USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 39
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He was united in marriage with Mabel E., daughter of Daniel R. and Salome Dooley, members of the Church of the Brethren, at New
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Enterprise, (Pa.), the groom's father officiating, August 30, 1910. To them have been born two children, Mary Ruth living.
While attending Mt. Morris College, he united with the Church of the Brethren, Tobias T. Myers administering baptism, in the Fall of 1889. The Mt. Morris (Il1.) congregation called him to the ministry, in 1903; but he was not installed until, at Huntingdon, in 1908. Through the laying on of hands by John P. Harris and William Ulrich, he was ordained, July, 1920. He has represented his congre- gation at District Meeting a number of times; succeeding his father as District Treasurer, in July, 1919, and continues in this office. He has always been an active Sunday-school worker. For fifteen years he has been in office of the Huntingdon County Sunday-school Asso- ciation, serving it five years as president ; he is one of the originators of the Mid-State Sunday-school Training Camp, near Spruce Creek, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Sabbath School Association. His address is Huntingdon, (Pa.).
MYERS, PETER S., first of ten children of the family of Samuel and Elizabeth (née Shellenberger) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near McVeytown, (Pa.), October 23, 1827. In his childhood, he had meagre privileges even in common school education, but later in life, through extensive reading, he became well informed and a keen reasoner. He possessed a good library of religious and scien- tific books.
He was united in marriage with the fourth daughter of Mathias Graeff, on February 13, 1851, and to them were born six sons and four daughters.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Spring Run congre- gation, and spent most of his life within its bounds. This congrega- tion called him to the ministry, in 1857, and had him ordained some time later. He dedicated the first place of worship of the Brethren in Huntingdon, June 20, 1875. In 1877, he was chosen to oversee his home congregation, and served in that capacity till 1885. He spent the latter part of his life in California; was among the pioneers in establishing the Church of the Brethren in the State, particularly the Covina and First Los Angeles congregation, and had the oversight of the latter from its founding till near his death. He died November 1, 1908. Interment, Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, (Calif.).
MYERS, REUBEN T., the ninth of ten children of Samuel and Eliza- beth (née Shellenberger) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near McVeytown, (Pa.), August 17, 1839. He made good use of a common school education open to him, but made his living first at farming and later carpentering.
He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and
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Susannah (née Rothrock) Bashoar, members of the Church of the Brethren, living in Dry Valley. To them were born seven children,- Ida, Calvin, Annie, Milton, Samuel, Edward. and Edna. The wife died June 23, 1873. Later, he was united in marriage with Phianna, daughter of Samuel and Anna (née Leiter) Bashoar, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, on September 24, 1874. To them were born six children,-Banks A., Adda M., How- ard E., Mary E., Walter A., and Nora E.
When about seventeen years of age, he united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Spring Run congregation, Joseph R. Hana- walt administering baptism. Here he was called to the deacon's office, in 1867; to the ministry, October 20, 1887, and, through the laying on of hands by George S. Myers and Walter S. Long, he was ordained, May 30, 1900. He represented his congregation at District Meeting eight times, and twice at General Conference. He was active in the Sunday-school when it first began, and served a number of times as superintendent. The greater part of his service has been given to the Spring Run congregation, where, in conjunction with John C. Swigart, he has the oversight of the church. Address, McVey- town, (Pa.).
MYERS, SAMUEL, fifth of ten children of Samuel and Elizabeth (née Shellenberger) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near McVeytown, (Pa.). January 5, 1832. Though reared on the farm, he received education to the extent of making teaching a large part of his livelihood. In the latter part of his life, in Indiana, he was engaged in farming.
He was united in marriage with Anna D., daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (née Titlow) Reiff, mem- bers of the Church of the Brethren, on October 26, 1858. To them were born six children, the following reaching maturity : Elizabeth J., Franklin R., Leanetta H., and How- ard U.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Spring Run con- gregation, and by it called to the ministry, in 1863. He died June 2, 1906. Irvin Fisher conducted his funeral services. Interment in cemetery at Mexico, (Ind.).
MYERS, SETH F., ninth of thirteen children of Michael and Cath- erine (née Holsopple) Myers, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Hope Furnace, Juniata County, (Pa.), January
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24, 1842. Reared on the farm, he availed himself of the common schools and three terms at Shirleysburg Academy.
He was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of John Spanogle. Through the mis- fortune of a fire, causing a total loss of his household effects later in life, all records of this early union are lost. His wife died with- out children. He was married again, October 3, 1872, this time to Catherine, daughter of David Long, of Maryland. Six children were born to this union; two daughters and one son survive.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in his 'teens, while living in the Aughwick congregation. Here he was called to the min- istry, May 17, 1874. The Altoona congrega- tion had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by Albert G. Crosswhite and James A. Sell, July 18, 1914. He moved to Altoona, March 1, 1893, and while here assisted in building up the church in Bellwood. After two years residence in Martinsburg, he moved to New Jersey and, under the direction of the District Mission Board of South Western Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, he served the Sand Brook and Fairview congregations, for about three years. Then he became pastor at Upper Dublin for three years. He spent his closing days in Altoona. June 28, 1923, he died; funeral services conducted by James A. Sell; interment in Germany Valley, Augh- wick congregation.
MYERS, TIMOTHY TOBIAS, seventh of nine children of Tobias and Eliza (née Berkley) Myers, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a bishop, was born near Som- erset, (Pa.), March 29, 1865. When eleven years old, his parents moved to Lanark, (Il1.), where he was reared on the farm. He attended two terms of school at Mt. Morris College, (I11.), 1883-84; taught public. school, 1884-86; entered Mt. Morris College again in the Fall of 1887, and graduated from the Academic depart- ment with the class of 1890. While engaged in pastoral work, he contin- ued his studies and received the fol- lowing degrees: National School of Elocution and Oratory, Philadelphia, B. Expression, 1893; Neff College of Oratory, Philadelphia, B. of Interpretation, 1894; Temple College, Philadelphia, 1894, A.B .; Crozer Theological Seminary, 1902, B.D .; Juniata College, 1905, D.D .; University of Pennsylvania, 1919, A.M. Since 1907, he is professor of New Testament Literature and Exe- gesis, Juniata College School of Theology.
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He was united in marriage with Salome A., daughter of David and Ann (née Dierdorf) Stoner, members of the Church of the Brethren living at Ladoga, (Ind.), the union being solemnized by Daniel L. Miller, September 28, 1893. The wife died March 11, 1894. On June 23, 1897, he married Florence, daughter of David H. and Isabelle (née Rush) Harshbarger, members of the Church of the Brethren, in the Spring Run congregation, Henry B. Brumbaugh officiating. To them was born one son, Leon Geiger. His wife is a graduate of Juniata College, Normal English course, B.E., 1896; was "mother " of the girls of the college, 1894-97; was a student of the Cedar Falls, (Ia.), Normal School, and taught public school in Mifflin County, (Pa.). She united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Spring Run congregation, baptism being administered by Abram Myers, May 14, 1886. She has taught the Soul Winners Bible Class (Women) of the Huntingdon Sunday-school since 1909; was first president of the Huntingdon City Missionary Union (1914), and continues as active member ; has been president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Huntingdon County since 1915.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, while attending school at Mt. Morris, (I11.), baptism being administered by Solomon Z. Sharp, March 16, 1884. The Milledgeville, (Il1.), congregation called him to the ministry, January 1, 1886; the First Church of the Breth- ren, of Philadelphia, had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by Frank P. Cassel and Abram L. Grater, on October 1, 1906. He has represented his congregation at District and General Con- ference a number of times; served on the Standing Committee at York, (Pa.), 1912; Hershey, (Pa.), 1918 and 1921; Calgary, (Can.), 1923. He has been a member of the Tract Examining Committee since 1916. As pastor, he served the First Church, of Philadelphia, 1891-1907, save one year, 1901-02, at Germantown, (Pa.). He was bishop of the Huntingdon congregation, 1919-24; also at intervals of Roaring Spring, Fairview and Williamsburg congregations. He traveled through Europe and Bible Lands in 1895; wrote the Sunday- school lessons for the Brethren's Quarterly, 1906-20. He is author of Lectures on Eschatology, Glimpses of Jesus, or Letters of Christian H. Balsbaugh, and Life of Christ. He is a member of the Confer- ence Committee preparing the hymnal published in 1925. His address is Huntingdon, (Pa.).
NEARHOOF, HENRY, according to the Christian Family Compan- ion, page 669, 1869, he was the first minister in the Warriors Mark congregation.
NORRIS, SAMUEL A., fourth of thirteen children of Thomas and Nancy (née Snyder) Norris, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born on the old Norris homestead, near Fink's Bridge, in Penn Township, Huntingdon County, (Pa.), June 16, 1849. He attended common school till he was sixteen years old, thereafter working on his father's farm.
He was united in marriage with Hannah Jane, daughter of Michael and Hannah (née Miller) Dell, the union being solemnized by James Clark, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on January 5,
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1871. To them were born five children,-Emma B., Minnie M., Mertie J., Nancy E., and Samuel R., all members of the Church of the Brethren, but the youngest.
He and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren, in the James Creek congregation, about 1879, George B. Brumbaugh administering baptism. April 1, 1884, they moved within the bounds of the Aughwick congregation, where he was called to the deacon's office, in 1900; to the ministry, October 17, 1902; advanced, October 22, 1904; and, through the laying on of hands by Tobias T. Myers and Samuel J. Swigart, he was ordained, October 22, 1904. He often represented his congregation at District Meeting; held a number of revival meetings in his home congregation; and was a leader in Sunday-school work where he lived. His wife died October 17, 1923, and is buried in the cemetery at Bowman's Chapel, in Smith Valley. His address is R. 1, Shirleysburg, (Pa.).
PEPPLE, DORSEY I., seventh of nine children of Joseph and Sarah (née Shoaf) Pepple, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Snake Spring Valley Town- ship, Bedford County, (Pa.), Feb- ruary 3, 1885. He availed himself of common schools, local normal schools, and taught public school for six years. Besides, he engaged in farming until within the last six years he has been a cashier, first, in the Bedford County Bank, at Alum Bank, (Pa.), and now of the Farm- ers' State Bank, Woodbury, (Pa.).
He was united in marriage with Mary S., daughter of William S. and Sarah (née Snowberger) Ritchey, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, and he a bishop, the union being solemnized by D. M. VanHorn, April 11, 1908. To them were born four children,-Emmert, Sara, Marjorie, and Henry.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Snake Spring Valley congregation, baptism being administered by Solomon Hersh- berger, December 3, 1904. This congregation called him to the min- istry, March 24, 1917. The Dunnings Creek congregation had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and John B. Miller, June 20, 1920. He has represented his congregation once at District Meeting and twice at General Conference. He served Snake Spring Valley Sunday-school, as superintendent, four years. He has the oversight of the Lower Claar congregation since Janu-
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ary 1, 1920; of the Dunnings Creek congregation since January 1, 1923; and Woodbury congregation since April 1, 1924. He has held three protracted meetings, two in the Martinsburg congregation and one in the Yellow Creek congregation, during which thirty-one souls confessed Christ. His address is Woodbury, (Pa.).
QUINTER, JAMES, second child and only son of three children of John and Mary (nee Smith) Quinter, was born in Philadelphia, Feb- ruary 1, 1816. When thirteen years old, his father died. The family was poor. The duty of helping to care for his mother fell upon this only son. They had moved to Phoenix- ville, in 1824, but here educational privileges for poor people were mea- gre. Yet his thirst for an education urged him on. After some time spent in Boarding School, at West Bradford, (Pa.), he taught public school in Hobson's school house; then at Lumberville, Montgomery County, (Pa.), 1834-42, and in Fay- ette County (W. Pa.) till 1856. After locating at Poland, (O.), he was principal of New Vienna, (O.), Academy, 1861-64; and later President of Juniata College, 1879-88.
He was united in marriage, September 17, 1850, with Mary Ann, daughter of Daniel Moser, member of the Church of the Brethren. To them was born Lydia Isabelle, later the wife of Jacob T. Myers, of the Green Tree Church. The mother died October 9, 1857. Then he married Fannie, daughter of John and Nancy (née Rudy) Stude- baker, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a bishop. To this union were born Mary N. (now deceased), a missionary to India, and Grace, the wife of Frank F. Holsopple, pastor of the Hagerstown, (Md.), Church.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Coventry con- gregation, in 1833. This congregation called him to the ministry, in 1838. In 1855, at the Aughwick (M. Pa.) Annual Meeting, he served as Assistant Writing Clerk. Between 1859, where he served first as Writing Clerk, and 1887, he served on the Standing Committee twenty-five times. He was Writing Clerk in 1859, 1860, 1862, 1863, 1865, 1867, 1868; between 1869 and 1874 there is no record of officers. but one may assume he served as Writing Clerk during this period, for he served continuously from 1875 to 1885, inclusive.
In 1856, he removed to Poland, (O.), where Henry Kurtz had, in 1851, published the Gospel Visitor, the first periodical literature in the Church of the Brethren, and for which James Quinter, under the pseudonym of "Clement," was one of the first and ablest contribu- tors. Upon his arrival at Poland, he was appointed assistant editor. The publication office was moved to Columbiana, in 1857; to Coving- ton, in 1866; and then to Dayton, (all in Ohio), in 1869, and some time during this shifting he became editor. In 1873, he purchased
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the Visitor, and also Henry R. Holsinger's Christian Family Com- panion, published at Meyersdale, (Pa.). The two periodicals were merged into The Christian Family Companion and Gospel Visitor, office of publication, Meyersdale, (Pa.), to which place Brother Quinter now moved. He changed the name of his publication, Janu- ary, 1876, to The Primitive Christian. The following October, it was united with The Pilgrim, the Quinter family moved to Huntingdon, (Pa.), and he continued as editor and became the senior member of the firm, Quinter and Brumbaugh Brothers. Further consolidations of the Brethren at Work and Primitive Christian produced the Gospel Messenger, and though published at Mt. Morris, (Il1.), he was re- tained as senior editor, which position he held until the close of life.
When the Brethren's Normal opened, in 1878, at Huntingdon, (Pa.), he gave the project his hearty support. Upon the death of Jacob Zuck, in May, 1879, Brother Quinter was elected president, which position he filled until his death.
Besides his steady flow of editorials of an unusually high type, he was the compiler of the Brethren's Hymn Book, in 1867, and the author of Triune Immersion, in 1886 .*
He was president of the "Church Extension Union," organized some time in 1878, in Western Pennsylvania District. In 1880, when the Domestic and Foreign Mission Board was organized, he was made treasurer, and served in that capacity until it was succeeded by the present organization, in 1884.
He lived in the period of the church when debate between repre- sentatives of different denominations was common. One may form a fair estimate of the kind of teaching and writing he did by the debates he was pressed to hold :
About 1856, with Reverend Knepper, minister of the Reformed Church; subject,-Christian Baptism; Somerset County, (Pa.).
September, 1866, with Elder Wilkes, minister of the Disciple Church; subjects,-Immersion, Feet Washing and Salutation; Ma- coupin County, (I11.).
August 7 and 8, 1867, with Reverend Hugh Wells, of the Lutheran Church; subject, Baptism; Elkhart County, (Ind.).
August 21-22, 1867, with Reverend P. S. Snyder, of the Lutheran Church; subject,-Immersion; Carroll County, (Ind.).
October, 1867, with Reverend McConnell, of the Disciple Church; subjects,-Immersions, Lord's Supper, Feet Washing ; Linn County, (Ia.).
June, 1868, with Reverend I. C. Mitchell, of the Disciple Church; subjects,-Immersions, Feet Washing; Cumberland County, (Pa.).
September, 1869, with Elder Mckinney, of the Disciple Church; subject,-Free Masonry; Miami County, (O.).
Saturday, May 19, 1888, at the Conference held at North Man- chester, (Ind.), he listened to Daniel Vaniman preach at 3 P. M. At
* His loyalty to the church of his choice is illustrated by many incidents. The following was related to the editor by his father, John G. Royer: While living at Covington, Ohio, an educated minister of another denomination heard Brother Quinter preach. At the close of the service he said: "You have too much talent to waste it on those slow Dunkards "; to which Brother Quinter replied, "You say they are slow ; then I shall remain with them to help them."
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the close, Brother Quinter announced a hymn and called the audience to prayer. And there, amidst his brethren and sisters, all on their knees before God, after uttering a few sentences from his overflowing heart, his lips were stilled by an Unseen Hand,-he had left the multitude and gone to the Father. Henry B. Brumbaugh and Wil- liam J. Swigart conducted the funeral services in the College Chapel. Interment in the River View Cemetery, Huntingdon, (Pa.).
RANCK, BENJAMIN F., third of twelve children of Philip and Lu- cinda (née Bucher) Ranck, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Warfordsburg, Fulton County, (Pa.), May 19, 1863. After passing public schools and sixteen weeks in a normal, he was licensed to teach. This he did for four years. After moving to Altoona, he entered Juniata College and graduated from the Normal English course in 1897. He taught school three years more and then began work in the Altoona car shops, where, at present, he works.
He was united in marriage with Nettie A., daughter of Seth F. and Catherine (née Long) Myers, mem- bers of the Church of the Brethren, the union being solemnized by Walter S. Long, December 12, 1899.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Licking Creek congregation, Fulton County, (Pa.), Jacob Weller, of Maryland, administering baptism, on October 31, 1885. The Pleasant Ridge congregation (Pa.) called him to the ministry, November 3, 1898; the Altoona congregation had him ordained, through the laying on of hands by James A. Sell and Albert G. Crosswhite, July 18, 1914. He has represented his congregation frequently at District Meeting; has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school, and for years as teacher. His address is Altoona, (Pa.).
RASCHER, HARRY HERMAN, third of seven children of Edward E. and Rosina Caroline (nee Rhoerer) Rascher, members of the German Lutheran Church, was born in Phila- delphia, (Pa.), January 23, 1861. He had the benefit of a limited education, and has made his living as assistant shipping clerk for the Roaring Springs Blank Book Company for twenty-two years.
He was united in marriage with Mary Jane, daughter of David H. and Margaret (née Burget) Brumbaugh, the union being solemn-
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ized by John B. Replogle, June 10, 1894. To this union was born one child.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Clover Creek congregation, Thomas B. Maddocks administering baptism, on Janu- ary 21, 1895. The Albright congregation called him to the deacon's office, August 4, 1906; to the ministry, September 9, 1911; and, through the laying on of hands by Walter S. Long and John B. Miller, had him ordained, March 22, 1921. He served as superin- tendent of the Albright Sunday-school, five years; taught the Older Sisters' Bible Class, eleven years; has assisted and anointed twenty- one different Christians. His address is Roaring Spring, (Pa.).
REPLOGLE, GEORGE BROWN, last of eight children of George W. and Sarah (née Brown) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born in Woodbury Township, Bedford County, (Pa.), January 1, 1894. Besides common school training, he graduated from the Arts course of Juniata College, in 1915.
He was united in marriage with Ruth Williams, daughter of Isaac C. and Elizabeth (née Harley) Williams, the union being solemnized by Edgar Diehm, December 25, 1918. To them were born two children.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in Woodbury congre- gation, about 1905. While attending college, he was called to the ministry, November 11, 1912. Inasmuch as he has chosen teaching for his profession, he has not been active in his ministry.
REPLOGLE, HARVEY S., eighth of nine children of Isaac B. and Elizabeth (née Snowberger) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a deacon, was born near Waterside, Bedford County, (Pa.), September 27, 1871. Passing through the common schools and at- tending several summer normals, he was teaching public school when eighteen years old. He graduated from the Normal English course at Juniata, in 1896. He was principal of one of the ward schools of Johns- town, from 1901 to 1908.
He was united in marriage with Josephine, daughter of Alvin C. and Mary (née Horklerode) Arnold, the union being solemnized by William J. Swigart, August 24, 1904. The bride received a common school education and graduated in the Normal English course at Juniata, in 1902. She united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Morrellville congregation, (W. Pa.), baptism being administered by her husband, November 11, 1904. She has served as cradle roll superintendent, teacher in the primary depart- ment and superintendent in the Sunday-school, and secretary of the aid societies of the District. To Brother and Sister Replogle were
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born three children,-Vernon Arnold, Mary Elizabeth, and Edith Barbara.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the New Enterprise congregation, baptism being administered by Joseph Z. Replogle, March 14, 1886. The New Enterprise congregation called him to the ministry, August 22, 1896; the Plum Creek congregation, (W. Pa.), through the laying on of hands by John F. Dietz and Silas Hoover, had him ordained, October 9, 1910. He preached thirty-six sermons the first year of his ministry; 296 sermons is the most in any one year. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting twenty times; at General Conference, fifteen times; served on the Standing Committee at York, (Pa.), 1912; at Wichita, (Kan.), 1917; at Calgary, (Can.), 1923. He was writing clerk of his District Meet- ing, 1907, 1910 to 1919, and 1921; president of the Sunday-school Association of Western Pennsylvania, 1911 to 1918; of the Bible Institute Committee, 1912 to 1919; graduated ten teacher training classes ; county officer, 1911 to 1914; secretary and treasurer of Dis- trict Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania; secretary of General Temperance Committee of the Brotherhood. Since 1898, he has not let one year slip by without holding two or more revival meetings, and 1,942 have confessed Christ under his preaching. As pastor, he served Morrellville, 1905 to 1907; Plum Creek and Glade Run con- gregations, 1908 to 1913; Scalp Level, 1913 to 1922, all in Western Pennsylvania ; Green Tree, (S. E. Pa., N. J. and N. Y.), since 1922. His address is Oaks, (Pa.).
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