USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Andrew Chambers. See his biography.
George W. Chambers, reared in Ryerson Station congrega- tion; baptized there; moved to Midland, Virginia; elected there; moved to Mine Run congregation, Orange County; united with the Brethren.
E. F. Clark, elected in the Rockton congregation in 1897; lived at different times at Johnstown, Meyersdale, Eastern Shore of Maryland, and is now located in Washington, District of Colum- bia.
Alvin A. Cober, son of Israel Cober, born near Berlin; elect- ed in the Berlin congregation; went with the Brethren; later en-
577
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
tered Ashland College, Ohio, from which he graduated, and then served pastorates in Ohio and Indiana; feeling the need of fur- ther preparation, he entered an institution of the Baptist Church from which he graduated, and then went to Porto Rico as a mis- sionary of the Baptist Church, where he served till his health failed, when he returned to the States and now holds a Baptist pas- torate in Dayton, Ohio.
Ephraim Cober, born and reared near Berlin, where he was called to the ministry. Here I give a letter from his hand, writ- ten when past ninety years of age: "Sabetha, Kansas, October 12, 1915. Dear Brother Blough: I received your card and shall answer it as far as I can. I was born at Berlin, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1825. I was elected to the ministry on the thirteenth day of June, 1853. I preach yet, but not regularly. About fun- erals, baptisms and marriages, I have no record. I moved away from Somerset County in 1876. Please excuse my pencil writ- ing. It is much easier for my eyes. Yours fraternally, E. Cober." It will thus be seen that Elder Cober has preached over sixty- two years. Twenty-three years he labored acceptably in the Ber- lin congregation, where his services were much in demand. A remarkable record is Elder Cober's.
Albert B. Cover, grandson of Elder John P. Cober, born and reared near Berlin; called to the ministry in the Berlin Brethren (Progressive) Church in 1907; ordained to the eldership at the same place, August 9, 1908; after he and his wife graduated from Ashland College in 1914, he took up pastoral work in Louisville, Ohio.
Joseph I. Cover, son of John and Mary (Immel) Cover, was born January 25, 1833. He had a college education. He was elect- ed to the ministry in the Georges Creek congregation, May 22, 1856; ordained at the same place in 1866. He was a very fluent speaker and did much work at home and abroad. He frequently filled official positions at District Meeting, and represented the District on the Standing Committee several times. After moving to Covington, Ohio, he united with the Old Order Brethren in 1882.
Wesley H. Cover, son of David, and grandson of Elder John P. Cober, was born and reared near Berlin. He was called to the ministry in the Berlin congregation. He was a graduate from Juniata College, and gave his time to teaching, both public and normal school. He taught in Somerset County many years, and with his teaching he preached as occasion afforded. He filled the pulpit of the Beachdale church regularly for some time. Later in life he took up the profession of law, and practiced in Altoona,
578
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE
Pennsylvania. When home on a visit some years ago, he died sud- denly.
Samuel C. Cover was born and reared in the Georges Creek congregation, and was called to the ministry there, June 12, 1887. Is now located at Canton, Ohio.
G. W. Crissman moved from Armstrong County, and was elected to the ministry in Kansas; died at St. John, Kansas.
Daniel W. Crofford, a resident of Johnstown; elected to the ministry in the Conemaugh congregation, May 3, 1877; went with the Brethren in the division; now resides at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
William A. Crofford, brother of the above; went with the Brethren; elected to the ministry afterward; resides in Johnstown; pastor at Listie.
John Cross moved into the Eik Lick congregation; moved from Elk Lick to Northeastern Ohio in 1862; deceased.
John Dull, elected in the Middle Creek congregation; moved to Waterloo, Iowa.
Francis F. Durr, son of Samuel and Catharine Durr; born in Fayette County; elected to the ministry in the Georges Creek con- gregation in 1905; was called to take up the work with the church at Glendale, Arizona; is there now and active.
David Eshelman. See his biography.
Matthew Mays Eshelman, son of Deacon Andrew, and grand- son of Elder David Eshelman, was born near Lewistown, Penn- sylvania, September 1, 1844; lived in the Clarion congregation from 1853 to 1864; enlisted for the army from there in 1862; moved to Illinois in 1864; baptized near Virden, June 4, 1873; elected dea- con at Cherry Grove, June 4, 1874; elected minister at Lanark, September 10, 1878; ordained in White Rock church, Kansas, 1884; helped to build McPherson and Lordsburg Colleges; author of seven books; editor of The Brethren at Work; Bible-school teach- er; lives at Tropico, California; still active.
Eli J. Egan, elected in the Elk Lick congregation in 1909; served the same congregation as pastor from 1911 to 1913; taught in Hebron Seminary; now located at Shipman, Virginia; active in the work.
Daniel M. Fike, reared in Somerset County; elected in the Summit Mills congregation in 1879; moved West in 1882; now re- sides in Los Angeles, California.
Aaron Fike, born in Fayette County; moved to Eglon, West Virginia, and was called to the ministry and eldership in that place.
Moses Fike, born in Fayette County, moved to Eglon, West
579
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
)
Three Flickinger Sisters-Front Row, Left to Right, Bishop C. G. Lint, Catharine Lint and J. W. Peck. Back Row, Left to Right, Eliza Fike, Elder D. M. Fike and Elizabeth Peck.
Virginia, was elected to the ministry in the German Settlement congregation and labored there.
Samuel A. Fike, born in Fayette County, December 22, 1820, and reared there; called to be a deacon there; moved to Eglon, West Virginia, in 1854; called to the ministry in 1856, Elder John Kline officiating; ordained in 1861; placed in charge of the Ger- man Settlement congregation, which charge he kept forty-four years, until death; much of the time had charge of three and four congregations; was twice on the Standing Committee; was a great pioneer preacher; traveled mostly on horseback; preached 263 funerals; solemnized 184 marriages; baptized 207 persons; died May 7, 1905, aged 84 years, 4 months and 15 days.
John Fillmore, a Western Pennsylvania brother, and prob- ably elected there; moved to Waterloo, Iowa.
Virgil C. Finnell, baptized at Buffington, West Virginia, in the Monongahela River, by Elder William Murphy, May 14, 1893; elected to the ministry in the Mount Union congregation, Sep- tember 14, 1901; from May 1, 1902, to April 1, 1904, lived and la- bored in Uniontown; from April 1, 1904, to 1908 he was pastor of the Ten Mile congregation; next he located in Elgin, Illi- nois, and was in the employ of the Publishing House several years; next he was the pastor of the Des Moines City (Iowa) congregation; there he was ordained in 1915; has done a lot of Sunday-school and Bible work; is now director of religious edu- cation in a number of the Western States.
580
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE
George Flack, reared in the Indian Creek congregation, moved to Ohio and was called to the ministry. His widow, who was Eliza Buechly, lives at Mc Pherson.
Jacob Flenard, a minister of the Cowanshannock or Red Bank congregation, and moved to West Virginia.
Christian Forney, born and reared in Somerset County; moved West and was called to the ministry; went with the Brethren in the division.
Edmund Forney, born and reared in Somerset County; went West and was elected in Illinois; now lives in Lordsburg, Cali- fornia.
H. J. Forney, born near Berlin; moved West and was elected; now located at Chenoa, Illinois.
Hiram Forney, born in Somerset County; moved West and was called to the ministry; now pastor of Denver church, Colo- rado.
John Forney, Jr., elected in the Quemahoning congregation; moved West, and died at Abilene, Kansas.
Benjamin Forney, born in Jenner Township, Somerset Coun- ty; now resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
Michael Forney, born in Somerset County; licensed to preach in the Quemahoning congregation; moved West and died in Southern Illinois.
Peter Forney, born and reared in Somerset County; called to the ministry in the West and for a number of years lived at Glen- dale, Arizona. He died there December 25, 1915, at the age of 87 years.
Samuel M. Forney, born and reared in Somerset County; moved West and was called to the ministry, and died at Kearney, Nebraska. All the above-named Forneys are descendants (John, Michael and Peter are sons) of Elder John Forney, Sr., of the Quemahoning congregation, Somerset County, and all were and are active pioneer preachers and elders.
Levi Fry, called. to the ministry in the Manor congregation in July, 1847; went with the Brethren in the division.
James W. Fyock, son of Elder Abraham and Sister Nancy (Varner) Fyock, was born near Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania; married Annie, daughter of Deacon John A. Stray- er; united with the church at Johnstown; immediately began teach- ing in Sunday-school; was superintendent of Walnut Grove Sun- day-school several years; was elected to the ministry in the Johns- town congregation in 1905 and installed in 1910; moved to Ohio in 1911; now located at Toledo, Ohio, where he superintends the Sunday-school and assists the pastor, N. K. McKimmy, in the preaching. Sister Fyock also united with the church in her young
581
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
days (1891); is Cradle Roll superintendent and teaches the pri- mary class.
Samuel H. Fyock, elected to the ministry in the Johnstown congregation, December 28, 1899; united with the Brethren in 1904.
John D. Gans, united with the Georges Creek congregation in 1860; was called to the ministry in 1862; joined the Brethren; deceased.
W. A. Gaunt, pastor of the Elk Lick congregation from 1894 to 1904; moved to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; elder in charge of the Riddlesburg congregation.
A. D. Gnagey, born and reared near Meyersdale; elected to the ministry in the Summit Mills congregation in 1879; went with the Brethren in the division; teacher in Ashland College, Ohio.
John Goodman, elected in the Clarion congregation about 1850; moved to Bond County, Illinois, where he died.
Benjamin Goughnour, born and reared in Cambria County; called to the ministry in the Conemangh congregation in 1875; went with the Brethren in the division; now resides in Johns- town.
Henry Goughnour, born and reared in Cambria County; called to the ministry in the Conemaugh congregation in 1855; moved to Waterloo, Iowa.
Larkin Hall, labored in Fayette County; moved to Marshall County, Iowa.
Oscar W. Hamer, born and reared in the Quemahoning con- gregation; elected to the ministry in the same, June 2, 1907; moved to Waterloo, Iowa; active there.
Stuart Hamer, born and reared in the Quemahoning con- gregation; moved to Waterloo, Iowa; called to the ministry there; student at Mount Morris, Illinois.
Christian Harader, labored in Sandy Creek congregation, Fay- ette County ; moved to Iowa and died there.
George Hanawalt. See his biography.
Harvey M. Hanawalt, elected to the ministry in the Ligonier Valley congregation, June 21, 1902; moved to Lordsburg, Cali- fornia, the same year.
William C. Hanawalt, lived several years in the Ligonier Val- ley congregation, and moved to Lordsburg, California, in 1902.
John C. Harrison, born and reared in the Conemaugh congre- gation; called to the ministry in the Johnstown congregation, Sep- tember 4, 1893; moved to Tennessee in 1905; now lives near Wood- bury, Michigan.
Jacob S. Hauger. See his biography.
582
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE
Adam Helman, elected in the Manor congregation about 1845; moved to Ohio in 1863, where he died at a ripe old age.
J. Quinter Helman, born and reared near Indiana, Manor congregation; moved West and was called to the ministry; re- sides at Greenville, Ohio.
Jesse P. Hetrick, born in Armstrong County, December 20, 1843; was elected to the ministry in the Red Bank congregation, June 30, 1865; was called to the pastorate of the Philadelphia church in 1874; ordained in October, 1879; subsequently to the Coventry congregation (November, 1882); is now elder of Royers- ford congregation. He has been active among a number of the Eastern Pennsylvania churches.
Stephen Hildebrand, born and reared in the Conemaugh con- gregation; born September 3, 1829; married to Mary Goughnour, December 23, 1852, by Elder Levi Roberts; elected deacon in 1860; minister July 4, 1865; went with the Brethren in the division; or- dained by them in 1883; did some evangelistic work; resides in Johnstown; is almost helpless.
Christian Hochstetler. See Hochstetler family.
Abraham Hochstetler. See Hochstetler family.
Adam Hochstetler. See Hochstetler family.
D. R. Holsinger, reared in the Dunnings Creek congregation; moved West; was called to the ministry; now elder of Oak Grove church, California.
Christian S. Holsinger, called to the ministry in the Dunnings Creek congregation in 1875; had been deacon first; moved West, was ordained and died in California.
Henry R. Holsinger, son of Elder Daniel Mack and Polly (Ritz) Holsinger, was born in Morrison's Cove, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1833. He was the oldest of a family of four sons and four daughters. His father and grandfather were ministers in the Church of the Brethren. His grandmother on his father's side was Elizabeth Mack, daughter of William Mack, son of Alexander Mack, Jr. He was married to Susannah Shoop, June 1, 1864. Two daughters were born to this union, Mrs. P. G. Nowag, of Johns- town, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. S. J. Holsinger, of Phoenix, Arizona.
He was baptized in the spring of 1855, at Clover Creek, Penn- sylvania, by Elder George Brumbaugh. He was elected to the min- istry October 28, 1866; advanced to the second degree a few months afterwards, and ordained to the eldership October 21, 1880. He served an apprenticeship of one year in the office of the Gos- pel Visitor, and taught several winters of school. For about a year he published the Tyrone Herald in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, and in January, 1865, he began regularly to publish the Christian Family Companion, the first weekly paper published in the interests o!
583
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
the Church of the Brethren. His advanced ideas published in the Companion got him into trouble with the Annual Meeting. In 1873 he sold out his paper to Elder James Quinter.
In 1878 Brother Holsinger and Elder J. W. Beer commenced the publication of the Progressive Christian, at Berlin, Pennsyl- vania, with the avowed purpose of advocating progressive meas- ures and reforms. This course was opposed by the conservative body of the church and meant more trouble for Brother Holsinger, who was now an ordained elder, and finally resulted in the division of the church and the organization of the Progressive Brethren Church. Of this trying period we have no inclination to write at this time.
The Progressive Christian was discontinued. Elder Holsinger, for a number of years, was very active in promoting the cause of the Progressives, and finally settled in California, where he wrote "A History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church." He died in Johnstown and was buried in Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Jolin S. Holsinger. See his biography.
Leonard R. Holsinger, born at New Enterprise, Bedford County; was elected to the ministry in the West Johnstown con- gregation, January 13, 1910; became first pastor of Red Bank con- gregation, beginning of 1911; ordained to the eldership while there; became pastor of Coventry church, in August, 1914; is an evangelist.
Frank F. Holsopple, teacher, minister and lecturer, graduate of Juniata College, and for a number of years teacher in the same; born and reared in the Manor congregation, and called to the min- istry there about 1886; moved from there about 1888; has been pastor at Sergeantsville, New Jersey, and Parkerford, Pennsylva- nia; employed by the State Anti-Saloon League; resides in Har- risburg, Pennsylvania.
Hiram L. Holsopple, born and reared in the Manor congre- gation, Indiana County; moved to Missouri; called to the minis- try and now resides at Versailles, Missouri.
Ira C. Holsopple, born and reared in the Manor congregation; Juniata graduate; moved from Indiana County; was elected to the ministry in the Sand Brook congregation, New Jersey, June 8, 1895, was pastor of the Coventry church from 1899 to 1914; re- sides in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Quincy A. Holsopple. See his biography.
William W. Holsopple, born in Indiana County, December 10, 1863; baptized in the Manor congregation October, 1878; moved to the Prairie View church, Morgan County, Missouri, in 1886; chosen there to the ministry September 6, 1889; advanced in 1892; ordained November 7, 1904; elder in charge of the same congrega-
584
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE
tion from 1908 to 1912, and from 1914 to 1916. The above five ministers are sons of Elder Joseph Holsopple.
Abraham Hostetler, elected in the Middle Creek congregation; moved to Waterloo, Iowa.
Aaron Hoffman, born and reared in the Shade Creek eon- gregation; moved to Indiana and was there called to the ministry.
Chrissman John, elected in the John Settlement of the Glade Run congregation; moved to North Dakota and lived at Berthold and Dimond.
Isaiah C. Johnson, elected to the ministry in the Middle Creek congregation; lived in Waterloo, Iowa, a number of years; now lives in Meehanesburg, Pennsylvania.
John C. Johnson. See his biography.
John J. Johnson, born near Masontown, Fayette County, February 22, 1882; son of John F. Johnson; came to Illinois in 1890; called to the ministry at Astoria in 1909; second degree on October 4, 1914.
William Johnson, son of Peter and Barbara Johnson, born in Fayette County about 1833; united with the church in the Georges Creek congregation, July 30, 1865; married Rebecca DeBolt; was elected to the ministry in 1872; labored there only a short time, when he moved to Northeastern Ohio, and was active there until he removed to Wichita, Kansas; a fluent speaker; still living.
John Keagy, when a young deacon, moved to southern Som- erset County from York County; the same year, 1783, he was elected to the ministry, being probably the first minister elected in the District; ordained in 1790; emigrated to near Dayton, Ohio, in 1806.
Howard H. Keim, son of Silas C. Keim, born and reared in Elk Lick; baptized September 12, 1875, by Joel Gnagey; elected to the ministry in the Elk Lick congregation, June 2, 1886; ad- vanced June, 1887; married Emma Harshberger in 1888; moved to Indiana in 1891; ordained in 1897; moved to Oregon in 1910; now resides at Ridgefield, Washington.
N. George Keim, brother of the above, was called to the min- istry in the Elk Liek congregation in 1882; took up the work ae- ceptably, showed promise as a preacher, beeame discouraged be- cause of dissensions in the church and quit; married in 1890; taught school twenty years; is in the insurance business in Elkins, West Virginia; a member of the State Senate 1911 to 1915.
Jacob Kelso. See James Kelso.
Jonathan Kelson. See James Kelso.
Joseph Kelso. See James Kelso.
J. L. Kimmel, born in Somerset County, February 18, 1856; united with the church in 1879; eleeted deacon the same year;
585
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
elected minister in 1880; advanced in 1881; went with the Breth- ren in the division; graduate of Ashland College and a trustee of the same.
Michael Kimmel, born and reared in Somerset County; called to the ministry in the Middle Creek congregation in 1850; later moved to Illinois; died in 1888.
John H. Knepper, son of Solomon Knepper, a young minister, was born near Berlin, October 25, 1849; called to the ministry in the Berlin congregation, January 1, 1881; advanced February 22, 1882; went with the Brethren in the division; ordained July 3, 1887; stood high in his church; died in Altoona, 1915.
Levi Learn, a successful school-teacher, moved from the Manor congregation to Kalispell, Montana, where he was elected to the ministry; he lived a while in North Dakota.
Josiah Lehman, son of Peter, and grandson of Elder Christian Lehman, was born in Richland Township, Cambria County, April 30, 1852; moved West in 1869; elected to the ministry in the Prairie View church, Missouri, and was ordained there; is now elder of the Guthrie church, Oklahoma.
Lorenzo J. Lehman. See his biography.
John R. Lichty was called to the ministry in the Elk Lick congregation; moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho; joined the Brethren.
Jonas Lichty. See his biography.
Jonathan Lichty, son of Elder Jacob Lichty, was a minister in the Middle Creek congregation; moved West, probably about 1857; died in Brown County, Kansas, in 1887.
Solomon Lichty, an elder in the Middle Creek congregation; moved West about 1853.
William H. Lichty, son of Elder Jonas Lichty, was born and reared in Somerset County; moved to Waterloo, Iowa, and was there elected to the ministry and ordained to the eldership.
Zachariah T. Livengood, was born in Somerset County, De- cember 13, 1849; school-teacher; baptized April 3, 1874; elected deacon at Dutchtown, Illinois, June 16, 1881; elected to the min- istry September 11, 1881; went with the Brethren in the division.
Harvey R. Livingston, born and reared in Somerset County; school-teacher; elected deacon in the West Johnstown congre- gation, January 13, 1910; moved to California and was called to the ministry; located at Modesto, same State.
Peter Lutz, a minister of the Conemaugh congregation; moved West in 1844.
Jacob Mack, a descendant of the founder of the Church of the Brethren, Alexander Mack, was born near Masontown, Fayette County. His father, John, was a grandson of Alexander Mack and came from Philadelphia. He joined the church in early manhood
586
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE
and was married to Catharine Longanecker. Shortly after his marriage he was called to the ministry, and advanced in two years. He was a fluent speaker and became very earnest and loud. He moved with his family to Illinois.
H. F. Maust, born in Somerset County; elected to the ministry : in the South Waterloo church, Iowa; moved to the Butte Valley, California, where he is now located. Active.
Marlin J. Maust, elected in the Markleysburg congregation; moved to Everett, Bedford County, where he now resides.
Nathaniel Merrill. See his biography.
Jeremiah Miller was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on May 8, 1831, and was reared in the same county. He was mar- ried to Anna Fike, May 30, 1852. To this union one son and three daughters were born. He united with the Church of the Brethren in the fifties, and was elected to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation about 1868. In 1888 he moved to Maryland, where he lived until his death on May 13, 1909. Sister Miller died De- cember 8, 1907. Brother Miller did not preach a great deal, but did a great deal of baptizing.
Daniel M. Miller, born and reared in Somerset County; moved to Milledgeville, Illinois; an elder; deceased.
Edward S. Miller, oldest son of Jacob D. Miller, was born in Somerset County, November 22, 1832. He was called to the min- istry in the Middle Creek congregation at the same time his father was called, in 1854, before he was twenty-two years old. He was married February 23, 1859, to Mary Catharine Brewer, of Mary- land. About five years of their married life they lived at Somerset. Then they moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where they lived twenty years. In the division he went with the Brethren. They moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1884, where he resided at the time of his death, June 1, 1887, aged 54 years, 6 months and 12 days. "He was chaste in his language, and especialy neat in all his per- sonal habits; was opposed to the use of tobacco and intoxicants, war, intemperance and secret societies."
Jacob Miller, born in Somerset County, moved to Ohio soon after the opening of the nineteenth century; was a minister in the early days of Ohio.
John A. Miller, born and reared in Somerset County; elected to the ministry in the Summit Mills congregation in 1879; in the division he went with the Brethren.
Howard Miller, teacher, preacher, writer and editor; elected to the ministry in the Elk Lick congregation in 1877, from which he moved in 1883. Much could be written about his life work if space permitted.
Michael Miller, who moved from Somerset County to Ohio
587
BRETHREN OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
and located in the vicinity of Paris, Stark County, previous to 1808, was probably the first Tunker preacher in the State of Ohio.
Oliver Miller, born near Morgantown, West Virginia; united with the Georges Creek congregation in 1860; he was elected to the ministry in 1862; here he labored a short time when he moved to Abilene, Kansas.
Samuel H. Miller, born and reared in Somerset County; moved to Blackhawk County, Iowa, where he was called to the ministry; moved to Sunnyside, Washington, where he is now located.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.