USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 33
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On June 16, 1855, he was baptized into the Church of the Brethren by Elder Jacob Blough, of the Berlin District. The same day he was elected to the deacon's office, which was an almost un- heard of proceeding among our people. Eight days later, on the 24th of June, he was elected to the ministry, which goes to show the great confidence and trust reposed in him by the mem- bers of the congregation, and it can here be stated that that trust was in no wise betrayed. The fact that the young man stood well in the community is amply attested by his rapid advancement in the church after becoming identified with the same. Having just passed the twenty-first milestone of his existence, and a member of the church but eight days when he was chosen for the min-
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istry, goes to show that the church must have had implicit confi- dence in the young man's ability and integrity, and subsequent events have proven the wisdom and far-sightedness of their choice.
About the time of his election to the ministry Bishop Lint had completed several courses in vocal music, and was industriously engaged in teaching the art in the evenings. He had three large and interesting classes in this community, but closed them with all possible dispatch, having decided to devote his entire time and attention to the work of the ministry, and to exert every means at his command for the furtherance of the noble work which he was so early called upon to perform. Preparation for the same was now vigorously pushed. He more frequently sought the night school, redoubled his diligence in reading church history, and in numerous other ways applied his time and talent in preparation for the work. It may be taken for granted, therefore, that his time was pretty well taken up between laboring at the anvil every week- day, studying evenings; and filling several widely-distributed minis- terial appointments on Sunday.
During evenings he would select Scripture texts that struck him most forcibly, write them out on a sheet of paper, pin the same to the chimney of his forge in the blacksmith shop, and dur- ing spare moments ponder over and commit them. He has been a. diligent student of the Word during all the years spent in the min- istry, and few are better posted than he concerning the things spoken of in the Bible. Possessing this qualification made his sermon's interesting and pointed, and each successive occasion of his rendering a sermon showed no diminution in numbers attracted by his preaching. The following incident will illustrate the inter- est manifested in his sermons: While on a preaching tour, in an adjoining State, he announced that he would preach a sermon on "The New Birth," and some one wanting this sermon in print secured the services of a reporter to report his sermon. After the services the reporter was asked if he secured the entire sermon, and he stated that he became so interested in the sermon that he forgot to write.
Individuals, aside from his untiring and active companion, and to whom he ascribes great honor and praise for the ultimate suc- cess attained by him in the work, were Elder Samuel Berkley, who died in 1859; Wm. M. Buechley and Peter Meyers, both of whom died in 1870.
The District in which Bishop Lint began his ministerial work was known as the Elk Lick District, a scope of country about ten miles wide from north to south, and probably about thirty or forty miles in length. The membership at that time was about 175 in the entire District, with six regular preaching stations. The bish-
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op would usually start out early on Sunday morning on horse- back to fill an appointment, the roads frequently being almost impassable, and the weather most unpleasant. He would return home late at night, sometimes not having eaten anything during the entire day except the early meal partaken of prior to start- ing upon his journey in the morning.
In 1865 Bishop John Berkley died, and in 1867 Bishop Lint was chosen as his successor in this District, the membership then having grown to 300. This was the bishop's field of active labor from the year 1867 to October 5, 1912, when, on account of fail- ing eyesight and infirmities of age, he resigned as elder and pastor of the church which he had served so efficiently for over half a century. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the bishop's life, however, is the fact that but few ministers are honored with more than a half century of active work in the ministry, and of fewer still can it be said, as in the case of the venerable Bishop Lint, that he has during all these years presided over one and the same congregation, and was at the time of his resignation the head of the identical congregation or church body into which he was baptized and elevated to the ministry. During this time he has officiated at more than 500 funerals, scattered over a territory as far west as Somerfield and eastward to Wellersburg and has, in his time, performed approximately 200 marriage ceremonies. He has served on the Standing Committee of Annual Meeting for about eight different times, and has been placed on many impor- tant church committees. In committee work he has been asso- ciated with such brethren as Daniel P. Sayler, R. H. Miller, James Quinter, Enoch Eby, John Wise, David Long and Moses Miller. He is the author of several hymns in the present Brethren Hymnal. Up to the building of the Summit Mills meetinghouse, in 1846, services were conducted in private residences, and the first meetinghouse in what is now Meyersdale was erected in 1851, and stood upon the site of the present church, on the south side, and not more than fifty yards from the point where Bishop Lint was born and reared.
Bishop Lint's career in life has been truly remarkable in more ways than one .. Having been born in Meyersdale and resident of that community for a period covering more than eighty years, he has witnessed the growth and progress of the town from almost insignificance to its present importance and affluence. His long residence in the town has made him familiar with all details con- cerning the town and its people during those years, and he pos- sesses a fund of reminiscences that is truly interesting.
The bishop is a man of excellent traits of character, beloved of all who know him intimately. He is of a pleasant and genial
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disposition and charitably disposed toward evildoers, preferring to show them the error of their way by kindly chastisement or friendly argument. In preaching he has always "hewn to the mark and let the chips fall where they may," all of which has tended to broaden and round out his robust Christian char- acter. In his political relations he accords allegiance to the Republican party. He has never held high public office, although repeatedly urged to do so. He has always been deeply inter- ested in educational affairs and served as school director for five terms of three years each, from 1858 to 1873.
He married on April 19, 1855, Catherine Flickinger, eldest daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Beeghly) Flickinger. She was born January 1, 1833. No children have been born of this marriage union. At this writing both are living.
The above was dictated by Bishop Lint, and written by his nephew, J. M. Gnagey.
David L. Little.
DAVID L. LITTLE.
David L. Little, the subject of this brief sketch, was born at Lockport, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1878. His parents are
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C. B. and Mary E. Little. The parents are Methodists and Brother Little was brought up in that faith. On October 20, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza G. Kelly. He united with the church while living at Bolivar, and was baptized May 26, 1908. He was elected to the ministry in the Aughwick church, Middle Pennsyvania, May 26, 1910, and advanced to the second degree on April 17, 1911. By occupation he is an engineer, and his pres- ent location is at Vandergrift Heights, Pennsylvania. Brother Little is a forceful and fearless speaker, and should live where the church would get more benefit from his labors.
THE LIVENGOOD FAMILY.
Peter Livengood (Leibundgut, as he spelled his name in German), the pioneer of the family in America, was born in Swit- zerland in 1731. He emigrated to America about 1750 and lived in Berks or Lancaster County until 1775, when he located in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County. He was a man of good ed- ucation in German, his father having been a school-teacher in Switzerland. W. S. Livengood, editor of the Meyersdale Repub- lican, Meyersdale, a great-great-grandson of his, has in his pos- session a copy of his "Schreibuch" (Writing Book), in which he kept his family records and business accounts covering the pe- riod from 1758 to 1814. It is neatly written in German script.
According to tradition he' was a good preacher. Holsinger's History is authority for the statement that he was a member of the Amish Church, that he and a number of other Amish folks united with the Brethren soon after 1783, and that he was then called to the ministry. He was, therefore, past fifty when called to the ministry. His death occurred in 1827 at the age of 96. One authority states that in Berks County he married Barbara was the father of fifteen children, that his wife died in her ninetieth year, that he lacked only six days of being 100 years of age when he died.
Of the large number of children of Elder Peter Livengood was one named John, the youngest in the family. He married a Miss Hardman, and their children were: Daniel, John, David and Jacob; Elizabeth, wife of John Arnold; and Susan, wife of Samuel Lichty. Both were members of the Church of the Brethren, and tradition has it that he was a minister. Brother Livengood died February 19, 1839, and his wife ten years later.
David Livengood, son of John Livengood, was born October 11, 1809, and was one of the successful farmers of Elk Lick Town- ship. Becoming convinced that the use of whiskey as a beverage was detrimental to the best interests of the community, he was
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.
David Livengood.
one of the first to abandon its use in the harvest field, where it had been considered indispensable. By so doing he incurred the dis- pleasure of many of his neighbors, but was firm in his adherence to what he believed to be right. Despite his limited education, he was a man of wide reading, close observation and liberal views, especially in the case of education, of which he was an ardent friend and supporter. The opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge which he gave his children were regarded with dis- approval by his conservative neighbors.
He married Nancy Meyers, born August 11, 1812, daughter of Michael Myers, and their children were: Samuel D., Jacob D., Barbara, wife of Daniel Barchus; Susan, wife of Jacob M. Lichty; Anna, wife of John L. Saylor, and Adaline, wife of Michael F. Smith. The mother of these children died April 25, 1849, and Brother Livengood subsequently married Sallie Myers. Brother Livengood died October 31, 1870, aged 61 years and 20 days. His widow died in Falls City, Nebraska, in the spring of 1883.
Brother Livengood was for many years a minister of the Elk Lick congregation (called about 1853), but he was what they called a "silent preacher," as he never preached, but always sat
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in the pulpit and assisted with the services by Scripture reading and prayer. He was a very just and pious man and noted for his charity and other good qualities that endeared him to his neigh- bors. He is buried in a cemetery on the old Peter Livengood farm, near Salisbury.
PETER LONGANECKER.
Peter Longanecker was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1778. He united with the church in the Great Swamp congrega- tion in the eastern part of the State, where he was also elected to the ministry. He afterward settled on the old Longanecker farm, one and one-half miles west of Masontown, Fayette Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He spoke in the German language and was not a fluent speaker. He died in 1853, at the age of 75.
GEORGE W. LOWRY.
George W. Lowry, son of W. P. and Susan (Knopsnyder) Lowry, was born April 17, 1840, on a farm, now known as the Knupp farm, near Bakersville, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His parents being Lutherans, little George received the rite of sprinkling when a child. When he grew to manhood he united with the Methodist Church, in which faith he lived until 1878, when he united with the Church of the Brethren at Indian Creek, Westmoreland County, being baptized by Stephen Hildebrand, October 15, 1878.
Brother Lowry acquired an excellent education, and for twen- ty-one years engaged in school-teaching. He taught in the schools of Somerset, Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. The fact that he remained in the profession so long at the low wages paid those days, is evidence that he enjoyed the work and that his teaching was a success. He taught his last term of school in 1887.
At a June council, in 1883, in the Middle Creek congregation, he was called to the ministry, and one year later he was advanced to the second degree. He was considered an able speaker, and was active in missionary and Sunday-school work. He held sev- eral series of meetings with fairly good success.
After he left the schoolroom he worked some on the farm, at the same time doing much studying so as to prepare himself the better for the work of the ministry. He was pastor of the Scullton church of the Middle Creek congregation about fifteen years, but moved near the Middle Creek church a few years be- fore his death, which occurred October 21, 1897, at the age of 57 years, 6 months and 4 days. His funeral services were in the hands of Elder John F. Dietz, who used Daniel 12: 3 as a text. Interment in the Middle Creek cemetery.
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BERZY B. LUDWICK.
Berzy B. Ludwick, second son of Daniel and Catharine (George) Ludwick, was born near Hartsanville, Grant County, West Virginia, June 7, 1877. Daniel Ludwick was born near Junction, West Virginia, and is the son of Daniel Ludwick, Sr., who had moved from Pennsylvania, and whose father came from Germany. Catharine George, Berzy's mother, was born in Grant County, West Virginia, and is the daughter of Elder William George, who is of English descent.
Daniel Ludwick and Catharine George were married in 1874. To this union seven sons were born. All are living except the oldest, who died in infancy. After making several moves they settled on a 257-acre farm two miles west of Junction, West Virginia, where they still live. Here Berzy worked on the farm, his duties including the marketing of fruit and other farm produce. To get the produce to market he often started at three A. M. and did not get back till ten P. M., the distance being from thir- ty-five to fifty miles, round trip.
Berzy's education was procured by attending the public school from two to four months a year, and by borrowing books and reading them. The father being more concerned about paying for his farm and getting out of debt than about the education of his sons, Berzy was not allowed the full length of any school term. But he made the best use of his opportunities, often studying till midnight.
During a meeting held at the Union schoolhouse near Junc- tion, West Virginia, by Elder George S. Arnold, he united with the church, being baptized January 17, 1893. He was elected dea- con in the Beaver Run congregation, West Virginia, in 1894.
After becoming of age he took up the carpenter trade; he also worked at blacksmithing, mining, and firing a locomotive. In the spring of 1900 he visited Elder R. T. Hull, of Somerset County, who persuaded him to spend the summer in the vicinity. During this time he became acquainted with Miss Lulu C. Baugh- man, daughter of Henry and Mary Baughman, of Somerset Coun- ty. On September 30, 1903, he and Miss Baughman were mar- ried, Elder U. D. Brougher officiating. At this time B. B. was working in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and there they took up housekeeping, November 16, 1903. November 30, 1905, Brother Ludwick was called to the ministry in the Georges Creek con- gregation, and in January, 1908, he moved his family to Somerset, Pennsylvania, having purchased an interest in a department store. Here he clerked in the store six days in the week and preached nearly every Sunday.
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In 1910 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Jacobs Creek congregation, though he did not move his family there until Feb- ruary 19, 1911. Four years of successful pastoral work have been completed and he is chosen for another year. In 1910 Jacobs Creek congregation had 160 members, two preaching places and one Sunday-school with an average attendance of forty-seven. Now (December, 1915), the membership is 310, there are five preaching appointments, and the Sunday-school averages 125 in at- tendance. Four young brethren have been called to the min- istry, and the various church auxiliaries are doing good work. Brother and Sister Ludwick's family consists of four sons-Henry D. (who joined the church when nine years old), Harry A., Ray E., and Berzy B., Jr., and one daughter, Mary Catharine. Dur- ing the ten years of his ministry he has preached 818 sermons, held eighteen series of meetings, baptized 161 persons, solem- nized sixteen marriages, assisted in twenty-nine anointings and preached thirty-nine funeral sermons. He is active in the various meetings of the District.
(Portrait on Page 107.)
SAMUEL P. MAUST.
Samuel P. Maust, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Saylor) Maust, was born June 26, 1848, in the old log house on the property of the Consolidation Coal Company, in Summit Township, Som- erset County, Pennsylvania. When ten years of age, with his par- ents he moved to Elk Lick Township, on the old Maust farm, which the Mausts have owned ever since it was patented. Here he has lived ever since.
He received his education in the public schools, supple- mented by two terms of Summer Normal of four and six weeks' length, respectively. When twenty-one he taught a four months' term of school. However, Brother Maust has been a farmer all his life.
On December 21, 1871, he and Miss Lucinda N. Beachy were united in marriage. Sister Maust is a daughter of A. P. and Christiana Beachy. The following spring both united with the church, and July 4, 1879, he, together with Brethren E. K. Hoch- stetler and U. D. Brougher, was elected to the ministry in the Meyersdale congregation. About two years later he was advanced to the second degree of the ministry, and on May 5, 1915, he was ordained to the eldership.
Most of Brother Maust's ministerial work has been, and is being done in the Meyersdale and surrounding congregations. He has kept no record of his services, but he feels now as though a good part of his work was going to and coming from services
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Elder Samuel P. Maust and Wife.
on horseback, through storm, snow, rain and sunshine-all kinds of weather. A good part of Brother Maust's ministry. was on the outskirts of the Meyersdale congregation, which had a large territory before it was divided. Elder Maust is grateful that he was accounted worthy of the high calling to which the Lord called him, regrets that he has not done more, and is still will- ing to do what he can to further the Lord's cause.
CLOYD A. McDOWELL.
C. A. McDowell is the youngest living son of James B. and Ann (Naylor) McDowell. James B. McDowell came to this country from near Ballymenna, County Antrim, Ireland, and fol- lowed public works, mainly railroad work, for a livelihood. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Naylor. To this union five sons were born, of whom two, John and Martin, are deceased, both dying young. Samuel, the oldest, a deacon, and Robert, the next oldest, who is also a member, live near Johns- town.
C. A. was born in Westmoreland County, March 24, 1862, and shortly afterward the family moved to Cambria City, which is now a part of the city of Johnstown, where, on February 18, 1865, the father was killed on the Pennsylvania railroad, just east of the station.
The family continued to live in and around Johnstown, where the mother became a member of the Church of the Brethren, and lived to the age of 78, dying March 21, 1912. C. A. was thrown upon his own resources very early in life. When sixteen he found
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Elder C. A. McDowell and Wife.
employment with the Cambria Iron Company (now Cambria Steel Company), where he continued to work about twenty-five years, the last eight years as an electrician. His schooling was limited to less than half of what might be termed a common school edu- cation of his day.
On April 3, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Hen- derson, daughter of Robert and Anna Rebecca Henderson, of Johnstown. They are the parents of seven sons and four daugh- ters, all living but one son who died in infancy. All but the young- est two are members of the church.
Brother and Sister McDowell united with the church at Wal- nut Grove, in October, 1889, being baptized by A. W. Myers. Several years he served as superintendent of the Pleasant Hill Sunday-school; also as trustee. He was called to be a deacon in the West Johnstown congregation, October 24, 1899; elected to the ministry in the same congregation, December 28, 1899; advanced January 1, 1901; ordained to eldership in the Bolivar church, July 19, 1913, by Elders W. M. Howe and J. J. Shaffer.
Several years after his call to the ministry he left the public works, and tried farming. He sold his farm in 1910, and on April 1, 1911, he took up the pastorate of the Bolivar congregation. Here he remained till March 1, 1915, when he took pastoral charge
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of the Sipesville church of the Quemahoning congregation. Dur- ing his pastorate at Bolivar he baptized forty-one and reclaimed nine.
Elder McDowell has done some fruitful evangelistic work. He held his first meeting in October, 1910, in Bolivar. Since that time he has assisted in about a score of meetings, during which 107 were baptized and sixteen restored. Elder McDowell usually attends the meetings of the District and takes an active part in them.
THOMAS G. McMASTERS.
Thomas G. McMasters, son of Dekil and Celine (Darr) Mc- Masters, was born August 14, 1858, in Chest Township, Clear- field County, Pennsylvania. His parents were of Irish descent, but American born, and were members of the Baptist Church.
Brother "Tommy," as he was familiarly called, was married to Miss Emma R. Pennington by Manuel Hildebran, J. P., of La Jose, Pennsylvania, in 1881. To this union were born eleven children, all of whom are members of the church, but perhaps the youngest daughter. Sister McMasters was born April 5, 1865, and died October 12, 1909, aged 44 years, 6 months and 7 days.
Brother McMasters was for years a member of the Baptist Church, but united with the Church of the Brethren in 1891. He was called to the ministry in the Glen Hope church, July 16, 1896. He was one of the principal workers of his church and sometimes represented it in District Meetings. He was a faith- ful, kind-hearted brother and father. He was the same wherever he went, and he had a kind word for everybody. His zeal for the missionary cause and the Sunday-school was commendable.
He died at Brother Geo. Bishop's home in La Jose, December 31, 1913, aged 55 years, 4 months and 17 days. He was buried in the cemetery at the Chest Creek meetinghouse. His funeral was preached by his brother minister, A. R. Kitchen. He is much missed by the church and by all who knew him.
HARRY MEREDITH.
Harry Meredith, son of George and Elizabeth (Morris) Mere- dith, was born in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, October 4, 1888. George Meredith was born in Stafford- shire, England, October 4, 1848, and came to the United States in April, 1881. Elizabeth Morris was born in Strabridge, County of Worcestershire, England, September 4, 1850, and came to the United States in 1883.
Brother Meredith's educational facilities were rather limited. By occupation he is a paper-hanger. On April 21, 1915, he mar- ried Miss Stella May Krieger. He united with the Church of the
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Brethren in February, 1914, being one of fourteen baptized by Brother B. B. Ludwick. Sister Meredith was baptized during the summer of 1915, having publicly accepted Jesus at the close of the sermon by Elder J. H. Cassady on the closing night of the Sunday-school convention held in the Roxbury house of the West Johnstown congregation. March 27, 1915, Brother Meredith was called to the ministry in the Jacobs Creek congregation, where he now labors.
(Portrait on Page 107.) NATHANIEL MERRILL.
Nathaniel Merrill, son of John and Elenora (Weitzell) Mer- rill, was born in 1844. It is not known when his ancestors emi- grated from Europe. His father was of Scotch descent and his mother of German. He was reared in Allegheny (now Garrett) County, Maryland. He was given a fairly good common school education. Besides being a minister he was a farmer part ol the time.
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