A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania, Part 30

Author: Royer, Galen Brown, 1862-1951
Publication date: 1924
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 565


USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 30


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46


She was united in marriage with Daniel C. Burkholder, of Fan- netsburg, (Pa.), on March 4, 1884. Henry B. Brumbaugh, assisted by James Quinter, performed the marriage ceremony. She and her husband opened the Old Folks' Home of Southern District of Penn- sylvania, May 26, 1908, and remained until 1910. Then they returned to the old home at Newburg, where her husband died February 2, 1917. A year later she took supervision of the "Home " for another year; but her health did not permit her to continue. After a few years of retirement at Shippensburg she has come back to the scenes of her early womanhood and is living in quiet retirement.


BUTTS, J. EL,MER, second of four children of the family of William A. and Alice M. (née Bowser) Butts, was born in Altoona, (Pa.), October 11, 1891. His mother was a member of the Church of the Brethren. After completing Academy at Juniata College, 1916, he entered college and received his A.B., 1920. He has since done graduate work at the Pennsylvania State College and Columbia University, receiving, at the latter place, his A.M., 1925.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Koontz congre- gation, December, 1907, David T. Detwiler administering baptism. This congregation called him to the ministry, October, 1912. He has, however, felt the call of a teacher, and is pursuing that voca- tion. He has taught in South Woodbury Township two years, and in Morrison Cove High School five years. Address, Loysburg, (Pa.).


CASSADY, JOHN H., second child of seven children of the family of William and Ismeme (née Lyon) Cassady, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Greenland, Grant County, (W. Va.), October 24, 1871. His parents being farmers, John spent his boyhood days on the farm and going to public school and State Normal at Fairmount, (W. Va.), so that at nineteen he began to teach school.


He was united in marriage with Meribah Virginia, daughter of Simon and Sarah (née Lyon) Idleman, of Maysville, (W. Va.), on June 24, 1896, and to them have been born four sons and three daughters.


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During a revival in Greenland congregation, (W. Va.), conducted by Silas Hoover, of Somerset, (Pa.), he accepted Christ and united with the Church of the Brethren, through baptism administered by Dennis Clark, December 24, 1895. The Luney's Creek congregation (W. Va.) called him to the deacon's office, April, 1897; the Huntingdon congregation, while he was attending college, called him to the ministry, March 2, 1903; and, through the lay- ing on of hands by Perry J. Blough, the Roxbury congregation (W. Va.) had him ordained.


After their marriage, both he and his wife continued to teach for two years, when, through her influence, they moved to Huntingdon. He en- tered Juniata preparatory department and completed the Normal English course in 1902; then the Arts course, receiving his A.B. in 1906. This was a hard struggle for, without resources from which to draw, he pushed his way through school and made a living for his family. After two years as principal of the Yeagertown schools. he accepted the pastorate of the West Johnstown congregation. When the family moved there, in 1908, there were four houses and a membership of 285. He divided his time equally among the four places, and in the six years following, as he and his wife labored there, he preached 1,313 sermons, held sixty-one weeks of evangel- istic meetings in his own congregation and thirty-nine weeks in other congregations, and had the joy of seeing the membership increased to 1,178. During this period, in total, he received 2,120 people into church fellowship. September 1, 1914, he entered upon the pastorate of the Huntingdon congregation, and served this church for three years, during which time the membership was doubled. On Septem- ber 1, 1917, he resigned to accept the position of financial secretary of Juniata College, which position he held until June 1, 1923.


During these years of ministerial labors, such congregations as Shippensburg, (So. Pa.), Greensburg, Somerset, and Windber, (W. Pa.), received from him special help at a critical time in their prog- ress,-work of a type few could render. He has helped to "put over " the financial program for a number of the larger and costlier church houses at the time of dedication. His evangelistic labors, both East and West, have been signally blessed with large ingatherings.


For two years he has had his business headquarters in Philadel- phia, while his family lives in Huntingdon. During this time he has preached almost every Sunday, mainly for the Calvary Church of the Brethren, in Philadelphia, and led it from a struggling mission into an organized congregation supporting a pastor. Address, Hunting- don, (Pa.).


CASSADY, MAYNARD LAMAR, oldest of six children of John H. and Meribah (née Idleman) Cassady, members of the Church of the


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Brethren, and he a bishop, was born near Greenland, (W. Va.), May 11, 1897. He had the advantages of the Johnstown public schools, graduated from Juniata Preparatory depart- ment, 1915; from the college, receiving his A.B., in 1919; from Princeton Theological Seminary, Th.B., 1923; from Princeton Uni- versity, A.M., 1923; and also received from the same institution the Gelston Winthrop Fellowship in Church History, and spent four- teen months during 1923-24 in Europe, study- ing in Berlin and in Tübingen.


In the Roxbury congregation, (W. Pa.), he united with the Church of the Brethren by baptism administered by J. Frank Dietz, Octo- ber 25, 1908. The Huntingdon congregation called him to the ministry, May 31, 1918. Dur- ing the summer of 1922 he served as pastor of the Woodbury congregation, (W. Pa.), and during 1923 at Pottsville, (S. E. Pa.). While teaching in Juniata College, during the year 1924-25, he is under engagement to sail for China during the summer of 1925 to engage in teaching in the Shan- tung Christian University at Tsienan Fu. His address is Hunting- don, (Pa.).


CLAAR, ABRAHAM ICKES, eighth of a family of twelve children of Joseph and Esther (née Ickes) Claar, members of the church of the Brethren, was born near Claysburg, Blair County, (Pa.), November 11, 1847. He availed himself of common school training and, dur- ing his manhood, made a living at blacksmith- ing and keeping a general store.


He was united in marriage with Marian Martha, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (née Oldham) Mock, the union being solemn- ized by Samuel A. Moore at New Enterprise, (Pa.), on July 2, 1871. To them were born eleven children.


In the Clover Creek congregation he united with the Church of the Brethren, in November, 1870, Leonard Furry administering baptism. The Upper Claar congregation called him to the deacon's office in 1885; to the ministry, January 24, 1890; and, in 1898, through the laying on of hands, had him ordained. He was delegate to both District and Annual Con- ferences a number of times. He was a lover of song and served often as leader of church and Sunday-school singing. While yet very active he was called to his blessed reward on May 19, 1915. Funeral was held in the Queen Church, conducted by Walter S. Long, of Altoona, (Pa.), and he lies buried in the Upper Claar Cemetery.


CLAAR, MICHAEL, son of Jacob and Matilda (née Moorhead) Claar,


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was born near Queen, (Pa.), April 22, 1837. He was reared on the farm, and had received very little education.


He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Jacob and Susan Musselman, on October 21, 1855. To them were born four- teen children.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in what is now the Claar congregation, in 1863; it called him to the ministry, October 21, 1877; advanced September 20, 1879, and ordained in 1898. He gave himself much to evangelistic work, as well as being the only minister in the home congregation for a long time. As an evangel- ist on one occasion he preached sixty sermons in fifty-seven days. Near the close of his life he was almost blind. He died January 15, 1918. Brice Sell preached his funeral sermon. His body lies buried in the Claar Cemetery.


CLAPPER, DAVID STEELE, third of six children of Henry and Han- nah (née Steele) Clapper, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born at Clearridge, Bedford County, (Pa.), September 2, 1846. He was reared on the farm and received a common school edu- cation. He has made his living by farming and gardening.


He was united in marriage with Susannah, the daughter of John and Barbara (née Zook) Teeter, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, on November 19, 1869. To them were born two sons and six daughters, one of whom is Viola Grace, a missionary to China. Others are: John H., Laura, Willard L., Iva B., Nellie M., Harriet A., and Lena G.


He became a member of the Church of the Brethren in the Yellow Creek congregation, when seventeen years old. In the Snake Spring Valley congregation he was called to the ministry, September 29, 1871. Those present at the service were Samuel Lidy, of Indi- ana County; John W. Brumbaugh, Joseph Snowberger, Jacob Miller, Daniel Snowberger, and J. W. Replogle .* He was ordained in 1887. He died June 30, 1914, at Scalp Level, (Pa.). His funeral was preached by Harvey S. Replogle. Text, "It is finished," John 19: 30. Interment in Berkey Cemetery, five miles from Scalp Level.


CLAPPER, HENRY, was born near Yellow Creek, February 16, 1822. He grew up on the farm and made good use of the school facili- ties of his day.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Yellow Creek (then Hopewell) congre-


* S. A. Moore's report in Christian Family Companion, October 17, 1871.


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gation. Here he was called to the ministry in 1858. Thirty years later he was ordained to the bishopric and had the oversight of his home congregation until 1894. He was a real shepherd of the flock and took great interest in the sick. He died May 18, 1897, and his body lies buried in the Yellow Creek Cemetery.


CLAPPER, JOSEPH H., sixth of twelve children of the family of Nathaniel and Annie E. (née Boor) Clapper, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Yellow Creek, (Pa.), December 27, 1885. While reared on the farm, he made such good use of his op- portunities for knowledge that he taught six terms of country school. He, however, has made his living on the farm.


He was united in marriage with Bertha M., daughter of Andrew B. and Mary A. (née Hall) Creps, the union being solemnized by W. W. Barnes, April 9, 1907. To them have been born one son and eight daughters.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Yellow Creek congregation, baptism being administered by Samuel Ritchey, in November, 1907. His home church called him to the ministry, Janu- ary 31, 1914, and had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by Ira C. Holsopple and John S. Hershberger, in October, 1921. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting six times; at Annual Meeting four times. Besides doing his part in the ministry of the home congregation, he has been active in the Sunday-school field, and holds several revivals each year. His address is Yellow Creek, (Pa.).


CLAPPER, VIOLA GRACE, seventh of eight children of David Steele and Susannah (née Teeter) Clapper, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Yellow Creek, Bed- ford County, (Pa.), February 23, 1887. Her father was a bishop. After passing through common school, she entered Juniata College, and completed the Normal English course, 1909; attended Bethany Bible School, (Chi- cago), and received her B.S.L., 1917. At present she is at Juniata, working on her college course, to better fit herself for her chosen work.


She united with the Church of the Breth- ren in the Everett congregation, in May, 1899, John S. Harshberger administering baptism. She spent six years as a mission- ary in the Church of the Brethren's Mission in Shansi, engaged in Educational Mission- ary work at Showyang.


CORLE, OLIVER S., youngest of eleven children of Martin and Elizabeth (née Bowers) Corle, members of the Evangelical Church, was born at Pavia, Bedford County, (Pa.), February 7, 1866. Through his application in the common schools and summer nor- mals, he lacked one-half grade for professional certificates. He has


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made his living first at day labor, then school teaching, and is now directing the manufacturing of handles.


He was united in marriage with Emma J., daughter of Henry and Ellen (née Shoemaker) Horner, the union being solemnized by J. Ellis Bell, on February 22, 1888. To them were born four sons and four daughters.


He united with the Church of the Brethren about 1891, in the Dunnings Creek congregation, John B. Miller, of New Paris, admin- istering baptism. The Dunnings Creek congregation called him to the ministry about 1898, and had him ordained about 1907. He has done some evangelistic work and some fifty-five have united with Christ through his direct personal effort. His work in the Sunday- school has been that of a teacher. His home is in Fishertown, (Pa.).


COX, CHARLES L., fifth of six children of the family of James S. and Anna S. (née McAfee) Cox, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Warriors Mark, (Pa.), September 30, 1881. After finishing the grades he spent one year in Juniata College, and then taught thirteen years. He is now engaged in the mercantile business in Frugality, (Pa.).


He was united in marriage with Sara Maude, daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (née Hark- ness) Lehman, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the union being solemnized by Ellsworth M. Aller, the bride's pastor, at Warrior's Mark, on November 27, 1902. To them were born four sons and three daughters.


While attending Juniata College, he united with the Church of the Brethren, William J. Swigart administering baptism, in February, 1901. The Tyrone congregation called him to the ministry, June 29, 1913. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting five times,-has always been active in Sunday- school and served as Superintendent in the Tyrone Sunday-school for three years, and at Frugality six years ;- has been active in supply- ing various churches of the District during such times as they had no regular pastor. His home is at Fru- gality, (Pa.).


COX, RALPH H., last of six children of James S. and Anna S. (née McAfee) Cox, members of the Church of the Brethren, and the father a deacon, was born near War- riors Mark, (Pa.), January 3, 1886. Besides High School training he has had Bible work by correspondence.


He was united in marriage with Viola E., daughter of John and


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Harriet (née Chronister) Beck, the union being solemnized by Peter R. Keltner, November 23, 1910, at Rockford, (Ill.). To them were born three sons and one daughter.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Warriors Mark congregation, baptism being administered in the Spring of 1904, by William Howe. In the Rockford congregation (N. Ill.) he was called to the deacon's office in 1914; to the ministry in December, 1916; and, through the laying on of hands by John E. Miller and Samuel S. Plum, he was ordained, December, 1918. He has repre- sented his congregation eight times at District Meeting and once at General Conference. He has given his life to pastoral work and has served in that capacity in the Rockford congregation, (N. Il1.), March, 1917, to 1919; in the Root River congregation, (Minn.), May, 1919, to April, 1923. During the winter of 1919 he took up pastoral work in the Cherry Lane congregation. As a Sunday-school worker he has filled every office in the school and was president of the Fil- more County, (Minn.), Sunday-school Association for one year. Address, Everett, (Pa.), R. 3.


COX, SAMUEL MARSHALL, one of nine children of Joshua and Eliza- beth (née Spanogle) Cox, formerly members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, but later united with the Church of the Brethren, was born near Warriors Mark, (Pa.), April 9, 1816. He was reared on the farm and there made his living. He had only a common school education, but was a great student of the Bible, and used the Word with power. It is said if one quoted a verse from the New Testament he would locate it and very often complete the chapter from memory, having in his earlier years memorized the greater portion of the New Testament.


He was united in marriage with Nancy Agnes, daughter of John and Elizabeth (née Grazier) Beck, Christian Long solemnizing the union. To them were born six sons and five daughters.


In 1838 he united with the Church of the Brethren by baptism ad- ministered by Christian Long. In 1855 Warriors Mark congregation called him to the deacon's office; October 15, 1856, to the ministry ; and later, through the laying on of hands by Christian Long and Jacob Beck, he was ordained. Once in the ministry, his zeal for the Lord took him forward in many a good work in Huntingdon, Cam- bria, Bedford, and Blair Counties. He was in part instrumental in establishing the Altoona congregation. He represented his congre- gation at District Meeting and General Conference a number of times. He was bishop of the Warriors Mark congregation for up- wards of twenty-five years. When eighty-three years old, in a run- ning stream, in the month of November, he administered baptism to seven adults. At about the age of eighty-six his eyesight failed him, so that he could not read, a great affliction, because he found so much comfort in reading. His motto reflects well the life of the


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man : " Have communion with few, be intimate with one, deal justly with all, speak evil of none." After the death of his wife, May 23, 1894, he lived with his two daughters, Mrs. Annie McCartney and Mrs. Ella C. Coleman, of Juniata, (Pa.). On November 29, 1906, when within a few months of ninety years of age, he passed to his haven of rest. Walter S. Long, of Altoona, (Pa.), preached his funeral sermon, assisted by Joseph W. Wilt and H. Mathews, of the Presbyterian Church, the latter a lifelong friend of the deceased.


CROSSWHITE, ALBERT GRAHAM, sixth of a family of ten children of Jesse and Lavina (née Thomas) Crosswhite, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Washington County, (Tenn.), on December 28, 1857. His father was active in church work, having the oversight of several churches in Tennessee. Albert received a Normal English education at Maryville and Jonesboro, (Tenn.), and taught twelve terms of public school.


He was united in marriage to Addie Treadway, daughter of Addi- son and Elizabeth (née Hickey) Treadway, on June 8, 1881, at Embresville, (Tenn.), John M. Wolfe, Methodist minister, officiating. To them were born one son and four daughters.


In the Limestone congregation, (Tenn.), on January 28, 1877, he united with the Church of the Brethren, Solomon Arnold administer- ing baptism. The Oakland congregation, (Tenn.), called him to the ministry, Autumn, 1879, and the Flora church, (Ind.), had him or- dained in 1899, William S. Toney and Jacob Cripe laying on hands.


He has represented his congregation at District Meeting fifteen times and at Annual Meeting ten times. He served on the Standing Committee at Harrisonburg, (Va.), and Bristol, (Tenn.), both of which conferences he served as writing clerk.


He was editor of the Conference Daily six times, moderator of District Meeting twice, and served a term of five years each on the following boards: Tract Committee, The General Educational Board, and as secretary of the Mission Board of Middle Indiana.


The greater part of his life has been spent in pastoral work. In this capacity he has served congregations as follows: Upper Twin, (O.), from 1887 to 1897; Bachelor Run, (Ind.), 1897 to 1913; Roar- ing Spring, (Pa.), 1913 to 1918; Rocky Ford, (Colo.), to 1920; Peru, (Ind.), 1920 to present. He has also served in non-residence the following congregations : Logansport, Huntingdon, Pyrmont, White, Adamsboro, Mexico, and Roann, all of Indiana. For several years he was engaged in evangelistic work, and received hundreds into the church by baptism. He solemnized more than four hundred mar- riages and the list of funerals conducted by him is even larger. Address, Peru, (Ind.).


CULLER, ARTHUR J., oldest of two children of John and Amanda (née Kurtz) Culler, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Hartville, (O.), March 14, 1883. His desire for an educa- tion led him to enter Juniata College, where he received the A.B. degree in 1908. He took the B.D. degree in Union Theological Semi- nary in 1911, and the Ph.D. in Columbia University in 1912. His life work is teaching, preaching and lecturing.


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He was united in marriage with Mary S., daughter of Emory J. and Annie (née Stevens) Stover, the union being solemnized by Daniel W. Kurtz, on September 28, 1911. To them were born three sons, of whom the oldest is dead.


He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Freeburg con- gregation, on June 12, 1895, being baptized by Joseph J. Hoover. The Huntingdon congregation (Pa.) called him to the ministry, June 27, 1907. While pastor of the McPherson congregation (Kan.), he was ordained through the laying on of hands of Eleazar E. John and Joseph J. Yoder, January 17, 1915. He represented his congregation at nine District Meetings and seven Annual Meetings. He has served as pastor as follows: Everett, (Pa.), September, 1906, to April, 1907; Altoona, (Pa.), supply pastor, May to September, 1907; Plum Creek, (Pa.), May to September, 1908; Geiger Memorial con- gregation, Philadelphia, (Pa.), September, 1911, to August, 1914; McPherson congregation, (Kan.), September, 1914, to August, 1921. He served as campaign director for Armenian Relief and repre- sented the Church of the Brethren from January 1, 1919, to January 26, 1920, in Turkey; was member of the General Temperance Com- mittee, 1917-21, and chairman from 1918-21; was a member of the Conference committee to prepare a church manual, 1920-21; of the Conference committee to provide suitable and suggestive forms for the installation of deacons and ministers and the ordination of preachers, 1918-19, and was regular instructor at the Bible Institutes of the General Conference.


On September 1, 1921, he withdrew from the Church of the Breth- ren and united with the Christian (Disciples) Church, and accepted a position in their college at Hiram, (O.), where he is at present dean and professor of New Testament and Church History. He is a member of the Prayer Meeting Topics Committee of the Inter- national convention of the Disciples of Christ, and is the author of the Bethany Bible Student and Teachers' Monthly,-the official senior and adult Sunday-school publication of the Disciples of Christ. His resi- dence is Hiram, (O.).


DETWILER, ANDREW J., third of eight children of John and Emma (née Enyeart) Detwiler, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Williamsburg, (Pa.), July 14, 1874. He attended public school and six terms at Juniata College, taught two terms of school, and for a living is engaged in mercantile pursuits and the manufacture of forest products.


He was united in marriage to Anna Cenora, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (née Reiff) Bolton, members of the Church of the Brethren, the union being solemnized by Abram L. Grater, October 31, 1907. The bride had united with the Church of the Brethren in First Philadelphia congregation,


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March 22, 1902. Besides common schools, she completed a business course in Banks Business College and nine months' training in the Episcopal Hospital. To this union were born four children,-How- ard B., Gladys Ruth, Andrew Leon, and Byron Lee, all members of the church.


While at Huntingdon attending college he united with the Church of the Brethren, about 1898. The Fairview congregation called him to the ministry, June 10, 1900. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting twice; served as superintendent about eight years and has been a teacher over twenty years. His address is Williamsburg, (Pa.).


DETWILER, DAVID TEETER, youngest of three children of the fam- ily of Daniel and Elizabeth (née Teeter) Detwiler, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born Martinsburg, Blair County, (Pa.), December 11, 1854. Though reared on the farm, he prepared him- self to teach public school; and for five years after beginning to teach he attended summer normals and then taught school for eighteen and one- half terms.


He was united in marriage with Susan Amanda, daughter of Isaac and Malinda (née Amick) Kagarise, the union solemnized by W. B. Smith, October 8, 1879. To them were born five children, namely, S. Clarence, Edgar M., Chalmers I., Lottie A. (deceased), and Eva M. His wife died December 21, 1915.


In the New Enterprise congregation he united with the Church of the Brethren by baptism administered by Joseph Z. Replogle, in May, 1880. This congregation called him to the ministry in Decem- ber, 1883, and, by the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and Samuel J. Swigart, had him ordained, September 4, 1897. He has been a teacher in the Sunday-school almost all the time since he became a member of the church; has served several years as super- intendent; frequently represented his congregation at District Meet- ing and fourteen times at General Conference. He has done some evangelistic work with very good success. He has solemnized over one hundred marriages and preached several hundred funerals. He has been a member of the Home Mission Board 1915'-20, and since 1922. Since August 3, 1912, he has been bishop of the New Enter- prise congregation. Address, New Enterprise, (Pa.).




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