USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 43
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JOHN P. COLEMAN (May 17, 1888-), a native of Johnstown, began life in the home of Millard F. and Mary (Gardner) Coleman. When John was only nine years of age his father died. He used all his youth- ful resources to help his mother to keep the family of six together. At the age of twelve he obtained employment with the Lorain Steel Company. His education was secured, to a great extent, in evening classes. This preparation was rewarded by his advancement to a post of great responsibility with that firm. In 1950 the company recog- nized his fifty years of service by presenting to him a lovely gift. He was united in marriage with Iva Berkley, a daughter of Elder Albert U. Berkley. They had two sons, John, Jr. and Millard. Sister Coleman passed away on May 9, 1950. Brother Coleman was elected to the ministry on October 7, 1909. He has served in the Roxbury church long and efficiently in various offices. For a period of twenty years the Sunday school profited from his superintendency. He is also an ac- complished pianist and gave many years to aid in the music of the church.
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H. AUSTIN COOPER (April 20, 1911-), a native of Brunswick, Mary- land, is the son of Herbert E. and Lillie (Arrison) Cooper. He was called to the ministry in the Brownsville church, Maryland, on October 3, 1937, installed in 1939, and or- dained as an elder in 1942. His edu- cation was received at Bridgewater College and at Bethany Biblical Seminary. In 1950 he was awarded a scholarship to the School for Rural Pastors and Rural Leaders at Gar- rett Biblical Institute, on the campus of Northwestern University, Chica- go. As a youth, he was president of the county Epworth League of the Methodist church, was director of the county Boy Scout organization, and was in charge of youth work in the community. For twelve years he directed the youth camp and has been an ardent Boy Scout leader. While in the seminary he served two years as assistant pastor of the Hast- ings Street mission, and directed the youth fellowship and children's work in the Mennonite south-side mission. For two years he was the part-time H. Austin Cooper pastor of the Salem church, Indiana, going to Stony Creek, Ohio, in 1941, where he was pastor until 1943, when he went to Pleasant View, Maryland. He came to Brothersvalley in 1947, where he now serves the church and is active in community and district work. Brother Cooper is a historian of unusual merit, being able to ferret out records and valuable data from varied and unexpected sources. He has made an invaluable contribution to this historical work through his ability to find footprints of the Brethren from the earliest date in the congregation which he serves. On December 25, 1934, he was married to Virginia O. Younkins. They have two sons.
Newton D. Cosner
NEWTON D. COSNER (June 27, 1894-February 23, 1950) was born near Mt. Storm, West Virginia. At the age of thirteen he united with the Church of the Brethren. He was elected to the ministry at the age of seventeen and advanced to the eldership at the age of nineteen in the Allegheny congregation, West Virginia. He attended summer school at Eglon, West Virginia, and taught five years in the public schools of that state before going to Bridgewater College in the fall of 1918. The next fall he went to Juniata Col- lege, where in 1925 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1925 he was united in marriage to Jessie Kimmel of Shelocta. To this union were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. He was sum-
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mer pastor at Rockwood and Middle Creek in 1922 and at Cumberland, 1923 and 1924; in 1925 he assumed the pastorate of the Markleysburg con- gregation, later holding pastorates at Sipesville, Pennsylvania, Western- port-Frostburg, Maryland, and Akron, Ohio. While he was serving the Markleysburg church, the new house of worship was built. The church at Westernport was remodeled and the debt on the entire property was paid off while he served there. During his pastorate with the Frostburg church, a church building was bought from the Southern Methodists. During his pastorate at Akron the interior of the church was remodeled at a cost of about $20,000.00. All of these churches made considerable gains under his leadership. He was always interested in the young people of the church. He taught in the church camps and was one of those in- strumental in purchasing Camp Galilee, Terra Alta, West Virginia. At the time of his death he was a member of the council of the Akron Min- isterial Association, treasurer of the District of Northeastern Ohio, and elder of the East Nimishillen church. Brother Cosner loved the church and tried to live true to her doctrines and ideals, believing we should continue to keep faith with these principles.
JOSEPH I. COVER (January 25, 1834-October 28, 1889) was born in Fayette County. His parents were members of the German Baptist Church. He followed teaching, dentistry, and farming. In 1857 he married Eliza S. Miller of Somerset, daughter of Elder Jacob D. Miller, and the same year united with the church by baptism. The Georges Creek congregation elected him to the ministry in 1858, and ordained him to the eldership in 1870. After twenty-four years of faithful service in this church, he moved to Ohio in 1882 and identified himself with the Old Order part of the church. The next year, at the death of Samuel Kinsey, the editor- ship of the Vindicator was bequeathed to him, in which he continued while he lived .- Information from the Hol- singer history, page 460
S. L. Cover
S. L. COVER (March 30, 1885-Au- gust 3, 1950), son of John and Mary (Bucklew) Cover of near Masontown, was the grandson of Elder Solomon Bucklew. At the age of thirteen he became a member of the Fairview church, Fayette County. When he was eighteen years of age, he moved with his parents to Canton, Illinois. In 1906 he was called to the ministry. Two years later he was married to Dulcie L. Williams of Canton. Their home was an inspiration and a challenge to many throughout the years. They had two sons: Walter lives in Minnesota and John in Illinois. Mary, wife of
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Elder Clarence Bowman of Johnstown, is their only daughter. Brother Cover accepted the call to the pastorate of the Ottumwa church, Iowa, in 1912. In 1913 he was ordained as an elder. Feeling the need of more training, he attended Manchester College and Bethany Biblical Seminary. He served in the following pastorates: Ottumwa, Salem, and Mount Etna, all of Southern Iowa; Roann, Pleasant Dale, and Logansport, all of Middle Indiana; Marion, Ohio; and Franklin Grove, Illinois. He also served six churches as elder-in-charge. He was active in the work of the districts in which he lived, serving on various committees. After his retirement the Covers lived with their daughter, Mrs. Clarence Bowman, in Johnstown, until his death. In April 1952 Sister Cover went to Jos, Nigeria, to assume the role of housemother at Hillcrest School for a term of three years.
ARTHUR L. CROYLE was reared in Cambria County. On September 28, 1922, he married Stella Findley. They are the parents of three daughters, Edith, Leona, and June. He united with the church at Locust Grove on June 27, 1926. Later the family moved to Cone- maugh, where the church elected him to the ministry on April 12, 1946. In September of the following year he assumed pastoral charge of the Bethel, Rockton, and Greenville churches, remaining with them for almost four years. On September 25, 1948, he was ordained to the full ministry. He is now serving the Fairview and Arthur L. Croyle Center churches. He has taken several courses of study under the Brethren Board of Christian Educa- tion. On June 20, 1950, he was graduated from the Business Training School, Pittsburgh.
EDWIN E. CRIST (October 19, 1921-), a great-grandson of Elder Henry Clapper, is a grandson of Elder David S. Clapper. His parents are Harry and Lena (Clapper) Crist of Scalp Level. Edwin was bap- tized in 1933. Early in the 1940's he was licensed to the ministry. Soon after that he was called into the service of his country as a noncom- batant. Upon his release he continued his preparation for his service to God. He was graduated from Juniata College, Hampden Sydney College, and Eastern Baptist Seminary, and also studied at Harvard and Northwestern. He served a year as pastor of the First Brethren church in Philadelphia. He was installed into the ministry in December 1949. Esther Whitney became his wife on August 25, 1948. They are the parents of a son, Douglas E.
MARY GAUNTZ CUMMING (April 2, 1908-), the daughter of William and Clara (Bittinger) Gauntz, was reared at Meyersdale. She studied at Millersville State Teachers and Gettysburg colleges, and was graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. The Meyers- dale church licensed her to the ministry. After teaching in high schools for several years and serving in various offices in her local church and in the district, she volunteered for service on the foreign mission field. In September 1936 she sailed for China. While there she met W. T. Cumming, M.D., a Scottish Presbyterian missionary, whom she mar- ried on August 25, 1938. Since then she has been serving in her hus-
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band's church. Because of the war they lived in Canada from 1941 until 1947, when they went to India. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters.
PHILIP F. CUPP (June 16, 1842-1897) was one whose comparatively brief life left a good imprint upon the community in which he lived. Blough wrote of him: "After serving the church as deacon about eight years he was called to the ministry. His ministerial labors extended over a period of eleven or twelve years. Most of his preaching was done in his home congregation (Brothersvalley). . . . His manner of life was a continual sermon to all who knew him. He was a great lover of music, and was a leader of singing in his congregation for many years. He often sang when in the fields at work and when traveling on the road. ... He seemed to have a special knack in settling difficulties between brethren." Brother Cupp was a well-trained schoolteacher. This interest carried over into his religious work, and he organized the first Brethren Sunday school in Somerset Township. He was superintendent of the Trent Sunday school for many years. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Shaver) Cupp. He married Kate Speicher.
JOHN J. DARR (April 20, 1850-March 31, 1917) lived his entire life in Lincoln Township, Somerset County. His parents were John and Catherine (Ellenberger) Darr. His work for the Lord was done principally in the Sipesville church, first as a deacon and, after Sep- tember 22, 1890, as a minister. He was a farmer by occupation. His interest in education was evidenced by the opportunities he gave his large family. He was married to Mary Gnagy, a daughter of Christian C. Gnagy, on September 2, 1873. These children were born to them: Annie Shaffer, Charles F., Harry W., Alvin C., all now deceased; Sadie Weighley, Edwin G., Park G., and Carrie Glessner.
JOHN N. DAVIS (April 8, 1835-February 28, 1913) was one of those who, with no educational advantages before the age of eighteen, be- came an educated man and achieved proficiency in many fields. His life was spent in Summit and Elk Lick townships, Somerset County. Before uniting with the church in the spring of 1865, he served nine months in the army in 1863. Brother Davis chose Dinah Schrock as his helpmate. They were the parents of twelve children. The family moved near the Peck church (Maple Glen) in 1880 and became charter members of that congregation. During his ministry, which began May 5, 1886, and his eldership, after September 27, 1896, he was a consistent and faithful servant of the Master and His church.
(2) P. S. DAVIS (October 7, 1877-) is the son of John N. and Dinah Davis of Somerset County. He was baptized October 2, 1897. After being graduated from Prince William Academy in Virginia he taught two terms in that institution. Two more terms were taught in Elizabethtown College. Brother Davis then chose to make his home in Somerset County, where he engaged in the lumber business, in sur- veying, and in county assignments. On October 6, 1907, he was married to Mary Susan Early, a daughter of Elder M. G. Early of Nokesville, Virginia. They are the parents of two daughters and a son. Brother
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Davis was elected to the ministry on September 6, 1914. He served many years as a teacher of adults and as superintendent of the Maple Glen Sunday school, and preached as he was needed there. In 1930, because of road conditions, the family transferred to the Salisbury church. There he worked in the Sunday school and occasionally preached in the absence of a pastor.
(1) ALPHEUS DEBOLT (February 23, 1844-1917) was the son of John and Charity (Walters) DeBolt, who lived on the banks of the Monongahela River in Fayette County, where he operated a grist- mill and a sawmill. These parents were members of the Church of the Brethren, the father being a faithful deacon. Soon after the birth of their son, Alpheus, the family moved to a farm near the Fair View church, about one and one-fourth mile southeast of Masontown. In 1868 Alpheus was united in marriage to Catherine, a daughter of John Ster- ling. In 1872 they were both bap- tized into the church. He was called to the ministry on March 24, 1883, and was ordained as an elder on June 14, 1902. Brother and Sister DeBolt were the parents of seven children, three of whom died young. Brother DeBolt was a careful Bible student and acquired a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Their Alpheus DeBolt home was known for its genial hospitality.
(3) EDGAR M. DEBOLT is a grandson of Elder Alpheus DeBolt and a son of John W. DeBolt of Masontown. The Georges Creek congregation elected him to the ministry in 1929. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1927, and from Columbia University with a Master of Arts degree in 1930. His work is in public school education as a teacher and guidance worker. He also is a part-time instructor in the department of psychology on the staff of Upsalo College. His preaching has been done mainly in churches around Uniontown during summer vacations, and in churches of other denominations in New Jersey, which has been his home for a number of years.
GEORGE W. DETAR, JR. (April 13, 1920-) is a son of George W. and Josephine Detar of Greensburg. He was baptized at the Greensburg church, March 31, 1935, licensed to preach the gospel on July 28, 1940, and advanced to the second degree of the ministry in 1941. Brother Detar graduated from Juniata College, June 1, 1942, and attended Beth- any Biblical Seminary, September 1942 to January 1943. He was mar- ried to Laura Scott, daughter of John W. and Mary Scott of Peters-
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burg, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 1946. They have two children: Susan, five, and Diane, two. Brother Detar is co-operating with the work at the Greensburg church and doing supply preaching.
(1) CHRISTIAN F. DETWEILER (April 28, 1845-October 1, 1889) was a native of Huntingdon County. His parents were Amish Mennonites and their children were reared in that faith. Christian was married to Salome Zook, whose father was a minister in the same church. After attending the public schools, Christian studied in the Kishacoquillas Seminary. Beginning to teach public school at the age of sixteen, he taught for about twelve years. In 1872 the family moved to Knox County, Tennessee, with a colony of Amish Mennonites. There he united with the Church of the Brethren. About 1876 he was elected to the ministry. In 1880 he moved to Ohio, and two years later to Indiana. Sister Detweiler died in 1883 leaving a family of seven children. The same year he brought his family to Johnstown. In 1884 he married Esther B. Miller of Bedford County. To this union three children were born. Brother Detweiler worked faithfully in the Johnstown congre- gation, doing a good deal of preaching in the old Horner meetinghouse in the old Conemaugh congregation. After his death his widow, with the younger children, went to live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and subsequently was married to Jesse Layton. The children of the Detweilers were faithful members of the church. One, Anna Z., wife of Elder J. M. Blough, served on the India mission field from 1903 until her retirement in 1949. George L. Detweiler is a grandson.
(3) GEORGE L. DETWEILER (Au- gust 21, 1903-), son of Ezra H. and Emma (Harrison) Detweiler and grandson of Christian F. Detweiler, was born in Johnstown. He united with the church at Walnut Grove at the age of eleven years. Licensed to preach in December 1922, he was or- dained to the ministry on December 21, 1923, and to the eldership at Salis- bury in 1929. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1928, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Music. He did graduate work in theology at Western Theological Seminary and Auburn Theological Seminary. Elizabethtown College conferred upon him the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity. On June 19, 1930, he was united in marriage with Zola Meyers, who is also a li- censed minister. George is gifted with fine musical ability and a pleasing personality. Because of this, he was well fitted to serve as he did several times as musical director at our
George L. Detweiler
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Annual Conference. During the early years of his ministry, he di- rected music in evangelistic meetings and in county institutes in Pennsylvania. For many years he served as a member of the Music Commission of our Brotherhood. Brother Detweiler has held pastorates in the Beachdale and Garrett charge, the Meyersdale church, the Stone church in Huntingdon, and the Waynesboro church. He is a member of the Eastern Regional Council of the Church of the Brethren, a mem- ber of the executive committee of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and a trustee of Juniata College, representing the Alumni Association. He has served frequently as district moderator and as a member of Standing Committee, and has been a member of the Brethren Service Committee.
ZOLA (MEYERS) DETWEILER (1903-) is the daughter of Albert and Ollie (Newman) Meyers of Milford Township, Somerset County. She was graduated from Juniata College in 1927 and studied at the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1928. After teaching in high school for a number of years she was married to George L. Detweiler in 1930. Since then she has shared with him in pastoral work. She was licensed to preach in 1924. Aside from work done in local churches, she has been active in summer church camps, has served on district Women's Work cabinets, was the president of the Eastern Region Women's Work for nine years, and was a member of the executive board of the Pennsylvania Council of Church Women. During 1950 Brother and Sister Detweiler went to Germany on a pastoral visitation pro- gram. They also traveled in other countries in Europe and the Middle East, including the Holy Land. Sister Detweiler is loved by all who know her for her devotion and consecration to the Master's work.
Edgar Marion Detwiler
EDGAR MARION DETWILER (May 22, 1883-) was the second of the five children of Bishop David T. and Susan (Kagarise) Detwiler of the New Enterprise congregation. He was graduated from the Normal English course at Juniata College in 1906 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the same school in 1912. He has since taken some grad- uate work at the University of Pitts- burgh. On February 29, 1896, Broth- er Detwiler was baptized in the New Enterprise congregation. The church called him into the ministry on De- cember 29, 1906. The Roxbury church ordained him as an elder in May 1917. Grace Brumbaugh,
daughter of Levi and Fannie (Rhodes) Brumbaugh, became his wife on July 31, 1913. Earlier in life Brother Detwiler taught in the
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public schools and in summer normal schools, serving as principal of the latter for four years. From 1906 until 1912 he was the district Sunday-school secretary for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The following years were devoted to pastoral work. From August 1, 1912, to July 1, 1915, he worked with the Norristown church. Going to Roxbury, he served there until June 1, 1926, when he moved to Everett to serve until his retirement from this work late in 1948. The Det- wilers moved to New Enterprise anticipating a few years of leisure, but Juniata called him to the staff of the college as head of church- college relations. He is serving in that capacity to date. During his years of service he has given much time on district boards. He is at present a member of the board of trustees of the Morrisons Cove Home. The moderatorship of District Meeting has fallen to his lot many times.
JACOB TROSTLE DICK spent the years from 1942 to 1945 in the pastorate of the Shade Creek congregation. The son of Elder Trostle Dick, he was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he now labors with the Lititz church. A graduate of Elizabethtown College and Bethany Biblical Seminary, he was licensed to the ministry in 1937 and or- dained in 1939. Leona Stauffer became his wife in 1941. His past labors indicate many more good and fruitful years ahead in the service of the Lord.
S. BOYD DICKEY (March 18, 1907-) is the son of Bruce B. and Emma (Boyd) Dickey of near Berlin. A graduate of Juniata College and of Bethany Biblical Seminary, he has also studied at Penn State and at the University of Pittsburgh. He was licensed to the ministry November 17, 1937, and was ordained the following year, on Septem- ber 2. He served in summer pastorates at the Pike Run, Center, Fair- view, and County Line churches. He was the pastor of the Midland church in Michigan, and then of the Westmont church, Johnstown, until June of 1944, when he entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. He was married to Barbara Francine Berg on April 28, 1934. They are the parents of three sons, Bruce, David, and John.
JOHN F. DIETZ (September 26, 1863-1940) was a native of Somer- set County. After helping his father in his mill as a boy, he worked on neighboring farms. He taught eleven terms of school intermittingly throughout the years. However, the years he spent in apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with Elder Peter Knavel determined most of the tenor of his life. These years produced strong and lasting ties. At the age of nineteen Brother Dietz was baptized in a stream covered with two feet of ice. He was united in marriage with Jemima E. Blough, daughter of Elder Emanuel and Sarah Blough. They were the parents of eight children. He was elected to the ministry September 14, 1893. On June 28, 1900, he was ordained as an elder. He became the first resident elder of the West Johnstown congregation. Always interested in the advancement of the Kingdom, he believed in an educated leader- ship in the church. He was much in demand as a preacher and held many positions of responsibility in the district. The family moved to
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John F. Dietz and Wife
Detroit, Michigan, around 1914. There he soon gained prominence be- cause of his capabilities and sterling character. Through the years he had acquired one of the best private libraries in the Brotherhood.
CHALMER C. DILLING (August 12, 1914-) is a son of Chalmer and Lottie (Park) Dilling of Windber. He was baptized in 1922. Faye Barndt became his wife on September 28, 1938. They have six sons and one daughter. Brother Dilling is a minister and an elder. A vic- tim of polio when a child, he has surmounted many difficulties to win the esteem and affection of all who know him both within and outside the church. He is employed as a mine clerk in Nanty Glo, where for several years he also served as pastor of the church. He now serves as pastor of the Maple Grove church near Salix.
GEORGE E. DILLING (March 16, 1916-), a brother to the above, has been a licensed minister in the Nanty Glo church since 1947. He was baptized in 1925. Nora Lantzy became his wife on September 18, 1938. Four children were born to them. He is a mail carrier, serving the church in Nanty Glo in various offices, preaching there and elsewhere as he is called.
SOLOMON E. DORER (August 15, 1856-January 3, 1933) was born in Upper Yoder Township, Cambria County. His father, Crispin Dorer, came from Stantz, Switzerland, in 1850. Crispin worked for Elder Jacob Stutzman, who persuaded him to read the New Testament; this reading prepared him to receive baptism and membership in the church. Crispin Dorer married Catherine Vickroy on October 18, 1855. They had seven children, of which Solomon was the one to become a minister. He attended Sunday school at the age of five and was very faithful. In 1868 he received a certificate of membership from the 55th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Baptist Sunday School Army. He was baptized in November 1876. The next year he became the assistant superintendent of a union Sunday school. On October 31, 1878, he married Maggie Campbell. To this union nine children were born. Brother Dorer was called to the ministry on November 29, 1883, in the Johnstown congregation. His ministry was largely in West Johns- town, and when the Johnstown congregation was divided his labors
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