USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 29
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BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Upper: C. B. Sollenberger, Director of Christian Education; J. Linwood Eisenberg, Director of Young People's Work. Center: Levi K. Ziegler, Chairman. Lower: N. S. Sellers, Secretary ; E. E. Baugher, Treasurer.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
merged with those of the Treasurer of the District Board of Christian Education.
3. That the District Board of Christian Education consist of five members instead of seven.
4. That the term of office of all members of the present Board expires upon the passage of this paper.
5. That the District Conference of 1934 elect a District Board of Christian Education, electing two members for three years, two members for two years, and one member for one year. There- after, all members of the Board shall be regu- larly elected by the District Conference for a term of three years.
6. That joint Young People's Work with the Eastern District of Pennsylvania be continued. A portion of any deficit arising from the conduct of the Young People's Conferences at Elizabeth- town College from year to year, shall be paid by Southern Pennsylvania in proportion to the number of young people enrolled in the Confer- ences from Southern Pennsylvania. In all other joint activities Southern Pennsylvania shall share to the extent of one-half of the expenses and one-half of the net receipts.
7. That for the present the Congregations of the Southern District of Pennsylvania be grouped into three geographical zones for convenience in carrying forward organized Young People's Work, promoting Children's Work by the Director of Children's Work, and for the promo- tion of such other projects as the Board of Chris- tian Education may from time to time desire to undertake. The following zoning is in effect: Northern-Buffalo, Lost Creek, Mount Olivet, Perry, Sugar Valley; Eastern-Codorus, Upper Conewago, York, New Fairview, Pleasant Hill, Upper Codorus, Madison Avenue, Hanover, Lower Conewago, Marsh Creek; Western- Carlisle, Chambersburg, Falling Spring, Green- castle, Huntsdale, Mechanicsburg, Lower Cumberland, Boiling Springs, Newville, Ridge, Shippensburg, Waynesboro, Antietam, Back Creek and Welty.
8. That any former decisions in conflict with the above recommendations shall upon their adoption be repealed.
(The first joint Young People's Meeting of Southern and Eastern Pennsylvania was held on July 26, 1924, in the Salunga Church of the Eastern District.)
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RELATION OF WAYNESBORO, PENNSYLVANIA, AND VICINITY TO JUNIATA COLLEGE
With the exception of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, there was probably no community more closely associated with "Huntingdon Normal School" (now Juniata College) from its beginning than Waynesboro and vicinity. The Brumbaughs (J. B., H. B., and Dr. A. B.) who financed the school, were intimate friends of Jacob F. Oller, of Waynesboro, Pennsyl- vania, and they considered locating the school in this vicinity by buying the Clairmont Hotel which was a short distance east of Monterey and converting it into a school building.
In the early 1870's Jacob Zuck, a native of Franklin County, who became the first principal of the Huntingdon Normal was a teacher in the public school of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. After the close of the first or experimental term of the normal school he came to Waynesboro, seeking his friend and kinsman, David Emmert, of Benevola, Maryland, who was working in a pattern shop here and who was Professor Zuck's roommate while in Waynesboro. On account of home duties Mr. Emmert could not at that time respond to the call to "come over and help us". The following year, how- ever, (fall of 1877) he joined the faculty of the school, as the teacher of art.
In November, 1878, when the Brethren's Normal College was chartered, Jacob F. Oller, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and D. F. Stouffer, of Benevola, Maryland, were among the trustees. Mr. Oller remained a trustee until his death in 1897. He was succeeded in the trusteeship by his son, J. J. Oller (1898-1936). Mr. Stouffer was succeeded by his daughter, Miss Jennie, (who later became Mrs. W. M. Newcomer), who served until her death in 1938. Mr. Oller's granddaughter, Miss Bessie Rohrer, has been a trustee since 1923.
During the years when Juniata had a special four weeks' session of Bible study Mr. Jacob F. Oller was a regular attend- ant and always took with him a group from his own church. (In the winter of 1896 there were 22 in the group.) Mr. J. J. Oller was a liberal contributor to the college. His daughter, Miss Rello, donated the pipe organ for the new auditorium, (1940). In recognition of the interest and generosity of the Oller family the auditorium has been named Oller Hall.
From its organization Waynesboro and vicinity has been well represented each year among the students of Juniata. Some of these have gone forth in service in home and foreign lands, while others have returned to their own home congrega- tions. Today a large percentage of the workers of the Waynes- boro Congregation are ex-students or benefactors of the college.
Annual Juniata College reunions have been held by the Waynesboro people since 1899. The first few were held in
FOUNDERS HALL, JUNIATA COLLEGE
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Waynesboro on the lawn of Mr. S. E. Dubbel (son-in-law of Mr. Jacob F. Oller). For more than twenty years they were held at Pen-Mar Park. Since 1922 they have been held in Waynesboro in the form of a banquet.
At the suggestion of Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh, then president of Juniata College, the first women's league of the school was organized in Waynesboro in April, 1928-named the Women's Fellowship League of Juniata College.
The Oller family continues the interest in Juniata College. The following is a quotation from Juniata Alumni Bulletin in 1940: "Oller is a name which has run a course parallel with the development of Juniata College since its founding in 1876. Jacob F. Oller, of Waynesboro, an elder of the Brethren Church, was one of the incorporators and a member of the first board of trustees of the college. His children were all active in the development of the college.
"The fourth child of Jacob and Elizabeth Bonebrake Oller, Joseph J., was very well known on College Hill for many years. The greatest financial benefactor of Juniata, he also endeared himself to all who knew him here by his unfailing eagerness to give of his time, his thought, and his effort. J. J. Oller was a keen, upright business man, a sincere church worker and a lover of life lived wholesomely. He found time in his busy life for frequent visits to Juniata's campus, often accompanied by Mrs. Oller. His death on September 3, 1936, and the death of his wife two years later, were occasions of great sorrow to the entire college. Yet Juniata was not com- pletely bereaved, for their memory is well perpetuated by those who remain to carry on the Oller name and benefactions. "So, if we should omit all other respectful mention of J. J. and Myrtle Oller, we would be justified in paying tribute to them for their three interesting children, Rello, J. F., and Jack. "Naturally the Oller children came to Juniata.
Rello developed her musical ability and graduated in 1920. Both of the boys, J. F., '18AB, and Jack, '23AB, whom alumni may remember as rooming in Students and Founders Hall respec- tively, were outstanding in athletics. J. F. earned letters in basketball, track, and tennis, and is still holder of the record for the 220-yard dash. Jack, with the same amateur enthusiasm, was a four-letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track.
"Each of the three Oller children has now found his own niche in world affairs and each has found there some real life values. Rello, living at the family residence in Waynesboro, is still absorbed in her ardent pursuit of musical worth ; besides singing in her home church choir and quartet, she is a member of the Cumberland Valley Choristers and enjoys drawing upon her talent for the services of many churches of this region. Her devotion to the church embraces more than sacred music, her Christian activities especially benefitting
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young people. J. F., as executor of his father's estate, con- tinues in some of the latter's interests. He is a lover of books and has read extensively in many fields. He enjoys pho- tography and golf as hobbies. His keen knowledge of our country comes from traveling, sometimes by foot, through most of the States of the Union.
"Perhaps, of the three, Jack is the most closely and per- sonally connected with the college. After a three-year in- terval during which he taught French at Patton High School and earned his M.A. degree at Pennsylvania State College, he returned to Juniata College as a faculty member in the French Department. Taking periodical leaves of absence, he has studied further at Penn State, and, because his interest in French is not purely academic, he has derived much pleasure from studying the life of the French people, as well as their language, in France. Abroad seven times, he has toured Europe as widely as his brother has the United States although he and his brother have both invaded each other's realms occasionally. Mr. Jack Oller is an active member of the Huntingdon Rotary Club, and at present is chairman of the Athletic Board of Juniata College. His personal interest in sports includes golf, horseback riding, and skiing. As a skiing enthusiast, he takes great pleasure in the sport for several weeks each winter.
"The college is justly proud of such valuable and versatile members of the Juniata 'family'. For their large part in making Juniata College what it is, we proffer them a hearty vote of thanks and enthusiastically dedicate this page to them."
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE AND ITS RELATION TO SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
At the close of the last century a number of the members of the Church of the Brethren in Eastern Pennsylvania felt that their children should have the opportunity of receiving an education under the direct influence of the church. The opinion was expressed that teachers and prospective ministers were being trained in colleges that were departing from the faith as held by the leaders of the church and in this manner creating a hazard to the future welfare of the church and to her best interests. When the charter of the new institution was formulated the purpose of the college was set forth in these words: "To give such harmonious development to the physical, mental, and moral powers of both sexes as will best fit them for the duties of life and promote their spiritual interests." Although the college was primarily founded to provide the youth of the Church of the Brethren with oppor-
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tunities for obtaining a Christian education, members of other churches and also non-Christians of good moral character were invited to share these advantages.
From the very beginning of the movement a native son of York County was in the front ranks. Elder G. N. Falkenstein, born in the Codorus Congregation and then re- siding at Germantown, Philadelphia, was present at the first three public meetings held to consider the establishment of a college in Eastern Pennsylvania, and it is to his carefully kept diary that we are indebted today for many details of the founding of Elizabethtown College.
The first meeting to consider the matter of a college of the Church of the Brethren in Eastern Pennsylvania was called at Reading, on November 29, 1898. Elder G. N. Falkenstein was secretary of the meeting which after considerable dis- cussion appointed the following committee on location : Elder John Herr, Myerstown, Pennsylvania, chairman; Elder G. N. Falkenstein, Germantown, Pennsylvania, secretary; Elder J. H. Longenecker, Palmyra, Pennsylvania ; Elder H. E. Light, Mountville, Pennsylvania; Mr. Elias B. Lefever, Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Elder John Herr resigned shortly after the meeting and Elder S. H. Hertzler, Elizabethtown, Pennsyl- vania, was substituted by the committee for Elder John Herr.
The second public meeting to discuss the project was held at Elizabethtown on April 5, 1899. The officers of this meet- ing were : Chairman, Elder S. R. Zug, Elizabethtown, Pennsyl- vania; secretary, Elder G. N. Falkenstein, Germantown, Pennsylvania ; treasurer, Elder S. H. Hertzler, Elizabethtown,
Pennsylvania. It was at this meeting that Elder G. N. Falkenstein moved "that we establish a school of such a char- acter that compares favorably with any of our schools including Bible, academic, and collegiate departments". The motion prevailed and a committee of ten was appointed to locate the college and to draft a constitution and by-laws. The officers of this new locating committee were : Chairman, Elder H. E. Light, Mountville, Pennsylvania ; secretary, Elder G. N. Falkenstein, Germantown, Pennsylvania; treasurer, Elder S. H. Hertzler. This committee met on May 24, 1899, at Roanoke, Virginia, during the Annual Meeting held there. Elizabethtown was selected as the site for the college. A sub- committee of three was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws : Elder G. N. Falkenstein, Mr. J. G. Francis, and Elder Jesse Ziegler. The name suggested for the institution was Conestoga College. At a meeting of the locating committee on June 6, 1899, the site for the college was challenged. Mack College and East Penn College were other names pro- posed, but the locating committee finally agreed on Conestoga College.
Then followed the third public meeting at Elizabethtown on June 7, 1899. At this meeting the new institution was at
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last named Elizabethtown College and the constitution and by-laws were adopted. Nine trustees were elected as follows : For three years-Elder G. N. Falkenstein, Germantown, Pennsylvania ; Elder Jesse Ziegler, Royersford, Pennsylvania ; and Elder S. H. Hertzler, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. For two years-Mr. J. H. Rider, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania ; Mr. Nathan Hoffman, Pottstown, Pennsylvania; and Mr. M. R. Henry, Palmyra, Pennsylvania. For one year-Mr. P. C. Nyce, heading, Pennsylvania ; Elder T. F. Imier, Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania ; and Elder L. R. Brumbaugh, Ridgely, Maryland. The board effected the following organization: President, Elder Jesse Ziegler; vice president, Elder T. F. Imler; secretary, Elder G. N. Falkenstein; and treasurer, Elder S. H. Hertzler.
On August 16, 1900, Elder T. F. Imler resigned his office and Mr. J. H. Rider was selected to be vice president.
A charter was secured from the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County on September 23, 1899, and ground was broken for the first building on July 10, 1900.
During the summer of 1900 a sixteen-page catalogue with blue covers announced the opening of Elizabethtown College. The first principal elected was Elder I. N. H. Beahm, but on account of illness he could not assume his duties. On opening day three teachers were present : Elder G. N. Falkenstein, who served as principal and teacher of sciences, civil government, history, and classics; Miss Elizabeth Myer, teacher of mathematics, elocution, and English; and Mr. J. A. Seese, teacher of commercial subjects and mathematics. Six male students presented themselves for admission. The first male student to enroll was Mr. Kurwin David Henry, of Big Mount, York County, now a minister in the Lower Conewago Congre- gation and residing near Thomasville, York County, Pennsyl- vania. The college opened on November 13, 1900, in the Heisey Auditorium in Elizabethtown, then moved to the par- sonage of the Church of the Brethren, and finally to Alpha Hall, the first building on the campus, on January 2, 1901. Dedicatory exercises were held on March 4, 1901.
The catalogue for the second year contained the names of two new factulty members from Southern Pennsylvania : Elder J. H. Keller, and Mr. Clayton Weaver, both of York County. The former was scheduled to teach penmanship, bookkeeping and music; the latter, history, mathematics, and Latin. Elder I. N. H. Beahm being physically unable to per- form his duties as principal, Elder G. N. Falkenstein entered upon the second year as principal of the college and continued in this office until Dr. D. C. Reber was elected principal in the fall of 1903.
Other faculty members from Southern Pennsylvania were: Mrs. Luella Fogelsanger Breitigan, Mrs. Margaret Haas Schwenk, and Miss Mary Elizabeth Miller, of Cumber- land County ; Mr. Earl Eshleman, Miss Kathryn Miller,
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Laban Leiter, a former dean of the college; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Fries, Miss Lore Brenisholtz, Mrs. Helen Oellig Thomas, Mrs. Mildred Bone- brake Harshman, and Mrs. Emma Cashman Wadsworth, of Franklin County ; Dr. C. E. Resser, Dr. A. C. Baugher, a former dean of the college and now president; Dr. J. I. Baugher, and Mr. Daniel Myers, of York County; and Mrs. Supera Martz Boone, of Clinton County.
The ownership of the college was transferred on April 26, 1917, from the pri- vate donors to the Church of DR. R. W. SCHLOSSER, Former President of College and Writer of Sketch. the Brethren of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and such other districts that should decide to share in the ownership and control of the college. Only the Southern Dis- trict of Pennsylvania voted to share in the operation of the college. This action was taken in their District Meeting held on October 30, 1919. The new charter called for eight trustees from Eastern Pennsylvania and four from Southern Pennsyl- vania. They assumed control on January 1, 1919.
Prior to the above transfer there were two trustees from Southern Pennsylvania who were elected by the donors. They were Elder J. H. Keller, of Shrewsbury, elected in 1910, and Elder C. R. Oellig, of Waynesboro, elected in 1914. The first four trustees from Southern Pennsylvania to represent the district were Elder J. H. Keller, Elder C. R. Oellig, Elder C. L. Baker, and Elder A. S. Baugher. The complete list of trustees from Southern Pennsylvania follows :
Elected Name Address End of Term
1910 __ Elder J. H. Keller, Shrewsbury, Pa. 1928
1914 __ Elder C. R. Oellig, Waynesboro, Pa. 1939
1919 __ Elder C. L. Baker, East Berlin, Pa. 1935
Vice-President, 1919-1935
1919 __ Elder A. A. Baugher, Lineboro, Md 1938
1928 Elder G. W. Harlacher, Dover, Pa. 1931
1931 __ Elder C. E. Grapes, Greencastle, Pa. In office
Served 1931-1937. Re-elected 1938
1933 __ Mr. G. A. W. Stouffer, Chambersburg, Pa. 1940
1935 __ Elder N. S. Sellers, Lineboro, Md. In office
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Elected Name Address End of Term
In office
1937 __ Elder J. E. Trimmer, Carlisle, Pa .. Vice President since 1935
1939 __ Elder G. Howard Danner, Abbottstown, Pa .__ In office 1940 __ Elder Walter A. Keeny, Gettysburg, Pa .. In office
It was in 1931 that the board of trustees was increased from twelve to fourteen by having the alumni of the college elect two trustees. Thus far one of these two has been selected from Southern Pennsylvania. The first trustee from Southern Pennsylvania to be elected by the alumni association was Mr. G. A. W. Stouffer, of Chambersburg, in 1933. He served until 1940. The second person to be elected by the alumni was Elder Walter A. Keeny, of Gettysburg.
In 1940 both districts approved the plan of enlarging the board of trustees from fourteen to twenty-four, but at this writing the charter has not yet been amended by the court and consequently the additional trustees have not been elected. According to the new plan the board will be constituted as follows : Eight elected by the District of Eastern Pennsylvania, four elected by the District of Southern Pennsylvania, eight to be elected by the board of trustees of the college, three to be elected by the alumni association, the president of the college a member ex-officio.
The alumni of Southern Pennsylvania are holding responsible positions as high school teachers, elementary school teachers, business men, ministers, and in other vocations. At present York County is the most fruitful field for prospective students. Many congregations of Southern Pennsylvania have ministers, Sunday school teachers, and young people's leaders who received their training at Elizabethtown College. It is hoped that the college may ful- fill the purpose of its founders in the lives of many more sons and daughters from the Southern District of Pennsylvania.
CHAPTER XII
ANNUAL MEETINGS
From the History of the Church of the Brethren of Eastern Pennsylvania, P. 547, 555, and from the Brethren Almanac 1914, P. 32 and 33, we find that Annual Meetings have been held in the Southern District seventeen times as follows :
May 30, 1779-Conewago Congregation, York
County. May 15, 1785-Big Conewago Congregation, York County. 1793-Conewago Congregation, York County.
May 26, 1798-Little Conewago (now Upper Codorus) Congregation, York
County.
May 30, 1810-Antietam Church, Franklin County. 1819-Isaac Latshaw, Big Conewago Con- gregation, Adams County. *1824-Daniel Mohler, Cumberland County.
1828-John Gungle (Kunkle), Big Cone- wago Congregation, York County. 1829-George Royer (deacon), Antietam Congregation.
1833-Peter Schellenberger, near Eden- ville, Juniata County, Lost Creek Congregation.
1835-Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 1836-Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 1844-Peter Dierdorff, Big Conewago Congregation.
1847-Isaac Deardorff (deacon), Antie- tam (now Falling Spring Congrega- tion. 1866-Jacob Price (deacon), Antietam Congregation. 1885-Michal Bashore, Mexico, Juniata County, Lost Creek Congregation. 1912-Fair Ground, York.
*The History of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Brethren Almanac of 1914 give the place for the meeting of 1825 as D. Mohler, Cumberland County, but the Annual Meeting Minutes, Article 7, of that year imply that it was held in Morrison's Cove, Penn- sylvania, and the History of Middle Pennsylvania states that it was held in the Yellow Creek (now New Enterprise) Congregation which is in Morrison Cove.
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ANNUAL MEETINGS
The means of transportation to these earlier meetings was by foot and horseback. People travelled long distances in this way. It is known that women rode on horses from Ohio to a conference in Eastern Pennsylvania-a distance of 300 miles.
The attendance at the Annual Meetings increased with the years. One can judge somewhat of the increase by com- paring the amount of meat used to feed the people. Of the four meetings held in the Antietam Congregation, D. H. Fahrney-a local historian-noted that the meat used in 1810 was one sheep, in 1829 one ox, in 1847 four or five oxen, and in 1866 fourteen or fifteen steers.
The congregation in which the meeting was held was host to the visitors and bore the expense of entertaining those who went to the meeting. This became rather burdensome with the increased attendance following the improvement of the mode of transportation. At the conference of 1885 a decision was made to locate the meeting near the railroad and that a uniform fee of 25 cents per meal be made but that lodging should continue to be provided free in the homes and barns. At some meetings previous to that a charge had been made for meals which was not satisfactory (was indeed an offense) to some of the more conservative members.
The following excerpts and notes concerning the meeting of 1866 may be of interest :
Excerpts from Account of Annual Meeting in Gospel Visitor-1866 (Page 183-185)
"On Sabbath about 5,000 persons partook of dinner. (It is estimated that 15,000 people were in attendance.) It is probable that the expenses of the meeting will exceed those of any meeting of the kind ever held by the brethren. But the brethren in that part of the brotherhood in which the meeting was held are abundantly able and no doubt sufficiently willing to bear the expenses cheerfully."
Daniel H. Fahrney, a historian of Antietam Congregation, said that the expense of this meeting was around $4,700.00.
"There was considerable preaching and the demand was greater than could be supplied."
"In the multitude assembled on the Lord's day and who took dinner with us were Governor Curtin and his Secretary of State, Mr. McClure. Governor Curtin and other official men in our government have put our brethren under obligation to them for taking an interest in us as non-combatants during the war, and in extending to us whatever favors our non-resistant principles entitled us to under the different departments of our government. It is very proper that we should respect these men."
"We were also visited by C. A. Buckbee and R. H. Austin, agents of the American Bible Union. They delivered short
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HOME OF JACOB PRICE, NEAR WAYNESBORO Annual Meeting Held Here in 1866.
addresses on the necessity of a revision of the English Bible. A number of copies of the 'English New Testament Revised' were subscribed for by the brethren."
"The committee (14 members) appointed by the last Annual Meeting to suggest a change in the manner of holding Annual Meetings met on Thursday evening, May 17, at the home of Brother Joseph Rohrer about 10 miles from the place where Annual Meeting was held. Excellent accommodations and entertainment were enjoyed in this Christian family by the committee. Here nearly two days were spent in prayerful deliberation upon the business entrusted to the committee."
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