USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 37
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Brother Peck was baptized in Elk Lick Creek by Elder Jacob Blough, May 11, 1870. On May 1, 1876, he was chosen deacon. He was called to the ministry May 9, 1880, and advanced to the sec- ond degree October 10, 1884. Besides preaching at the two regular preaching points in the Summit Mills congregation, Summit Mills and Cross Roads, Elder Peck is an active Sunday-school worker. He served as superintendent of the Summit Mills Sunday-school twenty years, from 1880 to 1900.
LEWIS A. PECK. By P. S. Davis.
Elder L. A. Peck, brother of Jacob W., was born February 4, 1853, in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on the same farm where he has lived all his life to the present. He is the son of John Peck, whose great-grandfather was a pioneer in this locality, having come from Germany and located first in York, this State, and later, by a trend of interesting incidents, located in what is now Addison Township. Here he died, being buried on the farm now owned by John Cramer.
Elder Peck was baptized at Salisbury, Pennsylvania, June, 1876, by Silas Keim, after having been interrogated by the mem- orable James Quinter; was elected to the ministry, with his brother Jacob, in June, 1880; forwarded to the second degree April 24, 1886; ordained to the eldership September 27, 1886, with John N. Davis, each to officiate alternately at councils. After Brother Davis became inactive, the care and oversight of the church rested on Brother Peck.
Being of German stock, he inherited the thrift and enterprise characteristic of that race. He is a man of powerful build and strong executive ability, combining these qualities with a strong
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Elder Lewis A. Peck and Wife.
desire for the adherence of the church to the principles of loyalty and consistency as taught in the Divine Word. He has kept the church in a healthy condition and the inevitable result is a steady growth.
He is also a zealous Sunday-school worker, having been either superintendent or teacher continually for the past thirty years.
Brother Peck has his second wife, the first union being blest with three children as well as the second-three sons and three daughters-all being members of the Church of the Brethren.
It is only when visiting in his home that you come in touch with his true nature. His commodious house, bounteous table, and strong family affiliations are all corroborative evidences of a good "housekeeper."
IRWIN R. PLETCHER.
Irwin R. Pletcher, son of Daniel and Martha Pletcher, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1880. When yet a small child the family moved to Maryland, but returned to Pennsylvania when Irwin was nine years of age. Here he has lived ever since.
His early schooling was somewhat delayed, but at the age of about ten his opportunities improved and he entered the public school in Mt. Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County. He graduated from the public school when sixteen years old in the spring of 1897. After assisting his father in the operation of a sawmill several years, he took six weeks of preparatory work, and began teaching school in Fayette County at the age of nine-
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Irvin R. Pletcher and Wife.
teen. After teaching two years he worked at the carpenter trade and in a store.
On December 25, 1903, he was married to Miss Sadie G. Horner, daughter of Myers and Ida Horner, and granddaughter of Elder D. D. Horner. After working in Elder Horner's mill a year, he purchased it and operated it till 1906, when he was called to the ministry. He sold his mill and moved upon a farm which he had purchased. After four years on the farm he has gone back to teaching, which profession he has followed ever since.
During a series of meetings held by Elder D. H. Walker in the Jacobs Creek house in the fall of 1897, he united with the church, being baptized by Elder J. K. Eicher. He early became in- terested in Sunday-school and church activities. He has served in the capacity of Sunday-school superintendent a number of years, both before his election to the ministry and since. He has represented his church a number of times as delegate in Annual and District Meeting.
DR. RICHARD T. POLLARD.
Richard Thomas Pollard, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pol- lard, was born in Cornwall, England, November 24, 1848. He comes from a family of mine workers, and from his youth he worked in the tin and copper mines of his native country. He had none of the advantages of an early education. When he ar- rived in America, in 1868, he did not know the multiplication ta- ble and was equally backward in all other branches of learning.
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Upon his arrival in America he first went to Hibernia, Morris County, New Jersey, where he was employed in the mines until 1871, when he came to Somerset, entered the employ of W. H. Welfley, and assisted him in his photographic work for one year. For several years he mined and farmed in the southern part of the county.
His eagerness for an education caused him earnestly to apply himself at all possible times to improve his mind. He denied himself all pleasures and luxuries in order to secure an education. In 1875 he came to Elderton, Armstrong County, where he was a student in the Plum Creek Normal. Five years he was engaged in teaching school.
May 2, 1876, he married Mrs. Hannah Kimmel, widow of Peter Kimmel, and daughter of Elder Shumaker, of Red Bank Town- ship, Armstrong County. To this union two sons were born; viz., Thomas S., a miner, and Lee W., a druggist.
After farming some years in Armstrong County, he decided to take up the profession of medicine. In 1889 he entered the Baltimore Medical College, graduating in 1891, obtaining his diplo- mia as a regular practitioner of the allopathic, or old school of medicine. Dr. Pollard began the practice of medicine in Hagers- town, Maryland, in 1891, where he remained two years. In 1893 he moved to Garrett, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he has practiced very successfully ever since. He is a member of the State and County Societies, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Surgeons' Association, and is local surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Garrett.
He was called to the ministry in the Plum Creek congregation in 1879, and ordained to the eldership in the same congregation some years later. In addition to his church work in his home con- gregation, he preached in the Red Bank congregation regularly two years; he also served the Glade Run and Brush Valley churches a year or two. He did not live in Garrett very long until a Sunday- school was opened and preaching services were held. The Garrett meetinghouse was the result of these early efforts. For some years he was active in the ministry, but since his profession makes such urgent demands upon his time, he does not preach much. He is the elder of the Berlin congregation.
Dr. Pollard's success in life is an example of what may be accomplished by a poor boy in America when possessed of pluck, push and perseverance.
JAMES QUINTER.
James Quinter was born in 1816, in Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia. He was baptized in the Coventry church in 1831. He was
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called to the ministry in 1838. In 1839 he with Brother John Umstead visited the churches in Western Pennsylvania, and the brethren of the Georges Greek congregation were much pleased with his piety. They afterward concluded to secure his services for the congregation, and succeeded in getting him to come in 1842. He brought with him his mother, sister and two nephews. The Brethren bought him a small farm upon which, with hard labor, he made a meager living, but supplemented it by teaching
Elder James Quinter.
school in the winter. He was well educated and a very forceful speaker. In warm weather he would take his coat off and speak with a loud voice until the sweat would drop from his face.
In 1856 Brother Henry Kurtz, then editing the Gospel Visitor, at Poland, Ohio, prevailed upon him to assist him in its publica- tion. The church was sorry to see him leave. During his stay in Fayette County the Georges Creek congregation greatly pros- pered. Neighboring churches also were helped.
About 1873 Elder Quinter again moved into Western Pennsyl- vania, locating at Meyersdale. Here he published the Christian
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Family Companion and Gospel Visitor. Some time towards the close of the year 1876, when the publishing interests were re- moved to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Elder Quinter and family also removed there. There he continued to live until his death, which occurred in the Annual Meeting tent at North Manchester, Indiana, while on his knees in prayer, May 19, 1888. He was buried from his home in Huntingdon, May 23, the funeral being con- ducted by Elders H. B. Brumbaugh and W. J. Swigart, assisted by a number of other elders and ministers. He was buried in Riverview cemetery.
Many pages might be written about this faithful man of God, but we felt only like considering him as he was related to the church work of our District. We notice him in another chapter, as an educator. Allusion is also made to his remarkable meetings in the Ten Mile church. During his last residence in the District he was prominent in the District Meetings, holding different offices.
His first wife, whom he married September 17, 1850, was Mary Ann Moser, daughter of Brother Daniel Moser. To them was born a daughter, Lydia Isabella, April 15, 1854.
She was married September 20, 1877, in the Pilgrim chapel, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, by her father, to Elder Jacob T. My- ers, of the Green Tree congregation, Montgomery County, Penn- sylvania. Elder Myers' native county is Somerset. A son, named for his grandfather, James Quinter, was born to them January 23, 1882, and a daughter, Grace Quinter, July 6, 1885.
When Elder Quinter moved to Ohio, in 1856, his mother and sister remained in Fayette County. Through the summer and autumn of 1857 his wife was afflicted with consumption. On Sep- tember 2 she was anointed, and as she greatly desired to see her parents again he accompanied her shortly afterward to her old home in Fayette County, where she died October 9, same year. His mother and sister now came to care for his home and his moth- erless little daughter.
April 11, 1861, he was married to Fanny, daughter of Elder John Studebaker. To them two daughters were born-Mary N., January 21, 1863, and Grace, June 10, 1870. Grace was married to F. F. Holsopple. Mary N., after having labored in Juniata Col- lege a number of years, both as student and teacher, sailed as missionary to India in 1903. On the field she did commendable work. She had the supervision of the Widows' Home in Jalal- por, a position carrying with it concern for the welfare of some of the most unfortunate of India's wretched ones. She was home on furlough in 1910-1911, and spent some time among the churches, where her messages were heard gladly. She passed to her reward January 14, 1914.
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GEORGE RAIRIGH.
The Rairigh family has taken an active part in the work of the church in Western Pennsylvania, as well as in a number of the Western States and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. So far as known all the Rairighs and Raricks in the Church of the Brethren are descendants of one John Rairigh, who with his wife came from Germany, and likely settled first in the "Valley" of Virginia, for they moved from Virginia and located between Plumville and Smicksburg, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
Elder George Rairigh, Sr., who was a son of John Rairigh, and was born August 22, 1793, located on a farm about a mile north of the present town of Sagamore, Cowanshannock Township, Arm- strong County. His wife was Elizabeth Bair, a Southern lady. Whether their marriage took place before coming to Pennsylva- nia is not stated; neither is it known definitely where they united with the church. On their farm they had a log house and log barn. In the barn, which is still in use, Elders Levi Roberts and John Mineely and other pioneer ministers held forth the Word of life. Love feasts also were held there.
Elder Rairigh was the first preacher elected in the Cowan- shannock congregation. The date is not known, but it must have been near the close of the twenties of the past century, or early in the thirties. It is said he preached his first sermon in his own barn. As a boy he had no educational privileges. When called to the ministry he could not read his text. His devoted wife read it for him. She also taught him to read the German language. When, later, the people wanted English preaching she also taught him the English. What Elder Rairigh lacked in education he more than made up in piety, industry, devotion, perseverance and ear- nestness in the cause. In this way he was helped to overcome the many difficulties that loom up in the way of missionary effort.
Elder Rairigh was a home missionary in the fullest sense of the word. While his faithful wife managed the farm and did the spinning, he was about his Father's business. It is said that it required twenty-six weeks to give meetings in turn to the mission points that had been opened by this earnest and self-sacrificing minister. His field was Armstrong and adjoining counties. He traveled some on horseback, but mostly afoot. He is said to have made two missionary journeys on foot to the State of Ohio. He went all kinds of weather, and when necessary swam the streams. He counted not his life dear unto himself. Under his earnest preaching, which he often emphasized by striking his Bible, many people were converted and baptized by him. He was called far and wide to officiate at funerals, for which calling he was peculiarly
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fitted. He was a rather slight-built man, very active, and it is but natural that so strenuous a life could not endure very long. He contracted a bronchial affection from which he died October 10, 1856, aged 63 years, 1 month and 20 days. He was buried in the Cowanshannock cemetery.
Here I quote from the Gospel Visitor of that time: "The day before his death he was in ordinary health, and occupied with such work as he still felt able to do. Though he suffered these twelve years, more or less, of bronchitis, he went to bed at his usual time without particularly complaining. About two o'clock he was taken with violent vomiting of blood, and before a light could be lit his spirit had fled and his body was a corpse."
Their children were: Samuel, Peter, George, John, Annie (married Joseph Whitacre), and Catharine (married David Hel- man). All but Annie were members of the Church of the Breth- ren. Samuel was a minister in Cowanshannock. He moved to Ohio, and later to Peabody, Kansas, where he died in the Old Or- der church. John, a deacon, moved to Ohio and later to Indiana. Three of his sons, Isaac F., J. W. and J. G., are ministers. George moved to Cherry Tree, Indiana County. Two of his sons, Isaiah and George S., were preachers.
Of Elder George Rairigh's great grandsons three are in the ministry; viz., S. F. Rairigh, of Denton, Maryland, a son of Elder George S., Ralph Rarick, of Bethany Bible School, a son of Levi Rarick, and W. Carl, of Colfax, Indiana, a son of Elder J. W. Rar- ick.
JAMES F. REAM.
James F. Ream, son of Garrett and Sarah (Horner) Ream, was born near Goshen, Indiana, August 25, 1858. About 1865 the family moved to Scalp Level, Pennsylvania, where James grew to manhood. His education was received in the public schools of that vicinity. In Garrett Ream's family were three sons: Jeremiah, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, James F. and Alonzo E. (deceased). In his earlier years Brother Ream assisted his father in the mer- cantile business in Scalp Level.
In 1882 Brother Ream and Sister Christina Holsopple, daugh- ter of Elder Jacob and Polly (Lehman) Holsopple, were united in marriage. To this union the following children were born, namely: Carrie, Ira, Emma, Verna, Roy, Ruth, Margaret, Florence, and Harold. Brother and Sister Ream began housekeeping in Scalp Level, where for about twenty years he was engaged in the har- ness-making business. Later they lived a number of years at Quakertown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The last few years they have resided on a farm in Indiana County, near Cramer.
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Brother Ream united with the Church of the Brethren in Scalp Level in 1882, being baptized by Elder Hiram Musselman. He at once began to be active in Sunday-school work at that place. He held almost every official position in Sunday-school from super- intendent down. He is a great lover of music, and has been a leader in song for many years. On July 4, 1893, he was elected to the ministry in the Shade Creek congregation, where he labored until 1908, when they moved from the congregation to Bucks County.
Brother Ream has frequently represented his congregation at the District Meetings, and he was the treasurer of that meeting from the death of Hiram Lehman until he left the District.
SAMUEL F. REIMAN.
Samuel F. Reiman was born in Stony Creek Township, Som- erset County, Pennsylvania, March 23, 1841. He was the oldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fike) Reiman, to whom were born seven children.
The earlier period of his life was spent on his father's farm, during which time he took advantage of the educational privileges afforded by the common schools of his day. Later he attended some of the normal schools of the county and qualified himself for the work of teaching.
On January 21, 1865, by Elder Daniel P. Walker, he was mar- ried to Miss Rebecca Schrock, daughter of Elder George and Su- san (Horner) Schrock, and sister of Elder W. G. Schrock. To this union were born Alvin H., who died in infancy; Mahlon S., married to Dillie V. Walker; Clara G., married to Elder J. J. Shaffer, died in 1913; George S., married to Emma E. Walker, and Elizabeth S.
After his marriage he settled on a farm in Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, where he resided until his death.
Brother Reiman served the church a number of years, as dea- con, and in 1880 he was called to the ministry in the Brothers Valley congregation. In 1895 he was ordained to the eldership.
As a public speaker Elder Reiman won no special distinction, but, generally speaking, it may be said of him that his thoughts were forceful, conclusive, and convincing, being the product of a heart overflowing with love for the souls of men. He possessed that true devotion to the principles of the church of his choice that comes only through the constant study of God's Word and a willingness to be guided by the Holy Spirit. In all his religious work he was sincere, believing that the true Christian should prac- tice what he preaches. To him pretense and outward show were only a "form of godliness," not having "the power thereof." To
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him honor and fame were not the product of an ambitious life, but the reward of a life of sacrifice and humble service for the Master and the church.
As a private citizen he was generous, almost to a fault, to those whom he considered worthy, and to every one in need he was always willing to extend the helping hand and a word of cheer and comfort.
His two sons are deacons, and his grandson, Ralph Reiman, is a young minister. Peacefully he passed out of this life on the morning of the 17th of February, 1897, and was buried in the Pike church cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by Elder Silas Hoover.
1
Ralph Walker Reiman.
RALPH WALKER REIMAN.
Ralph W. Reiman, son of Deacon Mahlon S. and Dillie V. (Walker) Reiman, was born September 26, 1894, in Brothers Valley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His sister, Ruth, was born December 1, 1900. Ralph is supplementing his common school education by attending Juniata College. He was called to the ministry in the Brothers Valley congregation, October 12, 1912, and installed in 1915.
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HARVEY SNOWBERGER REPLOGLE.
The history of Western Pennsylvania is closely interwoven with the history of Morrisons Cove, and the Yellow Creek church, which has been divided and subdivided until it includes nearly all the churches of Bedford and Blair Counties. The home of this church is now known as the New Enterprise church. Four of the leading and familiar family names of this church and settlement are the Replogles, Snowbergers, Snyders and Brumbaughs.
Isaac B. Replogle, son of Daniel and Nancy (Brumbaugh) Replogle, was married in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Elder Andrew and Susan (Snyder) Snowberger. To this union were born nine children, the eighth of whom is the subject of this sketch. Harvey Snowberger Replogle was born near Waterside, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1871. He, with five brothers and one sister, was left motherless at the age of three years. Three years later his sister Barbara was married to Elder Levi F. Holsinger. They took little Harvey into their new home, and he remained with them until he was twenty-four years old.
Harvey grew up on the farm and attended the public schools until he was eighteen years of age. A more studious and method- ical, and at the same time a more bashful boy was hard to find in his community. He was too bashful, or perhaps, tender-hearted, to say his "piece " in school. Once, when he had come into a cer- tain community to preach, a former schoolmate of his, living near the place of meeting, made this remark: " I must go and hear him. I wonder whether he can get it said. In school he always pre- pared his piece but never got it said." While listening to the ser- mon she concluded that he was now able to testify for the Master.
After leaving the public schools he attended several terms of local normal, after which we find him as a student in Juniata College, where he graduated from the normal English course in 1896. He began teaching in 1890 and taught country schools, town schools, teachers' local normals, two terms in Derry High School, and six years as ward principal in the Johnstown schools. While following this profession he was always an earnest student. and a conscientious teacher.
During a revival, held in the New Enterprise church by Elder Jesse Calvert, he gave his heart to Christ and was baptized by Elder J. Z. Replogle, being at the time fifteen years old. He al- ways was a regular attendant at church and Sunday-school. Soon after his conversion he began to take an active part in educational meetings and literary societies, and then became active in the young people's meeting of the church. He soon showed ability
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as a speaker and was always very earnest in his manner of ad- dress.
On August 22, 1896, only a few months after his graduation, he was called to the ministry by his home congregation, and was installed the same day by Elder James A. Sell. Two weeks later, in the same church, he preached his first sermon, using the theme, " Confidence in God." He felt that the call was from the Lord, and it was his ambition to succeed in the holy calling. During the first year he preached thirty-six sermons. Since that time there has been no year in which he preached less than 100 sermons, while during some years he preached as many as 300.
Elder Replogle has met with excellent success in the evan- gelistic field. The second year after his election he held his first revival meeting, in the Claar church, when forty-two confessed Christ. Since that time most of his vacation time while teaching was spent in evangelistic efforts. The Lord has blessed these ef- forts by bringing 1,078 souls to Christ. He was advanced to the second degree in the New Enterprise church, September, 1899, and ordained to the eldership in the Plum Creek congregation, October 9, 1910.
When pastors were few in Western Pennsylvania he was called to be the pastor of the Morrellville church, West Johns- town congregation, and served them two years. Then, after teach- ing one year, he was called to the pastorate of the Plum Creek and Glade Run churches, with residence at Plum Creek. He served those congregations nearly five years, when he accepted a call from the Scalp Level congregation to become its first pastor since it is a separate organization. He has been serving there the past three years.
'In 1904 he was married to Miss Josephine Arnold, who also is a graduate of Juniata College, who has been his faithful helper since that time in the busy pastoral life. His ability as a Sunday- school worker has always been recognized in Western Pennsyl- vania. He has been chairman of the association since its organ- ization, in 1910. He has served the District as Writing Clerk for six years. He is a member of the Home Mission Board, and the present secretary of the same; he is also president of the Bible Institute Committee. He represented Western Pennsylvania on the Standing Committee at the York Conference in 1912.
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