USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 38
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HADDON Q. RHODES.
Haddon Q. Rhodes, youngest son of Deacon Emanuel and Mary (Knavel) Rhodes, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1892. He was reared on the farm in Taylor Township.
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and received his education in the Johnstown public schools. He was received into the Pleasant Hill church of the Brethren by Brother J. H. Cassady in December, 1908.
On March 17, 1912, he was united in marriage to Rosie Lybar- ger, .daughter of Shannon Lybarger, of Hooversville, Pennsylva- nia, by Elder S. P. Zimmerman. He was elected to the min- istry in the West Johnstown congregation December 12, 1911, and installed the following year. Brother Rhodes felt the need of further preparation in order to become an efficient minister, so with his family he located in Huntingdon, in 1914, where he has been a student in Juniata College ever since. On his mother's side Brother Rhodes comes from one of the oldest Brethren fam- ilies on what is known as Benshoff Hill. The Knavels were among the early settlers in that community.
Haddon Q. Rhodes.
DAVID C. RIBBLETT.
Jacob D. Ribblett was born May 10, 1836, in Conemaugh Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Sabina Yeager was born March 7, 1841, near Greencastle, Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, and came to Cambria County with her parents when thirteen years old. Jacob D. Ribblett and Sabina Yeager were
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married May 15, 1859, by Elder Solomon Benshoff, and in August, 1862, both were baptized by the same minister. He was a farmer all his life and never indulged in tobacco or liquor. He was called to the office of deacon in the Conemaugh congregation in August, 1864, and is still active in the office. Their home is near the Locust Grove (Giffin Hill) church.
David C. Ribblett, their son, was born June 21, 1878. He was reared on the farm and given good school facilities. He united with the Johnstown congregation by baptism, in October, 1894. Some time in May, 1904, he was elected deacon, and on June 30, 1904, he was called to the ministry.
LEVI ROBERTS.
His grandfather, Richard Roberts, was a native of Wales, and located in Virginia, where he married and had a large family. His son, Joseph, born March 18, 1743 (O. S.), in the Woodcock Valley, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, was massacred by the Indians. Joseph married Agnes Seabrooks, of Maryland. She died August 24, 1833, aged 90 years, and is buried in the Angus graveyard, East Taylor Township. They came to the Valley before the Revolution- ary War, and five of their children grew to maturity; viz., Richard, Nancy, Jemima, Mary, and Levi.
Levi was born February 9, 1779, and died December 6, 1860, aged 81 years, 9 months and 27 days, and is buried in the Angus graveyard. Funeral was conducted by Lewis Cobaugh and others, from Rev. 22: 14. When Levi was two years old his father, Jo- seph, was cruelly murdered by the Indians. On November 19, 1799, he married Elizabeth Goughnour, daughter of David Gough- nour, of Bedford County. In 1803 he and his mother and his two brothers-in-law, Dimon and Shaffer, came to Cambria County . and located on what is now known as the Angus farm, in East Taylor, which is about five miles north of Johnstown, on the Ebensburg road. Levi purchased a tract of land known as the " Vineyard," which had been warranted in the name of Reuben Gregg, and patented by Reuben Haynes, of Philadelphia. When Levi located here the forests abounded with wild animals, such as panthers, wolves, bears, deer, wildcats, foxes, etc. There was but one family, who lived about a mile from his cabin, and an- other at what is now Conemaugh, nearer than Johnstown. He had several children, but only three sons and three daughters lived to full age. Three of his sons and one daughter survived their father. The six children were: William, Nancy, Susannah, Sarah, Jacob' and John. His son, John, who was born January 17, 1818, and died in Franklin Borough, January 24, 1906, was elected sheriff of Cambria County in 1855, as a Democrat.
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In 1839 Levi sold his farm, and five years thereafter he went to Jefferson County, Iowa, and lived there with his children for several years, but returned to his old home before he died.
Levi Roberts united with the Church of the Brethren in about 1820, and was soon chosen to the office of deacon. In this office he served faithfully.
While serving the church in that capacity he walked to the Casselman River (Elk Lick), a distance of about thirty miles, to visit some members and notify them of a love feast to be held in the Conemaugh church. The next day he walked home; then on the following day he walked to Blacklick, to visit another fam- ily and notify them of the love feast to be held, and the next day he walked home again. On this occasion he was accompanied by Brother George Hildebrand, father of Elder David Hildebrand. They walked four days through the wild forest to pay their of- ficial visit to two families.
After serving in the deacon's office acceptably about five years, he was called to the ministry in 1825. In this office he was as- sociated with Elders Jacob Stutzman, John Mineely and Samuel Lidy. He was ordained to the eldership in 1844.
Elder Roberts was a prominent preacher of his day. He trav- eled far and wide in the interests of the Master's cause. It is said that he nearly always walked to his appointments. One time while on his way to the home of Philip Hoffman, beyond where the town of Scalp Level now is, he was overtaken by night, and it being too dark to travel he obtained a live coal and built a fire and camped for the night. The next morning he found that he was so near to the Hoffman farm that he could hear their rooster crowing. His labors extended over parts of Bedford, Somerset, Indiana and Armstrong Counties, besides his home county.
GIDEON ROGERS.
Gideon Rogers was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1826. His father, Ellis Rogers, emigrated with his parents from York County at an early date. His mother's maiden name was Julia Rowzer. His parents were members of the Bap- tist Church, but his mother in her later years united with the Church of the Brethren. The Rogerses are of Scotch descent.
Brother Rogers was the fifth of a family of eleven children. The opportunities to secure an education in those days were very meager. He had to go as far as two miles and more to attend a subscription school. However, naturally aspiring after knowl- edge, he stood well in his class, and by the time he attained man- hood he entered the ranks of the school-teacher for several years.
His early piety is clearly shown by the fact that he united
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Gideon Rogers.
with the church at the age of twenty-one years, being baptized by Elder Levi Roberts. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Snyder October 25, 1849, by Elder Roberts. His wife also was a member of the church before their marriage. To this union were born two children, Elder Levi Rogers, who was the late elder of the Dun- nings Creek congregation, and Sister Barbara Callahan.
On January 2, 1864, Gideon and John Rogers were elected to the ministry. He made good proof of his ministry. The Bible was his delight, and he used every spare moment in reading its sacred pages: His life reflected the teaching of the Great Teacher. In his preaching he was earnest and spiritual.
Brother Rogers loved to think on, and converse about, the doctrine of the resurrection. The second coming of Christ was also a favorite theme of his. His life was a blessing to all with whom he associated. His last words were: "I am now going home."
He was never a strong man physically, and died in his sixty- first year of that dread disease, consumption.
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Elder Levi Rogers.
LEVI ROGERS.
Levi Rogers was born at Alum Bank, Bedford County, Penn- sylvania, September 7, 1854. He was the only son of Elder Gideon and Mary Ann (Snyder) Rogers. His only sister, Barbara, was first married to Robert Callahan, a deacon, and is the second wife of Abraham Fyock, the present elder of the Dunnings Creek con- gregation.
Brother Rogers was reared on his father's farm, and farm- ing was his occupation all his life. He received a fairly good edu- cation and was one of the leading citizens in his community. . Brother Rogers was blessed with a fine physique and strong physical powers, and those who saw him at the late Conference
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at Hershey never could believe that in a little more than a month his race would be run. Tall and towering above his fellows, he yet was humble and unassuming as a little child. He emulated the good traits of a noble parentage.
Brother Rogers was twice married. On September 9, 1875, he was married to Jane Smith. To this union were born five children. This wife and children are all deceased except one son, Sewell. His second companion was Elizabeth Walter, who with three children survives. Elder John S. Holsinger officiated at both marriage ceremonies. It will be seen that Brother Rogers suf- fered many bereavements and experienced many sorrows.
Levi united with the church in 1875, being baptized by Elder Brice Sell. He was called to the ministry in the Dunnings Creek congregation, June 13, 1885, and soon afterward advanced to the second degree of the ministry. On October 15, 1901, he was or- dained to the eldership. Ever since the death of the senior elder, John B. Miller, October 27, 1912, Brother Rogers has had the oversight of the church. Elder Rogers was prompt and active in his church work, and his labors extended beyond the borders of his home congregation. No accurate record of his official serv- ices at funerals, marriages and baptisms was found, but his min- istrations upon such occasions were eagerly sought far and wide.
Living in the extreme eastern part of our large District made it laborious for him to attend the various meetings of the District, yet he was usually present upon these occasions, and frequently in the capacity of delegate.
He served his District on the Standing Committee at the Winona Lake Conference in 1913. He also acted on other com- mittees, and was a member of the "Old Folks' Home" project at the time of his death.
The following incident, which took place at our last District Meeting, shows the character of the man: When the rebaptism question was ready to go before the delegates for final decision, Elder Joseph Holsopple, an octogenarian, arose and wanted to make a speech on the question. The Moderator kindly informed him that the time for the discussion of the question was passed and that he was ready to put it on its passage. It was then that Elder Rogers arose, and in his kindly way begged that the old veteran of the cross should be allowed to give his speech, at the same time saying that it might be the last District Meeting he would be able to attend. Little did any one think then that that was Elder Rogers' last District Meeting.
Elder Rogers died at the Nason Hospital, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, where he was taken to undergo an operation for stomach trouble, July 14, 1915, aged 60 years, 10 months and 7
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days. The funeral services, which were largely arranged for by himself, just before going upon the operating table, were fully carried out. Elder A. G. Crosswhite was assisted in the funeral services by Elder C. B. Smith, of Kansas, and the home ministers. The text used was 2 Tim. 1: 12, and interment was made in the Dunnings Creek cemetery.
WILLIAM H. RUMMEL.
William H. Rummel was born March 28, 1873, near the pres- ent town of Jerome, in the Quemahoning congregation, Cone- maugh Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He is a son of David and Elizabeth (Grady) Rummel, and his brothers and sisters are: Allameda, John W., Kate A., Herman A., Sarah M. (deceased), Maggie J., David A., Samuel C. (deceased), Mary A., Elmer F., Lucy P. (deceased), and Elsie V. John W., Herman A., David A. and Elmer F. are deacons in the Church of the Breth- ren. The parents are residing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Brother Rummel was reared on the farm and was given such school privileges as circumstances permitted, but the requirements of a large family on a farm usually cut his school terms short at both ends. He made use of the church and Sunday-school privi- leges afforded at the Maple Spring church.
In the winter of 1890 the family moved to the eighth ward of the city of Johnstown (then Roxbury), and the sons yet at home and who were old enough, had to work at public works. It was then that William began to work for the Cambria Steel Company, in the axle plant, department, working there about fif- teen years.
During this time he became acquainted with Mary C. Beegh- ley, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Speicher) Beeghley, of Maryland, and was united to her in marriage by Albert U. Berk- ley. Locating in Roxbury, they resided there until 1902, when they bought and moved onto a farm in Upper Yoder Township and have since been engaged in farming.
During a series of meetings, held in the Maple Spring church in January, 1888, by Elder D. H. Walker, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and was baptized in Bens Creek by Elder S. P. Zimmerman. In Roxbury he took an active part in Sunday-school work, being superintendent, as well as teacher at times. On Oc- tober 24, 1899, he was elected deacon in the West Johnstown congregation; December 12, 1911, he was called to the ministry, and about a year later was advanced to the second degree. In this position he is faithfully serving the church, and at present is par- tially-supported pastor and assuming part of the responsibility of
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the Viewmont church of the Brethren in the West Johnstown con- gregation. He is an active Sunday-school worker.
(Portrait on Page 199.)
CHRISTIAN SCHMUCKER.
Christian Schmucker was born May 8, 1801. He was of Ger- man descent. When a young man he was married to Mary Ann Miller, daughter of Abraham Miller, of Somerset County. Seven sons and four daughters were born to this union. Brother and Sister Schmucker were among the charter members of the Que- mahoning church. In their home the church services were regu- larly held every thirty-six weeks, or nine months, and the entire gathering was served with a free dinner. The horses also were given a good meal. There are no data at hand to tell us when- he was elected to the ministry. According to John Kline's diary (page 343) he was ordained at Michael Forney's home during a love-feast season, May 28, 1854, by John Kline and James Quin- ter. He did not live long after he was in the full ministry, one authority saying he died December 27, 1853, and another, in 1854, which must be correct, according to Elder Kline. His age is given as 52 years, 7 months and 19 days.
Elder Schmucker practiced a method of curing for consump- tion by means of nine twigs cut from that many kinds of fruit trees, dropped in a spring that flows toward sunrise. In connec- tion he would read a portion of Scripture, and offer up a fervent prayer in behalf of the patient. The efficacy of the cure was testi- fied to by some of the patients.
He died on the farm where he had reared his family. He died very suddenly of paralysis, and was buried in the family burying ground.
His children were: Peter, Rachel Dickey, Elizabeth Saylor, Joseph, a deacon in the Quemahoning congregation many years, Jacob, Noah, Aaron, Isaiah, Mary, and Lydia Usaw. Many of his descendants are members of the Church of the Brethren, and sev- eral are deacons.
GEORGE SCHROCK.
By His Son, William G. Schrock.
Elder George Schrock, a prominent citizen and well-known farmer in Brothers Valley Township, was born in 1816 and died in 1893. He could trace his ancestry for four generations back to Switzerland, where his great-grandfather was born. The latter mi- grated to America and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about the year 1700.
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From this family came two sons, Casper and John, who set- tled near Berlin in 1765. From these two sons' families sprang all or perhaps nearly all of the Schrocks in Somerset County. Their names appeared as late as 1796 on the tax list for Brothers Valley Township. Casper Schrock, grandfather of the subject of this notice, lived on a farm some distance north of Berlin. From this large family came Christian Schrock, father of Elder George Schrock. Nearly all the Schrocks then north of Berlin and Stony Creek can be traced to this family.
Christian, one of the sons of Casper Schrock, was born in 1780 and died in 1847. He was married to Franie Good, who was born in 1789 and died in 1880, aged 91 years. To this union were born four sons and five daughters. All lived and died in the faith of the Church of the Brethren. They settled on the farm now owned by Emanuel L. Knepper, and forged out a home for them- selves in the heavily-timbered forests that covered all this vast sec- tion of country at that time.
Elder George Schrock, one of the sons and the subject of this special notice, came from the above named family and was born in 1816 near Berlin, Pennsylvania. In 1838 he was united in mar- riage to Susan Horner, daughter of David Horner, near Meyers- dale. To this union was born one son, William G., and one daugh- ter, Rebecca, who was married to Elder S. F. Reiman. They lived two years in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, but returned in 1840 and occupied the old Schrock homestead, where he con- tinued 'farming up to 1851, when he was called to the ministry. Several years prior to this he served the church in the deacon of- fice. He proved faithful to his high calling and became a willing and able worker and expounder of the Word of God. He was soon promoted and in 1880 ordained to the full ministry. In 1865 he was bereft of his companion by death, and several years later was unit- ed in marriage to Sister Sarah Horner, who outlived him by a few years.
Elder Schrock had few advantages to gain more than a lim- ited education. He was, however, a lover of books and accumu- lated quite a library, and was able to read well, both in the English and German languages. He had large natural ability and a strong inclination for literature. He patronized our church literature from the beginning, books and papers brought out by the Church of the Brethren. His first wife was a splendid reader in either lan- guage. By a constant course of reading and study he had gained for himself a rare stock of useful information. His natural ability, strong memory, and great love for the Bible served him well when he took up the work of the ministry. Another advantage he pos- sessed above many others was his strong, clear voice, both in song
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and in the pulpit. He spoke freely and at times fluently without strain or even notes, in the German language. It was the pre- vailing language throughout the Glades up to 1880.
During the prime of his life his preaching was in good de- mand at home and abroad. He solemnized many marriages, con- ducted most of the funerals in his congregation, and often in the adjoining churches, and sometimes for other denominations. In his best days he represented the church, year after year, in Annual Meeting, as well as in the home State District.
At last, when age and falling health came, he requested to be relieved and the work of the Master committed to younger breth- ren, to care for and watch over the flock. He passed away peace- fully to his reward, January 25, 1894, aged 77 years. Father Schrock was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Brotherton. Serv- ices were conducted by Elders Daniel Stauffer and Valentine Blough in the presence of an overflowing audience of friends and neighbors.
JOHN C. SCHROCK.
John C. Schrock was born on a farm near Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1818. His parents were Christian and Fanny Schrock. He was reared on the farm and that was his lifelong occupation. His education was in the German language.
He was married to Lydia Saylor. They moved to the Middle Creek congregation, Somerset Township, where he was elected to the ministry, when he was about forty years of age. He never traveled much outside of his home county, his labors being con- fined principally to his home congregation. He was a very pious brother, and a good neighbor and father. He died in 1893 at the . age of 75 years, and is buried in the Summit cemetery.
WILLIAM G. SCHROCK.
Elder W. G. Schrock was born March 27, 1840, near Donegal, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He is one of a family of two children, a son and a daughter of Elder George and Susan (Horner) Schrock. His sister, Rebecca, was married to Elder Samuel F. Reiman.
His descent can be traced back five generations to Switzer- land, to his great-great-grandfather, who emigrated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about 1700. Brother Schrock was brought up on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Emanuel L. Knep- per, and was educated in the common schools of Brothers Valley Township, with six terms in the normal schools of Berlin, then con- ducted by the county superintendents. He taught school a number of terms and attained to the rank of a professional teacher.
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Elder William G. Schrock.
In 1860 he was united in marriage to Rebecca Walker, daugh- ter of Elder Daniel P. Walker, and to this union was born one daughter, Emma S., married to E. L. Knepper. To them also was born one son, Lewis S., married to Grace Hay Berkley. He grad- uated from Juniata College and is a minister in the Brothers. Val- ley congregation. His daughter, Emma, also took a select course in the same school.
Brother Schrock was elected to the ministry in the fall of 1880, and was soon advanced to the second degree. He now felt the need of a greater preparation in the higher branches and lan-
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guages. To this end he spent some time in Juniata College, where he acquired ability to read and study the Bible, not only in the English, but also to some extent in German, Latin and Greek.
Brother Schrock was advanced to the eldership in 1895, and then took charge of the Brothers Valley congregation for a num- ber of years and lately resigned in favor of Elder D. H. Walker. He left the church in peace and good working order.
Nearly fifty years ago Brethren Schrock and Lewis J. Knepper organized the first Sunday-school in the Brothers Valley congre- gation, at the Pike, and became the first superintendents. Now the church has four evergreen schools, with good interest in each.
In 1895 the reorganized Home Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania elected Elder Schrock chairman, which position he held six years. He was nearly always identified with progres- sive movements in his community as well as in the District. He was writing clerk of the District Meeting ten times, besides serv- ing on a number of committees. According to the church record Elder Schrock served his church as delegate to Annual and Dis- trict Meetings thirty-three times. He had a strong inclination to read nearly every paper and book on his reading table and in his private library, which at one time numbered over a thou- sand volumes.
Elder Schrock gave most of his time and confined his labors in the ministry to his home church. He took his place on the min- isterial program, kept a lifelong diary, and for thirty-five years could locate every place, text, theme and date of every sermon he preached. The record gives nearly 1,000 sermons from 140 topics. In his younger and best days he had his full share of the work in his home church, preaching funerals, solemnizing thirty- five marriages, and doing his share of visiting the sick and afflicted. He wrote some forty articles for our church papers, mostly for the Christian Family Companion, the first weekly paper.
Brother Schrock was a noted traveler throughout the United States, and visited nearly all the large cities, from Boston, on the Atlantic, to the Golden Gate, on the Pacific. His last long trip to Seattle and the coast States covered nearly 8,000 miles: He has reached his seventy-fifth milestone, and is yet well preserved, both in body and mind.
ISAAC SECRIST.
Isaac Secrist, sixth child of John and Esther Secrist, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1844. The par- ents were of German descent, having moved from Huntingdon County soon after their marriage. For several generations back his ancestors were members of the Brethren. Mother Secrist took
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much pleasure in telling how the meetings used to be held at her father's place every twelve weeks. When Isaac was yet young meetings were held in his father's home, and among the ministers to preach there was Joseph Shumaker. Robert Whitacre also preached in the Secrist settlement. Isaac had a pretty fair com- mon school education in the English language. It is thought, however, that in the home the Dutch was used.
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