USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 40
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REPLOGLE, JOHN B., second of thirteen children of Daniel and Nancy (née Brumbaugh) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near New Enterprise, (Pa.), May 6, 1821. He was reared on the farm, had very limited common school training, and made his living by farming.
He was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Susan (née Bechtel) Brumbaugh, about 1846. To them were born five sons and two daughters.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Yellow Creek (New Enterprise) congregation. Here he was called to the ministry, August 27, 1879; then, in the Woodbury congregation, he was or- dained, in February, 1887. He attended District and Annual Meeting frequently and was favorable to Sunday-schools in the days when they were not common. He died May 24, 1900.
REPLOGLE, JOSEPH Z., fifth of ten children of George B. and Mary (née Zook) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near New Enterprise, (Pa.), May 31, 1849. Reared on the farm, he was permitted to attend common schools regularly, pressed on with his education, attending local normals, Shippensburg State Normal one term, and then taught for several terms. He made his .living on the farm in Bedford County, his home.
He was united in marriage with Emma A., daughter of Jacob and Eleanor (née Arnold) Miller, of Buffalo Mills, (Pa.), members of the Church of the Brethren and the founder of the first school in the District. The union was solemnized by James Quinter, Decem-
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ber 18, 1878, in the chapel of the Brethren's Normal, at Huntingdon, (Pa.). She had united with the Church of the Brethren in the Spring of 1872, had attended Thomas A. Harris' school, at Bedford, a num- ber of terms, and Brethren's Normal, several terms. She worked some in the Brumbaugh printing office while it was at James Creek and after it moved to Huntingdon. She began teaching school when seventeen; con- tinued eleven years; is the author of a book entitled Indian Eve, a gene- alogy of the Ernest family descended from " Indian Eve," so-called because she was once captured by the Indians. She was also a frequent contributor to the church papers. To Brother and Sister Replogle were born five children,-Olive E., wife of Alpheus W. Dupler, dean of Juniata College ; Gaius E., Sarah Belle (deceased), James Q., and Arnold M.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the New Enterprise congregation, baptism being administered by Samuel A. Moore, in
1872. This congregation called him to the ministry, in 1873, and had him ordained, in 1881. Shortly after his ordination, he was given the oversight of the New Enterprise congregation, and continued in that capacity, passing through the difficult Progressive Movement and serving until 1893. He attended District Meetings regularly, and often represented his congregation at General Conferences. He died December 10, 1893. His funeral was conducted by John B. Fluck. Interment in the Replogle Cemetery, at Waterside, (Pa.).
REPLOGLE, RINEHART ZOOK, second of ten children of David Long and Susanna (née Snider) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Enterprise, (Pa.). He had a common school education, and made his living farming.
He was united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob B. and Elizabeth (née Burger) Furry, and to them twelve children were born.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the New Enterprise congregation, Daniel Snowberger administering baptism. This con- gregation called him to the ministry, May 28, 1885. A little later he united with the Brethren ( Progressive) Church. He died Novem- ber 11, 1920.
REPLOGLE, SARA G., fourth of six children of Andrew and Bar- bara (née Guyer) Replogle, members of the Church of the Brethren. was born near New Enterprise, (Pa.), April 12, 1886. Her childhood was spent in a farm home, where, during the winter, she attended district school. After attending two summer normals, she was li- censed to teach when but seventeen years old. She taught ten terms in the rural schools and, during 1906-08, attended two spring terms
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at Juniata College. In 1912 she entered Elizabethtown College, and completed the English Bible course, in 1914.
During a series of meetings held by Joseph J. Shaffer, in 1900, she united with the Church of the Brethren, in the New Enterprise congregation, baptism being administered by David T. Detwiler. It was while attending Bethany Bible School (Chicago), during 1915-18, that she fully decided to give her life to for- eign missions. During these years she taught a class of girls in the Douglas Park Mission, one year in a Jewish Mis- sion, and one year in a Chinese Mission. She was approved by the Conference of 1919, (Winona Lake, Ind.). and entered her chosen field, India, in the Fall, fol- lowing her appointment .*
RICHARD, JACOB H., first of four sons of Samuel and Mary (née Howe) Richard, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Maitland, Mifflin County, (Pa.), May 9, 1857. He was reared on the farm, and has made his living mostly by farming. His education consists of common schools and a number of Bible terms.
He was united in marriage with Mary M., daughter of Daniel and Susan (née Ritter) Baker, the union being solemnized by S- G. Sho- non, a minister of the Lutheran Church. The bride was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but later united with the Church of the Breth- ren, and died in that fold. To this union were born five sons and two daughters, all living. The wife died March 29, 1900. On February 18, 1904, he married Minnie V., daughter of John and Mary A. (née Driblebis) Showers, this union being solemnized by Abraham L. B. Martin. To this union were born four sons and one daughter.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in what is now called the Dry Valley congregation, baptism being administered by William Howe, November 23, 1871. This congregation called him to the deacon's office, in May, 1887; to the ministry, May 25, 1891; and, through the laying on of hands by John G. Royer and another, had him ordained, in 1910. He has represented his congregation five times at District Meeting, and four times at General Conference. He has held some twenty revivals; served as superintendent and teacher in the Sunday-school. His address is Maitland, (Pa.).
* From David T. Detwiler's sketch in the Missionary Visitor.
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RITCHEY, ABRAM, was called to the ministry in the Snake Spring congregation. Later he moved into the section now known as Artemas congregation, and helped to build up the work there. He finally located in Illinois.
RITCHEY, ISAAC, SENIOR, the first minister in the Snake Spring Valley congregation. His father was Francis Ritchey, a member of the Reformed Church.
RITCHEY, SAMUEL, was born in Snake Spring Valley. Here he united with the Church of the Brethren; called to the ministry, June 28, 1879; ordained in 1919, and died August, 1921.
RITCHEY, WILLIAM SNYDER, fifth of six children of Adam and Catherine (née Snyder) Ritchey, was born near Everett, in the Snake Spring Valley, August 12, 1845. His father united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in his youth, but, after his marriage, united with the Church of the Brethren and served later as deacon. The mother was raised in the Church of the Brethren faith. When William was eight years old, his father, one brother and one sister died within a year. Thence- forth the responsibility of helping to care for his mother and the family kept him from obtaining even a com- mon school education. However, the mother tried to compensate in part by reading the Bible to her son in the German, and he, in turn, would read it to her in the English. He made his living farming.
He was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Rosa (née Snyder) Snowberger, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a bishop, the union being solemnized by Isaac Ritchey, Junior, March 5, 1865. To them were born eleven children : Susie S., married Daniel M. VanHorn, both deceased; Katherine S., married to Robert Foor; Rosie S., married to Theodore Steele (she deceased) ; Adam S. (died when ten years old) ; Elizabeth S., mar- ried to William A. Bollman; Isaac S., a banker in Jasonville, (Ind.) ; Hannah S., married to Henry H. Funk; Fanny S., married to Mahlon J. Weaver (she deceased) ; Albert S., banker in Bedford, (Pa.) ; Mary S., married to Dorsey I. Pepple; Ada S., married to Roy Miller. The children are all members of the Church of the Brethren.
He and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Snake Spring Valley congregation, by baptism administered by Henry Clapper, June 15, 1870. Here he was called to the ministry, February 27, 1873, and ordained, through the laying on of hands by George W. Brumbaugh and Jacob Miller, December 15, 1897. Upon the death of Jacob Koontz, in 1903, he had the oversight of the
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Snake Spring Valley congregation, until 1920. He represented his congregation at District Meeting many times, and was seldom absent at that annual gathering. He attended many General Conferences, usually at his own expense, even when sent as delegate. He was a careful reader of books of doctrine of the church and had committed a large portion of the New Testament to memory. In his time, he held over fifty revivals, during which many accepted Christ, traveled over many of the States. He was one of the three members of the historical committee that made this book possible, and his knowledge of early conditions in the "Early Yellow Creek congregation " has proved very valuable in preparing this history. He is spending his declining years with his children. His address is Everett, (Pa.).
ROBERTS, LEVI, a bishop in the Early Yellow Creek congregation, contemporary with Martin Miller.
ROGERS, GEORGE W., third of four children of Levi and Catherine (née Walter) Rogers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Alum Bank, Bedford County, (Pa.), July 5, 1891. His father was a bishop of the Dunnings Creek congregation for a number of years. He was reared on the farm, availed himself public school training, taught in the public schools of Bedford County two years ; attended Juniata College part of one year ; worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany in the accounting department in Altoona, seven years.
He was united in marriage with Elma Grace, daughter of Josiah B. and Lucinda (née Dil- ling) Brumbaugh, on June 3, 1916, the bride's father officiating. To them were born three children.
He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Dunnings Creek congregation, through baptism administered by Harvey S. Replogle, August, 1906. This congregation called him to the ministry, January 27, 1918, and the Leamersville congregation had him ordained, by the laying on of hands by Joseph J. Shaffer and Levi Benner, July 17, 1921. He served the Leamersville congre- gation, as its first supported pastor, four years. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting three times; at General Confer- ence, once. He has held nine revival meetings, three of which were in his home congregation, and two in the Leamersville congregation, while he was pastor. From his youth, he has been a Sunday-school worker and teacher. March 1, 1924, he returned to his farm in the Dunnings Creek congregation, where he is specializing in horticul- tural work, and assisting in the ministry. His address is Alum Bank, (Pa.).
ROGERS, GIDEON, fifth in a family of eleven children of Ellis and Julia (née Bowzer) Rogers, members of the Baptist Church, was born in Bedford County, (Pa.), September 16, 1826. The parents
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came from York County, (Pa.), and in her later years the mother united with the Church of the Brethren. A subscription school, about two miles distant, was the main part of his educational opportunities, but he persisted and became qualified to teach for several years. He made his living farming.
He was united in marriage with Ann Snyder, the union being solemnized by Levi Roberts, October 25, 1849. To them were born Barbara, who first married Robert Calla- han, and Levi, bishop of Dunnings Creek congregation.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Dunnings Creek congregation, Levi Roberts baptizing him, 1847. This congrega- tion called him to the ministry, January 2, 1864. Though it had him ordained, no records are available of date. The doctrines of the resurrection and the second coming of the Lord were his favorite themes. Afflicted by the dread disease, consumption, he died June 30, 1887, and interment in the Dunnings Creek Cemetery .*
ROGERS, LEVI, last of two children of Gideon and Mary Ann (née Snyder) Rogers, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near Alum Bank, Bedford County, (Pa.), Sep- tember 7, 1854. His father was a bishop and imparted the spirit of service in his son. Few educational advantages were available, but the SO11 was a strong advocate of education through his mature years.
He was united in marriage with Jane Smith. the union being solemnized by John S. Hol- singer, September 9, 1875. To this union five children were born, but one son, Sewell, sur- viving. He again was united in marriage, this time with Catharine, daughter of Michael Walter, John S. Holsinger again officiating. To this union four children were born: Eliza- beth (deceased), Walter (deceased), George W., and John I.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Dunnings Creek congregation, in 1875, Brice Sell administering baptism. This con- gregation called him to the ministry, June 13, 1885; and had him ordained, on October 15, 1901. From October 27, 1912, the date of the death of John B. Miller, he had the oversight of the Dunnings Creek congregation till his death. He attended many District Meet- ings, and at least four General Conferences. He served on the Standing Committee at Winona Lake, (Ind.), 1913. He was ap- pointed on many committees in district work; was one of the prime movers that brought about the Old Folks' Home of Western District
* Gleaned in part from Blough's History of Western Pennsylvanian Churches.
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of Pennsylvania. He was a leader of Sunday-school work in his own congregation, in the District, and in the county organization.
He had been operated on for some stomach trouble, at the Nason Hospital, Roaring Spring, and, as a result, died July 14, 1915. He had arranged for his funeral just before going on the operating table. Albert G. Crosswhite, assisted by Charles B. Smith and home min- isters, conducted the funeral. Texa, 2 Timothy 1: 12. Interment in the Dunnings Creek Cemetery .*
ROGERS, MOSES, oldest of eleven children-seven boys and four girls-of Ellis and Julia (née Rowzer) Rogers, was born near Alum Bank, Bedford County, (Pa.), November 7, 1816. He had little op- portunity for education. He learned the shoemaker's trade from his father, and, when eighteen, the carpenter and cabinetmaker's trade, and, when about thirty, the blacksmithing trade. October 9, 1863, the family started for Iowa, and located in Linn County. There he made his living on the farm.
He was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Aaron and Hannah (née Miller) Garretson, of Quaker faith, living in Dunnings Creek, the union being solemnized on April 26, 1842. To them were born three children, the only surviving one being George W., living at Robins, Linn County, (Ia.).
After their marriage, both he and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Dunnings Creek congregation. Here he was called to the ministry, and labored until he went west. He died near Robins, (Ia.), February 21, 1865. John O. Watters, Thomas G. Snyder and John Murray conducted his funeral services.
ROSE, CALVIN J., fifth of seven children of David J. and Catherine (née Young) Rose, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born at Rummel, Somerset County, (Pa.), October 1, 1890. After completing the Paint Township grade schools of his home county, he graduated from Elizabethtown Academy, in 1913; continued in college there till 1916; then he spent his senior year at Juniata College, and received his A.B. in 1917.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Rummel congregation, Joseph J. Shaffer administering baptism, July 15, 1907. While attending college at Juniata, the Huntingdon congregation called him to the ministry on April 4, 1917. He served as pastor in the Claar congregation, July 1, 1917, to May 1, 1918, on partial support, and taught school at the same time. May 1, 1918, he took up a pastorate in the Middle Creek congregation (W. Pa.) on full support, and con- tinued till his death. During this latter short pastorate, he received five into membership, and established a mission in Rockwood which has now become a congregation. He was very active in Sunday-
* Gleaned in part from Blough's History of Western Pennsylvania.
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school, not only as teacher, but instructor in training classes. Due to pneumonia, he passed to his reward, December 4, 1918. Funeral services December 29, conducted by Benjamin W. Waltz and Herman B. Heisey. Texts, John 14:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:8-12. Interment in Berkey Cemetery, near Windber, (Pa.).
ROTHROCK, JOHN, called to the ministry in the Dry Valley con- gregation, in 1835. Later he moved to White County, (Ind.), where he died February 12, 1860, aged eighty years and six months.
ROWLAND, JOHN ELMER, third of eight children of John and Susan (née Miller) Rowland, members of the Church of the Breth- ren, was born near Greencastle, (Pa.), February 16, 1882. His father has been a bishop of the church for many years. The son grew up on the farm. Many would say his edu- cational advantages were limited, yet he is forging ahead with commend- able progress.
He was united in marriage with Ella M., daughter of David and Mary (née Myers) Hawbaker, the union being solemnized by his father, January 17, 1907. To them were born two daughters, Thelma and Ruth.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Long Meadow congregation, (Md.), through bap- tism administered by his father, Sunday, December 22, 1896. The Welsh Run (Pa.) congregation called him to the ministry, March 16, 1907. He was advanced to the second degree of the ministry, July 26, 1913. He has represented his congregation at District Meeting eight times and to General Conference, six times. He has been an inspiration to the Sunday-school wherever he labors, serving as teacher and sometimes as superintendent. Each year for the last ten years he held from two to six evangelistic meetings. During years 1922-23 he was president of the Temperance and Purity Com- mittee of Southern District, where he has spent most of his time until the Spring of 1924. He served as pastor of the Lost Creek congregation from April 1, 1916, to April 1, 1924, when he entered upon pastoral labors of the Woodbury congregation. His home is in Woodbury, (Pa.).
ROYER, GALEN BROWN, only son and oldest of eight children of John G. and Elizabeth (née Reiff) Royer, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a bishop and educator, was born near Lewis- burg, (Pa.), September 8, 1862. His education was in the public schools under his father until he secured a certificate to teach. After teaching two winters, he entreed Juniata College, and com- pleted the Normal English course, in 1883. He then entered Mt. Morris College, (Il1.), teaching music, and continued his studies one
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year. For several years he joined his father in the management of the college. He received diplomas as follows: Commercial, Mt. Morris College, 1887; Northern In- diana Institute, Valparaiso, (Ind.), 1887. He was principal of the Com- mercial Department of Mt. Morris College two years. In 1889 he was made assistant to Daniel L. Miller, secretary-treasurer of the General Mission Board. In 1890, he was elected secretary, and a couple years later withdrew from the college to attend to the duties of the Mission Board. He was general agent for Wanderings in Bible Lands, written by Daniel L. Miller, 1894-95. In ad- dition to his regular duties as secre- tary of the General Mission Board, for three years he acted as head bookkeeper of the Brethren Publish- ing House, when, in 1897, it came under the control of the Board. In 1906, as architect and superintendent, he put up the north half of the present Publishing House, at Elgin, (I11.). May 26, 1900, he was elected treasurer of the General Mission Board, in addition to the secretaryship, which position he held till August 1, 1918. Since, he has been connected with Juniata College, and received his A.B., 1922; his B.D., 1924. Mt. Morris College, (Il1.), honored him with D.D., in 1918.
He was united in marriage with Anna M., daughter of Abraham and Catherine (née Long) Miller, members of the Church of the Brethren, and he a deacon, living in the Broadfording congregation, of Maryland, the union being solemnized March 5, 1885, by Solomon Z. Sharp, in the home of the bride's brother, Daniel L. Miller, of Mt. Morris, (Il1.). She confessed Christ in uniting with the Church of the Brethren, in the Pine Creek congregation, (N. Il1.), baptism be- ing administered by Daniel B. Gibson, September 25, 1877. Besides public school in Polo, (Il1.), she was a student at Mt. Morris Col- lege, (Il1.), two years; and later, one year in Bible study under Emanuel S. Young. She served as secretary of the Aid Societies of Middle Pennsylvania for two years; then, in April, 1923, effected an organization and was elected its first president, which position she still holds. She was president of the Mothers' Club of West Hunt- ingdon, 1922-24. To them were born six children,-Elizabeth, wife of Clyde E. Bates ; Daniel L., Kathren, wife of Quincy A. Holsopple, both missionaries in India ; Neta Ruth (deceased), wife of H. Stover Kulp, of Africa; Anna Josephine, wife of Frank A. Thomas; and John G.
He united with the Church of the Brethren, in the Burnetts Creek congregation, (M. Ind.), baptism being administered near the Pike Creek Church, by John Snowberger, February 22, 1874. The Silver Creek congregation, in the college chapel at Mt. Morris, (Ill.), called him to the ministry, March 9, 1889; advanced him to the second degree, March 8, 1890; and the Elgin congregation, (I11.), through
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the laying on of hands by Emanuel B. Hoff and Callo Fahrney, had him ordained, July 9, 1907. He had the oversight of the Elgin con- gregation, (I11.), January 1, 1908, to May 1, 1913; of the James Creek congregation, (M. Pa.), since 1922; of the Fairview congre- gation, (M. Pa.), February 24, 1923, to January 1, 1915. He served on the Standing Committee and was Reading Clerk at Winona Lake, (Ind.), 1910; as a member at Sedalia, (Mo.), 1920. He was a mem- ber of the committee that framed the "Dress Report of 1911." With Charles D. Bonsack, he visited the churches in Europe, in 1907, a nine weeks' trip; with his wife, revisited these churches in 1910, a five months' trip; with Henry C. Early, visited the mission fields of China and India. On this trip, he alone visited the churches in Den- mark and Sweden, traveled through Russia and northern Persia, and across Siberia and Manchuria, meeting Brother Early at Tien-tsin, China.
He edited the Missionary Visitor from its beginning, January, 1896, till April 11, 1912; author of twelve volumes of Bible Biog- raphies for the Young, published between 1900-07; compiler, with I. Bennet Trout, of Kingdom Songs, 1911; joint author, with Daniel L. Miller, Some Who Led, 1912; author of Thirty-three Years of Missions in the Church of the Brethren, 1913; of Christian Heroism in Heathen Lands, 1914; compiler, with John E. Miller, Kingdom Songs, Number Two, 1918; President and acting Secretary for the Sunday-schools of Middle Pennsylvania, 1921-22. By appointment of District Meeting of 1923, made editor of History of the Church of the Brethren in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and published the same for the District Mission Board. Director of Juniata Re- ligious Extension Service since June, 1923, and is preparing courses of study by correspondence. Address, Huntingdon, (Pa.).
RUBLE, LAWRENCE, second of four children of George S. and Sorena (née Myers) Ruble, members of the Church of the Brethren, was born near McVeytown, (Pa.), April 3, 1878. He was reared on the farm, pushing through common school, two years high school, and graduated from the Normal English course of Juniata College, in 1902. He has made his living farming and teaching public school; since 1914, is serving as county superintendent of Mifflin County. He is active in hor- ticultural and civic interests of his community.
He was united in marriage with Beulah R., daughter of Lloyd and Rettie (née Swigart) Rupert, mem- bers of the Church of the Brethren, the union being solemnized by J. Allen Myers, March 14, 1912. To them are born four children,-Naomi (died in infancy), Russell. Leona, and Lorma.
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