USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 32
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On November 19, 1843, he was married to Miss Eve Schrock, Elder Jacob Myers performing the ceremony. Two sons blessed this union, the younger dying in infancy. The other son is Elder John H. Knepper, who has been for a number of years pastor of the First Brethren church of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
He was elected to the ministry in the Berlin congregation, but the date has not been preserved. His preaching was done both in English and German, but mostly in the former. It is said that he was the first native "Dunker " preacher of Somerset County who could preach in the English language. He was very active in all work of the church. He was called upon to preach many fun- erals of persons not members of the church. While officiating at a funeral service he contracted a severe cold, which developed into bronchitis, causing his untimely death. He was buried on the old Knepper farm, but some forty years ago his son, John H., had the body removed to his own private lot in the Berlin cem- etery.
Brother Knepper and Brother Ephraim Cober, now of Sa- betha, Kansas, were most intimate friends and neighbors, and co- workers in the church in those early days. In 1855 his widow was united in marriage to Deacon John J. Bittner, Elder Jacob Blough officiating. Her death took place in 1872, and she was laid by the side of Brother Knepper.
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Lewis Schrock Knepper.
LEWIS SCHROCK KNEPPER.
The Knepper family can be traced back to Germany, when some of the Kneppers emigrated to the United States and settled in Eastern Pennsylvania in 1698. Afterwards they moved farther west, and Lewis J. Knepper, grandfather of the above, resided in Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He was a teacher, farmer and an active member of the Church of the Brethren.
Lewis Schrock Knepper, the subject of this sketch, is a son of Emanuel L. and Emma (Schrock) Knepper, and was born on a farm near Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1889. He acquired his early education in the public schools of the township and the normal schools of Berlin. He taught in the township schools three years, and in the spring of 1909 he was enrolled as a student of Juniata College, in which institution he spent almost four years. While there he was graduated from the normal English and business courses, besides taking some addi- tional studies. He also received his teacher training and advanced teacher training diplomas while in Juniata.
He was married on June 25, 1913, to Miss Grace H. Berkley,
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daughter of Lewis and Sarah Berkley, of Brothers Valley Town- ship. On October 12, 1912, he was called to the ministry in the Brothers Valley congregation, but was not installed until May 15, 1915. He is a good Sunday-school worker, having been one of the superintendents of the Pike Sunday-school for several years. He is taking up the work of the ministry faithfully and promises to become a useful man in the church.
WILLIAM M. KNOPSNYDER.
William M. Knopsnyder, second son of Ahimas and Martha Ann Knopsnyder, was born near Freed, Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania, December 2, 1865. He was reared on the farm, and his oc- cupations are farming and lumbering. His parents were members of the Evangelical Church.
On February 26, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Re- becca C. Miller, daughter of George F. and Susan Miller, of In- dian Head. Their church affiliation was Brethren. Brother and Sister Knopsnyder became members of the Church of the Breth- ren July 2, 1895, and in September, 1901, he was elected to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. In March, 1903, he was advanced to the second degree. In that capacity he labors in the Indian Creek congregation.
DANIEL LANE.
Daniel Lane was one of the ministers of the Ten Mile con- gregation, and died November 10, 1885, in his 76th year. " He was a faithful and tried servant. He was called to the ministry some years ago, but never made his ministerial calling so much of a study as to fit himself for extensive work, but with the humble means God gave him, he did the best he could, in helping to pro- mote the Master's cause. The Lord will abundantly reward." Funeral discourse was preached from the eleventh chapter of John by Elder John C. Johnson.
JOSEPH LEATHERMAN.
Joseph Leatherman was born in 1760. From Eastern Mary- land he moved into the Georges Creek congregation about the year 1800. His home was about four miles from Uniontown, Fayette County. He was a minister of considerable ability; he also was a very successful farmer. He died in 1848, at the age of 88 years.
CHRISTIAN LEHMAN.
Christian Lehman, son of Christian Lehman, was born March 14, 1803, on the banks of the Stony Creek, about four miles south of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His parents were of German de-
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scent, and of the Mennonite faith. His educational advantages were very limited, being altogether in German. However, he learned to read and write the English.
Elizabeth Berkey, daughter of Peter Berkey, Esq., was born on the banks of the Shade Creek, about three miles above its junc- tion with the Stony Creek, March 1, 1808. Her parents also were of German extraction, and were followers of the religious ideas of Conrad Beissel, who in early days had departed from the com- munion of the Church of the Brethren, organized by Alexander Mack, at Schwarzenau, Germany, one hundred years before Eliza- beth was born.
When these two noble young persons had entered into the holy bonds of matrimony, in 1824, the all-important question con- fronted them: "How can we reconcile our denominational dif- ferences so that we can worship the God we love and on whose guidance we have to depend for success in life?" Very wisely they agreed to "search the Scriptures." The result was a united acceptance of the faith of the Church of the Brethren, and in that faith they brought up all their children. .
To Brother and Sister Lehman thirteen children were born, as follows: Charles, married to Hannah Cripe; Peter C., married to Elizabeth Wingard; Daniel, married to Rachel Keim; William (never married); Levi, married to Catharine Ripple; Hiram, mar- ried to Lizzie Knavel; Mary Ann, married to Jacob Thomas; Eliza- beth, married to Daniel Blough; Polly, married to Jacob Hol- sopple; Catharine, married to Joseph Holsopple; Sarah, married to Daniel Hoffman; Caroline, married to Levi Blough; and Har- riet, married to Josiah Fry. All the above children are dead.
Brother Lehman lived on a farm in Richland Township, Cam- bria County, and was called to the ministry in the old Conemaugh congregation, probably in the thirties. When the Shade Creek congregation was cut off Conemaugh, and erected into a new con- gregation, Brother Lehman was ordained its first elder. This was probably about 1843, or later.
In this office he served the church faithfully until his death. All his preaching was in German, though he could speak and read the English. He was not what might be called a very fluent speak- er, or a great revivalist, and yet he wielded an influence over the people so that he won their respect. When the care of the church was committed to him, he felt very humble, and was so modest and diffident that he never got the consent of his mind to exercise in the matter of officiating at love feasts. But he was a good house- keeper and filled the scriptural requirements. He was a man of reserved nature, yet he managed to say yes and no when he meant it.
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He took very little part in politics, believing the kingdom of Christ and the world to be separate kingdoms, and that God would find men in each to run its own affairs. Hence he was seldom seen at elections.
He made his living by farming and did most of his travel on horseback. He had but one buggy and one spring wagon, and that only a few years before he quit farming. He died June 28, 1874, aged 71 years, 3 months and 14 days. Sister Lehman died August 9, 1884, aged 76 years, 5 months and 8 days. Both are buried in the farm burying ground.
Elder Lehman reared a godly family, there being a long line of church officials among his numerous descendants. One son, two sons-in-law, and nine grandsons have been called to the preaching of the Word. Much of the above was compiled by his son, Hiram, and the manuscript was found among his papers.
HIRAM LEHMAN.
Hiram Lehman, son of Elder Christian and Sister Elizabeth (Berkey) Lehman, the youngest child in a family of thirteen, was born June 24, 1849. He was given a fair common school education. He was reared on his father's farm in Richland Township, Cam- bria County.
He was married to Lizzie Knavel, daughter of Jacob Knavel, of Paint Township, Somerset County, by Elder Hiram Mussel- man, March 13, 1870.
They settled on a farm along the Scalp Level and Johnstown Pike, near Geistown, Richland Township. Here their family, con- sisting of three sons, Lorenzo J., Irvin and Maurice, and two daughters, Clara and Alice, was reared to manhood and woman- hood. Parts of the farm being rocky, much hard labor was re- quired to fit it for agricultural purposes. But Brother Lehman was never afraid of hard work. He might be termed an ideal farmer. He raised good crops, delighted in well-bred stock and was con- siderable of a horticulturist.
He was much interested and concerned about the welfare of his neighbors. No call for help or favors was refused if it was possible to grant it. He would sometimes voluntarily go to the assistance of his neighbors, who chanced to be backward with their crops or harvesting. He was very prompt to meet business ob- ligations. His word was as good as his note.
In church matters he was just as prompt and systematic as in his temporal affairs. He was a regular attendant at church services, usually taking the entire family. He had a deep love and tender regard for the church of his choice. In Sunday-school
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Hiram Lehman and Wife.
work he felt at home. Discussing Bible topics, either in the Sunday- school or in the home, with visitors, was his delight. These traits of character in his life were noticed by the membership of the Shade Creek church, so when they were looking about for ministers, July 10, 1887, they selected him as one of their choice, though he was living at one end of the congregation. (The author of this work was the other one.) Feeling that his age (38) was against him, he hesitated at first to accept the call. But after weighing the matter seriously, he stepped forward, received the commission and shouldered the responsibility with a determination to succeed.
Living to one side of the large congregation made his min- isterial duties rather laborious, but he was faithful in filling his appointments, whether the weather was fair or inclement. He fre- quently represented his congregation at the District Meetings, and he was District Treasurer from the time of Elder Musselman's death until he passed from the scenes of time. He never cared for popularity, desiring rather to keep in the background. The spring before his death the elders' meeting passed him for ordination, but it was not attended to before he took sick. The fall before he had preached the annual sermon before the ministerial convention, held in the Dunnings Creek congregation.
It was very largely through his efforts that a system of gath-
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ering church funds with more of an equality was introduced in his congregation. This system was suggested by Paul to the Co- rinthians in the sixteenth chapter and second verse. The plan worked admirably and was used many years.
Brother Lehman was baptized November 7, 1869, in the Shade Creek congregation. Sister Lehman was baptized in the Cone- maugh congregation, by Elder Solomon Benshoff, in 1864.
Brother Lehman died July 23, 1902, aged 53 years and 29 days, and was buried in the Berkey cemetery, the funeral being conduct- ed in the Scalp Level church by H. S. Replogle, J. E. Blough and others.
THE LICHTY FAMILY.
Among the many substantial and enterprising families of Som- erset County and some of the Western States must be mentioned the Lichty family. One Christian Lichty emigrated to this country from Germany some time in the eighteenth century. Among his descendants can be counted a number of ministers and deacons. Among his sons was John C. Lichty, of Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Two of his (John C.'s) sons, Sol- omon and Jonas, were ministers. Jonas Lichty's son, W. H. Lichty, is an elder in the South Waterloo (Iowa) church.
Jacob Lichty, another of Christian's sons, was also an elder. So was Jacob's son, Jonathan, who was called to the ministry in the Middle Creek congregation and died in Morrill, Kansas.
JACOB LICHTY.
As above stated, Elder Jacob Lichty was a son of Christian Lichty. He was born in Elk Lick, April 28, 1790. His first wife was Barbara Myers, daughter of Elder Michael Myers, and his second wife was the widow of William Miller. Eld. Lichty lived and labored in the Elk Lick congregation. He was a minister about twenty-eight years and the last five years of his life he was an overseer or bishop. He died February 14, 1854, aged 63 years, 9 months and 16 days. His funeral text was Matthew 24: 44.
JONAS LICHTY.
Elder Jonas Lichty was born in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1830. He was the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Fike) Lichty. He was reared on his fa- ther's farm between Salisbury and Meyersdale. He was educated under the subscription school system, receiving a part of his edu- cation in a little log house within several rods of his father's home.
He was married to Mary Miller December 1, 1851. To this union were born five sons and four daughters. In their early days
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Elder Jonas Lichty.
they bought the home farm, which they greatly improved in the fertility of the soil and in buildings. Elder Lichty was considered an up-to-date farmer and took pride in improving his stock.
His early piety is indicated by the fact that he united with the church while yet a single man, which was something unusual for that day. Several years after his marriage he was called to the deacon office, which he faithfully filled. In May, 1860, he was elected to the ministry at a council held in Joseph Fike's barn, not far from his home. In this capacity he served faithfully, preaching principally in the German language. In 1877, or probably several years before, he was ordained to the eldership, and when, in 1877, the old Elk Lick congregation was divided into three congregations, Elder Lichty was one of the elders placed in charge of the Summit Mills congregation, which he served for years. In his later years he preached mostly in the English language.
Elder Lichty did considerable preaching outside of his congre- gation, traveling on horseback. He often left home Saturday morning and returned on Monday. One time while away from home his house with most of its contents was burned to the ground. Many valuable records, books, clothing, household goods, etc., were thus burned that might have been saved if he had been at
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home. His companion, however, who was a most faithful standby, was glad that he was not at home, lest he should have ventured into the burning building, and thereby received injury, or perhaps lost his life.
Thirty-six years Elder and Sister Lichty lived together in happy wedlock. In her latter days Sister Lichty suffered severely with an inward cancer. Her suffering was intolerable and her death was long expected, yet she bore it all for years with sweet, gentle patience, sustained by the inward power of grace and faith. Both were noted for their piety and worth. Their home was always an open one for the poor, wayfaring traveler.
About 1888 he removed to Waterloo, Iowa, where he was mar- ried to Mrs. Sallie Schrock, of the same place, March 30, 1890, Here he lived until November 21, 1893, when, after an illness marked by Christian patience and resignation, he passed away at the age of 63 years, 1 month and 6 days. Two days later his body was laid to rest in the cemetery near the South Waterloo church, the funeral being conducted by Elder G. B. Royer, using as a text Romans 15: 13.
Brother Lichty was not known so much for his sermons in preaching as in living. His kindness, sociability, and cheerfulness made his home dear to his family, and agreeable to all who were permitted to cross its threshold. During his life he was liberal to the charities of the church, and he took much pleasure in seeing the Sunday-school grow in numbers and organization. His great desire was that the church might prosper and many souls might be gathered into God's kingdom, and that some time he might meet them in a world where there are no sorrow, sickness, sin or death.
"Thus star by star declines, Till all are passed away; As morning high and higher shines To pure and perfect day; Nor sink those stars in empty night, They hide themselves in heaven's own light."
SAMUEL LIDY.
It is said that when Samuel Lidy was a boy he was so remark- ably defective in speech that at the age of sixteen his articulation was so indistinct that he could scarcely be understood. This with other difficulties of his day prevented him from getting the benefit of any but the most rudimentary education. But his excellent character, known for probity and Christian consistency, marked him out as a good subject to be named for "Preacher " when the Conemaugh Brethren looked for such a one.
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His early experiences or labors are thus related by himself: "I was a poor reader and had but few books, but I had the Book of books which my wife, Polly, who was of Yankee extraction, helped me to read and understand. The brethren, as is customary, would give me liberty, but I seldom used it, except to open or close meetings by lining hymns for singing and prayer. But one Sunday morning I learned that I would be the only preacher at the appointment, my colleague not being well. This was a new ex- perience to me. It was with a heavy and sad heart I made my way to the schoolhouse, where I was expected to talk to the people. A good congregation was already there when I arrived. When the proper time came I opened the meeting as usual, not know.ng what next I would offer the people. I recommended my case to the care of the Lord and read a scripture and commenced to talk. Soon it appeared that my understanding was enlarged and utterance was given me beyond my own or anybody else's expectation. I soon learned that the people said that I could and did preach. The older brethren heard of it, and were more persistent than ever that I should take the subject and preach, which I felt more ready to do than before. But the first effort after the above experience was far from satisfactory to myself.
" On the whole I came to the conclusion that the first sermon the Lord preached through me for the benefit of the people, while the other, from whatever source it came, was for my own special good. I lived on the banks of the Conemaugh, just above where the town of East Conemaugh now stands, and was associated in the work with Elders John Mineely, Levi Roberts, Jacob Stutz- man and Jacob Waters. We would preach alternately at the several appointments or places of worship, which were uniformly in the Brethren's houses or barns, or schoolhouses that were located favorably for our use, or such other places as we could secure. Religion was at a low ebb. Philip Hoffman and Barbara, his wife, had moved from Morrison's Cove to a farm about two miles south of Scalp Level. They had two sons, Jacob and John, and nine daughters, Mary, Catharine, Susan, Barbara, Mattie, Elizabeth, Christina, Franey and Sally. They were all at home when I used to take my staff in hand on the banks of the Conemaugh and walk out to their place, crossing the Bedford Road at Horner's, now Geistown, and following the Glades Road to where Scalp Level now stands. Turning to the right a few miles farther on I reached the hospitable home of Brother Hoff- man. The distance was about eleven miles. I would try to preach to the edification of the church in his house. I believe they all became members of the church."
In the year 1840, Emanuel Brallier, Elder Lidy's brother-in-
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law, moved from the East to the Blacklick settlement, in Cam- bria County. Soon after this two brethren by the name of Fyock moved to Indiana County, one in the vicinity of where Purchase Line is now located, and the other a few miles from where Manor is now located. There were a few other members by the name of Soyster and Brown located in this region. About 1841, Samuel Lidy, impressed with the missionary spirit, pulled up stakes at Conemaugh and settled at what he conceived to be a convenient point to reach these members scattered over a large territory, and give them such spiritual food as he was able to impart. The Manor church was organized soon after he moved there and he was given charge of it.
BISHOP CONRAD GILLIAN LINT.
Bishop Conrad Gillian Lint, who for over fifty years served as pastor of the local congregation of the Church of the Brethren at Meyersdale, was born May 19, 1834, at Meyers Mills (now Meyers- dale), Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the son of Gillian Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Hochstetler) Lint, of Swiss and German descent, respectively.
Christian Lint, grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania. He be- came a farmer in Somerset County, and later in life removed to Ohio, where he died. His wife was Miss Lichteberger, of West- moreland County. They had children as follows: Christian, John, Jacob, Conrad, Daniel, Elizabeth (Mrs. Baker), and Gillian C. Jacob bought the home farm, where he died at the age of 90.
Gillian C. Lint married March 6, 1832, Elizabeth Hochstetler, who was born April 18, 1812, a daughter of Jacob Hochstetler, Jr., of Somerset County. The following children were the issue of this marriage: Conrad Gillian was born May 19, 1834; Margaret (Mrs. Samuel Foust), born February 14, 1836, died May 2, 1884, at Mey- ersdale; Eliza (Mrs. M. D. Miller), April 12, 1838; Anna (Mrs. Israel Berkley), January 4, 1841; William Gillian, March 14, 1843, died July 1, 1903, at Meyersdale; Mary (Mrs. Isaac Miller), August 4, 1844; Daniel Gillian, February 1, 1847, died February 9, 1905, at Cross Roads; Zacheria, October 1, 1848, died May 19, 1849, at Meyersdale; Lydia (Mrs. Alex. E. Shoemaker), April 24, 1850; Sarah Jane, November 5, 1852, died August 25, 1854; and Edward, born and died October 1, 1859. Gillian C. Lint died May 20, 1893. His wife, Elizabeth, died June 25, 1881.
Margaret was the first and Conrad Gillian, or Bishop Lint, as he is more familiarly called, the second one of the Lint family to be- come identified with the Church of the Brethren, their parents having been members of the Reformed Church.
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Bishop C. G. Lint.
Bishop Lint was born in Meyers Mills, now Meyersdale, in a log house which stood on the east side of what is now Center Street, near the Flaugherty bridge. Having arrived at school age he was sent to the excellent subscription schools of those days, there having been no public schools, and his instructors were num- bered among the leading educators of their day, and were con- sidered eminent authorities in their line throughout the entire
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State. Among them were numbered Alexander Stutzman, who later became a leading attorney of Somerset County; Joseph Stutz- man, afterwards the first school superintendent in the county after the installation of public schools; Christ Stutzman, M. D .; Frank Stutzman, an attorney-at-law; W. J. Baer, later judge in the court of common pleas; C. C. Musselman, afterwards an assemblyman; and General William H. Koontz. Possessing a more than ordina- rily receptive mind, in addition to an ardent desire for learning, the bishop industriously applied himself to his books and the tasks set before him, with the result that he kept pace with the best in his class, and early in his teens he possessed an education of no mean dimensions, enabling him to properly and clearly state his position in debate at the numerous literary societies held in those days. Being a great reader of choice literature, he succeeded in amassing a fund of information that stood him in good stead when he decided to take up the work of the ministry. He has a large and excellent library of works of reference and other vol- umes, which has been one of the chief delights of his life, and until failing eyesight overtook him many hours were daily spent in por- ing over its multitudinous pages with an unabating desire for im- provement in the line of his profession.
Before the expiration of his school days, which, of course, was early in young manhood, he entered the blacksmith shop of his father as an apprentice. At this strenuous calling he labored for a period of almost seven years, and became an expert in the work of fashioning iron. It is said he had few if any peers in the work of the anvil, and in some of the more technical points of the trade he was more than usually efficient and expert. However, his work in the smithy did not tend to dampen the young man's ardor along educational lines. He continued his pursuit after knowledge in season and out of season. His evenings were spent in night school or in the seclusion of his room at home, reading useful and in- structive books.
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