USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > Biographical annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families > Part 92
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The following is the creed of the Re- formed Mennonite Church, prepared by Bishop Elias H. Hershey, of Lancaster county. Pa. :
The Church of Christ originated on the day of Pentecost, with the effusion of the Holy Ghost. This divine endowment, in persons willing to forsake sin, works the change of temper and life denominated the "new birth," which is manifested by being peaceable, harmless, passive under injuries and wrongs without ever resenting aggres- sion. humble and pure in life, just in all transactions, loving our neighbor as ourself, united in faith and doctrine, reproving all unfaithful worshippers by withdrawing from their worship.
Such was the character of the primitive Church, according to history, until about the beginning of the fourth century, when worldly rulers united the Church with the State, and, by compulsion, made many of their subjects Christian formalists. From that time we find a class of believers differ- ing from the formalists in rejecting infant
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baptism, and asserting baptism on faith. leading spiritual lives separated from the world by abstaining from a fleshly walk and worldly irregularities from vain ambition, idle amusements, pride, folly, and from all unfaithful worship, being strictly non-re- sistant, and maintaining the doctrine that Christians take no part in worldly govern- ment. Their position provoked the same persecutions which the Head of the Church and his early adherents suffered. At times they are unnoticed, then they appear prom- inently, according to the tolerance of world- ly rulers. They are variously called Poor Men of Lyons, Waldenses, Albigenses. Ber- engarians, Petrobroscians, Henricans. Leon- ists, Mennonites. Menno Simon, in the year 1524, became a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, which priesthood, and the connection with the Church, he renounced. Jan. 12, 1536. and associated with persons of one heart with him, at whose solicitation. and under the impulse of love for souls hun- gering for the pure Scriptures. he yielded himself to preaching and writing for the propagation of sound Gospel doctrines. His labors prospered against violent opposition. There are many branches diverging irom the origin cited, holding some of the views of those early believers.
The Reformed Mennonite Church had its beginning through a number of Mennon- ites, in the early part of the nineteenth cent- ury ; being impressed that Menno Simon had soundly interpreted the Scriptures. they withdrew from their church to restore the practice of his teachings, being in full ac- cord therewith, and believing that the sup- port given them by the shedding of much innocent blood in Europe, between the years 1524 and 1781, was a martyrdom in behalf of doctrines founded on the Gospel.
DOCTRINES. They believe in the God- head of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; that the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration, that the New super- sedes the Old, and is the true text-book for the Church; that the Holy Ghost is the sure interpreter, without the necessary aid of ad- vanced human learning ; that conversion is a gift of God, bestowed upon all who by divine light are willingly led to abhor sin. that they may turn to righteousness, the change be- ing the nature of God born in them. by which they lead new lives: that the clergy are to be exemplary leaders, not arbitrary lords ; that through the love of God in them Chris- tians are always in fellowship, as was the first State of the Church; that there can be only one visible Church, separated from profes- sions maintaining the doctrine of divided organizations ; that the Church as a body is required to separate from the company of members who again persist in sin, or commit gross violations, by avoiding them in church communion, in secular dealings. in eating social meals, in customary social intercourse, without respect of persons, or regard to so- cial relations, for their spiritual reformation, and to preserve the purity of the Church, and to cause all to fear sin. Matt. xviii; I Cor. v; 2 Thess. iii; that Christians do not vote, hold office in civil government, sit in judgment to pass civil or criminal sentence. do not litigate, do not have ownership in chartered corporations, do not use deadly weapons in war or self-defense to destroy the tares, Matthew xiii; do not indulge in worldly pastimes and frivolous plays. in dancing and foolish conversation, Ephes- ians v ; do not make vain display in raiment, but clothe with modest apparel, 1 Timothy ii; are exemplary in their deportment to fill the high station assigned them of being
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chosen out of the world, and being the light of the world they display in walk and con- versation the virtues of grace.
ORDINANCES. They are regarded as testimonies, not saving means. Circumcis- ion commanded to Abraham was a token of the covenant God had made with him. and was typical of regeneration. Ro. ii. The baptism of John in Jordan was a testi- mony to repentance, foreshadowing a state in which "all flesh should see the salvation of God." under the higher administration of Christ, who was to save his people from their sins. It was an act of righteousness, be- cause an act of obedience, as all obedience is righteousness, though our works of obed- ience do not save us, they are only a fruit of having been saved. It is the entire conse- cration and submission of all our will power to the Divine will that gives God power in us to save us, and to bring us under His con- trol. This power the Savior promised to His disciples, to be given only after his as- cension to the Father. Luke xxiv, 49.
The baptism commanded in the name of the Father. and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. expresses a full union with the God- head. indicating our adoption as full heirs, by faith, annulling the baptism of repentance. Acts xix.
Baptism is associated with faith in the Scripture examples as an expression of faith, the saving virtue being ascribed to faith. By faith the malefactor on the cross had the promise of Paradise without bap- tism. He had no opportunity after he had repented. and confessed faith, to be baptized, or to confirm his faith by works ; the promise rested on his sincere confession and appeal. Baptism has not more virtue to save us than obedience to any other commandment, yet, believers, when they have opportunity, will observe baptism and every other command-
ment. as a fruit of faith, for by works faith is made perfect. James ii.
Not having merit to save, we understand why baptism is treated indifferently as to form. "The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth," not seeking merit in forms, regarding the outward or- dinances as symbolizing inward conditions, understanding that no particularity in forms is urged in Gospel teaching, lest we might become religious formalists, instead of spir- itual worshippers. Spiritual worship in- volves the whole life given in service to God.
The breaking of the bread and the drink- ing of the cup is commanded as a commem- orative ordinance bringing to mind the sacri- ficial offering on the cross, impressing sol- emn obligation to divine love. inspiring the heirs of redemption with a willing obedience to all Gospel teachings, leading us near to God in contemplating his mercy to a fallen world. The manner, time and frequency of observing it being not particularized is likely to direct more attention to its spirituality.
The washing of feet is indicative of the divine cleansing, and of the mutual aid mem- bers of the Church extend to one another by blameless example, kind admonition, broth- erly reproof, and every service of humility and love. It portrays the fellowship and unity in the household of faith, confirmatory of the doctrine of oneness prominent in the Gospel message, leading in its observance to contemplation.
The kiss of charity is understood to be a social salutation in acknowledgment of the fervent love believers bear to one another, and is practiced when they meet, by each sex separately to denote peace.
PRINCIPLES. While they strive dili- gently to conform, in their outward life, to all New Testament teachings, they seek no salvation in anything outward, believing the
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unction of the Spirit will prompt all out- ward actions, as an indwelling presence.
They recognize God in things temporal as well as in things spiritual, that God in the Old Testament age prescribed worldly government, and used worldly rulers as his agents to accomplish his purposes. It was said unto Pharaoh that God raised him up to show his power in him, though he destroyed him. God established civil statutes by Moses, which he refutes by Christ, in say- ing. "Ye have heard that it hath been said. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil." Matthew v. The fact that Paul says, "the powers that be are ordained of God." as ap- plying to worldly government, signifies that they are comprehended in his infinite plan. Every good tendency in mankind emanates from God, and works human amelioration and beneficent ends. It is an active princi- ple in worldly affairs, formulating govern- ment for the good of mankind. Govern- ments are good or bad in proportion as this influence prevails.
They regard regeneration as the higher and fuller influence of the spirit of God wrought by Christ's coming formulating the kingdom or conditions in which the mind and spirit of Christ hold sway, evincing its practical effects in the visible Church by "transforming every faithful member to the image of God's Son." To be loyal to their Head, the believers in Christ cannot take part in the kingdom "out of which he has chosen them," nor obey worldly rulers, in de- mands conflicting with "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus." They will rather suffer "as lambs to the slaughter." To give tribute, honor and fear is commanded. yet the authors of this teaching proved by their example that they meant as far as the Divine law allows, for they continued preaching
against the prohibition of the authorities, and suffering for it.
Understanding the Scriptures to teach a responsibility, resting on every member of the Church to reprove sin known to them, they cannot cummune with disorderly mem- bers, but must as a spiritual duty labor for their reformation, and see "that the wicked are put away" from the Church. when amendment does not follow.
Separation from discordant worshippers. they believe, is based on the principle that fundamentally mankind are created to be in social accord; that the disturbance of this law through sin is overcome by the Re- deemer who came to destroy the works of the Devil to restore the love of God through the Holy Ghost, giving ascendancy to the fundamental life in us, that "love may knit together our hearts." This principle per- vades the teaching of our Savior and the Apostles, in their earnest advocacy of one- ness, and in their condemnation of disunity. Agreeing with their doctrine, we must re- prove divisions, and live in unity as taught by our Savior, "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." The observances taught the church demand unity of action.
They believe, therefore, in one United Christian Church, in fulfillment of Scripture injunctions and types. The idea of outward ordinances suggests agreement, the appeal "to the Church," in disposition, forbids di- vision, Matthew xviii; "by this shall all men know that ye are my discples, if ye have love one to another" teaches the unbroken tie to all observers, John xiii; the prayer. "that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that thou hast sent me." is significant of unity, John xvii; the con- demnation of divisions points to the same truth flowing from divine love. Christ uses
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the natural vine as a type of Christian sys- tem and unity bearing uniformity of fruit, demonstrating that when one branch ceases to receive the life of the vine it is like a soul ceasing to abide in Christ. the spiritual character withering and the carnal life springing into fruitfulness, dooming the soul to death, which is the "wages of sin," Jolin xv. The temple built by Solomon at Jerusalem is used as a type of the Church, "ye also as lively stones are built up a spir- itual house." I Peter ii. The natural body is used as an illustration. For as the body is one and has many members and all the mem- bers of that one body. being many. are one body: so is Christ. One member does not say to another, I have no need of thee. God hath tempered the body together. having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the Head. even Christ. From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 1 Corinthians xii ; Ephesians iv. The figures here drawn accord with Gospel teaching throughout, be- ing confirmatory of the effect of God's love working harmony among the redeemed, dis- playing the impulse of the Creative Mind transforming the passive creature into the "likeness of God," who is blessed forever. Amen.
JOHN W. POWELL, insurance agent and adjuster of Shippensburg, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., near the town of Dauphin, Oct. 9, 1837, a son of Daniel Pow-
ell, who was born in Powell's Valley, named in honor of the family.
Daniel Powell was a general business man, and conducted a lumber business at Roxbury Gap for a number of years, dying there in 1874: he was an enterprising man, well and favorably known. He married Miss Catherine Bowers, born at Halifax, Dauphin county, who died Feb. 8, 1888, aged seventy-six years. She was a daughter of Michael Bowers, an old resident of Hal- ifax. John Powell, the paternal grand- father, was born in Powell's Valley, at a time when the Indians were still numerous in that locality. To Daniel and Catherine (Bowers) Powell were born the following children : Mary ( deceased ) was the wife of Frank Foltz: Sarah (deceased) was the wife of J. C. Atkinson; John W. is men- tioned below: D. D. married Lydia Mc- Clure: Michael M. married Amanda Cramer; Adam married Lavinia Glass; Jacob A. married Sophia Staver ; Emma C. married W. Z. Kegerice, a hardware mer- chant of Fannettsburg, Franklin county (they have six children, all of whom have become a credit to their parents).
John W. Powell was educated in the schools of Roxbury and Shippensburg, up to the age of thirteen, when he began working upon the farm, continuing thus until he was twenty.
In 1858 Mr. Powell married Sarah J. Zimmerman, of near Pleasant Hall, Frank- lin county, and after his marriage settled at Roxbury, where he operated a sawmill and manufactured lumber, and at the same time managed a rented farm. . Eight chil- dren have been born to himself and wife: Emma C. married S. C. Snoke; James M. is a farmer; William A. is a peach grower ; Charles B. is superintendent of the Electric Light Plant; John B. is a plumber ; David
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N. is a bookkeeper: Cora E. is a milliner : Sadie B. is at home (she was educated at the Shippensburg Normal School).
In 1895 Mr. Powell moved to Shippens- burg, Pa., and embarked in an insurance business, and soon afterward was made ad- juster of the Lurgan Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Mowersville, Franklin Co .. Pa. .He has traveled quite extensively, covering eleven counties, usually in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and his time is fully oc- cupied. In addition to his interest in the in- surance business, Mr. Powell is connected with a number of industries at Shippens- burg, and is president of the Shippensburg Canning Company. He also owns a farm of 172 acres in Hopewell township, Cumber- land county, located five miles north of Ship- pensburg.
Mr. Powell is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and is very prominent in his lodge. He has an excellent home and office in Shippensburg, where he transacts his business, and in all of his operations he dis- plays a fairness in dealing, combined with keen judgment and a thorough appreciation of true values, which make him peculiarly fitted for his work.
IRVIN E. GREENWOOD. One of Carlisle's rising young business men is Irvin E. Greenwood, manager of the Lindner Shoe Company, and treasurer of the Carlisle Nursery Company. He was born at New Kingstown, Cumberland county, and patern- ally and maternally is descended from most worthy ancestry.
About the year 1842, when New Kings- town was yet a village of only a dozen houses, there settled in it a man named Wil- liam Greenwood. He was a wagonmaker and for a number of years carried on a large shop, employing both journeymen and ap-
prentices for help. After him came his brother James, who was a carpenter, and his brother Samuel, who came to learn wagon- making with his brother William. At this stage it is difficult to ascertain much of the former history of these three brothers, but it is probable that they came from Carlisle or its vicinity.
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While serving his apprentice at the wag- onmaking trade at New Kingstown, Samuel Greenwood became acquainted with Miss Agnes Irvin and married her. Agnes Irvin was a daughter of Armstrong and Eve (Hoch) Irvin and was born on March 23. 1821, on a farm about a mile and a half due north of New Kingstown, in Silver Spring township. After his marriage Samuel Greenwood settled at Stoughstown, Newton township, and there carried on wagonmak- ing on his own account. In 1854 he again took up his abode at New Kingstown and engaged at wagonmaking. After living some years in New Kingstown he bought a prop- erty about a mile and a half south from the town, where he worked at his trade and did some farming. Here he continued to live until the end of his career. He died on Nov. 30, 1884; his wife. Agnes Irvin, died on Feb. 26, 1886, and their remains and the remains of four of their children who died young are buried in a graveyard situated on the turnpike a short distance west of New Kingstown.
Samuel and Agnes ( Irvin) Greenwood had children as follows: Alfred, Orlando H., John, William H., Charles, and Mary. who is married to Joseph Beistline. Besides these there were the four already mentioned as having died young. Alfred Greenwood grew to manhood at New Kingstown and learned the blacksmith trade, at which use- ful occupation he is still engaged in the place of his birth. He married Miss Maggie Mc-
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Clintock, who was born near Fayetteville, Franklin county, and reared in the family of the late Michael Kost, near New Kingstown. Alfred and Maggie (McClintock) Green- wood had issue as follows : May A., Irvin E .. Flora B., Bessie F., and Daniel H., who died when eight years old. Mrs. Maggie McClintock (Greenwood) died Oct. 30, 1903. and is buried in the graveyard along the turnpike west of New Kingstown.
Irvin E. Greenwood. the second child, and the subject of this biographical sketch, attended the public schools of his native town until he was fourteen years old when he became a clerk in the store of Charles Hetrick. in: New Kingstown, a position lie held for five years. At the end of that time he secured a position with the J. W. Ring- rose Manufacturing Company, at Holmes- burg. Philadelphia, where he continued three years. rising to the rank of foreman of one of the departments. In 1894 he came into the service of the Lindner Shoe Company as clerk and has steadily continued with this flourishing enterprise ever since. He applies himself diligently, has become acquainted with all the details of the business and done much to promote its success. In 1900 he was elected treasurer of the company, and in 1904 was appointed its manager. He is also treasurer of the Carlisle Nursery Company and is justly ranked with Carlisle's success- ful and popular young business men.
Fraternally Mr. Greenwood is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 260, F. & A. M., of Carlisle : Samuel C. Perkins Chapter, No. 209. Mechanicsburg ; St. John's Command- ery. No. 8. Carlisle; Harrisburg Consistory, A. A. S. R., Harrisburg, and Zembo Temple, .A. A. O. N. M. S., Harrisburg. He is also a member of Silver Spring Lodge, No. 398. I. O. O. F., and of Carlisle Lodge, No. 56, K. of P.
On Feb 12. 1898, Irvin E. Greenwood was married to Miss Orie M. Bishop, by Rev. H. R. Fleck, pastor of the Lutheran Church, at New Kingstown. Orie M. Bishop is a daughter of William and Aman- da (Slonaker) Bishop, of New Kingstown. They have two children, Thelma J., born Dec. 3. 1898, and Rosalie F., born Dec. 7, 1903. and live in a beautiful home on North College street, Carlisle, where they dispense a generous hospitality to all their many friends.
JOHN FITTING, one of the highly re- spected retired citizens of New Cumberland, Pa., was born in that city March 31, 1830, a son of Peter Fitting and his second wife, Mary George.
Peter Fitting was of German ancestry, but was born in Hanover township, Dau- phin Co., Pa., and engaged in farming al- most all of his life. Later he resided at New Cumberland and Harrisburg, and died at the latter city in 1874, aged over eighty years. He was survived a few years by his widow. Their children were .: John, of this sketch; Peter, who died aged sixteen years; Susan, the widow of John Stoner, of near Harris- burg; Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Bum- gardner, near Harrisburg; and Caroline, Mrs. John Kulins, deceased.
John Fitting was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he learned the milling business with Henry Brenneman, serving an apprenticeship of two years, and then followed the business for twenty-one years. After disposing of his milling interests Mr. Fitting built a home in New Cumberland and engaged in a butcher- ing business for about ten years or more. A few years later he took charge of the loading gang at the Pennsylvania Steel
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Works and continued until the spring of 1903, when he retired from active business life
On Aug. 13, 1850, in New Cumberland. Mr. Fitting married Miss Catherine Brown- well, who was born Oct. 24. 1832, near Car- lisle, a daughter of Joseph and Fanny (Brandt) Brownwell, and a granddaughter of John Brownwell, a farmer of Cumber- land county, who died at Roxbury. Joseph Brownwell was born several miles above Mechanicsburg and was a farmer all his life. When Mrs. Fitting was three years old he located on the Mumper farm, near New Cumberland, where she grew to wo- manhood. When he quit farming he settled in New Cumberland, where he bought prop- erty, and died there in 1884, aged eighty- four years. His wife died in 1842, aged thirty-six years. In religious faith they were Lutherans. In politics he was a Democrat. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brownwell were: Mrs. Fitting : Mary, Mrs. Curtis Hef- flefinger, who died in New Cumberland; Julia Ann, who married Jacob Sheeley, of Shiremanstown; Joseph, who died young : and Lizzie, Mrs. John G. Malehorse, of Steelton.
Mr. and Mrs. Fitting have had six chil- dren : Joseph P., a mine operator in Nevada, makes his home in Colorado Springs; he married Elmira, daughter of Rev. Elisha Butler, of Tyrone, Pa. John Alfred, of Manitou Springs, Colo., married Sarah Jury, of Millersburg. Susan is the wife of William E. Heckman, of New Cumberland Frances died in childhood. Ulysses G. and Emma died in infancy.
Both our subject and his wife are valued members of the M. E. Church in which Mrs. Fitting has been an active worker for more than forty years, for many years being a teacher in the Sunday-school. She is one of
the leaders in the work of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Epworth League, and a prime mover in all the social functions of the congregation. Her interest also has been shown as a member of the Foreign Mis- sionary Society and in all the charitable and benevolent enterprises of that religious body. In politics Mr. Fitting is a Republi- can, and at different times has served as a member of the borough council. The family is held in universal esteen.
JOHN J. KOSER, M. D. Dr. Koser is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Franklin county, upon a farm, June 5. 1857. the eldest son of Jacob and Eliza- beth ( Wingert) Koser, and descended from German and French Huguenot ancestry. Jacob Koser, Sr., the grandfather of John J., was born in Lancaster county, Pa., near the old White Oak Church. He married Elizabeth Plasterer, a native of Pennsyl- vania whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in the State.
Jacob Koser, son of Jacob, Sr., was born Nov. 2. 1827. He was a farmer until 1872, when he moved to Shippensburg, and there resides, retired from active life. His wife in her maidenhood was Elizabeth Wingert. She was born in Franklin county. Feb. 14, 1828, daughter of John and Catherine (Zimmerman) Wingert, and died in Ship- pensburg Dec. 9, 1897. Two children were born to her : Newton A., a registered phar- macist, of Oakland, Cal .; and John J., the subject of this sketch.
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