USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 35
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He had an interest in a water-power sawmill, and he and the boys had sawed out a lot of lumber. There came a very severe drought, so that the sawmill as well as the flourmills had to be closed down and the neighborhood was in great need. As Brother Minser and family had finished eating their dinner one day and everything had been consumed, the mother said, "What shall we do? We have nothing for supper." Brother Mark in his kind way said, "The Father of all good will provide." Not knowing what was in store he went back with the boys to stack lumber. They had scarcely begun their work when they heard the sound of wagons, and sure enough, two loads of wheat and flour came. The owner had come to exchange the wheat and flour for lumber. The deal was soon made. Not having had dinner, the men took a sack of flour to the house, and it wasn't long until a steaming meal was prepared and all rejoiced. From that time on there was plenty for the family as well as for the neighbors until the drought was over.
Elder Graybill Myers, a very active evangelist of Middle Pennsylvania, made frequent missionary tours through the Alle- gheny Valley and brought many into the fold of Christ. During one of these trips he baptized Brother Minser, September 7, 1854, in a stream in Cope's Settlement, in Clarion County. His wife was baptized November 4, 1854. He was called to the ministry in 1858. His first effort to address an audience was at Carley schoolhouse, in Jefferson County, when he became so impressed with the responsibility and work before him that he was unable to use his prepared notes. All he could do was to read a scripture and close the meeting. In later years he handled the Scriptures with power, bringing many into the kingdom, principally by per- suasion. While his exegesis was not so deep, it was convincing in its correctness. For thirty-seven years he served the church faithfully in the ministry.
Brother Minser was advanced to the second degree of the ministry in 1867, in the Montgomery congregation, Indiana Coun- ty, while still living in Jefferson County. With his family he moved to Indiana County in 1868, and became very active in church work and in helping the sick and the needy. On account of a gun- shot wound he had received while a young man, he could not ride horseback. He walked many miles to fill his appointments.
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He considered it his duty to do his Master's bidding and was al- ways prompt in his work. While he labored in the Montgomery congregation his appointments were far apart. Upon one occa- sion, after doing a week's work, he walked twenty miles on Sat- urday to fill his appointment. The next day he walked back, arriving just a few minutes late. He walked direct to the pulpit, consulted his watch, and remarked, "I am almost on time," and began addressing the waiting audience, with all love, never murmuring of any hardships. Upon another occa- sion he walked nearly eighteen miles to fill an appointment, mostly through a deep forest. While on his way he became very hungry and weak. Nearing the top of a hill, he found that a re- cent forest fire had left many fine roasted chestnuts lying on the ground. There in the solitude he gave thanks to his Father, and then began to appease his hunger. He also filled his pockets with chestnuts, that he might have a treat for the children where he would stop for the night. Such acts of kindness as these were his delight.
Brother Minser was ordained to the eldership in 1877. In 1880 he moved onto a farm in the Manor congregation, where, upon the death of Elder David Ober, the charge of the Manor congregation fell upon him. Soon after this move the Montgomery brethren realized their loss and called him to take charge of their con- gregation again. He never needed to be urged to do his duty. Answering many calls to do mission work, he opened a number of new fields in undeveloped territory, and had them in good stand- ing when he gave over his work.
For many years he served his congregation as delegate at District Meetings, and in 1879 he represented the District on the Standing Committee, at Broadway, Virginia.
He preached many funerals and performed many marriage ceremonies. His was a free ministry in the fullest sense of the word. He never received any remuneration for his services, yet he did his work cheerfully, looking for his reward in the world to come. He never had occasion to call for a committee to assist in adjusting difficulties or dissatisfaction. He always worked for peace and harmony in the church as well as in the neighbor- hood. His motto at council was: "Union first before there could be a communion." He was frequently called to assist in com- mittee work.
As his health failed him it was his prayer and desire to travel and preach as heretofore. This he did as long as he was able. Shortly before he took his bed he went two miles to church, and from there to a council at the Manor house, ten miles away.
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Being scarcely able to walk, Brother Jacob Fyock took him in a conveyance.
As life ebbed away, his mind wanderings and prayers were for the peace of the church and for his family. He peacefully fell asleep November 22, 1895, at the age of 67 years, 2 months and 17 days. Funeral services were conducted by J. H. Beer, assisted by J. W. Spicher and Joseph Holsopple. Text, Rev. 14: 13. Inter- ment in Crooked Creek cemetery.
SAMUEL MOORE.
Elder Samuel Moore was a minister in the Ten Mile congre- gation, and died April 27, 1866, aged 36 years, 3 months and 16 days. His disease was chronic bronchitis. "Our esteemed broth- er removed to Hancock County, Ohio, early in the spring of last year and enjoyed apparently good health up to the month of August, when he took ill, and after a protracted illness of over six months, and at the suggestion of his physician, he returned back to Pennsylvania to his kind relatives. He left a widow and two small children. He arranged all his temporal estate for the benefit of his dear companion. Funeral services were conducted by Elder Joseph I. Cover."
PETER MORGAN.
He is also known as Peter Maugen, or Maken, but his will is signed Morgan. He came from Hagerstown, Maryland, about 1797. He bought a tract of land containing 120 acres from Ludwig Wissinger and secured a warrant for the land dated April 4, 1798, in which article the tract is called "Society Hill." At that time it was in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County. Now it is in Stony Creek Township, Cambria County. June 8, 1799, he paid a surveyor forty shillings for surveying this tract. This "Society Hill" was later known as the Jacob Wertz farm, near Walnut Grove. He was married to Margaret Groos. They had six children: Daniel, Elizabeth, married to John Mineely; Hannah, married to Jacob Hoffman; Mary, Susannah and Catharine. Through Mary Hoffman, born May 18, 1818, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah Hoffman, who was married to Jacob Wertz, the whole Wertz family descended.
Elder Morgan was one of the first ministers who settled in this part of the State. Not much is remembered by the present generation about his ministerial labors. He was probably well up in years when he moved here. His descendants are still numerous in and around Johnstown.
THE MURRAY FAMILY.
The ancestor of the Murray family in America was born in
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Dublin, Ireland, and was a man with a good education. By pro- fession- he was a school-teacher. The date of his emigration to America was not obtained. The names of two of his sons are known, John and Jacob.
John Murray was married to Miss Catharine Saur, Jr., of Philadelphia. The date of their removal across the mountains into Western Pennsylvania is not remembered, but they settled on a stream called Champion, a tributary of Indian Creek, Fay- ette County. . John was appointed justice of the peace by the Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, which office he held till death. John never became a member of the Church of the Brethren. Sister Murray, being a member of one of the early prominent families of the church, was a faithful and influential member and she had the pleasure of seeing her children follow her example.
Their family consisted of four sons, John (died at the age of twenty-one), Samuel (also died in boyhood), Jacob S., William S., and one daughter.
Jacob S. Murray married Susannah Aukerman, and to them were born six sons and six daughters. These at one time were all members of the Church of the Brethren, but in the division two sons and two daughters and their families went with the Brethren. Three of the sons were ministers and three were dea- cons, all before the division. The father of this remarkable family, Jacob S. Murray, was a minister in Fayette County many years. See his biography.
Catharine was the oldest of the children. She married Henry Felgar. They had one son and one daughter. The son died at the age of twelve. The daughter was married to Milton Brooks. They had three sons. The oldest one, Henry, was well educated by his grandfather, was a successful teacher, and was called to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. He gave prom- ise of great usefulness in the church, but moving in high society caused his ruin.
Martha, the second of the children, was married to John Davis, a Methodist. They had three sons and three daughters. One son and the three daughters united with their mother's church.
John was the first son. At twenty-five he was baptized in Indian Creek by Elder James Quinter. Being very zealous and well informed in the Scriptures, he was called to be a deacon. He married Lizzie Fulkerth. In 1850 they moved to the Ryerson Station congregation. Three sons and four daughters blest their home. The three sons, Levi, Joseph and James, are ministers in the Winebrennarian Church. John died in his sixty-fifth year.
James A. was the second son. He married Mary Miller. He
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was first a deacon, and a few years later he and Jonathan Horner were called to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. In 1859 they also moved to the Ryerson Station congregation. They had three sons and four daughters. James A. and his whole family (except his wife) went with the Brethren. This move was caused largely through complications and dissatisfaction arising out of the erection and payment of a new church building. After the division he did not do much preaching. His son, George, was made a deacon, and Jacob was called to the ministry. He died in his ninety-second year.
Samuel A., the next son, was married to Agnes Fulkerth. They lived first in the Indian Creek congregation, next in Jacobs Creek, then in the Ryerson Station congregation, where he was called to be a deacon. To them were born four sons and four daughters. He died in his eighty-eighth year.
William A. Murray was the next child. See his biography.
Next came Elizabeth. She was married to Daniel Myers. They united with the church, and he was called to the deaconship, but in the division they went with the Brethren. Of their three sons and one daughter who reached maturity, one son, Michael, is a minister in the Brethren Church.
The next daughter, Sophia, married Peter Lohr. They also cast in their lot with the Brethren, and their children belong to different denominations. She is now in her eighty-ninth year.
Sarah is the next daughter. She has buried her third husband. They were: James Muir, Jesse Wegley and Jacob Otto. She and her children are members of the Church of the Brethren, and one son is a deacon. She is in her eighty-sixth year.
Jeremiah, the next to the youngest son, went to Greene Coun- ty, and there married Christena Weimer, who was a member of the church. There he united and was elected deacon. They had five sons and five daughters. In 1864 he moved to Black- hawk County, Iowa; about 1872 he moved to Southern Kansas; about forty years ago he moved to Oklahoma, where, so far as known, he still lives, being about eighty-five years old.
The youngest son is Jacob A. See his biography.
Julian, the youngest in the family, was married to B. F. Wei- mer, who united with the church in Greene County. She had joined at the age of twenty. After their marriage they moved to the Jacobs Creek congregation, where he was called to the min- istry. There he labored faithfully and with marked success. Later, by the assistance and earnest solicitation of the Chippewa congregation, Wayne County, Ohio, he moved there. Here he received a hearty welcome, and in a few years was ordained to the eldership. He took a deep interest in the ministerial work
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of Northeastern Ohio. He died in 1914. To them were born three sons and three daughters. Sister Weimer is in her seventy-fifth year. It will be observed that this is a family that is exceptionally long-lived.
William S. Murray, son of John and Catharine (Saur) Murray, was married to Catharine Flack, and they had seven sons and five daughters. William S. was one of the earliest ministers in the Indian Creek congregation. Frederick F. Murray, his son, also was called to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. One son, William, was a minister in the Brethren Church.
The only daughter of John and Catharine (Saur) Murray was married to Jacob K. Miller. They had quite a large family, about all of whom became members of the Church of the Breth- ren, and one son was a minister and elder.
Jacob Murray, first mentioned, had four sons and four daughters. Two of the daughters married into the Church of the Brethren and were members of the same. Henry Pletcher, the husband of one of these sisters, was called to the ministry at the time of the organization of the Ryerson Station congregation.
JACOB S. MURRAY.
It is to be deplored that not more of this faithful minister of the Word is known. I quote from a letter by Brother Andrew Chambers, of Washington, District of Columbia: "Elder Jacob Murray, of the County Line church, Fayette County, Pennsylva- nia, bestowed much labor on the Ryerson Station congregation, Greene County, in the early forties. Many interesting incidents connected with the early days of the work here were related to me by my parents. They said Brother Murray was so interested in the work here that he worked almost day and night, at times, plowing by the light of the moon when the rest of his family were asleep, in order to be on time to break to them the Bread of Life, and that, too, 'without money and without price.'
" Brother Murray could be appropriately called a 'walking Bible,' as he knew much of the Book by memory. He was very enthusiastic in his preaching, using much energy, so much so that they would notice the perspiration from his face run down his beard and drop to the floor. He would preach a sermon to a sin- gle individual the same as to a congregation.
" At the home of my grandfather, John Chambers, he met a Methodist minister. He asked the minister a Bible question he could not answer, upon which he said, 'Old man, where did you get your liquor?' Brother Murray replied: 'Seeing it is but the third hour of the day I am not drunk yet,' and using those words
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as a text he preached the minister a sermon right there. Brother Murray preached in the English language, as none of the people there understood the German, yet his words had the German accent, which would cause some to laugh. On one occasion, while he was preaching in his usual enthusiastic way in a high tone of voice, a young man, standing in front of him, was laughing. Brother Murray, pointing his finger at him, and without lowering his voice, said: 'Young man, there is no laughing in hell,' and con- tinued his sermon without any seeming break in thought or tone. It is said the young man quit laughing at once." See "The Murray Family " for his ancestry and progeny.
JACOB A. MURRAY.
Jacob A. Murray, youngest son and eleventh child of Jacob S. and Susannah (Aukerman) Murray, was born in Fayette Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. There being a difference of six years in the ages of little Jacob and his youngest sister, he was the pet of the large family. Being much of the time under the special care of his mother, who was a pretty good German scholar, she taught him the German, and he, having learned to read English, taught her the English. Besides an old German spelling book, the only book was the New Testament, so, like young Timothy, he was early taught the Holy Scriptures. So, at the age of twelve he felt the strongest religious impressions of his life. But as these impres- sions were given no encouragement they gradually wore away, and it was not till many ycars afterward that he united with the church.
After the death of his father in 1852 he learned the car- penter and cabinet trade, serving as apprentice two and a half years. At the end of this service he received twenty-five dol- lars. After spending six months as clerk in a store, he went to his brother's in Greene County, and worked at his trade.
It was while living in Greene County, in the Ryerson Station congregation, that he united with the church in 1856, married Miss Sarah Bauders, and was called to the ministry in 1857. In 1860 he moved back to the Indian Creek congregation, where he was advanced in 1862. In 1863 he was drafted to go to the army as a soldier. It cost him $300 to be exempted from military serv- ice. This placed him in almost destitute circumstances. In 1864, he and his brother, Jeremiah, and their families, moved to Iowa, landing at Waterloo, August 24, financially broke, but not dis- couraged. Here he was ordained to the eldership in 1872. Elder Murray, in the twenty-two years he labored here, saw the mem- bership grow from about forty to 350, after many had moved farther west, and from booths made of corn fodder in which to
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hold love feasts, to the erection of the South Waterloo church, 40x80 feet and a basement. It was during his residence here that he assisted in the organization of the Willow Creek (South Da- kota) congregation, the first church of the Brethren in the State.
In 1886 he moved to Kimball, South Dakota. Here, with the assistance of Elder W. G. Cook, several churches were organized, several brethren were called to the ministry, and a church build- ing erected. In 1890 he returned to Waterloo. From Waterloo he moved to Western Tennessee, about thirty-seven miles east of Memphis, where he remained two years, studying the character and morals of the people and doing some preaching for the whites and colored folks. He preached principally for the white people of the community, and by the help of some Northern people conducted a Sunday-school, but after fruitless efforts to secure help from the General Mission Board and the District of Tennes- see, he dropped the work and moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1903. In 1910, with his companion and youngest daughter, he moved to the Chippewa church, Wayne County, Ohio, where his companion died, March 22, 1912.
Elder Murray's family consisted of two sons and two daugh- ters. He is now in his eighty-second year, and still is a regular at- tendant at Sunday-school, and does a good deal of preaching. He has preached the Gospel in twelve States, attended thirteen An- nual Meetings, and represented his District on the Standing Com- mittee at Frederick City, Maryland, and Decatur, Illinois. He was helpful in furnishing data for this work.
WILLIAM A. MURRAY.
William A. Murray, the son of Jacob S. and Susannah (Auker- man) Murray, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1824. His father was an active minister in the Indian Creek congregation. William was married in November, 1846, to Miss Eliza Jane McEnteer, with whom he lived to the time of her death in June, 1900. Ten children were born to this union. In March, 1902, Elder Murray was married to Mrs. Louisa Gore.
Elder Murray had few educational advantages, and what op- portunities he had it is said he did not appreciate, as he would rather look after a flock of sheep entrusted to his care than go to school. His education, therefore, was limited. Soon after he was of age he took a job of clearing off a piece of ground for his brother-in-law, quite a distance in the woods. There, by himself, he felt the power of conviction and made the full surrender. He was soon baptized. His devotion and piety were very noticeable, and before he was married he was sent as delegate to the Annual Meeting at Wooster, Ohio.
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He being a Tunker and his wife a Baptist, there might easily have been room for disagreement. But wisely they had agreed before marriage that they would read the Scriptures together, and the one who had the most Scripture in his favor should have the preference. His wife was a good scholar and a school-teacher. It can easily be guessed that the investigation was quite favorable to William. Not long after their marriage William was called to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. He took hold of the work and soon had the confidence of the church and the com- munity. This he did not win by his excellency of speech or ora- tory, but by his piety and sincerity.
In 1855 he moved to the Ryerson Station congregation; in 1863 back to the Jacobs Creek congregation, near Mount Pleas- ant. About four years later, or shortly after the close of the Civil War, he moved to the Northeastern District of Ohio, living at various times in Stark, Richland, Ashland, and Wayne Coun- ties, laboring with the churches located in those counties.
He spent much time in evangelistic work, attended a number of Annual Meetings, and was a constant reader of the church periodicals, having taken all of them, from the Gospel Visitor to the Gospel Messenger. He spent nearly sixty years in the min- istry, preaching up to within a few weeks before his death. He found the greatest pleasure in being about his Master's business.
He had been sick scarcely a day during his entire life, and on the night of his death went to bed as usual. Some time after retiring, his wife, hearing a slight disturbance in his room, went to see what it was and found that his spirit had flown. He died April 14, 1910, aged 86 years, 1 month and 2 days. Funeral services were conducted by D. R. McFadden from 2 Timothy 4: 1-9, and interment was made in Beech Grove cemetery.
HIRAM MUSSELMAN.
Hiram Musselman was born at Meyersdale, Pennslyvania, June 5, 1827. His mother was Caroline Walter. He grew to manhood at Meyersdale, being given only a common school education. Brother Musselman was a contractor and builder for the most part of his active life. Early in life he came to the vicinity of Scalp Level. He was called far and near to erect houses, barns, schoolhouses and churches. He also made furniture in his shop.
He and Miss Frances Yoder were united in holy matrimony by Elder Christian Lehman, January 17, 1858. They took up house- keeping on what is now the Albert Berkey farm near Windber. There they lived for a number of years, but later, about 1870, moved into Scalp Level, where he died. About 1860 both were
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Elder Hiram Musselman and Wife.
baptized by Elder Christian Lehman. He was chosen to the min- istry in 1862, and ordained January 1, 1886.
The writer remembers hearing Brother Musselman tell how he made his start in the ministry. He said: "It wasn't very long after I was called to the ministry, and I had not made any attempt to preach. All the older ministers were away, some, if not all of them, at the Annual Meeting. Brother Jacob Berkey's children had the diphtheria. One of them died, and in the absence of the older preachers I was asked to preach the funeral. I scarcely knew what to do. To refuse, I was ashamed, and to promise, I was afraid. But I finally agreed to undertake it. I felt my weakness and inability, and leaned heavily upon God for help in my great need. The hour for the funeral came, and I trembled, but I put my trust in the Lord, and started out with the sermon, and got along with it remarkably well for a beginner. I was surprised at my success, and the people congratulated me. Well, that was good.
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I had a start. After this it should go all right. In a few days another child died and they called on me again. This time I felt it would be comparatively easy, and I neglected to put so much dependence upon the Lord, but trusted more on Musselman, with the result a complete failure. It was very humiliating, but it was a lesson well learned."
Brother Musselman had a way of making everybody his friend. He was rather jovial, always cheerful, and met people with a smile. While he was a friend to everybody, he was espe- cially so to the young. He was much like it was said of George Washington, the "Father of his Country." The Lord saw fit to leave him childless so that he might be a father to all. It was this spirit of friendliness and helpfulness, and interest in the young people, perhaps, more than his sermons that won for him his popularity.
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