USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 45
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WILLIAM BITTINGER GAUNTZ (May 19, 1916-), a son of William and Clara (Bittinger) Gauntz, was reared in Meyersdale. He was active in young people's work at home and in the district and in camp work. After attending Juniata College two years and several subsequent sessions, and also Penn State, he taught in the public schools. He was licensed to the ministry in 1939 and on December 25 of the same year Evelyn M. Niner became his wife. In 1942 they moved to Chicago, where he worked at the Central Y.M.C.A., attended Bethany Biblical Seminary, Roosevelt Col- lege, and Northwestern University, and gained some pastoral experience in Iowa and Indiana. In 1946 he spent the summer in Europe taking pic- tures of the relief program for the church. Since September 1948 the Gauntzes have been serving the Mount Pleasant church. He is a member of the District Brethren Service Committee. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter.
JOHN M. GEARY (October 11, 1903-), born at Champion, Westmore- land County, was a son of George and Nannie (Bowman) Geary. After public school, he took several years of college preparatory work. He was licensed to the ministry June 22, 1929, at County Line, installed June 21, 1930, and ordained as an elder October 22, 1935. He served in the pastorate of the County Line church from September 1931 to November 1936, when
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John M. Geary and Family
he moved to the Maple Spring church, where he serves to date. He was married to Florence Jones, daughter of Elder J. E. Jones, on August 9, 1936. They have two daughters, Barbara and Dorcas.
CLAYTON H. GEHMAN (August 13, 1909-), reared in a devout Men- nonite home in Lancaster County, united with the Mohler's congregation
Clayton H. Gehman and Wife
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in May 1928. On August 13 of the same year he married Mary Z. Gibble of the Chiques church. Licensed to preach in May 1931, he was installed in 1932 and ordained as an elder in July 1937. He studied at Mount Morris College, Bethany Biblical Seminary, and Eastern Baptist Seminary, re- ceiving the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees, and finally at the University of Pittsburgh, receiving from the latter a Master of Education degree. Brother Gehman has served the following churches: Pine Creek, Illinois; Parkerford, Pennsylvania; Pleasant Hill, this district, June 1944-June 1947; and since that time Windber. He is active in district work, serving on various committees and boards. The Gehmans are the parents of four daughters.
ELMER QUENTIN GLEIM (January 10, 1917-) was born of Brethren stock at Mechanicsburg. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1939. He married Ruth Rishel, of York County, in 1941. From this union a boy, Robert David, and a girl, Dianne Lynne, have come. Two years, 1940-1942, were spent in pastoral work at the Williamsburg church. Prior to this time, he did summer pastoral work in Maryland, West Vir- ginia, and Louisiana. Receiving a call to the Bethany Church of the Brethren, Philadelphia, he correlated his church work with his seminary training at the Crozer Theological Seminary (1942-1944). The First Church of the Brethren called him to the pastorate upon graduation from the seminary, and he served in this responsibility for five years. During this time he also served as a substitute teacher at the Temple University High School in Philadelphia. At the present time he is serving the County Line, Pike Run, and Bear Run congregations, teaching in the elementary school at Melcroft, and pursuing graduate work at Penn State College and the University of Pittsburgh.
JOEL GNAGEY (February 9, 1836-August 27, 1925) was a son of Christian and Barbara (Blucher), a grandson of Johannes and a great-grandson of Christian Gnaegi, who emigrated to America between 1750 and 1760 and settled on five hundred acres where Meyersdale now stands. They were of the Amish Mennonite faith. Joel's father joined the German Baptists in 1844, the mother remaining Amish. Joel married Catherine Fike on January 31, 1858. Both were bap- tized that same year. In 1864 he was elected to the ministry and was ordained as an elder in 1886. After the division of the Elk Lick congregation, Brother Gnagey worked with the Summit Mills congre- gation, principally, at times assisting at Berlin and Maple Glen. His services were held in the German language, and although he did little preaching late in life his public prayers were spoken in that tongue, which was an innovation to the younger generations. Brother and Sister Gnagey were the parents of twelve children, many of whom have made worthy contributions to the life of the church in various ways.
(1) NOAH GNAGEY (1850-June 21, 1927) was chosen deacon in 1885 and served in that capacity faithfully. He was also the teacher of the men's Bible class in the Summit Mills church for fifty years. His true and faithful companion was a wonderful helper in the study of the Bible and the work in the church until God called her home on May 19, 1938, at the age of eighty-seven.
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Ada Gnagey Saylor
Noah Gnagey
(2) Their daughter, ADA, married Hiram Saylor. He was chosen deacon in 1904 and served the church well until his sudden passing on June 6, 1923. His widow served the church as deaconess and was the superintendent of the Summit Mills Sunday school for about forty- three years. She was active, efficient, and interested in that capacity, and was honored and respected by the entire church and community. She died in 1951.
(3) Her daughter, OLIVE, an only child, married Paul Lepley of Connellsville. They are faithful and effective workers in the church there. With their interesting children they often visit the Summit Mills church and always bring good cheer and spiritual encouragement.
WILLIAM L. GOULD (May 21, 1917-) was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of William M. and Mary (Thomas) Gould. When William was five years of age the family moved to Clearfield County, where he attended the Greenville church. After graduating from Curwensville High School, he attended Elizabethtown College. He united with the church in November 1930 and was licensed to the ministry on September 6, 1938. He was advanced to the eldership on May 22, 1945. Beginning his pastoral work at Warriors Mark on June 16, 1940, he continued there until called to the Leamersville church, November 5, 1944. He moved from Leamersville on October 15, 1947, when he accepted a call to the Pleasant Hill church, where he now serves. While in the Middle District he served as director of youth of the district, as assistant writing clerk, and as a member of the District Board of Christian Education. Since coming to the Western District he has been named director of Circuit Number 2 and also adult adviser of the youth of the circuit.
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He has been quite active in evange- listic work, having held a number of revival meetings in Pennsylvania and neighboring states. During his pastorates the churches he has served have experienced exception- ally fine growth both spiritually and numerically. He was married to Edna E. Passmore of Curwensville, their home being blessed with two children, William Allen and Carol Jean.
JOHN E. GRIM (October 19, 1914-) was born in Frostburg, Maryland; there he was licensed to preach in April 1941 and ordained in October 1942. He attended the Frost- burg Teachers' College. Early in 1945 he became the pastor of the Fairchance church. In June of the following years he was married to William L. Gould Lorraine Murphy and both enrolled at Bethany Biblical Seminary in the fall, being graduated in 1949. After teaching a term of school, the Grims accepted the pastorate of the Farm- ington-Bethel congregation in October 1950.
John E. Grim and Wife
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JOHN FREDERICK GRAHAM (October 14, 1895-), the son of Edward M. and Elizabeth Graham, was born in Kinser. He was baptized at Elizabethtown in February 1913, and later was graduated from the college there with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The Chicago church, Illinois, called him to the ministry in May 1921. The following year he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary. He was ordained as an elder in 1930 in the Shade Creek congregation, where he served as pastor from April 14, 1927, until March 30, 1942. While he was there, the Berkey church was rebuilt. Other churches he served were: Freeville mission, New York, in 1923; Middletown Valley, Maryland, from 1942 until 1947; Buena Vista, Virginia, from 1947 to the present. On December 22, 1921, he was married to Kathryn Burkhart at Shippensburg. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters.
RICHARD GRUMBLING was an active member of the Conemaugh church, having been superintendent of the Sunday school for five years and being elected to the deacon's office in 1941. The church licensed him to the ministry in April 1946 and ordained him in April 1949. He served as supply minister in several churches in our district, going in March 1950 as full-time pastor to the Maple Grove congregation, Mary- land, where he still serves.
(1) WALTER J. HAMILTON (August 18, 1884-) is a son of Miles and Alice Ann (Haldeman) Hamilton, the former of whom was of Scottish descent and the latter, English. One, John Hamilton, was listed in the Census of 1790 in Fayette County. He is thought to be the first of the family in that area. James Hamilton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, purchased the parsonage-farm at Georges Creek in 1856 and moved his family there. In 1860 he united with the church. A daughter, Elizabeth Finnell, was the mother of Elder Virgil C. Finnell. Walter Hamilton was baptized Au- gust 16, 1896, called to the ministry in September 1901, and ordained as an elder in 1919. He attended West Virginia University two years. In 1920 he assumed the work of field director of religious education in the district; for two and one-half years he served the Middle District simul- taneously in the same work. In 1921 he promoted the first district young people's conference at Scalp Level. Walter J. Hamilton The following two years, the con- ferences were held at Edgewood Grove in Somerset, during which time he spearheaded the permanent camp idea which culminated in the purchase of Camp Harmony. For seven years he directed the camp activities. Always interested in
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writing, he contributed to various church papers and other periodicals, and edited and published the District Herald for eight years. In 1926 he published the book, Reaching the World Through America, which was used extensively in mission-study classes. Through the years his interest in church history inspired him to collect a considerable amount of valuable information. In 1945 the District Board of Christian Educa- tion named him as "historian." Brother Hamilton's interest in missions bore fruit in his organization of the Wiles Hill church, Morgantown, West Virginia, and also of the Melcroft mission, when he was pastoring the Trout Run church. He served the mission at Rockwood and saw it organized permanently. In July 1933 he went to Cumberland to the mission and worked there until November 30, 1943. On April 14, 1931, Brother Hamilton entered the insurance business, which work he has since pursued in connection with his service to the church. On May 1, 1907, he was married to Cora L. Goodwin, who after years of suffering passed away on December 21, 1951. He has served three times on Standing Committee.
(2) Lillian (Hamilton) Bruner is the wife of Glen Bruner. She is an active worker in the Middle Creek church.
(2) Beatrice (Hamilton) Ludwick (November 19, 1910-), the wife of Deacon Clarence Ludwick, was married May 11, 1941. They have a daughter, Mary Ann. Beatrice was baptized in March 1918, licensed to the ministry in 1933, and licensed permanently in December 1938. She is a graduate of Camp Harmony Training School, has worked there as a counselor, was a member of the District Young People's Council, and was always active in the work of her home church. She preached at the Hyndman church for four years and at Georges Creek, Maryland, for three summers and supplies elsewhere as she is needed.
(2) Alice (Hamilton) Merrill (April 23, 1916-) was baptized in 1923, licensed to the ministry in 1933, and later permanently licensed. She has been active in the work of her home church and has supplied in pulpits of churches where she was needed. She married Harry F. Merrill on April 23, 1939. They have three sons, Harry P., Wayne F., and David K.
WILLIAM EDWARD HAMILTON (July 15, 1891-), oldest son of Francis and Mary Jane Hamilton, was born near Clinton Furnace, Monongalia County, West Virginia. He united with the church in Morgantown, West Virginia, in April 1905, being baptized by Elder Jasper Barnthouse. He was elected to the ministry by that church on August 10, 1910, and preached there a number of years. He was pastor of the church in Fostoria, Ohio, in 1913, and of a church in Virginia in 1916. In January 1924 he entered Bethany Seminary to complete his ministerial training, and has received the Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees. Since then he has been pastor at Middletown and Swan Creek, Ohio; Auburn, Arcadia, and Middletown, Indiana, at present serving the latter church. He was ordained to the eldership in June 1936 at Middletown, Ohio.
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DAVID K. HANAWALT is a gradu- ate of Juniata College and Bethany Biblical Seminary. From 1930 to 1940 he taught in high schools. The following seven years were given to pastoral work at the Yellow Creek, Spring Run, and Oaks churches. From October 1, 1947, until January 1, 1949, he was director of the De- partment of Overseas Relief of the State Council of Churches. Ter- minating work there, he was the associate regional secretary of the Eastern Region from January 1949 until the fall of 1951. At present he is living at New Windsor, Maryland, sharing his time with the Brethren Service Center and the District of Eastern Maryland. Sister Hanawalt is a licensed minister, a devoted wife, and an able camp teacher and counselor.
David K. Hanawalt
GEORGE HANAWALT (April 2, 1831-June 3, 1913) was the son of Joseph Rothrock Hanawalt of McVeytown, Mifflin County. George was of a literary inclination, and was, as far as is known, the first of our Brethren's sons in the high schools of his day. For sixteen years he was a leader among the teachers of the county. Many of the Breth- ren's sons and daughters, as well as those of the Amish Mennonites, became prominent teachers. In 1859 and 1860 George Hanawalt, Solo- mon Z. Sharp, and two lady teachers very successfully conducted the McVeytown Academy, where eight years before he had taken his advanced schooling, preparatory to teaching. Brother George united with the church in June 1858 and was called to the ministry in June 1864. In 1879 the family moved into the Conemaugh congregation, which at that time had a membership of about five hundred. He assisted in building the Walnut Grove church, doing practically all of the soliciting of subscriptions. On June 10, 1886, Brother Hanawalt and George S. Rairigh were ordained to the eldership. The same year, finding his family filling up with boys, he moved onto a large farm in the Ligonier Valley. Here he soon organized the scattered members into a church, and a house of worship was built at Waterford. After about sixteen years, his health failed; in 1902 he moved to Lordsburg, California, where a number of his children attended school.
WILLIAM THOMAS HARRISON (November 7, 1871-March 6, 1933) was born near Vinco, Cambria County. He was a son of George and Elizabeth Strayer Harrison. At the age of eleven years he united with the church at Walnut Grove, and later moved to Pleasant Hill. Here he was very active in the church, serving as Sunday-school super-
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intendent for a number of years. He taught classes in the intermediate, young people's and adult depart- ments. Brother Harrison was a school director for eighteen years and president of the township road supervisors for a number of years. On April 25, 1895, he was married to Miss Flora Fresh, and to this union were born nine children. All the children except one son, who died in early childhood, became members of the Church of the Brethren. Brother and Sister Harri- son were elected to the deacon's office at Walnut Grove in 1899, and gave faithful service over the years.
(1) JOHN M. HARSHBERGER (Au- gust 13, 1835-February 2, 1923), son of Moses and Katie (Schrock) Harshberger, was born in Cone- maugh Township, Cambria County. William Thomas Harrison and Wife On December 26, 1858, he was united in marriage to Katie Wertz, daughter of Jacob Wertz. They resided on a farm in Adams Township, Cambria County, until 1909, then moved to Horner Street, Johnstown, where they resided the rest of their days. The family consisted of eleven children. He united with the church about 1861 in the Shade congregation and was called to the deacon's office about 1867 and to the ministry about 1876 in the Conemaugh congregation.
(2) CORNELIUS W. HARSHBERGER (May 15, 1860-November 11, 1919) was the son of John M. and Katie (Wertz) Harshberger of Adams Township, Cambria County. He resided there until 1915, when he moved to Johnstown. His occupation was farming and teaching school. On June 15, 1882, he was united in marriage to Jennie M. Burkhart, daughter of Joseph S. and Catharine (Sproul) Burkhart. They had four children. Baptized in November 1876, he was elected to the deacon's office in June 1894 and to the ministry in March 1900, and was ordained to the eldership in May 1914-all in the Johnstown congregation. His wife died March 19, 1944.
(3) LORI B. HARSHBERGER (May 11, 1883-) is the son of Cornelius W. and Jennie (Burkhart) Harshberger, of Adams Township, Cambria County. On October 30, 1904, he was united in marriage to Daisy Boyer, daughter of William Y. and Mary (Siferd) Boyer. Their home to the present has been in Walnut Grove, Johnstown. They are the parents of three children. After teaching four terms of school, he worked for eighteen years as a clerk in the Johnstown post office, and for twenty-five years in pastoral service. He served as pastor of the Bolivar, Westmont, Locust Grove, and Arbutus Mission churches. Lori united with the church in August 1900 in the Maple Grove church,
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Johnstown congregation. He was elected to the ministry on June 21, 1910, and was ordained as an elder on May 28, 1916, in the Walnut Grove church, Johnstown.
GUY N. HARTMAN (August 30, 1890-) is the son of John H. and Anna Brindle Hartman. He was baptized in the millrace at the Browns Mill church during the winter of 1900. In 1910 he was called to the ministry at the Hade meetinghouse, and a year later he was advanced to the second degree. For a number of years he served with the other ministers of the congregation. He has since been ordained as an elder. He attended Blue Ridge College Preparatory School and Blue Ridge College, and was graduated from Bridgewater College in February 1919 and from Crozer Theological Seminary in June 1921, at the same time receiving a Master of Arts de- gree from the University of Penn- sylvania. He did graduate work at Temple University, the University of Cincinnati, West Virginia Univer- sity, and the University of Pitts- burgh. In 1936 he was given a Doctor of Humane Laws degree by Bridegwater College. During the years he served not only the Church Guy N. Hartman of the Brethren as supply minister but any and all churches that con- ditions and time permitted. He was active in Sunday-school work, both denominational and interdenominational. The most regular help was given to the Meyersdale Church of the Brethren as a Sunday-school teacher and on many and various committees of the church. From 1921 to the present time he has been associated with the public schools of Somerset County as teacher, supervising principal, and county superintendent.
JACOB S. HAUGER (October 26, 1805-August 13, 1887) was born in Somerset County. He was married to Catharine Yowler on May 4, 1829. He was an active member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church until July 1834 when he and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren. The same year he was elected to the deaconship. In 1835 he was called to the ministry and on May 26, 1854, was ordained as an elder in the Middle Creek congregation. While living in Somerset County he was an active minister and elder and was called on to do much church work. About 1860 he moved to Waterloo, Iowa.
ALBERT M. HAUGHT (1906-), son of James Sangston and Mae Moore Haught, was born in Nicholson Township, Fayette County, about a mile and a half from the Fairview church. He was baptized on Novem-
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ber 10, 1923, by J. E. Whitacre, elected a deacon in May 1924, and licensed to the ministry on April 8, 1927. He was permanently installed into the ministry on June 11, 1928, and ordained to the eldership on October 26, 1937. Brother Haught has served as elder-in-charge of the Georges Creek congregation since October 1, 1938, and as pastor since October 1, 1939. On September 23, 1932, he was married to Clara Eliza- beth Swartswelter. They have one daughter, Alberta Yvonne, born October 27, 1944.
MILTON F. (March 1, 1885-) and ELIZABETH (BRAUCHER) HECKLER are among the faithful charter members of the Rockwood church. They were married May 30, 1913, and the same year they united with the Middle Creek church. The following Albert M. Haught year they moved into Rockwood, where they have since lived. They worked with the United Brethren Church until 1918, when a group organized a Church of the Brethren, holding services in the high school and later renting the vacant Methodist church which was purchased afterward. Brother Heckler served as the superintendent of the Sunday school for more than a quarter of a century. Many years he worked as a carpenter. The past ten years Brother and Sister Heckler have operated a small restaurant in Rockwood where her skill in the culinary arts is put to much-appreciated use for the community. Both are active in the church. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter, all active in the church.
MERRIL SAMUEL HEINZ (February 2, 1918-) was born in Altoona, the son of Carl J. and Helen M. Heinz. He was baptized in November 1935. On July 17, 1941, he was married to Mary Lydia Good. They are the parents of three sons. In September 1949 Brother Heinz accepted the pastorate of the Shade Creek congregation, where he now labors. He has been a camp counselor and also a contributor to the pages of the Gospel Messenger.
HERMAN BIEVER HEISEY (December 10, 1890-) is the son of Henry and Susan (Biever) Heisey of Dauphin County. His mother died when he was three years of age and an uncle, William Biever, reared him. Moving to Johnstown when he was a youth, Herman united with the Walnut Grove church, August 21, 1908. In 1911 Brother Heisey was graduated from the sacred literature course at Juniata College; he then continued studying, almost completing the divinity course. While there he was called to the ministry in 1910. On May 28, 1912, he was
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united in marriage with Grace Nedrow, daughter of John A. and Mary (Ferguson) Nedrow. The niece of Elder I. B. Ferguson and the sister of J. Lloyd Nedrow, she was born near Jones Mills on August 4, 1887. The Heiseys met while attending Juniata College. Together they set their faces toward the India mission field. The 1912 Conference gave them its blessing and they sailed that fall. Failing health, however, forced their return in 1914. They have since served in the pastorates at Red Bank (he being ordained as an elder there in July 1915), Rum- mel, Lewistown, Morrellville, and Altoona. At present they are serving the Sebring church, Florida. He is well known as an evangelist and an orator. They have three daughters.
ALFRED BLAIR HELMAN (December 25, 1920-) is the son of Henry E. and Luie Anna (Pritt) Helman of Paint Township, Somerset County, and a great-great-grandson of Elder Joseph Berkey of the Shade Creek congregation. He was baptized October 27, 1929. The Rummel church licensed him to the ministry on October 20, 1941, and ordained him on September 4, 1942. The Ottawa church, Kansas, ordained him to the eldership on November 30, 1947. He attended Bethany Bible Training School, Chicago, from 1941 to 1944, Illinois Institute of Tech- nology from 1943 to 1944, and McPherson College from 1944 to 1946; there he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1949 and has since completed all residence requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The summers of 1943 and 1944 Brother Helman served as pastor at Cur- lew, Iowa. In Kansas he worked with the Newton church from 1944 to 1946. Since then he has been pastor of the Ottawa church, concur- rently being employed as professor of sociology at Ottawa University since June 1951. He is also an instructor on the University of Kansas extension staff. He has served as adult adviser of the Kansas State CBYF. In Northeastern Kansas he served as moderator of district meeting, as representative on Standing Committee, and as a member of the Board of Administration. He has been a trustee of McPherson College since 1950. He was married to Patricia Ann Kennedy of Mar- shalltown, Iowa, on June 22, 1947. They have one daughter, Harriet Ann.
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