USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 44
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were given to the Morrellville church. He taught the men's Bible class for many years. He was engaged in farming in Upper Yoder Township and also worked in the Cambria Mills. His wife died in 1930.
SIMON PETER EARLY (September 10, 1874 -? ) moved to the Shade Creek congregation in 1917 and served as pastor there about five years. He was a man of unusual qualities of mind and soul. Born near Lima, Ohio, a son of David and Sarah (Miller) Early, he united with the church in January 1893, became a minister March 2, 1894, and was or- dained as an elder July 28, 1918. He studied at the Mount Morris pre- paratory school, Illinois, Willamette University, Oregon, and Manchester and Winona colleges, Indiana. He was a teacher of history and litera- ture at Blue Ridge College from 1902 until 1911, when he quit to follow pastoral work. He contributed much to our district aside from his work as pastor. His wife was Emma Wine, whom he married August 27, 1902. They were the parents of one daughter.
EMANUEL ANDREW EDWARDS (September 23, 1883-May 15, 1946) was the fifth of nine children born to John Wesley and Rosanna (House- holder) Edwards, members of the Church of God. He was reared on the farm near Six Mile Run. He was united in marriage with Mary C., daughter of Martin H. and Emma (Boller) Brumbaugh, on October 17, 1907. To them were born two sons and one daughter. He united with the Church of the Brethren in the Fairview congregation, January 5, 1905. The Raven Run congregation called him to the ministry on Octo- ber 30, 1921. His first pastoral work was part-time service in the Koontz church from April 1, 1924, to April 1, 1927, at which time he was called to the Manor congregation in West- Emanuel Andrew Edwards and Wife ern Pennsylvania. He served as pastor of Manor, which included Purchase Line and Diamondville. During this time he also served the Montgomery church. He was an earnest worker and was advanced to the eldership May 16, 1931. He served the Manor church until April 1, 1935, and remained in the congre- gation until October of the same year, when he moved to Middle Penn- sylvania. From January 1, 1936, until May 1, 1938, he was pastor at Cherry Lane, Pleasant Union, Black Valley, Amaranth, Artemus, and Flintstone. He then moved to Kent, Ohio, and worked there until May 1, 1941.
John K. Eicher
(1) JOHN K. EICHER (October 1, 1844 -? ) was the son of John Eicher (Mennonite) and Barbara Kalb Eicher (Lutheran). John K. was reared on a farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Weaver. He united with the Church of
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the Brethren in 1874, and in 1877 the Jacobs Creek (Mount Joy) con- gregation called him to the ministry. In 1880 he was advanced to the second degree and in 1897 he was ordained to the eldership; he pre- sided over the Jacobs Creek congregation for many years.
(4) WILLIAM C. EICHER (April 16, 1923-), son of Marion L. and Vernie (Shaffer) Eicher of West Virginia, and great-grandson of Elder John K. Eicher, was baptized April 16, 1933, in the Mount Joy church. Called to the ministry there in 1942, he was ordained in December 1945. In May 1946 he was graduated from Manchester College with a Bachelor of Arts degree; he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1950. He has served as summer pastor in several churches in other districts. At present he is pastor of the Summit church in Virginia. He was married to Elsie Williard of North Carolina on June 24, 1949. They have a small daughter, Linda Carol.
JOHN DWIGHT ELLIS (September 30, 1907-), son of Charles Calvert and Emma Nice Ellis, was born at Perkiomenville. He moved with his parents at an early age to Huntingdon, where his father became associated with Juniata College. Here he grew up and attended the Juniata Academy, from which he was graduated in 1924. He then entered Juniata College, intending to prepare for the medical profes- sion, and was graduated in 1928 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. The last year of college brought to him the decision to enter the active ministry. On November 27, 1927, he was ordained at the Stone church in Huntingdon. Graduating from Beth- any Biblical Seminary in 1931 he took graduate work in the field of religious education at Northwestern University and the University of Pittsburgh. After having served as student pastor at Champaign and Peoria, Illinois, and as summer pas- tor at Bellefontaine, Ohio, on May 1, 1931, he accepted the call of the Moxham church to become their pas- John D. Ellis tor and has served there since. His ordination to the eldership took place October 16, 1932. In 1937, the church having granted him a leave of absence, in company with Professor Calvin Bowman he made a tour around the world, visiting some of the mission stations of the church. Brother Ellis has been active also in the work of the district and has served as its representative on Standing Committee three times. He has been chairman of the Board of Christian Education, the Fraternal Rela- tions Committee, and the Mission Board. For twelve years he has been
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district clerk and for the same number of years he has been on the pro- gram committee of the district. He has served ten years on the Board of Christian Education and the Fraternal Relations Committee; three years on the Credential Committee, and two years as reading clerk, and has been elected as a member of the Mission Board for eleven years.
DAVID C. EMERSON was reared at Nanty Glo, Cambria County, where he was ordained to the ministry in January 1950. He is a graduate of the Missionary Training Institute, Nyack, New York. Since December 1949 he has been serving in the pas- torate of the Fairchance church. Gloria Bateman became his wife in 1945.
DAVID ESHELMAN (June 22, 1799- October 4, 1873) moved from Mifflin County to Salem, Clarion County, about 1852. He was married to Es- ther Longanecker. They were the parents of six children. Elder M. M. Eshelman of California was a grand- son. He was active in the work of the church, having been one of the main leaders in the building of the church in Clarion County. He was David C. Emerson self-effacing and sacrificed much that the Kingdom might grow. Late in life he moved from our district, closing his work finally in Berks County.
E. STANLEY FADELY (December 27, 1911-) was born in Homestead, a son of Elmer S. and Nellie (Faust) Fadely. He united with the church in Pittsburgh on November 9, 1929, where in 1946 he was called to the Christian ministry. In November 1948 he accepted the call to the pastorate of the newly organized East Mckeesport church; in it he has labored faithfully and successfully in the establishing of a good foundation on which the church can grow. He was installed into the full ministry in 1949.
ALVIN G. FAUST (FOUST) (February 8, 1885-) a son of Deacon Jacob E. and Fannie (Berkebile) Faust, is a great-grandson of Deacon Daniel Berkey. He was born and reared in Paint Township. He at- tended local normal schools, was graduated from Juniata College, at- tended Bethany Bible School, and was granted a State Permanent Certificate in 1906. The Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy de- grees were received from the University of Pittsburgh. Beginning a teaching career at the age of sixteen, he has taught most of the inter- vening years, except those spent in further preparation and the years he served as pastor of the Shade Creek-Rummel congregations from
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May 1915 to 1916. For many years he has been teaching in high school in Pittsburgh, retiring in July 1951. During this time he also taught evening classes in the Veteran Education Program of Pittsburgh. Brother Faust was elected to the ministry November 24, 1904, installed March 25, 1905, advanced April 7, 1908, and ordained as an elder in July 1921. Having an innate musical ability which was further trained at Bethany and Juniata, he has given much time and energy to enrich and promote better church music through singing classes. Many churches and individuals are indebted to him for such training. He served the district on the Welfare Board and also on the executive board of the Sunday School Association. When the district elected a Historical Committee to compile this district history, Dr. Faust, who had written his Doctor of Philosophy dissertation at the University of Pittsburgh in 1942 on Cultural Patterns and Social Adjustment in the Church of the Brethren With Special Reference to an Allegheny Table- land Community, was chosen as the assistant editor. On August 9, 1908,
Alvin G. Faust and Wife
Brother Faust was married to Maud C. Johns, daughter of Moses K. and Annie (Thomas) Johns and a great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Johns, the founder of Johnstown. They have a son, Nile E. Faust of Concord, New Hampshire.
JACOB EDGAR FAUST (January 27, 1856-September 15, 1932) was a son of Jacob and Eliza Clark Faust, and a grandson of John and Dorothy Cable Faust. On February 23, 1879, he was united in marriage to Fannie M. Berkebile (June 17, 1857-August 7, 1945); Elder Hiram Musselman performed the wedding ceremony. They were the parents of eleven children, including the assistant editor of this history, Alvin G. Faust. The other children are Mrs. C. S. Knavel, N. J. Faust, Mrs. O. A. Lohr, Mrs. Harry Statler, Clark Faust, F. Arthur Faust, Mrs. D. L.
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Jacob Edgar Faust and Wife
Ringler (deceased), and three other children also deceased. Sister Faust was a daughter of Peter and Hannah Berkey Berkebile, and a granddaughter of Andrew Berkebile. Her grandmother, Christena, was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Studebaker Whetstone, of the Dunker faith. Brother Faust united with the church on December 12, 1877, under the preaching of Elder Silas Hoover. Sister Faust was con- verted on November 8, 1876, in one of the powerful revivals held by Stephen H. Bashor. They served the Shade Creek congregation faith- fully for more than fifty years. Brother Faust served almost continu- ously in offices of the church; also many years as school director and assessor or tax collector. Six of their children were public school teachers.
JUDSON E. FAUST (January 13, 1890-) is one of the ministers assisting in the work of the Greensburg church, and has recently become co-pastor of the Ten Mile church in Washington County. Born near Champion, a son of Eli S. and Ellen Faust, he was licensed to the ministry in 1916 and ordained to the full ministry the following year in the Trout Run church in the Indian Creek congregation. For the past forty years he has been a teacher in the public schools.
IVAN C. FETTERMAN (April 17, 1906-) is the son of John and Ellen Fetterman of Rochester Mills, Indiana County. He united with the Montgomery church when he was seventeen years of age. In 1927 he was licensed to the ministry, was installed in 1928, and has since been ordained as an elder. Brother Fetterman was graduated from Juniata College in 1931 with a Bachelor of Education degree, from the Univer- sity of Pittsburgh in 1939 with a Master of Education degree, and from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1940 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree.
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He has done graduate work at Columbia and Harvard universities, also at Union and Princeton theological seminaries, and at New Col- lege, the seminary of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Since 1927 he has spent seventeen years in teaching and in administra- tion in the public schools. For eighteen years he served as part-time pastor of his home church. In No- vember 1948 he assumed the pastoral work of the Green Tree church, Oaks, where he still serves. He was united in marriage to Ger- trude Haer in June 1947.
ISAIAH B. FERGUSON (Ap- ril 10, 1868-1937) came into the good home of Robert and Elizabeth (Burkholder) Ferguson of the Indian Creek church, April 10, 1868, and grew up on their farm. He was married to Mary Ann Miller on Sep- tember 20, 1891. Early in life he became a Christian. He was elected to the minis- try in September 1892. At different times he lived and worked in the Indian Creek, Middle Creek, and Quema- honing churches.
Ivan C. Fetterman
Isaiah B. Ferguson
VIRGIL CARL FINNELL (November 1, 1880-) was born near Morgan- town, West Virginia, a son of Evander and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Finnell. He married Lucinda Alice Pugh on December 29, 1904. Uniting with the Mt. Union congregation in May 1893, he was called to the ministry there on September 15, 1901. The church at Des Moines, Iowa, ordained him to the eldership on October 25, 1915. He served the church at Uniontown in 1902 and 1903 and in 1904 accepted the pastorate of the Ten Mile congregation, where he served four years. His activi- ties have been varied. He was a public school teacher two years in West Virginia and one year in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was a part-time fieldworker for the Washington County Sunday School Association for three years. For four years he served the Brethren Pub-
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lishing House in the editorial de- partment, in the business depart- ment, and in the field. While pastor of the church at Des Moines from 1911 to 1915, he did extensive field work as a lecturer for the Iowa Sun- day School Association and later served as field director of religious education for the churches of Kan- sas, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. He did field work for our General Sunday School Board in 1919 and 1920. In 1921 he became the state superintendent for the No- Tobacco League of Illinois, and a year later became a national school lecturer for the league and was identified with that movement for almost twenty years, speaking in every state of the Union. In 1941 he was elected state chairman of the Virgil Carl Finnell Prohibition Party in Indiana; six years later he was elected national chairman of the party and moved the headquarters from Chicago to Winona Lake, Indiana, where he now resides. He has served as a director of the World Purity Federation, the Des Moines Sunday School Institute, and the Clean Life League of America, and is an active member of many similar organizations. He is the father of five sons and a daughter. One son, Ralph T., served his first term as a summer pastor in the Ten Mile church just thirty years after his father had begun his pastorate in the same church.
KERMIT P. FLORA (October 15, 1913-) was born at Boones Mills, Virginia, a son of Harvey B. and Elizabeth (Peters) Flora. He was graduated from Daleville Academy in 1932, from Bridgewater College in 1939, and from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1944. Baptized in 1925, he was called to the ministry in 1932 and ordained to the eldership in 1945. He has served in the pastorates of the Brick and Topeco churches, Virginia. On August 18, 1938, he was married to Pauline Maxwell. They are the parents of two sons. Brother Flora became pastor of the Connellsville church on September 1, 1947.
JOHN FORNEY, SR. (November 15, 1777-August 31, 1846) was one of the early bishops of the church. Born on a farm near Salisbury, he grew to manhood in a new land with few opportunities for education. But Brother Forney advanced mentally and spiritually. With others of his generation, he left the church a rich heritage, both in laying a good foundation of Brethrenism in this section, and also in furnishing, through his progeny, excellent Christian leadership through the years. About 1814 he was called to preach. Later he was ordained as an elder. When Bishop Michael Moyer (Meyers) died in 1836, Elder Peter
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Cober and Elder Forney, Sr., were constituted bishops of the county, jointly, each serving until his death.
In 1914 his youngest son, Elder Peter Forney, wrote Jerome Blough a letter from which I quote: "I heard him say that he and Peter Cober were elected to the deaconship at the same time, then chosen to the ministry, advanced to the second degree, and ordained to the eldership together, and they worked together, shoulder to shoulder, as long as they lived, without a clash. Father's preaching always was sympathetic. He seemed to be tender-hearted. I do not know that I ever heard him preach without shedding tears himself, as well as his congregation. As to how deep or shallow he was, I am not able to say. He always had family worship, evening and morning, and asked a blessing and returned thanks at meals, morning, noon and evening. I heard him say that by request he preached one funeral in English. He wrote a good hand, both in German and English. In German he signed his name Fahrney, and in English, Forney. He always kept a book of all his business with all with whom he had dealings. He was some kin to old Dr. Peter Fahrney, but how near I know not.
"He had several trades, carpenter, and cooper. In his young days he was hewing timber, got very warm, went to the river, cut the ice, lay down and drank, and rose an afflicted man for his lifetime. I have heard told that for weeks and months they thought every day would be his last. But he finally rallied, but had to do with it as long as he lived, and finally it turned into dropsy."
John Forney was united in marriage to Susanna Beeghly, a daughter of Elder Michael Buechly, Sr. They became the parents of twelve children. Three sons, Michael, John, Jr., and Peter, were min- isters and elders. These moved west. Others were deacons. Through these children the following are some of the splendid Christian leaders who have blessed our church: Daniel L. Forney, a former missionary to India and father of Ruth Forney Brooks, now serving in India; Elders Henry J. Forney and Ira C. Snavely; Edgar Rothrock; William Forney; Christian Forney; Samuel Forney; and Edmund Forney. There may be others. The family of John Forney, Sr., lived on a farm in Brothersvalley Township until about 1840, when they moved to a farm on the west bank of the Quemahoning Creek. He was the only elder in that branch of the church when he passed away. Sister Forney lived until July 27, 1862.
MARY SNYDER FORNEY was born on a farm near Ephrata, Lancaster County, the daughter of Christian Bucher and Sadie (Rupp) Snyder. She is a graduate of Elizabethtown College Academy and received her teacher training at the same place. After teaching school for six years she was united in marriage to Elder Roy S. Forney of East Petersburg. Mrs. Forney became a Christian early in her academy experience, having been nurtured in the West Conestoga church from childhood. She has constantly been active in the work of the Kingdom in the churches her husband served as pastor and in the districts in which she has lived, as director of music, in women's work, in camp work, and in civic organizations. In Western
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Pennsylvania she was chairman of the District Music Committee, served one term as director of home and family life, was counselor and dean at Camp Harmony, and served three years, 1944 to 1947, as president of the Women's Work Organization of the district.
ROY S. FORNEY (July 12, 1897-), a native of Lancaster County, comes from a family of ministers. His father, Milton G. Forney, served in the free ministry for forty years. Two brothers, Paul and
Roy S. Forney and Wife
Phares, are also active in the ministry. Brother Forney married Mary Rupp Snyder. They have four daughters and one son. Brother Forney was graduated from Elizabethtown College and also from Temple University. He has been elected to Phi Delta Kappa, an educational fraternity of Temple University. He was called to the ministry in April 1919 by the East Petersburg church, which he served for twenty-three years in the free ministry while he was teaching in the public schools. He was the director of Christian education in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for twelve years, and has also served on the executive board of the Lancaster County
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Sunday School Association and on the faculty of the city and county leadership school. In June 1942 Brother Forney entered into full-time pastoral work with the Brothersvalley and Geiger congregations. In 1948 he accepted the call from the Morrellville church, where he served until September 1951, when he moved to the Martinsburg church. He was chairman of the District Board of Christian Education and of the Camp Harmony trustees. He has served as district moderator, has represented the district on Standing Committee twice, and has represented the district on the Eastern Regional Council for two terms.
LEMUEL R. Fox (January 8, 1885-) was reared on a farm near Mt. Pleasant, the son of Henry and Rachel (Martin) Fox. He united with the church at Greensburg on April 2, 1913, and was called to the ministry March 27, 1915, by the Jacob's Creek congregation while he was living in that area. The family is now living at Greensburg, where he assists with the work in the church in various capacities.
WILLIAM H. FRY (November 26, 1868-) a grandson of Elder Chris- tian Lehman and a son of Josiah D. and Harriet (Lehman) Fry, was born near Jerome, Somerset County. By occupation he is a carpenter. Brother Fry united with the church in the Shade Creek congregation December 14, 1892. In the same congregation he was elected to the ministry on March 31, 1902, and ordained as an elder on July 4, 1912. He took as his companion Minnie Hostetler, on January 1, 1895. They established their home near the Berkey church in Paint Township. He has had the oversight of that congregation as elder at different times, giving his wisdom and spiritual insight to the church as God gave him light. Brother and Sister Fry were not blessed with children of their own, but they took into their home and reared Brother Clarence Fry, a nephew, upon the death of his parents. Sister Fry was called home on March 14, 1951.
(1) ABRAHAM FYOCK (November 30, 1844-1919) grew to manhood in Conemaugh Township, Cambria County. His parents, Jacob and Barbara (Reighard) Fyock, were of German ancestry. For ten months Abraham served in the army during the war between the states, being honorably discharged in 1865. On November 23 of that year he was united in marriage with Nancy Varner. They lived in Cone- maugh Township until 1892, when they moved to Walnut Grove. Twen- ty years later, however, they moved to New Paris. Their children were: Samuel H. and James W., who were ministers; R. Elizabeth, wife of Elder John W. Mills; Clarissa J. Wilson; Sarah A. Strayer; Emma and Lucy, both deceased; and John C. Brother Fyock was elected to the ministry September 29, 1887, advanced September 26, 1889, and ordained to the eldership December 28, 1899. He served efficiently and faith- fully in the Johnstown congregation. He did the major part of his work, however, in the Bolivar church, having been elder there also from 1904 to 1908. He was also a member of the Old Folks' Home com- mittee and worked hard toward making the dream become a reality. Samuel H. Fyock was elected to the ministry December 28, 1899. Five years later he united with the Brethren Church.
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(2) JAMES W. FYOCK, a son of Elder Abraham and Sister Nancy (Varner) Fyock, was born near Johnstown, Cambria County. He married Annie, daughter of Deacon John A. Strayer. After uniting with the church at Johnstown, he immediately began teaching in the Sun- day school, and served as superintendent of the Walnut Grove Sunday school for several years. He was elected to the ministry by the Johns- town congregation in 1905 and installed in 1910. He moved to Ohio in 1911 and superintended the Toledo Sunday school, assisting the pastor, N. K. McKimmy, in the preaching. About 1930 he was called to the pastorate of the Cumberland church, serving for three years, and left many friends in that city and church. At present he is located in Alliance, Ohio.
JOHN W. FYOCK (January 22, 1861 -? ) was a native of Indiana County, his parents being David and Margaret (Wise) Fyock. He studied at Pur- chase Line Academy, of which institution he later became a trustee. El- vira E. Minser, daughter of Elder Mark Minser, became his wife. They reared a family of six children, earning their livelihood by farming. Brother Fyock was baptized at the age of seventeen. On June 9, 1892, he was called to the ministry, was advanced in 1894, and was ordained as an elder in 1909. His work for the Lord was done mostly in the Manor and Chess Creek congregations.
"ELDER ORAN FYOCK [June 29, 1868-1945] was born in Indiana County. . .. Here he grew to manhood and was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Bundy, October 31, 1889. Both became members of the Church of the Brethren in the fall of 1894, being baptized by Elder Mark Minser. Three years later, in 1897, he was elected deacon, and in 1907 he was called to the ministry in the Montgomery congregation, and in 1912 he was ordained to the eldership."-Taken from the Blough history
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