USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 38
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LOCKPORT
Mission support was given to this field in 1919, but no record of the work is available to the writer.
MELCROFT MISSION
This coal town in the Indian Creek Valley was established about
2 Blough's history. Page 121.
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the beginning of World War I. No religious influence was provided. The fieldworker made a survey and found that our denomination would be accepted. We had two deacons with their families near by, and other members. A Sunday school was organized in the schoolhouse, the Mission Board sent Brother Kenneth Bechtel into the field as pastor, and the future seemed promising. Then came the slump in our district giving to home missions, and pastoral support was withdrawn. Local young people, led by Sister Lohr, carried on the Sunday school for a number of years, to the great credit of our denomination. Finally, the mission came to an end.
ROSE BUD, SUNNYSIDE, AND WILD CAT
Space fails us to tell of the work for many years at Rose Bud and Sunnyside in Clearfield County. The holding of services at Wild Cat, in the Bolivar congregation, dates back to 1876. After a generation or so the work was discontinued.
WHITE ROCK MISSION
This appointment in Fayette County belonged to the Jacobs Creek congregation, but was never developed into a strong local church.
ORGANIZED CHURCHES
Of the thirteen organized congregations which have been lost to this district in the past century, three have been ceded to other districts: Dunnings Creek to Middle Pennsylvania in 1916 (today it is a congregation with three hundred fifty members); Mount Union (Mor- gantown) to the First District of West Virginia in 1936 (it has only one hundred twenty-one members in 1950); Ryerson Station (Littleton) to the Second District of West Virginia in 1913 (it is no longer listed in
Baptismal Scene, Ryerson Station Congregation, West Virginia, August 23, 1914
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the Yearbook). Five of these former congregations constituted what was then known as Northwestern Pennsylvania. We quote from the Christian Family Companion of October 13, 1868:
Dear Brother Holsinger:
Forasmuch as many desired me to give a report of our visit of love through Northwestern Pa., I will do so through the Com- panion. Bro. John W. Brumbaugh and myself left home on the 26th August last and had meeting at the following places. That evening at No. 10, Blair County.
27th, evening, Belsano, Cambria County. 28th, Rarich's school house, Montgomery Branch, Indiana County, and in the evening. 29th, afternoon and evening in Gettisburg; three added by baptism. 30th, forenoon and evening, same place; three added by baptism. 31st, went to Cowanshanoc branch, Armstrong County. September 1st, afternoon and evening Lovefeast in that church. 2nd, forenoon at the same place; went to Red Bank branch in the afternoon. 3rd, Red Bank church in the evening.
4th, went to Clarion Branch. 5th, met in council at Brother Distler's, Venango County, in the forenoon, afternoon, and evening held Lovefeast in the Methodist church, near by. 6th, forenoon at the same place. 7th, in Ninevah school house, Clarion County. 11th, at the house of Brother E. French, Armstrong County.
The writer was Leonard Furry, of New Enterprise, Pennsylvania, and he continues telling of their work at Glade Run, John's settlement, the Shoemaker meetinghouse, Jacob Bear's schoolhouse, the Plum Creek branch, George Shafer's in Indiana County, the Manor church, Belsano, Horner's church, Benshoff's church, and the Methodist church at the Stone Pike.
The year before this (1867), John Goodman, our traveling evan- gelist from the Clarion congregation, was living in Erie, according to our church periodicals. Doubtless, as was customary in that genera- tion, he had a "church in his house" at Erie, even if they might not have erected a church house there. We are glad that the District Mission Board is interested in providing pastoral care for our members in and around Erie today. Brother Blough's history (1916), page 48 says: "About the time that the Clarion and Cowanshannock congregations were prosperous and active, we had scattered members in nearly all of the northern and western counties of the District. Now there are fifteen counties without an organized church."
Today there is a nonresident membership in twelve of these counties, with Beaver County heading the list. Aliquippi is rapidly becoming a prospective mission field, with Brethren families from both the Western and the Middle District. May the Brethren of this and future generations feel the challenge of rebuilding the church in these white harvest fields.
PART THREE
Biographies
INTRODUCTION TO PART THREE
As we worked on the compilation and writing of these pages many poignant facts were brought to light, many of which cannot be included herewith for reasons of space or expediency Some things should be mentioned here, however. The length of a sketch does not in any way indicate the importance of a man's life or work in its relationship to the church. God alone can judge that. In many instances data was insufficient by reason of the remoteness of time, or because of the neglect of churches or individuals to furnish it adequately. For the same reasons many persons may have been unwittingly omitted. We deeply regret this. The committee had requested the churches to in- clude outstanding lay people. They were hesitant to do it, with the result that very few are included. We are appreciative of the co-operation of numberless individuals in all parts of the Brotherhood and in other denominations who have assisted in this venture. Much of the material has been gleaned from other church histories (see bibliography), from correspondence, and through personal interviews. Individuals and churches have also freely contributed.
All geographical names are those of places located within the state of Pennsylvania unless otherwise stated, large cities-and also educational institutions-familiar to all excepted. Unlike the data in Part Two, the dateline of which coincides with the end- ing of 1950, the historical data in Part Three includes for the most part all of 1951 and even some of 1952. This accounts for any apparent differences in time or fact.
Knowing full well the sacrifice, patience, and helpful waiting of others in the homes of the members of your Historical Com- mittee, without which the work could not have been completed, it occurs to me that beside each leader herein mentioned there
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were also those who waited. There were those who stayed by the home, working hard and waiting patiently as a dear one made his way through a wilderness that the church could be established at some outpost. There are still those who work and wait in years when travel is no less dangerous by reason of modern transportation methods. These will never achieve much public acclaim, but their works will surely be recorded by the Master Historian of the Ages. Remembering that Historian's definition of greatness, perhaps beside each one of our great leaders there was an even greater one sending him out to serve. To their honor these pages are dedicated.
-Ruth B. Statler
EDITOR'S NOTE: We deeply regret that, for the sake of brevity and lack of space, many submitted biographies had to be short- ened and condensed, or re-written. This necessitated the omitting of the names of the original contributors.
Very often the most interesting features and characteristics of the individual's life were omitted, and the remaining "sketch" is more like the data for an educational "blue book" than the very heart-throbs of great Christian leaders, through whose lives and progeny the work of the church moves on to future generations. We would have preferred to make them real biographies instead of brief sketches.
In like manner, we would have preferred to give the spiritual pulsations of churches and congregations, instead of recording their material and physical improvements, which usually were the results of dynamic developments due to great piety, consecra- tion, and spiritual leadership.
-W. J. H.
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JOHN ACHE ( ?- 1808), according to Blough's history, "was born in Germany, but was of French descent. In 1728 he first settled in Lan- caster County, where he married Elizabeth Venerlich. Here he also united with the church and was elected to the ministry." According to the Census of 1790 he was still living in Cocalico Township, Lan- caster County, then. Later he moved to Fayette County with his family, with the possible exception of his son Henry, who received his portion of the estate in 1787. The story of his land holdings is given in the history of the Georges Creek congregation. One son, Samuel, became a trustee of the Fairview and Grove churches. Brother Blough thought that meetings were held in the Ache home for a number of years, and that after the Brethren quit holding the love feasts in their dwellings they usually held them in the Ache barn.
"DAVID ALBAUGH [1787-1867], a minister, moved into the Conemaugh congregation from Blair County when he was well advanced in years. He had been a useful and influential member of the Frankstown church. He was a brother of excellent character, was kind hearted, and labored in the Conemaugh congregation until his death. Solomon Benshoff, William Byers, and Stephen Hildebrand conducted the funeral services, and his body was laid to rest in the Angus cemetery, near the old Horner meetinghouse."-Taken from the Blough history
"FRANK ANKENEY [1889-] was born at Elderton, Armstrong County, into the home of Jacob (a deacon) and Elizabeth Ankeney, of the Plum Creek church. Frank attended Juniata College, and was elected to the ministry by the Huntingdon church in 1911. He was educational secre- tary in the Central Y. M. C. A. of Pittsburgh in 1914-15. During the term of 1915-16 he was principal of the Elderton High School."-Taken from the Blough history
E. EUGENE ANKENY (May 25, 1928-) is the oldest son of Howard M. and Minnie (Dick) Ankeny. In Windber, when yet a small boy, Eugene began to plan for a life of service for the Lord. He was baptized on March 21, 1937. In April 1944 the Windber church licensed him to preach. After being graduated from high school, Eugene attended Juniata College for two terms. Finding it impossible to continue, he found employment as an announcer for a Johnstown radio station, where he worked until October 1, 1948, when he became assistant pastor at the Walnut Grove church in the same city. He was installed into the full ministry November 21, 1948. Brother Ankeny served in this capac- ity until September 1, 1950, when he re-entered Juniata to complete his studies there. He has also been serving the Bellwood church in Middle Pennsylvania as pastor since September 1, 1950. Earlier in his ministry he had preached weekly at the James Creek church during the 1946- 1947 school year and was the summer pastor at the Bethel church during 1946. On August 19, 1950, he was married to O. Ruth Widdow- son, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry O. Widdowson.
FREDERICK DORSEY ANTHONY (1873-1949) was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, the son of David and Nancy Anthony. He took his high school training at the Western High School, Hagerstown, and received the
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degree of Bachelor of English from Juniata College. He united with the church in November 1890 at the Long Meadow church, Maryland. He was elected to the ministry in October 1893 and ordained to the eldership on October 10, 1915, at Baltimore. He was pastor of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, church for about two years, and did much evangelistic work among churches in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. He served as pastor of the Plum Creek and Glade Run churches, 1897-1899; Belle Vernon, 1921-1923; and Hooversville, 1923-1926.
HARVEY E. ARNOLD (November 5, 1889-) was born near Eglon, West Virginia. After preparing himself for teaching school, he taught four terms, having among other pupils Mrs. E. K. Ziegler, missionary to India; Foster M. Bittinger, pastor at Union, Ohio; and Dr. D. W. Bittinger, former Africa missionary, former editor of the Gospel Messen- ger, and at present president of McPherson College. Harvey loved the church and served in every way possible-in the Sunday school, the music department, the young people's department, and the ministry. On June 14, 1911, he was married to Malinda Vought of Salisbury. To this union were born five daughters and one son (deceased). In 1916 the Arnolds moved to Old Fields, West Virginia, where he was called to the ministry in 1918. The next year they moved to Keyser, West Virginia, where he was ordained to the eldership in 1928, serving that congrega- tion as elder until moving in 1932 to Meyersdale, where he still resides. At present he is the associate elder of the Meyersdale church, chair- man of the official board and of the nominating committee, member of the church workers' planning board and of the church improvement and repair committee, and assistant teacher for the two adult classes.
SOLOMON J. BAER (December 31, 1827-March 5, 1885), the son of John Baer, was born on a farm near Sipesville. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Agnes Cober, daughter of John P. Cober. They became the parents of ten sons and one daughter, Rosie, who perished in the first Johnstown flood. In 1856 Brother Baer was called to the ministry by the Quemahoning congregation. His preaching was in the German language. In 1866 he moved his family to a farm five miles east of Somerset. When the Berlin congregation was divided in 1880, Brother Baer was one of the ministers of the new Somerset congregation. Mrs. Baer lived until 1915. Mrs. Fern Baer Jamison, an ardent worker for temperance, is a granddaughter of Elder and Sister Baer. A son, Israel, moved to Nebraska in 1884. The first church services in that area, out of which grew a flourishing congregation, were held in his sod house.
SAMUEL W. BAIL was a native of Washington County. While we do not have the date of his birth, or the date of his death at Arcadia, Florida, a history of this district would not be complete without his biography. The Blough history, page 571, says, "His ancestors were members of the Ten Mile Church of the Brethren. Samuel, himself, for many years worshipped there, and in 1901 he was called to the ministry. In 1906 he was installed. He spent some time in Dr. King's School of Oratory, and did considerable traveling. He filled the pulpit in the Pittsburgh church for a time, and moved to Arcadia, Florida, in 1914."
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For many years he returned during the summer to his dairy farm, and usually attended our district and circuit Sunday-school conventions. Earl R. Forrest in The History of Washington County (1926), Volume I, page 632, says, "Among the old time Dunkards left in the county is Rev. Samuel W. Bail, who is frequently seen in Washington, dressed in the conventional black with long coat and wide felt hat. He is a tall man and makes a striking appearance."
GLEN M. BAIRD is the son of Joseph M. and Alice Baird of Marion, Ohio. He was baptized in 1926, called to the ministry in 1935, and ordained as an elder in 1941. He received his education at Bethany Training School and Biblical Seminary, Drake University College of the Bible, Drake University, and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. His pastorates have been in the following churches: Des Moines Valley, Elkhart, Iowa; Hartville, Ohio; Morrellville, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Arcadia, Marion, and at present Flora, Indiana, since 1951. He served as peace director in two districts, and also was secretary of the Board of Christian Education here. His wife was Agnes Tice. They have one son.
GEORGE LANDIS BAKER (December 2, 1898-) got his early training in the home of his parents, John W. and Iva (Replogle) Baker, and in the New Enterprise church, where he was baptized at the age of twelve. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1924, called to the ministry June 11, 1928, and ordained as an elder June 25, 1933. He has held pastorates in Middle Pennsylvania and in Maryland. In 1938 he accepted the work with the Ten Mile congregation and the follow- ing year began a joint pastorate with the Highland Brethren. He resigned in 1942 to enter the teaching profession, which he had fol- lowed intermittently throughout the years. At present he is living within the Dunnings Creek congregation, where he works as needed while earning a livelihood as a salesman. He was married to Honor Snyder, a daughter of Elder Adam A. and Catharine Snyder of Everett, on June 2, 1931. A son, John S., blessed this home.
WILLIAM E. BARNES (December 4, 1887-), a son of John and Mary Elizabeth Knopsnyder Barnes, was born at Dunbar, Fayette County. His mother passed away when he was five months old, and he was reared in the home of his grandparents, Ahimas and Martha Knop- snider. Brother Barnes accepted Christ as his Savior at a camp meeting conducted by E. G. Sawyer of Scottdale, and united with the Indian Creek church on November 20, 1904, being baptized by Robert A. Nedrow. He was united in marriage to Trissa Ritenour, daughter of Henry and Martha Berger Ritenour, on April 14, 1908, by Elder William Knopsnyder. Brother Barnes was elected a deacon by the County Line church on October 7, 1911. He was elected to the ministry in 1928 by the Elbethel church, and served as their pastor for a number of years.
Sister Barnes was born March 11, 1888, and was also active in Sun- day-school and church work. They were given one son and eight daughters, all of whom united with the church at an early age. After thirty-one years of happy married life, Sister Barnes was called away, July 19, 1939. Brother Barnes united in a second marriage with Chris-
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tina Baker Sanner, February 15, 1945, with Elder M. J. Brougher per- forming the ceremony. He now resides in the Greensburg congregation.
JASPER BARNTHOUSE (October 7, 1861-1924), grandson of Jacob and Mary Fike, was a son of William and Polly (Fike) Barnthouse, who resided in Garrett County, Maryland. He was a farmer and school- teacher. He married Mary Catharine Umbel, a daughter of Isaac Umbel and a niece of Samuel C. Umbel, the long-time elder of the Markleysburg congregation. Brother Barnthouse was
baptized in December 1878. The Markleysburg congre- gation called him
to the ministry on June 11, 1884, and advanced him to the second degree in 1885. He was or-
dained as an elder on July 11, 1896. He became one of the most active ministers in the district in his time. He held innumerable evangelistic meetings over a wide area and was moderator of District Meeting eleven times. At dif- ferent times he had been in charge of the Markleysburg, Jasper Barnthouse and Wife Georges Creek, Indian Creek, and Ten Mile congregations in our district. He also served the Bear Creek, Maryland, and Mount Union, West Virginia, congregations.
STEPHEN H. BASHOR (August 15, 1852 -? ) was born in Washington County, Tennessee. While he was not a resident of our district, his great work as an evangelist in our churches entitles him to space in this book. Henry R. Holsinger, in his History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church, page 642, said of him: "He was called to the ministry at the age of twenty-two years [1874], and almost immediately en- tered the evangelistic field, meeting with signal success from the start. He traveled through the entire Brotherhood from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and preached in nearly every congregation. It has been estimated that ten thousand persons were brought into the church through his ministry." Daniel Crofford reported in November 1876: "Brother S. H. Bashor held a meeting at Benshoff Hill, Conemaugh congregation, with 92 baptized, 5 reclaimed, one by certificate, making 98 in all. Then he went to the Horner church, where seven were baptized, with more waiting." This experience was duplicated in many churches of the district. On January 19, 1878, he was married to Miss Corda Weller. Brother Bashor also served as an editor on the Brethren
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at Work, the Gospel Preacher, and the Progressive Christian. He pub- lished several small books, one of which was The Gospel Hammer. He was influential in the organization of the Brethren Church.
(1) J. CHARLES BEAHM (December 20, 1864-) is the son of Elder H. A. and Ann (Showalter) Beahm, who lived in Virginia. Six of their seven sons became ministers, four having passed on; George and
Upper: J. Charles Beahm and First Wife Right: J. Charles Beahm and Second Wife
J. C. are still living. Born in Rockingham County, Virginia, Brother Beahm received his education at Bridgewater College, Virginia, and Oskaloosa College, Iowa. He taught in the schools of Virginia, Mary- land, and Pennsylvania for more than forty years and was a gifted teacher. He married Emma Shockley, daughter of a Methodist min- ister, in 1896. She died from a fall in 1937, after forty-one years as a devoted Christian wife and mother. Brother and Sister Beahm were the parents of nine children, all now living. He was pastor of the County Line church, Fayette County, from 1921 to 1931. He served as pastor of the Maple Grove church at Grantsville, Maryland, for three years, and later was pastor at Summit Mills for six years. He is now retired from active pastoral work, and at present he and his wife live at Grantsville. His wife is the former Anabel Bowser, daughter of the late Perry Bowser, who was a zealous deacon. Worthy of note is the fact that Brother Beahm has four children and two grandsons in the ministry. Wilbur is principal of the Mount Joy High School; Russel is a minister and businessman; Ruth Whitacre is a licensed minister and her son, Charles, is also a minister (for more about these persons see the biography of Jesse W. Whitacre). His youngest son, James H., is in full-time pastoral work. Other children are: Estella Rittenhouse, wife of a minister; Lucile Barkley; Edith Lohr; May Rittenhouse; and Charles Beahm.
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Wilbur I. Beahm
James H. Beahm
(2) JAMES H. BEAHM (January 3, 1917-) was born at Salisbury. The Greencastle church elected him to the ministry in 1934. He was ordained as an elder in 1945. He attended Elizabethtown College and was graduated from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1941. Marie Bend- sen of Chicago became his wife in 1940. They are the parents of three children. He has held summer pastorates in Maryland, Ohio, and Montana. The Marion and Bremen churches in Indiana, and the Brookville church in Ohio, were served by him as full-time pastor. The First church, Chicago, called him to the pastorate on September 1, 1951. Brother Beahm was the reader at Annual Conference once, has served on Standing Committee, and has worked on many district boards.
(1) CHRISTOPHER ISAIAH BEAM (December 28, 1817-May 9, 1868) was a descendant of Scotch ancestry, his immediate ancestor being Jacob Beam. When Christopher was eight years of age, his mother died. When twenty-six years old, he went to Somerset County, to visit rela- tives. There he met Catherine, oldest daughter of Joseph Meyers, whom he married about 1845. He united with the German Baptist Church in 1847, and was elected to the ministry in 1854, being the first English preacher in the Quemahoning congregation. Nine children were born to the Beams, six of whom grew to maturity. At least ten of Brother Beam's posterity have been called to the ministry. Among these are Elders Charles and Galen R. Blough and a son, Joseph Beam.
(2) JOSEPH BEAM (May 22, 1848-January 12, 1915), oldest son of Isaiah and Catherine (Meyers) Beam, was born in Jenner Township, Somerset County. He was a good student and became proficient in
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many fields. He taught for almost ten years. Later, however, he farmed, did much surveying, and served as a mail carrier. About 1868 he was married to Sarah Ream, who died in 1875. Charles, Pierce, Samuel, and Mrs. Dorsey Keefer survived their mother. On March 28, 1879, he took as his wife Mary Ellen Shaulis. Four children, Robert, James, William, and Mrs. Anna Swank, were born to them. Brother Beam was baptized in 1867. The Quemahoning congregation called him to the ministry on June 27, 1882, which congregation he served faith- fully until a new line between congregations placed him with the Middle Creek church.
J. C. W. BEAM (January 29, 1869-1926) was the son of John and Nancy Jane (Fisher) Beam of Franklin Borough, Cambria County. He was educated in the schools of Millville Borough until the age of fourteen, when he went to work for the Cambria Steel Company, by whom he was employed for a great number of years. Brother Beam was wed to Caroline Mishler and they became the parents of six chil- dren; all were members of their parents' church. Brother Beam united with the Brethren Church at the age of sixteen, but later became a member of the Church of the Brethren, through rebaptism. About 1903 the family moved within the area of the Roxbury church. There he was engaged in working with the Sunday school as teacher or as superintendent. On December 12, 1911, the West Johnstown congrega- tion, of which the Roxbury church was then a part, called him to the ministry.
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