USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 42
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never safe for him to go to a meeting without a change of clothes, for they had applicants for baptism at nearly every meeting, and sometimes quite a number.
Thus seeing the need of more workers, they had an election in 1847, and elected Daniel Royer and William Hertzler as ministers. Brother Hertzler moving away in 1851, Isaac Brubacher was called to the ministry, but he dying not long afterward, Christian Bucher was elected in 1861, and George Bucher in 1865. Thus the work was kept up in earnest as long as Elder Zug lived.
He was a very alert housekeeper, and left the church in good condition to his successor, Elder Christian Bucher, both spiritually and numerically, so that the church has since been divided, and Midway formed, and organized, of a part of it, and Elder John Herr, whose wife is a grand- daughter of Elder Zug, is now in charge of both, and the membership of both together now numbers about 660.
On July 19, 1873, Elder John Zug fell asleep, at the age of 78 years, 2 months, 5 days, and his remains repose by the side of his wife, who preceded him a few years, in the Heid- elberg Cemetery, there awaiting the sound of the last call on the resurrection morn, to receive the reward of their labor in life.
In disposition Elder John Zug, and his father, Elder Abraham Zug, were vastly different. The father was cau- tious of his words, both in public and private, weighing them well, before uttering, and in dealing with erring mem- bers, though they manifested an obstinate disposition, he had forbearance, so that on one occasion, when he was cen- sured for being too easy, he quoted part of 2 Cor. 5, II : " derweil wir denn wissen dasz der Herr zu fürchten ist, so fahren wir schön mit den leiten." He was reserved, with little visible difference whether in joy or sorrow, while the son, under similar circumstances, manifested the extremes, ready to speak, both in public and private; it did not take him long to show on which side of any question he was. In dealing with erring members, when penitent, he was as ready to forgive as any one, but if they were obstinate and rebellious, he soon lost sympathy. They were both honest
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and sincere, but being so differently constituted, they used different methods to accomplish the best results to the honor and glory of God.
S. R. ZUG.
I. PHILIP ZEIGLER.
The Ziegler family is one of the Brethren families. The original Ziegler, Philip by name, was a member of the Little Swatara congregation in 1770. He was born in 1734 in Bern, Switzerland. He came to America in 1746, and before 1758 settled on the farm, on which the present Zieg- ler meeting house is built. A large part of his descendants have belonged to the Church of the Brethren; not a few have been ministers, some have attained to eminence.
His son Philip, born January 25, 1764, was for a time Elder of the Little Swatara congregation. Philip, Jr., mar- ried Elizabeth Smith. They lived on the old homestead. They had seven children. He lies buried in the private cem- etery of the Zieglers on the Ziegler farm, but his grave is unmarked. His son Jacob was the grandfather of Elder Jesse Ziegler. His son Philip moved to Lancaster County and became the first elder of the Chiques congregation.
John Ziegler, a grandson of the original Philip, married Elizabeth Kline, moved to Rockingham County, Virginia, and became the ancestor of the Rockingham County Zieglers prominent among whom is Elder D. H. Zigler, of Broad- way, Va., author of the "History of the Brethren in Vir- ginia."
J. G. FRANCIS.
J. WILLIAM HERTZLER.
Elder William Hertzler was born near Myerstown, Leb- anon County, Pa., December 30, 1827. He was second of a family of sixteen children, seven sons and nine daughters, born to Jonathan and Elizabeth Royer Hertzler. His par- ents were Germans of that substantial type that imparted good ideals to each of their children.
William enjoyed a common school education, worked on
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his father's farm till twenty-one, and then started out for himself. In 1848 he married Mary Ann Hoffer, and by this union three sons and two daughters were reared, Elder S. H. Hertzler, of Elizabethtown, Pa., being the third child of the family. In 1851 William moved upon a farm in Big Swatara congregation, about three miles from Elizabeth- town, where he resided till his children were grown. In 1894, he moved to Elizabethtown, where he lived a re- tired life until its close.
When sixteen years old he united with the church. In 1847, when but nineteen years old, he and Daniel Royer were elected to the ministry, in the Tulpehocken Church, on the same day. In 1868 he was ordained, first to assist Elder Jacob Hollinger in the care of the Spring Creek con- gregation. and later he was given the full oversight, and retained it till 1895.
In 1865, he, with some others, started a Sunday School in the Conewago house. He served a number of years as superintendent, and was a strong advocate of such effort long before the Conference recognized Sunday Schools. He served for a number of years on the District Mission Board of Eastern Pennsylvania, frequently was appointed Moder- ator of District meeting, and served several times on Stand- ing Committee of the General Conference. His judgment and manner of church work were so good that he was often called to visit churches in the District. He was a peace- maker, an earnest worker, and very considerate of the feel- ings of others.
He was a man of convictions, and was willing to maintain them, not in an overbearing, but modest, quiet way. It took good, sound reasoning to move him from his opinion, but when convinced of an error he would yield like a man, and not try to defend his error against better knowledge. If he noticed trickery or deception in any one concerning church work, he was not slow to reveal it, and in that way encountered the enmity of some who should have stood by him. When called to the ministry he was young and his mind active, so what he lacked in school, he made up in reading. He used his spare moments to read his Bible, and
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commit select portions to memory, rehearsing them while at work on the farm, until he had fixed them in his mind. It was his understanding with his fellow laborers, when any minister misquoted or misapplied a scripture, that the one noticing it should go to him in love and call his attention to his mistake.
His closing years were full of pain and suffering caused by cancer, which at last caused his death, February 10, 1896, in his 69th year. He is buried in Spring Creek Cemetery, where his wife was since laid by his side.
S. R. ZUG.
K. JOHN HERTZLER.
Elder John Hertzler, brother of Elder William Hertzler, and son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Hertzler, was born Sep- tember 10, 1826, in Jackson Township, about one mile east of Myerstown, along the Berks and Dauphin turnpike.
He was the oldest of a family of sixteen. He was mar- ried to Catharine Myer, sister of Elder Jacob Myer. They had no children. He was elected to the ministry in the Little Swatara Church in the year 1858, and ordained to the eldership April 24, 1875.
He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Al- though he had no high school education, yet he was well read, and knew his Bible well. In delivering a sermon, there was quite a contrast between the two brothers, John and William. The latter was considered as one of the most prominent and able ministers in the District, powerfully ap- pealing to his audience with tears in his eyes, touching many a sympathetic heart. Yet some said they would rather hear John preach, who did not have that sympathetic strain, but rather used sound logic, enlightening the mind and judg- ment. Very little wee chaff in his sermons. Every word counted, and when he got fired up, he made the chips fly, irrespective of where they landed. His one weakness was, he was too reserved or backward. It was thought that sometimes he managed to get to meeting late, so as to avoid leading off in the services. He was a good housekeeper. Along with Little Swatara Church he also had in charge
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Schuylkill Church. He died August 27, 1901, not far from Millersburg, Berks Co., and his remains were laid at rest in Frystown Cemetery.
JOHN HERR.
L. JACOB W. MEYER, SR.
Elder Jacob W. Meyer was the son of Samuel O. Meyer. He was born January 29, 1832, on the old Myer homestead, which has been in the Myer family since 1732. The present owner is the ninth generation. He was married October 28, 1853, to Sarah Wenger, daughter of Elder Jacob Wen- ger, who for some time was an Elder of this congregation. He was elected to the ministry April 24, 1875, advanced to 2d degree June 7, 1876, ordained to the full ministry, May I, 190I.
He was unassuming in his manners, was much beloved by his flock, and enjoyed the high esteem and entire con- fidence of his neighbors and friends. He preached the old time Gospel, in an old-time way, and the audience never got tired of listening to him. It was not stuck up so high that the sheep could not reach it. The congregation could not help but feel that it was not him, but the Lord by his Holy Spirit that brought the message.
He had six children, one of whom died in infancy. All of the five were members of the church. Two of the sons -Samuel and Jacob-were elected to the ministry. Samuel was born May 21, 1857, on the old homestead. After leav- ing public school, spent several sessions at Millersville, and taught school seven terms. Elected to the ministry in March 1883. Married to Anna Gibble, October, 1877. Died April 19, 1884.
Thus ended the short career of this useful, talented young minister. "What I now do, thou knowest not, but shalt know hereafter."
Elder Jacob W. Myer died May I, 1906, and was peace- fully laid to rest in the family graveyard, on the old home- stead.
"Though dead yet he speaketh."
JOHN HERR.
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M. ABRAHAM PFAUTZ.
Abraham Pfautz, son of Jacob, son of Michael, who was the brother of Conrad, the sons of John Michael Pfautz, the first, who was born and raised in Switzerland, Europe; but a persecution drove him and others to the Palatinate. From thence he emigrated to America, and landed at Philadelphia. Here he settled, lived, died, and was buried at Germantown, near Philadelphia, Pa. His birthday, time of death, and age could not be ascertained.
Abraham Pfautz was born June 17, 1826, in Lancaster County. He was the second youngest of a family of 13. He was married to Elizabeth, a daughter of Henry Royer, of Reistville, Lebanon Co. They only had one child-a son, Jacob by name, who also is in the ministry, and an Elder in the church. They moved from one mile south of Myers- town, to Little Swatara Church about 1853. Abraham Pfautz was elected to the ministry in 1860, and ordained a few years before his death.
He was widely known in the District. Occasionally he officiated at series of meetings in various churches. The writer remembers having accompanied him on a preaching tour about 40 years ago, in York County. At that time it was the custom for two ministers to travel together, and have services morning and evening during the week.
Only one or two meetings at one house, and then proceed to the next, until the whole territory was covered. Pro- tracted meetings were then unknown. One morning being Bro. Pfautz's time to preach, and not having much inspira- tion, after speaking about 15 minutes, said: "You cannot make good flour, unless you have sufficient power," and sat down. After services a Brother came forward and said : "Bro. Abe, I am a miller by trade, and if I do not have sufficient water power, to make flour, I go to work and make chicken feed. That also is of use."
The hint was well taken. Bro. Pfautz fell asleep Febru- ary 2, 1906. His remains rest in Frystown Cemetery.
JOHN HERR.
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N. CHRISTIAN BUCHER.
Christian Bucher was born November 4, 1833, on the old Bucher homestead in South Lebanon Township. He is the son of Jacob and Veronica (Brubaker) Bucher. His great- grandfather was Dr. Benedict Bucher, who was born in Switzerland in 1717. He settled on the present site of Den- ver Station, Lancaster County, in 1759, and died in 1787. His grandfather was also Dr. Benedict Bucher, who was father of eleven children, and died in May, 1830. Jacob Bucher, the father of Elder Christian Bucher, was born in 1807. Married Veronica Brubaker in 1830, and died in 1871. They had eight children: Lydia, Christian, Anna, Jacob, Susanna, Veronica, George, and Elizabeth.
C. Bucher, as he modestly prefers to write his name, was reared on the farm, and was educated in the public schools. He taught school from 1853 to 1861, and won the distinc- tion of being one of the six best teachers in the county. He was afterward always concerned in getting the best of teachers for the school to which he sent his children.
In 1851 he married Eliza Dohner, daughter of John and Katharine (Smith) Dohner, of South Lebanon Township. They have had seven children, all living : Mohler and Alice, twins, the former a deacon, and farmer, the latter married to Jonas Brubaker; Allen, a minister of the Brethren, and a farmer ; Esther, wife of Isaac Heagy, Clara, wife of Sam- uel Lentz, Ada and Amy, twins, the former wife of Mon- roe Keller, and the latter unmarried. All his children are members of the Church of the Brethren.
He bought the ninety-acre farm of John Funk, deceased, of Heidelberg Township, and worked it a number of years. He also did surveying and conveyancing. After some years he moved to Schaefferstown, where in partnership with Allen Mentzer he engaged in mercantile pursuits. After a time he returned to his farm. He was also appointed to superintend some iron-mining operations in the vicinity. In 1887, he left his farm in the hands of his son Mohler, and retired across the road, on a place of a few acres. Here he lived till, with his wife and unmarried daughter, he took up his home with his son-in-law, Samuel Lentz, near Midway.
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Here his wife died and is buried in the Cornwall cemetery. Bro. Bucher was elected to the office of deacon June 5, 1860, at the lovefeast held at Elder John Zug's, having been bap- tized August 6, 1854. He was elected to the ministry June 10, 1861, at the lovefeast held on the farm of Samuel Kurtz. He was advanced September 21, 1865; and was ordained to the eldership in the Heidelberg House April 3, 1875. He had the oversight of the church, however, two years before his ordination.
As a preacher Bro. Bucher was much in demand. He brought things new and old out of the treasury of God's word. To listen to him was to learn something. He was liked none the less for hewing close to the line. When called to the ministry, he was impressed with the respon- sibility of being a watchman, and ever strove to warn of danger. His blunt way of putting things made him enemies. He was ever anxious to keep his hands from being tied. He was used very much at funerals, not only at home, but also in adjoining churches. He preached 728 funeral sermons that he had jotted down; some were sure to have escaped unrecorded.
He became known at home as a very efficient housekeeper. He was also much used away from home to adjust difficul- ties. He served on the following committees to churches : To Philadelphia in 1875; to carry out Art. 16 in 1879; to Ephrata in 1880; to Sandbrook, N. J., in 1880; to Amwell, N. J., in 1881 ; to Berlin Church, Pa., in 1881 ; to Amwell, N. J., in 1883. A number of times he was elected by Dis- trict Meeting on the Standing Committee.
He figured largely at our District Meetings, and also to some extent at our Annual Meetings. One of his hardest lessons to learn was, that when decisions were made con- trary to his way of thinking, to submit to them. This weak- ness could be less overcome, in his declining years, and he lost courage, became dissatisfied with many of his co-Elders in the District, and became inactive in church work.
JOHN HERR.
35
PART IX. MISSIONARY GROUP.
CHAPTER I.
PEACH BLOSSOM CHURCH.
In September, 1875, Brother S. C. Rittenhouse and family moved to Talbot County, Maryland, from Ohio. Also his father, Elder Joseph Rittenhouse and his wife came with them. Early in the spring of 1876, Elder Rittenhouse be- gan to preach in a schoolhouse near Easton, Maryland, serv- ices being held every two weeks. A Sunday School was opened and held every Sunday with good attendance. One was baptized that summer. On account of his wife's health Brother Joseph and his wife returned to Ohio that fall. Shortly after that time Brother N. C. Rittenhouse and family, a brother to S. C., also moved from Ohio.
In March, 1877, Joseph D. Wingard, a deacon, and family moved in from Ohio. These members who had come in up to this time, six in number, presented their letters of mem- bership to Pipe Creek Church, Maryland, the ministers of which church preached for them at intervals until 1880. During that time a union meeting house was built at the river called the Peach Blossom.1
Elder William Hertzler and J. T. Myers, of Pennsyl- vania, came and preached in the new house, October 16, 188I. They at this time organized the Peach Blossom Church. Brother J. D. Wingard was elected to the ministry, and S. C. Rittenhouse was elected deacon. During these meetings ten were baptized. The Peach Blossom house was built by four denominations : Methodist, Reformed, Lu-
1 It is said the first peach tree in Maryland was planted near this stream; hence the name.
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UNION CHURCH, TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND. WHERE THE BRETHREN FIRST PREACHED ON THE EASTERN SHORE.
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PEACH BLOSSOM CHURCH.
theran, Swedenborg and the Brethren. Each denomination was to have services every fourth Sunday. But as the others did not have services regularly the Brethren soon had preaching every two weeks.
February, 1882, Caleb Secrist and family-a minister in the second degree-moved here from Kansas.
October 13, 1883, Brother Francis Schwaninger, one of the ten baptized at the organization, was elected to the office of deacon.
In 1885, Joseph Longanecker and family came here from Western Shore of Maryland.
In 1887, Brother Daniel Geib and family moved here from Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Also in same year, Brother H. E. Sanger and family, a deacon, came from West Virginia.
In 1888, a dividing line was fixed between this and the Ridgely congregation by a joint committee representing both congregations and locating the same as follows : Beginning at Federalsburg, Dorchester County, running direct to the mouth of Tuckahoe Creek; thence up the creek to Hillsboro bridge; thence by the public road to Centreville, Queen Anne County.
In fall of 1891, Brother James A. Hutchison, a minister in second degree, and family moved in from West Virginia.
The Fairview Meeting House, near Cordova, was built in 1893 and dedicated December 24, of same year. Seating capacity 300 or more. Estimated cost $2,000.
August 30, 1894, Brother Aaron Royer was elected deacon.
In 1896, Brother Allen A. Oberlin, a minister in second degree, and family moved here from Indiana. A Sunday- School was organized at Fairview House, March 18, 1897, with Brother Oberlin as superintendent. August, 1897, J. Roy Rittenhouse was elected deacon.
In 1898, Elder Isaac Barto moved here from Pennsyl- vania, and shortly afterward took charge of the church. About this time the church passed from under the District Mission Board, under whose care it had been up until this time. April 1I, 1901, Elder Barto resigned, and Elder
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J. Y. King of the Ridgely Church took charge, which posi- tion be held until his death in November, 1906. Follow- ing Elder King's death the oversight of the church passed to our present Elder in charge in 1907, Elder S. K. Fike, who with his family moved here from Garrett County, Maryland, in April, 1906.
In 1897, with aid from the Mission Board, a house of worship was built for the colored people, a number of whom had united with the church.
September 19, 1902, a building was purchased, in Easton, which after remodelling was dedicated as a house of wor- ship on September 13, 1903. Seating capacity about 225. Finished cost for house and lot about $2,000.
November 1, 1902, Wm. E. Sanger was elected a deacon. One of our deacons, Brother A. H. Royer, moved to Penn- sylvania. May 21, 1904, Brethren F. H. Rittenhouse and M. J. Hutchison were elected deacons. April 2, 1908, W. F. Snively, a deacon, and family moved in from Ohio. On September 3, 1908, Wm. E. Sanger was elected to the ministry and advanced to second degree September 1, 1910. On September 5, 1912, Brother O. S. Miller was elected a deacon. November 23, 1912, during a series of meetings nine were baptized, all Sunday-school scholars.
On December 31, 1912, the membership numbered 85 : I Elder, 3 ministers in second degree and 7 deacons.
In closing we feel inclined to make special mention of our indebtedness to the Mission Board of Eastern Pennsylvania for their interest and care and financial assistance in build- ing church houses, during the earlier years of our history. And we acknowledge the care and grace of our Father above, and feel that a more earnest purpose and a stronger missionary spirit obtain at this time with our little band than ever before.
Caleb Secrist, Wm. E. Sanger.
CHAPTER II.
RIDGELY CHURCH.1
The official record of the organization of the Ridgely Church is as follows: "Ridgely, Caroline County, Mary- land, August 2, 1884. The Ridgely Church, Caroline County, Maryland, was this day organized, (with the un- derstanding that they, with the Peach Blossom Church, de- cide what the line shall be between them, before long), with Conrad Imler as their minister, being in the second degree, and Geo. Brumbaugh and Jos. D. Snowberger as deacons.
The private members now living here are: Elizabeth Brumbaugh, Peter Bechtel, David S. Stayer, Trusanna Stayer, Mat. McDaniel, Sister McDaniel, Sarah Catharine Imler, Susan Imler, Annie Bechtel, Alex. Dasher, Hannah Smith, Hannah Snowberger, Levi R. Brumbaugh, D. B. Stayer, Barbara Stayer, C. O. Biddle, Babara Biddle, Annie Ober, Agnes Blackburn."
(See Part X, Chapter IV.) "Missionary History,"- for history Eastern Shore of Maryland Mission.
This organization was effected at the Boonsboro School- house near Ridgely, with the following Elders present :: Solomon Stoner and Geo. Hoover in behalf of the District of Eastern Maryland; William Hertzler and S. R. Zug in in behalf of the District of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Elders organized by electing Elder Stoner, Moderator of the meeting, and Elder Zug, Clerk. The Elders decided that the members composing this new congregation should decide by vote, their preference as to which state district they would belong. The vote was as follows: 15 for Eastern Penn- sylvania, 3 nays, I neutral.
At the first council held October 24, 1884, Brother Matthew McDaniel was appointed clerk, and Brother Jos.
1 I am indebted to Elder T. F. Imler for much information con- tained in this sketch.
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Snowberger treasurer, and decided that the love-feast and communion service shall be held at the home of C. H. Imler, and adopted the single mode of feet washing. The two deacons were appointed a committee to look up a location for a church building and cemetery, and on January 31, 1885, submitted two locations, but neither was accepted by the congregation. Some time later, ground was secured near the schoolhouse, where the organization was effected, and afterwards a frame church building was erected thereon, 40 X 40 feet, and a 14 foot ceiling.
On July 27, 1889, a second house was ordered built, size 36 by 40 feet, the former to be known as the Boonsboro, and the latter as the Bethel house.
Officials Received by Letter .- The work of the Brethren on the Eastern Shore is largely the result of emigration in the earlier years, and the first members there had all emi- grated. On April 23, 1885, the certificate of Elder J. Y. King and wife was received, and Brother King became the assistant to Elder William Hertzler, who had charge since the organization. Other officials were received as follows : December 29, 1896, Elder Geo. S. Rairigh; March 20, 1897, William Shimer, deacon; March 29, 1899, Benjamin Stewart, deacon; September 27, 1899, D. R. Heddings, deacon; March 28, 1900, Brother Levi Spicher, deacon; March 29, 1905, J. H. Beer, Elder, and Milan H. Spiker, minister in second degree ; September 27, 1905, E. F. Clark, a minister in the second degree, and O. P. Pherson, deacon; March 28, 1906, Edward Steel and George Steel, deacons; August, 1907, Elder T. F. Imler; May 12, 1908, J. W. Arnold, deacon; July 14, 1909, Solomon Longenecker, deacon; Sep- tember 20, 1909, A. R. Kitchen, a minister in the second degree.
Elections .- November 1, 1890, L. R. Brumbaugh was elected to the ministry, and D. B. Stayer and D. K. Crouse, deacons. August 26, 1897, L. R. Brumbaugh was ad- vanced. July 4, 1902, John P. Holsinger and Aaron C. Reber were elected deacons. March 30, 1904, Milton F. King and Harry R. Holsinger were elected deacons. Janu- ary 16, 1911, Levi K. Ziegler was elected to the ministry.
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