USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 22
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now a family graveyard in which some of the family have been buried for five generations.
Jacob Blough, Sr., had five sons and about the same number of daughters, all of whom emigrated to Ohio, with the excep- tion of David, who died young, Jacob, Jr., the subject of this sketch, and one daughter, Anna, who was never married.
Jacob Blough grew up a farmer, and on June 18, 1826, was married to Miss Barbara Saylor, daughter of John Saylor, of near Meyersdale. Barbara Saylor was born May 10, 1810. Jacob's parents were members of the United Brethren Church, and for many years the meetings of that denomination were held in their barn, and their home was the stopping place for the circuit riders or preachers on their way to Ohio and back. Miss Saylor's par- ents were Mennonites, so the selection of a church home became quite a question for the young couple. They decided to study the Scriptures and let them determine the choice. Becoming satis- fied that the faith and practice of the Brethren were substan- tiated by the Bible they were baptized into the communion of that church several years after their marriage.
Brother Blough had an ordinary German school education. He was also able to read and write English. He served the church as deacon some years, when he was elected to the min- istry in about 1851. He was ordained to the eldership in 1868, in which capacity he labored faithfully until age incapacitated him. Elder Blough was not what one would terni a great preacher. His sermons were seldom long. Perhaps his greatest sermons were found in the pious, godly, self-denying life he lived. Here I quote from his "Memorial," written by Elder W. G. Schrock,
after his death: "He was a quiet, but persistent and zealous worker in the church he loved so dearly to the end, and his seat was never vacant in the sanctuary except on account of sickness. His life was characterized by untiring patience, and his house always given to hospitality. He occupied a very convenient and central place in the congregation, and it was here that the breth- ren in their travels, especially ministers, found a home and wel- come retreat. While the green turf may encircle his lonely grave in the years to come, and the marble slab mark his resting-place, he built for himself a more enduring monument in the hearts of those who knew him best, by his patient continuance in well- doing, as well as his peculiar self-denying principles he prac- ticed in his lifetime.
" His labors of love are ended, but he still continues to live in the hearts of the people. The high esteem in which he was held by the people was shown in the unusually large crowd of people that followed his remains to their last resting place. Thus
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passed away a Christian worker, after having spent almost an entire lifetime in the service of his Master. Elder Blough leaves an aged widow, eleven children, fifty-seven grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren to mourn their loss. All his chil- dren became members of the church in their young days, and it fell to his lot, in his old age, to first break the family circle."
In addition to being a farmer and preacher he was also a fine mechanic. With the help of his older sons he was for years the manufacturer of thrashing machines, which were among the first, if not the first, in the country. He also operated a cider press to which the farmers from far and near brought their ap- ples to have them converted into cider.
Elder Blough was a lover of music, being a sweet singer. This is a gift that has been bestowed upon his posterity all down the line. Most of his traveling was done on horseback. He made several trips to the West to visit his brothers and sisters and cousins, as well as his children, a number of whom settled in the West. Grandfather and Grandmother Blough were the par- ents of eleven children, as follows: Valentine, Emanuel J., Philip, Andrew, John J., Lydia, married to Tobias Buechly; Susannah, married to Herman Boger; David, Mary, married to Jacob Baer; Joseph, and Annie, married to Joseph Gnagey. Valentine and Emanuel were elders, and John was a deacon. Eleven of his grandsons (several by marriage) are ministers.
He lived and died upon the same farm where he was born. He died June 27, 1886, aged 80 years, 6 months and 27 days, and was buried in the family burying ground by the side of his father and grandfather. Funeral services were conducted in the Grove meetinghouse by Elders Joel Gnagey, Jonas Lichty, George Schrock and Michael Weyand from Revelation 14: 13.
He and his companion lived together sixty years and nine days. She lived in lonely widowhood until May 24, 1892, when she died at the age of 82 years, and 14 days. Her funeral also was conducted in the Grove house by the home ministers, and she was buried by the side of her husband.
Elder Blough lived a short distance from the Grove meeting- house, in the Brothers Valley congregation. Their home was a great place for brethren to put up at over love feasts and other meetings. When the Annual Meeting was held there, in 1849, he gave the boys instructions that when the Virginia Brethren would arrive their horses should be put in the stables (others were turned into the fields), telling them they could know them by the sheep's grey suits they wore.
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TOBIAS BLOUGH.
When Tobias Blough, youngest son of John and Christena (Miller) Blough was born, the father wrote the following prayer:
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000000000000000000000000 . - Den & Dag Detaber Im Jahr 1811 Ist uns einen Sohn auf Die arne- mietelige melt gebühren fein namen heißt Tobias blauch gott mot 3hm grade renten zu einem frommen und ein letiges leben zu Firen bis zu einem l'eligis ende arment
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Prayer-Prophecy.
Translated this reads: "The 8th day of October, in the year 1811, is to us a son born into this wearisome world. His name is Tobias Blough. May God grant him grace to lead a pious and a holy life, to a blissful end. Amen."
From his life work it is evident that this prayer-prophecy was answered to the fullest extent. His grandfather, Christian Blauch, landed in this country, from the Canton of Berne, Swit- zerland, November 3, 1750, being at that time only seven years of age. His father was a member of the Amish Church, and he made some effort to persuade Tobias to embrace the same faith. How- ever, when he and his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Blough, became acquainted with the doctrines and practices of the Brethren, they attached themselves to the church when yet young. He was born on a large farm, now owned by his son- in-law, Henry Spaugy, in Quemahoning Township, Somerset Coun- ty, several miles northwest of Hooversville. Here he lived, reared his family, and died November 21, 1884, aged 73 years, 1 month and 13 days. He is buried in the Maple Spring church cemetery. Elder Blough was called to the ministry in 1851, being the first minister elected in the Quemahoning church after its or-
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ganization. Six years later he was ordained to the eldership, and for a quarter of a century he was the only elder in the congrega- tion. His services were in the German language. "He had a warm attachment to the church, and was a zealous worker in his field of labor. As an able and earnest exhorter he was prom- inent as far as he was known, and had he traveled more; exten- sively he might have become conspicuous among his German friends. He was firm in his views of what he conceived to be right and not soon moved from his purpose. He had a great and ten- der concern for the prosperity and purity of the church, and upon realizing that the care of the church was becoming too much for his weakened body, he suggested to the church the propriety of choosing an assistant in the eldership, which accordingly was done on New Year's, 1882, after which he slowly failed until his last spell of sickness, which rapidly reduced him, until November 21, when he breathed his last, in the hope of a glorious resur- rection." (Quoted from "A Memoir" by his neighbor and co- worker, Emanuel J. Blough.)
He was one of the horseback preachers, and living at the place and in the age in which he did, his services, especially at funerals, were in great demand. He also preached considerably for other denominations, especially during the war times. There were few churches, and not many schoolhouses, in his end of the county in which his eloquence was not heard. He was also called on committee work in surrounding churches. He was one of the delegates from Quemahoning to the first District Meeting.
During his last illness one of his colaborers asked him whether he had a desire for the anointing. His answer was " No, I am pre- pared to die without the anointing. You need not go to that trouble."
Elder and Sister Blough were the happy parents of ten chil- dren: Annie Bowman, Noah, who moved to the West many years ago; Elizabeth Lohr, Mary Berkey, Labias, Josiah, now of the State of Washington; Uriah, and Rebecca Spaugy. Besides the above, two children died young. The rest grew to manhood and womanhood, but all have passed away except Mary, Josiah and Rebecca. Two of the sons-in-law, Samuel E. Berkey and Henry J. Spaugy, were called to the office of deacon. A number of his descendants are members of the Church of the Brethren.
JONATHAN W. BLOUGH.
Jonathan W. Blough was born November 8, 1825, in a small log cabin in Quemahoning Township, one and a half miles west of Hooversville, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and died in Hoovers-
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Elder Jonathan W. Blough, Wife, Daughter, Ellen Shaffer, Grandson, Her- bert E. Shaffer, and Great-granddaughter, Leah Hazel Shaffer.
ville, October 16, 1912, lacking only twenty-two days of being 87 years of age. He was a son of Peter C. and Christiana (Faith) Blough, being the second child of a family of ten children.
His opportunities for an education were meager, being only those afforded by a four months' subscription school. That he applied himself diligently is evident from the following "Letter of Merit" given him February 4, 1841, by his teacher, Daniel Stufft: " Jonathan Blough has been a regular attendant of my school and has been under my care for the space of two months. He has made excellent progress in learning, such as writing, reading, arithmetic, etc., and above all, his most excellent behavior." He learned both German and English. He always took much interest in education, being one of the earliest patrons of the Huntingdon Normal School (now Juniata College), having had a son, Elder Perry J. Blough, in attendance there. His oldest daughter, Mary J., a fine Christian lady, was the first cook in the same school. In literary and debating societies he delighted even before the church sanctioned such meetings.
He was married February 22, 1852, to Susanna Boger, who was born in West Virginia July 31, 1825. Her father was Christian
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Boger, a deacon, and her grandfather, John Boger, an elder. On her mother's side she was a granddaughter of John Forney, Sr. She united with the church in her early teens.
By occupation Brother Blough was a farmer, having lived on the same farm from 1855 to 1900, when he removed to Hoovers- ville. In June after their marriage he united with the church, and two years later was elected to the deaconship, and in June, 1856, he was elected to the ministry, being the first minister installed in the Pine Grove meetinghouse, which he had helped to build the year previous. June 30, 1900, he was ordained to the eldership.
Their home was blest with two sons and four daughters, of whom one son, P. J. Blough, of Hooversville, named above, Sister Ella Shaffer, of Hooversville, Pa., and Sister Annie Herring, of Nokesville, Va., survive. Theirs was a model Christian home, and the spiritual atmosphere pervading the home had the effect of bringing the children early to the Savior. Brother and Sister Blough journeyed together, hand in hand, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, for fifty-nine years and six days, when, February 8, 1911, she fell asleep in Jesus, leaving her aged companion to travel the remainder of the journey alone. Elder Blough was a well-preserved man physically, and it was only during the last few years that he failed very perceptibly, while his mental powers were unimpaired to the end. September 29 kind brethren carried him to the church across the street, where he enjoyed his last com- munion.
For fifty-six yars Elder Blough preached a free and a saving Gospel. Living near the eastern boundary of a large congregation made his ministerial labors quite strenuous. Many and long were the horseback rides taken to fill appointments and to do general church work. During half a century his counsels helped to solve the church problems and direct the church into new lines of church activities. He had the pleasure of seeing the church grow from an humble beginning until it numbered well on to 400, and also had the pleasure of helping to erect all the houses of worship in the congregation, and seeing Sunday-schools established in all of them.
He was among the first to recognize the need of Sunday- schools, and it was largely through his efforts that the first Sunday- school (Pine Grove) in the congregation was organized. Down to the last years he enjoyed being in the Bible class, ard taking part in the discussion of the Scriptures. He scarcely ever erred in his explanations of difficult passages. He was a deep thinker, and a persistent Bible student. This enabled him to quote many pas- sages of Scripture in his sermons. Most of his work was done in the home church, and he was not widely known outside of the State District. He was frequently delegate to the church confer-
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ences. The first twenty or twenty-five years he preached in the German language, but when there was no longer any need for such services he did what few men have done-changed entirely to the English. He was a staunch supporter of our church publications and missionary activities.
Funeral services were conducted in the Hooversville church by Elders S. P. Zimmerman, W. M. Howe and J. E. Blough. In- terment was made in the Maple Spring cemetery by the side of his wife, and near the graves of his coworkers, Elders Tobias Blough and Emanuel J. Blough. Five of his grandsons and another young brother carried him to his last resting place.
VALENTINE BLOUGH.
Valentine Blough, oldest son of Elder Jacob and Sister Bar- bara (Saylor) Blough, was born on the old Blough homestead, near Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1828. He grew to manhood on his father's farm. He made proper use of every opportunity to gain an education, both in the German and English languages. He qualified himself to teach school, and fol- lowed that profession nine years in the schools of his county.
He was married to Miss Catharine Cober, daughter of Samuel Cober, November 30, 1851. Besides teaching he was a successful farmer all his life. He lived on several farms, but the greater part of his married life he lived on a large farm in Somerset Township, near Geiger Station, three miles northeast of Somerset. He and Sister Blough early united with the Church of the Breth- ren in the Brothers Valley (then Berlin) congregation, and it was there that he was called to the office of deacon. This office he filled faithfully, and after he had moved into the Middle'Creek con- gregation he was called to the ministry of the Word in the autumn of 1867. He "made full proof of his ministry" and soon became quite popular, both in his own and in surrounding congregations.
Living in the extreme northern end of a congregation covering a large area made his ministerial labors arduous. In order to reach some of the appointments it was necessary to leave home the day before. Sunday was usually one of the hardest and busiest days of the week for Brother Blough. Yet it can be truthfully said of him that he was prompt and punctual in all his church work. With him the Master's business received first attention. Living convenient to the Quemahoning and Brothers Valley congrega- tions, he was frequently called upon to preach funerals and assist in other church work there.
A number of years before his death he was ordained to the eldership, and was associated with Elders Josiah Berkley and Silas
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Hoover in that office. He preached in both the German and the English languages, but mostly in the latter, especially so during the latter part of his ministry. His preaching was forceful and earnest, and his services were in demand. He held some series of meetings. Elder Hoover wrote at the time of his death: "In the death of Elder Blough the church has lost a faithful elder- always at his post, apt to teach, sound in doctrine. He was a strong advocate and defender of the doctrine of the church and her principles. In him the community lost a good citizen, the wife an affectionate husband and the children a kind father." He frequently represented his church in Annual and District Meet- ings. He served on numerous committees of the District, and in 1889 he represented Western Pennsylvania on the Standing Com- mittee of the Annual Meeting at Harrisonburg, Virginia. He was a member of the locating committee of the last Annual Meeting held in Western Pennsylvania, at Meyersdale, in 1894.
Elder and Sister Blough were the parents of these children: Sarah, married to Henry Casebeer, a deacon; James, for a score of years a popular school-teacher, now a retired farmer and sur- veyor; Tillie, married to Elder W. M. Wine, of Woodside, Dela- ware; Wilson and Clara. The last two died in childhood.
Elder Blough was a man of pronounced temperate habits and extremely hygienic in his manner of life, with the result that at the age of seventy his body was as erect and his step as quick as most young men are in their teens. His mind was strong, and he had so arranged his temporal affairs that he might have devoted much of his time to church work, when he was suddenly called from his strenuous life on earth to the " home above."
He fell asleep in Jesus July 13, 1898, aged 70 years, 4 months and 29 days. His funeral was held in the Summit church by his co- laborers, Josiah Berkley and Silas Hoover, from John 11: 23. In- terment was made in the Schrock cemetery.
Among father's papers I came across a letter written by Uncle Valentine to father during the trying times of the War of the Rebellion. This letter shows the character of Elder Blough, and at the same time gives us who are younger some faint idea of the anguish of mind, the loss of property and general suffering en- dured .by our brethren and others during those four years of war- fare. Here is his letter:
Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. October the 29th, A. D. 1862.
Emanuel Blough and Wife:
Beloved brother and sister in the Lord: I received your letter, dated October the 26th, and we rejoice to hear that you are all
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well, and thanks be to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we all enjoy the same great and inestimable blessing. We were waiting for some time for you to pay us a visit, but as you inentioned nothing in your letter, I presume you do not intend to come to us this fall. We would be very glad if your circum- stances will permit, if you (and your family) would come and see us yet before winter.
I suppose you would like to hear something concerning the drafting in our neighborhood. Most of the brethren in our Dis- trict, who were subject to be drafted, received exemption for con- scientious scruples to take up arms, and some of those who failed to attend were drafted and came into serious difficulties. I know, however, of only three or four in our District who had the mis- fortune to be hit by the draft, namely: Daniel Kimmel, George Hostetler and Ulard Pew (almost my nearest neighbors). Our neighborhood (except the nearest neighbors who all escaped) was swept almost to a man. Besides those mentioned above were John Pew (who lives on the old farm), Henry Fox, Samuel Rhoads, Joseph and Herman Shaffer, Alexander Hunter, Solomon Seibert, M. Mason, Samuel Frank and Jeremiah Snyder, all living within a few miles of us. But I hear they are most all at home again. Some got exemption, and some, perhaps, hired substitutes.
Brother John got exemption on account of his broken leg, and I, on account of conscientious scruples to bear arms. What my fine will be I do not know yet. But, blessed be God that it will be only a penalty in money, and if it should prove to be so much that it would take a great part of the perishable things of this world, which were given to me by God, I hope the Lord will grant me grace and Christian fortitude that I may be enabled to give it without murmuring, and be enabled to say with Job of old, "The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord," and firmly rely on his promise, that in six tribula- tions, he will be with his children and in the seventh he will not forsake them.
Perhaps the time is not far distant when we will need these things no more. If we only have part in that inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled, reserved in heaven for those who love him. I am sometimes amazed, when I reflect on the glory, joy, endless felicity and eternal rest of heaven, that our affections are so often set on things of the earth which are sometimes taken from us in a moment, and not on things above which will last through- out the ceaseless ages of eternity.
It appears to me at present, when I view everything around us, that gloom and darkness are gathering around us as dense as midnight darkness, and sin and wickedness are increasing so
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fast, that I often think of Sodom and Gomorrah, and am afraid that direful judgments may perhaps visit our entire land. And I fear there is danger that the salt of our land will lose its savor. Wherewithal shall it then be preserved? However, there is yet hope. As long as Lot was in Sodom, his presence saved the city, and when the people of Nineveh humbled themselves and cried mightily unto God, the judgments of God were averted and the city was saved. Therefore, we, who know that the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, ought to remember the ruler of our distracted country at a throne of mercy. Perhaps our diffi- culties may be adjusted and peace restored, and devastation, blood- shed and crime may take their flight from our shores.
And, particularly, ought we to pray for us and our dear breth- ren and sisters. No doubt many of them do not enjoy the com- forts of this life which we have hitherto enjoyed. And if it should be the will of our heavenly Father that our faith should be tried, that we may stand fast and immovable, and if need be, sacrifice our life for Christ's sake, knowing that "if this earthly house of our tabernacle is dissolved, we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
How often do we rejoice on Saturday evening, after a long week of hard labor, trials, temptations and difficulties with which we have to contend, in anticipation of Sunday, a day of rest, when we expect to assemble ourselves together with our dear brethren and sisters, and sing praises to our God. How much more consol- ing will it be when our journey of this life will be o'er and we have peace with God, and can lay our heads down to sleep in Christ, re- joicing in anticipation of the glorious resurrection morn, when soul and body will be reunited, and we can meet our friends who died in Christ, and see Christ, our Redeemer, face to face!
This ought to encourage us to brave the storm of persecution and try to follow Christ, or his footsteps, regardless of a sinful world. But I will come to a close. Remember us at a throne of mercy.
Your brother in love,
Valentine Blough.
EMANUEL J. BLOUGH.
Emanuel J. Blough, second son of Elder Jacob and Barbara (Saylor) Blough, was born one mile north of Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1830, and grew to manhood on the farm with his brothers and sisters. He made good use of the school privileges of his day, studying both German and English. He became proficient in the three R's and spelling, and, perhaps,
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Elder Emanuel J. Blough and Wife.
a few other branches, and taught school two years. For some years he assisted his father and older brothers in the manufacture of thrashing machines.
He and Miss Caroline Landis were married October 16, 1853, Elder John Berkley performing the ceremony. They bought and moved on to a large farm in Quemahoning Township, a few miles northwest of Hooversville. His wife died November 3, 1856, leaving a little two-year-old daughter, Amy. On October 2, 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah Barndt, oldest daughter of Nicholas Barndt, by Elder Tobias Blough. Their children are Jerome E., Jemima E., Silas S., Elijah E. and Jacob M.
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