Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 60

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 60

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).

301

HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D. D., of the Gettys- burg Seminary, under the name of "Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church." The West On New Year's Day, 1865, Rev. A. C. Pennsylvania Synod was in session in the Ehrenfeld became pastor. Under his ministry church, at the same time, and the eighteen pastors present helped to make the services exceedingly impressive. "This church was a brick building, 42 by 50, with basement, vesti- bule and gallery, cupola and bell, and cost about $3,000." the congregation was greatly developed, espe- cially in the grace of liberality. Extensive repairs were made to both church and parson- age at an expense of six thousand dollars. The memory of his godly life and evangelical preaching is cherished by many in Indiana to this day. He resigned the pastorate October 1, 1875, but continued to reside in

While pastor of this church, Rev. Mr. Shar- retts also preached regularly for the congre- gations in Brushvalley, Strongstown and the town until the day of his death, March Blairsville. He also preached occasionally 10, 1897. at other points throughout the county. His Rev. Charles Steck served the church from zeal was greater than his strength. He suc- January 8, 1876, to January 3, 1878. cumbed to disease and death December 31,

Rev. Peter G. Bell became pastor October 1836, in the thirty-fifth year of his age, and 1, 1878, serving Grove Chapel in connection was buried by the doorway of the church that with the Indiana congregation. Scarcely had his pastorate begun before "the women of was dearer to him than his own life. Here his body remained until the death of his wife, Zion" began to agitate the question of a in 1878, when they were laid side by side in Oakland cemetery. After the death of Rev. Mr. Sharretts the congregation was supplied for a few months by Rev. John Brown.

About March 1, 1838, Rev. Jacob Medtart became pastor of the charge. In 1841 Rev. John H. Bernheim, of Elderton, Pa., asked permission to hold occasional services for the Germans of the congregation. The request was granted, but Rev. Mr. Bernheim at his second service organized these Germans into a separate congregation. Zion protested against this action to the West Pennsylvania Synod. Rev. Mr. Bernheim was very much offended by the action of the Synod in his case, and united with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio. This German con- gregation maintained a feeble existence for a number of years, and was finally reabsorbed by Zion Church. Rev. Mr. Medtart resigned March 1, 1843. Rev. Henry Bishop served the congregation from November 1, 1843, to November 1, 1849, during which time a par- sonage was built on the lot at the corner of Church and Clymer streets at a cost of $1,500.

On July 1, 1850, Rev. C. J. Denninger took charge, and served until declining health com- pelled him to resign, September 1, 1852.

Rev. Peter Sahm served the charge from January 2, 1853, to February 1, 1858.

From April 1, 1858, to April 1, 1862, Rev. William S. Emery was the pastor. During his ministry the congregation, for the first time, assumed the entire support of a pastor. At this time there were about 250 members in the church and 137 in the Sunday school.

Rev. J. P. IIentz was pastor from October 1, 1862, to October 1, 1864.

new church. They held a meeting August 2, 1879, and appointed a committee of four to wait upon the officers of the church. When this committee appeared before the church council on the following Monday evening, they received but little encouragement from any one but the pastor. Not disheartened in the least, they organized a Ladies' Aid Soci- ety and proceeded to raise a building fund. Mother Reis started the good work with a contribution of $100, and in a very few days such a sum of money had been raised that the church council came to the conclusion that if they did not build a church the women would, and accordingly went to work. How quickly the women of the church accomplished their purpose is seen in the fact that on the 25th day of August, 1879, workmen started to tear down the old church building. When this was done the parsonage was removed from the corner of Church and Sixth streets to the old church site, and the new edifice was erected on the corner. It was built in Gothic style, of brick and stone, and cost about $10,000. During the time of erection of this building services were held in the Episcopal Church. Rev. Mr. Bell resigned the church in October, 1882, and removed to Altoona, Pennsylvania.

From 1882 to 1884 Rev. A. C. Ehrenfeld supplied the congregation.

On May 1, 1884, Rev. Lewis Hay took up the work. His bow still abides in its strength. The congregation is larger and more efficient than ever. The "women of Zion," under the leadership of Mrs. Hay, are still towers of strength upon which the congregation can al- ways depend. During the pastorate of Rev.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Hay the fine parsonage on Sixth street tion. His field was less extensive than his has been built. It is considered one of the predecessor's, and he was enabled to hold reg- finest pastors' homes in the bounds of the ular services in the Brushvalley settlement, Pittsburg Synod. The church has also been preaching in private houses, notably in the greatly improved, at an expense of. several home of Peter Frey, adjoining the present thousand dollars. It is almost a new church. church property.

During the summer of 1903 Mr. Harry Mc- Creary, a devoted member of Zion, gave $12,- 500 to the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, and thus started the movement which resulted in the complete emancipation of that institu- tion from all indebtedness. "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God."

This congregation under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Hay has grown very rapidly, until it has a membership of nearly five hundred. The Sabbath school has kept pace with the congregation not only in numerical increase but in organization, efficiency and cheerful giving. The present superintendent of the Sabbath school is Mr. D. F. Rinn.

The church has made a record in the last few years that is very creditable, the Wom- en's Home and Foreign Missionary Society numbering more than a hundred members and doing splendid work. The Junior and Senior Christian Endeavor societies are both in a prosperous condition.

BRUSHVALLEY CHURCH

The Brushvalley Church is one of the old- est two Lutheran congregations in Indiana county. Germans from several counties in eastern Pennsylvania effected a settlement here as early as 1794. They were contempor- aneous with the settlers in the neighborhood of Indiana, Pa. This settlement at first was not large, numbering perhaps ten or twelve families. The major portion of them were loyal Lutherans who thought it no great hard- ship to journey all the way to the home of Conrad Reis, near Indiana, where Rev. John Michael Steck, the Lutheran pastor at Greens- burg, preached the gospel four times a year. By this time the Indians were well out of the way, and the worst pests which the wor- shippers had to fear on their journey were the rattlesnakes with which this part of the country abounded. Rev. Mr. Steck continued

From 1819 to 1821 Rev. Wilhelm Shultze, of Johnstown, Pa., preached occasionally. It is probable that he may have effected a pro- visional organization of some kind, for it was during his term of service (either in 1820 or 1821) that a log church was built. No of- ficial record, however, was ever made of such an organization. This log church was the first house of worship built by Lutherans in Indiana county, and was known among the early settlers as Frey's Meeting House. The deed for this ground was dated January 26, 1822, or more than nine months before the regular organization of the church. This seems to indicate that there was a provisional organization of some kind in the settlement before Pastor Reichart came upon the field.

Rev. Gabriel Adam Reichart was commis- sioued by the Pennsylvania Ministerium as a traveling preacher in June, 1822. In the month of August he visited the Brushvalley settlement and organized a large class of cate- chumens, numbering forty-four, all of whom were confirmed in the log church January 11, 1823. Among these catechumens was Miss Ly- dia Tyson, to whom he was married September 16, 1823. The congregation was regularly or- ganized November 1, 1822. The first recorded communion service was held January 12, 1823, at which time the following persons partook of the sacrament: Philip Fetterman, Lydia Fetterman, Jacob Soryer, James Strong, Ca- therine Strong, George Roser, Eliza Brown, Jehu Tyson, Magdalena Tyson, Maria Hartz, John Bower, Veronica Bower, Elizabeth Dearmy, Michael Fetterman, Catherine Fet- terman, Susanna Stephen, Daniel Fetterman, Rosanna Fetterman, John Brown, Christian Keller, Andreas Laumann, Peter Howard, Magdalena Howard, Magdalena Bower, John Dunkel, Susan Dunkel.

Those newly confirmed were: Henry Bo- wer, Henry Coy, William Dearmy, Peter Bower, John Coy, John Bower, Jacob Brown, Henry Bower, Adam Bower, George Keller, to fill his quarterly appointment at Indiana George Nast, John Cramer, Jacob Cramer, from 1798 to 1806, but from 1806 to 1813 he Barbara Coy. Henry Brown, George Brown, was only able to give them a communion ser- vice once a year.

From 1813 to 1815 Rev. John Gottfried Catherine Strong, Elizabeth Bower, Chris- Lampbrecht, an "independent" preacher from Germany, preached for the congrega-

David Bower, John Weik, John Howard, George Roser, Maria Bower, Sallie Bower, tiana Wike, Polly Bower, Veronica Dearmy, Lydia Tyson, Elizabeth Fetterman, Magda-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lena Brown, Sallie Coy, John Bower, Maria Empfield, Johanna Strong, Eliza Bower, Cath- erine Cramer, Elizabeth Nast, Catherine Bower, Elizabeth Fetterman, Elizaheth Mar- dus, Catherine Howard, Maria Fetterman, Maria Loeman, Polly Roser.

This splendid service, which was in itself an evidence of deep spiritual life among these pioneers, teaches us how the pioneer pastors of western Pennsylvania did their best work. Not so much by preaching as by catechetical instruction they won the hearts of the younger people, and then organized them with their parents into permanent congregations. Churches established on such solid founda- tions rarely failed. At this time the com- municant membership of the Brushvalley Church was more than double that of Indiana congregation. Rev. Mr. Reichart served the congregation until August 1, 1827, preaching exclusively in the German language. His resignation was due to the fact that he was unable to supply the congregation with Eng- lish preaching, which had already become a necessity. He was succeeded by Rev. Nicho- las G. Sharretts, who was the regular pastor from August 1, 1827, to December 31, 1836. He preached in both German and English, was greatly beloved by his people, and sur- rendered his pastorate only when called to his final reward.

From 1837 to 1844 the following pastors served the church: Rev. John Brown (sup- ply), 1837; Rev. Jacob Medtart, March 1, 1838, to October 1, 1842; Rev. David Adam, November 1, 1842, to September 19, 1844.

On November 1, 1844, Rev. Henry Bishop became pastor. During the first year of his ministry steps were taken to secure a new house of worship. A building committee was appointed, consisting of Samuel Golden, Ja- cob Dearmy, Nicholas Altemus, Sr., Adam George, Jacob Shultz. Samuel Roser built the foundation wall, Samuel Shultz was the contractor for the carpenter work, and Fred-

erick Herlinger finished the building. It was John A. Howe, the present pastor. The a frame church 40 by 50, and located in the church has been thoroughly renovated, and a old graveyard, a little east of the old log church. It was dedicated some time in the membership of the congregation is now about

fall of 1845. It was called "The Brushval- ley Evangelical Church," from its location in Brushvalley township. Rev. Mr. Bishop re- signed November 1, 1849.

by Rev. P. G. Bell, pastor at Indiana. The local building committee consisted of the trustees of the church, John D. Paige, Lloyd Shaffer, Christian R. Weaver. The church was dedicated October 15, 1882, by Rev. P. G. Bell and Rev. M. O. T. Sahm. The cost of the building was $1,160.

From 1850 to 1882 the following pastors served the congregation: Rev. J. C. Den- uinger, Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., Rev. William S. Emery, Rev. Henry Gathers (supply), Rev. George M. Settlemyer, Rev. George F. Ehren- feld (supply), Rev. Simon P. Snyder; Rev. Isaiah B. Crist, Rev. A. W. Mccullough, Rev. B. W. Tomlinson (supply), Rev. M. O. T. Sahm (supply).

The earlier pastors of this church resided in Indiana; Rev. Henry Gathers resided in Mechanicsburg; Rev. Simon P. Snyder re- sided in Homer City; Rev. I. B. Crist re- sided in New Florence, and Rev. M. O. T. Sahm resided in Cookport.

From 1883 to 1889 the following pastors served the church: Rev. W. E. Crebs, Rev. John W. Reese, Rev. J. W. Shaeffer, Rev. W. G. Slonaker (supply), Rev. S. V. Dye, Rev. Jacob M. Hankey (supply), Rev. Samuel A. Shaulis (supply).

During this period the venerable congrega- tion suffered greatly from the death of her older members and the removal of the younger to the cities and towns. The mem- bership gradually declined until not more than thirty partook of the holy communion at her altar. The advisory board of home missions of the Pittsburg Synod came to the rescue and granted a small appropriation, which encouraged the congregation to call a resident pastor in the person of Rev. J. M. Snyder, who came upon the field May 1, 1899. Ile has proved himself to be a true servant of God, laboring under many diffi- culties and accomplishing a good work. He was followed by Rev. P. J. Tau and Rev.

sweet-toned bell placed in the belfry. The forty, and with the Strongstown Church forms a self-sustaining charge.

The church council consists of A. G. Mur- dock and Steven Rand. The deacons are: H. V. Buterbaugh. Mrs. Minnie Hunter is the

During the supply pastorate of Rev. M. O. C. Mikesell, P. J. Bowers, H. M. Learn, I. T. Sahm the third and present house of wor- ship was erected and dedicated. The con- superintendent of the Sabbath school, which struction of the building was superintended is kept open all year, with 45 enrollment.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, STRONGSTOWN

It has been a difficult task to write the his- tory of this venerable church, inasmuch as there are few church records and almost all tradition is lost in the silence of the grave. During the pastorate of Rev. G. A. Reich- art in the Brushvalley congregation, occa- sional German services were held by him in private homes in this community. No or- ganization, however, was effected by him. On July 1, 1827, Rev. Nicholas G. Sharretts be- came pastor of the Indiana charge, and soon became interested in the shepherdless Luth- erans of Strongstown. He preached for them occasionally, first in the homes of James Strong, Jacob Soryer and George Bowers, and later in an old clapboard schoolhouse. In the year 1832 a log church was built by the citizens "for the use of all Christian de- nominations." It was constructed of pine logs, one story high, and about 20 by 30 feet in size. John Fink did the principal car- penter work, and Jacob Bennett was the ma- son who constructed the foundation wall and the large chimney at the east end. The build- ing stood on two lots numbered 36 and 37 in the town plot of Strongstown, each lot being 200 feet deep and fronting 60 feet on the turnpike or Main street. These lots were purchased from James Hill, Sr., and James Strong for the sum of ten dollars by Jacob Strong and George Mardus, Sr., acting as trustees for the purchasers. The deed bears date July 13, 1833.

An extract from a letter written by Rev. Mr. Sharretts to Professor Schmucker about this time will give us a fitting introduction to the organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in this place :

"My Beloved Doctor Schmucker-

"I write these lines in a log schoolhouse covered with clapboards in a tolerably new settlement to you, in which I have spent sev- eral days, where I shall hold preparatory services for the holy communion on the mor- row, and confirmation to-day of several young persons, and we also hope that the presence of the Lord will be with us in this rough building."

Lutheran Church of Strongstown. The first union Sunday school was organized in the old log church May 2, 1851, with Jacob Grom as superintendent.

In the fall of the year 1856 the Lutherans and Presbyterians of the community agreed to build a union church. A new lot was pur- 'chased from Michael Strong, Sr., for the sum of $10. The deed bears the date February 25, 1861. George B. Wike acted as trustee for the Lutherans and James Grow performed the same office for the Presbyterians. On this lot a new frame church was erected by the two congregations at a cost of $400. Mr. Wil- liam Young did the carpenter work. Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., was the Lutheran pas- tor and Rev. John Kirkpatrick the Presby- terian pastor when the services of dedication took place, which was on Christmas Day, 1857. This church is still in use, having been ex- tensively repaired in the summer of 1901.

The following pastors have served the church : Rev. Nicholas G. Sharretts, Rev. John Brown, Rev. Jacob Medtart, Rev. John David Adam, Rev. Henry Bishop, Rev. C. J. Denninger, Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., Rev. Wil- liam S. Emery, Rev. Henry Gathers (supply), Rev. George M. Settlemyer, Rev. George F. Ehrenfeld, Rev. Simon P. Snyder, Rev. Isaiah B. Crist, Rev. A. W. Mccullough, Rev. Leon- ard Wischaupt, Rev. M. O. T. Sahm, Rev. Reuben Smith, Rev. J. W. Shaeffer (supply), Rev. W. G. Slonaker, Rev. S. V. Dye, Rev. Jacob M. Hankey, Rev. Samuel A. Shaulis, Rev. J. Milton Snyder, Rev. P. J. Tau and Rev. John A. Howe, the present pastor.

The present church officers are Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Longenecker, Frank De Armin, Mrs. Jacob De Armin; and Mrs. Sarah Hawksworth, the superintendent of the Sun- day school, which has an enrollment of 45.

HEBRON CHURCH, BLAIRSVILLE

Blairsville is one of the oldest towns of In- diana county. It was laid out in 1819, and named in honor of John Blair, Esq., then the president of the "Hollidaysburg and Pitts- burg Turnpike Company." From 1825 to 1834, during the days of canal and turnpike supremacy, it was one of the busiest little commercial centers west of the mountains. A number of Lutherans were early attracted to the town, and they were not left long with- G. Sharretts, of Indiana, Pa., preached for

At this confirmation service, which took place December 31, 1832, twelve persons were confirmed. On the following day, January 1, 1833, the holy communion was adminis- tered to this confirmation class and twelve out a church of their faith. Rev. Nicholas others partook of the sacrament with them. These twenty-four persons constituted the them occasionally, and on the first day of original membership of St. Paul's Evangelical July, 1827, organized them into a congrega-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Allegheny mountains. Occasional German services have been held by the various pas- tors for the benefit of a few Germans in the community, but the congregation was organ- ized as an English Lutheran Church. The following persons constituted the original membership: Mr. and Mrs. John Fair, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rugh, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Libengood, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. David Earhart, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Loose, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mikesell, Catharine Repine, Lonisa Altman, Mary Repine, Dorothy Crissman, Ann Maria Kunkle, Elizabeth Harrold, Cath- arine Hill, Charlotte Mikesell. Elizabeth Mikesell.

Henry Libengood, Sr., and John Fair. Sr .. were elected elders, Michael Rugh and David Earhart. deacons. A log church was built at once. Mr. Jacob Altman, a Baptist by pro- fession, but a great friend of Rev. Mr. Shar- retts, took a great interest in the erection of this church. Through his efforts a bell was secured. On May 12, 1832, Mr. Altman With such strong hearts as this in the con- united with the congregation, and his entire gregation, the good ship safely weathered all family soon followed his example. The cost of the first church was about $1,000, but the date of its dedication is not known. Such was the influence of Rev. Mr. Sharretts in this community that the log church soon became too small to hold the large audiences which gathered to hear him, and in 1833 the use of the Presbyterian Church was secured for com- munion services. In 1835, Mr. Henry Graff,

a beloved elder of the church, presented the seemed most full, an era of emigration from

congregation two building lots on the corner of Campbell and Liberty streets. Prepara- tions for the building of the new church were made at once, but just when they were in the midst of their building operations (December 31, 1836) the pastor died. It cast a gloom over the entire community, and especially upon the congregation to which he had ministered of a strong English Lutheran Church in that so efficiently for more than nine years. A regular pastor to succeed Rev. Mr. Sharretts was not secured for more than a year, and a number of people grew discouraged and withdrew from the church. During those try- ing months Mr. Henry Graff proved a tower of strength to the disheartened people. By the force of his example he kept the large body of the congregation together and at work, and the new church was completed some time during the year 1837. When it is re- During the years of Hebron's history, a number of her young men have entered the gospel ministry : Rev. Daniel Smith Altman, confirmed by Rev. Dr. Babb in 1839; Rev. H. membered that this church was 44 by 62 feet in size, built of brick, it will be better un- derstood what a task the young shepherdless

tion. This was the first distinctively Eng- congregation had before them. The greatest lish Lutheran Church organized west of the credit for its successful completion belongs to Mr. Graff. Peter Graff, a younger brother of Henry Graff, was also a man of great in- fluence in the congregation. As an evidence of his sterling Christian quality we give the following incident from his mercantile experi- ences in Blairsville :

It was customary in those days for mer- chants to treat their customers to an occa- sional drink of whiskey, and the result was that the stores were made the loafing places of a class of men whose presence was exceed- ingly distasteful to ladies. Mr. Graff deter- mined to purge his store of this nuisance. The whiskey treating was stopped. Some of the other merchants thought that Mr. Graff had ruined his trade, but the moral-minded public thought otherwise. The tobacco spit- ting and profanity that often characterized other stores were unknown at Graff's and the ladies of the town found it a very congenial place for shopping. And thus was virtue re- warded.

her storms until the second pastor, Rev. Ja- cob Medtart, could take the helm. He served from March 1, 1838, to May 12, 1839, when the Blairsville Church was separated from the Indiana charge. His successor, Rev. Augustus Babb, D. D., was one of the most successful pastors the church has known. Through his efforts the membership was rapidly increased to 250, but just when the tide of prosperity the town set in which robbed the congrega- tion of the Graff family and many other most excellent supporters of the church. About the year 1850 no less than fifteen families of this church emigrated to the West at one time. A number of them located in the vi- cinity of Polo, Ill., and became the nucleus city. It was during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Babb that the first meeting was held, May 26, 1842, which resulted in the organization of the Allegheny Evangelical Lutheran Synod. From 1827 to 1842 the church was in the fellow- ship of the West Pennsylvania Synod : from 1842 to 1887. it belonged to the Allegheny Synod ; in 1887 it united, in company with all the other Indiana county churches, with the Pittsburg Synod.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

L. Chapman, confirmed by Rev. Dr. Babb in their limited numbers, however, it was de- 1843; Rev. William H. Wynn, confirmed by cided to work in harmony with the Lutherans, Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., in 1847; Rev. John W. Myers, confirmed by Rev. J. R. Williams in 1864.

and build one church for the use of both. On the question of the selection of pastors, how- ever, there was some division, some favoring

The following pastors have served the a pastor of each denomination at the same church from its organization: Rev. N. G. time; others favoring one pastor and the se- Sharretts, Rev. Jacob Medtart, Rev. Augus- lection of Lutheran and Reformed men alter- tus Babb, D. D., Rev. Peter Sahm, D. D., Rev. nately. The latter plan seems to have pre- vailed. A. B. Bosserman, Rev. G. M. Pile, Rev. Wil- liam Kopp, Rev. John J. Suman, Rev. Corne- lius Nitterauer, Rev. Henry Reek, Rev. Sam- uel Aughey, Rev. J. R. Williams, Rev. Simon P. Snyder, Rev. C. L. Streamer, Rev. Charles M. Stock, Rev. Michael Colver, Rev. F. H.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 60

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930