USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 33
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Declining years and a severe sick spell induced him to move his family to California, in 1902. He located at La Verne, where his children were in school for about five years. His advanced years kept him from doing the usual active church work that marked his life. June 3, 1913, he passed away, and his body lies buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, near La Verne, (Calif.), far from the scenes of his boyhood.
HANAWALT, H. WILL, ninth of ten children of John S. and Nancy (née Snowberger) Hanawalt, members, and the father a minister, of the Church of the Brethren, was born near McVeytown, (Pa.), June 10, 1879. He received a common school education and has devoted his life to farming.
He was united in marriage with Phoebe B., daughter of David and Annie (née Aurand) Kirk, the union being solemnized by John C. Swigart, January 9, 1907. To them were born six children,-John S., David K., Ira C., Vera Arlene, Dwight W., Gaius A.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Spring Run congre- gation, Reuben T. Myers administer- ing baptism, December 24, 1893. This congregation called him to the deacon's office, August 10, 1910; to the ministry, November 18, 1912; and, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and William J. Swigart, had him ordained, November 3, 1923. His library con-
* From Minutes copied by Nannie H. Strayer, daughter, and forwarded in letter dated Oct. 31, 1923.
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sists of over two hundred volumes, of which there are five complete sets of Bible commentaries. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting three times; has always been a strong Sunday- school worker, serving as teacher, assistant superintendent and treas- urer. His home is near McVeytown, (Pa.).
HANAWALT, JOHN, the first minister in the Aughwick congrega- tion who preached in the English language. He was active in the church some time before 1850.
HANAWALT, JOHN S., fifth of nine children of Joseph R. and Mary (née Swigart) Hanawalt, members, and he a minister, of the Church of the Brethren, was born within the bounds of the Spring Run congregation, May 20, 1840. He grew up on the farm and had the benefits of a common school education.
On March 17, 1863, he was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (née Brake) Snowberger, of New Enterprise, (Pa.), members, and he a bishop, of the Church of the Brethren. To them were born ten children, as follows: Christie H. Sutherland, Catherine White, Mary Rhodes,
Ira (deceased), Joseph R., Daniel A., Charles B., John M., H. Will, and Ada Strausser.
In the Spring Run congregation, he united with the Church of the Brethren in his 'teens; called to the deacon's office and, on October 5, 1873, to the ministry. For his time, he had a well selected library of over one hundred volumes, and was a careful reader of them. During his ministry there was a great missionary spirit in the home congregation. Some sixteen different places to preach were arranged for, in school houses more or less distant. On one of these trips, due to undue exposure, he took the cold that cost him his life. He was much interested in the welfare of the Sunday-school. He died May 1, 1883; funeral preached by Peter Myers; burial in Spring Run Cemetery.
HANAWALT, JOSEPH ROTHROCK, son of George and Susannah Rothrock Hanawalt, was born January 4, 1810, on the old homestead near McVeytown, (Pa.). His father, though only sixteen, substi- tuted for his grandfather, who was drafted in the Revolutionary War. The young man was spared service at the front, and instead served as a spy. Joseph was so conscientiously opposed to war that he rarely made reference to his father's war experiences.
Being reared on a farm, Joseph had little opportunity to secure more than a common school education. In part he compensated for this through being a diligent reader and training a good memory. When but sixteen, Joseph's father died, thus, to a large extent,
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throwing him on his own resources. In March, 1829, he and Mary Swigart, sixteen-year-old daughter of John Swigart, of Ferguson Valley, were married. The following year the young people bought a part of the homestead, and through the years that followed added to and built until the present buildings, as now owned by Harry French, were completed. By his first marriage, Joseph was father of four sons and six daughters. On November 21, 1864, his wife died, and in October, 1866, he married Mrs. Eve French, and to them were born six children, three growing to maturity.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, at Lewistown, in young manhood. In 1841, the Lewistown congregation called him to the deacon's office; the same congregation elected him "speaker," in 1846, while attending a meeting held in the barn on the Kinsel farm, near where the Spring Run church house now stands. He was the first minister in the Lewistown congregation to preach in the English. His heart was in the work to such an extent that the congregation increased through his ministry and his life became a power in a large territory. He performed many marriages and preached funerals on every hand. He was a strong advocate of Sunday-schools before there were any, and was the leader in organizing one at the Spring Run church, in 1866. He was an enthusiastic home missionary, because in those days there was no foreign work by the Brethren, and showed his zeal by preaching in school houses far and near, wherever the door was opened. In 1860 he was ordained; at once took the oversight of his home (Lewistown) congregation for six years .*
He was a regular attendant at District Meeting, and many An- nual Meetings found him there. It pleased the Conference to place him, often, on committees to have the benefit of his judg- ment. He was pre-eminently a preacher, not emotional, but eloquent and convincing.
He contracted some intestinal disease that, in about a year, closed his earthly career, February 15, 1877, but he was able to direct his affairs up to the last. Stephen H. Bashor and John Spanogle deliv- ered the funeral discourses from Psalm 91: 16, 17. His body lies in the Spring Run Cemetery.
HARRIS, JOHN P., first of four children of Prior H. and Ella J. (née Yount) Harris, was born near Staunton, (Va.), on September 24, 1879. He was educated in the Barren Ridge High Schools; spent two years' work in Pleasant Grove Academy, and attended two special Bible terms at Bridgewater College.
On November 18, 1906, in the Barren Ridge, (Va.), congregation, he united with the Church of the Brethren, Jacob C. Garber adminis- tering baptism. This same congregation called him to the deacon's office, February 2, 1907; the Concord congregation, (Va.), March 3, 1910, called him to the ministry, and on March 10, 1918, the Stoners-
* He was a deacon five years and a minister thirty-one years, seventeen years of which he was bishop, first of the Lewistown congregation, but when the district was divided, he living in the west end, became bishop of what is now known as the Spring Run congregation .- From S. W. Bollinger's obituary notice, page 159, Primitive Christian, 1877.
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town congregation, (Pa.), had him ordained, Albert G. Crosswhite, John R. Stayer and David T. Detwiler officiating.
He was pastor of the Mt. Carroll congregation, (Il1.), from Febru- ary 1, 1912, to December 1, 1913. He entered upon his pastorate at Stonerstown and Riddlesburg, January 21, 1915, and continues in that capacity.
He has always been active as a teacher in the Sunday-school; represented his congregation at District Meeting eleven times; at Annual Meeting ten times. Address, Saxton, (Pa.).
HEISEY, HERMAN BIEVER, oldest of two sons of the family of John Henry and Susan (née Biever) Heisey, was born near Middletown, Dauphin County, (Pa.), December 10, 1890. His mother was a member of the River Breth- ren. When he was but three years old, his mother died, and two years later his father. His uncle, William J. Biever, a member of the Lutheran Church, gave him a good Christian home. He attended public school, first in Lebanon, (E. Pa.), and then in Johnstown, (W. Pa.), and during his vacations worked for the Cambria Steel Company, first as car tracer and then as weighmaster. His eagerness for an education led him to take a course of studies with the International Correspondence School. In the Fall of 1908, he entered Juni- ata College, and graduated from the Sacred Literature course in the Spring of 1911. He also pursued the divinity course almost to completion.
He was united in marriage with Grace, daughter of John A. and Mary (née Ferguson) Nedrow, of Westmoreland County, (Pa.), Mahlon J. Weaver solemnizing the union on May 29, 1912, in the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. To them were born three children.
In the Walnut Grove congregation, of Johnstown, (Pa.), he united with the Church of the Brethren, through baptism administered by Samuel W. Pearce, on August 21, 1908. The Huntingdon congre- gation, while he was in school, called him to the ministry, on Easter, 1910, and the following summer vacation he preached nearly every Sunday. He became pastor of the Stonerstown congregation, at Saxton, (M. Pa.), at the close of his college work. At the York General Conference, 1912, he and his wife were approved for the India field, and that Fall they sailed. Failing health compelled their return in the Spring of 1914. September 1, 1914, they located in the Red Bank congregation, (W. Pa.), where, through the laying on of hands by Galen K. Walker and Harvey S. Replogle, he was ordained, July, 1915; was pastor of Rummel Church, 1917-19; has represented his congregation seven times at District Meeting and eight times at General Conference; served on the Standing Committee at Winona Lake, (Ind.), 1919; conducts several revival campaigns each year along with his pastoral labors. He accepted a call from the I.ewistown congregation, (M. Pa.), in 1919, where he continues
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as pastor at this time. He occasionally accepts invitations to the lecture platform, but does not work under a Bureau. Address, Lewistown, (Pa.).
HENRY, MARTIN S., fifth of seven children of Jacob and Elizabeth (née Dublin) Henry, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Canoe Creek, Blair County, (Pa.), June 5, 1865. He had no educational advantages and did not learn to read until after he was married. He has made his living as a machinist for the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company.
By his first wife, Anna A. Henry, he had four children,-George, Mary, John, and Clara. By his second wife, Mary Beller, he had two children,-Walter and Martin. By his third wife, Bell Tanneyhill, he had no children. Then, on June 20, 1901, he was united in mar- riage with Clara, daughter of John and Mary (née Deable) Werry, of English descent, the union being solemnized in Camden, (N. J.).
He united with the Church of the Brethren in Juniata Park con- gregation, Joseph W. Wilt administering baptism in December, 1910. Here he was called to the deacon's office, September 3, 1912, and to the ministry, January 6, 1920. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting several times; superintendent of the Sunday- school at Juniata Park and later at Riggles Gap, each a number of years. Through his leadership and liberality, a union church has been built at Reese Station and dedicated June 12, 1924. Here he has given two years of labor and built up the kingdom. His address is Juniata, (Pa.).
HENRY, TOBIAS, fifth of six children of John and Mary (née Fourney) Henry, mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born near Loysburg, (Pa.), December 7, 1901. Besides the grade school work, he has com- pleted two years at Juniata College. He is making his living teaching public school.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Koontz congregation, through baptism administered by Herman S. Guyer, February 2, 1916. This congregation called him to the ministry, May 25, 1921, George E. Yoder conducting the installation service. His ad- dress is New Enterprise, (Pa.).
HERSHBERGER, HENRY, eleventh of twelve children of George and Mary (nee Studebaker) Hershberger, was born in Snake Spring Valley, near Everett, (Pa.), February 18, 1825. He spent his life on the farm.
He was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of Solomon and Fannie (née Metzger) Steele, on February 21, 1850. About this time the bride united with the Church of the Brethren in the Snake Spring congregation, where she spent all her life. Living to an advanced age, she brought many early incidents of more than ordi- nary interest into the present. To them were born twelve children,-
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George, Fanny, Solomon, John S., bishop of the Everett congrega- tion; Mary, Lydia, James Q., Sophia, Daniel F., Anson H., David, and Jeremiah.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Snake Spring Valley congregation, when about twenty-one years old. This con- gregation called him to the ministry, June 4, 1863; advanced him to the second degree. March 28, 1868, in the presence of Jacob Steele, Andrew Snowberger, Isaac Ritchey, and Henry Clapper. Later he was ordained and served the Snake Spring congregation as bishop until his death, March 4, 1878. His home was frequented, in those early days, by prominent ministers, among whom was John Kline .* The funeral services were conducted by Jacob Steele and Jacob Miller, from John 11:25, 26.
Mrs. Henry Hershberger
HERSHBERGER, HOWARD SNYDER, first of six children of Solomon and Lovina (née Snyder) Hershberger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Snake Spring Valley, near Everett, (Pa.), September 1, 1878. He was reared on the farm, had the advantage of good common schools, and four terms at Juniata College. He taught school six terms and then turned his attention to farming.
He was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of John S. and Many (née Bowser) Whetstone, the union being solemnized by J -- W. Lingle, December 22, 1903. To them were born five sons.
He united with the Church of the Brethren while at Juniata Col- lege, William J. Swigart administering baptism, in January, 1899. The Snake Spring Valley congregation called him to the min- istry, May 25, 1907. He served as superintendent of the Snake Spring Valley Sunday-school for four years. His address is Loys- burg, (Pa.).
HERSHBERGER, JOHN STEELE, fourth of eight sons and four daughters of Henry and Eliza (née Steele) Hershberger, was born in Snake Spring Valley, November 25, 1855. His parents were members of the Church of the Brethren, and his father served as bishop of the Snake Spring congregation from about 1870 to 1881. John received a liberal education offered in the public schools of the day, and took keen interest in preparing himself for life's task. In 1880 he was appointed
* Tuesday, May 19, 1863. Get to Henry Hershberger's in Snake Spring Valley, where I stay all night. Twenty-eight miles today .-- Life of John Kline, p. 465.
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census enumerator for Snake Spring Township, by Howard Miller, then supervisor of this Congressional District. When the South Penn Railroad was under construction, he was on the clerical force. But work on it suddenly stopped, and he went to Everett and began the butchering and ice business. His brother, James Q., later became a partner, and they added brick making to their acitivities. In the course of a few years the brothers dissolved partnership, and John continued in the butchering business till 1913. He served one term as associate judge of Bedford County. He is now secretary of the Fulton Bedford Telephone Company, treasurer of the Everett Ceme- tery Company, and director of the First National Bank of Everett, vice-president of Everett Cash Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His hobby is dairy farming and pure bred Jersey cattle.
He is united in marriage with S. Emma, daughter of Simon and Mary Ann (née Sparks) Nycum, of Rays Hill, John W. Poffinberger solemnizing the union, May 13, 1885. To them were born eight children, namely : Mary M. W., S. Henry, William N., Paul B., Ruth Leone, Naomi, and Lois.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Silver Creek congregation, near Falls City, (Neb.), in December, 1876, Samuel Stump administering baptism. The Everett congregation called him to the deacon's office, February 15, 1894, and, on the following August 4, to the ministry. The same congregation had him ad- vanced to the second degree, August 13, 1897, and the bishopric, through the laying on of hands by George W. Brumbaugh and Jacob Koontz, on May 19, 1901. Immediately he entered upon the duties of bishop of his own congregation, which position he still holds. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting twenty-four times; at Annual Meeting six times. When the minis- terial work of his congregation grew heavy, he was a leader in ar- ranging for a pastor to serve the people. He served five years on the District Mission Board, two years of which he was chairman; was chosen by the District to serve on a committee to sell the old Home at Shirleysburg, and locate and build the present one at Martinsburg. He has always been a friend of education and a strong supporter of Juniata College. His home is in Everett, (Pa.).
HERSHBERGER, SOLOMON, third of twelve children of Henry and Eliza (née Steele) Hershberger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Snake Spring Valley, near Everett, (Pa.), February 23, 1854. He was reared on the farm and made his living farming.
On December 6. 1877, he was united in marriage with Lovina, the daughter of Jacob Snyder, and to them were born three sons and six daughters.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Snake Spring Valley congregation. Here he was called to the ministry, in 1894, and served the church until 1907, when he died. John Fluck and William S. Ritchey conducted the funeral services.
HIMMELSBAUGH, IDA, a missionary to India. See page 557.
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HOCKENBERRY, RoY W., last of two children of Jacob W. and Anna Rebecca (née Stayer) Hockenberry, at first members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and later of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Everett, Bedford County, (Pa.), February 11, 1885. Besides good common school training, he spent three years on the Scientific course in the Valparaiso, (Ind.), University. He is engaged in merchandising.
He was united in marriage, in 1915, with Stella M., daughter of Henry and Emma (née Weimer) Fletcher, and to them one son and one daughter were born.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in 1905, in what is now the Cherry Lane congregation. Here he was called to the ministry, in 1906, and served the church as a supply at Everett to some ex- tent. After locating at his present home, he united with the United Brethren Church, in 1922, and is active there.
HOLSINGER, DANIEL M., son of John and Elizabeth (née Mack) Holsinger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Bedford County, (Pa.), October 22, 1812. His father was one of the early preachers of the church who faced the hardships of frontier life. His mother was a descendant of Alexander Mack. He availed himself of the common schools and attended a night school conducted by John Miller. He specialized on the English language and learned to use it correctly. He made his living mostly by farming.
He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Solomon Ritz, the union being solemnized August 12, 1832. To them were born eight children : Henry R., the leading spirit in the organization of the Brethren Church; Elizabeth, married to Robert Riley, Ephraim R., Hannah, married to John Brumbaugh; David R., Mary, married to Daniel Stoner; George R., and Rebecca, married to Jacob Brumbaugh.
Both he and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren in the Clover Creek congregation, in 1833. This congregation called him to the ministry, in 1841, and had him ordained, in 1863, at which time he was given the oversight of the Clover Creek congregation, and served it in that capacity until near the close of his life. While, in the Cove, German was the prevailing language in the pulpits of the church, he spoke in the English and became quite a favorite among people, and officiated at most of the marriages and burials in Central Morrison's Cove. He was so much in demand as a minister that it was difficult for him to make a living, in the days when the ministry did not even receive a support. The unusual was done for him, -- the congregation purchased a small farm for him, and here he resided till his family was raised. In 1865 or '66, he sold the farm and moved to a community now known as Carson Valley congrega- tion. Here he remained with this congregation for about six years, then returned to Clover Creek to spend the rest of his days.
He served on the Standing Committee in 1868, at Elkhart, (Ind.). Eastern District of Pennsylvania sent him on a mission to Maine, while General Conference sent him to Tennessee, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, to attend to important church work. He had an "ex- ceedingly retentive memory, and, being a close student of the Scrip-
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tures, as well as a lover of a number of poets, he had at his command almost the entire word of God, and could recite page after page of Milton's works." The last fifteen years of his life he was totally blind. The affliction of his old age was Bright's disease, to which he succumbed January 31, 1886. Interment in the Clover Creek Cemetery .*
HOLSINGER, GEORGE, elected to the ministry in the Dunnings Creek congregation, October 27, 1868.
HOLSINGER, GEORGE BLACKBURN, oldest of four sons of Joseph H. and Rebecca (née Blackburn) Holsinger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born on his father's farm, near Pleasantville. Bedford County, (Pa.), May 20, 1857. His father was leader of song for the Church of the Brethren for a number of years. Eleven years of common school education, and he was ready to teach. He soon drifted into teaching music, something he passionately loved. He received instruction in music from men of national reputation, among them Benjamin H. Everett, W. E. Burnett, B. C. Unseld. George F. Root, R. H. Palmer, and J. C. Filmore. When the Vir- ginia Normal, now Bridgewater College, was moved to Bridgewater, in 1882, he took charge of the musical department, and taught piano, organ, vocal, history, harmony, and composition. He gave over 30,000 lessons on instruments, alone.
In 1898 he became musical editor for the Brethren Publishing House, and from that time till the close of his life, gave his time to preparing song books and traveling among the churches, conducting musical institutes and singing classes. He was leader of the song service at General Conference for a number of years.
He was united in marriage with Sallie A., daughter of David N. and Mary (nee Miller) Keagey, of Bridgewater, Va.), the union being solemnized by Solomon Garber, on August 19, 1884. She very richly supplemented his poetical and musical talent with her own ability. To them were born twin boys, but Clyde K. alone reached maturity.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, October 8, 1875.
While engaged in teaching a vocal class at Astoria, (Il1.), he took sick with pneumonia and passed on before, even before his wife could reach his bedside. His funeral was preached by Andrew Hutcheson, using for text 1 Cor. 15: 51-58. His body lies buried in the Bridgewater, (Va.), Cemetery.
HOLSINGER, GEORGE MACK, second of four sons of John and Elizabeth (née Mack) Holsinger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Woodbury, Bedford County, (Pa.), May 26, 1804. He was married to Sarah Snyder, August 23, 1827, and to them were born six children,-Thomas S., John S., Levi S., Joseph H., Christian S., and Elizabeth. He united with the Church
* Quotation and information from account in Gospel Messenger, February 16, 1886, taken from the Daily Tribune, Altoona, (Pa.).
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of the Brethren in the Woodbury congregation, and by her called to the deacon's office, some time before 1841. In that year the family moved on a farm about three miles from Alum Bank, where, in 1845, he was called to the ministry. It may be properly said he was the founder of the Dunnings Creek congregation. He died April 24, 1862, and his body is buried in Mock Cemetery.
HOLSINGER, HENRY R., first of eight children of Daniel Mack and Polly (nee Ritz) Holsinger, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Martins- burg, (Pa.), May 26, 1833. His father was a bishop in the church, and, according to a local biographer, "adhered tenaciously to the conser- vative branch of the church, and so averse was he to any encroachment of its rules and doctrines, that he could not have any sympathy with the new departure." The son was reared on the farm, and had the ad- vantage of public school training.
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