USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 39
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Beeghly Family (Buechley, Beachley, Beeghley)
(1) MICHAEL JOSHUA BUECHLEY (February 2, 1739-August 12, 1812) is, in all probability, the ancestor of all the Beeghlys in Western Penn- sylvania. For the following interesting account of his early youth we are indebted to Wilbert Beeghly. "Michael J. Buechley was born in Etlingen, Province of Boden, now Germany. ... His father was a noble- man, and his mother was the morganatic wife of this nobleman. Upon this nobleman's inheritance of his castle, he sent his wife and his son, Michael, to America. They came to Germantown, Pennsylvania, when the boy was eleven years old. After being here a short time, the mother received word that she had fallen heir to an inheritance, but she would have to return to Boden to claim it. On the return trip the ship on which they were traveling was boarded by sea pirates, by whom the mother was killed. The son was taken captive. About two years later, in Philadelphia Harbor, Michael escaped and made his way back to Germantown, where he was reared by a family whose identity is unknown."
In 1762 Michael was married to Barro Inkin from Bucks County. They became the parents of four sons and six daughters. In 1773 they migrated westward across the Allegheny Mountains and settled near the present site of Beachdale, Somerset County. He was then of the Amish faith. Through the influence of John Keagy and others, he united with the German Baptist Brethren and became a minister. Soon
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afterward he was ordained as an elder. His wife died January 20, 1789. In 1791 Barbara Zuck became the wife and mother in the home. Michael, Jr., was their son. Michael Buechley's children were: Jacob, John, Joseph, Abraham, Elizabeth, Susanna, Maria, Catherine, Barbara, and the above-named Michael, Jr. From this family have come many outstanding church leaders. Their influence has been felt in every phase of church activity. It is impossible to trace all the leadership which has resulted from the piracy on the high seas in the middle of the eighteenth century. But God's hand does work in wondrous ways.
(2) Maria became the wife of Bishop Michael Moyer (Meyers). For more about her descendants read the history of the Meyers family.
(2) Susanna was married to Bishop John Forney. His story can be found elsewhere in this book.
(2) Elizabeth's husband was Joseph Flory. Among their descend- ants of whom we have record are: Ezra Flory; Charles L. Flory; Mrs. J. Homer Bright, late of the China mission field; and her son, J. Calvin Bright, also just returned from China after having served on the mission field.
(2) Barbara, wife of Christian Meyers, was the progenitor of such leaders in our district as Joseph Beam and Charles W., Galen R., and Kenneth Blough.
(2) Hannah Beeghley became the wife of John Cover, a son of Peter and Margarette Cover. This family must have moved from Som- erset County, since there are no records in the courthouse concerning them. It has been impossible to trace them. It is possible that they moved to Fayette County and became the ancestors of the Covers there.
(2) Catherine was united in marriage to Jacob Horner, a son of Abraham Horner, about 1799. Abraham Horner settled near Mt. Pleasant about 1790. Jacob and Catherine moved to a large farm about one mile east of Mt. Pleasant. They reared a large family of six sons and four daughters. Among their descendants are many whose names are prominent in county and church history in that area, and in other places. Cyrus Meyers and Glenn H. Bowlby are among the ministers.
(2) John Beeghly (June 26, 1768-October 10, 1844) was the second son of the first Michael Buechley. His wife was Susanna Flory. Of their progeny Ralph Shober and his son, Emil, are among the ministers.
(2) Abraham and Elizabeth (Keagy) Beeghley have given us many leaders of prominence in the Brotherhood. Their son, Elias Keagy Beeghley (December 9, 1812-April 20, 1893) became an elder and was highly esteemed over the Brotherhood in his day. He moved to Waterloo, Iowa. Another descendant was Emanuel Beeghley Hoff, co-founder of Bethany Biblical Seminary; also his son, Ernest G. Hoff, who is well known for his work on our church publications. Anna V. Blough, Eliza, Sadie, and Arthur S. B. Miller all served on the foreign mission field.
(2) Michael Beeghly, Jr., the youngest of his father's sons, was the ancestor of Elder John W. Beeghly of Ohio.
(2) Joseph Beeghley, who married Maria Keagy, had a son, Josiah (May 1821-July 22, 1898), who became a minister. Josiah and Sarah (Horner) Beeghley moved to Sabetha, Kansas. Others in Joseph's fam- ily will appear later.
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(2) JACOB BEEGHLY, SR. (December 10, 1766-July 2, 1834) was the oldest son of Michael and Barro Buechley. He was married to Mary Hendricks. The church selected him to be a minister and an elder. Not much is now known of his ministry. Through a daughter of Jacob Beeghley these splendid men have been given to us: Lester E., Oscar R., and Clarence B. Fike.
(3) BENJAMIN BEEGHLY (March 26, 1821 -? ) was Jacob's son. His wife was Leah Horner. After her death he married Mary Musser. He moved to Waterloo, Iowa. He was a minister and an elder.
(3) JACOB BEEGHLY, JR. (July 18, 1808-January 9, 1892) followed his father as a minister and an elder. His service to the church was rendered in the Markleysburg congregation in Fayette County, and also in the state of West Virginia. His wife was Justina Horner. Of their descendants a son, Jeremiah, became an elder.
(4) JEREMIAH BEEGHLEY (February 26, 1834-March 29, 1920) was born near Meyersdale. Four years after his birth the family moved to Maryland. He was called to the ministry in 1858 and was ordained as an elder in 1878. His work was largely with the church in Mary- land. His wife was Anna Harden. A son, James W., became an elder in the Oakland congregation, Maryland. Elders Samuel A. Beeghley and Harvey R. Hostetler are grandsons. The later lives of Elder and Sister Jeremiah Beeghley were spent with a daughter in the Markleys- burg congregation, Fayette County.
(4) ANANIAS J. BEEGHLY (May 30, 1872-), a grandson of Joseph and Marie (Keagy) Beeghly and a son of Daniel and Mary (Schrock) Beeghly, was born near the old Trent meetinghouse. On February 22, 1894, he was married to Cora M. Gnagy, the youngest daughter of Christian and A. Margaret (Shaffer) Gnagy, and niece of Elder Joel Gnagy. Their home was established near the Sipes- ville church. During 1906 the family moved to Richland County, Illinois, where, in 1908, the Wal- nut Grove church called him to the ministry. Returning in 1909 the family settled on a farm in Ananias J. Beeghly and Wife the Brothersvalley congregation and he shared in the church work there. He was ordained to the eldership in 1916. In the fall of 1919 he began pastoral work at the Rummel church, serving until May 1923, when he moved to the Mt. Pleasant church. Here he worked until about 1928. From 1929 until 1933 he was the pastor of the Westernport church in Maryland, serving concurrently the church in Frostburg. The family moved back to Somerset, where later, from 1941 until the spring of 1950, Elder Beeghly preached at the Fairview-Sculton, Pike Run, and Center churches, re- tiring finally at the age of seventy-eight. He held many evangelistic
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meetings over a wide area through the years. Ten children were born into this home: Floyd F .; Owen M .; Merritt G .; Glenn K .; Lester R .; Mrs. Verda Ross; Mrs. Ollie Lehman; Mrs. Ruth B. Statler, of whom more appears elsewhere; Mrs. Gladys Klotz; and Elsie, who died in infancy. Sister Beeghly was called home on April 19, 1948.
(5) GLADYS BEEGHLY KLOTZ (February 17, 1915-) is the ninth child in her father's family. While attending Bethany Training School she met Lyle Klotz from Fredericksburg, Iowa. They were married June 25, 1942. They have two children. At present she is assisting her husband in the pastorate of the Stony Creek church, Ohio. She was elected to the ministry in the Somerset church, July 7, 1942.
(5) FLOYD F. BEEGHLY (January 20, 1897-) is the oldest son of the preceding family. He was elected to the ministry in the Brothers- valley congregation on August 20, 1920. April May Walker, the youngest daughter of Elder D. H. Walker, became his wife in May 1919. They are the parents of four children. Brother Beeghly has served in many offices in the church and Sunday school in places where they have lived-the Moxham church in Johnstown and the Geiger church. At present they are at home in Latrobe and are members of the Greens- burg church, where he directs the choir and preaches as he is needed.
JOSEPH WAMPLER BEER (March 26, 1838 -? ) was born in Armstrong County, the son of Jacob and Catherine Wampler Beer. Brother and Sister Jacob Beer had three sons elected to the ministry-Solomon, Joseph, and Jacob; and two of their sons-in-law, Thomas Graham and John B. Wampler, were chosen to the same office. Joseph W. was con- verted and baptized in 1859 and elected to the ministry in 1861. The same year he and Sister Hannah Elizabeth Henegan, daughter of Dr. William Henegan, were married by Elder Lewis Kimmel. Brother Beer was ordained to the eldership in 1881 in Armstrong County. He served suc- cessfully in our district and in dif- ferent states until about 1892, when he became afflicted with epilepsy. Brother H. R. Holsinger, in speaking of this great leader, says: "In the prime of his manhood Brother Beer was one of the most logical and forc- ible public speakers of my acquaint- ance. Being possessed of a tall and erect form, and a full, strong voice, Joseph Wampler Beer with a pleasing address, he could hold a large audience at his own will."-History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church, pages 650, 651
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(1) PETER BEER (June 23, 1829-June 23, 1892) was a native of Arm- strong County. From the beginning of life he learned to overcome the most difficult obstacles. He earned his living at the building trade. Brother Beer was baptized in 1859 and was elected to the ministry the following year. In 1885 he was ordained to the eldership. He was the first minister and elder of the Rockton congregation. Many preach- ing points were established in that area. The Blough history gives us the following: "At this meeting [District Meeting in Johnstown] a question came up for discussion, on which a difference of opinion was plainly manifest, and remarks were made with some warmth. Elder Beer got to the floor, and in his characteristic, cool manner said: 'Brethren, if you cannot agree together, some of you come out with us, and spend your extra energies in giving the Gospel to the hungry souls, that live on the frontier, and I can find work for all of you, so isolated that you need not fall over one another.'" In 1855 Peter Beer was married to Caroline Brilhart. Seven children came into their home. One, J. Harvey Beer, became a minister and elder.
(2) J. HARVEY BEER was a son of Elder Peter Beer. He was called to the ministry in the Rockton congregation in 1885 and ordained to the eldership in 1892; he moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1905. At the time Brother Blough published his history (1916) Brother Beer was still active.
WILLIAM A. BEERY ( ?- 1890) was the only representative of another race among the ministers of our district, and one of the very few Negroes ever to affiliate with our church, a fact which, as Moderator Desmond Bittinger said in his address to the 1951 Annual Meeting at San Jose, California, "makes it hard for the Church of the Brethren to pray, 'Our Father who art in heaven.'" Brother Beery was elected to the ministry in 1888 in the Ligonier Valley congregation. He moved to Johnstown the same year. No record is available of any church work done in the latter place.
JAMES M. BENNETT was elected to the ministry in 1857 by the Markleysburg-Sandy Creek congregation. How long he served there and when he moved across the Youghogheny River into the Indian Creek congregation is not a matter of record, but in 1879 he and Amos Christner of the Indian Creek congregation preached at Connells- ville, or near there. The Blough history says he "was a minister in the Indian Creek congregation for a number of years, but went with the Brethren in the division."
ELI BENSHOFF (October 21, 1805-April 24, 1855) was the son of Paul and Barbara Benshoff, from whom also was taken the name for Benshoff Hill near Johnstown. On November 15, 1825, he was married to Elizabeth Strayer, the daughter of Peter and Catherine Strayer. Three children came into this home. Brother Benshoff was a miller by occupation, spending his life within the old Conemaugh congrega- tion near his place of birth. He became a minister about 1850 and served his Lord admirably in this capacity.
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SOLOMON BENSHOFF (March 5, 1812-March 31, 1894) was a brother of Eli Benshoff. He was elected a deacon in the Conemaugh congre- gation on October 11, 1846, to the ministry on May 20, 1855, and later to the eldership. Brother Holsinger wrote of him: "Elder Benshoff was one of the staunch men of his county, and was an energetic mem- ber of the church. When the division occurred, Brother Benshoff stood in with the progressives, and was the only ordained elder in that part of the state who became a charter member of the Brethren Church. He raised a family of twelve children, all of whom belong to the church of their father."
"JOSEPH BERGER [July 20, 1805 -? ] . . . was reared near Meyers- dale. He married Mary Hess, and they were among the first members of the Jacobs Creek congregation. He was a deacon in 1849, and shortly after that was called to the ministry, and later to the eldership. His family consisted of six sons and two daughters. His preaching was principally in his home congregation, and usually in the German language. After he had preached a sermon in the German, he would make an announcement for one in the future to be conducted by some English-speaking preachers. He continued to serve the church as elder until a few years prior to his death."-Taken from the Blough history
WALTER F. BERKEBILE (December 8, 1902-) is the son of Ira J. and Annie (Mintmier) Berkebile of the Locust Grove congregation. He was baptized October 29, 1915, elected deacon in 1921, licensed to preach in 1924, in- stalled as a minis- ter in 1925, and or- dained as an elder in 1932. On July 1, 1924, he was united in marriage to Daisy R. Reese of the County Line congregation. A son, Paul Ernest, is a student minister at Juniata College. Daisy Belle, an adopted daughter, is a permanently li- censed minister. She is the wife of Elder James C. Boitnott, pastor of the Brookville con- gregation, Ohio. Elder Berkebile be- Walter F. Berkebile and Wife came the pastor of the Middle Creek- Rockwood congregations July 1, 1926, and has continued to serve as their
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pastor to the present. Three times he has served on the Standing Com- mittee and currently he is serving a five-year term on the District Min- isterial Board. At present he is serving ten congregations of the district as their presiding elder.
Three Berkebile Brothers
Aaron, David and Richard K. Berkebile, sons of George and Susan Custer Berkebile, were all ministers in the Church of the Brethren. According to Blough's history, all were born and reared, or partly reared, in the Conemaugh congregation, Johnstown, and all moved west, while their parents died and are buried at Locust Grove.
AARON BERKEBILE was called to the ministry at Conemaugh, and moved to Delta, Ohio, where some of his family were born. He later moved to Du Boise, Nebraska, then later returned and died in his native county. He was the father of Stephen Berkebile, minister and mission- ary to India.
DAVID BERKEBILE married Sarah Stutzman, daughter of Abraham Stutzman, and granddaughter of Jacob Stutzman of Johnstown, and his brother Jonathan married Catherine Stutzman. David and Jonathan with their wives, their father-in-law, Abraham Stutzman, and the other Berkebile brothers (Laban, Aaron, and Richard K.) moved to Delta, Ohio, where the Stutzmans and some of the Berkebiles died and are buried in the Green Lawn cemetery.
RICHARD K. BERKEBILE, third brother referred to above, was called to the ministry in the West, and "was the promoter of the work in St. Louis Mission years ago," according to the Blough history, page 572.
JOSEPH BERKEY (December 10, 1822-April 29, 1909) was the elev- enth of a dozen children born into the home of Peter and Elizabeth (Fyock) Berkey, who were loyal members of the Seventh Day Bap- tist Church. From the Blough history I quote the following excerpts: "The educational advantages of those days were few, yet he learned to read both German and English languages. From his father he learned cabinet-making, painting, and milling, as well as farming. He married Miss Mary Berkebile. They were the happy parents of the following children: Elizabeth Gordon, Hannah Shaffer, Hiram J., Daniel J., Caro- line Shaffer, Mary Ann Pebley, Frank, and Ellen Wertz. ... Not many years after his marriage he united with the Church of the Brethren. ... Brother Berkey was called to the ministry in the Shade Creek con- gregation in 1851 or 1852. . . . Brother Berkey was early in his min- isterial life called to the eldership and he soon distinguished himself as a pillar in the church, filling many pulpits, assisting in elections and ordinations, doing committee work and organizing churches. Besides having the oversight of a growing, prosperous home congregation, at different times he had charge of neighboring churches. Regarding ordinances of the church he readily became an authority, and his helpful counsel and judicious advice were much in demand. He was a faith- ful Bible student and a forceful preacher. His sermons were impressive, argumentative, and strongly doctrinal. They were delivered with such a spirit that the listener could not help but conclude that he was deeply
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interested in his subject. He had little use for a timepiece, but preached as he was led by the Spirit, regardless of the length of the sermon. During the fifty-seven years of his ministry, Elder Berkey traveled many miles on foot and horseback, through the wilds of the Allegheny Mountains, through all kinds of weather, to do the bidding of his Master. Besides his labors in his own congregation and District, he traveled through many of the States of the East and Middle West. He was often selected to represent his church as delegate at Annual and District Con- ferences. In 1872 he was elected a member of the First Home Mission Board of the District, being elected for a term of three years. Twice he was Moderator of District Meeting and three times his District elect- ed him delegate on the Standing Committee." He was so thoroughly familiar with his Bible that his blindness proved no great handicap to preaching in his later years. After the death of his first wife he was married to Mrs. Catherine Custer. She also preceded him in death.
(1) PETER BERKEY (1795-1862) lived in Paint Township, Somerset County. He married Sarah Wolford. He was reared as a Mennonite, she as a Presbyterian. Both became faithful members of the Church of the Brethren in the early days of the church at Shade Creek. Brother Berkey was called to the ministry and served well in that capacity. His services were in German. The Berkeys reared a fine family who were useful church workers. One daughter, Susan, was married to Lewis Cobaugh, who was a fine speaker for a number of years; Rachel married Stephen Stutzman, a prominent deacon in the Conemaugh congregation. Hannah married Jacob Knavel, and Elizabeth became the wife of Elder Christian Lehman. Brother Berkey and his son, Samuel, were elected to the ministry on the same day.
(2) SAMUEL BERKEY (August 29, 1825-January 29, 1852) in his short span of life made notable contributions to the church. Mary Stutzman, daughter of Elder Jacob Stutzman, became his wife on October 6, 1846. He was an unusually gifted teacher, being the first to teach grammar in this part of the state. In days when older men were called to do the church work, he was called to the ministry when very young. Of Samuel Berkey, Brother Blough wrote, "In his teaching he was thorough, in his preaching, eloquent, and in his defense of the New Testament doctrines, uncompromising. He preached in the English language."
(1) D. R. BERKEY (June 9, 1871-1923) was born in Clearfield County. At the age of four years he was left homeless and was brought up mostly among strangers, with very little religious training, in the Montgomery congregation, Indiana County. He was called to the min- istry in the same congregation on November 10, 1907, and was ad- vanced to the second degree one year later. In 1912 he moved to the Manor congregation. He also preached for the Chess Creek congrega- tion under the direction of the Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania.
(3) LILA BERKEY PECKOVER, granddaughter of Elder D. R. Berkey, with her husband has been doing work in Castañer, Puerto Rico.
BYRON BERKEY, son of Walter and Lizzie (Statler) Berkey and nephew of Foster B. Statler, was reared in the Windber church. He
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served in civilian public service camps during World War II. A gradu- ate of Manchester College, he is, at this writing, a second-year student at Bethany Biblical Seminary. Having served for five years as a licensed minister, Brother Berkey was installed into the full ministry in December 1951 in the Windber church. His wife was Kathryn Arbaugh of Westminster, Maryland.
Berkley Family
(1) JOHN BERKLEY, SR., was among those who came to live in the southern part of what is now Somerset County, during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was a poet and a hymn writer. Al- though his writings have long since been lost to posterity, he gave to the church of his choice a heritage which has been imprinted deep- ly in her growth over a wide area of the district. Many of the churches of the past century and a half have been enriched by a loyal line of succeeding generations. Three sons, Jonathan, John, Jr., and Samuel, were ministers. Five grandsons followed into the pulpit. They were David D. Horner, Ephraim Cover, and Cornelius, Peter, and Josiah Berkley. Eight great-grandsons also served in the same office; viz., William Schrock, S. U. Shober, J. T. Myers, T. T. Myers, and Norman W., Albert U., and Samuel J. Berkley; also Harvey Eikenberry. The procession grows with each generation. Only those who bear the Berkley name will follow in this family grouping. Others who lived in this district will appear elsewhere.
(2) JONATHAN BERKLEY (December 17, 1793-November 17, 1856) was born on his father's farm near Berkley's Mills, Somerset County. He was married to Elizabeth Lichty. They established their home near Sipesville. Fifteen children were born to them, ten of whom grew to maturity. Brother Berkley was a farmer, but he was also proficient as a coppersmith and a bookmaker. This family was among the charter members of the Quemahoning congregation. Meetings were held in their home regularly. As a minister and an elder, he traveled on horseback over the entire area of the congregation to serve the church. His wife lived until October 24, 1889.
(2) JOHN BERKLEY, JR. (1798-February 2, 1865), was born at the same place as his brother, Jonathan. He married Susan Miller and they made their home within the bounds of the Elk Lick congregation. Their children were: Levi, who died young; Eliza, the wife of Tobias Myers; Susan, the wife of Abraham Lichty; and Cornelius, Peter, and Josiah, of whom more is written. Brother Berkley was called to the ministry in 1847. He became the bishop of the Elk Lick church upon the division of the district in 1849. He was a man of rare attainments, both in his personal relationship with others and in his work for the Lord. This interesting excerpt was found in the Blough history: "One of the citizens of Meyer's Mills, belonging to the Lutheran Church, when on his way to hear old Berkley preach, and being asked why he went to his church, replied that though he did not understand one word that Bishop Berkley preached, yet he received more inspiration from his sermons than any man he had ever heard. His life, his con-
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duct, his expressions of face were ever an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact, whether in or out of the pulpit." The Standing Committee profited from his presence five times. He was keenly inter- ested in education, having given the first twenty-five dollars to build a public school in Meyersdale.
(2) SAMUEL BERKLEY (October 1, 1810-May 9, 1859) was the third of the elder John Berkley's sons to become a minister. His labors for the church were in his native territory of Meyersdale. He was married to Katherine Hauger. They were the parents of six children.
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