USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania > Part 5
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Brother Spanogle was a man of good report and apt to teach, so his labors in the ministry were quite successful. We do not know when the organization was effected. Elder Spanogle moved here in 1847. So did John Goodman and several other families. Spanogle moved back to Huntingdon County in 1849. In the meantime Brother John Goodman had been elected to the ministry. About 1852 David Eshel- man moved in, and a year later, his son Andrew, a deacon, settled at Salem, same county. About this time it seems the church was organized. Elder Eshelman's preaching was most- ly in German. Brother Goodman was a careful reasoner and very accurate in his efforts. Elder Eshelman died at Mohrs- ville, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventy-two. Brother Good- man moved to Bond County, Illinois, where he died.
Elder Eshelman often preached at Red Bank, Fryburg, and other points. He traveled long distances on horseback. In 1860, he in company with Joseph Shumaker, attended love feast at Shade and Conemaugh. George Wood was elected to the ministry about 1855, being the second minister elected. Soon after Elders Goodman and Eshelman moved away he was ordained to the eldership. G. W. Shively was called to the ministry soon after Brother Wood. These two labored to-
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gether a long time. Brother Shively was disabled by paralysis before the death of Elder Wood.
During the troublous times of the early eighties this church suffered irreparable loss. Disloyal preachers from other places came in and tried to get an estrangement worked up between the elder and the younger members. One of these succeeded in getting the majority of the members on his side; then he suddenly decamped one night to escape violent treatment. Elder Wood now labored to regain the con- fidence of the misled members, but they were so thoroughly influenced against him that they had no more confidence in either party. Brother C. A. Wood was elected to the min- istry some time before the death of his father. He made several unsuccessful efforts to raise money to put a new roof on the old meetinghouse. The church's influence was so much disturbed that he could not get satisfactory audiences, and so became discouraged and united with the Church of God and now preaches in Cleveland, Ohio. About half of the mem- bers went with the Progressives, but they have not made a success of the work. The loyal membership dwindled down until there were only a few members left. Joseph Holsopple and J. H. Beer at different times had charge of the work. H. A. Stahl was sent there by the Mission Board, but he found only a few disheartened members left, some having died and others united with other churches.
The following brethren were called to the ministry at different times, but did not labor in the office : Henry Cornish, Ralph Boyer, Ed. Mail and John Swab. The following names have been handed in as deacons : Henry Kline, Ed. Mail, Isaiah Weder and John Swab. The following named visiting min- isters did more or less preaching for them: G. W. Brum- baugh, Samuel Lidy, J. W. Brumbaugh, Leonard Furry, Joseph Berkey, Hiram Musselman, Samuel Brallier, Peter Beer, Jesse P. Hetrick and Samuel Wilt. This is a sad his- tory to record, but it shows us plainly the result of division and strife.
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CONEMAUGH.
The Conemaugh congregation, brief mention of which is made in Chapter III, ranks as one of the oldest in the District. According to the best information obtainable, some members had located here before the close of the eighteenth century. Elder Peter Maugen (Morgan) moved here from Hagerstown, Maryland, about 1797, and bought a tract of land from Lud- wig Wissinger. For this tract of land, containing 120 acres, he secured a warrant, dated April 4, 1798, in which article the tract of land is called Society Hill. It was then situated in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County, but is now in Stony Creek Township, Cambria County. June 8, 1799, he paid a surveyor forty shillings for surveying said tract. Elder Mau- gen was one of the first ministers who settled in this part of the State.
According to Howard Miller's "Record of the Faith- ful " this church was organized in 1810. It then embraced the northern part of Somerset County, all of Cambria County and the eastern part of Indiana County, or in other words, it in- cluded all the territory now occupied by Johnstown, West Johnstown, Morrellville, Pleasant Hill, Scalp Level, Rummel, Shade Creek and a part of Manor congregations, with a total membership of approximately 2,550. In addition to this the Brethren (Progressives) have in this same territory organ- izations in Johnstown, Moxham, Morrellville, Rosedale, Vinco, Pike, Windber, Conemaugh with about 1,750 members.
John Mineely, an eighteen-year old son of "Erin," in order to escape military service came to America, and in October 6, 1809, married Elder Maugen's daughter Elizabeth. Young Mineely united with the church and became one of its earliest and most active ministers and elders. He settled above Conemaugh on a tract of land, which for years was called Mineely Hill, later Giffin Hill, and now Locust Grove.
Levi Roberts, of Welsh ancestry, who had come here with his parents in 1803, filled the offices of deacon, minister and elder in succession, and was for many years one of the prominent elders, not only in his home church, but also over
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Western Pennsylvania. Elder Roberts usually walked to his places of preaching.
Jacob Stutzman, who came here from Franklin County, of German descent, and married Susan Ullery, also became one of the earnest and sincere early elders of the Conemaugh church. He settled on the west bank of the Stony Creek, on a farm that is now occupied by the eighth ward of the city of Johnstown. Here he erected a house 30x40 feet, two stories high, and fitted out the upper story for holding meetings and love feasts. His services were in the German language. These three elders, of three different nationalities, labored to- gether many years, and it is said they nearly always agreed on points of doctrine and church government. At one time, however, they disagreed on a certain point of doctrine. The dispute was continued for about a week, when they settled the difference among themselves, manifesting a good spirit.
Daniel Ullery is represented as having been an elder in 1818.
Samuel Lidy, who lived on the banks of the Conemaugh River, just above where the town of East Conemaugh now stands, came on the scene of action a little later. Peter Lutz, an able preacher, lived near Vinco. It is said that he some- times went to church barefooted, which was not uncommon in those days. He moved to the West in 1844, and in 1856 was located at Keokuk, Iowa. David Albaugh, when well advanced in years, moved here from Blair County. He was a minister. He died March 2, 1867, aged 79 years, 6 months and 7 days, and is buried in Angus burying ground. Jacob O. Waters was elected here and followed Elders Stutzman and Roberts in the oversight of the church until he moved to Iowa, where he died in the Dry Creek church, Linn County, October 20, 1872, aged 69 years, 3 months and 26 days. Samuel Berkey was probably elected in the Shade arm of the Conemaugh church, but after marrying Mary Stutzman, daughter of Eld- er Jacob Stutzman, lived on Benshoff Hill, where he died January 29, 1852, aged 26 years and 5 months. Abraham Stutzman, son of the elder Stutzman, was called to the min-
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istry, and subsequently to the eldership, and after Elder Waters moved West, became the elder in charge, until he, too, moved to Ohio.
Other ministers elected (perhaps not in the order given) were: Eli Benshoff, Henry Goughnour, 1855, Lewis Cobaugh, 1855; Aaron Berkebile, Solomon Benshoff, May 20, 1855; John M. Harshberger and Charles Roberts, Joseph S. Burk- hart, Stephen Hildebrand, July 4, 1865; William Byers, 1866; Samuel Shaffer, David Hildebrand, Benjamin Goughnour, 1875 ; Dicen F. Ramsey and Daniel W. Crofford, May 3, 1877.
Besides the above, Samuel Brallier and Daniel Brallier moved in from the Manor congregation, George Hanawalt, from near McVeytown, Pennsylvania, and Wesley A. Adams from the Middle Creek congregation.
John Mineely died June 2, 1852, aged nearly 69 years, and was buried on his farm. Eli Benshoff died April 24, 1855, aged 49 years, 6 months and 3 days, and is buried on Benshoff Hill. Jacob Stutzman died in 1859, at the age of 82 years. He was buried in Benshoff Hill cemetery. Levi Roberts died December 6, 1860, aged 81 years, 9 months and 27 days. He is buried in the Angus burying ground. Lewis Cobaugh died November 17, 1869, aged 36 years, 2 months and 11 days.
Henry Goughnour moved to Iowa; Aaron Berkebile also moved West. Charles Roberts moved to Iowa, and subse- quently united with another denomination. Daniel Brallier moved to Altoona. Joseph S. Burkhart had moved to Shade Creek, but moved back again.
It would seem, from the best information at hand, that the elders who had the oversight of the church, in their order were: Peter Maugen, John Mineely, Levi Roberts, Jacob Stutzman, Jacob O. Waters, Abraham Stutzman, and Samuel Brallier and Solomon Benshoff.
The following are known to have served the old Cone- maugh church in the capacity of deacons: Levi Roberts, Wil- liam Roberts, Jacob Good, Daniel Diamond, Jacob Giffin, Joseph Cobaugh (captain), John Strayer, George Berkebile,
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Daniel Goughnour, Samuel Lidy, Christian Goughnour, Jacob Hoffman, Stephen Hildebrand, Stephen Stutzman, David Hil- debrand, Jacob Ribblett, David Stutzman, Joseph Burkhart, Christian Good, John A. Strayer, Jonathan Berkebile, David Berkebile, A. D. Goughnour, Jacob Wertz, Samuel Gough- nour, Josiah Goughnour, John M. Harshberger, Archibald Wissinger, B. F. Wissinger, John Wissinger, Jacob Berkey, Samuel Knavel, Benjamin Benshoff, Jacob McCartney, Frederick Grove, Daniel Stutzman, L. R. Brallier, and Jesse Berkebile.
More than sixty-five years ago the first meetinghouse was built at what was called Horner's, on the line between Jack- son and Taylor Townships. This was not a love-feast house, and not a very large one. The next meetinghouse was erected on Benshoff Hill, about sixty-three years ago (in 1853). The next church built was the one on Giffin Hill. A union church was built at Headrick's cemetery in 1870, in which the Breth- ren had a share. This church was used mostly for funerals. Later the Pike church was built. In the course of time the old Horner house was replaced by a large love-feast house, 50x80 feet. Benshoff Hill and Giffin Hill also were either remodeled or rebuilt.
So far this history refers to activities prior to 1879. The church had prospered wonderfully, the membership having grown to about 525 members, and the crowds at the love feasts at the Horner church were something wonderful. "On love-feast occasions members came here from Bedford, Som- erset and Indiana Counties; many of them came on foot or on horseback from a distance the day before the feast and re- mained until the day after the feast. Sometimes there were a hundred or two hundred and fifty who came from a dis- tance and were given meals and lodging in the meetinghouse. On such occasions two bullocks and two barrels of flour were consumed. The cost of one of these feasts was estimated at $96 worth of meat, flour, feed, etc." (Quotation from " The Conemaughers.")
For several years there were clamors for a division of this
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large congregation, but every time it failed to carry. But June 12, 1879, it was decided to divide into two congrega- tions. This was done August 7, 1879. Conemaugh retained two regular appointments, four preachers, eight deacons and nearly two hundred members. The new congregation, named Johnstown, had six or seven regular appointments, six preach- ers, eight deacons and between three hundred and four hun- dred members.
For a few years after the division things moved along nicely enough, but the days of trouble and dissension came in the early eighties, and by the time all was over the Cone- maugh church had but a remnant of members left, with one meetinghouse and one minister.
For a number of years regular meetings and love feasts were held at Horner's. After C. F. Detweiler moved to Johnstown, in 1884, he helped along considerably with the work for some time. Other of the Johnstown ministers also preached there, but the membership, still getting smaller, after several attempts Conemaugh was consolidated with Johnstown, October 16, 1890, and the former was dropped from the list,
Several years later meetings were entirely discontinued, the house was sold and torn down, and the dear old sacred spot lives only in the memories of the older generation. Not even a picture is obtainable. But we are glad to be able to say that the Church of the Brethren had not died in the Conemaugh Valley, as will be manifest when reading the histories of the Johnstown and West Johnstown congregations.
COWANSHANNOCK.
The Cowanshannock congregation originally covered all of Armstrong County east of the Allegheny River as well as a large part of Indiana County. It is almost impossible at this late date to ascertain the names of the first Brethren who settled here, or from where they moved. It seems almost certain, however, that the Rairighs were among the first. They moved from Virginia. Other names that occur quite early are Wells, Shumaker, Whitacre, Beer, Helman, White, Kimmel, Secrist, Beck, Spicher, Cravener, Fry, and others.
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It seems certain that the first preaching done there was by. Elders Levi Roberts and John Mineely, of the old. Cone- maugh congregation, and that among the first persons baptized were some of the Rairigh family, notably George. This, Sis- ter Clark thinks, was somewhere between 1820 and 1830. George Rairigh was the first minister elected to the ministry in this section, which occurred probably a few years before the congregation was organized, though it might have taken place at the time of the organization. Brother Rairigh was not an educated man, being scarcely able to read his text at the time of his call to this holy calling. But his industry, perseverance and loyal devotion to the cause knew no bounds. This helped him to overcome many of the difficulties that loom up in the way of missionary effort. By his intense earnestness and self-sacrifice he opened mission stations at a large number of points, so that it required twenty-six weeks to give meetings to each point.
When it comes to the date of the organization of the con- gregation we have three different years given. Miller's " Record of the Faithful " gives 1830, the " History of Arm- strong County " gives the date of organization 1832, and Hol- singer thinks it was in 1834. Meetings continued to be held in the homes of the members, or perhaps also in schoolhouses. until about 1845, when the first meetinghouse was erected c land given by John Whitacre. It was a frame structure, with. a kitchen at the rear end, and was continuously in use until about 1881, when the present house was built. At the time the second house was built William Rairigh gave additional ad- jacent land. The present house is claimed by the Progressive Brethren, though not much used by them.
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In the course of some years Brother Rairigh was ordained to the eldership and others were called to the ministry. Sev- eral brethren by the name of Shumaker were installed north of the Mahoning River. Joseph Shumaker was ordained to the eldership and proved an efficient worker and an effective speaker. Levi Wells, Samuel Rairigh, and subsequently Robert Whitacre, were installed and did some good work. In
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addition to Elders Roberts and Mineely, above named, it is but proper to name other brethren who came here from a dis- tance, and did some preaching : Jacob Stutzman, James Quin- ter, James Kelso, and Graybill Meyers. Later the church elected Lewis Kimmel, Solomon Beer and J. W. Beer.
The church prospered and gained in numerical strength until it was thought good to divide the original congregation into three congregations. This was done in 1862. The north- ern part was called Red Bank, the central part retained the old name, Cowanshannock, and the southern part was named Plum Creek, all named from principal streams of water and townships in which they are located.
Prior to this, about 1842, Samuel Lidy moved into the eastern part of Indiana County to minister to the spiritual wants of a number of members who had moved from Cambria, Bedford and Somerset Counties. In the interest of peace and good understanding as to territorial lines, there was an agreement arrived at that Elder Lidy should have the oversight of the church on the south side of the old Purchase Line from Cherry Tree, on the Susquehanna River, westward to the point where the said line crosses the Mahoning Road leading from Indiana to Punxsutawney, thence along said road south- ward to Philadelphia Street, in Indiana Town, thence from said street along the Blairsville Road to Blacklick Creek, which is the original boundary between the original Conemaugh congregation and the territory now under consideration.
About 1852 there was another arrangement that the coun- try east of the Mahoning Road and north of Purchase Line should be erected into a new congregation called Montgomery. Solomon Beer died and J. W. Beer became an influential min- ister. He moved to the West, but after several years he re- turned and devoted some time to literary work. He pub- lished a work entitled, " The Passover and the Lord's Supper."
In addition to the ministers already named there were elected to that sacred office, at different times, Brethren J. B. Wampler, J. W. Wilt, S. W. Wilt, J. W. Smouse and Eugene H. Smith. These all proved themselves able men in
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the pulpit, and the old Cowanshannock congregation gained a reputation as a preacher factory.
Then came the days of the division, when all the last- named ministers except J. W. Wilt, and perhaps .two-thirds of the membership, went with the Progressives. Brother Wilt moved to Altoona, Pennsylvania, was ordained and labored for that congregation many years. The membership gradually decreased until only a few remained. All the officials had either died or left, leaving those remaining without an organ- ization. Several years ago these members were recommended to the care of the Plum Creek congregation by action of the District Meeting.
Within the last few years efforts have been made to re- vive the work at Cowanshannock. In 1913 Elder L. R. Hol- singer did some preaching there in connection with his work at Red Bank. In the fall of that year a Sunday-school was organized with Brother Robert McMillan, superintendent. Brother McMillan having moved to Marion Centre, Brother Edgar Kimmel, of the Plum Creek congregation, was chosen to take his place, and since February, 1914, has been doing faithful work for them. Few brethren are making the sac- rifice that Brother Kimmel has made the past two years, driv- ing weekly from Plum Creek to Cowanshannock and back. But he is seeing the fruits of his labors. During the last few years Elders L. R. Holsinger, H. S. Replogle, G. K. Walker and H. B. Heisey have done considerable preaching there, and a number have been baptized. The present membership is ten and a number more are applicants. Unless the two branch- es of the church unite it is probable a new meetinghouse will be built in the near future.
Going back to the early days of Cowanshannock, we are told that for many years the meetings were held either in the houses or barns of Jacob Beer, Edward Wells, John Secrist, Peter Beck, Joseph Spicher, George Rairigh, Chrystal Craven- er, Jesse Shumaker, William Rairigh, Daniel Fry and Tobias Kimmel. The Cowanshannock, or Slate Hill, cemetery is a mile southeast of the church and is still used as a burying
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ground by the Brethren and others. The land occupied by the cemetery was given by Elder George Rairigh, and his father, John Rairigh, was probably the first to be buried there.
At the time the first house was built the trustees were Levi Wells, William Rairigh and John Rairigh, and to them the deed for the plot of ground was made by John Whitacre and Elizabeth, his wife. The second plot of ground was deed- ed to Philip Harmon, Jesse Rairigh and William K. Rairigh, trustees of the Brethren (or German Baptist) Church, by Elizabeth Rairigh, of Cowanshannock Township, Armstrong County. It was made on December 22, 1881. The only early deacons whose names have come to me are John Rairigh, Leonard White, Edward Wells and Jacob Wells.
DUNNINGS CREEK CONGREGATION.
By Elder John B. Miller.
This congregation comprises St. Clair and Napier Town- ships, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and lies along the east- ern foothills of the Alleghany Mountains. April 1, 1841, George M. Holsinger, a deacon, and George Stull, a lay mem- ber, moved from Morrison's Cove to Dunnings Creek. They found John Garber, a fine man and a minister in the first de- gree, but too timid to preach, and four or six other members. These, with some others that moved here, formed a small colony of Brethren. About 1843 George M. Holsinger and Moses Rogers were elected to the ministry, and, I think, Robert Callahan, deacon. In the fall of 1843 they began the building of a log meetinghouse, which was completed in 1844. This house is still standing at the graveyard, but is not fit to hold any services in. This house is in St. Clair Township. The land (three-fourths of an acre) and the timber for the house were given by Friend Christian Mock for five dollars. Mock's wife was a member.
Until George M. Holsinger and Moses Rogers had gotten some practice, much of the preaching was done by Brethren Martin Miller, Christian Long, the Brumbaughs, Holsingers
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The Old Mock Church, Dunnings Creek Congregation, Erected in 1843 and 1844.
and Snowbergers. But as this preaching was in the German language, which was not so well understood in this valley, they found it advantageous to call upon the Conemaugh Brethren for English preaching. Levi Roberts, nearly seventy years old, and Peter Lutz, not nearly so old, would walk twen- ty miles across the Alleghanies to preach for them. John Mineeley, a cripple, would come horseback about every four weeks and have about three services each time.
There was a Mennonite preacher, by the name of Snyder, whose wife belonged to the Brethren, and when their daughter also united with them he became so angry that while she was asleep he shaved one side of her head close to the skin.
About the year 1850 or 1851 John S. Holsinger was elect- ed to the ministry, and his brother, Thomas S. Holsinger, to the deacon's office. In 1858 John B. Furry was elected min- ister and John Rogers deacon. John B. Furry died in 1863 and Moses Rogers moved to Iowa. April 24, 1862, George M. Holsinger died. January 2, 1864, Gideon Rogers and John Rogers were elected speakers. August 26, 1865, Joseph Hol- singer and John B. Miller were elected deacons. In 1870 we built the Holsinger meetinghouse. This is a love-feast house.
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Holsinger Church, Dunning's Creek Congregation.
Before this we held our love feasts in barns. January 15, 1871, John B. Miller was elected speaker and George Calla- han and Christian S. Holsinger deacons. John S. Holsinger was ordained to the eldership and the Dunnings Creek church was organized. From 1841 to 1871 we were a branch of the Yellow Creek church.
Most of these years we held our own councils, love feasts, etc. In 1858 John S. Holsinger moved to Iowa, lived there some years, and then returned. In 1875 John B. Miller was advanced to the second degree, Christian S. Holsinger was elected speaker, and Archibald Wissinger and Albert Black- burn were elected deacons. June 13, 1885, Levi Rogers was elected speaker, and Henry Wentz, Robert Callahan and Elias Snowberger deacons. June 23, 1889, David B. Rowzer and Michael S. Miller were elected deacons. In 1893 Elder John S. Holsinger moved to Brentsville, Prince William Coun- ty, Virginia, where he died November 8, 1910. September 7, 1894, George H. Miller was elected to the ministry. June 8, 1895, John B. Miller was ordained to the eldership. March 16, 1901, Thomas B. Mickle and O. S. Corle were elected speakers and James C. Smith, Lewis Gorden and Samuel D. Lape deacons. October 15, 1901, Levi Rogers was ordained to the eldership.
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LE
New Paris Church, Dunnings Creek Congregation.
In about 1874 we were transferred from the Middle Dis- trict to the Western by permission of both Districts. In 1893 we built the Point meetinghouse, and in 1905 we built one in New Paris. Our territory extends twelve miles east and west and twenty-five miles north and south, and is a hard territory to work. One reason our membership has remained small is that we have lost very heavily by emigration. Over 100 cer- tificates have been granted, our members having scattered from Virginia to California. Nearly 100 of our members have died.
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