USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 21
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Brother Berkey was early in his ministerial life called to the eldership, and he soon distinguished himself as a pillar in the church, filling many pulpits, assisting in elections and ordinations, doing committee work and organizing churches. Besides having the oversight of a growing, prosperous home congregation, at dif- ferent times he had charge of neighboring churches. Regarding the ordinances of the church he readily became authority, and his help- ful counsel and judicious advice were much in demand. He was a faithful Bible student and a forceful preacher. His sermons werc impressive, argumentative, and strongly doctrinal. They were de- livered with such a spirit that the listener could not help but con- clude that he was deeply interested in his subject. He had little use for a timepiece, put preached as he was led by the Spirit, re- gardless of the length of the sermon.
During the fifty-seven years of his ministry, Elder Berkey traveled many miles on foot and horseback, through the wilds of the Alleghany Mountains, through all kinds of weather, to do the bidding of his Master. Besides his labors in his own congrega- tion and District, he traveled through many of the States of the East and Middle West. Hc was often selected to represent his church as delegate at Annual and District Conferences. In 1872 he was elected a member of the first Home Mission Board of the District, being clected for a term of three years. Twice hc was Moderator of District Meeting and three times his District elected him delegate on the Standing Committee.
Elder Berkey was a friend of the young, and showed a ten- der concern for their welfare. Up to the last day of his life the church and what to do for it was the chief subject of conversation. The last seven years of his life were spent in blindness. After he had retired from his long, active life, he had hoped to spend the remainder of his days in reading and meditation, but he was
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doomed to disappointment. He came to his daughter's home, in Johnstown, and two eye specialists were called to examine his eyes. When through with the examination he asked them what the verdict was. They were compelled to tell him that there was no hope-that he never would see again in this life. The disap- pointment was so great that he burst into tears. He returned to his home and bore his affliction with Christian fortitude. He preached a number of years after he was blind. His familiarity with his Bible enabled him to quote numerous passages of Scrip- ture and tell where to find them.
When his son-in-law, Brother Shaffer, was dangerously ill with pneumonia, Elder Berkey worried very much, wondering what would become of him should Brother Shaffer die. The chil- dren and friends tried to comfort him, assuring him there were plenty of other homes open for him, but he would not be com- forted. He prayed to die. When, on the morning of April 29, 1909, Brother M. K. Johns had assisted him from his bed and back again, he expressed the hope that that would be the last time any one needed to help him, and folded his hands across his breast, and in a short time the spirit had gone to God. His age was 86 years, 4 months and 19 days.
Funeral services were conducted in the Berkey meetinghouse by Elders S. P. Zimmerman and D. S. Clapper, from Amos 4: 12, and interment was made in the adjoining cemetery. Several hours after the funeral of Elder Berkey his son-in-law, Aaron D. Shaffer, died. He was buried at the same place, the funeral being con- ducted by the same brethren.
PETER BERKEY.
" Big" Peter Berkey, as he was familiarly known in order to distinguish him from another man of the same name, lived in Paint Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer. He was reared in the Mennonite faith. He married Sarah Wolford. She was reared in the Presbyterian Church. Both became faith- ful members of the Church of the Brethren in the early days of the church at Shade Creek, before that church became a separate congregation. Brother Berkey was called to the ministry and for a number of years served the church in that capacity. He was a splendid brother, but was not what might be termed a great public speaker. It is said that he preached more effectually with his tears than with his words. Perhaps he never preached a sermon with- out shedding tears. His services were in German. He reared a very influential family, who were useful church workers. One daughter, Susan, was married to Lewis Cobaugh, who was a fine speaker for a number of years; Rachel married Stephen Stutzman,
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a prominent deacon in the Conemaugh congregation, later in the Johnstown congregation, and still later in the West Johnstown congregation; Samuel, a young minister of more than ordinary ability, but who, unfortunately, died young; and Jacob, for many years a deacon in the Shade and Johnstown congregations.
Peter Berkey was born in 1795 and died in 1862. Sister Berkey was born in 1805 and died in 1883. Both are buried in Grand View cemetery, Johnstown. Brother Berkey and his son, Samuel, were elected to the ministry in what is now the Shade Creek congregation on the same day.
SAMUEL BERKEY.
Samuel Berkey, oldest son of Peter and Susan (Wolford) Berkey, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1825. He died after an illness lasting but six days, January 29, 1852, at the age of 26 years and 5 months, and is buried in Pleas- ant Hill cemetery (Benshoff). He was a man of more than ordi- nary ability. A farmer boy, reared under the influence of the church, he early gave his heart to the Savior.
He was a fine school-teacher, being one of the first who taught grammar in this part of the State. He was elected to the ministry while a single man, and quite young. This was unusual for those days, as men pretty well advanced in life were generally the ones called to do the church's work.
He was married to Mary Stutzman, daughter of Elder Jacob Stutzman, October 6, 1846. He was a contributor to the Gospel Visitor, and an agent for the same. Shortly before his death he recommended that the Visitor be published monthly and that mat- ter that was not original be admitted to its columns. In his teach- ing he was thorough, in his preaching, eloquent, and in his de- fense of the New Testament doctrines, uncompromising. He preached in the English language.
"During his short lifetime he did one thing that will long be remembered. A certain man, named McCleary, a minister in another denomination, challenged Brother Berkey to debate on the ordinances of the Brethren Church. Brother Berkey accepted the challenge and defeated the learned minister. But when the man began to quote Greek and Latin, which Brother Berkey had never studied, he proposed to send for a minister who was learned in those languages. Rev. McCleary answered, 'All right, bring any Dunker minister here that you can get.' Then Brother Berkey wrote to Elder James Quinter, who consented to come. A meeting was arranged for and held in the Horner meetinghouse of the old Conemaugh congregation. Elder Quinter debated with Rev. McCleary three days before a large audience who came from
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far and near. Elder Quinter defeated him on every proposition the first and second days. On the third day Rev. McCleary re- sorted to personal abuse and made such slanderous remarks that his own church members were disgusted and ashamed. Elder Quinter demonstrated that the Brethren are following the teach- ings of the Gospel in observing the ordinances of feet-washing, the Lord's Supper, etc., and also that the Brethren are not all ignorant fanatics."
JOHN BERKLEY, JR.
Elder John Berkley was born one mile east of Berkley's . Mills, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1798. He was a son of John Berkley, Sr., of whom mention is made. in the history of the Elk Lick congregation. Elder Berkley had the following brothers: Jonathan, an elder; Samuel, a minister; Jacob, Solomon and Ludwick. John grew to manhood on his father's farm. His opportunities for an education were few, and all the education he received was in the German language.
He was married to Susan Miller, of Brothers Valley Township. They early united with the church. They were the parents of four sons: Levi, who died early in life, Cornelius, Peter and Josiah. The last three named were ministers. The daughters were, Eliza, married to Tobias Myers, and Susan, married to Abraham Lichty.
For the main facts in this biography I am indebted to J. M. Berkley, a grandson of Elder Berkley. I quote from his letter: " He was of a congenial and affable disposition, of well-balanced temperament and judicial mind-a man that was unblemished and unsullied by the frivolities and vanities of life. It is said of him that he was of a humorous nature and yet was never known to engage in a loud laugh. A smile or a grin was the only ex- pression noticeable at any time.
" He was admitted to the ministry in 1847 and promoted to the office of bishop in 1849 of the then Glade church, and at the division of. that District he became the bishop of the Elk Lick church. (I am inclined to believe these dates are too late .-- Author.) He had the scriptural qualifications to a pronounced degree-so much so that he was called out of his District to many places in official visits. He was called as far as Ohio, which in those early days was not an easy trip to make.
" It is said of him that he had good natural attainments of a public speaker. To illustrate: One of the citizens of Meyer's Mills, belonging to the Lutheran Church, when on his way to hear old Berkley preach, and being asked why he went to his church, replied that though he did not understand one word that Bishop Berkley preached, yet he received more inspiration from
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his sermons than any man he ever heard. His life, his conduct, his expressions of face were ever an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact, whether in or out of the pulpit.
" While his education was very limited, he had ambitions far beyond his attainments. He was one of the pioneers in the ad- vancement of the public school system, which at that time was in an embryo state. He was an advocate and promulgator of the public school system in his community when it was not popular to be lined up with the advancement of knowledge. It is said that he subscribed the first twenty-five dollars toward the erection of a public schoolhouse in Meyersdale.
"His three sons, Cornelius, Peter and Josiah, who entered the ministry, were all good and useful men in the church. Peter had the best education, and was the most forceful, but died young. The associate ministers of the subject under consideration were Paul Wetzel, C. G. Lint, William Horner, David Livengood and his son, Peter. He fell asleep February 2, 1865, aged 67 years, 5 months and 2 days, and is buried in Union cemetery at Meyers- dale. Funeral sermon by M. Kimmel and others from 1 Cor. 4: 1. He was a minister about thirty years.
"The foregoing is a short biography (all I can write) of the life and works of grandfather, Bishop John Berkley."
Though Elder Berkley died a year before the State was di- vided into Districts and District Meetings were held, we find his name five times as a member of the Standing Committee of the Annual Meeting.
JONATHAN BERKLEY.
Jonathan Berkley was a son of John Berkley, Sr., and was born on his father's farm near Berkley's Mills, Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, December 17, 1793. His education was such as the coun- try schools afforded in his day, and was principally in the German language, though he could read and write the English fairly well.
He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lichty, daughter of John Lichty, of near Salisbury. Miss Lichty was born Novem- ber 23, 1800. After marriage they bought the farm near Sipesville, in Lincoln Township, now known as the Ephraim Speicher farm. Fifteen children were born to this union. Five of them passed to the spirit world in their boyhood and girlhood days; viz., Sam- uel, Edward, Joel, Mary and Anna. Those that grew to manhood and womanhood are the following: Susannah, married to Daniel Baer; Sarah, married first time to David Horner and second time to George Schrock; Jonathan, married to Lizzie Snyder; Ezra, married to Lydia Miller; Elizabeth, married to Simon Haug- er; Dinah, married to John Keim; Caroline, married to Jonas
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Flickinger; Catharine, married to Daniel Flickinger; Lydia, mar- ried to Wesley Saylor, and John, married to Anna Miller. Of these three are living: Mrs. Jonas Flickinger and John J., of Water- loo, Iowa, and Mrs. Wesley Saylor, of Central City, Nebraska.
Brother Berkley, in addition to being a farmer, had also learned the cooper trade. He was also capable of making the shoes for his large family.
Brother and Sister Berkley were charter members of the Quemahoning congregation, and for a number of years regularly opened their doors for holding meetings. He was called to the ministry, and after the death of Elder John Forney he was or- dained to the eldership. He was zealous in church work. He would not miss church services when health permitted him to at- tend. His mode of traveling was horseback. He would often ride fifteen miles to fill appointments and return the same day. The appointments were scattered over a large territory in those days.
There were no meetinghouses and the meetings were held in houses, barns, and appointments were scattered all over the Quemahoning congregation. All the children that grew to ma- turity became members of the Church of the Brethren, and Jon- athan was a deacon. Ezra died in Waterloo, Iowa. All the rest died in Pennsylvania.
Elder Berkley died November 17, 1856, aged 62 years, and 11 months. His funeral was preached by Elder Jacob Hauger, from Philippians 1: 21, and he was buried in the family burying ground on the old farm. Sister Berkley died October 24, 1889, aged 88 years, 11 months and 1 day, after having lived in lonely widow- hood thirty-three years. She is buried by the side of her hus- band.
SAMUEL BERKLEY.
Another son of John Berkley, Sr., was Samuel. He was born and reared on the Berkley homestead. He was born October 1, 1810. On April 25, 1830, he was married to Miss Katherine Hauger. The date of his election seems to be lost. He labored in the Elk Lick congregation. He died May 9, 1859, at the comparatively young age of 48 years, 7 months and & days. His widow died May 6, 1874, leaving six children, viz .; Rebecca, Perry, Lydia, Elizabeth, Ezra and Sally.
CORNELIUS BERKLEY.
Cornelius Berkley, son of Elder John and Susan (Miller) Berkley, was born on a farm one mile north of Meyersdale, Penn- sylvania, December 29, 1824. He grew to manhood on the farm.
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Cornelius Berkley.
His educational privileges were limited to the schools as they then existed.
On March 5, 1848, he was married to Susan Myers, daughter of Samuel Myers, of Berlin. In early life they made a profession of faith and were received into the church. They moved on a farm along the plank road between Somerset and Lavansville, into a community where at that time the Dunker faith was held in contempt, and was even laughed at. This was, however, be- cause it was not understood. Brother Berkley's faith and perse- verance were strong, and in a few years the family, by their Christian influence and labors, had gathered a lot of friends about them, the result being that a meetinghouse was built on a part of his farm.
Not many years after that he was elected to the ministry. Though feeling keenly the lack of better education, yet he took the yoke upon himself, and in his crude way began preaching the unadulterated Gospel. By persistent effort he became, in a measure, efficient, and by his devout and righteous life was meas- urably successful. He worked hard during the week on the farm, and on Sundays he would saddle his horse and go out in the mountains and preach, thereby accomplishing much good.
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From the farm they moved to Meyersdale, where they lived for some years. The last ten years they lived close to the Middle Creek church, where he continued to preach.
He died January 30, 1888, aged 63 years, 1 month and 1 day. He is buried in the cemetery of the Middle Creek church, by the side of a little stream of mountain water, in which he buried many persons in Christian baptism ..
PETER BERKLEY.
Peter Berkley, the third son of Elder John Berkley, was born near Meyersdale, January 27, 1833. He was married to Sally Meyers, daughter of Samuel Meyers, of near Berlin, October 29, 1854. In 1855 he united with the church, and in June of the same he was called to the ministry in the Elk Lick congregation, with C. G. Lint and William Horner. It is said that he was fairly well educated and gave promise of becoming a prominent minister, but death claimed him when yet a young man. He died Octo- ber 17, 1865, aged 32 years, 8 months and 20 days. He left a young widow and three sons, Emanuel, Harvey and Mahlon.
JOSIAH BERKLEY.
Josiah Berkley, son of Elder John. and Susan (Miller) Berk- ley, was born near Meyersdale, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1835. His brothers were: Levi, Cornelius and Peter, and his sisters, Eliza Myers and Susan Lichty. He united with the Church of the Brethren in 1854, being baptized by Elder Elias K. Buechley. He was united in marriage to Anna Miller, daugh- ter of Jacob L. Miller, of Middle Creek, in 1858. One daughter was born to this union.
In 1859 they moved to the Indian Creek congregation, West- moreland County. In 1861 he was called to the ministry of the Word in the same place. In 1865 they moved back to Middle Creek congregation, Somerset County, where he still resides. He was ordained to the eldership in 1877, and after the death of Elder Adam F. Snyder, became the elder in charge of the Middle Creek congregation. His wife died December 26, 1902. For over half a century Elder Berkley has preached a free and saving Gospel. The most of his ministerial labors were done in his home congregation, yet in his best years he traveled a good deal among the churches of the District, attending love feasts, and doing other church work. He is an earnest, well-wishing, and willing preacher. He is in his eightieth year.
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NORMAN WILLIAM BERKLEY.
Norman W. Berkley, of Ferndale, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of one of the old families of the Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania. His father, Israel Berkley, was a son of Jacob Berkley, who was a brother of Elder John Berkley, one of the early ministers in Somerset County. Israel Berkley married Miss Annie Elizabeth Lint, daughter of Gillian Lint, and sister of Elder C. G. Lint, of Mcyersdale.
To this union were born: Clayton, Norman W., Albert U., Harry E., Charles, Jacob, Samuel J., a minister, Israel, Minnie Margaret, Emma, Eliza and Annie.
Norman W. Berkley was born at Berkley's Mills, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of Cambria County, and normal schools of Cambria and Somerset Counties: he also took a business course at Juniata College, and a course of mechanical drawing and electric motors and dynamos through I. C. S. of Scranton.
Ten years of his life were spent in teaching school in the various boroughs now included in the city of Johnstown. He resigned his position as principal of the Roxbury schools in 1890 to enter the employment of the Lorain Steel Company as a timekeeper. After about two years in the time department, he was placed in charge of the planer department where, for eighteen years, the arduous duties of a foreman of a large number of men rested upon him. In 1890 he was transferred to the gen- eral office in charge of the distributing department. In 1915 his responsibilities were again increased by being placcd at the head of the time and distributing departments as chief timekeeper, which position he is now still engaged in.
In March, 1883, Brother Berkley was united in marriage to Miss Laura Belle Davis, oldest daughter of Chauncey and Re- becca Davis, of Johnstown. No children were born to them, but a motherless orphan girl, Mrs. Mae (Speicher) Emmert, was adopted by them and educated.
Early in life, when only a boy, he was baptized into Christ and began his religious work. There being no Sunday-school of the Church of the Brethren, the M. E. Sunday-school was attended until 1893, when the Church of the Brethren at Roxbury was built. Ever since then he has actively, as pupil, teacher, chor- ister and superintendent, been connected with this school.
On the day of the organization of the West Johnstown con- gregation, January 26, 1899, having been previously elected in the Johnstown congregation, Brother Berkley was installed into the ministry by Elders Hiram Musselman and David Hil-
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debrand. He was advanced to the second degree in 1900, and on May 4, 1915, he was ordained to the eldership by Elders W. M. Howe and H. S. Replogle. In June of the same year he was chosen elder in charge of the West Johnstown congregation.
(Portrait on Page 199.)
ALBERT U. BERKLEY.
Albert U. Berkley, third son of Israel and Annie (Lint) Berk- ley, was born February 11, 1862, at Berkley's Mills, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. With his parents he moved to near Johns- town, Cambria County, in 1866. He was reared on the farm and received his education in the schools of the county.
On April 11, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Lovina
Elder Albert U. Berkley and Wife.
Hershberger, daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Roseman) Hersh- berger, of Johnstown. To this union were born: Mabel F., married to Curtis C. Lambert, and residing in Johnstown; N. William and an infant (both deceased), Ivy May, at home, and John M., married to Miss Roxy Heater, also living in the city. For many years Brother Berkley was engaged in the dairy business, selling milk in the city, but the last several years he has retired from active secular business. Ever since 1866 he has lived at and in Johnstown, their present residence being at 37 Derby Street.
Brother Berkley united with the Conemaugh Church of the Brethren March 20, 1878. His wife was baptized March 18, 1896. In the Jolinstown congregation he was called to the ministry June 18, 1894. In 1899 he was elected to the eldership in the West Johnstown congregation, but did not see fit to accept. On May 4,
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1915, he was ordained to the eldership in the West Johnstown church.
Brother Berkley's Sunday-school activities began in the Meth- odist Sunday-school in Roxbury, as a pupil. When the Church of the Brethren opened a Sunday-school in Roxbury he was the first superintendent. He has frequently been Sunday-school teacher. He has no record of his work in the ministry, but he has had his share of baptisms, anointings and funerals.
Since retiring from business he has done some acceptable work in the evangelistic field. In the nine series of meetings he held in the past few years, 170 accepted Christ. He frequent- ly represents his church in District and Annual Meetings. He is a member of the Bible Institute Committee.
1
Samuel J. Berkley and Wife.
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SAMUEL J. BERKLEY.
Samuel J. Berkley, son of Israel and Annie E. (Lint) Berkley, was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1877, and was reared on the farm near the city. He attended school in Roxbury, now the eighth ward, Johnstown, until he was old enough to teach. He also attended Juniata College in 1896-7. He followed teach- ing five years. He was principal of one of the eighth ward schools, Johnstown. After leaving the schoolroom he worked several . years in the auditing department of the general office of the Cam- bria Steel Company.
Brother Berkley was united in marriage to Sister Lizzie M. Lichty, of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1901. After residing in Johnstown several years, they moved upon a farm near Meyers- dale, in 1905, where they are now residing.
Brother Berkley united with the church at Johnstown, March 13, 1894. He was elected deacon September 21, 1911, minister September 22, 1912, and advanced to the second degree October 19, 1913, all in the Summit Mills congregation, where he now serves.
JACOB BLOUGH.
Jacob Blough was born on the old Blough homestead, one mile north of Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1805. He was a son of Jacob and Magdalene (Gnagey) Blough, and grandson of Christian Blough, who settled on this same farm about 1867. The Bloughs are of Swiss descent, several brothers having come from Switzerland to the United States November 3, 1750, and settled in the eastern part of the State, presumably in what is now Lebanon County.
From there, two, who probably were brothers, emigrated to Somerset County, Christian settling near Berlin, as stated above, in 1767, and Jacob, who settled on the Quemahoning Creek near its junction with the Stony Creek. From these two branches or families came practically all the Blauchs, Blouchs and Bloughis" in the United States and Canada west of the Alleghany Moun- tains. In the eastern and southern parts of the State, however, is a large number of descendants of those who remained when the two came to Somerset County. Christian, mentioned above, was only seven years of age when he landed in this country. At the age of about twenty-four, with his young wife, he settled on several hundred acres of woodland in Brothers Valley Township, near Berlin. Here he died in 1877, when only about thirty-four years of age, leaving his widow and a number of children in rather poor circumstances. He was buried on the farm, where there is
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