USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 48
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STEWART B. KAUFFMAN (May 14, 1919-), one of our musically talented pastors, came to us from Reading. He is a son of Melvin and Sara (Rothermel) Kauffman. The Reading church called him to the
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ministry in 1939. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1942 and from Bethany Seminary in 1945. He was the first chairman of the District Music Committee. The Berkey church was under his efficient pastoral care from 1945 until 1948, when he went to serve the Everett church. He was ordained to the eldership in 1946. Helen Grace Markey, the daughter of Elder and Mrs. David Markey, became his wife in 1942. They have a daughter, Sara A., and a son, Stewart B., Jr.
JOHN KEAGY (1746-1806) was born in the eastern part of Penn- sylvania, the son of Jacob and Feronica (Stehman) Keagy. He became a member of the German Baptist Church and was called to the office of deacon in early manhood. About 1783 he and his wife, Sara (Sneider) Keagy, moved their family west of the Allegheny Mountains from York County. There, on June 9, 1785, he was granted a patent to three hundred eighteen acres of land in Elk Lick Township, then in Bedford County.
In Holsinger's history is this account: "At the time of his arrival there were living in the vicinity a few scattered members of the same denomination. One of those was John Burger, who lived on a farm now known as the Buechley estate. In the fall of the same year some ministering brethren from the east visited Brother Keagy, hunted up the other members in the valley, and held a love-feast at the house of John Burger, and organized the little band into a church. Keagy was promoted to the ministry, and another brother was elected deacon. This was the first communion meeting held by the Tunkers west of the Alleghany Mountains."
Brother Keagy was ordained as a bishop about 1790. According to records found in the deed of the first Summit Mills church, Brother Keagy was the first bishop of the church in Somerset County, serving in that office until he died, to be succeeded by Michael Moyer. He planted the Church of the Brethren firmly in Somerset County. On May 26, 1800, Bishop Keagy sold his "plantation and mansion house" to his son-in-law and daughter, Emanuel and Sarah Flory, for nine hundred pounds, eight hundred pounds of which was to be paid at the rate of fifty pounds yearly for sixteen years. His will was probated in the Somerset County courthouse on November 21, 1806. The following is a portion of the will:
"In the name of God, Amen. I, John Kegey, of Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, being of a reasonable health of body and of sound mind, memory and understanding, (Blessed be God for the same) but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, I do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit; Principally, first of all I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in the Christian like manner and at the discretion of my exec- utors. Hereinafter named and as such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit;
"First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah, my riding horse and side saddle and one hundred pounds to be raised out of my estate after my death, and also the use of the sheep and as much butter
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as is necessary for her yearly as long as she may live, and fruit of five apple trees in the orchard to be by her chosen every year, and one quarter or so much beef as she, the said Sarah, may make use of for her own; supports to be delivered yearly during her life and also on the resolve of my estate, except what is here in other wise ordered and bequeathed. . . . "
The Keagys were the parents of six children. Jacob, the only son, married Susan Markley. Marie and Elizabeth married Joseph and Abra- ham Buechly, respectively, sons of Michael Buechly. Sarah married Emanuel Flory, and Ann married his brother, Henry Flory. Evie became the wife of John Olinger. Most of the family moved west early in the nineteenth century.
ELI S. KEENY (January 10, 1904-) is the son of the late Samuel E. Keeny, a deacon of the Codorus congregation in York County. He united with the church on September 25, 1920. He was graduated
Eli S. Keeny, Wife and Daughter
from Elizabethtown College in 1927. On January 11, 1931, he was licensed to preach by the Riddlesburg church, and on March 12, 1933, he was ordained. Moving to a teaching position close to Cumberland, Maryland, he assisted in the work of the Cumberland church from 1931 to 1941. In 1934 he received the Master of Education degree from the Pennsylvania State College. On November 1, 1945, he assumed the pastorate of the Burnham church, where he served until November 1, 1950, when he became pastor of the Sipesville church. In the District Meeting of Middle Pennsylvania, held in April 1947 in Roaring Spring, Brother Keeny was ordained to the eldership. Sister Keeny was the former Helen M. Seigman of York. They were united in marriage on June 7, 1927. They have one child, Lucille Carolyn.
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SILAS C. KEIM (October 6, 1835-March 10, 1882) was four genera- tions removed from European soil, his earliest ancestor here being John Keim, who came from Germany in 1697. His father was Jonas Keim, who was an associate judge of Somerset County, and at another time a commissioner of the same county. He also represented his district in the state legislature. After Brother Keim's death, James Quinter wrote of him in the Primitive Christian: "In the year 1854 we made a brief visit to the Elk Lick church ... , we baptized three interesting young men. These were S. C. Keim, M. W. Keim and S. D. Livengood. They were then attending school in Somerset. They had in consultation to- gether .. . agreed to dedicate themselves to the Lord. . .. Brother S. C. Keim was then about eighteen years old."
About 1862 he was called to the ministry and served in that office capably and faithfully. To provide for his family he was in the mer- chandising business in Salisbury, and also opened the first bank in that place. He was married to Anna Arnold, only daughter of Elder Joseph Arnold, on January 12, 1858. About his family, Brother Quinter wrote: "Brother Keim left a large and interesting family consisting of the widow and eight children. All the children have been received into the church but the youngest three. The youngest one received into the church was about nine years old at the time of his baptism."
D. HOWARD KEIPER (January 27, 1898-) worked in the pastorate of the Morrellville church from 1936 to 1942. A son of David H. and Margaret (Hinton) Keiper of Woodbury, he took as his life's com- panion on September 13, 1926, Anna Ruth Graybill of Manheim. They have a son, John David. Brother Keiper is a graduate of Juniata College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, 1924, and of Princeton Theological Seminary, 1928, with the Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology degrees. He was elected to the ministry June 20, 1920, and ordained as an elder in June 1929. He has done extensive camp work and has held many district and regional offices here and elsewhere. His pastoral work outside this district was with these churches: Woodberry, Maryland; Middle River, Virginia; Calvary, Coventry, New Paris, and Montgomery, Pennsylvania.
WALTER D. KELLER (January 29, 1879-) was born at Frederick- town, Ohio, a son of Daniel and Elnora (Myers) Keller. He united with the church in 1900, became a minister on August 8, 1903, and was ordained as an elder on November 9, 1912. He attended Ohio Northern University, Manchester College, Bible Institute and Canton College, and Ashland College, receiving the Bachelor of Science, Bach- elor of Sacred Literature, and Bachelor of Arts degrees. He was the pastor of several churches in different states. His work in our district was done at the Walnut Grove church, where he served four years. He was married to Cora E. Hostetler on August 30, 1906. They had one son, Paul.
MRS. WALTER D. KELLER moved into the district with her husband, Elder Walter D. Keller, to take up pastoral work in the Walnut Grove church in 1921. During their service there, Mrs. Keller was licensed to the ministry. She was a great asset to the church, serving as a
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teacher in the church school, conducting the vacation Bible school, visiting in homes, helping in the aid society, and also conducting junior church services each Lord's Day. She filled the pulpit in a very ac- ceptable manner on many occasions. Mrs. Keller was elected as the first Aid Society president in our district.
(1) JAMES KELSO (January 1788-February 1867), birthplace un- known, moved into Fayette County from Western Maryland about 1824. He was then a minister in the second degree. While in the Georges Creek congregation in 1854 he was ordained to the eldership. About seven years later, he moved to the Elk Lick congregation and lived there with his son, Elder Jonathan Kelso. His obituary carried this sentence: "Few of the brethren have traveled more extensively and have labored more zealously for the cause of their Master than he." Three of Brother Kelso's sons became ministers.
(2) JACOB KELSO, who married Elizabeth Lichty, helped in the organization of the first Sunday school at Plum Creek in 1860. There he was elected to the ministry in 1865. Thirteen years later he moved to Nebraska.
(2) JONATHAN KELSO ( ?- 1906), whose wife was Susannah Lichty, was the first elder of the new Elk Lick congregation. He moved west in 1886 and died in Nebraska.
(2) JOSEPH KELSO was elected to the ministry after he moved west.
HARVEY H. KIMMEL (April 2, 1862-), son of John M. and Elizabeth (Miller) Kimmel, was born in Jefferson Township, Somerset County, on April 2, 1862. He supplemented public school education by attend- ance at the county normals and taught nine terms in the schools of the county. Brother Kimmel was married to Miss Nora Will, daughter of J. K. and Sarah (Hunter) Will, in 1886, and to this union were born the following children: Charles M., of the Moxham church, Johns- town; Nina, married to Brooks Horner, of the Mount Joy church, with whom Brother Kimmel has lived the past fourteen years; and John J. of the Middle Creek congregation (Pike Run church). Mrs. Kimmel died in 1928. At the age of seventeen Brother Kimmel united with the church. He was called to the ministry in 1900 and advanced in 1901-all in the Middle Creek congregation. He was advanced to the eldership, and served the same congregation for some years. He was an active Sunday-school worker, having been superintendent and teacher.
LEWIS KIMMEL (October 19, 1838-August 7, 1907) was a grandson of Philip Kimmel, who was one of the original members of the church in Brothersvalley. His parents, Tobias and Barbara (Breniser) Kimmel, moved into Westmoreland County, where he was born. When he was four years of age, the family settled in Armstrong County, where he lived the remainder of his life, rendering outstanding service to the church in many ways. He was baptized when he was eighteen years of age. In 1858 the Cowanshannock congregation called him to the ministry. The following year he was married to Elizabeth Wells, daugh- ter of Elder Levi Wells. They established their home within a mile of
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the Plum Creek church. With Brother James Kelso, he established a Sunday school at Plum Creek in 1860. The Plum Creek Normal School was also his creation. For more of Brother Kimmel's educational ac- tivity read the chapter, "Higher Education," in Part One. Brother Kimmel was active in the work of the district. When the first District Mission Board was established in 1872 he was chosen as a member. He continued to contribute heavily to the support of this work. The old Kimmel homestead is still owned by one of the Kimmel family, who, with others of the Tobias Kimmel clan, is a staunch supporter of the work of the church in that part of the district.
A. R. KITCHEN (May 8, 1858-1929) was born in Clearfield County, a son of John D. and Rachel (Bonewell) Kitchen. Brother Kitchen was united in marriage to Thurssey J. Montgomery, on May 25, 1879, in Clearfield. About 1895, in the Glen Hope (Chess Creek) congregation, he was called to the ministry. For a number of years he was the only resident minister in the above church.
CHARLES S. KNAVEL (July 23, 1883-) is of the Rummel congrega- tion. His parents were Samuel and Susan (Statler) Knavel). Elder Peter Knavel was his uncle. He was baptized in October 1891. On Sep- tember 25, 1904, he married Abbie Faust. They have one son, Richard, and have been foster parents to sev- eral children. Brother Knavel was elected to the ministry on June 19, 1906. He has served the church at Rummel as minister, Sunday-school superintendent, teacher, and a mem- ber of various boards of the church and Sunday school. Brother Knavel is also a veteran grade school teach- er, having taught over fifty years.
JACOB C. KNAVEL (July 24, 1853- May 31, 1943), the oldest deacon of O the Rummel church, moved into the Charles S. Knavel congregation in 1882. He was a brother of Elder Peter Knavel. He was a wise counselor, a loyal church member, and a trustee over a long period of years. He was married to Lavina Berkey. To this union were born three children: Samuel Knavel, a present deacon; Mary, wife of Mahlon Penrod, a present deacon; and Nora, former wife of Lester Hite- shew, deceased. A grandson, Brother Roy Hiteshew, a deacon, is now serving as the business manager at our Brethren Service Center at New Windsor, Maryland.
PETER KNAVEL (January 15, 1848-October 18, 1935), oldest son of Jacob and Hannah (Berkey) Knavel, was born in West Taylor Town-
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Peter Knavel
ship, Somerset County. He was reared on the farm of his godly par- ents, and when only fifteen he united with the church in the Conemaugh congregation. Three years later the family moved to the Shade Creek congregation near the Berkey meet- inghouse. There for many years he was a farmer, builder, and contrac- tor. At the same time, after his en- try into the ministry, he preached with enthusiasm and power. He was ordained as an elder on June 10, 1902. After the congregation was di- vided in 1912, he became the senior elder of the Scalp Level church. Elder Knavel was married to Maria Blough. Some of their children es- tablished their homes in California. Many trips were made across the continent to visit them from time to time. He died while visiting them and is buried in that state.
LEWIS SCHROCK KNEPPER (September 11, 1889-), a son of Emanuel L. and Emma (Schrock) Knepper and grandson of Elder William G. Schrock, was born near Berlin. He attended the Berlin Normal School and Juniata College, receiving a Bachelor of English degree in 1911, being graduated from the business course in 1913, and receiving a Bach- elor of Arts degree in 1932, inter- spersing his years of education with teaching and pastoral work. He was baptized in June 1901, installed into the ministry on May 15, 1915, ad- vanced in 1917, and ordained as an elder in May 1920. From 1922 to 1926 he was the first pastor of the home congregation. The first vacation Bible school in the district was held at the Geiger church during this time. From there he went to Scalp Level, where he served four years. Juniata College then called him to become field and alumni secretary to work among the churches in the districts served by the school, which work he did for thirteen years. For ten years he also pastored the Bethel and Rockton churches,
Lewis Schrock Knepper
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Clearfield County, and then followed three years of service for the Ardenheim church, he living all this while at Huntingdon. He was elder of many churches and worked on many district boards and committees. For twenty years he edited the District Echo. Retiring from the active ministry in 1949, he is engaged in the insurance business. His wife was Grace (Hay) Berkley, whom he married on June 25, 1913. A little daughter was called home after a few years here; another grew to maturity.
SOLOMON KNEPPER (December 11, 1820-February 17, 1854), a son of John and Elizabeth (Stahl) Knepper, was born near Berlin. He attended the Berlin Academy and later taught and farmed. He was married to Eve Schrock on November 19, 1843. They had two sons, only one of whom grew to maturity-Elder John H. Knepper of the First Brethren Church. It is not known when Solomon was called to the ministry. He preached in both German and English, and was popular in the pulpit. After his death, his widow was married to John J. Bittner.
WILLIAM M. KNOPSNIDER (December 2, 1865-), second son of Ahimas and Martha Ann Knopsnider, was born near Freed, Fayette County. His parents were members of the Evangelical Church. His occupations are farming and lumbering. On February 26, 1893, he was married to Rebecca C. Miller, daughter of George F. and Susan Miller of Indian Head. Their church affiliation was Brethren. Brother and Sister Knopsnider became members of the Church of the Brethren on July 2, 1894. In September 1901 he was elected to the ministry in the Indian Creek congregation. In March 1903 he was advanced to the second degree; several years later he was ordained to the eldership.
W. KENNETH KOONTZ (December 22, 1907-) is a son of Hiram and Cora Koontz of near Hooversville. He was baptized in 1917 at the Hooversville church. He was graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1932, and was called to the ministry the same year. He has been in the teaching profession, first as principal of the Jennerstown schools and then in the same office at Scalp Level for nine years and at Stoystown High School for one year. At present he is head of the biology department at Windber High School. His wife was Mary Louise Rininger of Kantner. They are the parents of four children, one of whom is deceased. The family lives in Windber and is in fellowship with the church there. He assists in the work and preaches as he is needed.
WILLIAM KURTZ KULP (February 28, 1888-), the son of Elder Samuel W. and Anna (Kurtz) Kulp, was born in Ephrata, Lancaster County. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1912. Alma Mae Hoffman became his wife in 1913. Three sons grew to maturity and two daughters died in infancy. Brother Kulp was elected to the ministry on August 1, 1912, advanced to the second degree in the Lower Cumberland congregation on March 23, 1916, and ordained to the eldership in April 1923 in the Rockwood church. The Kulps began pastoral work on December 1, 1920, in the Robinson church. They
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William Kurtz Kulp and Wife
served the Rockwood-Middle Creek charge from December 1, 1921, until 1928. Part of the next year was given to the work at Maple Spring, Tire Hill, and Hooversville. They went to Mount Joy in September 1929. From September 1937 until 1942 they worked with the Rummel church, going from there to Center Hill, where they still serve. Brother Kulp has been active in many phases of district work, serving nine years on the Welfare Board, seventeen years on the Mission Board, one year on the Ministerial Board, six years as district clerk, and also as reading clerk and moderator of the Elders' Body. He represented on Standing Committee five times. At present he also serves efficiently as secretary-treasurer of the District Historical Com- mittee.
JOSEPH LEATHERMAN (1760-1848) moved from eastern Maryland into the Georges Creek congregation about the year 1800. His home was about four miles from Uniontown, Fayette County. He was a minister of considerable ability; he also was a very successful farmer.
BOYD N. LEHMAN is the son of Frank and Sarah (Custer) Lehman of Paint Township, Somerset County. He was baptized in the Que- mahoning congregation in 1902, licensed to the ministry August 5, 1923, installed August 11, 1925, and ordained as an elder in October 1949. He has served in the free ministry, largely in the home territory. He was president of the Somerset County Council of Christian Education of District Six for fifteen years and helped in the organization of many Sunday schools in several counties. His interest at present is in the revitalization of the Blough church, which was purchased from Que- mahoning by Shade Creek in 1950, renovated, and enlarged by the addition of Sunday-school rooms in the new basement.
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(1) CHRISTIAN LEHMAN (March 14, 1803-June 28, 1874) grew to manhood in the home of his Mennonite parents four miles south of Johnstown. Five years after his birth, a daughter, Elizabeth, was born into the home of Peter Berkey, Esquire, who brought his children up in the Seventh Day Baptist faith. Christian and Elizabeth were united in marriage in 1824, after which they both became members of the Church of the Brethren. They reared a family of thirteen children. Many ministers and church leaders have descended from this fine family. Polly and Catharine married Elders Jacob and Joseph Holsopple respectively. A son, Hiram, became a minister and elder. Christian Lehman lived on a farm in Richland Township, Cambria County. He was called to the ministry in the old Conemaugh congregation. When the Shade Creek congregation was cut off after 1846, Brother Lehman became the first elder there. He preached in German although he had a good command of the English language.
(2) HIRAM LEHMAN (June 24, 1849-July 23, 1902), the youngest child of the above, was married to Lizzie Knavel on March 13, 1870. They settled on a farm along the Scalp Level-Johnstown road, where they reared a family of three sons and two daughters. Lorenzo followed his father into the pulpit. Brother Hiram was thorough in his daily work and carried that trait into his religious life. His baptism occurred November 7, 1869, in the Shade Creek congregation, which, on July 10, 1887, elected him to the ministry. He was faithful to this responsibility and won a place of love and deep respect among the Brethren. He was chosen as district treasurer to succeed Elder Hiram Musselman and served until his passing.
Lorenzo J. Lehman and Wife
(3) LORENZO J. LEHMAN (October 5, 1873 -? ), a son of the above, was given educational advantages. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1898 and taught school for thirteen years. He united with the
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church on November 12, 1888. The Shade Creek congregation installed him into the ministry on July 1, 1900. Brother Lehman loved Sunday- school work. From 1903 to 1906 he served as district Sunday-school sec- retary of Western Pennsylvania. Because of impaired health, he resigned this position and located in California, where he taught three more terms of school. There he met and married Ella Forney, a daughter of Elder Edmund Forney. On December 12, 1915, Brother Lehman was ordained as an elder in the Reedley church, California.
SAMUEL LEHMAN (January 10, 1863-September 7, 1950) was married to the former Ella Statler, now deceased. They were elected to the office of deacon and deaconess on March 7, 1916. They were the parents of fifteen children, one of whom died in infancy. Brother Lehman had a perfect attendance record at Sunday school for twenty-one years. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Rummel Church of the Brethren.
SAMUEL LEIDY (LIDY) ( ?- April 16, 1873) was among the pioneers to settle in the Conemaugh Valley in the early part of the nineteenth century. Little is known of the early history of his family, but we are certain he played a great part in the establishment of the Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania. The following obituary ap- peared in the Christian Family Companion for February 20, 1872. It gives a rich insight into this godly home. "Fell asleep in Jesus, . . . February 5th, our sister Polly Lidy, wife of Elder Samuel Lidy, (her maiden name was French), aged 81 years, 11 months, 23 days. She lived in wedlock with her sorrowing husband 57 years 5 months and was a member of the church more than 55 years, always consistent and faithful. . .. Her husband was called to the ministry nearly half a century ago, in the Conemaugh branch, where he labored a long time, faithfully. He moved to the present limits of the Manor branch about thirty years ago; when his duties and difficulties were augmented, and presented themselves in a number of ways, not least among which was a limited English education, (having received his education principally in his mother tongue-German,) in which language it now became necessary for him to exercise his talents. But what was lacking in him, his wife, the subject of this notice, supplied. She was of New England extraction. In her death elder Lidy loses a dear companion; a number of children, a loving mother; and the church a faithful member."
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