USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 23
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Organization of District Meeting
"April 21-22, A.D. 1862. Daniel M. Holsinger, the former secretary, retained in office. Names of delegates from Aughwick church, J. G. Glock, J. Spanogle; Perry church, Jacob Spanogle, John Eby ; Lost Creek, David Myers, Michael Bashore; Buffalo Valley, Isaac Myers, Charles Royer; Lewis- town, Joseph R. Hanawalt, William Howe; Warriors Mark, Grabill Myers; Clover Creek, Isaac Brumbaugh, Daniel M. Holsinger; Snakespring Valley, Henry Clapper; Upper Conewago, Adam Brown."
With the probable exception of a few years, District Meetings thereafter were held annually. The History of Middle Pennsylvania records 29 District Meetings before the division of the district. It is of interest to note that of these 16 were held in the territory which is now included in the Southern District, as follows : Antietam, 1885; Buffalo Valley, 1868, 1888; Codorus, 1876; Lost Creek, 1865, 1877, 1884; Lower Conewago, 1881; Lower Cumberland, 1872, 1892; Marsh Creek, 1879, 1890; Upper Codorus, 1874; Upper Conewago, 1881; Upper Cumberland, 1866, 1887.
The first District Meeting after the formation of the Southern District was held in the Codorus Church on April 19, 1893, at which time the 14 churches which composed the Southern District were represented as follows :
Antietam, Jacob Snider, J. F. Oller; Back Creek, Jno. Lehner, Daniel Miller; Buffalo, Isaiah Beaver; Codorus, Jacob Shamberger, C. Ness ; Falling Springs, Wm. A. Anthony ; Wm. C. Koontz; Lower Cumberland, Daniel Landis, Henry
298
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Beelman; Lower Conewago, Hez. Cook, E. Goughnour; Lost Creek, J. A. Smith, John Hart; Marsh Creek, J. W. Deardorff, C. L. Pfoutz; Perry, Wm. B. Zimmerman; Ridge, C. F. Hosfeld ; Upper Conewago, D. H. Baker, Peter Brown; Upper Codorus, Moses Mummart, A. Baugher; Upper Cumberland, Albert Hollinger, S. M. Stouffer.
"The meeting was organized by electing J. F. Oller, Moderator; Jacob Hollinger, Reading Clerk; Wm. A. Anthony, Secretary.
"The meeting being now declared ready for business, the fourteen churches that compose the Southern District of Pennsylvania responded 'No Papers', something which has few if any precedents. It needs no comment." (D. M. Minutes 1893, P. 2.)
Gleanings from District Meeting Minutes
1892-The District Meeting for the Southern District in 1893 will be held in the Codorus church at Logansville, Wednesday, five weeks before Whit Sunday.
1894-A motion was made, That the District Meeting hereafter be held not later than four weeks prior to Whit- suntide or may be earlier if the church holding the District Meeting sees fit to do so. Passed.
1896-Decided to hold District Meeting hereafter on Wednesday five weeks prior to Whitsuntide.
1911-In response to a petition from Upper Codorus Con- gregation it was decided to hold District Meeting hereafter on second Wednesday in April so that more time may be given for the publishing of queries for Annual Meeting.
1913-April 9, York and Back Creek Congregations asked that the time for holding District Meeting be changed to fall of the year. Decided to have it the last Wednesday in October beginning with October 29, 1913.
Place of Holding District Meetings
1911-Falling Spring Congregation petitioned that here- after District Meeting shall go from place to place in alpha- betical order. Passed, with privilege given to each congregation to make different arrangements if necessary.
Election of Officers
1896-(Page 25) A request was made by the York Church that "All officers of District Meeting, Ministerial Meeting and Sunday School Meeting, also members on Stand- ing Committee, be elected by majority vote. Passed favorably by District Meeting."
299
1899-Decided that hereafter the officers of District Meeting be elected by ballot.
1931-(Page 26) In reply to a request from the Waynes- boro Congregation it was decided to elect the moderator of District Meeting one year in advance as is now done by Annual Conference.
1930-A new office was created-District Field Man. *
1933-Name of District Field Man changed to Conference Budget Man.
Elders' Meetings
1897-(Page 3) Decided that at all subsequent meetings, the Elder's meeting shall be held the day prior to the District Meeting.
1902-Rules governing Elders meetings and District Meetings were adopted.
*
1926-(P. 25) In response to requests from York and Falling Spring Congregations it was decided that the Minis- terial Board of our district should compile an official directory of our district similar to the eastern Pennsylvania directory.
Number of Elders (With Names), Ministers, Deacons, Members, Church Houses, Union Houses and Places of Worship in the Southern District of Pennsylvania*
No. Elders
Antietam* *
2
Back Creek
Daniel Miller
4
10
250
1
Buffalo
John L. Beaver
5
9
83
3
8
1
Codorus
Christian Ness
5
4
179
3
1
4
1
Falling Spring
William C. Koontz
4
10
243
4
1
6
1
Lower Cumberland
Isaac Barto
5
10
250
5
12
1
Lower Conewago
Emanuel Gochenour
6
7
210
5
5
2
Lost Creek
Solomon Seiber
10
10
255
4
8
1
Marsh Creek
C. L. Pfoutz
3
5
130
3
2
6
1
Perry
E. D. Book
5
6
82
2
1
8
2
Ridge
John R. Foglesanger
7
6
120
4
8
1
Upper Conewago
Peter Brown
6
345
5
6
1
Upper Codorus
Aaron Baugher
7
7
275
5
7
3
Upper Cumberland
Daniel Keller
7
11
280
3
1
9
York ***
4
4
175
1
1
82
122
3377
53
6 101
*D. M. Minutes 1897.
** Elder Jacob F. Oller died in February, 1897, and Antietam was without an elder at time of D. M. which was held May 5, in that year.
*** No resident elder at this time.
Ministers
Deacons
Members
3 3 co co Houses
Union Houses
8 00 cr Places of Worship 5
Station
Elders
4
14
500
John Lehner
Andrew Bashor
Henry Etter
John Stamy
Jacob Hollinger
18
OUR DISTRICT
300
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
MISSIONARY MEETINGS AT DISTRICT MEETING
April 12, 1899-One hour was devoted to the cause of missions. Short addresses were made by Elders J. A. Long, S. F. Sanger, G. N. Falkenstein, Jacob Hollinger and others, after which a collection of $28 was lifted to be used in home mission work. (D. M. Minute.)
At District Meeting of 1916 the following petition was presented and acted upon favorably :
"We, the Upper Conewago Church assembled in council meeting August 26, 1916, ask District Meeting of Southern Pennsylvania assembled at Hanover, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1916, to decide to hold a missionary meeting, during sub- sequent District Meetings, one hour prior to organization. This meeting to be composed of a missionary sermon and also a collection for Home Missions. Each congregation in the dis- trict to hold a special collection prior to the meeting and send with the delegates for the above purpose. The program for missionary meeting to be arranged by Mission Board." (D. M. Minutes 1916.)
Following is a list of speakers and contributions received at the missionary meeting of our District Meetings since then :
1917-J. A. Long. $ 459.62
1918-I. W. Taylor and Galen B. Royer_ 795.66
1919-James A. Sell 967.63
1920-C. D. Bonsack
1,522.06
1921-C. H. Steerman
937.13
1922-J. M. Moore
950.40
1923-J. E. Rowland
1924-H. H. Nye 1,137.85
1925-J. I. Baugher
1,064.92
1926-M. A. Jacobs and J. W. Lear
1,252.42
1927-C. L. Baker
1,619.26
1928-J. M. Moore
11,183.17
1929-A. C. Baugher
1,126.49
1930-C. D. Bonsack
1,156.27
1931-S. C. Godfrey and L. K. Ziegler
976.82
1932-Spencer Minnich, also Slides, "Our Women at Work" 814.57
1933-Ida Shoemaker
558.64
1934-Faye Moyer 417.69
1935-C. D. Bonsack
555.10
1936-H. Stover Culp 793.65
1937-Minor E. Myers 710.00 1 1
1938-I. E. Oberholtzer
454.05
1939-Desmond Bittinger 688.84 1
1940-Edward K. Ziegler
1 1
666.76
1
1
301
OUR DISTRICT
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
District Meeting 1915. Paper (16) from York Church.
Since there seems to be a general conviction that our schools should be owned and controlled by the several State Districts convenient to them and since the General Education Board of the Church of the Brethren strongly urges such a course, and since the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has under advisement the taking over of the Elizabethtown College and has invited both the Southeastern District of Penn- sylvania, Southeastern New York and New Jersey, and the Southern District of Pennsylvania to join us in this movement :
Therefore will this District Meeting appoint a committee to cooperate with similar committees from the other district or districts to work out a plan to be reported at a future meeting.
Paper passed by District Meeting with the understanding that the committee appointed under it be authorized only to report to District Meeting as to the advisability of joining in to take over the school.
Committee, D. K. Trimmer, H. H. Hollinger.
1916-Committee on Elizabethtown College continued. 1917-The committee appointed to consider "The advisability of the proposition that this district join the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in the ownership and control of Elizabethtown College", gave a favorable report which was accepted. In this report it was suggested that the Eastern District should have eight and the Southern District four representatives on the Board of Trustees.
Trustees of Elizabethtown College (Giving Year Elected)
1918-J. H. Keller, three years; C. R. Oellig, two years ; A. S. Baugher, two years ; C. L. Baker, one year.
1919-C. L. Baker.
1920-A. S. Baugher, C. R. Oellig.
1921-J. H. Keller.
1923-A. S. Baugher, C. R. Oellig.
1924-J. H. Keller. 1925-C. L. Baker.
1926-C. R. Oellig, A. S. Baugher.
1927-J. H. Keller.
1928-C. L. Baker, J. L. Myers, two years unexpired term of J. H. Keller, deceased.
1929-A. S. Baugher, C. R. Oellig, G. W. Harlacher (one year unexpired term of J. L. Myers).
1930-C. E. Brown.
1931-C. L. Baker.
1932-C. R. Oellig, A. S. Baugher.
1933-C. E. Grapes.
1934-C. L. Baker.
302
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
1935-C. R. Oellig, N. S. Sellers, A. S. Baugher (two year unexpired term of C. L. Baker, deceased).
1936-J. E. Trimmer.
1937-C. E. Grapes.
1938-N. S. Sellers, G. Howard Danner.
1939-J. E. Trimmer.
1940-C. E. Grapes.
DISTRICT TREASURER
1881-Jacob Hollinger elected district treasurer of Middle District to succeed Daniel Keller.
1896-Jacob Hollinger requested to be relieved of office of district treasurer, "which office he held faithfully for 16 years".
1896-0. V. Long (10 years).
1906-C. R. Oellig (five years).
1911-J. H. Brindle (six years).
1917-J. E. Myers (term expires 1942).
DISTRICT SUNDAY SCHOOL SECRETARY
District Meeting minutes :
1903-W. A. Anthony reappointed district Sunday school secretary for one year.
1905-W. A. Anthony resigned ; J. H. Keller elected.
1906-J. H. Keller reelected.
1907-"We the York Church petition District Meeting to give the delegates of the Sunday school meeting the privilege of electing the district Sunday school secretary." Paper passed. The present district Sunday school secretary was re- elected to serve until the next Sunday school meeting.
Sunday school meeting minutes :
1907-J. H. Keller reelected.
1910-J. H. Keller reelected for three years.
District Meeting minutes :
1914-Page 2. Hanover: Inasmuch as it seems almost impossible for the Sunday school secretary to visit each and all Sunday schools in the district in a year and while the district is large and covers much territory, thereby being expensive to reach the remote schools, therefore we the Hanover Church petition District Meeting to appoint two assistants. Said assistants to be appointed in such territory as most convenient to their duties. In answer . . . that District Meeting elect the Sunday school secretary according to Annual Meeting minutes of June 23, 1914, and that district Sunday school
303
OUR DISTRICT
secretary appoint his assistants to work with him where most convenient. They to hand their expenses to the secretary who will present all to the district for payment. No election recorded.
1917-J. H. Keller reelected. (A paper to make this office of three years duration, beginning with current year, was passed.)
1920-Page 13. J. H. Keller tendered his resignation as district Sunday school secretary. Resignation accepted. Howard Danner elected for three years.
1923-Howard Danner elected for three years.
1926-Howard Danner elected for three years.
1929-Howard Danner elected for three years.
1932-Howard Danner elected for three years.
1934-Page 13. By recommendation of Board of Chris- tian Education the office of district Sunday school secretary was discontinued.
DISTRICT MEETING OF THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA HELD IN CONGREGATIONS WHICH ARE NOW IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Time
Place
Moderator
Secretary
Reader
Standing Committee Delegates
1865 Lost Creek
Isaac Myers
Daniel M. Holsinger George Brumbaugh
Daniel M. Holsinger George Brumbaugh
Daniel Holsinger Daniel Keller
Joseph Rohrer Daniel Holsinger
Daniel Holsinger
1870 Upper Conewago
1872 Lower Cumberland
Graybill Myers
1874 Upper Codorus
Graybill Myers
Geo. Brumbaugh
Harry B. Brumbaugh
Moses Miller George W. Brumbaugh
Moses Miller
May
1, 1877 Lost Creek
Moses Miller
Geo. Brumbaugh Harry B. Brumbaugh
James Quinter
1879 Marsh Creek
Moses Miller
Geo. Brumbaugh
Jno. M. Mohler
Moses Miller Jno. W. Brumbaugh Moses Miller James Quinter James Quinter
1881 May 13, 1884 Lost Creek
Lower Conewago
Moses Miller
James Quinter
Jno. M. Mohler
Apr. 28, 1885 Antietam
May 4, 1887 Upper Cumberland Jacob F. Oller Henry B. Brumbaugh James Quinter
May 25, 1888 Buffalo Valley Jacob F. Oller
Henry B. Brumbaugh James Quinter
C. L. Pfoutz
1890
Marsh Creek
Wm. Howe
Henry B. Brumbaugh Jacob F. Oller
May 11, 1892 Lower Cumberland John S. Holsinger
Henry B. Brumbaugh James A. Sell
J. Myers Daniel M. Holsinger
1866 Upper Cumberland
Isaac Myers
Graybill Myers Daniel M. Holsinger George Brumbaugh
May 11, 1868 Buffalo Valley
Graybill Myers
Daniel M. Holsinger George Brumbaugh
Daniel M. Holsinger George Brumbaugh
Isaac Myers Joseph R. Hanawalt John W. Brumbaugh Isaac Myers Joseph R. Hanawalt
1876 Codorus
Graybill Myers
Geo. Brumbaugh
Harry B. Brumbaugh
Jacob F. Oller
Moses Miller Henry B. Brumbaugh James Quinter Jacob F. Oller Henry B. Brumbaugh Geo. Brumbaugh
James Quinter
Wm. Howe James A. Sell
DISTRICT MEETINGS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Time
Place
Moderator
Secretary
Reader
Jacob Hollinger Joseph A. Long E. D. Book
Henry Beelman
Jacob Hollinger
May 5, 1897
Lost Creek, Good Will Church Upper Codorus, Black Rock Ch.
Isaac Barto
W. A. Anthony
Orville V. Long John Lehner
Apr. 20, 1898
Antietam, Price Church
E. D. Book
W. A. Anthony
Orville V. Long
E. D. Book
Apr. 12, 1899
York
J. Hollinger
W. A. Anthony
S. M. Stouffer Jacob Hollinger
Apr. 12, 1900
Ridge,
C. L. Pfoutz
W. A. Anthony
J. A. Long
Wm. C. Koontz
Apr. 24, 1901
Shippensburg Ch. Codorus
Isaac Barto
W. A. Anthony
J. A. Long
J. A. Long
Apr. 16, 1902
Lower Cumberland, Mechanicsburg Upper Codorus, Black Rock Ch. Lower Conewago, Bermudian Ch.
W. A. Anthony
E. S. Miller
C. L. Baker
Wm. A. Anthony
Apr. 20, 1904
May 10, 1905
Upper Conewago, East Berlin Ch. Back Creek, Upton Church
W. A. Anthony
E. S. Miller
C. L. Baker
C. L. Baker
May 2, 1906
Apr. 17, 1907 Codorus Church
J. A. Long
H. M. Stover
S. M. Stouffer
Wm. A. Anthony
May 6, 1908
Lower Cumberland, Mechanicsburg
Wm. Anthony
E. S. Miller
C. L. Baker
E. S. Miller
Apr. 28, 1909 York
A. Hollinger
J. H. Keller
H. M. Stover
Standing Committee Delegates
Apr. 19, 1893 Codorus Church
May 9, 1894 May 2, 1895
Falling Spring
C. L. Pfoutz
J. F. Oller
J. A. Long
Jacob Hollinger C. L. Pfoutz
E. D. Book
Apr. 28, 1896
Jacob Hollinger
W. A. Anthony
O. V. Long
Isaac Barto
Apr. 28, 1903
J. A. Long
G. G. Lehmer
S. M. Stouffer
E. D. Book
Isaac Barto
H. M. Stover
S. M. Stouffer
E. S. Miller
Henry Beelman Albert Hollinger
J. F. Oller
W. A. Anthony W. A. Anthony
Upper Conewago, East Berlin
E. D. Book
W. A. Anthony
DISTRICT MEETINGS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Time
Place
Moderator
Secretary
Reader
Standing Committee Delegates
Apr. 13, 1910
Antietam Waynesboro Ch.
C. L. Baker
F. D. Anthony
W. A. Anthony
E. S. Miller
May 2, 1911
Upper Codorus Black Rock Ch.
J. A. Long
H. M. Stover
A. M. Hollinger
J. A. Long
Apr. 10, 1912
Antietam, Waynesboro Ch. Back Creek, Shank Church
J. A. Long
A. A. Evans
H. M. Stover
Albert Hollinger
Oct. 29, 1913
Chambersburg
No Moderator
H. H. Hollinger
H. M. Stover
E. S. Miller
C. L. Baker
Oct. 27, 1915
Falling Spring, Hade Church
C. L. Baker
J. H. Keller
M. A. Jacobs
J. A. Long
Oct. 25, 1916 Hanover
E. S. Miller
J. H. Brindle
A. S. Baugher
C. R. Oellig
Oct. 31, 1917
Lost Creek, Good Will Church
C. L. Baker
B. C. Whitmore
G. Howard Danner
E. S. Miller
Nov. 26, 1918
Lower Conewago, Bermudian Ch.
J. A. Long
J. J. Bowser
A. S. Baugher
J. A. Long David Bowser
C. L. Baker
Oct. 29, 1919
Lower Cumberland, Mechanicsburg
C. L. Baker
H. M. Stover
J. E. Rowland
D. A. Foust
H. M. Stover
Oct. 27, 1920 Marsh Creek
J. A. Long
M. A. Jacobs
E. J. Egan
David Bowser
Oct. 26, 1921 Pleasant Hill
C. L. Baker
H. M. Stover
J. H. Keller
M. A. Jacobs
Oct. 24, 1922
Farmer's Grove
E. S. Miller
M. A. Jacobs
Michael Markey
J. H. Keller
P. S. Lehman
Oct. 30, 1923
Ridge, Fogelsanger Ch.
C. L. Baker
H. M. Stover
A. S. Baugher
C. L. Baker
E. S. Miller
F. D. Anthony
J. M. Mohler
C. R. Oellig
C. L. Baker
Apr. 9, 1913
Oct. 28, 1914
Fairview
A. Hollinger
J. H. Hollinger
C. L. Baker
Wm. A. Anthony
D. A. Foust
C. R. Oellig
Albert Hollinger
C. L. Baker
C. L. Baker
S. S. Miller
Perry,
DISTRICT MEETINGS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Time
Place
Moderator
Secretary
Reader
Standing Committee Delegates
J. A. Long
Oct. 28, 1924
Upper Codorus, Black Rock Ch. Upper Conewago, Mummerts Ch.
J. H. Keller
C. R. Oellig
M. A. Jacobs
A. S. Baugher
C. L. Baker
E. S. Miller
C. L. Baker
Oct. 26, 1926 Huntsdale
J. H. Keller
J. E. Trimmer
M. A. Jacobs
E. S. Miller
Oct. 25, 1927 Waynesboro
C. L. Baker
N. S. Sellers
H. M. Stover
M. A. Jacobs
Oct. 30, 1928 York
M. A. Jacobs
J. M. Moore
Michael Markey
J. H. Keller
Oct. 30, 1929
Antietam, Price Church
C. L. Baker
S. C. Godfrey
J. E. Trimmer
J. L. Myers
Oct. 28, 1930
Back Creek, Upton Church
C. E. Grapes.
N. S. Sellers.
H. M. Stover
H. M. Stover
Oct. 27, 1931
Carlisle
M. A. Jacobs
S. C. Godfrey
J. J. Bowser
C. L. Baker
Oct. 26, 1932
Codorus
H. M. Stover
L. K. Ziegler
C. E. Grapes
W. G. Group
Oct. 24, 1933
Falling Spring, Hade Church
C. L. Baker
N. S. Sellers
M. A. Jacobs
H. M. Stover W. G. Group
Oct. 30, 1934
Huntsdale
J. E. Trimmer
J. E. Rowland
Levi K. Ziegler
J. E. Trimmer S. C. Godfrey
Oct. 29, 1935
Lost Creek, Bermudian
H. M. Stover
E. E. Baugher
J. A. Buffenmyer
A. S. Baugher J. E. Rowland
Oct. 27, 1936
Lower Conewago, Bermudian
J. E. Trimmer L. K. Zeigler, Asst.
E. E. Baugher
S. C. Godfrey
C. E. Grapes N. S. Sellers L. K. Ziegler
Oct. 27, 1925
C. L. Baker
J. M. Moore
H. M. Stover
J. H. Keller
J. E. Trimmer
J. M. Moore
C. L. Baker
C. E. Grapes
C. E. Grapes
J. E. Trimmer L. K. Zeigler
DISTRICT MEETINGS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Time
Place
Moderator
Secretary
Reader
Standing Committee Delegates
C. R. Oellig G. Howard Danner
L. K. Zeigler
C. E. Grapes
Oct. 25, 1938 New Fairview
L. K. Ziegler N. S. Sellers, Asst.
E. E. Baugher
H. M. Snavely
S. S. Blough N. S. Sellers
J. E. Trimmer
Oct. 24, 1939
Perry, Three Springs Ch.
C. E. Grapes Howard Danner,
E. E. Baugher
S. C. Godfrey
G. Howard Danner J. E. Rowland
Oct. 29, 1940 Ridge
J. E. Trimmer
E. E. Baugher
N. S. Sellers
S. C. Godfrey J. E. Trimmer J. E. Rowland
C. E. Grapes S. C. Godfrey N. S. Sellers
Oct. 28, 1941 Shippensburg
C. E. Grapes Edw. K. Ziegler, Asst.
E. E. Baugher
C. E. Grapes
Oct. 26, 1937 Marsh Creek
Howard Danner J. A. Buffenmyer, Asst.
E. E. Baugher
Asst.
CHAPTER IV
THE BRETHREN'S HOME
Southern District of Pennsylvania
In 1892 the Middle District of Pennsylvania was divided into two districts; namely, Middle Pennsylvania and Southern Pennsylvania. At the first District Meeting of Southern Pennsylvania held in the Codorus Church in 1893, the ques- tion of having an "Old Folks Home" in the district was discussed but for want of more sentiment it was dropped for that time.
In 1903 the Antietam Congregation petitioned District Meeting held at Black Rock that steps be taken in the matter of establishing a home. The petition was favorably received and a committee appointed to get information, draw plans, get approximate cost and report to next District Meeting. The committee was as follows : E. S. Miller, C. R. Oellig, and H. K. Miller. This committee reported to District Meeting in 1904, that about $7,000 was needed to purchase such a home and recommended that a property of about fifty acres would be
L
BRETHREN'S HOME, SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
--
GROUP TAKEN ON DAY OF DEDICATION OF BRETHREN HOME IN 1908
First row, left to right: Wm. Murphy, E. S. Miller, J. J. Oller, H. K. Miller, H. M. Stover, George. Roth; second row: Adam Hollinger, Jacob Miller, Henry Beelman, Noah Cockley, George Resser, S. S. Miller, Adam Fahrney; third row: A. A. Evans, Wm. Burkholder, W. I. Sheaffer, Wm. A. Anthony, C. L. Pfoutz, Daniel Dierdorff, I. N. H. Beahm.
311
THE BRETHREN'S HOME
suitable for the present time, that solicitors be appointed to visit the congregations and collect the needed funds, etc. Their report was accepted and Levi Mohler and E. S. Miller were named as solicitors.
The locating committee-C. R. Oellig, Isaac Riddles- berger, and H. M. Stover-reported that Shippensburg or Carlisle would be the most suitable location. In 1907 Isaac Riddlesberger resigned from the committee and H. K. Miller was appointed in his stead. At this District Meeting in 1907 it was decided that the committee should solicit, locate, and buy a place in Cumberland Valley for the home. This com- mittee reported to District Meeting held in the Mechanicsburg Church in 1908 that they had bought the Ames property near Huntsdale, Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, it being located along the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad about eight miles south of Carlisle. This property consists of three acres of land with a two-story brick dwelling house, containing eleven rooms, bath, etc., and a number of other buildings, for which they paid $3,000 cash. The committee also bought the adjoining farm of sixty-five acres for $3,000.
The constitution and by-laws were presented and adopted at this District Meeting. The first board of directors consisted of C. C. Brown, J. J. Oller, E. S. Miller, H. M. Stover, H. K. Miller, John Sprenkle. D. C. Burkholder and wife, Wealthy A., were the first steward and matron. The home was incor- porated under state laws in 1908, and started with ten guests for first nine months. In 1910 an annex was built in order to relieve crowded conditions of the home. The home now contains twenty bed rooms, three bath rooms, kitchen, dining room, pan- try, two living rooms, a cellar and an attic.
The home was formally dedicated on June 10, 1910. Elder I. N. H. Beahm; Brother Deardorff, of North Dakota, and Judge Saddler, of Cumberland County, addressed a large assembly.
At the District Meeting of 1913 the board of direc- tors asked for an assessment of ten cents per member per year toward meeting the current expenses. The re-
WEALTHY BURKHOLDER
312 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
quest was granted. This decision was in effect for a few years and then dropped. Some years later the board of directors again asked for an assessment of twenty-five cents per member, which was granted. District Meeting decided that all churches that are more than two years in arrears with their assessments lose their right to represent by delegate at District Meeting. It was never enforced and in 1933 the board of directors petitioned District Meeting to abolish the assessment.
Inasmuch as the home was always handicapped for want of electric current and hard surfaced road and the home being crowded, a movement was started to locate it at a more suit- able place. The District Meeting of 1927 held at Waynesboro directed the board of directors to purchase a lot in Carlisle. Some time later a special District Meeting was held at Carlisle, at which meeting plans and specifications were discussed and the following building committee elected : J. E. Trimmer, B. F. Leightner, A. S. Baugher, C. C. Brown, George K. Pfaltzgraff and D. F. Good. A home was to be erected at an estimated cost of $100,000.00. With lot paid and forty per cent of funds available, the financial depression hit the country and all plans relative to building a new home were dropped for the present time.
In 1917 the farm was offered for sale as it proved to be a liability rather than an asset and was sold for $3,000.
The Old Folks Home proposition has been changed during the depression. In 1934 all the rooms at the home were not occupied. The District Meeting of 1935 authorized the board of directors to repair the heating and water systems with the view of staying at the same place for the present.
The following are some of the stewards and matrons who served at the home: Burkholders, Trimmers, Millers, Angles, Replogles,, Browns, Metzgars, Benners, Clappers, Watsons, Frank Millers, Smiths, Mrs. Sallie B. Keeney, Harshmans and others. The present steward and matron are Emory Harshman and wife.
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