USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
(2) JOSEPH HOLSOPPLE (January 24, 1835-September 10, 1916) was the second son of Isaac Holsopple. His schooling was received in the first little log schoolhouse that was built near Rummel in 1841. In his eighteenth year he entered the teaching profession, which, with farm- ing, enabled him to rear his large family. He was married to Catharine Lehman, daughter of Elder Christian Lehman, on March 4, 1860. Three months later they were both baptized. In 1862 they moved to Indiana County. There were nine sons and two daughters in the home. Six of the sons became ministers, among whom one served in India. They were: William W., Frank F., Ira C., Hiram L., Edwin E., and Quincy A. After the death of Sister Holsopple on October 1, 1907, Elder Holsopple was united in marriage with Julia Wysong on December 5, 1908. She also preceded him in death. The Manor congregation called Joseph Holsopple to the ministry on June 17, 1866. He was ordained to the eldership on June 9, 1892. His deepest concern for the Kingdom was in the missionary enterprise. When sermons were of no avail, he and his wife prayed for the work. In the person of their son, Quincy, their
544
Part Three: Biographies
prayers were answered. The plan under which the Home Mission Board of our district works was conceived by him. He was well known in the district and was a member of the historical committee of the district for the compilation of the Blough history.
(3) WILLIAM W. HOLSOPPLE (December 10, 1863 -? ) was baptized in the Manor congregation. He moved to Missouri in 1886 and there he was elected to the ministry and ordained as an elder.
(3) FRANK F. HOLSOPPLE (1866-1946) rose to prominence in the educational and pastoral fields of the church. When only seventeen he began teaching during the winter months while attending Purchase Line Academy and the Indiana State Normal School in the summers. In 1889 he entered Juniata College, then the Brethren's Normal School, as a student teacher. He was grad- uated in 1891. Having been elected to the ministry in 1887, he served as pastor of the Amwell church, New Jersey, from about 1891 to 1901, while he did graduate work at Leb- anon Valley College and the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. In 1901 he joined the faculty of Juniata College and was head of the English de- partment for fourteen years. For short periods he worked for the Anti-Saloon League and taught in Blue Ridge College. In 1919 he took up pastoral work at Hagerstown, Maryland. After seven years there he went to the Central church, Roa- noke, Virginia, where he remained Frank F. Holsopple three years. His work there was followed by five years in the Wash- ington City church. He was one of the first three full-time pastors in the church. Much time was also given to Sunday-school work and to Bible institutes. His faithful wife and helper throughout his life was Grace (Quinter) Holsopple, a daughter of Elder James Quinter. She still lives to cherish his memory.
(3) IRA C. HOLSOPPLE, a graduate of Juniata College, was elected to the ministry in the Sand Brook congregation, New Jersey, on June 8, 1895. He now resides at Sergeantsville, in the same state.
(3) HIRAM L. HOLSOPPLE, reared in the Manor congregation, moved to Missouri. There he was called to the Christian ministry.
(3) EDWIN E. HOLSOPPLE (1882-) is the tenth child of Joseph Holsopple. The Manor congregation called him to the ministry in 1916. His wife was Fannie Weaver. They are the parents of ten chil- dren. After her death, Ruth M. Truxal of Greensburg became his wife. Like his uncle, Daniel, Edwin has followed the lumbering business.
545
Part Three: Biographies
For several years he worked in the Manor church. He preached in the Wooddale church four years and was elder there for two more years. The family lives in Greensburg. He works in the church there as he is needed.
(3) QUINCY A. HOLSOPPLE (November 7, 1885-) interspersed his late years of youth teaching and attending Juniata College. In the fall of 1904 he went to Elgin, Illinois, to learn the linotype trade at the
Quincy A. Holsopple and Wife
Brethren Publishing House. There, in 1906, he was elected to the ministry. Returning to Juniata he completed the arts course and ac- cepted a position teaching in the Huntingdon High School. Later, in 1928, he completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Temple University. In January 1911 the Quemahoning congregation asked him to represent that church in India. The smolder- ing spark of the mission spirit flamed and he accepted. A few months previous to sailing were spent in the Publishing House in Elgin. There he met and married Kathren Royer, daughter of Elder Galen B. Royer, who was then the secretary of the General Mission Board. The same year they sailed for India. Because of impaired health, the Holsopples returned home in August 1922. Since their return, they have served as pastors of the Plum Creek church from 1923 to 1926; the Geiger Memorial church, Philadelphia, for the two years following; the Royers- ford church from 1928 to 1937; the Mount Pleasant and Mount Joy churches from 1937 to 1941. Some years were given to civilian public service camp work. Both Elder and Sister Holsopple have given many years to camp work in Pennsylvania at Camp Kanesatake and Camp Harmony. They now reside in Elgin, where he is employed at the
546
Part Three: Biographies
Publishing House. They are the parents of three children: Frances, Neta Ruth, who is the wife of Elder Harry K. Zeller, Jr., and Donald G., who is the pastor of the Salamonie church near Huntington, Indiana.
(4) RUFUS C. HOLSOPPLE (March 12, 1902-), the son of Oliver J. Holsopple and grandson of Joseph Holsopple, was reared in the Penn Run church. At the age of eleven he was baptized. In 1915 the family moved to Washington County and attended the Ten Mile church. There Rufus served as a teacher and also as superintendent of the Sunday school. On September 21, 1921, he was ordained to the ministry. Daisy Metzler became his wife, March 27, 1926.
(2) DANIEL HOLSOPPLE (August 29, 1852-January 30, 1895) had a practical mind. He took over his father's farm and marketed the tim- ber, after which he continued lumbering on other tracts. His practicality carried over into his church work. He was prominent among the leaders of his home congregation and of the district. The exact date of his call to the ministry is unknown. He first married Christiana Straub, who with a small infant died in 1871. Later he took as his wife, Eliza- beth Rummel. They reared, as their foster daughter, Carrie (Ripple) Berkebile. Blough wrote of him, "He took much interest in all lines of church work. He was a faithful student of the Word; his sermons showed evidences of preparation, and were delivered with a deep sense of reverence."
(1) DAVID PAUL HOOVER (December 21, 1881-) was born in Blair County, but when he was a year old his parents, Jacob L. and Barbara (Paul) Hoover, moved to Saxton, Bedford County, where he grew up. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1906 from the Normal Eng- lish course, and in 1914 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, meanwhile teaching eleven terms of school. His baptism occurred on May 19, 1900. The Raven Run congregation elected him a deacon in 1901 and called him to the ministry on May 16, 1903. He was ordained as an elder on October 15, 1916. He served the Tyrone church from 1913 to 1917; and the Moxham church from May 15, 1919, to January 1, 1924, when he moved to Rummel. On January 1, 1930, he went to the Mount Pleasant church, where he remained until May 29, 1932; he then moved to New Enter- prise, where he has followed the teaching profession. He is now in the insurance business. He was mar- ried to Ruth Stayer, daughter of Rhinehart and Sara (Cameron) Stay- er, on August 21, 1913. They have David Paul Hoover two sons and two daughters. Their son Paul is a medical missionary.
547
Part Three: Biographies
(2) PAUL STAYER HOOVER (September 11, 1916-) is among the church leaders who passed through our midst. Being born in the par- sonage in Tyrone, the second child of Elder David P. and Ruth (Stayer) Hoover, he later came here as a child and grew up in Johnstown, Rummel, and Mount Pleasant as his parents served the church in those places. He was graduated from Juniata College with high honors in 1937. On April 14, 1936, he was licensed to preach after a long struggle to decide between the fields of science and the ministry. After spend- ing some time at Camp Harmony in 1939 with Dr. Daryl Parker, Paul decided to combine the two interests into the work of medical missions. Then followed the long years of preparation at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1948 with a Doctor of Medi- cine degree. There were sixteen months of internship at Philadelphia General Hospital. He worked as a physician at the university in student health service. The years intervening between college and medicine had been filled with teaching and preaching. He was ordained as an elder on July 17, 1949. On August 23, 1947, Dr. Hoover was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Wentsler, whom he had met at Juniata College. She was reared in Ruffsdale and was a member of the Metho- dist Church, but united with her husband's church on September 1, 1947. They have a daughter, Linda Lee. The Hoovers sailed for India on October 11, 1951, to begin the work of spreading the Good News through the healing ministry.
SILAS HOOVER (April 24, 1849-1924) was a son of Jacob and Eve (Miller) Hoover of near Berlin. He attended several terms of normal school and taught for three years in the public schools. In 1870 he was married to Lucy A. Auman. Seven children came into their home. Brother Hoover became a Christian early in life. At about twenty-three years of age he was called to the ministry. In protracted meetings he was unusually successful, bringing into the church large numbers of converts. He was a keen debater, often defending our doctrines against those of other faiths in public meetings. In personal work he also knew how to bring men and women to their knees in peni- tence. In 1883, after his ordination to the eldership, he took up pastoral work in the Jonathan Creek congregation, Ohio. Five years later, he began a four-year period of pastoral service for the Salisbury church. In 1892 he moved within the borders of the Middle Creek congregation, where he lived and worked until his death. For many years he served as chaplain of the Somerset County Home.
DAVID D. HORNER (October 6, 1826-March 30, 1910) was one of the earlier English-speaking preachers. Like many of his generation, he secured his education the "self-taught" way, nonetheless gaining good training for his day. Brother Horner was probably a grandson of Abraham Horner, whose sons married into the early families of Som- erset County, where David was born. He was reared on a farm in Westmoreland County, where his family moved later. He married Mary Myers on October 9, 1851. They lived together for fifty-nine years. Two sons were born to them; one died in infancy, and Myers lived until he was about thirty years old. David Horner joined the Church
548
Part Three: Biographies
of the Brethren when he was about twenty-eight years of age. The Indian Creek congregation called him to the ministry. On March 27, 1880, he was ordained as an elder. His service to the church was given almost exclusively in the home congregation. He not only preached, but he was an able counselor and a generous contributor to many church enterprises. Elder Horner had been a farmer and also operated a gristmill. He was well known and highly esteemed in his community.
(1) WILLIAM M. HORNER (April 9, 1825-August 10, 1872), son of William Horner, was born near Meyersdale. He was married to Cath- arine Miller on April 5, 1845. They had three children. Milton C. became the father of Meyers B. William was called to the ministry June 26, 1855. He never preached much, but led the singing in services and was able in private discussions to discuss the doctrines of the church.
(3) MEYERS B. HORNER (February 6, 1893-) is the son of Milton C. and Magdalene (Berkley) Horner of Meyersdale. He united with the church in 1906. About 1920 he was called to the ministry. He has been in public school work ever since his ordination: in Meyersdale as teacher, in Coraopolis and Washington as high school principal, and since 1930 as superintendent of schools in the latter place. He has the Master of Arts, Doctor of Science in Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In 1918 Lucille A. Gump became his wife.
(1) M. CLYDE HORST (March 3, 1885-November 6, 1943), son of Elder A. B. and Naomi Martin Horst, was born at Applecreek, Ohio. He was reared on the farm and enjoyed the full benefit of the public schools. He entered Canton College and Bible Institute at Canton, Ohio, and was graduated from that school in the academic and sacred literature courses. He later was graduated from Juniata College, receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity degrees from that institu- tion. He received the Master of Sacred Theology degree from the Western Theological Seminary at Pittsburgh and his Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Temple University, Philadelphia.
Brother Horst was called to the ministry by his home church at Black River, Ohio, on September 24, 1904. On August 1, 1907, he took charge of the South Bend church, Indiana. During his seven years of work in that city about one hundred were added to the church and the Sunday school was more than doubled. On September 1, 1914, he came to serve the Walnut Grove church, Johnstown, where he worked for seven years. Other pastorates were Williamsburg, Windber, and Lewistown, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; and Elizabethtown, Penn- sylvania. He felt keenly the dignity of his high calling and devoted his energies to strenuous study and discipline for the cause of Christ. He was united in marriage to Emma Edith Horner, daughter of William and Ella (Culp) Horner, on June 8, 1907. This home was blessed with four children: Ivan, who died in infancy; Mary Ellen, wife of Reverend Fred Hollingshead; Myron, who is a minister; and a foster daughter, Evelyn, who is now Mrs. Lawrence Borst. At the time of his death, he was pastor of the Elizabethtown church and teacher of philosophy and ethics at Elizabethtown College, also chairman of the ministerial
549
Part Three: Biographies
work of the Eastern Region. During a greater part of his ministry, he carried heavy district responsibilities, often serving on Standing Com- mittee. As a leader, he proved himself worthy by his character, spiritu- ality, and training.
Myron C. Horst
M. Clyde Horst
(2) MYRON C. HORST (May 9, 1924-), the son of M. Clyde Horst, was born in Huntingdon. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elizabethtown College and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary. During 1950 he assumed the pastorate of the Clearfield County churches and served until the fall of 1951, when he entered the teaching profession.
HENRY P. HOSTETLER (July 12, 1816-July 19, 1898) was among the posterity of Jacob Hochstetler, of the Mennonite faith, who emigrated to America about 1735 to escape religious persecution. His immedi- ate ancestor was Peter Hostetler. Henry was married to Elizabeth Koontz. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity. They lived for many years in the Quemahoning congregation, where he was called to the ministry about 1852. Later they moved to Faustwell, Paint Township, and still later to Rummel, both of which were in the Shade Creek congregation. He preached in German and when the demand for that language declined, he did little preaching.
WILLIAM M. HOWE (May 3, 1867-May 2, 1917) was a son of Elder William and Sarah (Mohler) Howe of Maitland, Mifflin County. He was the tenth child in a family of six sons and six daughters. In the spring of 1883, he went to Juniata College, where he took a stand for Christ and was baptized on May 13. He was graduated from Juniata
550
Part Three: Biographies
College in the Normal English department in 1886. His teaching career covered six years in Pennsylvania and four years in Louisiana. In the summer of 1893, he was elected to the ministry. He was installed at the morning service the next day and preached his first sermon that evening from the text, "I can do all things through Christ who strength- eneth me." Brother Howe returned to Juniata College for some Bible work, and later attended Dr. White's Bible Training School in New York City, from which institution he was graduated in 1907. He assisted Elder J. Kurtz Miller in the Brooklyn mission while attending Dr. White's school. Brother Howe served as pastor of the Amwell and the Sand Brook churches in New Jersey. Later he served the Norristown and Tyrone churches, and from 1907 to 1914 the Johnstown congre- gations, where the greater part of his ministry was confined to the Walnut Grove church. He was serving the Meyersdale church when he was called home. On October 4, 1898, Brother Howe was married to Edith R. Newcomer. To this union were born his daughter, Ruth, and his son, Joseph. Sister Howe's health failed and she died on March 31, 1907. On June 1, 1910, Brother Howe was married to Elizabeth Wertz, daughter of John A. and Susan (Strayer) Wertz. To this union were born two daughters: Martha, who is the wife of J. Henry Baker; and Mary, the wife of Dr. Paul M. Robinson.
On June 21, 1910, Brother Howe was ordained to the eldership in the Johnstown congregation. He had from the beginning of his ministry done a considerable amount of evan- gelistic work and Bible teaching in many of our state districts and in most of our colleges. He served as a member of the Home Mission Board of Western Pennsylvania, represented the Western District of Pennsylvania on Standing Commit- tee at different times, and frequently filled offices at the various meetings of the district. At the time of his death he was a trustee of Juniata College. Brother Howe was an in- tensive and energetic worker. He had the teaching art, and his peda- gogy and elocution and subtle humor were all his own. Being widely William M. Howe known and possessed of a pleasing and attractive personality, he had gathered unto himself a great multi- tude of friends. He did much to make the Lord's work look pleasant and attractive to young people.
ROBERT T. HULL (May 25, 1861-) came from Mineral County, West Virginia. He united with the church when he was about twenty years of age. He was elected to the ministry in June 1890, and was ordained
551
Part Three: Biographies
to the eldership in June 1913. He lived in Somerset and Westmoreland counties, where he, at various times, served as pastor or elder.
RUSSELL T. IDLEMAN (1871-1939) was a native of Grant County, West Virginia, and a brother to Mrs. J. H. Cassady and Mrs. C. G. Hesse. He loved the hills and valleys, and drew from them many pro- found lessons in life. He loved to learn and to share his knowledge. After attending the schools his community offered, he went to Juniata College. For several years he taught public school. His interest in learning was not confined to temporal things; he became a student of the Bible early, and, when nineteen years of age, he united with the church. In 1899, he was elected to the ministry in the Greenland church, West Virginia. In 1909, Amanda Weaver of Scalp Level became his wife. She had previously lived in a parsonage in Pittsburgh as the homemaker for her brother, Elder M. J. Weaver, after death had taken his first wife. The Idlemans moved into the bounds of the old Ten Mile church, where they labored to rejuvenate interest in the Kingdom in that historic place. His family still resides in that area of our church district.
(1) JOHN COVER JOHNSON (September 1, 1839-April 3, 1908) was born in Fayette County, a son of Joseph and Mary (Cover) Johnson. On June 13, 1866, Mary S. Miller, a daughter of Elder Jacob D. Miller, became his wife. Like his father, John engaged mainly in the mer- chandising business. He was elected to the ministry in 1869 in the Fairview church while his uncle, Joseph I. Cover, was the elder. John spent much time in the study of the Bible and church polity. With his uncle, Joseph I., becoming editor of the Vindicator for the Old Order group and the Progressive movement pressing hard on the other side, Brother Johnson, as elder, was to a great extent responsible for helping the Georges Creek church move forward during the stormy 1880's; during this period three meetinghouses were built and several mission points were opened. He was elder of many congregations surrounding his home and served on various district boards. After some sad mis- understandings in the district brought about by the troubles of that period, Brother Johnson moved to Huntingdon, where he lived out his days.
(2) CARMON COVER JOHNSON (July 19, 1874-May 18, 1927), a son of the above, called to the ministry in 1904, spent his life mainly in educational work. He was graduated from Bethany Normal School in 1894, from Juniata College in 1901 after interspersing his education with other work. He did some work in Puerto Rico under the govern- ment, then joined the faculty of Juniata, later teaching and filling the principal's office in some of the Pittsburgh public schools. Connected with many religious and civic groups, he was active in Sunday-school work in the district and elsewhere, and contributed quite regularly to our church and Sunday-school periodicals. Twice married, he lost his first wife, the former Ada Catherine Reichard, in the fourth year of their marriage. DeLana Ann Mohler became the mother of one son, Forbes.
552
Part Three: Biographies
SAMUEL COVER JOHNSON (March 10, 1843 -? ) was a son of Nicholas B. and Elizabeth (Cover) Johnson of Fayette County. He united with the church on March 26, 1860. He had little opportunity for schooling, but by studying at home he secured a fair education. He was a machinist and carpenter, and did some surveying. He and his brother operated a small manufacturing concern in Uniontown for a quarter of a century. Active in Sunday school, he became the first superintendent of the Georges Creek Sunday school, and served for twelve years. He was elected to the deacon's office in 1884 and served faithfully. In 1912 he was appointed a member of the Historical Committee and helped in gathering the data for the Blough history of our district.
H. D. JONES (September 27, 1886-) lived in Cambria County until he was eight years old, when the family moved to Lorain, Ohio. H. D. asked to remain with relatives. Thus he grew up among relatives and
H. D. Jones and Wife
friends in Somerset County near Scalp Level. He attended summer normal sessions and taught school for twelve consecutive years. Brother Jones became a member of the church at the age of fifteen. He was united in marriage on April 1, 1905, with Elva V. Berkey, daughter of Brother and Sister Henry A. Berkey. Brother Jones was called to the ministry by the Rummel church in 1916. On April 1, 1920, he ac- cepted the call to be the assistant pastor of the Scalp Level and Windber churches. He served in this capacity until Brother Replogle left, October 1, 1921; then Brother Jones became pastor. Terminating his pastorate, Brother Jones and his family, consisting of eight children, moved to New York State on March 1, 1922. He, with his wife, returned to Wind- ber in the fall of 1922 and was ordained as an elder. Since 1929 he has served the Lake Ridge congregation about half the time as pastor and elder.
553
Part Three: Biographies
J. EWING JONES (July 7, 1884-) was born at Mount Braddock, a son of John and Mary (Jarret) Jones. Reared by Methodist parents, he was baptized into the Church of the Brethren in 1915 after his
J. Ewing Jones and Wife
marriage to Anna Davis in 1913. He was elected to the ministry about 1929, and ordained as an elder about 1935. Around thirty-two years ago, Brother and Sister Jones helped to organize the church at Wood- dale, where he worked for several years. He was pastor at Fairchance, interim pastor at County Line, and since 1943 has been caring for the Hostetler church, and, for a few years, the Summit Mills and Cross Roads church also. There are two daughters, Florence, wife of Elder John M. Geary, and Alverda.
WILLIAM L. JUDY (September 20, 1891-), better known to the reading world as Will Judy, is a native of Garrett, where he united with the church in 1904. His parents were Jerome and (Burk- holder) Judy. His great-grandfather, Matthias Judy, came from Swit- zerland, seeking religious freedom. William L. was graduated from Juniata College when he was nineteen years of age, and in 1915 received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Hamilton College of Law, Chicago. After practicing law for some time, he became president of the Judy Publishing Company in Chicago, publishing the magazine, Judy, which since has been succeeded by Spectator. The firm is also a book-publishing concern. A most prolific writer, a world traveler, and a widely known speaker, he has also done a great deal of radio work. When serving as president of the Juniata Alumni Association, he founded the One Thousand Club at Juniata. The Garrett church called him to the ministry at the age of fifteen, but he declined. While still in his teens, he was the assistant traveling secretary for the Sun- day schools of the district. While holding his membership in the First church, Chicago, he still contributes to the expenses of the home church. He says, "This is only in payment of an old debt which I owe to the religious background the Church of the Brethren gave to me."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.