USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Germantown > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Germantown, Ohio : and biographies of its pastors and founders > Part 5
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Rev. Stirewalt was a rather prolific writer, but confined his literary efforts to minor productions. Some of these owed their origin to local conditions and events. Germantown is situated between the cities of Dayton and Cincinnati, in both of which, especially the latter, exists a great deal of infidelity, and of laxity in matters of religious faith and practice. As is always the case with smaller towns in the vicinity of large cities, Germantown is affected by these same elements of its populous neighbors. Rev. Stirewalt, being very fond of attending all sorts of meetings and conventions, and determined never to lose the opportunity of making a speech, necessarily often came in contact with men of the " baser sort." As they delight in nothing so much as putting " knotty questions " to preachers, he soon became involved in disputes and discussions with them. These attacks made on him became the stimulating cause of the publication of several excel- lent tracts. There are some three or four of these extant treating of different subjects, and strongly controversial. Like his newspaper articles, they show him a facile and pleasing writer. The ideas and facts which they set forth are systematically arranged, and are expressed in chaste language. The productions of his pen are many, and range over a large scope of subjects, sermons, addresses, biographies, essays on theological subjects, poetry and fiction. If they were all collected, they would
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make up several volumes, and would commend themselves to all intelligent readers.
Rev. Stirewalt excelled especially as a pastor He was possessed of fine social qualifications, and had in an eminent degree acquired the art of pleasing. To say, that he was welcome to the homes and hearths of all his parishioners, is not telling half the truth. His people were delighted with his visits. Their affection and admiration for him rose to enthu siasm. The feeble condition of his health requiring constant light exercise, he spent the greater part of his time in pastoral visiting and personal communica tion with his parishioners. He would pass from house to house, conversing on the subject of religion and the interests of the church, and often relating anecdotes and pleasing incidents by the hour. The communicant membership in the town, exclusive of those in the country, is about two hundred. On alle of these it seems he called every few weeks, and on some of them every week. By some it may be thought that he carried this matter to extremes. But let it be remembered that this was a necessity to him. Disease had for many years been preying upon his vitals. Had he confined himself closer to home and study, he would have much sooner fallen its victim. The buoyancy of mind and cheerfulness of spirit which he cultivated and maintained by his social habits, prolonged his life by many years. If any harm has been done by his course in this particular matter, the writer probably, as his successor, is its
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greatest sufferer. His people demand an amount of pastoral visiting, pleading the precedent of Rev. Stirewalt, which, if complied with, will preclude all . study, self-improvement, and preparation for the pulpit.
When we consider the feeble condition of this brother's health, we are amazed at the amount of labor which he performed. For twelve years he was afflicted with a distressing cough, the paroxysms occasionally becoming so violent that it seemed as if they would result in instant death. He was, more. over, subject to frequent hemorrhages, sick headache, dyspepsia, and other ailments. And yet he performed an amount of work that would have taxed the strength and endurance of a man of the soundest health and the most robust constitution. Nor did his suffering affect in the least degree his light and joyous spirits. In the midst of greatest suffering, his good humor bubbled over ; and even when on the verge of the grave and expected every day to die, he would make the friends, who came to take a last look at him, laugh until the tears would run out of their eyes. He exhibited not the least fear of death. The grave had no terror to him.
Says one of his most intimate friends : " Amidst all his afflictions, his faith, zeal, and cheerfulness, did not forsake him. His was a living faith, and his love was active; hence he found his soul's delight, his highest joy, in laboring for Christ and his church. In season and out of season, in joy and in sorrow, in
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health and in sickness, he lived and toiled for one; great end -- the glory of God and the welfare of man. Such a life of faith and self-denial could have but one ending. His was peace, and glorified the Lord in whom he trusted. He calmly, vet longingly awaited the summons from on high. All doubts were removed, and all clouds dispelled. He could say with the apostle : ' I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.'"
Another says of him : " His faith ripened into assurance and holy love. He embraced every opportunity to preach Christ. He suffered intensely for many months, but was never impatient He had a word of exhortation or encouragement for every one who visited him during his sickness."
He lingered long on the verge of the grave. For; many months it seemed as if he could not live from one day to another, but still death delayed his coming. At last, however, the hour of his release from the bonds and toils of earth arrived and terminated his labors and sufferings.
" His end," says one, " was a grand and glorious triumph. He set his house in order, and bade his devoted wife and afflicted mother an affectionate adieu, and, admonishing once more those around him, he composed himself to rest, and giving his spirit into the hands of God, he was at home."
" He admonished," says another, "those who stood around him to be faithful, to revere and obey
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the word of God, and then calmly and sweetly passed away into that rest for which he so ardently longed."
As the tidings of his departure spread, there was great sorrow and gloom, not only among his parish- ioners, but wherever his name was known, and throughout the church, of which he had been an honored and useful minister. The congregation to whom he had ministered thought his loss irreparable, and wept as those who had been bereft of their best earthly friend.
Rev. Stirewalt's death occurred on the 16th of June, 1872, at the age of 40 years, 2 months, and 4 days. His funeral services took place in the Luth- eran Church on June 18th. A vast concourse of people assembled to pay him the last respect of earth. So great was their number, that many of them could not find standing room. At the house the services were conducted by Rev. A. S. Bartholomew, of Lima. In the church Rev. S. L. Harkey, of Dayton, delivered an appropriate discourse in German, and Rev. G. W. Busby, of Lewisburg, followed in an English discourse. Rev. J. H. Hunton, of East Germantown, Indiana, closed by a brief address, and Rev. W. A. Bowman, of Alexanderville, con- ducted the services at the grave. The benediction was then pronounced, and the large assembly slowly and with sad hearts dispersed.
After the death of Pastor Stirewalt the congrega- tion remained vacant about one year, but having occasional preaching by neighboring pastors. In the
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fall of 1872 the church council cast about for another minister. Their attention was directed to the writer and they entered into correspondence with him with a view of securing his services. He visited the congregation in the fall of this year, and they gave him a call. This call he accepted, and he took charge of the congregation in April, 1873.
Rev. J. P. Hentz
Was born May 5, 1832, in the village of Beuern, which is about six miles distant from the city of Giessen, in Hesse Darmstadt. He came to the United States in 1852, entered Pennsylvania College in 1856, graduated in 1861, and entered the theolog- ical seminary of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the: fall of the same year, was licensed to preach by the Allegheny Evangelical Lutheran Synod in 1862, was married to Cecilia A. Nicodemus, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863, preached, and served con- gregations successively in Indiana, West Newton, and Somerset, all in Pennsylvania, and in Adamsville, Ohio. From the latter place he removed to Ger- mantown, where he still resides.
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The Sunday School.
This was organized in the year 1828, mainly through the exertions and by the agency of Mrs. Melasina Ayers and Mrs. Elizabeth Rohrer. They
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constituted themselves a committee and called a meeting, at which officers were elected, and the school called into existence. As it was for awhile the only Sunday-school in the town, it combined all the religious elements of the community, and had no very distinct denominational character. . After the school was organized Mrs. Ayers and Mrs. Rohrer went to work to secure the necessary books. They called on the public for contributions toward this
object, but met with small success.
The people at
that time knew but little of Sunday-schools, of their character and their aim. They feared that this new movement might prove some innovation in the church, by which to pervert its faith and usages, and to turn the minds and hearts of the children from their fathers. Hence it was, that they looked upon this effort with suspicion, and treated it with coolness. Their mistrust received some confirmation from the fact that the first superintendent, whose name was John Pearson, was a very zealous Methodist. The school did not flourish. It did not lack scholars and teachers, but it wanted the support and encourage- ment of the community at large. Its life was short. After an existence of about two years, it was discontinued. This occurred in the year 1830. From this time until the year 1844 no Lutheran Sunday-school existed, but in the latter year it was revived and reorganized by an agent of the American Sunday School Union. The school then organized has continued uninterruptedly up to the present time.
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But, although conducted in the Lutheran Church, and nominally Lutheran, it had for many years very? little about it to make it Lutheran. What system of : doctrines was taught in it, no one seems at present to be able to tell. Doubtlessly all sorts of doctrines were taught by all sorts of people, orthodoxy by one and heterodoxy by another. For this is the manner of teaching in all so-called union or undenominational Sunday-schools, and even in some of those who claim to be denominational. The superintendents in this school, up to the year 1865, when Rev. Stire- walt became pastor of the congregation, were mostly men who did not belong to the congregation-but few of them were Lutherans. Pastor Henkel never gave the school any attention, partly because he did not find time to do so, and partly because he knew the school did not want him. That with this state of things this school must have been a very inefficient institution, is but a natural and necessary inference. In 1865 Mr. Peter Dechant was elected superintend- ent who was a member of the church, and a very energetic and efficient man. Peter Dechant was succeeded in the superintendency by David Eminger. From that time on began a process of change, which has continued to the present. The school is now exclusively Lutheran. The teachers are, with very few exceptions, confirmed members of the congrega- tion, General . Councils · publications are in use in teaching, and nothing is allowed to be taught which does not accord with Lutheran doctrine or usage.
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The founders of this school, Mrs. Ayers and Mrs. Rohrer, are both still living. and still among its most faithful and earnest workers. For more than fifty years they have taught in it, and exerted themselves for its upbuilding and welfare, have clung to it through all its vicissitudes, in its adversity and pros- perity. Both are approaching fast on four score years, but they are rarely absent on Sunday, or from the teacher's meeting on Wednesday night. Scores of young men have gone forth from their classes to enter the church and to become useful members of society. And many, we doubt not, in the day of judgment will rise up and call them blessed. May their noble example find many imitators from the ranks of the younger men and women, both of the present and future generations. Leonard Dechant is at present superintendent, and has been during the past eight or nine years. The number of scholars and teachers varies from 200 to 250. The papersread by the school are the Busy Bee and the Sunday School Herald, the former a General Council, the latter a General Synod publication. They take the place of a Sunday-school library, and are much to be preferred to the trashy tales, of which Sunday-school libraries are, in a large part, made up.
A Few Noteworthy Facts
Demand mention yet. The congregation has never lost a minister by dismissal or removal. From 1815 to 1872 it has enjoyed the ministrations of three
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pastors, all of whom have died here. It has never wavered in its loyalty to Lutheran doctrine and Luth- eran usage. Though surrounded by people of all sorts of creeds, and during the new-measure excite- ment fiercely assailed, and even invaded by pseudo- Lutheran pastors, who made every effort to turn its members from the truth, it yielded to no adverse influence, but remained firm in its adherence to Christian faith and practice as laid down and con- fessed in the standards of its denomination. The practice of instructing the young previous to confirma- tion it has never suffered to fall into decay or neglect. It has ever frowned down upon contention and strife, and as a consequence peace and harmony have almost uninterruptedly prevailed in its midst. The introduction of the English language in its public worship caused no serious disturbance, as it did in many other congregations. Three of its early supplies, Simon, Mau, and Paul Henkel, and two of its pastors, Dill and Andrew Henkel, were among the founders of the first synod in Ohio. The Joint Synod, and its districts, have frequently met in its midst, and have always been most kindly and most hospitably entertained. From 1809 to 1826 it worshiped in the German language exclusively. Since the latter year its German and English-speaking members have enjoyed equal rights and equal privileges. At present about four fifths of the members prefer the English language in public worship, and about one fifth still adhere to the German. Not many years
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hence no more German will be required. At the time of its organization it was in union with the synod of Pennsylvania. In 1818 it became a part of the Ohio Synod. It remained in connection with the same when that body was divided into districts, and assumed the name of Joint Synod of Ohio. At first it held to the Western District, but when the English District came into being, it attached itself to that, and when the latter, in 1867, entered the General Council, it became a part of that general body, and thus it has remained up to this time.
In the month of July, 1867, was laid the corner stone of the present house of worship. Besides Pastors Henkel and Stirewalt there were present on the occasion Rev. Daniel Worley, of Canton, Ohio, and Rev. Solomon Denius, of the Reformed Church. By December 15th of this year the new building was so far completed as to enable the congregation to worship in the basement room. The church was dedicated on May 15th, 1870. Rev. W. H. Roth preached the dedication sermon, and Revs. C. Albrecht and W. A. Bowman assisted in the services. The dimensions of this church are 44 by 70 feet. It has a basement room for Sunday-school and lecture purposes. Its tower is 140 feet high The latter was not completed until 1880. Recently the audi- ence room has been refurnished, and is now in very good condition. The congregation is entirely free from debt, and has at present a communicant membership of about 400.
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This congregation, by means of its steadfast. adherence to the truth of God's Word, and by its? general conservative character, never suffering itself, to be carried away by the ephemeral and unscriptural reform movements that have from time to time, like soap bubbles, risen upon the surface of society, has proven itself a great blessing to the community in which it exists. It has exerted a sedative influence on feverish religious excitements, has stemmed the current of infidelity, has often calmed the storms that threatened to carry with them disaster, and has been a preservative and health-begetting leaven to the entire Christian public of its locality. For all this it has often been soundly berated, been charged with being old fogyish, formal, and destitute of experimental piety, etc., etc., but the time will come when its usefulness will be acknowledged. It has subserved a noble mission in the past, and has a great work before it in the future. No greater calamity could befall the cause of religion in Germantown than the extinction of this congregation. But of this there need be no fear. She has God's truth ; and where his truth is, there is his presence; and where his presence is, there is safety and life.
The Pioneer Fathers and Founders of the Congregation.
This history would be incomplete without a par- ticular account of the fathers and founders of the
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congregation. We will therefore return once more to the period of its organization, and give life sketches of those who are known to have been instrumental in calling the congregation into being, who laid its foundation, gave it their prayers, and devoted to it their time, talents, and means, during the infancy of its existence.
The Emericks.
There were four brothers of them, Michael, William, John and Christopher ; and George, who was a near relation of these four.
Michael, the oldest, born in Berks County, Penn- sylvania, February 10, 1756, came here in 1806, and purchased the land on which at present stands Conover's Mill, on which he lived until removed by death, which event took place October 14, 1820. He was a man of means, and purchased at once land for those of his children who were grown up to years of maturity. Himself a strict and consistent member of the Lutheran Church, he brought up all his children in his own faith. Two of these, Mrs. John Stump and Mrs. John Stoever are still living -the others have gone to their final rest. He frequently held official position in the congregation, and contributed largely to its support.
William, the next in age, born July 1, 1761, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, immigrated hither in 1804. He bought land to the west of Germantown,
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of James Porter. The site of his dwelling is a present occupied by the residence of Christian Dechant. Here he lived all his days. He died February 10, 1842. He was a very zealous supporter of the church, and a warm and lifelong of Pastor Andrew Henkel. He reared a numerous and very respectable family, and some of his descendants are still among the most active of the members of the church in Germantown.
John was the third in age of these brothers, but as his grave is unmarked, the writer has not been able to ascertain either the date of his birth or of his? death. (John Emerick is said to have been born August 24, 1762, and died September 2, 1845.) He survived the rest of his family, was never married, and always lived in Christopher's family He had all the eccentricities usually ascribed to bachelors, jovial, fond of company, and the friend to everybody. He helped to build the first Lutheran Church, and was an active and lifelong member of the congrega tion.
Christopher, born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1771, was the youngest of the four. Among his acquaintances he passed by the name of Stoffel Emerick, and as such he is spoken of yet. He came here in 1804, in company with his brothers William and John. He entered government land on Shawnee Creek, adjoining the village of Sunsburg, on which he lived to the hour of his death, which event occurred January 26, 1837. Of his children
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but three survive, William, Mrs. Christian Rohrer, and Mrs. Christian Eshelman.
Stoffel and John were good musicians, and per- formed on a number of instruments. They brought with them the first pipe organ ever seen in the Twin Valley, and manufactured a number of similar ones, some of which are still in good repairs, and sacredly preserved as heirlooms in the family. On account of these accomplishments, and their clever social qualities, their residence became a place of resort and diversion to our pioneer fathers. Here they often met in social intercourse, conferred with one another, and discussed matters of family, church, and state.
Christopher often held office in the congregation, and remained an earnest supporter of it as long as he lived, and brought up his children in his own faith. He was also frequently called to hold civil trusts, such as county and township commissioner.
George Emerick lived on the farm adjoining Ger- mantown on the north. He was born in Daughin County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1789. In what year he came to the Twin Valley is not known, but from some facts known it appears that it must have been before the year 1810. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and particularly warmly attached to Rev. Henkel. He was married twice, and reared a large family. His children are, with one or two exceptions, members of the church of their father, some of them zealous in its cause.
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His mother, who came with him to this place, and died here in her ninetieth year, had in her infancy been carried away by the Indians. They attempted to drown her, but an elder sister interfered and rescued her from a watery grave. She remained; captive for some years, and had a heart-rending stor to tell of her sufferings during her captivity. Mr George Emerick died April 12, 1859.
The Emericks are a very numerous connection. Those in German township, and probably all in. Montgomery county, are descended from the five gentlemen above spoken of.
John George Kern.
Mr. Kern was a native of Berks County, Penn sylvania, and came to Ohio in 1804. He resided for two years in Cincinnati, and arrived in the Twin Valley in 1806. He was a millwright by trade, but turned his attention to farming after his arrival here He entered a quarter section of land, about a miles south of Germantown, where from this time he lived to the hour of his death. He aided in the organiza tion of the church at Germantown, and ever after continued a faithful member of it. He was a man of quiet habits of life, honest and faithful in bis calling. His son William is the owner and occupant of his father's homestead. He was born February 8, 1775, and died in January, 1857.
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George and Peter Kiester.
These two were brothers, both members of the church in Germantown, and were natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania. George came here in 1804, and Peter some years later. The first finally moved to Darke county, whilst the latter remained. Of him the Kiesters of German township are descended. He had been a revolutionary soldier, had been taken a prisoner, and had endured great sufferings. He was a very inoffensive and hard-working man, honest in word and in dealing.
Jacob Bauer.
This gentleman, whilst living here, was looked upon as the first man in the church He came from Center County, Pennsylvania. His wife was the daughter of Rev. George Ilgen, a Lutheran minister, who served congregations in and about Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Bauer, after some years of residence here, moved away, since which time his name has entirely disappeared from this locality.
Conrad Eisele.
Eisele was a native German, came here in 1798, was a Lutheran, lived where now lives Mr. D.
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Rohrer, resided here many years, but finally left this country, since which time his name no longer exists He aided in the organization of the congregation.
John George Boyer.
Mr. Boyer was a native of Berks County, Penn sylvania, but had for some years previous to . his. removal to Ohio resided in Center County, Penn- sylvania. He came to the Twin Valley in 1805. He lived east of town, on Little Twin Creek. His descendants are not very numerous. They adhere generally to the Lutheran Church. He died March 2, 1855, at the age of 75 years, 1 month, and 9 days His remains and those of his wife lie buried in front of the Lutheran Church, a substantial marble monument marking their resting place.
Henry Christ.
Born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, this gentle man immigrated to our country in 1805, was. farmer and a skillful worker in iron, lived where his descendants still reside, was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, and bore a good character. Date
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