USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 51
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
(3) FRANK BLAINE MYERS (July 6, 1878-February 20, 1946), the son of William L. and grandson of Elder Abraham Myers, was born and reared at Mount Pleasant. He was graduated from Juniata College in the Normal English course in 1899, and attended Bethany Bible School. He was called to the ministry in November 1909, advanced in December 1913, and later was ordained as an elder. He was pastor of churches in Minnesota, Virginia, and other places, coming again to the Mount Joy church in the twenties and remaining several years. He was married to Anne Reeves on April 10, 1912. Several sons were born to them. Brother Myers is buried in the Mount Joy cemetery. A son, Carl, is pastor at New Enterprise.
(1) MICHAEL MYERS (Moyer, Meyer, Meyers) ( ?- March 14, 1836) was among the first leaders in the church here. Historians disagree to a certain extent about the origin and settlement of the Myers family in Somerset County. Several families had settled here by the turn of the nineteenth century. Some of the families apparently were of the Reformed faith. Others, including those of Michael and Christian Myers, were German Baptists. Both of these men married daughters of Elder Michael Buechly, and it was probably through the influence of their wives that they became German Baptists. Michael's wife was Maria. They reared a large family; five of their sons were ministers,
582
Part Three: Biographies
and many later descendants became outstanding leaders in the church. Other than the ones about whom more is written here, some were: Joseph L. Kimmel, D. H. Walker, G. K. Walker, H. H. Kimmel, Lewis Knepper; the list is long and impressive. Michael Myers was the second bishop of the church in this district. In the deed for the Summit Mills church, made October 29, 1849, we have the following ". .. and that the well known John Keagy (long since deceased) was the first Bishop that presided over said church or congregation in said county aforesaid and that after his death [1806] Michael Moyer being constituted Bishop in the place of said John Keagy and the said Michael Moyer has since died and leaving a vacancy his place being again filled by two indi- viduals according to the rules of the church. . . . " The known sons of Michael and Maria were: Henry, Jacob, John B., Martin, Michael (all ministers) and Samuel (a deacon).
(2) HENRY MYERS (November 9, 1797 -? ), born near Berlin, mar- ried Anna Lichty, a daughter of Joseph Lichty. He was the first elder in the Middle Creek congregation. He moved his family west about 1884. Two of his daughters, Polly and Sally, married preachers, Solomon Lichty and David Livengood.
(2) JOHN B. MYERS (August 12, 1810-April 4, 1866) was called to the ministry in the Elk Lick church. He moved to Ashland, Ohio, twelve years before his death. His wife was Barbara, daughter of Abraham and Maria Miller.
(2) MICHAEL MYERS (September 18, 1804-April 1, 1855) married Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Mary Lichty. It is thought that he was called to the ministry in Westmoreland County. About 1854 he started west. His wife and a daughter died of cholera on the way. His latter days were spent in Wisconsin.
(2) MARTIN L. MYERS (March 11, 1815-April 4, 1895) married Anna, daughter of Harmon Witt. He had less than six months of formal school- ing, but became educated through study at home and taught thirteen terms of school. He was also elected surveyor of Somerset County in 1853. About 1854 he was called to the ministry and gave a good account of himself in that office. In 1863 he moved to Illinois, and in 1882 moved on to Morrill, Kansas, where he died, leaving fifteen sons and daughters.
(2) JACOB MEYERS (January 2, 1795-July 17, 1852) was married to Hannah, daughter of Christian Lichty, and settled on a farm near Berlin, where he spent the remainder of his life. Continuing the deed quoted in part in the Michael Myers sketch, we find this: ". . . Peter Kober and John Forney and the said John Forney being called off by death again causing a vacancy in part which was again filled by choosing and ordaining Jacob Moyer in his place so that the said Peter Kober and Jacob Moyer are the present presiding Bishops of said church or congregation in said county of Somerset. .. . " Not much more is known of the three years Jacob Meyers spent in this office, nor of the years of his preceding ministry. We do know, however, the rich heritage he left the church through his children. Tobias was an elder and Jacob a deacon.
583
Part Three: Biographies
(3) TOBIAS MEYERS (January 16, 1826-March 10, 1914) after his marriage to Eliza Berkley lived near Berlin for a while. Sometime in the 1850's he moved to Milford Township, Somerset County, and there was elected to the ministry. He served for more than fifty years, for almost forty of which he was an elder. In 1876 he moved his family to Illinois, and then went to Sheldon, Iowa, in 1887; there Sister Meyers died in 1893. Jacob Meyers was an educated man, notwithstanding his little formal schooling. He read much and traveled extensively. He was a forceful preacher, a sincere Christian, and a cheerful companion. He spent his latter days with his sons in Philadelphia, where he did a considerable amount of preaching in the surrounding area. His sons, Jacob T. and Dr. T. T., became well known the length and breadth of the Brotherhood.
(3) WILLIAM S. MEYERS (April 3, 1831-March 14, 1906) was a son of Deacon Samuel and a grandson of Bishop Michael Moyer. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Susan (Beeghley) Miller. Installed into the ministry in 1867, he was later ordained as an elder. Two sons, Joseph and Mahlon, were deacons. A daughter, Maggie, married Madi- son Brougher and became the mother of a large family of church lead- ers, among them Elder M. J. Brougher.
(4) JACOB T. MEYERS (September 13, 1851-October 1, 1915) was born and reared in Somerset County. He united with the church at Middle Creek and was an unusually devout lad. When he was twenty years of age the church called him to the ministry. He immediately went to Philadelphia for study and also preached for the church there. On September 20, 1877, he was married to Lydia Belle Quinter, daughter of Elder James Quinter. They were the parents of two children, James Q. and Grace Q., wife of Joseph Kratz. Immediately after their mar- riage they accepted the pastorate of the Green Tree church. They re- mained there until September 1905, when he was ordained as an elder; he continued as elder-in-charge there after taking up the pastoral work at the Geiger Memorial church in Philadelphia, where he worked until 1911. Ill-health made a rest imperative, and for the following two years he did little work. The Parkerford church called him in 1913 and he remained there until death took him. Brother Meyers was a writer of note and a regular contributor to the church periodicals. The intervening years have proved the saneness of judgment which was revealed in his articles.
(4) TOBIAS T. MEYERS (March 29, 1851-May 30, 1929) moved from our district at the age of eleven, but his influence upon the district through the lives he touched as an instructor at Juniata College can never be fully reckoned. Many ministers have quoted his words of wisdom from our pulpits. Dr. Meyers was graduated from Mount Morris College in 1890, from the National School of Elocution and Oratory in 1893, from Neff College of Oratory in 1894, from Temple College in 1894, from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1902, from Juniata College in 1905, and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1919, with these
584
Part Three: Biographies
Tobias T. Meyers
degrees: Bachelor of Expression, Bachelor of Interpretation, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, Doctor of Divinity, and Master of Arts respectively. From 1907 until his death he was professor of New Testa- ment literature and exegesis at the Juniata College School of Theology, On September 28, 1893, he was married to Salome A. Stoner. After Mrs. Meyers' death, Florence Harshberger became his wife on June 23, 1897. They had one son. Dr. Meyers was baptized on March 16, 1884, called to the ministry on January 1, 1886, and ordained as an elder on October 1, 1906. He served several churches as their pastor and was the author of several books. He also wrote for our Sunday-school literature. An excellent orator, he was sought far and wide as a speaker and also as one to conduct Bible institutes. He traveled ex- tensively at home and abroad and served the Brotherhood long and well.
(5) W. HARVEY MEYERS (January 8, 1876-August 15, 1950), a son of Joseph Meyers, was a deacon in the Pleasant Hill church in Milford Township, Somerset County. He was born and reared within sight of the church, and later served as the superintendent and a teacher in the Sunday school for many years. Before he met with sudden death while working as a flagman on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, he recalled many incidents in the life of the church there, among them the singing
585
Part Three: Biographies
classes conducted by Urias D. Braucher and John H. Fike. Broth- er Meyers led the music on most oc- casions at the little church. He was one of the last members there and helped in the disposal of the building when services were discontinued. His membership was transferred to the church in Somerset, where he served as a teacher and as the presi- dent of the Men's Work organization and was numbered among the tith- ers. His wife was Elizabeth Poor- baugh, a member of the Evangelical Church. They had five children.
W. Harvey Meyers
(5) SAMUEL A. MEYERS (June 9, 1887-), brother to the above, was baptized in 1900, elected to the ministry at Middle Creek on May 20, 1911, and later ordained as an elder. One term was spent at Bethany Bible School. He taught school for a number of years and also farmed, having taken over the farm owned by his father. On August 17, 1910, he was married to Mary, daughter of Elder D. H. Walker. In 1937 the family moved to Shippensburg to a farm. He has served as elder of the church there and has been active in other offices. There are five children in the home: Roy, Ellis R., Eleanor, Ruth (deceased), and Mary Louise. All are good church workers.
WALTER N. MYERS (September 30, 1869 -? ), a native of Indiana County, was a son of Adam and Frances (Long) Myers. He married Jennie Shank on September 29, 1892. They were baptized in 1896. He was elected to the ministry in 1901, advanced in 1902, and ordained to the eldership on June 19, 1910. He lived and worked in the Manor congregation. They had one daughter.
E. F. NEDROW (July 17, 1879-) is the son of John M. and Mary A. Nedrow of Westmoreland County. He united with the church at the age of fourteen in the old County Line church. He became active in church work early in life and was superintendent of the Sunday school. One year was spent at Juniata College. On March 31, 1906, the Indian Creek congregation elected him to the ministry. On June 5, 1906, he was united in marriage with Hattie Myers, daughter of the late Ezra and Mary Myers of Champion. They resided at Marris Brook until 1908, then moved to Elizabethtown, where he attended college. Brother Nedrow spent his first summer vacation in Readfield, Maine, under the direction of the Mission Board of Eastern Pennsylvania, with a view of expanding the mission work of the church; out of this desire to expand came the establishment of the Lake Ridge mission, at King Ferry, New York. During the second year at college and until after graduation, he served the Norristown church. He was called to the Lake Ridge mission in 1912. On June 26, 1915, the mission was organized into a church. This was and still is our only church in that state out- side of Brooklyn. E. F. Nedrow was ordained to the eldership on June
586
Part Three: Biographies
16, 1915, and given full charge of the newly organized church, which he served well as pastor and elder. He helped in the erection of the church at King Ferry in 1934 and has served there in the free ministry.
J. LLOYD NEDROW (September 25, 1885-) was the youngest son of John M. and Mary Nedrow of near Jones Mill. He united with the church September 17, 1899, was elected deacon in March 1906, was called to the ministry October 7, 1911, and has since been ordained as an elder. He has served in the pas- torates of the churches at Locust Grove, Sipesville, Center Hill, and Mechanicsburg, and is now serving the Elbethel and Wooddale churches and teaching in the public schools. He was married to Sadie M. Reese on December 24, 1911; she passed J. Lloyd Nedrow away in May 1950. Brother and Sis- ter Nedrow were the parents of four children, one of whom died when still young.
JOHN NICHOLSON, JR., was born in the Indian Creek Valley, Fayette County, on May 15, 1824. His father, John Nicholson, Sr., was an elder in the German Baptist Church for thirty-five years. Brother Nicholson was married to Miss C. L. Pullen of New York on April 1, 1849. He was installed into the ministry in October 1853 by Elder Jacob S. Hauger. After having served the Indian Creek congregation until 1864, he located in Ohio. He traveled much as a home missionary in different states. In the general division of the fraternity, Brother Nicholson went with the Brethren Church.
STANLEY B. NOFFSINGER (February 8, 1896-) was born in Johns- town. His parents were Jacob B. and Sadie (Brallier) Noffsinger. He was graduated from Juniata College in June 1922 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1921 the Huntingdon congregation called Stanley to the ministry. He was ordained to the eldership on December 23, 1940. On September 5, 1921, Stanley was united in marriage with Naomi Pearl Dell. To this union were born seven children. In September 1922 he was installed as the pastor of the newly established mission point at Nanty Glo. During his pastorate there a new church was constructed and was dedicated in May 1924. He moved to Ohio, where he served as the pastor of the Maple Avenue mission in Canton, the Black River congregation, and the Bristolville mission. Later he en- tered the profession of teaching, and served as supply minister in many of the congregations. At present he is the teacher of a large adult Bible class in the Springfield congregation.
587
Part Three: Biographies
LOIS DETWEILER NORRIS, daughter of Ezra H. and Emma (Harrison) Detweiler, was reared in the Walnut Grove church. Lois united with the church at an early age, and was active in Sunday school and young people's work. She was licensed to the ministry in December 1922, at the same time her brother George was licensed. After teaching a few years, she attended Juniata College, graduating in 1925. In 1929 she was chosen to go with her husband, Glenn Norris, to the mission field in Sweden, being supported by the Walnut Grove church. After their return to the States in 1934, Brother and Sister Norris attended Bethany Biblical Seminary, after which they were called to the pastor- ate of the Twenty-eighth Street church in Altoona. From there they went to serve the Ambler church, where they continue to work.
DAVID OBER (August 27, 1814-March 14, 1886) was a native of Fayette County, his parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Hoover) Ober. On May 9, 1839, he was married to Catherine Chrissinger. Nine children blessed the home. Raised in the River Brethren Church, he and his wife united with the Church of the Brethren in Fayette County, where later he was called to the ministry. When he was sixty-one years of age he moved his family within the bounds of the Manor congregation, where he farmed and worked with the church the remainder of his life. He is buried in the Crooked Creek cemetery.
DARYL M. PARKER (March 17, 1904-) came to us from the Presby- terian Church in 1933, having married Martha N. Neiderhiser in June 1932. He held his membership in the Mount Joy congregation from 1933 until 1949. Together Daryl and Martha set their faces toward medical mission service in China. He was born in Whittier, California,
The Daryl Parkers
588
Part Three: Biographies
was graduated from Occidental College in 1926 and from Northwestern University Medical School in 1932 with a Doctor of Medicine degree, and interned at Evanston General Hospital. He has since done post- graduate work in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School. In 1945 he became a Fellow in the American College of Sur- geons. The Parkers served in China from 1933 to 1940, when war in- terrupted their service. During the two years that followed he was a resident surgeon in the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. From 1942 to 1946 he served the church in Castañer, Puerto Rico, re- turning to China in December, 1946; there they remained until 1949, when war again interrupted their work. At present Dr. Parker is practicing medicine at Hollansburg, Ohio. He and his family are mem- bers of the Beech Grove church. They are the parents of two fine sons, Donald and Robert, who dream of returning to China, where they were born, to serve their Lord. The Parkers have worked and sacrificed during years of world stress that the cross might be lifted high.
MARTHA (NEIDERHISER) PARKER (January 31, 1907-) is the daughter of Norman and Keturah (Hays) Neiderhiser, who reared their family in the Mount Joy congregation. Martha was baptized at the age of nine. She was active in many phases of church work, and was gradu- ated with the first class at Camp Harmony. It was during the first camp there that she gave her life for service to the church. After high school, she went to the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and graduated from the nurse's course in 1931. She has since attended Bethany Bib- lical Seminary, the University of Pennsylvania, and Manchester College. Before her marriage to Dr. Daryl Parker, she held supervisory positions at Bethany Hospital, Chicago, and at other times did private duty. From 1928 to 1932 she was a member of the Chicago Student Volunteer Un- ion. Her service to the church has coincided with Dr. Parker's, except- ing two years' less time at Castañer.
I. CLIFFORD PAUL (February 9, 1898-) was born in Milledgeville, Illinois. He was graduated from Mount Morris College with a Bache- lor of Arts degree in 1921, from Bethany Biblical Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1934, from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1934 and also from the latter with a Mas- ter of Arts degree in 1940. He taught in various high schools for eighteen years. He held pastorates in the I. Clifford Paul Pleasant View church, Ohio, from 1929 to 1937, and in the Virden and Lanark churches, Illinois, from 1942 to 1943 and from 1946 to 1948 re-
589
Part Three: Biographies
spectively. He served the Windber church from 1944 to 1946 and since 1948 has been at the Meyersdale church. He was married to Marjie Ruth Fouts on June 8, 1922. They have two daughters and a son.
SAMUEL W. PEARCE (April 27, 1867-April 1, 1944) was the son of Isaac and Jane (Young) Pearce. His parents were not of the Brethren faith. When Samuel was eleven years old he came to Johnstown to attend school, then moved to Adams Township, where he lived four and a half years. By this time he decided to work on a farm for a deacon in the Church of the Brethren. On September 25, 1890, he was married to Miss Minnie Harshberger, daughter of John M. and Katie (Wertz) Harshberger, and on September 26, 1894, he was baptized at Walnut Grove. It was not long until Brother Pearce was called to teach a Bible class, and soon after that he became the superintendent of the Sunday school. On March 29, 1900, he was called to the min- istry, and on May 3, 1914, he was ordained into the eldership. He preached at the old Horner church, Benshoff Hill, Yoder Hill, Maple Grove, Walnut Grove, Moxham, Giffin Hill, and Conemaugh. In 1921 he became pastor of the Conemaugh church, serving two years; then he and his wife decided to take a trip out west. Again in January 1926 the Conemaugh church called Brother and Sister Pearce to be their leaders. After serving nine years, they closed their work for a brief period, then resumed the pastorate, serving until April 1, 1944. Since Elder Pearce's death Sister Pearce continues to worship here.
Samuel W. Pearce and Wife
Jacob W. Peck
JACOB W. PECK (June 18, 1845-June 1937) was a great-grandson of John Adam Peck, who, born in Switzerland, came to America from
590
Part Three: Biographies
Rotterdam in 1767 on the ship Hamilton. After his marriage to Katarina Smith, they settled in Somerset County. He was the father of John, who married Elizabeth Maust. Among their children were Jacob W. and Lewis A., about whom more follows. Jacob W., baptized 1870, was married to Elizabeth Flickinger on December 29, 1872. Their children were: Cora, Lloyd D., John E., Emma, Carrie, Missouri, Sadie, and Robert E. Brother Peck was a successful farmer and wielded much influence in the life of the community, holding several township and county offices. He was elected to the ministry on May 15, 1880, with his brother, Lewis A. Peck, and, having proved worthy of further respon- sibilities, he was ordained to the eldership at a later date. He preached in the Maple Glen, Summit Mills, and Cross Roads churches. In addition to caring for his ministerial duties he was also superintendent of the Summit Mills Sunday school from 1880 until 1900.
LEWIS A. PECK (February 4, 1853-February 12, 1942), a brother of the above, was born on the farm in Addison Township, where he continued to live the remainder of his long life. He was baptized in
Lewis A. Peck and Wife
June 1876, called to the ministry on May 15, 1880, advanced on April 24, 1886, and ordained as an elder on September 27, 1886. He later was elder-in-charge of the church. He worked constantly in the Sunday school, either as superintendent or teacher. He was a man with a strong physique and great executive ability, both of which he used to the glory of God. He was married first to Mary A. Fike. She passed away after having mothered three children. Anna Baer became his second wife. She, too, became the mother of three children.
LEWIS PENROD ( ?- April 13, 1945) was one of the outstanding leaders in the Rummel church, of which he and his wife, Belle, became members in 1904. Soon after his baptism he became the superintendent of the Sunday school, which, largely through his efforts, became front line in 1911. In 1913 he was elected a deacon. He served on many committees and boards and taught a Sunday-school class. Although living a busy life, he never refused to do what the church assigned
591
Part Three: Biographies
to him. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the men's chorus for many years. The Penrods had one daughter, Stella, wife of Warren Hoover, and two granddaughters, Mildred Hoover and Ruth (Hoover) Moyer. All are active in the work of the church.
IRVIN R. PLETCHER (November 15, 1880-) began life in the home of Daniel E. and Martha (Miller) Pletcher near Indian Head, Fayette County. By attending local normal schools and through a correspond- ence course he secured a permanent teachers' certificate, which he used, with other work, intermittingly through the years. He united with the Mount Joy church in 1897. On December 25, 1902, he was married to Sadie G. Horner, daughter of Meyers Horner and granddaughter Lewis Penrod of Elder D. D. Horner. Three sons and two daughters were born to them. About 1906 he was called to the ministry and ordained in 1908. He entered Bethany Bible School in 1918 to secure further preparation for his work. Brother Pletcher has served as pastor of the Connellsville mission and of the Pleasant Hill church in this district. In 1935 the family moved to Florida, where he has since worked in the missions in Okeechobee and Miami. He has also served as supply pastor at Arcadia, Sebring, and Sunnyland in that state.
RICHARD T. POLLARD (November 24, 1848-1928) was descended from a family of mine workers in Cornwall, England. His father, Thomas Pollard, was a tin dresser at the Cornwall tin mines. Richard T. was born in Cornwall. He had none of the advantages of early education but from youth worked in the tin and copper mines in his native coun- try. When he came to America, at the age of twenty, he did not know the multiplication tables and was equally backward in all other branches. In 1871 he came to Somerset County and entered the em- ploy of the historian, William H. Welfley, for whom he worked for about a year. His eagerness for an education took him to the Plum Creek Normal School in 1875. There, one year later, in addition to getting knowledge he acquired a wife, Mrs. Hannah Kimmel, widow of Peter Kimmel and daughter of Elder Joseph Shumaker of Armstrong County. Two sons were born to them. In 1891 he was graduated from the Baltimore Medical College. He also received a degree in medicine from the Western University of Pennsylvania. Two years later he began the practice of medicine in Garrett, Somerset County. Dr. Pollard was called to the ministry in the Plum Creek congregation in 1870 and was ordained as an elder the same year. He served not only in the
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.