USA > Ohio > A history of the church of the Brethren, Northeastern Ohio > Part 9
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Rev. Loomis is a farmer by vocation and he has always supplemented his physical labor with thoughtful intelli- gence. Having received a liberal education he has been a student all his life. Many years since he was ordained a minister of the Church of the Brethren and for some time was pastor of a church of that denomination in New Philadelphia.
Rev. Loomis has been so long such a careful, industrious student of the Bible that there are few, if any, ministers or
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laymen of his age who are so familiar with the wonderful Book. He possesses a fine perception of what a Christian should be; therefore, he practices what he preaches and is the exemplification of living up to the teachings of the " Golden Rule."
Aside from the weight of his years, which have stooped his shoulders a little, and a slight defect in his hearing, Rev. Loomis' other faculties are alert and vigorous. Be- sides the great pleasure he gets out of the great truths in the Bible, Rev. Loomis finds entertainment and an uplift in reading the productions of the best writers of the world in prose and poetry. He is also a great lover of nature. He delights in pure, fresh air, green fields, trees, running water, and the songs of birds. By indulging in nature's gifts he has kept his heart young and full of cheer and his mind filled with pure, ennobling thoughts.
The evening of Rev. Loomis' life is one of happiness and contentment. His home life is beautiful and he finds great pleasure in contributing to the joy of others, min- istering to the sick and comforting the afflicted, and his presence is very welcome in many homes.
The Advocate-Tribune felicitates Rev. Loomis upon passing the seventy-fifth milestone in life's pilgrimage and trusts the future has in store for him many years of happi- ness and useful, helpful service.
WEST NIMISHILLEN CHURCH.
The chronicler of the events of this church has found the following: This organization had its be- ginning with Henry Browand as minister and Thomas Hale, Isaac Moyler, Manasseh Holl, Cyrus Witwer as deacons, these all living at that time within the present church territory. A little later William Murray moved into the church from Penn- sylvania. In 1871 Michael Schrantz was elected to
WEST NIMISHILLEN CHURCH, STARK COUNTY
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the ministry and Samuel Sprankel, Humphrey Moh- ler and David Shumake to the deacon's office. In the spring of 1873 Samuel Sprankel was called from the deacon's office to the ministry, and in 1881 Henry Young and Humphrey Mohler were elected to the ministry. In 1886 Isaac Holl and John Eby were elected deacons and soon after Alonzo Holl and Abraham Horst were installed into the same office. In 1901 the deacon's office was recruited by the church calling Samuel J. Holl and Cyrus Young, and a little later, Joseph Snyder and Edward Hane. In 1908 Elder Reuben Shroyer moved into this ter- ritory from the Tuscarawas Church. In 1910 Sam- uel J. Holl was elected to the ministry, and Aaron Beltz and Theodore Myers as deacons. Between 1882 and 1885 some few older members went with the Old Order Church, among whom were two of its ministers : Henry Browand and Humphrey Moh- ler. After this small exit from the church Brother Samuel Sprankel was placed in charge.
The meetings and love feasts were at first held in the houses and barns of Michael Schrantz, Isaac Mohler, Manasseh Holl, Jacob Witwer, Charles Surbey, Cyrus Witwer, E. T. Wise, Simon Young, Jacob Humbert, Henry Sprankel, Samuel Young and Benjamin Bolinger.
In 1877 the church and cemetery lot was pur- chased and paid for by Simon Young and deeded to the deacons of the church. A house of worship was then built upon this ground three miles north- east of New Berlin, Ohio, with Manasseh Holl, Henry Sprankel and E. T. Wise on building com- mittee.
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In 1880, when the Orrville Church was disorgan- ized, some of that territory fell to this church with half interest in the churchhouse at Sippo, four miles west of Massillon, Ohio. This additional territory added two brethren to the deacon force of the church, namely, Abraham Kittinger and Samuel Martin.
The order and places of conducting meetings for a number of years were according to the following program: The Pleasant Valley house every two weeks ; at Sippo every four weeks ; at the Sandeville schoolhouse every eight weeks, and at Pinogle, also the Bolinger house, every eight weeks.
In the year 1887 the church elected its first clerk. Prior to that time all of the records were kept in the memory of the members. At this same meet- ing it elected its first treasurer. Isaac Holl was the first clerk and Daniel Reitter the first treasurer. The properties of the church were first held by the deacons; later trustees were elected, to whom was entrusted the care and keeping of its realty. The first trustees were Manasseh Holl, Simon Young and Henry S. Young, and in 1910, when the ceme- tery was laid out in lots, Aaron and Christian Rudy were added to the board of trustees.
The first Sunday-school was organized in the congregation June 28, 1885, with E. S. Young as superintendent, who was succeeded by H. S. Young. At this time the attendance was seventy-five. For some years including the present time the super- intendency has been under the direction of S. J. Holl, Aaron Beltz, Theodore Myers. The interest and attendance continue good.
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The present membership of the church is eighty. Its present ministerial force is Elder Samuel Sprankel, Elder H. S. Young, Elder Reuben Shroyer and S. J. Holl; their colaborers in the deacon's of- fice are Isaac Holl, Alonzo Holl, Joseph Snyder, Aaron Beltz and Theodore Myers.
The organization of the Sunday-school was at- tended with considerable difficulty. For two or three years the Sunday-school proposition came up in their council meetings, and in each case received a majority of the votes present, but it was thought best to postpone the forward move with the hope that the minority part of the membership might become reconciled to what they considered an in- novation. Brother Sprankel and others did much consulting with leading brethren. Finally the pres- sure of the young people, and older ones, too, came so strong that on one beautiful June day in 1885 Brother Sprankel anounced that at 2: 30 P. M. they would meet to organize a Sunday-school. A large group of interested people came together, but they
found the church doors locked. A number of benches were soon taken from their storage in the sheds near by, and a most interesting hour was had in organizing the work and studying the Book of books. Two weeks later, at their next meeting, they found the church doors open and the school convened within the sacred sanctuary. The storm cloud passed away and peace and harmony have risen with healing in their wings to bring again a reign of sweet fellowship among the members. The Sunday-school has proven her worthiness to become enrolled among the good works of the congregation.
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Samuel Sprankel. 1840-
The son of Jacob and Rachel Pence Sprankel was born in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, on the farm on which he now lives. This farm was purchased from the government in 1817 by his grandfather, Michael Sprankel. In 1847 it became the property of his father, Jacob, who in 1850 died, leaving this earthly possession to his mother, sister and himself.
The school opportunities were very meager ; only four or five months in the year were provided for. and then only in such subjects as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and arithmetic. When his fa- ther died, in 1850, the responsibilities fell quite heavily upon this ten-year-old lad, hence the school- ing had to be done when the home duties were not pressing so hard. He had a special liking for what was then called declaiming. His teachers seeing this gave him much encouragement in that most useful art which he found to be very helpful in after life. As a side line from his school and home duties Samuel was fond of hunting with a bow gun, and collecting Indian relics. These childish traits became stepping-stones to reach the higher altitudes of his ministrations.
Six years after the death of the father another heavy stroke fell upon this family in the death of the only sister and daughter. The loss of the loving sister forever left its sting in the heart of the broth- er, who at that age was beginning to look out into the larger world.
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The same year his widowed mother married and moved near Wabash, Ind. This opened up to Sam- uel a field of new experiences. The country was new and many hardships were experienced incident to the newness of the country. The schools were poor, being taught for the most part by ladies and only
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for three or four months during the winters. Out- side of school hours the ax, maul and wedge were the tools mostly used. These were made good use of, for he could split as good a rail as Abraham Lincoln could any day. Samuel made his acquain- tance with North Manchester when but a few stores
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and dwellings and no railroads marked the now prosperous town. He made this trip on horseback for some plow points. The trip brought him into acquaintanceship with some of the Brethren living there. The long trips became more numerous, and he sought every opportunity to meet these Brethren' and hear them preach. Under the preaching of such men as the Metzgers, Myerses, Barnharts, Karnses and Neffs his early religious impressions were formed, which contributed in no small amount in shaping the future of his life.
After four years in Indiana, in 1860 the subject of our sketch returned to Ohio and lived with his grandfather. The money system being such an un- certain security at that time, the young boy gathered up as much Ohio money as he could so he would not be hindered in his journey when he would pass over the State line. Prices were very low: wages fifty cents per day, wheat forty-five cents per bushel, pork three cents per pound, and other things ac- cordingly.
The Civil War being on and Samuel creeping up to the age where enlistments were made, put him into more serious thinking, hence he took to reading the Bible as never before. The non-resistant princi- ple taught there and the teachings of his loving mother put him on the side of not going to war. But the drafting of soldiers finally reached him. He, with others, was ordered to report at the re- cruiting station at Mansfield, Ohio. When passing through Canton a riot almost occurred between those who were favorable to war and those who were not. At this place a man stepped up to this
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twenty-one-year-old youth and asked him if he was drafted, to which he responded that he was, where- upon he offered to go in his stead. He accompanied him to Massillon, their first camping point, where the bargain was completed.
The war burden being rolled off, Samuel's heart took seriously to the more noble things of life, not however, without meeting occasional tests. One day a war sympathizer met him and asked him, “ If some one would come in the night and try to get into the house, what would you do?"
" I told him I could not say what I would do, but would advise him not to try it, though I had no de- sire to hurt him, but I might be a little dangreous on the spur of the moment."
In the winter of 1863 Brother Sprankel united with the church under the preaching of John Hun- sacker. The services were held in schoolhouses and in the homes of the Brethren. Three meetings were held at a place, and by the time the minister got around fifteen souls were baptized. The winter was extremely cold, and at the time of the baptism it was so cold that ice would freeze on the clothes of the baptized a few minutes after coming out of the water. A new life was then opened up to him, and he applied himself faithfully to the things that count for time and eternity.
In 1864 he was married to Sarah Killinger. After two years he was elected to the deacon's office, in which he served for about three years, when in 1873 he was called to the ministry. He said he had no Sunday-school advantages, very little day schooling and only two qualifications : a good mind and a loose
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tongue. Three weeks after his installation he was left to fill an important appointment all alone. This severely tested the young preacher. He thought of the fate of Jonah and took courage. As the preach- ing in those days was mostly in both the German and English tongues, Brother Sprankel had most of the English preaching to do for several years. He was a faithful companion of the Bible and kindred books. He was noted all along his life's work for his punctuality upon all church services. For four- teen consecutive years he missed only two Sundays, and on one of those his mother lay a corpse. He was much called upon to conduct funeral services and solemnize marriages. He conducted as many as two funerals a day and some days it would be a funeral and a marriage. His evangelistic work totals years of warning to sinners to flee from the wrath to come. Some winters he spent all his time in the fields whitening to the harvest. He attended every Dis- trict Meeting in Northeastern Ohio and forty-three or forty-four Annual Meetings. He moderated many of the District Meetings, and was chosen on the Standing Committee of the Meyersdale and Harrisburg (Pa.) Annual Meetings.
Brother Sprankel's pleasure in serving liis breth- ren is seen further in his untiring efforts in getting railroad rates to both District Meeting and Annual Meeting. He has spent much time and money that the trips to these meetings might be both pleasant and profitable. He also did much for the ministry of the District in the way of securing ministerial railroad permits, when the Passenger Association was about to cancel them for our Brethren on ac-
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count of their having other employment than preaching.
Brother Sprankel was one of the pioneers in the mission work of the District. He was a member of the board for a number of years, and was treasurer for about five years. He, with Brethren D. N. Workman and Noah Longanecker, organized the Lake Shore Church and made it a promising field for some time. The care of the church soon fell to Brother Sammy, as he is familiarly known. The meetings were held in a Methodist church for some time. He missed only two meetings in fourteen years and three Sundays in twenty-one years. The first love feast at that place attracted considerable attention. Cleveland not being very far away from his church, Brother Sprankel went into the city and hunted up the members, as many of them as he could find, and preached for them a number of times in their homes. He found sixteen mem- bers in all.
Upon three occasions he was called there to preach funeral sermons. At a certain place in Geauga County he was called to see a very sick woman. Upon arriving he found that the woman had known something of our peo- ple in early life. She requested to be baptized. After preparations were made she was carried from her sick bed to the sleigh and taken a short distance to a stream, then the husband and Brother Sprankel carried her down into the water to be baptized. After baptism she walked out of the water to the sleigh and returned home with joy in her heart and renewed strength in her body. Upon another oc- casion he was called upon to baptize a sister af-
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flicted with cancer. The woman was too weak to sit up. A suitable place for baptism was prepared in the yard. The water was heated and the woman was then carried to the font and baptized. She stood the baptism well, and after a few days went to the glory world.
Brother Sprankel's work is shown also in his op- position to the liquor traffic. Upon one occasion he was called to preach the funeral of a man who had been killed in a drunken stupor while crossing the railroad near his home. The funeral was con- ducted at a saloonkeeper's home. A large attend- " ance of sympathizers were there, and all were pleased with his fearless and straight-forward ser- mon.
In the county campaign (Stark) Brother Sprank- el was a live wire, working both personally and in public speech-making. He always based his tem- perance speeches on the Bible. He was careful not to abuse the men who were in the saloon's clutches. but was not sparing with the Dutchman's vocabu- lary in denouncing the traffic.
The date of Brother Sprankel's ordination the chronicler failed to give, but he was ordained by Brethren D. N. Workman and Noah Longanecker some time in the eighties. He was always at his post of duty, doing the very best he knew at all times. He served on many committees. He served on the Annual Meeting committee to the Western Pennsylvania churches for nine years. His was also an oversight of a number of churches, as many as six at a time. He traveled in the interests of the church in most every State in the Union, and quite
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a bit at his own expense, that he might be at charges to no one for the sake of the Gospel. The most of his work has been done in Northeastern Ohio. Though he is creeping up in years at the present time, yet he is full of zeal for the Master and the prosperity of the churches.
SPRINGFIELD CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1868 in what is known as the old East Nimishillen churchhouse. The elders present upon the organization were Dan- iel Peck, Jacob Snyder and Henry Kurtz. In the early days the services were held every two weeks in the following homes: John Royer, John B. Mish- ler, Henry Young, Frederick Young, Solomon Kei- ser, Joseph Mishler, Jacob Kurtz, and in school- houses.
The following elders in their respective periods were faithful shepherds of their flock: Joseph Mish- ler, Jacob Garver, John B. Mishler, David Young, George Carper, David F. Eby, Jacob Mishler and James Murray.
The associate ministers elected by the church were: John B. Mishler, David Young, George Car- per, Jacob Mishler, William Bixler, M. S. Young, S. A. Kreiner and Charles Kurtz. Their assistants in the deacon's office were the following: Solomon Kiser, Henry Young, Jacob Kurtz, Jacob Mishler, Sr., Abraham Kurtz, Jacob Mishler, William Lutz, S. C. Young, Eli Holl, Joseph Mishler, Samuel Car- per, Henry Weaver, Reuben Young, Henry Kurtz,
SPRINGFIELD CHURCH, SUMMIT COUNTY
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Alvin Holl, Alonzo Holl, Eli Hershberger, John F. Young, Alvin Young, Eli Mishler and Harvey E. Kurtz. A more substantial body of men, faithful to their charge, can be found nowhere. The chron- icler from this church has succeeded in finding bi- ographies of some of the principal ones that fig- ured in the early and later work of the church.
Joseph Mishler, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, came to Ohio with his parents, living at New Ber- lin a few years; from there he and family went to Dayton, Ohio. After several years he returned to the Springfield Church. He served the church faith- fully for a number of years as elder. His successor in office was Jacob Garver, from the Mohican Church, who presided until 1875, when John B. Mishler, son of Joseph Mishler, and David Young were ordained and took charge of the church.
John B. Mishler was born in Ohio in 1825; he and Brother Young were elected to the ministry in 1858; four years later they were advanced to the second degree. Brother Mishler was a man of excellent judgment, successful in a financial way as well as in the faith of the church. These breth- ren were pillars for many years. Brother Mishler died in 1893.
David Young was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1828. His education was somewhat limited, yet he was known as an able speaker. He was in special demand upon funeral occasions, being called upon in various towns and surrounding communities to officiate, giving comfort and spiritual direction to those whose hearts needed comfort. He preached
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both in the English and German languages, and for several years has been identified with the Old Order Brethren.
George Carper was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1838; was elected to the ministry in 1872; five years later was advanced to the second degree. Brother Carper was a successful farmer in Spring- field Township. He was conscientious and a good leader in the home church and for many years led the song service. In 1896 he was ordained to the eldership and faithfully served the church in that capacity until Oct. 25, 1905, when he was suddenly called home. This event was a great shock to the church and his absence among the members was keenly felt.
David Eby was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1828, was called to the ministry in Illinois in 1873, was advanced to the second degree the following year, and in less than two years was ordained to the eldership. While in that State he served on a num- ber of committees whose duty generally involves the unraveling of knotty questions. In 1903 he with his wife moved within the bounds of the Spring- field Church. He followed the carpenter trade for a living, though in early life he engaged himself at times in the teaching of vocal music, and later be- came a leader in sacred song, and edited the song book entitled " The Echo." In 1908, on account of his failing memory, he resigned from active church work.
Jacob G. Mishler was born in 1843, in Suffield Township, Portage County, Ohio. He followed the
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occupation of farming during his early days. He served the church as deacon for several years, after which he was elected to the ministry ; was advanced to the second degree in 1896 and ordained in 1907. He had charge of the church less than a year when he was called to his reward. Elder James Murray, of the Chippewa congregation, was then called to the oversight, which duty he performed with fidel- ity and untiring zeal.
In 1902 Brethren William Bixler and Menno S. Young were elected to the ministry and advanced in 1905. Brother Bixler's birth dates from 1848, and a number of his early years were devoted to teaching school. He enlisted in the war of 1861, and since being called to the ministry has spent some time in evangelistic work. He now lives with- in the bounds of the Akron Church. Menno Young's life dates from 1875; he united with the church at the age of sixteen, and served in the capacity of Sunday-school superintendent for five successive years. Spent five successive years in school-teach- ing.
Samuel A. Kriner was born at Mogadore, Summit County, Ohio, in 1864. He had formerly belonged to the Disciple Church. He united with the Church of the Brethren in 1902, was called to the ministry in 1906. For two years he served in the capacity of Sunday-school superintendent, and was advanced to the second degree in 1909. He is a painter by trade, but at present is engaged in farming.
Charles Kurtz was born in 1889 in Portage Coun- ty, Ohio, and united with the church when fifteen
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years old. He, too, served as Sunday-school super- intendent for a few years. He was called to the ministry in 1910. His occupation is farming.
The first churchhouse erected in this congrega- tion was in 1871, about a mile southwest of Moga- dore; it was remodeled in 1910. In 1904 another house was built in Kent, Ohio. This church at present is composed of about 190 members. Until recently the preaching was divided between the English and German tongues.
The first Sunday-school was organized in 1887 with considerable opposition, so much so that it had to be organized in the schoolhouse near by where the exercises were conducted for some time. Broth- er William Bixler was superintendent and Israel Young assistant. Happily this opposition soon gave way and the work of the school was admitted to the church where it has been a potent factor in the onward progress of the congregation in bringing its young people into the fold of the Master. The present enrollment of the school is 184. The Chris- tian Workers' Society of the church was organized in 1910.
P. S .- The Sunday-school in the schoolhouse across the road from the church was organized by Brother Simon R. Garver before he was a member of any church. He was teaching school at that place, and after consultation with some members of the church led out in its organization. Brother Garver of course became its first superintendent. The Lord can work in various ways to accomplish his purposes.
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CHIPPEWA CONGREGATION, WAYNE COUNTY.
(All records previous to the division of the old Chippewa congregation are lost.)
Before the church was built the services were held in private houses, barns and schoolhouses. The following are the names of some of the private families: Daniel Correll, Adolph Pinkerton, Peter Hoff, Sr., Peter Hoff, Jr., Andrew Yoder, Emanuel Yoder, Thomas Abie, Manuel Martin and John Smith, the members taking turns.
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