History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 89

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948


USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 89


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The present membership of the congregation ex- ceeds four hundred communicants.


The first Sunday-school of this congregation was ganized in the spring of 1840, with Rev. Daniel Weiser superintendent, and John J. Thomas assist- ant superintendent. School was opened with some twenty children, and continued during the past forty- three years. Several teachers in this school have labored during the forty-three years of its existence, among whom may be mentioned the Misses Eberhart, -Eliza and Maria. The successive superintendents of this Sunday-school have been as follows : John J. Thomas, Joseph Connor, W. T. Cramer, Jacob Bibig- hans, Isaac Fluck, W. C. Roeder, Nathan C. Roeder. The present number of scholars in this Sunday-school exceeds two hundred.


The Reformed Upper Milford Congregation .- The church and ground of this congregation is situ- ated in the village of Zionsville, and on the same road as the Lutheran Church. The father of this church was no doubt a man named Philip Ilerzog. He im- migrated to this country in 1788, and soon afterwards settled at this place and took up one hundred and two acres of land. On the eastern corner of this tract the first Reformed Church was built previous to the year 1750.


According to the church record (which was opened abont 1757), the congregation must have been formed nearly five years previous. Among the persons on record as members of this church we find the follow- ing parents, sponsors, and infants : Philip Herzog, Rinehard Kersemer, Paulus Foerst, Nicolans Ställer,


:


John Stähler, Alexander Diefendoerfer, Friederich Kern, Rudolph Weisz, Jacob Funk, Philip Gesel, Stoffel Andreas, Joh. Henry Rudolph, George Stahl, Casimir Grünmeyer, Daniel Dubs, Johannes Müller, Nicolaus Bieber, Joh. Armbruster, John Reisz, Peter Lang, Christian Fischer, Philip Becker, Peter Linn, Joh. Koch, Jacob Berger, George Bater, Conrad Wolf, Michael Sehmeier, Stoffel Schmidt, Gorg Knaben- berger, Jacob Holtzhansen, Gottfried Diefendahler, Henry Kemmerer, Hartman Lubenguth, Joh. Ole- wein, Joh. Marburger, Joh. George Christian, Joh. Lerch, Nicolaus Larosch, Chasz. Spengler, Jacob Federolf, Valentine Klick, Joh. Rothenbürger, Jo- hannes Ort, Ulrich Kulbe, Adam Diehl, David Strausz, Joh. Adam Zieszly, Adam Schuler, Joh. Bernhard Vögeli, Conrad Nusz, George Suszholtz, Philip Wetzel, Melchior Baer, Wendel Wieand, Joh. Ililligasz, David Standt, Peter Lahr, Peter Deischer, Philip Walter, Henry Erhard, Andreas Gräber, Con- rad Klein, Jacob Gehry.


away.


In the year 1858 this church gave way to a new one, the third church, built of brick. Below is a list of all the known ministers in charge of this con- gregation : Rev. John Egidius Hecker, from 1757-62; Rev. John Philip Leydich, seven or eight years, until 1771; Rev. John George Witner, 1771-79; Rev. John Henry Helffrich, 1779-1810 (thirty-one years) ; Rev. Jacob William Dechant, 1811-15 (he went as a mis- sionary to Ohio) ; Rev. Daniel Zeller, 1815-57 (forty- two years ; resigned in old age) ; Rev. Alfred J. G. Dubs, 1857-71 (fourteen years) ; Rev. R. S. Appel, 1871-73 (two years) ; Rev. Dr. Daniel Weiser, 1878-7.1 (as supply ) ; Rev. Eli Keller, 1874, the present pastor.


Second Upper Milford Reformed Congregation. -This congregation was organized in Is18 by some members of the old Reformed congregation, and erected with the Lutheran congregation (which was compelled to build a new church) a Union church in the year 1819. The building committee was composed as fol- lows, viz. :


Lutheran-Isaac Klein, John Vogt, trustees ; John Dillinger, Jacob Bildhaus, building committee ; Friedrich Wilhelm Mendseu, pastor.


Reformed-John Mechling, Lorens Stahler, trus- tees ; Conrad Mertz, Christian Stahler, building com- mittee ; Jacob C. Becker, V.D.M., pastor.


The united congregations bought of Christopher Mohr, Ang. 22, 1818, a small tract of land containing forty-three perches, at fifty-five dollars. On this ground the new Union Church was built in 1819 and consecrated in 1820.


The ministers who have had charge of this new


372


HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


congregation since 1820 are as follows: Rev. Jacob Götz, Johann Michael Mattinger, Jacob Schantz, George Wälder, Ludwig Siefers, Michael Reichen- bach, Peter Edelman, Adam Reinhard, Christian Metzger, Peter Lange, Conrad Zeller, Johannes Junt, Friederich Keiser. (. Becker; Rev. Johann Theobald Faber had charge of the congregation until his death, in 1833, fourteen years; Rev. Samuel Hess had charge of the congre- gation, 1833-44, eleven years, resigned, and had charge the same time of Sancon; vacant 1844-45; The male communicants of the year 1750 we find Rev. H. S. Baszler served two years, from 1845-47; | by the record were Jacob Kurr, Gabriel Kohler, Rev. Christian Rudolph Keszler, 1847-49, resigned on account of sickness; Rev. Johann Bernhard Poerner had charge of this and some other congrega- tions five years, 1849-54, resigned, and went to Lu- zerne County ; he organized in 1850 the Chestnut Hill congregation ; Rev. Johann Simon Keszler, D.D., nine years, from 1855 to 1864, and died in Allentown, Dec. 21, 1864, aged sixty-seven years, four months. Keszler was one of the most prominent ministers in the Reformed Church ; Rev. Henry S. Baszler, second time, took charge for seven years, 1864-71, and re- signed.


After the resignation of Rev. Baszler, the congrega- tion was discontinued; about seventy-five members sold their share in the church property to the Im- therans, by a release deed, for five hundred and fifty dollars. This new Reformed congregation existed fifty-two years.


The Original Upper Milford Lutheran Congre- gation .- The origin of this congregation occurred near the present village of Dillingersville, in the present township of Lower Milford (then Upper Milford), in or about the year 1734 or 1735. A suita- ble tract of land, containing almost thirty acres, was selected, upon which a log building was erected for school and church purposes. The fathers of this congregation, as nearly as can be ascertained, were Theobad Mechlin, Henry William Dillinger, Martin Weilknecht, Michael Moser, Peter Wentz, Henry Post, Andreas Eckhart, Casper Ritter, Peter Rerz, Heinrich Riesz, Christopher Andreas Guthman, Leon- hart Lutz.


The record was opened in the year 1749 by the pastor, Rev. Ludolph Heinrich Schrencke. Among the names which we find in this record are the fol- lowing : Johan Jacob Kurr, Peter Schilp, Michael Schmidt, Friederich Kämmerer, John George Dillin- ger, Jacob Dillinger, Hans Dillinger, Johann Jacob Mechlin, Johann l'eter Mechlin, Michael Flores, Nicolaus Stahler, Paul Ritter, Martin Ritter, Peter Greulig, Johann George Bassel, William Hencke, Johann George Miller, Mathias Ox, Johann Michacl Guthman, Johann Peter Köhler, Friederich Nunges- ser, Philip Stephen Doppenmeyer, George Klein, Thomas Kurr, Isaac Leopold Dolp, Johann Adam Trump, Johann David Streib, Gabriel Köhler, Johann Adam Roth, Johann Michael Bastian, Mathias Bas- tian, Johannes Dörr, Johannes Wagenseil, Michael Rieb, Johann Martin Schwenek, George Schweig- hardt, Jacob Busch, Johann Mathias Muller, Bal- thasar Vetterman, Martin Schaffer, Peter Hittel (Hittel), Peter Trautman, Jost Olewein, Balthasar


Jacob Weisz, Christian Reiner, Johannes Becker, Johann Michael Guthman, Thomas Kurr, Johann Ada Gebel, Johann George Jund, Hannes Yund, Johann Heinrich Mattinger, Jacob Eigener, Michal Rich, Friederich Kormmerer, Johannes Schaller, Andreas Beyer, Johann Adam Gramly, Philip Flexer, Michael Bastian, Conrad Pap, Johann Andreas Dres- ler, Adam Roth, Mathias Eigener, Michael Knappen- berger, Michael Flores, Martin Schäffer, Theobald Mechlin, Johann Georg Hufft, Conrad Rosz, Mathias Heyle, Melchior Vogelman, George Dillinger, Peter Köhler, Johann Georg Steigleder, Henry Henser, Johann Heinrich Hartwick, Heinrich Thomas.


'The names of the ministers who officiated for this old congregation previous to the year 1745 are not known. From 1745 to 1748 the old Lutheran patri- arch, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, was in charge of the church. He was living in Providence township (then Philadelphia County). From 1748 to 1749 the congregation was served occasionally with the word of God by the school-teachers, John Jacob Loeser and John Friederich Vigera. From 17:49 to 1753 the con- gregation was in charge of Ludolph Henry Schreneke, or Schrenk. He came in March, 1749, from Line- berg, in Germany, to Philadelphia, and was ordered by Muhlenberg to this place, and had the Upper Mil- ford and Saucon congregations in charge until the year 1753, when he went to Raritan, N. I.


The successor of Rev. L. H. Sehrencke was Rev. John Andreas Friederici, or Friederich, who had charge of this church (and that in Saucon) for a period of eight years, from 1754 to 1762. Hle went to Smithfield, on the other side of the Blue Mountain.


The pastor or pastors who took charge of the con- gregation after Friederici departed, from 1762 to 1767. are not known. During that time a very nice record was kept, but no pastor is mentioned.


(In 1757 a second Lutheran congregation was or- ganized in Upper Milford-at the present Zionsville -by some of the members of the old congregation, brought abont by differences now unknown.)


From 1767 to 1789 the old congregation had no pastor. From 1789 to 1791, Rev. Christian Espich had charge of the congregation. After his term of service the congregation was disbanded, and the old log house was afterwards only used for school por- poses.


In the year 1799 the old house was removed, and with the wood a barn was erected on the premises. At the same time a new stone school-house, combined with a dwelling, was erceted. Until the year 1799 the premises belonged to the Lutheran congregation


-


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UPPER AND LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIPS.


exclusively, but in that year rules were adopted which made the property a union property,-Lutheran, Re- formed, Mennonite, and Schwenkfelder.


The Second Upper Milford Lutheran Congrega- tion .- The property of this congregation is located in the village of Zionsville, in Upper Milford, on the ; old "King's high-road," leading from Macungie to Philadelphia, on a beautiful hill, a branch of the South Mountain.


This congregation was organized in 1757 by mem- bers who had separated from the old and original congregation. Peter Hüttel, father of the Hittels in Lehigh County, and a member of the old congrega- tion, bought, in 1753, of John Bingaman, at the present Zionsville, over one hundred and twenty acres of land, of which he donated, in 1757, one acre to the newly-organized congregation.


The first church was built in 1758. It was a log structure, and was used by the congregation until the year 1819. The church record was opened in the year 1758 by the pastor, Rev. Friederich Schertlein. Among the names of the earliest members found in it are the following : Henry Hertzel, Joh. Nic. Steiner, John Arnold, John Schaller, Abraham Reinhard, Nic. Rothenbürger, Michael Flores, Jacob Dillinger, Peter Martin, Friederich Toelp, Jost Olewein, George Wieter, Nicolaus Seytel, Michael Spiegel, Isaac Jerry (Jerrett), Christian Metzger, Fred. William Kern, Philip Jacob Wagner, George Dorr ( Doerr), Johan- nes Steckert, Peter Hüttel ( Hittel), Gabriel Köhler, Theobald Mechlin, Henry Kurr, Friederich Kam- merer, John Wetzel, Peter Fisher, J. Michael Mat- tinger, Jacob Sicher, Joh. Seb. Trickenmiller, Joh. Philip Heing, Joes Rosz, Christian Reinert, Ludwig Siefer, Wilhelm Schiffer, Adam Thiel (Diehl), Joh. Musselberger, Christian Fischer, Peter Schuler, Philip Federolff, Friederich Kirchner, George Still, Stephan Thalman, Philip Schutz, Michael Stocker, Philip Sehlanch, Jacob Schaffer, Johannes Heinle, Frantz Wesko, Hannes Hud, Heinrich Beeker, George Seider, Adam Kohlman, Johannes Schantz, Abr, Hauser, Christoph Hoepler, Michael Flexer, Martin Ring, Jacob Theil, Conrad Wittmeier, Mathias Bas- tian, and others.


The first minister who officiated as pastor for this congregation was Rev. Schäfer. Ile served for about one year, 1757. His successor in office was Rev. Jacob Friederich Schertlein, who served about two years, from 1758-60. It was under his charge that the first church was erected in the year 1758. The names of the ministers who had charge of the con- gregation from 1760-69, a period of nine years, are not known, but no doubt Rev. George Wiesner, who had at the same time the Macungie congregation in charge, was one of them. In the year 1769, Rev. Jacob Von Buskirk came to this place and took charge of the congregation, and remained until the year 1793, twenty-four years. His successor was George Friederich Ellisen, 1793-97. After Ellisen


departed, Rev. Jacob Von Buskirk eame a second time, and officiated for the congregation nearly four years, or until the year 1800. His successor was Rev. I. P. F. Kramer, from 1800 to 1803. Rev. Friederich Geisenhainer, Rev. Heinrich Heyer, Rev. Mr. Roller, and Rey. Friederich Plitt served during the period from 1803 to 1808; Rev. Henry Heiny, from 1808 to 1817; Rev. Henry (. Stecher, from 1817 to 1819; and Rev. Friederich Wilhelm Mendsen during the year 1819. In that year the old log church was taken away and a new and large stone church was erected, and in- stead of a Lutheran was made a union church, under charge of Rev. Mendsen. Mendsen's successor was Rev. Benjamin German, from 1819 to his death, in 1848, twenty-nine years. His successor in offee was his brother, Wilhelm German, from 1848 to his death, July 28, 1851.


In the year 1851, Augustus L. Dechant, a Reformed minister, had charge of the congregation a short time as supply. In the year 1852, Rev. Jacob Vogelbach took charge of the congregation, and remained nutil 1857. He resigned and went to Philadelphia, where he died, His successor in office was Rev. William Rath, the present pastor. During the last four years his son, Rev. M. O. Rath, has officiated as assistant pastor.


In the year 1876 the old church was taken away and a large brick church was erected on the same spot, and instead of a union was made a Lutheran Church. The half-share of the Reformed congrega- tion in the real property was bought for the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars, and the sole right of the property secured to the Lutherans by a release deed.


Chestnut Hill Church (of the union Lutheran and Reformed congregations) is situated on Chestnut Hill, in Lower Milford. This church property is very old. No record previous to the year 1757 is in existenee. It has been assumed by some persons that the first church at this place was erected as early as 1720, but no argument can be found to prove such an assertion. Still, the church is very old. Its origin could be placed previous to the year 1757. and perhaps previous to the year 1740. The year in which the original congregation (German Reformed ) was organ- ized is not known. We have an old instrument of writing, a deed, which is dated March 3, 1757, ae- cording to which the ground on which the church was previously erected and the burying-ground located, about one acre, was sold by Andreas Engelman to the congregation for the consideration of ten shillings.


The names of the members of the congregation mentioned in the deed aforesaid were as follows: George Stahlnecker, Jost Olewein, Jacob Smith, Mar- tin Schwenck, Jacob Bitthans, Christofel Heller, George Welder, Nicholas France, Peter Kurtz, Jacob Hoover ( Huber), John Goodwalts, Jolm Shoemaker, Christian Miller, Peter Sluser (Schlosser), Peter Lang, Andreas Engelman. Attest by Susanna Margaretha Gebhard and Thomas Owens, J. P.


,


374


HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


The names of the pastors of the congregation pre- vious to the year 1782 are not known. It is believed that Rev. Casper Wack officiated for this church a short time between 1770 and 1783.


There is still an old reeord-book in possession of the congregation, which was opened June, 1773, and closed at the end of the year 1787, in which we find the names of parents, sponsors, and infants who were baptized, ete. We find further that Rev. Friederich Dellicker, by birth a Frenchman, a Huguenot (his original name was De La Cour), officiated for the con- gregation abont two years (1782-83).


His suecessor in office was no doubt Rev. Friederich Wilhelm van der Sloot, Sr., who officiated for the church from 1784 to 1786.


From 1787 to 1811 the church had no regular pas- tors. In the year 1811, Rev. Jacob Wilhelm Deehant preached at the church once every four weeks.


The last funeral service in the old church was held by Rev. Henry G. Stecher, on Feb. 14, 1818. This was the funeral of Abraham Hendricks, at which a part of the gallery was broken down, but without serious aeeident to anybody.


In 1820 the old church, a log building, was torn down, and with the material a school house was ereeted at the same place.


In the old record we find the following names: Jo- hannes Stahl, Carl Ludwig Kaiber, Nicolaus Rothen- bürger, Anthon Stähler, Jacob Miller, Adam Albrecht, Johannes Schmith, Johann Koenig, George Kaufman, Jacob Rumfeld, Peter Busch, Peter Deisz (now Dice), John Andreas Engelman, Andreas Stahlnecker, Nico- laus Dietz, Peter Braun, Reinhardt Brunner, George Schäffer, Johannes Linn, Jacob Erdman, Simon Zel- ler, Jacob Eberhard, Hans Vogt, Johannes Welder, Hans Ord, Rudolph Funk, George Wurman, Georg Ruch, Michael Ott, George Steiner, Jacob Wittman, Michael Bischop, Henry Huber, George Kern, George Harlacher, Jacob Kehler.


In 1850 there were two congregations organized at this place, a Reformed congregation and a Lutheran congregation, and the same year a new union church was erected. The building committee was composed of Anthony Schiffert, Willoughby Gabel, of the Lutheran congregation ; Peter Engelman, of the Reformed ; Henry Meyer, of the Mennonite ; Samuel Rothenberger, treasurer. ( No congregation has been organized by the Mennonites.)


Since 1850 the congregations have been served by the following pastors : W. B. Kemmerer, S. K. Brobst, Ferdinand Berkenmeyer, Edward HI. M. Sell, Leon- hard Groh, R. Kistler, F. Welden, Joseph Hilpot, A. R. Horne (present pastor), Lutheran ; Johann B. Poerner, tive years (1850-55), John S. Keszler, D.D., six years (1856-63), Henry S. Baszler, six years ( 1864 -70), A. F. Ziegler, supply, one year (1871), F. J. Mohr, twelve years (1871-83), C. J. Wieand (present pastor), Reformed.


The number of communicants of the present Re-


formed congregation is about eighty. Those of the Lutheran congregation number nearly one hundred.


St. Peter's Union Church .- This church is situated right on the west corner of Upper Milford, and on the public road leading from the village of Shimersville to Sieszholtzville, about three and a half miles west. of Shimersville. The land was purchased by the in- habitants of the neighborhood in or about the year 1770, for the use of a burial-ground and school. On the ground is still an old school-house, which was no doubt erected as early as 1770. In the year 1843 there was a Lutheran congregation, and also a Re- formed congregation, organized here. In the follow- ing year (1844) a new stone church was erected on this ground. Since the organization of these cougre- tions several ministers have had pastoral ch: r_e Their names are, as near as known, as follows: Luth- eran Congregation .- Revs. Daniel Kohler, Samuel K. Brobst, Ferdinand Berkenmeyer, Edward Herman M. Sell, ------ Crall, S. R. Bayer, D. H. Humbert (present pastor). The present membership of the Lutheran congregation at the St. Peter's Church is estimated at about fifty communicants.


Reformed Congregation .- Rev. Henry S. Baszler (eight years), born Aug. 8, 1804, died Feb. 17, 1883; Rev. Christian Rudolf Keszler (one year), born Feb. 20, 1823, died March 4, 1855; Rev. Jolm Bernhard Poerner (five years) ; Rev. Dr. John Simon Keszler (nine years), born Aug. 19, 1797, in Switzerland, and died Dec. 21, 1864, in Allentown ; Rev. R. S. Appel (two years) ; Rev. Augustus L. Dechant (one year) ; Rev. Eli Keller (pastor since 1874). The present membership of the Reformed congregation is esti- mated between twenty-five and thirty communieants.


In the summer of the year 1883 St. Peter's Church was repaired and a new steeple was erected.


The Old Mennonite Church and Congregation. -The church of this congregation is situated near the village of Zionsville, in Upper Milford, on the public road leading from Macungie to Sumneytown, and on the King's high-road. The origin of the congregation . is more involved in obscurity than that of any other congregation in the vicinity. It has been traditionally reported that this congregation was founded and or- ganized previous to the year 1740, or as early as 1735. It is true that the Mennonites settled very early in several parts of Upper Milford previons to the year 1785, and without any doubt they organized their congregation previous to the year 1740.


Feb. 10, 1772, John Schantz and Benjamin Meyer, trustees of the Mennonite congregation, bought from Henry Schleifer for twenty-five shillings one-half acre of ground (the same on which many years pre- vious a church had been erceted, and which had also been used as a burying-ground). On Jan. 20, 1795, Ulrich Baszler and Abraham Shantz, trustees of the same congregation, bought of Conrad Meyer a second tract, containing thirty-nine perches, to enlarge the ! burying-ground.


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UPPER AND LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIPS.


The first meeting-house, a log structure, was built by this congregation between the years 1735 and 1740. In the year 1840 a third tract of land, containing one and one-half acres, was bought by the congregation from Conrad Meyer. In the same year the old log church gave way to a new one of stone.


The names of the earliest members of this congre- gation were, as near as can be ascertained, as follows, viz. : Conrad Stamm, Johannes Stahl, Derrick Jan- sen, Henry Schleifer, George Weisz, John Meyer, Henry Funk, Michael Meyer, Peter Meyer, Johannes Gehman, Johannes Stauffer, Daniel Stauffer, Abra- ham Meyer, Ulrich Baszler, Jacob Hiestand, Philip Geisinger, Christian Musselman, Rudolph Weisz, John . Schantz, and others.


In the year 1876 the third and present church, a large brick structure, was built, and the old stone church was torn down.


The names of the earliest ministers of this congre- gation are unknown. It has been reported that a man named Michael Holtzhausen was their pastor for years. It has been further reported that a certain Hans Gehman, of Hereford (born Feb. 12, 1741, died Dee. 23, 1806), was in charge of this congrega- tion as their pastor for some years. His successor was, as it is reported, his son, Johannes (John) Geh- man, born March 22, 1771, died July 31, 1848. Ile officiated for a period of thirty-five years. The next pastor was John Schantz (oil miller, born Dec. 19, 1774, and died Jan. 8, 1855). Ile was in charge for twenty years, from 1828 to 1848. His successor in office was his son, Rev. Joseph Schantz (born Aug. 16, 1814, died June 23, 1881). He officiated for thirty- seven years, from 1844 until his death. In the year 1847, William Gehman, at the age of twenty years, was elected assistant pastor of the congregation to serve with Rev. Schantz, to which office he attended faithfully for six years, and then resigned. The present pastor is Rev. Carl H. A. von der Smissen. Ile succeeded Rev. Mr. Schantz in July, 1881.


The present number of communicants is cighty- three. They collected in 1882, from several sources, one hundred and forty-six dollars and ninety-five > scholars. cents for mission purposes.


In the year 1853 a Sunday-school was organized in the Mennonite Church, and has been successfully con- tinued until the present day. The present number of scholars of this Sunday-school is eighty-seven, and the number of teachers twelve. They collected, in 1882, forty-two dollars and ninety-five cents for beneficial purposes. This school has a library of over two hundred vohnnes. Combined with the old cou- gregation there was also a school from the time of its organization.


the cause of a separation, which took place about the year 1856. Rev. Mr. William Gehman resigned his position as pastor in the old congregation, and be- came a leading member of this new congregation. In the summer of the year 1858 this congregation erected their own house of worship, in Upper Milford, about one mile above Dillingersville.


Among the names of the first members of this con- gregation are Rev. William Gehman, pastor; David Gehman, deneon ; Jacob Musselman, Abraham Kauff- man, Sr., Samuel Kauffman, Joseph Stauffer, Josiah W. Stauffer, David Musselman, Abraham Mussel- man, Jonas Mussehnan, and Abraham Kauffman, Jr.


On Sept. 24, 1858, the first conference of this new denomination was held at the private house of David Musselman, in Upper Milford. Among the members present were William Gehman, William N. Schelly, David Henning, Henry Diehl, ministers ; David Gelman, Joseph Schneider, Jacob Gottsehall, deacons. At this conference the name Evangelical Mennon- ite ( Evangelische Mennonitten) was adopted.




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