USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 38
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MILLER, JACOB, oldest of eight children of Andrew and Hannah (née Studebaker) Miller, members of the Church of the Brethren, living in Milligan's Cove, Bedford County, (Pa.), was born Febru- ary 18, 1828, on the Peter Miller farm, near Buffalo Mills. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and attended school upstairs in his father's house, until he was ten years old. One of his first teachers was Abram Miller, a cousin of his father, who taught school for years. Peter Lehman was another teacher. At fifteen, he went to Bedford and attended the school of Thomas J. Harris, a Roman Catholic and disciplinarian of the old school. Jacob taught school near Shellsburg, (Pa.), during the winters of 1845-47, during which time he made his home with George Williams, who afterwards be- came a member of the state legislature. His daughter, Mary, be- cause school was too far away, took lessons of the boarding teacher in the evenings. Afterwards, she went to work in the United States Mint, in Philadelphia. While there, a new profile was wanted for the silver dollar, and, because of her beauty, she was selected. Note the letter "W" on the bottom edge of the profile. In the Fall of 1847, Jacob taught a select school in New Enterprise. During 1848, he continued teaching here, and made his home in turn with Leonard Furry, Daniel Snowberger and David Snowberger.
He was united in marriage with Eleanor, daughter of Peter and Hannah (née Smith) Arnold, the family having moved into Wills Creek a few years before, the union being solemnized, December 25, 1848. To this union were born three children, namely, Andrew Q. (deceased), Emma A., who married Joseph Z. Replogle; Charlotte, who married Fillmore E. Baker.
Several months after Jacob and his wife attended the General Con- ference, at Berlin, (Pa.), in 1849, James Quinter stopped to visit the members in Wills Creek. On this visit, in August, 1849, after preach- ing one Sunday, James Quinter baptized this couple. About June. 1851, Jacob was called to the ministry at the time of a lovefeast. James Quinter and Jacob Hauger were present at this meeting and perhaps conducted the installation service.
In the Spring, 1853, he attended a lovefeast occasion at Berlin, Somerset County, and was not feeling well while there. During the lovefeast, which was held in the barn, he took sick. The next day he started for home. It rained all the way. Mumps and other compli- cations developed. He died May 11, 1853. Jacob Hauger, of Som- erset County, preached his funeral. Interment in the family burying ground on his father's farm.
MILLER, JOHN B., a son of Jacob W. and Catherine (née Walter) Miller, was born in Bedford County, (Pa.), May 5, 1837. He was
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reared on the farm, had very meagre opportunities for an education and, until he moved to New Paris, made his living tilling the soil.
He was united in marriage with Sussannah E., daughter of John P. Hoover, on January 6, 1859. To this union six children were born. His wife died in 1868. Later, he married Elizabeth Furry, widow of John B. Furry and daughter of Daniel Snowberger.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in 1856, in the Dun- nings Creek congregation; served in the capacity of deacon for six years; was called to the ministry, January 15, 1871; four years later advanced to the second degree; and ordained, June 8, 1895. He always lived within the bounds of Dunnings Creek congregation. He attended District Meetings, representing his congregation often; like- wise General Conference, up until 1912. He was interested in the church periodicals, and acted as agent through the years from the beginning of the Gospel Visitor, to the Gospel Messenger. He sol- emnized sixty-four marriages, preached many funerals, was a liberal contributor to the work of the church, both of time and means. He served one term as member of the District Mission Board of West- ern Pennsylvania.
He died October 9, 1912. His funeral was conducted by Levi Rogers, a home minister, assisted by Levi Holsinger and Reverend Conly, of the Evangelical Church. Interment in York Cemetery .*
MILLER, JOHN BOWSER, the youngest, with a twin sister, of six children of the family of David T. and Susan (née Bowser) Miller, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Woodbury, Bed- ford County, (Pa.), on August 2, 1856. He was reared on a farm and made farming his occupation until 1908; since then he has been en-
gaged in evangelistic work. He availed himself of a good common school education, prepared himself. and has taught vocal music for many years.
He is united in marriage with An- nie Elizabeth, daughter of Abram and Mary Kefer Brown, Jacob Miller solemnizing the union, February 5, 1880. To them were born four chil- dren, Dessa Mae, A. Brown, Ruth Pearl, and Kenton Roy.
In the New Enterprise congregation, in December, 1876, through immersion administered by Henry Hershberger, he united with the Church of the Brethren. The Woodbury congregation called him to the ministry, August 18, 1888, and, through the laying on of hands by John W. Brumbaugh and James A. Sell, he was ordained, April 13, 1907. He has represented his congregation some twenty-five times at District Meeting, and his district on the Standing Com-
* Gleaned from sketch in Blough's History of the Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania.
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mittee, once, and once at General Conference. His field of labor has been District rather than the home congregation, and yet he has served the latter also. In 1898, he was elected a member of the District Mission Board, and served twenty-one consecutive years ; since, he has been district missionary secretary. From the first he was a member of the Trustees of the Old Folks' Home; was a mem- ber of the building committee, and canvassed the District for the money to build the home. At the Sedalia General Conference, in 1920, he was made a member of the Conference Music Committee. and continues in that service. He has been bishop, for a period of years, of the following congregations: Bellwood, Stonerstown, Rid- dlesburg, Queen, Albright, Leamersville. He is now pastor of the Claysburg Mission and the Leamersville congregation. Address, Curryville, (Pa.).
MILLER, MARTIN, born in 1776, was a minister in the early Yellow Creek congregation. His son, Jacob, born in 1813, was a loved min- ister in the latter half of the last century.
MOHLER, JACOB, a son of Jacob and Mary Mohler, members of the Church of the Brethren, who were among the early settlers in the Kishacoquillas congregation, near Lewistown, (Pa.), was born August 25, 1802. He made his living by farming.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Lewistown con- gregation, and later called to the ministry. He died March 9, 1889. His funeral was conducted by Samuel Swigart and Samuel G. Rupert.
MOHLER, JOHN M., eighth of eleven children of Jacob and Sarah (née Rothrock) Mohler, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Mechanicsburg, (Pa.). December 26, 1837. He was reared on the farm and, for the most part, made his living by farming. When he was quite young, his parents moved into Dry Valley, near Lewis- town. Here he received a common school education and, through private lessons, to some extent mastered Greek and Latin. He taught school some twenty years.
He was united in marriage with Amanda Ellen, daughter of Christian and Margaret (née Kearns) Hoover, members of the Presbyterian Church, living near Lewistown, the union be- ing solemnized December 24, 1858. To them were born five children, -Vina, wife of John B. Shellenberger, and Anna, wife of Harry A. Spanogle, reaching maturity. His wife died February 3, 1894. On August 6, 1902, he was united in marriage with Sarah (née Coudry) Mauk, a member of the Church of the Brethren, near Mechanics- burg, (Pa.).
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A few years after his first marriage, he and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Lewistown (now Dry Valley) congregation. Here he was called to the ministry, May 18, 1874; this congregation had him ordained, May 24, 1898. When he was called to the ministry, he gave up teaching and turned his talent to the development of the church. He conducted evangelistic meetings in almost every state from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He was usually at District Meetings and General Conference, whether he was a delegate or not, and his voice was often heard in these meet- ings. He was active in the ministry till the close. He preached near Mechanicsburg, (S. Pa.), on Sunday morning. Text, 2 Peter 1 : 13-16, which proved to be a most significant message in the light of his death that week, January 25, 1919. Funeral services in the Mechanicsburg church by Joseph Long; in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry (Annie Mohler) Spanogle, in Lewistown, (Pa.), by Samuel J. Swigart, Text, Philippians 1: 20-21. Interment in Dry Valley Cemetery.
MOHR, FERDINAND HELTZEL, second of seven children of Andrew and Anna Maria (née Heltzel) Mohr, members of the Lutheran Church, was born near Baker's Summit, Bedford County, (Pa.), March 1, 1871. His father, a stone mason and cooper by trade, died when the son was seven years old; hence, instead of the advantages of a common school education, he knew only hard work from his early life. He has made his living on the farm.
He was united in marriage with Ina C. Pote, November 30, 1897. To them one son was born, but died in infancy. The mother died February 27, 1900. The second time he was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of Isaac L. and Mary (née Lamburn) Snyder, living near Madrid, John L. Holsinger solemnizing the union, Octo- ber 16, 1902. To them one son was born.
In 1886, when but fifteen years old, he united with the Lutheran Church, and continued in that communion until June 3, 1900, the time he united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Woodbury congregation, Jacob K. Brown administering baptism. This congre- gation called him to the deacon's office, April 13, 1907; to the min- istry, October 7, 1911 ; and, through the laying on of hands by David T. Detwiler and Charles O. Beery, he was ordained, September 25, 1920. He has served the Holsinger Sunday-school as superintendent for the last twelve years; has represented his congregation at District Meeting and General Conference, each four times. He is living on the farm looking after the interests of the Holsinger group of mem- bers, as well as preaching some at the Curry and Replogle houses, all in the Woodbury congregation. Address, Baker's Summit, (Pa.).
MOORE, SAMUEL A., third of seven children of Hugh Mason and Fanny (née Graybill) Moore, the father a Presbyterian and the mother a Mennonite, was born near Martinsburg, (Pa.), February 13, 1834. He received a public school education, and made his living in the mercantile and lumbering business.
In 1855, he was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of Martin and Mary (née Long) Hoover. To them were born six chil-
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dren, Frances, Martin L., Elizabeth H., married to Jacob H. Beeghly, a deacon in the Church of the Brethren; Elias H., Benjamin F., and Mary Ann, married to Joseph W. Garland.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, by baptism administered by Daniel M. Holsinger, in the Clover Creek mill dam, February 22, 1856. In the Clover Creek congregation he was called to the ministry, in Novem- ber, 1865. Shortly after, he moved within the bounds of the Snake Spring Valley congregation, for, on March 28, 1868, he was advanced to the second degree. Those present at the occasion, one of whom officiated, were Jacob Steele, Andrew Snow- berger, Isaac Ritchey, and Henry Clapper. During his labors he solemnized 366 marriages and bap- tized 334 members into the Church of the Brethren. He died Sep- tember 22, 1899. Interment in Utahville Cemetery, Utahville, (Pa.). His wife, who was also a member of the Church of the Brethren, died September 13, 1900.
MORRIS, JAMES HENRY, third of six children of William J. and Elizabeth Morris, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Everett, (Pa.), August 31, 1876. He was reared on the farm and received common school training until he reached his maturity. After being called to the ministry, he went west, put himself through college in the following manner: Valparaiso, (Ind.), 1902-03; Man- chester College, (Ind.), Bible, 1904-06, B.S.L .; Valparaiso, (Ind.), 1908-09, B.Pd., B.S., A.B,; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, (Ky.), 1910-12, Th.B .; Bethany Bible School, Chicago, Philosophy and Bible, 1910, 1912, 1916-18, M.A. In this time he taught in the public schools of Pennsylvania, 1898-01; assistant teacher of Mathematics, Manchester College, (Ind.), 1904-05; Bridgewater College, (Va.), 1906-08; Principal Herrin, (Il1.), High School, 1909-10.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Yellow Creek congregation, baptism being administered by Samuel Ritchey, in 1893. This congregation called him to the ministry, June 21, 1902; the Cordell congregation, (Okla.), had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by David E. Cripe and A- L. Boyd, December 28, 1913. He has represented his congregation twice at District Meeting. From May 31, 1912, to January 1, 1917, he was District Sunday-school secretary and evangelist for Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. From September, 1910, to May 30, 1912, he was mis- sionary pastor in Harrison County, (Ind.). From January 1, 1917, to 1923 he was registrar and Church History teacher at Bethany Bible School. He is author of three pamphlets,- Forty Lessons in Acts and Epistles, The Story of Redemption, and Historical Facts of Church and State, and of a book, History of the Church of the
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Brethren in Oklahoma. At present he is pastor at Carthage, (Mo.), his present address.
MURPHY, Ross D., oldest of four children of Scott and Mary Jane (née Rummel) Murphy, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, and he a deacon, was born near Salix, Cambria County, (Pa.), September 6, 1882. As student, he has earned the following: Juni- ata College, Normal, 1902-06, B.E .; Juniata College, 1907-12, A.B .; University of Pennsylvania, 1917, and summer of 1921; graduate student in Psychology and Assistant in Psychology, 1922-24.
He was united in marriage with Sara Florence, daughter of Wen- dell M. and Elizabeth (née Newcomer) Fogelsanger, of Shippens- burg, (Pa.), the union being solemnized by John H. Cassady, Decem- ber 22, 1918. The bride had united with the Church of the Brethren in the First Church of Philadelphia, March 31, 1907. From Juniata College she received B.S.L., 1911; A.B., 1912; from the University of Pennsylvania, A.M., in 1916; Ph.D., 1917. As far as known, she enjoys the distinction of being the only woman of the Church of the Brethren to have the Doctor of Philosophy degree. She has held professorship in English in La Verne (Calif.) College, Cumberland Valley State Normal School, (Pa.), and Blue Ridge College, (Md.).
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Rummel con- gregation, baptism being administered by Joseph J. Shaffer, on August 13, 1900. The Shade Creek congregation (W. Pa.) called him to the ministry, November 24, 1904. The Pipe Creek congrega- tion (M. Md.), through the laying on of hands by A. P. Snader and George Hoke, had him ordained, November 4, 1921. He has repre- sented his congregation at District Meeting, twice; at General Con- ference, five times. He was pastor at Roaring Spring, (Pa.), 1912; Sunday-school Secretary for Western Pennsylvania District, 1913; Field Secretary for the General Mission Board, 1914-15; pastor at Shippensburg, (S. Pa.), 1916-19; Acting President of Blue Ridge College, (Md.), 1920-22; supply pastor, First Church of Philadelphia, 1923-24; pastor since September 1, 1924. He has been a regular con- tributor to the Teachers' Monthly, published at Elgin, (Il1.), since 1919. Address, 2260 North Park Ave., Philadelphia, (Pa.).
MUSSER, SAMUEL, was born in Lancaster County, (Pa.). His was but a common school training, and he made his living by farming. While living in Stone Valley, he attended a lovefeast in Spring Run. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, when living in Stone Valley. After attending a lovefeast in Spring Run congrega- tion, at a later meeting held near his home, he united with the Church of the Brethren. He was called to the ministry in later years. In 1867, he was united in marriage with Sarah McAuley. He died August 4, 1891, and is buried in Spring Run Cemetery.
MYERS, BRUCE I., son of Ephraim and Fannie C. Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in McAlistersville, Juniata County, (Pa.), October 30, 1872. While living on the farm, he re- ceived a common school education. In 1895, he graduated from the Normal English course of Juniata College.
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In 1912, he married Ermyn L., daughter of James H. France, of Philipsburg, (Pa.), the union being solemnized by G. M. Glenn, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she is a member. To them are born three children, James France, Jean Corinne, and Doris Irene.
In his youth he united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Huntingdon congregation. The Aughwick congregation called him to the ministry, in April, 1895, Henry B. Brumbaugh officiating at the installation. After spending nineteen years as a teacher, supervisor and superintendent of schools, he became engaged in business. At present he is manager of the Philadelphia office of the Laurel Book Company, Educational Publishers, with office at 603 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. His residence is 1228 South Fifty-second Street.
MYERS, GEORGE S., oldest of eight children of the family of Reuben and Catherine (née Snyder) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Lewistown, Mifflin County, (Pa.), March 28, 1842. He took advantage of the rural schools of his day, and kept abreast of the times through much reading. He was a well informed man. When old enough, he taught few terms of country school; a turned his attention to farming for a number of years; and then engaged in lumbering.
He was united in marriage witlı Susan, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (née Titlow) Reiff, in 1867, and to them were born three children, Oscar R. Myers alone surviving. He was united in his second marriage, on February 14, 1889, with Rosie, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Snowberger, of New Enter- prise, (Pa.).
In the Lewistown (now Dry Valley) congregation, he was united with the Church of the Brethren, July 5, 1863. This congregation called him to the deacon's office, October 26, 1867; to the ministry, May 22, 1869; and, while residing in the New Enterprise congrega- tion, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and Samuel J. Swigart, he was ordained, September 4, 1897.
He represented his congregation at both District Meeting and Gen- eral Conference, a number of times. His favorite field of religious work was the Sunday-school. When a lad, he attended a union school, and his father was rather severely criticised for permitting his son to go. Then, when Clover Creek started a Sunday-school, and there was much agitation among the churches, in speaking of those " so completely absorbed with the subject of Sabbath-schools" as to miss "regular meetings," he concludes that "their zeal is not according to knowledge." Further, he says, "One very great objec- tion I have to Sabbath-schools is the predominance of a class of books in their libraries, for which I can find no better name than
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religious novels."* Later in life, there was no more enthusiastic Sunday-school worker in the District than he. He served on the Home Mission Board seventeen years, and accepted nothing for it, not even his expenses. He was one of the three original committee appointed by the District to prepare this history. He went through the complete files of the Gospel Messenger, indexing all references to ministers living in the District. He closed his labors, July 27, 1919. His funeral services were conducted by David T. Detwiler. Inter- ment in the New Enterprise Cemetery.
MYERS, GRAYBILL,, was born in Lancaster County, (Pa.), January 6, 1808. His opportunities for education were extremely limited, yet all through his life he favored education. He made his living on the farm.
He was united in marriage with Magdalena Weidler, in August, 1831. To them were born four sons and four daughters. The fam- ily moved to Union County, in 1833, and the next year to Kishaco- quillas Valley, and in the Dry Valley congregation, both he and his wife, united with the Church of the Brethren. Here he was called to the deacon's office. In 1839 he moved within the bounds of the Aughwick congregation, and was called to the ministry in 1840. In 1851, he located within the bounds of the Warriors Mark congrega- tion, in the extreme upper end, about three miles north of Altoona. Then, April 1, 1865, having sold his farm to Conrad Imler, he located at Eldorado, within the bounds of the Duncansville congregation. Here he resided till he died. From all the evidence available, one must conclude that after consulting a number of leading brethren, he called the first district meeting in Middle Pennsylvania. His notice of this meeting appeared in the Gospel Visitor, March 12, 1861, in which he set the bounds of the District as between the Susque- hanna River on the east, the Alleghany Mountains on the west, and the north and south boundaries of the State for the other two limita- tions. The impetus of this gathering no doubt did much to cause other portions of the Brotherhood to do likewise, and he lived to see the church fully organized into what is now known as State Districts. Once he served as moderator of District Meeting. He frequented these annual gatherings, but not to take part in the discussions. His wife died January 25, 1880. At a lovefeast in Clover Creek, he spoke on the Lord's Supper, his last public message. In the home of John W. Brumbaugh, where he went after the communion season, he took sick, and died, November 1, 1887. The funeral services were con- ducted by James Quinter and James A. Sell. Interment in the Carson Valley Cemetery.
MYERS, J. ALLEN, fifth of ten children born to Peter S. and Sarah (née Graeff) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a bishop, was born near McVeytown, Mifflin County, (Pa.), April 13, 1858. He grew up on the farm, attended the common schools. took the Normal English course at Juniata College, graduating in 1887, and spent two years in the University of Pennsylvania. From
Christian Family Companion, Vol. I, page 212.
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1876 to 1915, he was engaged in educational work; since, he is the manager of the Juniata Subscription Agency.
He was united in marriage with Viola, daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth (née Bender) Workman, members of the Church of the Brethren, near Loudenville, (O.), the union being solemnized by Ferdinand England, December 24, 1897. To them were born Lois, Doris, and Elizabeth reaching maturity, and one son dying in infancy.
While living in the Spring Run congre- gation, (Pa.), perhaps in the year 1873, he united with the Church of the Breth- ren, his father administering baptism. When the Culver congregation (Kan.) was organized, he was teaching the Culver schools, and was there called to the office of deacon, in 1880. Later, he returned to his native State, and the Spring Run con- gregation called him to the ministry, October 19, 1883; also, through the laying on of hands by John C. Swigart and Walter S. Long, had him ordained. He has represented his congregation at District and General Conference a number of times; was always deeply interested in Sunday-school, and, as a scholar, committed to memory as many as one thousand verses of Scripture in a summer. While a member of the Spring Run congre- gation, he carried his full share of the ministry, and made many long trips reaching the outposts. While teaching school, he also con- ducted singing schools at different places in the surrounding country. After entering upon his duties at Juniata College, his preaching took on a decidedly educational bias ; he has been very helpful to Juniata College,-raised the funds for Science building and gathering in con- siderable of its endowment. He has been a trustee of Juniata College since 1911; Secretary of the Board of Trustees since, 1912. His address is Huntingdon, (Pa.).
MYERS, OSCAR REIFF, second of three children of George S. and Susan (née Reiff) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Lewistown, Mifflin County, (Pa.), April 16, 1873. Be- cause his uncle, John G. Royer, was president of Mt. Morris College, he went there to pursue his school work, and graduated in the pre- paratory department, in 1894. Through attending the University of Michigan he was given his A.B. in 1898, and A.M. in 1899. From 1899 to 1904 he was a member of the faculty of Mt. Morris College. He also spent two summers in Columbia University, and in this man- ner prepared himself for the teaching of English at Juniata College, where he was a member of the faculty from 1905 to June, 1924. At the urgent request of the trustees he accepted the treasurership and business management of Juniata College, and entered upon his duties June 15, 1924.
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