USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 20
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SOLOMON J. BAER.
Solomon J. Baer, son of John Baer, was born December 31, 1827. He was born and reared on his father's farm, near Sipes- ville, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His education was limited, though he taught two years of German school and two of English.
He was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Cober, daughter of Elder John P. Cober, in 1850. After marriage they moved on his father's farm with his parents. Here he lived till 1866, when, with his family, he moved to a farm five miles east of Somerset, in Som- erset Township, on the Somerset and Bedford Pike, near where Wills church is now located.
Brother and Sister Baer were the parents of ten sons and one daughter, Rosie. Rosie was drowned in the Johnstown flood. A number of the sons were school-teachers, and all of the children were faithful workers in their respective churches. Five have been officially connected almost from boyhood.
In 1856, while living in the Quemahoning congregation, he was called to the ministry, with his colaborer, Jonathan W. Blough. His preaching was in the German language. When the Berlin congregation was divided, in 1880, Brother Baer and Mi- chael Weyand were the ministers of one of the new congregations; viz., Somerset ..
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In 1884, his second oldest son, Israel Baer, and wife, Hattie (Seibert), and his three brothers, William, Daniel and Peter, set- tled near Beaver City, Furnas County, Nebraska, and became the nucleus for a Brethren church, which in 1913, at the time of Brother Baer's death, numbered over 100 members. Elder Christian For- ney held the first series of meetings, in Brother Baer's sod house. Israel was elected deacon at this same meeting, 1884, and was very faithful, and a great help to the pastors who have served this church.
Sister Fern Willard Baer, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, who is a successful teacher in the schools of her city, an elocutionist of rare ability, and an active temperance worker, is a grand- daughter. Sister Baer has been from her childhood a valued helper in the work of the Cambria County Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She has traveled and given readings in a num- ber of counties of the State. As a reciter Sister Baer has won a number of medals.
Brother Baer died March 5, 1885, aged 57 years, 6 months and 4 days, and was buried in the Pike cemetery, at Brotherton, where lie his wife, who died in 1915, and his sons, John and Henry, and his daughter, Rosie.
Newton E. Beabes.
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NEWTON EMERT BEABES.
Newton E. Beabes, son of Noah and Susan (Blough) Beabes, was born in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, January 1, 1890. He was reared on the farm and attended the public schools until he was nineteen years of age.
In addition to his common school education, Brother Beabes was a student in Juniata College five terms. He has taught five terms of school and is engaged in teaching in the Hooversville Borough schools at present.
During a series of meetings held in the Sipesville church, Que- mahoning congregation, Newton gave his heart to God and was baptized. He was elected to the ministry in the Quemahoning congregation, November 2, 1910. On December 25, 1915, he was married to Miss Ada Meyers, of Hooversville, by Rev. W. E. Sun- day.
Prof. J. C. Beahm.
J. C. BEAHM.
The family of Elder H. A. and Annie Beahm, who lived and died in Virginia, will always stand out prominently because of the number of ministers it produced. In all there were six sons and four daughters, as follows: S. P., I. N. H., J. C., W. E., B. C., G. W., Bettie (Sours), Ella (Shick), Lucy (Price), and Adria (Varner). B. C. and Adria are dead. S. P. and I. N. H. are eld- ers, J. C., W. E. and G. W. are ministers. Ella's first marriage
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was to Professor C. E. Arnold. After his death she married Elder Shick, who also died.
Professor J. C. Beahm, one of the sons, was born in Rock- ingham County, Virginia, December 20, 1864. He took the B. E. course at Bridgewater College, Virginia, and the B. A. and M. A. courses at Oskaloosa College, Iowa., He taught six years in the public schools of Virginia, seven years in the Prince William Academy, at Brentsville, Virginia, ten sessions in the public schools of Maryland. He located in Elk Lick, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1912, and has taught four years in high school work in Somerset County, being at present principal of the Bos- well High School. Brother Beahm is a born teacher.
But he is also an able minister. He was elected to the min- istry in Bedford County, Virginia, in 1891. He married Miss Em- ma Shockley, of Patrick County, Virginia, in 1896, who, though the daughter of a minister in another denomination, has united with her husband's church, and is a noble Christian mother.
CHRISTOPHER ISAIAH BEAM.
C. Isaiah Beam, son of Jacob Beam, and grandson of Chris- topher Beam, whose father emigrated from Scotland before the Revolutionary War, and settled on land in Somerset County, some of which is now in possession of the Mausts, was of sturdy Scotch ancestry.
Jacob Beam was married to a Miss Anderson. They moved to the "Western Reserve," probably Holmes County, Ohio, where their children were born and reared. When Isaiah, who was born December 28, 1817, was eight years old his mother died, leaving him to be pushed about anywhere. He made his way in the world as best he could, sometimes teaching school, sometimes carrying mail, and once for a while he was a conductor on the old Portage Railroad.
When he was 26 years of age he paid a visit to his uncles, Abraham and Hiram Beam, in Somerset County. He remained for some time, became- acquainted with the family of Joseph Mey- ers and married his oldest daughter, Catharine, about the year 1845. The second year of his married life he lived in a house owned by John Forney, Sr., and ever after they were the best of friends. Forney was rather German and Beam was entirely En- glish, and their associations together were mutually helpful, For- ney acquiring the English language, and Beam the Pennsylvania Dutch. While living with Brother Forney he learned of the Breth- ren, and in 1847 he united with the church. He was Methodist, but is known to have said that he knew there ought to be a church
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like the Brethren when yet with the Methodists in Ohio. After leaving the Forney farm he bought eight acres of land upon which he erected a house and lived until 1858, when John Forney moved West, and Brother Beam bought his farm. This farm is a mile south of Jenners, in Jenner Township. Here he lived till death, May 9, 1868, aged 50 years, 4 months and 11 days.
Brother Beam was elected to the ministry in 1854, being the first English minister in the Quemahoning church, where he re- garded every member as his friend, and all the preachers as his associates. Nothing gave him greater pleasure than the associa- tion of the Brethren ministers, and when visiting ministers stopped to spend the night in his home, which was no uncommon occurrence, he was well pleased. His love for the church was ardent, and it was a great pleasure for him to attend the meetings.
His usual mode of travel was horseback. He often rode to Bedford, Westmoreland, Cambria and Fayette Counties, and to Maryland. He was an inveterate reader, and the New Testament was his choice Book. At the first District Meeting of Western Pennsylvania, held in the Grove meetinghouse, in 1866, Brother Beam was one of the Clerks.
Brother and Sister Beam were the parents of nine children, six of whom grew up and married. One son (died recently), a son-in-law, and two grandsons are in the ministry in the Church of the Brethren.
JOSEPH BEAM.
Joseph Beam, oldest son of C. Isaiah and Catharine (Meyers) Beam, was born in Jenner Township, Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, May 22, 1848. Joseph grew up on his father's farm much as other farmer boys do, enjoying only such school facilities as the common township schools afforded, with perhaps several terms of Summer Normal School. He early qualified himself to teach school and taught nearly half a score of terms of school in Jenner and Conemaugh Townships, Somerset County, and one term in Indiana County. His studious habits and careful reading gave him a wide range of general knowledge. He was a deep thinker and considerable of a critic, especially in his younger days. It was not uncommon for him to offer friendly criticism to the min- ister after listening carefully to his sermon. This was done with a view of being helpful to those who had not had the opportuni- ties of an education as he had.
He also studied, and in the later years of his life did much surveying, some of it being done for coal companies. Many years he also pursued farming, having lived on several farms in Jenner and Jefferson Townships. At the time of his death, and for some
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time previous, he was mail carrier between Bakersville and Kuhn, and it is probable that the disease (pneumonia) that caused his death was contracted by exposure to the bad weather while per- forming his daily duties.
Brother Beam was twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Ream, who died in 1875. Of this union he is survived by four children-Charles, Pierce, Samuel, and Mrs. Dorsey Keefer. His second wife, who survives him, was Miss Mary Ellen Shaulis. Of this union he is survived by four children-Robert, James, William and Mrs. Anna Swank. His first marriage was in about 1868 and his second March 28, 1879.
Brother Beam was baptized in 1867, and on June 27, 1882, he was called to the ministry by the Quemahoning congregation. His ministerial labors were principally in this congregation, until the beginning of the present century when the present line was adopted between the Quemahoning and the Middle Creek congre- gations. The adoption of this line placed him with the Middle Creek Brethren, and, though this was not of his seeking, he la- bored in that congregation the remainder of his lifetime.
Brother Beam wrote a biography of his father less than nine months before his death. In the close of his letter at that time he said: ".I am always very busy and today I am in a hurry. I have jotted this for you, and if you can get anything out of it, I am sure you are welcome to it. If you wish anything more let me know."
He died January 12, 1915, aged 66 years, 7 months and 20 days. His funeral was conducted by Norman H. Blough in the Sipesville meetinghouse, and interment was made in the adjoining cemetery.
J. C. W. BEAM.
J. C. W. Beam, son of John and Nancy Jane (Fisher) Beam, was born in Franklin Borough, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, January 29, 1869. The family located in Millville Borough, now a part of the city of Johnstown, where Brother Calvin received his education, finishing the course at the age of fourteen, when he entered the Cambria Steel Company's employ as a mill hand. He has been in this company's employ, in various departments, ever since.
Brother Beam comes from an old family, the Beams being able to trace their lineage to the fatherland. His brothers and sisters are: Albert S., George F., Charles E., Mary Katharine, Jo- sephine May, Elizabeth Lucinda, Estella Viola, Emma Dewdrop, and Bertha Alice.
Brother Beam and Caroline Mishler, daughter of William and
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Leah Mishler, were united in marriage by S. W. Miller, justice of the peace. To this union were born the following children: Nellie Mae, Albert S., William R., Samuel L., John M., Harry F., and James C. The last two are dead. All are members of the Church of the Brethren.
Brother Beam was reared in the Church of the Brethren, but at the age of sixteen he united with the Somerset Street Pro- gressive Brethren Church, being baptized by Elder R. Z. Replo- gle. He, however, was not satisfied, and on September 1, 1899, he united with the Johnstown Church of the Brethren, being bap- tized by Elder A. Fyock.
About fourteen years ago the family located in Roxbury, now a part of the West Johnstown congregation, and began active work in the church and Sunday-school. Since then he has been almost continuously either superintendent or teacher, or both. In June, 1904, he was elected deacon, and December 12, 1911, to the min- istry, all in the West Johnstown congregation. About a year later he was forwarded to the second degree, where he now labors.
Brother Beam has served the church as Messenger agent a number of. years. He posseses a good library, is a great reader and a close student.
(Portrait on Page 199.)
PETER BEER.
Peter Beer was born June 23, 1829, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and was of German descent, his mother's name being Elizabeth Berkey. She was a member of the Church of the Brethren. He was an orphan, and had the experiences such as children generally have in humble and limited circumstances. His facilities for an education and self-improvement were much cir -. cumscribed, but he had the advantage of a rugged nature, and was endowed with mental as well as physical force. He was quick to see his advantages under unfavorable conditions, and was not averse to making use of his physical powers. He labored much in log camps, and in the springtime, when the floods came, he would assist in building rafts of the timber prepared in the dead of the winter and floating them down the Susquehanna River to mar- ket. While thus employed he often came in contact with associ- ates of rude character. One time on his return trip from the East- ern market, a drunken mob was fighting with a man who belonged to another crew. The boss, a large man, and whose name also was Beer, came up, sent the fighters right and left, and soon succeeded in getting his man away from the mob. A little later Brother Beer came, with his axe, to take the train for home. Some one called
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Elder Peter Beer and Wife.
out, "Hurry up, Beer," at which this drunken gang, mistaking Brother Beer for the other man by the same name, began to at- tack him with, clubs, axes and brickbats. No one being near to help him, he threw down his axe, and began to keep them back by striking them with his clenched hands, at the same time going toward the train, which was now moving off without him. He final- ly got hold of the moving train, and drew himself up, out of their reach, with many cuts and bruises, finally reaching a place of safety. This was Brother Beer's last trip down the river, rafting.
By trade Brother Beer was a carpenter, and many are the houses and barns that bear the imprint of his labors, and many the timbers, that, if they could speak, would bear testimony to his physical abilities.
In 1855 he was married to Caroline Brilhart, of Georgeville, Indiana County, by W. S. Blackburn. The family lived in Indiana County until 1876, when they moved to a farm near Rockton, Clearfield County, where he lived the remainder of his days. Brother and Sister Beer were blest with four daughters and three sons. Six of the family are now living, and all but one are mem- bers of the church. Elder J. Harvey Beer, of Denton, Maryland, is a son.
Brother Beer died of dropsy and heart trouble, June 23, 1892,
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being 63 years of age. He was laid to rest in the Rockton ceme- tery, and beside him was laid his widow, who died July 12, 1912. Funeral services were conducted by Geo. S. Rairigh.
Brother Beer was baptized in 1859 by Brother Shumaker, of . Armstrong County, and elected to the ministry about a year later. He was ordained to the eldership in June, 1885, by Elders John S. Holsinger and Mark Minser. He was the first minister and elder of the Rockton congregation. Spiritually Elder Beer was no less efficient than he was physically. He made his mental and physical powers contribute to his efforts in furthering the cause of the Master. He was naturally not eloquent in speech, but he labored hard, and with the skill of an architect he built his sermons, and de- livered them with the same methodical system.
Elder Beer always stood for non-conformity, and lived it him- self, which fact stands as a monument to his family and his con- gregation. He was not afraid to preach the entire Word, for fear of offense, but, with power, he gave forth the message, and de- clared the doctrines of the Bible with no uncertain sound. His strong, friendly grasp of the hand, with his "God bless you," was remembered long after his departure from this world.
Besides traveling extensively over the large territory embraced in his congregation, and opening many points for preaching, Elder Beer also did much work in the Glen Hope congregation. This work he did willingly, traveling on foot from place to place. Once a sister asked him why he made such a sacrifice. His answer was: " I have not long to live. I must do what I can while time is given me." He had the satisfaction of seeing the Glen Hope and Rock- ton congregations, where he spent so much of his time in volun- tary missionary work, firmly established.
In 1892, when he was in failing health, by much effort he was able to attend the District Meeting, held in the Johnstown congregation. It was his desire, at this meeting, to arrange for the ordination of his oldest son, Harvey, to the oversight of the Rockton congregation. He succeeded in getting this arrangement made.
At this meeting a question came up for discussion, on which a difference of opinion was plainly manifest, and remarks were made with some warmth. Elder Beer got the floor, and in his character- istic, cool manner said: " Brethren, if you cannot agree together, some of you come out with us, and spend your extra energies in giving the Gospel to the hungry souls, that live on the frontier, and I can find work for all of you, so isolated, that you need not fall over one another." This was good advice, for, indeed, the Rockton congregation is on the frontier and the members are isolated.
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ELI BENSHOFF.
Eli Benshoff, son of Paul and Barbara Benshoff, was born October 21, 1805. His parents owned, and lived on, the farm now owned by Brother Emanuel Rhodes, in Middle Taylor Township, Cambria County, a few miles from Johnstown. From this family the neighborhood received the name Benshoff Hill which it has carried for probably a hundred years or more. Here Eli was born and reared to manhood.
November 15, 1825, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Strayer, daughter of Peter and Catharine Strayer. They bought and moved onto a farm a half mile nearer town, on the hill above where Mi- nersville is now located. He also owned the land now occupied by Minersville. At this latter place he engaged in milling. In this business he was in partnership with Samuel Berkey, a prom- ising young minister and teacher.
Brother and Sister Benshoff were the parents of three children; viz., Rachel, born April 20, 1827, who was married to John Teeter, and who reared a family of ten children. She passed away many years ago. Some of her descendants are members of the church. Elizabeth, born May 27, 1829, died in childhood. Benjamin, born February 12, 1832. He was married to Catharine Snyder, and reared a family of thirteen children. Benjamin was baptized by Elder Levi Roberts, April, 1857, and was a deacon for some years. In the division he went with the Progressives. Besides the above, Brother and Sister Benshoff adopted and reared a nephew, John Wissinger, whose mother (a sister of Mrs. Benshoff) had died when he was four weeks old. This. John Wissinger repaid his fos- ter parents for the Christian training they gave him by becoming a dutiful Christian young man. He married a Miss Snyder and reared a large family. For nearly forty years he has been a faith- ful deacon. At present he lives in Morrellville.
Brother Benshoff, as nearly as can be- ascertained, was called to the ministry in the old Conemaugh church, about 1850. He was highly respected in the community in which he lived. In the fall he took a long trip, contracting a severe cold, which, during the winter, developed into lung trouble, causing his death April 24, 1855, aged 49 years, 6 months and 3 days. He is buried in Ben- shoff Hill cemetery.
Elder Solomon Benshoff, of whom mention is made elsewhere, was his brother.
JOSEPH BERGER.
Joseph Berger was born July 20, 1805, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and was reared near Meyersdale. He married Mary Hess, and they were among the first members of the Jacobs Creek
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congregation. He was a deacon in 1849 and shortly after that was called to the ministry, and later to the eldership.
His family consisted of six sons and two daughters. His preaching was principally in his home congregation, and usually in the German language. After he had preached a sermon in the German he would make an announcement for one in the future to be conducted by some English-speaking preachers. He continued to serve the church as elder until a few years prior to his death.
D. R. BERKEY.
D. R. Berkey was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1871. At the age of four years he was left homeless, and was brought up mostly among strangers with very little religious training.
While attending a revival meeting at Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, conducted by Elder George S. Rairigh, he was made to feel the need of a Savior, and was baptized by Brother John C. Harrison.
In the Montgomery congregation, Indiana County, Pennsyl- vania, he was called to the deacon office in June, 1904. He was elected to the ministry in the same congregation November 10, 1907, and was advanced to the second degree one year later. In 1912 he moved to the Manor congregation, where he now labors in the Christian ministry. He also preaches for the Chess Creek congregation under the direction of the Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania.
(Portrait on Page 128.)
JOSEPH BERKEY.
Andrew and Catharine (Fyock) Berkey lived near the Shade Creek, Paint Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Mr. Berkey was called to the ministry in that denomination, but did not exer- cise in the office. To this union were born twelve children-five sons and seven daughters. Of this large family of children, Jos- eph was the fifth son and eleventh child.
Joseph Berkey was born December 10, 1822. The educational advantages of those days were few, yet he learned to read both the German and English languages. From his father he learned cabinet-making, painting and milling as well as farming.
He married Miss Mary Berkebile. They were the happy par- ents of the following children: Elizabeth Gordon, Hannah Shaffer, Hiram J., Daniel J., Caroline Shaffer, Mary Ann Pebley, Frank, and Ellen Wertz. Of these all are living but Sister Pebley. Dan- iel J. is a deacon and Hannah is a deaconess. Not many years
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Elder Joseph Berkey.
after their marriage they united with the Church of the Brethren. They bought and moved onto a large tract of timbered land, near where the present town of Hagevo is located, and near the foot- hills of the Alleghany Mountains. Here he cleared away the tim- ber sufficiently to erect his humble dwelling. Here he carved out a fruitful farm and reared his family.
Brother Berkey was a powerful man physically, and a mod- ern Nimrod, as well as a successful fisherman. Whenever the family was in need of fresh meat he would shoulder his rifle and start for the woods, and it wasn't long until he returned with a deer, a bear or some other wild game. He knew the haunts of the wild beasts and the favorite fishing places on the Shade Creek.
Brother Berkey was called to the ministry in the Shade Creek congregation in 1851 or 1852 and rapidly grew into prominence. When the War of the Rebellion broke out Brother Berkey became much concerned about the Brethren who were drafted into the service of their country and asked that the church raise the money to buy their freedom. This the church felt unable to do. Brother Berkey, himself being drafted, decided to go with his brethren to the front and take care of them. They refused to bear arms but offered to do anything else honorable. After being marched from
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place to place for months, and scarcely knowing what to do with these non-combatants, they were finally, at Brother Berkey's sug- gestion, consigned to a hospital camp in Philadelphia, where they rendered valuable servicc. It was while here that Brother Berkey had the sight of one eye injured by a drop of whitewash falling into it. Later in life this, probably, lcd to his blindness.
Brother Berkey's first wife died, and some years later he was married to Mrs. Catharinc Custer, in whose home they lived until her death. The last eleven years hc made his home with his son- in-law and daughter, Brother and Sister Aaron D. Shaffer, where he died. After leaving the farm he did much painting and grain- ing and some carpentering. While thus engaged he had a scvere fall, which nearly cost him his life, and from which he recovered slowly. He often said that fall made him ten years older.
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