 5, 1918, at North Manchester, Indi- ana, the son of David P. and Olive M. Schechter. DAVID AND RUBY SCHECHTER On April 4, 1941, he was united in marriage to Ruby M. Yordy. A graduate of the high school at Battle Creek, Michigan, and also of Man-
282
History of the Brethren in Michigan
chester College, he completed his training in Bethany Bib- lical Seminary, Chicago, in 1944, and received the bachelor of divinity degree. He united with the church at Wenatchee, Washington, in April 1924. He was licensed by the Shep- herd church on March 4, 1940, and installed into the min- istry at Battle Creek on April 4, 1941. He was summer pastor at Muskegon and Sugar Ridge in Michigan in 1940, and at the Battle Creek church in 1941. The Schechters are serving in the pastorate of the Michigan City church of Northern Indiana.
D. P. SCHECHTER AND WIFE
DAVID PEARL SCHECHTER was born at Maxwell, Iowa, on June 18, 1883. He is the son of Joshua J. and Sarah Schechter. On December 5, 1912, he was united in marriage to Olive May Filbrun; they are the parents of two sons, David O. and Joseph J. He has been a student at Mt. Mor- ris College, Manchester College, Bethany Bible Training School, and the Battle Creek Sanitarium Hospital Training
283
Biographical Sketches
School. On June 17, 1897, he united with the church at Worthington, Minnesota; the same church called him to the ministry in June 1907. He has served as part-time pastor of the Elsie church and the Battle Creek church, and as full-time pastor of the Shepherd church from April 1937 to March 1942. He served the pastorate of the Crystal church from April 1942 to September 1943. He was ordained to the eldership at the Elsie church in 1919. For fourteen years he was writing clerk for the district meeting. He and his wife left the district in 1943 to accept a position in Bethany Hospital in Chicago. He shares these interesting facts: his grandfather was born about 1800 and baptized when past eighty, his father was born in 1842 and baptized at thirty, he himself was born in 1883 and baptized at fourteen, David O. (son) was born in 1918 and baptized at six, and Joseph J. (son) was born in 1926 and baptized at seven. Back of his mother was Mennonite stock.
MARTIN SCHOLTEN, the son of B. H. and K. Scholten, was born on December 1, 1900, at Holland, Michigan. He was united in marriage to Marian Rinehart on March 20, 1935. He united with the church at Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, in 1933 and was called to the ministry in 1934. He served as pastor of the Elmdale church from September 1934 to February 28, 1938. From here he went to the Middle District of Pennsylvania to take up pastoral work in the Aughwick congregation. In preparation for pastoral work he spent one year at Western Theological Seminary and two years at Bethany Seminary. Previous work had been taken in high school and college. His wife was also called to the ministry and shares in his pastoral work. She served as supply pastor for the Grand Rapids church for several months following the termination of Pastor Van B. Wright's services. She received a bachelor of divinity degree from Bethany Seminary and an R. N. from Bethany Hospital.
284
History of the Brethren in Michigan
ARTHUR SCROGUM entered the ministry while living at the Hart church in Michigan. The son of J. J. and Re- becca Scrogum, he was born August 7, 1897, near Fairchild, Illinois. His wife was Marie Coblentz of Peru, Indiana. He received an elementary school training in Wayne County, Illinois, and is a graduate of the Hart, Michigan, high school; Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana; and Beth- any Biblical Seminary, Chicago, with the B. D. degree. He has taken summer courses at Northwestern University, Juniata College, and the University of West Virginia. He was baptized and united with the Martins Creek church of Southern Illinois in 1909. The Hart church elected him to the ministry in 1920. His ordination to the eldership took place at the Bear Creek church of Western Maryland in 1922. From July 1, 1921, to July 1, 1944, he served as part- time pastor of the Bear Creek church at Accident, Mary- land, and taught in the high school there. Since July 1, 1944, he has served as the full-time pastor of the Cumber- land Church of the Brethren in Cumberland, Maryland. This church is affiliated with the Western District of Penn- sylvania. His home was at Hart, Michigan, from 1913 until he graduated from Manchester College in 1921. He was one of the charter members of the Hart congregation, which was organized shortly after the Scrogums located there. Here is where he had his first experience in teaching a Sunday- school class, in taking a part on the program of the Christian Worker's meeting, and in leading singing. Here he preached his first sermons.
J. J. SCROGUM was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1867. He is the son of George H. and Rebecca Scrogum. He married Rebecca C. Miller in 1895. He has enjoyed some interesting experiences through the years as he pursued his training and education in various places. He says, "My schooling was by piece-meal, as we were poor and I was
285
Biographical Sketches
determined to win; so I would work and go to school." In 1895 he united with the church in Virginia. He was called to the ministry at Hart, Michigan, in 1914, and ordained to the eldership at Shamokin, Pennsylvania, in 1929. While in Michigan he served the Hart church as free- and then as part-time pastor. At the present he is elder of the Church of the Brethren at Elkins, West Virginia.
OLIVER SEASE, son of Abraham and Marguret Sease, was born in Darke County, Ohio, on May 8, 1849. He was married on April 21, 1872, to Lucy Ann Wooner. He came to the vicinity of Lake Odessa, Michigan, from Ohio about the year 1878. In May 1881 he was baptized and became a member of the Church of the Brethren at Woodland. He lived to be eighty-two years of age and passed away rather suddenly on June 7, 1931. He was quite rug- ged physically, and never need- ed a physician until the last OLIVER SEASE year of his life. He was elected to the ministry by the Wood- land church, but he exercised very little in that position be- cause of his inhibited nature. He lived a consistent and de- voted Christian life, and was unassuming and quiet in manner. He trusted Christ and had a glorious hope ever before him.
NETTIE SENGER, a former missionary to China, once served as missionary and community worker and leader in the Chinese Sunday school of the Detroit church, Michi- gan. She was born at Casey, Adair County, Iowa, May 10, 1885. She finished high school at Panora, Iowa, received
286
History of the Brethren in Michigan
her bachelor of arts degree in 1915 at Manchester College and her bachelor of divinity degree in 1923 at Bethany Bib- lical Seminary. She has a diploma from the Kennedy School of Missions at Hartford, Connecticut, and received her master of arts degree in Chinese philosophy in 1933 at the College of Chinese Studies, Peking, China. Her thesis for the doctor of philosophy degree was not entirely finished because the war interfered with its completion. It was A Social Study on the History of Chinese Womanhood. It was entirely original and was to have been published in China. In January 1900 she was baptized in the Coon River church, Iowa. She served on the China mission field from 1916 to 1939. She has given many lectures on China in the churches of America when on fur- lough, 1922-23, 1933-35, and 1940-43. She served in the Detroit church, Michigan, a little more than two years, beginning in February 1943. NETTIE SENGER It is noted that the Senger family has a staunch background of Brethren heritage. Her work in China was a preparation period for a number of years, acquainting her with Oriental culture, the peoples and customs, through friendship. She says, "If they would not accept me as a person, they would not accept my religion." Her work finally shaped itself into creating a school to help village mothers to be better mothers. Ba- bies were enrolled as students along with mothers and were given help from the teachers - herself and Miss Chang, who was later martyred in Liao Chow. She tells this interesting fact: "We had vocational training which developed out of our wool weaving experimental station
287
Biographical Sketches
for home handicraft which was fostered by two national organizations and has been carried to West China and become the underneath foundation for the wool textile Indusco." In order to carry on the curriculum, they had to write textbooks in two courses, for there were no books on the market.
LEROY W. SHAFER was born in Putnam County, Ohio, May 21, 1889. He is the son of William H. and Mary Shafer. He married Susan Prowant on April 7, 1909. He has a public school training. On September 25, 1914, he united with the church near Dupont, Ohio. Elected to the ministry at the Elsie church in 1923 and or- dained to the eldership by the same church in 1934, he has la- L. W. SHAFER AND WIFE bored for the church in the dis- trict whenever called upon. From 1937 to 1942 he ministered to the people at the Muske- gon church as elder and pastor. At the present time he is the pastor and elder of the Pontiac church.
JOSEPH FRANCIS SHERRICK was born on May 26, 1879, at Three Rivers, Michigan. He is the son of Jesse and Rebekah Sherrick. He was two years old when his mother died. He was united in marriage to Grace Laura Shoyer on June 18, 1902; a son and a daughter were born to them. He received his early training in a rural school, and later was a student at Manchester College. He united with the church at New Haven, Michigan, in 1887. This church called him to the ministry in 1897 and ordained him to the elder- ship in 1921. His ministerial service in this church has been
288
History of the Brethren in Michigan
given free for forty-three years. He was the elder-in-charge for many years. He was also a member of the district minis- terial board. He has labored faithfully in the work of the church.
LOIS SHERRICK serves the District of Michigan as a lay worker. She is the daughter of Joseph F. and Grace Sherrick. She was born on her Grandfa- JOSEPH F. SHERRICK ther Sherrick's farm about forty rods from the North Star church, which was located on that farm. She attended a one-room rural school through the grades and is a graduate of the high school at Ithaca, Michigan. She decided to be a public school teacher and in 1930 was graduated from Manchester College with a bach- elor of arts degree. In 1923 she was baptized by S. Z. Smith, who was conducting a revival in the New Haven church. She had been Sunday-school secre- tary for a number of years be- fore this. Since uniting with the church she has been the teacher of some class almost every year. Even during the four years of college days she participated in church work at the West End Mission Chapel. She has served her home church as church LOIS SHERRICK school superintendent, and has
289
Biographical Sketches
had much experience in vacation Bible school work; in 1927 she helped to conduct five such schools, and has been the director many years following this. She was in district young people's work from 1928 to 1931 and served on the welfare board from 1929 to 1932. In 1931 she was elected to the office of district Sunday-school secretary and has worked efficiently and continuously to the present time. This work is in addition to her work on the district board of Christian education, of which she has been a member since 1933. She collected the material for the District News Letter and edited it from its beginning in 1933 until Sep- tember 1944. Her leadership in the district will bear fruit to the honor and glory of God.
MARVIN MANAM SHERRICK was born July 31, 1868, at Three Rivers, Michigan. He is the son of Jesse and Re- bekah Sherrick. He was united in marriage to Minnie M. Bock on October 2, 1892. A graduate of the high school at Ithaca, Michigan, he later re- ceived a bachelor of arts degree at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a master's degree at the University of Michigan in 1902. He was baptized at the Saginaw church in 1882. The New Haven church called him to the ministry in 1886. As a teacher he was most successful in modern languages. He was the registrar at Mt. Morris Col- M. M. SHERRICK lege, Mt. Morris, Illinois, for a few years. In 1910, while at Mt. Morris, he was ordained to the eldership. After a successful teaching career of forty years, part of which was spent at Manchester College, he
290
History of the Brethren in Michigan
returned to his home state, Michigan, where he is now residing. He was a very able preacher as well as a good teacher. As a result of his literary ability and writing, he has left two volumes: Wintergreen, which is good po- etry, and a book of sermon outlines.
GRACE DEAL SHOWALTER was born on September 25, 1902, at Perth, North Dakota, the daughter of Noah and Hannah Deal. She was married on June 10, 1934. She re- ceived part of her schoolwork at New Enterprise, Penn- sylvania, and graduated from the high school at Onekama, Michigan. She was a student at Manchester College, 1923-24. She has taken graduate work at Big Rap- ids and at Mt. Pleasant Normal, and holds an early elementary life certificate. She united with the church at New Enterprise in 1913, and was impressed by the spiritual messages of Brother Stover Kulp when he was the pastor of the New Enterprise GRACE D. SHOWALTER church before he left for the Africa mis- sion field. The Onekama church called her to the ministry in 1928. When called upon by the pastor or the ministerial committee she assists in the Onekama church or in surrounding congregations. She is a good chil- dren's leader, and is a member of the district children's work cabinet. She is also a member of the district historical committee. In the local church she devotes much time to church school work, and uses her musical talent in con- tributing to the worship services.
MERLIN C. SHULL was born on August 29, 1897, at Vir- den, Illinois, the son of W. H. and Clara Shull. In May 1921 he was united in marriage to Pearl Marie Grosh. He is a graduate of the Girard Township high school, Girard,
291
Biographical Sketches
Illinois. He received the bachelor of arts degree from Man- chester College in 1921 and the bachelor of divinity degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1927, and has taken some graduate work at the University of Chicago. He united with the church in 1907 at the West Otter Creek church, Illinois. The First church, Chicago, called him to the ministry in 1919, and he was ordained at the seminary in 1923. He served the Hastings Street mission, Chicago, from 1921 to 1928. He was called to the pastorate of the Detroit church, Michigan, in September 1928 and served there for three years. We recognize Brother Shull now as the pastor of nonresident members of our whole brotherhood. He says, "I MERLIN C. SHULL always enjoyed camp work in Michi- gan. . . . I love pastoral work and, in fact, all the work of the ministry."
JOHN M. SMITH was born in Darke County, Ohio, April 11, 1853. He married Ellen Gibbons in January 1873. After her death he was married to Sarah Wooner. In 1878 he was elected to the deacon's office by the church at Wood- land, Michigan, where he had previously been located. He was elected to the ministry there in September 1884 and ordained in February 1907. Brother Smith served here in the ministry until 1925; however, he had colaborers in preaching during this period. When he could no longer serve because of his age he was succeeded by Brother H. V. Townsend. He preached several funerals near the close of his life. He served the church in the ministry for a little over fifty years, living all this time in one congregation
292
History of the Brethren in Michigan
except for a few months spent in the Southeast on account of his wife's health. On December 13, 1934, at the age of eighty-one, he was called to his eternal reward. He was held in high esteem not only by his own denomination, but by the entire community.
HENRY W. SMITH was born on September 16, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio, the son of Isaac and Mary Smith. He received a common school training. On October 12, 1869, he married Ida M. Botorff. He united with the church at Wood- land, and was baptized by Isaiah Rairigh. On June 10, 1899, at the age of forty-six, Brother Smith was called to the ministry at the Woodland church. He was ordained to the eldership on December 2, 1905. He served the Sunfield church as elder and minister for seventeen years. When this church was remod- eled, he was willing to give free- ly of his time and money. Add- HENRY SMITH AND WIFE ed responsibilities in the en- larged church program made him feel that the ministerial duties should be taken over by younger leaders.
SAMUEL SMITH, during his life's career, was very active in the local church and in the district work. He is the son of Henry and Mary Mohler Smith. He was born near Bradford, Darke County, Ohio, August 21, 1848. His first marriage was to Katherine Flory in 1872. After her death in 1883 he married Lydia Long. Mrs. Earl D. Hoover, a prominent worker in the Detroit church, is a daughter. He completed the elementary school and took some high school
293
Biographical Sketches
work in Ohio. He taught school for a while, and was always glad that his children had better educational advantages than he had had. At the age of twenty-one he was received by baptism into the Harris Creek congregation, Ohio. The Woodland church, Michigan, called him to the deacon's of- fice at the time of its organization in 1873. After moving to the Thornapple congregation, Michigan, he was called to the ministry on November 8, 1883. Fourteen years later, in 1897, he was ordained to the eldership in the same church. Brother Smith served the church in the ministry about thirty-six years. He was a liberal contributor to the finan- cial needs of the local church and the brotherhood. His labors were not confined to his home congregation, but he figured prominently throughout the district for a number of years. In 1885, when the first district missionary board was organized, he became one of its members, serving in that capacity for seventeen years in all. He served as elder of his home congregation several years and as nonresident elder for six other congregations at different times. It was his habit to keep a daily diary. Family worship was al- ways observed. While Brother Smith was a man of strong convictions he was broad enough to be charitable toward those who conscientiously differed with him.
HARPER M. SNAVELY was born on January 15, 1892, at Heilmandale, Pennsylvania, the son of Reuben H. and Harriet Snavely. On January 8, 1914, he was united in mar- riage to Blanche M. Westhafer. He received a public school education in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and took a home study course from New York. He was a student at Bethany Bible Training School in 1924, and in the sum- mer school of 1940. In January 1922 he united with the church at Hershey, Pennsylvania, and was elected to the ministry by that church in December 1923. His ordination to the eldership took place at Myersville, Maryland, in 1931.
294
History of the Brethren in Michigan
His connection with the District of Michigan was during his pastorate in the Battle Creek church from January 1, 1929, to September 1, 1929. He was pastor of the Carlisle church, Southern Pennsylvania, from December 1, 1931, to the fall of 1945, and is now in the pastorate of the Quakertown church, Pennsylvania. He is a successful pastor.
IRA CALVERT SNAVELY, the son of Moses Y. and Sally For- ney Snavely, was born August 11, 1875, at Hud- son, Illinois. He was married to Virginia M. Wine of Octavia, Ne- braska. There were six children in their family. Their daughter Bernice HARPER M. SNAVELY married Galen E. Bark- doll; the Barkdolls are now serving the pastorate of the Marilla church, Michi- gan. Another daughter, Gladys, is the wife of Carl H. Welch. They are serving the pastorate of the Thornapple church, Michigan. After country school days, Brother Snavely attended Moody Bible School, McPherson College, and Bethany Biblical Seminary. He was baptized in August 1889 at the Wood River church, Kearney, Nebraska. He was elected to the ministry on June 28, 1896, and advanced to the second degree at McPherson, Kansas, in 1897. His ordination to the eldership occurred in the Black River church, Michi-
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.