USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 55
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MICHAEL THOMAS (January 18, 1804-July 28, 1898), a brother to Jacob M., was a native of Somerset County, but when young moved with his parents to Fayette County, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a minister for many years, but his work was confined to his local congregation.
JAMES M. TOMBAUGH (November 10, 1857 -? ) was born in Washing- ton County. At about the age of twenty-one he united with the German Baptist church, being baptized by A. J. Sterling. Elected to the ministry in the Pigeon Creek church (Ten Mile congregation), he was installed into the second degree by Elder P. J. Brown. When the division of the church occurred, he went with the Progressive Brethren. Brother Tom- baugh was graduated from Waynesburg College in June 1884 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was president of Ashland College for sev- eral years, and in 1900 was a member of the Brethren Publication Board. -Information from Holsinger's history, pages 743-744
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(1) ANDREW UMBEL (July 9, 1802-December 30, 1887), a son of Isaac and Nancy Umbel, was born near Markleysburg, in the same home in which he lived his entire life and reared his family of five sons and three daughters. One son, Samuel C., was a minister. Andrew married Anne Thomas on January 22, 1825. He supported his family by operating a tannery at his home. He was a minister for nearly fifty years. It was said that the greatest sermons he preached were his witness to Christ in the godly life he lived among his fellow men.
Samuel C. Umbel and Wife
(2) SAMUEL C. UMBEL (May 20, 1835-1923), a son of the above, was married to Martha Brown on December 22, 1854. They both united with the church the following June. On March 14, 1856, he was elected to the ministry, advanced in 1860, and ordained to the eldership in 1906. Sixty-seven years were given to the church, during which time he served faithfully and efficiently. He followed his father at the tanner's trade and farmed. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter. The younger son, Robert Emery Umbel, was elected to the judgeship of Fayette County in 1900 and re-elected in 1910.
(1) DANIEL P. WALKER (February 26, 1810-December 25, 1885) was a grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Coleman) Walker, who came from Wittenberg, Germany, about 1777. Their son, Peter, married to Char- lotte Renisberger, was the father of Daniel P. Brother Daniel was a teacher in his earlier years, but spent most of his life farming. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith, but later united with the Church of the Brethren after his marriage. The church called him to the ministry when he was about fifty-three years of age; he gave a good account of himself in that office. He married Elizabeth Horner. They were the parents of five daughters and three sons, Cyrus H., William H., and Daniel H. A son and three sons-in-law were elders; also four grandsons and many more of his younger posterity.
(2) DANIEL H. WALKER (July 5, 1850-May 12, 1920), a son of the above, was reared in Stonycreek Township. Like his father, he taught school and farmed. He united with the church on June 15, 1869, was elected to the ministry on June 3, 1886, advanced on November 11, 1898, and later ordained as an elder. He was the elder-in-charge of the
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Brothersvalley congregation for many years, and also took his turn in the various pulpits with the other ministers. He was married to Mary A. Knepper, daughter of Lewis J. and Magdalene Knepper, on Decem- ber 10, 1868. They were the parents of William P., Miller L., Ira D., Dillie V., Clara E., Emma E., and Elder Galen K., at whose birth the mother died. On July 3, 1884, he married Ella R. Knepper, his first wife's sister. Their children were Myrl J .; Mary, wife of Elder S. A. Meyers; Charlotte; Alma; and April May, wife of Reverend F. F. Beeghly. Many of Elder Walker's posterity are leaders in the church, among them several ministers; Elder Galen K. and his son, Robert Walker, Timothy Wayne Rieman, and others.
Daniel H. and Galen K. Walker
(3) GALEN K. WALKER (June 15, 1883-) was born in Somerset County, a son of Daniel H. and Mary (Knepper) Walker. Because of the death of his mother at his birth, he was reared in the home of Elder W. G. Schrock. He was educated in the public schools, then taught in the grades and high school. He was graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from Crozer Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He also attended Temple University, Philadelphia. On October 20, 1906, Brother Walker was elected to the ministry in the Brothersvalley congregation. He was in- stalled on March 30, 1907. While working as assistant cashier in the National Bank in Berlin, he was elected as part-time pastor of the Beachdale church. Through his leadership the old white church was replaced by a new brick building and dedicated free of debt in 1911. On November 28, 1911, Brother Walker was married to Fern Elizabeth Coppock of Tipp City, Ohio. To this union were born three children: Robert C. (now a minister), June Mary, and Ruth Eleanor. He served
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as a member of the District Mission Boards of Middle and Western Penn- sylvania. As pastor in the Western District he served Beachdale, Plum Creek and Glade Run, and Walnut Grove, the latter from 1925 to 1929. He also served the Huntingdon and Pottstown churches. In 1929 he moved to California, where he has served the La Verne and Hermosa Beach churches. In 1942 he went to Glendora, where he continues as pastor. At present he is also president of the Hillcrest Homes, Inc., Southern California, and vice-president of the Relief, Southern Cali- fornia, Brethren Service Commission.
BENJAMIN F. WALTZ (May 14, 1889-), a son of Conrad B. and Mary (Helfert) Waltz, was born in Lancaster County. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1910, from Franklin and Marshall Col- lege in 1914 and 1915, and from Juniata College in 1923, with the Bachelor of Pedagogy, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, and Bache- lor of Divinity degrees, respectively. He received Christian baptism in 1901. The Lancaster church called him to the ministry January 14, 1914. He accepted the pastorate of the Salisbury, Garrett, and Beech Dale congregations in 1915. On June 15, 1916, he was ordained as an elder. On May 3, 1920, he went to the Twenty-eighth Street church in Altoona. For many years he has been serving the mother church in Germantown. His wife was Mary E. Myers. They are the parents of two sons.
DAVID F. WARNER (August 8, 1875-), the son of Lorenzo and Celestie Warner, was born at Greenville, Ohio. He attended Mount Morris College and Bethany Biblical Seminary. He married Grace Gnagy. On June 4, 1899, he was baptized at Mexico, Indiana, and the Sugar Ridge church in Michigan elected him to the ministry on February 20, 1909. On November 16, 1915, he was ordained to the full ministry at Virden, Illinois. During his pastorate in the Oakdale church (Red Bank), the leadership of Brother and Sister Warner was out- standing: the church was remodeled, leadership training was developed, a daily vacation Bible school was begun, and Sister Warner organized a children's department with its own worship service. They closed their work at Oakdale in 1929.
C. WALTER WARSTLER (January 30, 1882-) was born at New Paris, Elkhart County, Indiana. He was married to Edith Gouker of Goshen, Indiana, on February 2, 1902. He was baptized May 28, 1907, at the Goshen City church. This church called him to the ministry September 15, 1909, and advanced him to the second degree on November 4, 1910. On December 1, 1917, he was ordained to the eldership. After serving in several pastorates in Michigan and Indiana, Brother Warstler was called to serve the Pittsburgh church. During this period, he was elected on the District Ministerial Board and held a number of revivals among our churches. At present he is located at Degraff, Ohio.
(1) JACOB A. WEAVER (1849-1925) was a great-grandson of the Jacob Weaver who emigrated from Bavaria and settled in Juniata County. He had six sons, all of whom later came to this area. One, Abraham, Sr., married Christina Kauffman. Among their heirs was a
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son, Abraham, Jr. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of Elder Jacob Stutzman. According to Welfley, they settled on a farm near the present site of Windber about 1840, where his son, Jonas A., farmed after him, and where a grandson, Percy, now resides. Jacob A. mar- ried Lavina Hoffman and reared a large family of prominent church leaders. Amanda was the wife of Elder R. T. Idleman. Three sons be- came preachers; also four grandsons, among whom one served in Africa.
(2) JOSIAH L. WEAVER ( ?- August 16, 1941), oldest son of Jacob A., was elected to the ministry at Shade Creek on March 31, 1902, and was later ordained to the eldership. He attended Juniata College and Bethany Bible School. From December 1913 until September 1916 he served as pastor of the Bellefontaine church, Ohio; and from Septem- ber 1926 to April 1929 of the Penn Run congregation. For many years before his death he struggled against a paralysis which hampered his work for his Lord, whom he loved dearly. He was married to Pearl Lehman, who was a devoted and faithful wife in his years of trial.
(2) GRANT E. WEAVER (July 11, 1895-), the youngest son of Jacob A. Weaver, attended Elizabethtown Academy and Elizabethtown College, later transferring to Juniata College, where he was graduated in 1923 and 1924 with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity de- grees, respectively. The Shade Creek congregation called him to the ministry in 1920. During college years he preached at Rockton and Tyrone, this state, Morgantown, West Virginia, and Cumberland, Mary- land. He has since served at Penn Run, Nanty Glo, and Pleasant Hill, and also at Bradford and Harris Creek, Ohio. In 1947 they moved to Indiana, serving the Wabash and Andrews churches. In 1926 he mar- ried Lutie Sargent. The family now lives in Wabash, where the parents teach school while their son, Marlin, is preparing for the medical profes- sion, Galen is preparing for the min- istry, and Wayne is attending high school.
(2) MAHLON J. WEAVER (Sep- tember 22, 1876-), brother to Jo- siah, was baptized November 19, 1891, installed into the ministry July 9, 1899, and ordained to the eldership in 1916. He was graduated from Juniata College in 1901 and 1905 with Bachelor of English and Bache- lor of Sacred Literature degrees, and attended Western Theological and- Bethany Biblical seminaries. After teaching school six terms and preaching in the local congregation, in 1908 he began pastoral work. He served the following churches:
Mahlon J. Weaver and Wife
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Pittsburgh, Everett, Roaring Spring, Moxham, Maple Spring, Lancaster, Nappanee (Indiana), Manor, Bellwood, and Tyrone, retiring from active pastoral work in 1951. Brother Weaver was active in the Student Volun- teer Movement in his younger days, representing the Juniata College Volunteers at the Northfield Convention in 1903; he also directed the church visitation program to solicit support for a missionary. He was always active in Sunday-school work and was in attendance at one World Sunday School Convention. His first wife was Fanny S. Ritchey, whom he married October 31, 1909. They were the parents of Ferne E. Speicher, Elvin Paul, and Leon John. Mrs. Weaver died August 12, 1917. On August 31, 1918, Roxie Edith Hankins became his wife.
MRS. M. J. WEAVER (October 18, 1886-) is a native of Flora, Indiana, her former name being Roxie Hankins. After high school she took a Normal English course at Manchester College in 1908 and then taught for four years. Three years were spent working as a cashier in a bank. Mrs. Weaver attended Bethany Seminary and Bible School to prepare herself further for the Lord's work. She was married to Mahlon J. Weaver in 1918, and has since served a number of churches as a pastor's wife. Mrs. Weaver has been one of the pioneer leaders in Women's Work. While she was serving in the office of vice-president of the Aid Society of the General Brotherhood, her husband suggested the co-ordination of the various women's organizations in the church into one general organization to avoid duplication. After much con- sideration and study, such a plan was suggested to the women at the North Manchester Annual Conference in 1929 and was adopted, the Aid Society merging with other groups to become the present Women's Work Organization. Mrs. Weaver was president of the Aid Society in Western Pennsylvania in 1926.
(3) E. PAUL WEAVER (October 13, 1913-), son of M. J. Weaver, was born in Everett. He was baptized December 11, 1922, at Elgin, Illinois. After two years at Elizabethtown College, he taught school for two years. The Maple Spring congregation called him to the ministry in January 1932, and in 1933 he was installed into the full ministry. He was active in youth work and also served on the Dis- trict Youth Cabinet of Middle Pennsylvania. He preached at Windber from October 1934 to April 1935 as interim pastor, going from there to Beth- any Biblical Seminary for further study. On Au- gust 6, 1936, he was married to Zalma Faw of Yakima, Washington. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Elizabethtown College in 1937. In December 1939 Brother and Sister Weaver sailed for the Nigeria mission field, where E. Paul Weaver they had charge of the Lassa church. While there he was ordained as an elder and moderated the District Conference in 1943. The following year they returned home. After receiving his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1945, he accepted the pastorate of the Salamonie congrega-
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tion, Indiana. In 1951 he became the pastor of the church at Mexico, Indiana. He has been active in district work, served as chairman of the Commission on National Legislation of the Indiana Council of Churches, and was legislative director of the Indiana Christian Endeavor Union. The Weavers have a daughter, Nelda Ferne, and a son, Bruce Homer.
(3) LEON JOHN WEAVER (October 8, 1914-) was born at Everett, the son of M. J. Weaver. He was a graduate of Elizabethtown College in 1940 and of Bethany Biblical Seminary in 1943. The Berkey church licensed him to preach in June 1937 and installed him two years later. He was ordained as an elder May 25, 1947. On June 6, 1945, he was married to Flora Ellen Harsh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse F. Harsh of Eglon, West Virginia. They have three children. He served sum- mer pastorates in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He has been the Brethren Service representative since 1944 in Southern Ohio, has served as reader at District Conference, has been a member of the Board of Christian Education, and has helped in other capacities.
(3) MILLARD H. WEAVER (May 10, 1910-), a son of Calvin C. and Carrie (Wentz), and grandson of Jacob A. Weaver, was born near Windber. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1938 and did graduate work at Duke University. He was elected to the ministry in 1937. A schoolteacher for twenty-two years, he has also made an excellent contribution to the church locally as music director, Sunday-school director, and participant in young people's work; and also in church offices. At present he preaches in one of the pulpits of the Shade Creek congre- gation each Sunday. In the district he has helped in Bible schools in various mission points and worked in summer camps as a teacher and dean, and was the district young people's adviser.
(3) LEE A. WEAVER (April 19, 1916-), a son of Calvin C. Weaver, had his early church training in the Shade Creek congregation, where he was baptized July 7, 1929. He was called to the ministry in 1943. Lee was graduated from Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1941; has studied with the Bethany Extension School, and is taking graduate work at Maryland University. He is working the pastorate of the University Park church, Maryland, and is in charge of intermediate work in the district of Eastern Mary- land. On October 3, 1943, he was married to Hazel K. Lehman.
JOHN W. WEGLEY (November 24, 1860-January 10, 1949) was a great-grandson of Philip Wegley (Wagerline), who entertained Har- mon Husband, the Quaker, in his cabin as Husband came across the mountain in 1771 to become the first permanent settler in the Somerset area. Wagerline's improvement was along an old Indian trail west of Berlin. It is not ascertained that he was a member of the German Baptist Brethren, but Jesse Wegley, a grandson, and his wife, Susanna (Flickinger), were staunch Brethren. Their son, John W., became a devout elder in that church. John had limited educational oppor- tunities, but by perseverance and studious application he prepared him- self to teach, which he did for sixteen years. He was baptized September
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15, 1877, at Summit Mills, and was called to the ministry at Middle Creek in 1897. He served the church long and well. When the Fairview church became a separate congregation, he became its minister, serving con- currently the Pike Run and Center churches until his retirement at the age of eighty-one. He was married to Sara Enos on March 25, 1883. They became the parents of a large and influential family, all members of their parents' church. She died May 14, 1944, after spending many years in blindness.
MARSHALL J. WELLER (1871-1939) was the son of Joseph A. and Sarah Fearer Weller. His occupation was that of a farmer and carpenter for many years. He was elected to the ministry in 1894 by the Bethel church, then a part of the Markleys- burg congregation. To this church he gave twenty-three years of de- voted service in the ministry, as well as doing much in a financial and ma- terial way. When the basement was to be excavated and finished for a kitchen and a dining room, it was Brother Weller who led in the work, expending much time in the project. In appreciation of his loyalty to the cause in so many ways, this new basement was dedicated as a memo- rial to him, and it has served for these many years as a definite fac- tor in the Sunday school and the social life of the church, including the annual Easter breakfast follow- ing each Easter sunrise service. In 1895 Brother Weller was united in Marshall J. Weller and Wife marriage to Martha E. Hager (1869- 1944). They were survived by four sons: Roy, Everett, Carl, and Dale. Also three daughters: Goldie Sumey (recently deceased), Dorothy Allen, and Evelyn Tracy.
LEVI WELLS (January 18, 1812-November 12, 1885) was a descend- ant of one of the oldest families in Indiana County, his grandfather having come from England and cleared a farm from the wilderness at White Oaks. One of this pioneer's sons, Edward, married a sister to Elder George Rairigh. They established their home in Cowanshannock Township, where their son, Levi, was born. Levi was united in mar- riage to Catherine Lukehardt on September 14, 1832. His family was provided for by farming and shoemaking. Brother Wells was elected to the ministry by the Cowanshannock congregation, where his work for the Lord was done.
W. CLAY WERTZ (July 1, 1882-April 15, 1950), the son of John A. and Susan (Strayer) Wertz, was reared in the Walnut Grove church, Johnstown. After he graduated from Juniata College he followed
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teaching for a number of years. He was called to the ministry in the Johnstown congregation on June 30, 1904. In 1910 he moved to Waynes- boro. Although he entered the business field, working for the Landis Machine Company and serving as its treasurer during the latter years, he was always active in the work of the church. In the absence of the pastor, he served as supply minister quite frequently at different places. In June 1910 he was married to Maude Reichard, who died in 1923, leaving one daughter. He later married Ella Sheely. Brother Wertz retired from business in 1948. He especially loved flowers and kept the church sanctuary supplied with flowers from his own garden during the greater part of the year.
M. GUY WEST (July 25, 1901-) is a son of Andrew E. and Exonie (Akers) West, who lived at Vesta, Virginia. He received his educa- tion at Hebron Seminary (Acad- emy), Bridgewater College, Bethany Biblical Seminary and Yale Divinity School. Later he spent a year in clinical psychology with the Council of Clinical Training, interning at New Jersey State and Belleview hospitals and also at the Federal De- tention Prison in New York City. He spent a brief period with the NSBRO in Washington, D. C. Broth- er West was baptized in 1917, called to the ministry in February 1922, and ordained as an elder in 1938. He served in the pastorates of the North Liberty church, Indiana, and the Bridgewater and Roanoke Central churches in Virginia, coming to the Uniontown church in 1945. The dis- trict has called him to work on nu- merous boards and as moderator. On June 30, 1937, he was married to Naomi Miller of Roanoke, Virginia. M. Guy West They are the parents of twin sons, James Murray and John Miller, born in 1946.
MICHAEL WEYAND (1829-May 25, 1900) became a member of the Church of the Brethren through the influence of his wife, Sarah Walker Weyand, whom he married in 1857. She was a daughter of Elder Daniel P. Walker. Having been a member of the Reformed Church, he was baptized into his wife's church in 1858. One year later he was elected to the ministry. His ordination to the eldership occurred in 1886. He was the presiding elder of the Brothersvalley congregation for about ten years. When it was divided in 1880 he was one of the ministers at the Trent meetinghouse. The Weyands were the parents of one daugh- ter, Mrs. John L. Johnson.
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JESSE W. WHITACRE (October 9, 1901-) was a son of Elder and Mrs. A. J. Whitacre, who reared three sons for the Christian ministry. Jesse was born near Short Gap, West Virginia. He was baptized August 25, 1912, installed into the ministry April 9, 1921, and ordained as an elder December 18, 1927. He studied at Blue Ridge Academy and Eliza- bethtown College. At Blue Ridge he met A. Ruth Beahm (December 10, 1898-), daughter of Elder J. C. Beahm. She was graduated from that college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924. Previous to this, Ruth had served under the District Mission Board in the mountains of Vir- ginia, and also among the foreign-born residents at Wilpen and at Windber under our District Board. Through her teaching, some united with the church. The Old Furnace church licensed her to the ministry on May 9, 1942. Jesse W. and Ruth were united in marriage on June 3, 1925. The same month he assumed the pastorate of the Fairview church, Fayette County, including Fairchance after the first year. Since then, they have served the churches at Mechanicsburg, Greencastle, and Shamokin in Pennsylvania and also Wiley Ford and Old Furnace, in West Virginia. At present they are serving the Black River church, Ohio. They have two sons in the ministry: Charles, married to Anna- belle Bittinger, is assistant pastor at Hagerstown, Maryland; Daniel is still pursuing his education.
Joseph E. Whitacre
JOSEPH E. WHITACRE (1898-), a son of Elder A. J. and Lacy Abe Whitacre, was born near Short Gap, West Virginia. He married Bertha Fike, a daughter of Elder Emra T. Fike. In September 1922 Brother and Sister Whitacre came to the Un- iontown pastorate; there they served for a period of seven years. During this time the church house was re- modeled and the first young people's group was organized as a mission- study class in 1925. He has since served other pastorates, including Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Pine Creek, Indiana, and, at present, Pet- ersburg, West Virginia.
S. OLIVE WIDDOWSON (September 22, 1881-) is the eighth child of Brother and Sister E. B. Widdowson of Indiana County. She at- tended Juniata College and also took a course at the University of Pennsylvania. She then took special work at Dr. White's Bible Teachers' Training School in New York. While at Juniata College she accepted Christ as her Savior. This step changed her purpose in life, for now she wanted to serve the Lord as He would direct her. At the annual Sunday School Convention of Western Pennsylvania in 1912, she ac- cepted the call to represent the schools of the district in India. She
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has spent the years there working mostly among the women and the children. Her work with the chil- dren in the orphan home has been outstanding. She had the very great privilege of adopting one of these children, giving this girl the name of Ruth Olive Widdowson. Ruth is now married to a consecrated worker, and together they are engaged in the service of Christ. Two small children have come to bless this home. Since the passing of Sister Ida Shumaker, Sister Olive has tak- en over her work at Bulsar. In the last two years the attendance has doubled. Three hundred fifty pupils are now enrolled in this school. May her life continue to be a blessing to her God and to the people of India. May God continue to give her strength to do her work in her quiet efficient way, and may the people of India be blessed.
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