USA > Ohio > A history of the church of the Brethren, Northeastern Ohio > Part 11
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The history of Grandfather Hoff's life is the his- tory of the settlement and growth of a community from almost aboriginal wilds to the populous and peaceful occupation of twentieth century civiliza- tion. His has been the fortune to have lived during a progress such as the world at his natal day had never dreamed. He was one of the last real pioneers of Wayne County.
Two weeks after his father and mother, Peter and Sarah Hoff (nee Blocher), had found the spot in Milton Township where they decided to make their home, Grandfather Hoff was born, in a log cabin hurriedly hewn out of the virgin forest. After a long and dangerous journey from Pennsylvania they said, " Here will be home."
And here Grandfather Hoff resided with his par- ents until the age of twenty-one, when he married Susannah Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania. Just across the line in Canaan Township he selected the home for himself and his bride. It was virgin land. The hand of civilization had not yet disturbed the deep and fertile mold of its acres. James Monroe, president of the United States, was the signer of the deed, and the farm had never left his possession until given by him a few years ago to his grandchildren.
Here he lived fifty-four years with his wife until her death in 1896. After her death he continued to live here six years longer, under the care of his granddaughter, Mrs. Chauncey J. King (Irvin),
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making a total of sixty years. One child was born to the marriage, Sarah, who married Rev. D. M. Irvin. Her death occurred Jan. 18, 1874. Grandfather Hoff's descendants from his marriage are the children of Sarah Irvin, viz., Mrs. T. E. Steiner, deceased; John Irvin, north of Wooster; Mrs. Chauncey J. King and Dr. George H. Irvin, of Orrville. Since the marriage of Mrs. King, Mr. Hoff had resided with them-three years at Smith- ville and eight years at Orrville. Two younger brothers survive -- John Hoff, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Peter Hoff, of Dallas Center, Iowa.
Grandfather Hoff's early education was meager, consisting of a few months of such schooling in the winter as those early days afforded. But he was a great reader, particularly of religious works, and an extensive traveler in the United States. His edu- cation and training was that obtained from mature experiences, reading and travel; it was useful and served him well. He was a man of unswerving character, a liberal giver to causes that appealed to his sense of worthiness, governed by a religious mind. His beneficence was always ruled with a modest desire that it should be quiet, unaccom- panied by display.
He accumulated a considerable fortune, and ac- cording to his own statement at the time, becoming tired of its possession gave it to his grandchildren and his church, the German Baptist Brethren (Dunkard). At his funeral, which was largely at- tended, one of the ministers said : " No one can re- member that Grandfather Hoff ever uttered an un-
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kind word, and it is certain that he never uttered a profane one."
Grandfather Hoff's name is not written large up- on the scroll of fame, but now, as the mantle of im- mortality is folded about him, at the gate where all mortals are equal, his works in the eyes of Him who is the arbiter of all deeds will weight great in the balance, and now he will hear the words, " Well done, my good and faithful servant, come up high- er."
ORRVILLE CHURCH.
This church was organized in the year 1877 from the eastern division of the Chippewa congregation. Within the territory there were two places of wor- ship-Sippo and Leisure. Brother John B. Shu- maker was the elder in charge. David Lytle, now of Deshler, Ohio, was elected to the ministry. In a short time after the organization the elder in charge moved to Michigan, and Brother Lytle to Deshler, thus leaving this small group of members with- out any ministerial help. Hence, in 1880, it was deemed advisable to disorganize the church and assign its membership to the adjoining congrega- tions, West Nimishillen taking the Sippo Church, and eastern part; the Chippewa Church, the north- western division; and the Wooster Church, the southwestern part.
This closes the short chapter of three years from 1877 to 1880 and may we ask, who can measure the worth of these three years? Though the Orrville
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Church has been cut out, yet light has caught new radiance in its burning from the candle of adjoin- ing churches.
WOOSTER CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1877, it being form- erly a part of the Chippewa congregation. The elders assisting in the organization were Morgan Workman, Conrad Kahler and John Swihart. There were about 100 charter members, among whom were two ministers, namely, Cyrus Hoover and D. M. Irvin. Their place of worship was known as the Union Paradise churchhouse.
In 1880 this church increased her membership ma- terially through the disorganization of the Orrville congregation. At the beginning the services were held every four weeks; from 1901 to 1907 the serv- ices were increased to every two weeks. From that time the services were held three Sundays out of each month (the River Brethren, who had an inter- est in this house, using one Sunday each month). Services were held in the Moscow Baptist Church once in four weeks for about two years, when in 1879 the church purchased their house of worship, which was named the "Fountain Hill Church." Here services were held every two weeks until the autumn of 1906, when it was considered advisable to dis- continue them, as the condition of the house was such that it could not be heated comfortably for services in the winter. The church did not think it expedient to rebuild at that point, hoping that in the near future a house of worship could be built in
WOOSTER CHURCH, WAYNE COUNTY
Built on the corner of the farm where the Annual Meeting of 1872 was held.
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the village of Orrville which would accommodate the members in this locality.
Many series of meetings have been held in the congregation that have been very helpful and en- couraging to the membership as well as adding many to the fold.
Morgan Workman was the first elder called to preside over the church. In 1879 Cyrus Hoover was ordained and called by the church to take the oversight, who efficiently served in that capacity until his death in 1901, after which Eli Holmes was chosen to preside and up to the present time is faithfully discharging the duties of a shepherd.
The coworkers, as ministers of this organization, were D. M. Irvin, now residing in Canada, David Smith, D. M. Brubaker, A. I. Heestand and R. M. Moomaw, the latter being the only minister called to the service of the church since its organization. This feature will find its explanation in the fact that a number of ministers moved into the church from other congregations from time to time.
The deacons of the congregation merit special mention in this particular : that perhaps no church in Northeastern Ohio can claim such a faithful body and of such executive ability as these play in the organization of their work.
The present place of worship is one-half mile east of Smithville station ; was first built in 1841, a new one built in 1873 and rebuilt in 1898. The present house is commodious and very convenient for its purpose. The congregation at present numbers 110 members ; this shows that they are stronger numer- ically now than when they were organized. This is
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commendable when we think of so many other churches that have closed their doors for the last time. This congregation has supported a Sunday- school from the time of its organization, and has continued through the summer months until the year 1900; since that time it has become an ever- green school. The work of the Sunday-school is shown more particularly in this, that nearly all the members that are baptized into the church come through the Sunday-school. Of the Home and Cradle Roll Departments of the school the chron- icler failed to forward the data, but we understand that they are wide-awake in pushing out into these lines of Sunday-school work.
The Christian Workers' Society is doing com- mendable work. Through its faithful and untiring energy it is able to serve the church in materially augmenting its spirituality as well as making the unfortunates of society happy in congested popu- lations with their various gifts.
The Sisters' Aid Society is another healthy auxil- iary of the church. It enjoys the pleasure of meet- ing at regular intervals, and the work done brings joy to the workers, and new hope to the souls of those benefited. Their work is an influence which has already contributed richly to the missions of the Brotherhood.
Wooster Church Supplement.
The June 12, 1843, Annual Meeting was held with- in the bounds of what is now known as the Wooster Church, in a barn at the home of Elder Jacob Kurtz, East Union Township, Wayne County.
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The brethren, on this occasion, came to the Con- ference afoot, on horseback and in covered wagons, wending their way through dense forests, fording streams, coming for the most part from the east and a few from the west, which was newly settled. Up- on reaching the place of the Conference the horses were all turned out into a twelve-acre field, leaving them there to graze until the close of the meeting.
This meeting was preceded the evening before by a love feast, when all the brethren and sisters from different parts of the Brotherhood enjoyed a spirit- ual reunion and fellowship that has never faded from the memories of those who participated in the same. When death sealed their careers here upon earth, then the joy of eating again around that throne where the Savior himself was pleased to come forth and serve them, made full their cup.
At this Annual Conference everything was free. During the meeting lodging and board for them- selves and beasts of burden were generously sup- plied by the love of the brethren.
Elder Cyrus Hoover. 1821-1901.
The early ancestors of the following sketch were of Swiss parentage, they leaving Switzerland in the days of persecution on account of their religious convictions. They first located near London, En- gland, and after a short period of residence there, decided to come to America with one of William Penn's companies. This hardy family did much in clearing up and improving Lancaster County, Pa.,
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soil. Many of them caught the "go west " spirit and took the newly-carved-out trail over the Al- leghenies into fertile Ohio.
Elder Cyrus Hoover, representing one branch of the original Hoover family, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Oct. 16, 1821. At the age of nineteen he moved with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, locating on the farm where the Annual Conference was held in the year 1872, near Smithville Station. He lived at this place until the time of his death, Jan. 8, 1901. He and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren during the summer of 1853. In a short time thereafter he was elected to the deacon's office. In 1869 he was elected to the min- istry, and in 1879 was ordained to the eldership; serving the Wooster Church in that capacity until the time of his death.
In choosing their church home, Brother and Sis- ter Hoover were somewhat at a loss to know what to do, he inclining toward the United Brethren, and she to the Mennonite faith. After due considera- tion, they decided to unite with the Church of the Brethren, and ever thereafter their home near the church became a lodging place for ministering brethren and others who were pleased to come. Elder Hoover was not so widely known over the Brotherhood, nor considered one of the most active elders, but he was noted for his good judgment, and ability to lead. He was a cheerful giver, a wise counsellor, a lover and leader of sacred song, and ever at his place when the hour for public worship came. The head, heart and life religion ran like golden threads through the everyday affairs of his
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life, thus wielding a blessed influence over the lives of others. He made his life and personal influence more brilliant than his speeches. The controlling motive of his heart was to glorify God in every duty of life.
Brother Hoover was not able to lie down for two years before his death, and often during this time at the midnight hour was he heard singing his fa- vorite sacred hymns.
He bore his affliction without a murmur, perfectly resigned to his heavenly Father's will.
He was buried in the Paradise cemetery near his home. The world was made better by his having lived in it.
McMAHON CREEK CHURCH, BELMONT COUNTY.
But very few Brethren of the District will know there ever was a church in Northeastern Ohio by the above name. The circumstances of its organiza- tion and brief existence are interesting bits of history.
The beginning of this body of believers is traced to Sister David Snyder (deceased, her husband now living at Selma, Cal.). Sister Snyder, being a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was called to Somerset, Pa., August, 1873, to see her mother, who was seriously ill. While there she became ac- quainted with a number of Brethren. Before re- turning she requested her father-in-law, Elder Sny- der, then living at that place, to send a Dunkard evangelist to Belmont, Ohio, to do some preaching. Elder Snyder carried the request directly to the
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Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania. The Home Mission Board sent J. W. Beer, at that time editor of the Christian Family Companion, pub- lished at Meyersdale, Pa. Brother Beer was ac- companied by Elder Adam Wise, of Green County, Va., to Warnack, Ohio, Belmont County.
The first meetings were held in the Presbyterian Church at Warnack, beginning the evening of Dec. 10, 1873. On Sunday, Dec. 13, preaching was con- ducted in the home of Brother and Sister Snyder, at which time both husband and wife made appli- cation to be baptized. After the usual instructions were given that keen Sunday morning of Dec. 13, their hearts full of sunshine and hope, Brother and Sister Snyder, accompanied by Brother Beer and Elder Smith and some few friends, could be seen walking down through the fields to the McMahon Creek (which ran through Brother Snyder's farm) to be baptized. This truly was an impressive scene, for two precious souls were to be born into the Kingdom, a church to be organized, and the pure Gospel preached. Perhaps the first time in the his- tory of Belmont County, and McMahon Creek, was prayer offered as on this occasion, when the silence was broken only by the rippling waters and audible voice of the administrator.
After Brother and Sister Snyder were baptized, and Brethren Beer and Wise felt they had to go back home, they recommended the newly-born babes of the Kingdom (then over a hundred miles from any organized church of the Brethren) to the care of the Home Mission Board of Northeastern Ohio. The Board promptly responded by sending them a
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minister every four weeks, preaching three sermons each time. All meetings were held in the home of Brother and Sister Snyder, excepting the mid-week prayer meetings which were held in turn at the members' houses during the lifetime of the congre- gation. Bible reading was a prominent part of the prayer services. A Sunday-school and Bible read- ing were conducted both morning and evening dur- ing the short history of the church. The work pro- gressed approvingly to the Home Mission Board, and sometime between December, 1873, and 1875, George Irvin and wife, Cyrus Hoover and wife, Samuel Garver and Philip Brown were sent to Bel- mont County to organize the members into a church. After the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, the organization was effected by calling Brother David Snyder to the ministry, Brethren Joseph Daly and Geo. W. Secrist to the deacon's office. Elder Geo. Irvin was chosen housekeeper. After the installa- tion services a love feast was prepared and all the. members, with the visiting brethren and their wives, sat around the Lord's table and broke to each other the manna of heaven. Only those who sat around that table for the first time can tell of the joy of the soul.
The congregation was named after the creek in which the first members were baptized. Twenty- six in all were born into this body of believers. The oldest was eighty years old (having been a member of the Mormons) and the youngest only fifteen. All baptisms took place on the farm of Brother Snyder. Besides the brethren already named, who came to give spiritual nourishment, the following named also gave the Belmont brethren
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pastoral care: Gideon Bollinger, John Mishler, John Nicholson, Eli Yoder, David Irvin, Henry Jacobs, George Kollar and John Wise, of Washington Coun- ty, Pa. J. W. Beer came a second time from Penn- sylvania to see how this new planting of the Gospel was progressing. You will remember that the Mc- Mahon congregation was the first and only church of the Brethren organized in Southeastern Ohio.
Brother and Sister Snyder, having sold their farm, moved to Ashland, Ohio, April 4, 1880. This left the infant church without a suitable place for meet- ings ; a general exodus took place, and the last chap- ter of that little volume of history, so beautifully begun, is closed. Not ended, for it still lives in other parts of the Brotherhood. After Brother Snyder's wife died at Ashland, Ohio, he sold out and went to California. He is now eighty-one years old and devotes all his time to church work. Brother Daly, the first deacon of the McMahon Church, went to Parsons, Kans., and from there to Arkansas. He was zealous for the Lord as was Philip. There being no congregation of the Brethren where he moved, he refrained not from preaching the Gospel and baptizing those who believed. Later the church approved of his work.
BRISTOLVILLE CHURCH.
In the year 1837 or 1838, Mr. Henry Kagy, with his family, moved from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia into what was then known as the " West- ern Reserve," where he located on a farm in Bristol- ville Township, Trumbull County, Ohio. How
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many were in the party is not known, but among the number was one daughter named Elizabeth, who had previously, while yet in Virginia, united with the Brethren Church. She made the journey of nearly 400 miles on horseback, and although now isolated and away from the influences of the church, "Aunt Betsey," as she was afterwards called, re- mained true to her profession, and became an im- portant factor in the subsequent work and organiza- tion of the congregation.
Other families, bearing the names of Kagy, Barb, Hoffman and others, soon followed and a small community of Virginians was established. The im- portunity of this sister, who in the meantime had married Isaac Barb, prevailed on the Brethren as early as the sixties to come and hold some meetings. Brethren Conrad Kahler, Lewis Glass and others came to this settlement and preached the full Gos- pel of salvation. By these efforts conversions were effected which became the nucleus of the " Bristol- ville Church."
But, as is usual under such circumstances, the work progressed slowly. About this time Brother John Strom, of sturdy Swiss descent, with his fam- ily, moved from the old "Sandy " Church, near North Georgetown, Columbiana County. He be- came a part of this community, and being a carpen- ter by trade, was largely responsible for a house of worship being built-a "union " house, erected in 1868, which is still standing and is the present place of worship.
In the year 1879, with nineteen members, an or- ganization was effected, and having no minister, the
BRISTOLVILLE CHURCH, TRUMBULL COUNTY
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services were conducted by ministers from the Sandy, Canton and Mahoning Churches. During one of the services an unusual sensation was created in the neighborhood, which came about in the fol- lowing manner :
An old, decrepit, helpless man, by the name of Abraham Kagy, sorely afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism, made application for membership. It was accepted and arrangements were made for bap- tism. The entire neighborhood was stirred, and ob- jection was made that he would never stand such an ordeal, the " would-be-wise " shaking their heads, venturing to say, " He will come from the water a corpse," " It will surely kill him." Notwithstand- ing, preparations proceeded and Elders Conrad Kahler and Lewis Glass carried him into the water and baptized him without difficulty. Brother Kagy came up from his baptism rejoicing, and lived his allotment of days with peace in his soul.
The church grew and in 1881 reported twenty-six members. Elder John Nicholson moved in and took charge of the work. He thereby became the only resident pastor the church ever had. The membership increased to the probable number of thirty-five, when the deplored 1882 division in the Brotherhood occurred. Efforts for awhile ceased. Deaths, removals and driftings occurred until in 1900 only ten members remained; then two addi- tions followed. Afterwards deaths and removals occurred until eight remained. Later some have moved in, plus a few by baptism, until there are at present sixteen members, with meetings once a month, the preaching being supplied from adjoin-
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ing churches. Two of the brethren are in the dea- con's office. A Sunday-school is being maintained, using the Brethren's literature.
Among those who have labored in this church are the following: Elders Kahler, Glass, Garver, Shoe- maker, Byers, P. J. Brown, D. N. Workman, S. Sprankel, N. Longanecker and E. Loomis; Brethren J. F. Kahler, J. Weirick, J. J. Hoover, Wm. Murray,; John Clement, D. M. Irvin and A. W. Harrold, who is now elder in charge. Other elders in charge have been P. J. Brown, J. Nicholson, D. N. Workman and Ed. Loomis.
The church is dependent upon the District Mis- sion Board and highly appreciates its help.
Efforts are being made to have a minister locate, which is very much needed. Prospects for future success augur well and it appears to be a promis- ing field for mission efforts. While this body of believers has never been very numerous, yet it has kept the candle of faith burning, and has played its part in a humble way to prepare young people to do their very best in the larger world. Some few of her members moved into other parts of the Broth- erhood, and ably engaged themselves in the Master's work. The Lord meets with little congregations as promptly as He does with big ones.
FREEBURG.
Just across the western boundary of Columbiana County, in Stark County, is the territory of the Freeburg congregation. A commodious house of worship having been constructed some years before
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while yet a part of the Sandy, near the village of Freeburg, it is the one place of worship with the exception of some appointments filled at a school- house known as Science Hill.
The time and manner of her birth is best related by a resolution passed at a council of the " Sandy " Church Aug. 17, 1901, with the proviso that a similar resolution be adopted by the newly-created " Read- ing " Church: "To whom this may concern in the future, this is to certify that we, the German Baptist Brethren Church, called the 'Sandy' Church of Northeastern Ohio, did, in council assembled on the 19th day of May, 1900, deem it best to divide the congregation for the best interest of the church, and on motion the following line was established by a unanimous voice of the churches as follows : All of the aforesaid congregation west of the Stark and Columbiana County line to be called the 'Free- burg' congregation. Furthermore, be it resolved that since the division has been made, that we, the members of the Freeburg congregation, do this 17th day of August, 1901, in council assembled, release and convey all of our right and title of all real estate and church property east of aforesaid line, to the Reading congregation. And we furthermore agree that this resolution be signed by the old trustees of the Sandy congregation, and by them so doing, and a copy of these resolutions to be placed on each church record, shall stand as a record that there is no more a Sandy congregation."
Signed, S. B. Stuckey, Moderator. John R. Hoffman, Clerk.
FREEBURG CHURCH, STARK COUNTY
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Prior to the passage of the above resolution Elder F. B. Weimer was elected to the oversight of the church, the date given Nov. 24, 1900. He contin- ued to look after the wants of the church until Nov. 26, 1904, when Elder Samuel Sprankel was called to the oversight and is still serving in that capacity.
The church has accomplished much and is filling her place among her sister churches of Northeastern Ohio. Her membership in 1901 is given as 117, and in examining her records we notice quite a number of dismissals, due in part to the aggressive work of the secret orders in that section. Among the ministers assisting her are N. Longanecker, John F. Kahler, R. R. Shroyer, Wm. Bixler and others. As the church thus launched out it enjoyed the leadership of Simon Stuckey in the work of the home ministry, ably assisted by his colaborer, M. W. Hahn, of whom brief biographies are given in the notes of "Sandy " Church. On May 25, 1901, Brother D. F. Stuckey was called to the ministry, and advanced to the second degree May 14, 1904. He has, since his first installation, given his efforts to the church and has filled her appointments very acceptably. He resides on a farm, is enthusiastic in all his work and is faithfully serving the church in all her activities.
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