USA > West Virginia > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the first district of West Virginia > Part 6
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From old Bro. David M. Mooreland and others of the Alle-
5 Funk, Benjamin, Life of John Kline.
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gheny congregation comes the strong positive statement that the Patch's church was the church built at Scherr, then Greenland, on the lot given by Solomon Michaels, in the year 1850 or 1851. Some of those of Allegheny who told me about it attended church there. Bro. Moorland, now deceased, said, "I remember well how nice the church looked as it sat there on the bank. It was built of such nice and carefully hewn logs. I remember go- ing in there, holding to my dear mother's apron. I remember [and here the tears streamed down over his cheeks] sitting by my mother on the hewn benches and hearing my mother's voice in song. I remember seeing Bro. John Kline get up and preach, and I can still hear his sweet, sincere voice." This to Bro. Moor- land was Patch's church and is probably one of the only few churches preached in by Bro. Kline. It was likely about twenty- five feet by thirty feet in size. It stood where Kimmel's store is.
The following story of the burning of the church was given by Bro. Moorland and verified by others. "In April 1863 Con- federates under Gen. Jones made a raid through the Greenland Gap section. There were from eighty to ninety Yankee soldiers about, who took shelter in the church. They were engaged in a battle which kept up till dark, when the Rebels burned the building. Gen. Wallace, in charge of the Yankees, said, 'Throw down your guns. I surrender to friends, not to you.'" The church was later rebuilt, then deserted, then used as a store, which soon burned.
The following account of the burning of the church is given by Smucker:
Among the minor skirmishes and affairs which occurred during the latter part of April (1863) and the first week in May were several raids made by Rebel Cavalry under Imoden, Jen- kins, Harper, and William E. Jones in Western Virginia, at Pied- mont, Cranberry Summit, Oakland, Rowlesburg, Altemont, and other points on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, intended to ascertain the feasibility of an advance of General Lee's Army upon Pittsburg, and a severe fight at Greenland Gap, a narrow pass in the Knobley mountains, Hardy County, where a little Union Force of seventy-five men withstood three attacks of a rebel force of fifteen hundred men, for more than two hours and were only driven from their position by the Rebels firing the building (a church) in which they had stationed themselves. The Union loss was two killed, and four wounded; the Rebel loss in killed and wounded, was over eighty, including one colonel and several line officers, being more than the whole Union force. 6
6 Smucker, S. M., History of the Civil War in the U. S.
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A little more from Kline's diary will give us something of the atmosphere of the times. In 1853 he had a meeting at Green- land, likely a time when Bro. Moorland sat by his mother wor- shiping. A woman from Germany was baptized. He dined at Samuel Barbee's and spent the night at James Parks'. In 1859 he had another meeting at Greenland and spoke on the Great Supper. In 1862 he went west to the Annual Conference and on the evening of May 30, after traveling over rugged paths and through part of the army of Gen. Fremont, he and Bro. John Wine came to the home of Bro. Martin Cosner, who received them with joy and gladness. The next morning they came to the homes of Brethren Thomas Clark, Sr., and Thomas Clark, Jr., where they remained over Sunday, holding several meetings. On May 29, 1864, he stayed all night at Sister Eve Idleman's and the next day visited old Sister Parks, now blind, and read and prayed for her. This was his last visit to West Virginia; he was martyred on June 15, 1864.
The Brick church was completed to such a degree that it could be used for worship in 1866, though it is not known when it was begun. The lot was given by Henry and Martin Cosner, sons of Jacob Cosner, from lands inherited from their father, and in accordance with his will. Jacob Cosner died in 1861, but he declared in his will that land should be given upon which to build a church. This deed was made January 16, 1867, and named William Michaels, Henry Cosner, and Martin Cosner as the first trustees. Clay for the brick was taken from the land belonging to Martin Cosner and now owned by Otto Hess, and was burned close by in the big meadow, or the X-line meadow, as it was called. The brick layer was a Mr. Keller and his helpers were two Negroes. Window and door frames were made by Samuel Secrist, grandfather of Tom and Helen Secrist. Worship was held in the church before the floor was laid. Some years later it was ceiled overhead, and still later it was plastered, which shows that a consecrated people were building a church as they had means. Two entrances were used regularly, the pulpit midway between the entrances. The floor was level between the en- trances, but was raised at each end. For communion services the tables were spread on the level part of the floor. In 1900 the
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change was made to the present form. Along about 1869 or 1870, when educational advantages were few, and schoolhouses almost unknown, a school was conducted in the kitchen of the church. Bro. Daniel Hays taught school there.
This territory was first under the care of Elder John Kline, but after the organization in 1849 it was under the eldership of Elders Thomas Clark and Michael Lyon. Elder Martin Cosner had first charge after the Brick church was built and under his care the church grew in strength and numbers. He presided un- til about 1877 and then Jacob Wine served for a short while. Then, according to the church records, William Michaels and William George served jointly. In 1886 an accident ended the life of William Michaels and Charles Frantz was elected to work with Bro. George. They worked together till about 1894 and then Bro. Frantz served alone for a time. He resigned the office in 1903 and moved to the West.
Bro. Dennis Clark was elected to the ministry in 1886, advanced to the second degree in 1889, and later ordained to the eldership. However, he had charge of the congregation from 1903 to his resignation in 1910 or 1911. Since his resignation the eldership has been in the hands of elders from other congrega- tions, in this probable order: Emra Fike, Obed Hamstead, Al- bert Arnold, Ezra Fike, Earle William Fike, and Ezra Fike at present.
Ministers who had been called to the service from this con- gregation are: Thomas Clark, Jr., Michael Lyon, Thomas D. Lyon, Martin Cosner, William Michaels, William George, Dennis Clark, John Ebert, Otis Ebert, Samson Smith, William Marcellus Lyon, Daniel Cosner, Charles Frantz, Russel Idleman, Clarence Hesse, Albert Johnson, Ernest Muntzing, Lester Evans, and New- ton Poling.
The Oak Dale church is an outpost of this congregation. The church was built in the summer of 1916 and dedicated the fol- lowing winter.
Pastors who have served the congregation are Earle William Fike, Alva Harsh, Earl Zigler, Carl Welch, and Norman A. Seese. These have served jointly with the Petersburg pastorate.
HARMAN
Pioneer ministers: John Kline, Michael Lyon, Daniel Thomas,
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Sam A. Fike, Asa Harman, Moses Fike, Aaron Fike, W. M. George, W. M. Michaels.
Present ministers: Ellsworth Harman, Ezra Fike (elder), Jacob Huffman.
Preaching places: Church one-half mile east of Harman; in Harman.
Date of organization: 1856 or earlier.
Boundary line: Beginning at the point on the Allegheny Mountain where the Tucker, Grant, Randolph, and Pendleton county lines meet the line runs westward with the Tucker- Randolph county line to Jenningston where the Dry Fork River leaves the county line, thence it continues downward with said Dry Fork to its mouth near Parsons, thence up said river and Shavers Fork, a branch thereof, to Meadows, east of Elkins, thence southward with the railroad to Oakley, near the Ran- dolph-Pocahontas county line, thence easterly with said county line to the top of Allegheny Mountain where the Pendleton County line is reached, thence northerly with said county line and top of mountain to the starting point where the four county lines meet.
Likely in May 1855 the first Brethren ministers in the persons of Brethren John Kline and Daniel Thomas of Virginia made the first Brethren preaching tour through Randolph County and on this tour baptized Joseph Summerfield and wife and others. In September 1856 they were back again.7 They were joined by Brethren Joseph Arnold and Michael Lyon and went over a very rough track to Abraham Summerfield's, where they stayed all night. Next day Washington Summerfield and wife and Soldier White's wife were baptized. On this trip they stayed all night at John Pennington's and dined at Widow Cooper's.
Abraham Summerfield lived in what is now the Red Creek congregation but Soldier White lived in what is now the Harman congregation, as did John Pennington and Widow Cooper. John Pennington lived on the farm now owned by Arthur Cooper. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren and died in 1884 at the age of eighty-two years.
Soldier White, mentioned above and often visited by Bro. Kline, is described as follows:
7 Funk, Benjamin, Life of John Kline. Page 381.
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At Soldier White's we found a regular two-storied log house, containing a half dozen rooms, which serve as a place of enter- tainment to drovers who come from below to summer their cat- tle on the Fork, and to the occasional traveler who ventures to cross the wilderness by pack horse road from Seneca to Beverly, the county seat of Randolph. Here also is a tub mill, driven by a pretty stream of water, which has been caught and utilized be- fore being swallowed by the dry river. This combination of circumstances makes Soldier White's a rather notable place in the Dry Fork community, and as the proprietor himself observed somewhat boastfully, there's not a month passes but he sees a stranger of some sort or another under his roof. The soldier is personally a man of worthy consideration. He is upwards of 60 yrs. old and for his peculiar opportunities and for seeing the world, is more cosmopolitan in his speech and views than most of his neighbors. He wears shoes habitually, and his residence exhibits the grade of civilization pertaining to a horse road. His face, including his stack of hair, looks as if cast in bronze, while his square sinewy hands are of the type most frequently carved and painted by Michael Angelo. His tall, athletic figure is a model of strength and endurance. ... Having never been in mil- itary service, he cannot explain how he got the sobriquet of 'Soldier,' but thinks it was simply a tribute to his youthful strength and activity, which were extraordinary. ... Being a justice of peace for Randolph, he is now more properly addressed as Squire White, which title of dignity he prefers. 8
His wife was a member of the church, though perhaps he himself was not. Bro. Kline held meetings at his place.
Sister (Widow) Mary Cooper (born 1807-died 1878), men- tioned above, widow of Jonas Cooper, is called the mother of the Harman congregation. She was one of the very first members there. She was the instigator of getting many preachers to come to the community. Many meetings were held at her house. At least three love feasts were held at her home and she fed all who came, members as well as others, large crowds, who came and remained for two days. She also fed their horses without charge. The old house-and one will be surprised to see how small it is -still stands where she lived on what is now the Earl Huffman place. Truly her sacrifice and effort for the church were great.
In 1859 Bro. Kline and Daniel Thomas came up via Seneca and spent the night with Widow Cooper on Saturday, September 3.9 On Sunday they had meeting at ten o'clock and council in the afternoon. Asa Harman was elected speaker and Wash Summerfield deacon. Bro. Thomas was very much impressed
8 Bosworth, Dr. A. S., History of Randolph County. 1916.
9 Funk, Benjamin, Life of John Kline. Page 421.
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THE CONGREGATIONS
with the wonderful sights of the region, the surpassing grandeur of the perpendicular walls of the rocks of Seneca and the exten- sive forests of beautiful and majestic timber, comprising wild cherry, tamarack, sugar maple, and other kinds which awaited the woodsman's ax. The means for transportation were want- ing to make this an immensely profitable lumber region, he said.
In 1860 and again in 1863 Bro. Kline and others came preach- ing through this region, stopping at the homes of well-known persons: Solomon Harman, father of Asa, who still lived in the Harman Hills above the Mouth of Seneca; Adamsons, at Seneca; Harpers; Whites; Coopers; and Summerfields. He was the over- seer of this region and made almost yearly visits until the Civil War stopped him. But even in the midst of war, he passed through the lines and came to the people and churches he loved. On their return from that trip they were arrested by the military authorities and questioned. They gave a satisfactory account of their trip and were accordingly released. Next year he was martyred. Likely from that date Bro. Asa Harman became elder-in-charge. Surely by that date, 1856, the beginning of his regular visits as overseer, was the beginning of the congregation. Perhaps the date 1859, the date of the election of a speaker and a deacon, was the date of organization.
Isaac Harman moved from Rockingham County, Virginia, to the Harman Hills of Pendleton County. Soon he returned to the Valley and married Christina Henkle of New Market and brought her back by horseback as there were no wagon roads through the wilderness. Solomon was born to them in 1807. Soon after his marriage to Elizabeth Harman he moved to Horse Camp Run in Randolph County, near where Harman now stands. He was tall and dark, had dark blue eyes, was even tempered and kindly disposed, while his wife was of fiery disposition, very active and energetic, which was likely due to the Redman Irish blood in her veins.10
To them Asa was born on October 31, 1834 (died 1902). He lived first in the Harman Hills but soon with his parents moved to the present site of Harman, the town being named in his honor. He was educated in the common schools, became a farm- er and stockman, and one of the prominent ministers of his church in the state. In 1856 he married Elizabeth, daughter of
10 Harman, J. W., Harmon-Harman Generations and Biography. 1928.
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Jonas and Mary (Widow) Rohrbaugh Cooper. After he moved ยท to his new home at Harman he became interested in the Church of the Brethren, having been reared a United Brethren. A ser- mon by Sam A. Fike on the text, "Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only," opened a good many things to him. After the service he entered into a lengthy argument with Bro. Fike. Some who heard it said, "It won't be long now till he is in the church." Others who heard it said, "By the way he argues, it doesn't seem as if he will ever be in." But he was trying to get knowledge and soon he was in the church, and a very few years later, 1859, he was elected to the ministry as speaker. Soon he was ad- vanced to the eldership and became one of the leading ministers of the district. He had charge of the congregation at least by 1865, soon after the death of Bro. Kline.
His children were Clay, Job, Simon P. (minister), Mary, Ja- son, Martin, Asa and Anna (deceased). He at one time owned over two thousand acres of land which he later divided among his children. Later he met severe financial reverses, largely through his sacrificing his home work for the ministry. He per- formed five hundred eighteen marriages, unquestionably more than did any other minister in Randolph County.
Other members of the church who were contemporaries of his mother, Widow Cooper, were: Valentine, Christian, Sam, Daniel, and Elijah Cooper; Asa, Solomon, Elizabeth, Jesse, Hannah, Sarah, Margaret, Christian, and Tiny Cooper; Phoeba Cooper; Susan Cooper; Becky Yokem; Jake Summerfield; and Wash Summerfield (minister).
At this time the whole territory now included in the Seneca, Harman, Red Creek and (likely) Junior congregations of the Second District was known as the Dry Fork territory. Preaching was also done at Job, where our people do not now preach. In 1897 the name was changed to Harman and separation was made from the Red Creek field as well as from the Seneca field.
During the active ministry of Bro. Asa Harman the church built up. He gave himself unstintingly. In 1900 there were more than a hundred members, after the territory was divided into three congregations. In council assembled in December 1898, feeling the need of help for the aging Asa, the church de- cided to ask Bro. Jonas Fike to preach once a month and to pay his expenses out of the treasury. Because of the great financial
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THE CONGREGATIONS
sacrifice of Bro. Asa and his loss, this congregation has always felt the need of help for its ministers. This church here at this time must have been one of the first in the First District of West Virginia to begin to pay its ministers for preaching trips. Al- most all of the preaching trips of that day were made at the sole expense of the minister. Here records show payments for all preaching. In a council held in December 1901 the congregation decided to pay expenses for delegates to district meeting. The church also looked after the welfare of its widows and poor, often supplying them with help, food, wood, stoves and stove- pipe, paying the bills from the church treasury or the members doing it together.
There is no record to show just when the church was built but at the council on July 3, 1897, arrangements were made for building the kitchen to the church, Job Harman to furnish raft- ers and Jesse Harman to furnish nails. The church of course was built before 1897.
That this congregation was an isolated one in a stock-raising region even then is shown by the fact that in 1897 the church petitioned Annual Meeting through district meeting to ask the Brethren Publishing House to insert the Chicago Stock Market quotations in the Gospel Messenger.11
In 1924 Elder Jonas Fike resigned as elder of the congregation on account of bodily infirmities, and his resignation was accepted with sympathy and regret. His father, Sam, had been a most helpful influence in the early days of the congregation. The son, Jonas, carried on faithfully. At his resignation the responsibil- ity was handed down to the next descendant, Ezra Fike, who still carries on.
Ellsworth Harman, also of the third generation of ministers (Asa, Simon, Ellsworth), is a young minister of the congregation, though part of the time he is away teaching. The congregation has great possibilities. Many of her members are educated and trained. Financially they are above the average. Their need is a resident minister who can give them adequate leadership.
In 1943 Dr. Jacob Huffman and family settled at Harman, where he has a large practice and helps in the work of the church.
11 Minutes, Harman Church, Sept. 3, 1897.
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FIRST DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
KEYSER
Pioneer ministers: George Leatherman, B. W. Smith.
Present ministers: A. R. Showalter (pastor), Otis Johnson, B. M. Rollins, A. D. Burgess, Philip DeMuth.
Preaching places: Main Street and Fort Avenue, Keyser; Green Mountain, three miles west of Keyser.
Date of organization: 1924.
Boundary line: Starting at a point on top of Knobley Moun- tain, just east of the reservoir, the line runs westerly in a direct line to the mouth of Stoney Run, thence upward with said Stoney Run to its headwaters and to the top of the Allegheny Mountain near by, thence with top of said Allegheny Mountain northerly in a line to the Potomac River, thence downward with said river to the passage through the Knobley Mountain-though naturally those members living in McCoole, Maryland, should belong to this congregation-thence in line with the top of Knob- ley Mountain, it returns to the starting point, just east of the reservoir.
Much of the following information was secured from the 1929 church directory of the Keyser congregation.
In 1885 Elder George Leatherman, of sainted memory, moved into the New Creek Valley and settled on a farm just about four miles south of Keyser. Being an active minister he began at once to proclaim the gospel in this valley. In 1890 he built by subscription what became known as the Leatherman church- the mother church in this valley. Over a period of some twenty years, ending with his death, Bro. Leatherman served as pre- siding elder of this territory. Assisting him in the ministry were Brethren I. F. Roberts and John Parish. Among those who came into the field from time to time were I. W. Abernathy, S. N. Mc- Cann, John Baker, D. B. Arnold, George S. Arnold, Charles Frantz, Jonas Fike, and others.
On March 29, 1905, Elder B. W. Smith and family moved from the Tear Coat congregation and settled on a farm on Beaver Run. During this same year Bro. George W. Leatherman was called to his heavenly home and Bro. Smith was chosen presid- ing elder of the New Creek congregation, which place he held many years. Under the able leadership of Bro. Smith the work enjoyed a steady growth and other preaching places were
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THE CONGREGATIONS
opened. Keyser was a growing town and offered many oppor- tunities to the Brethren. A number of Brethren families were moving in there. In 1911 a call for the gospel was sent out. This call was answered by Bro. Smith. A hall was rented and the work was started. For a number of years both Sunday school and preaching services were held in halls. The old Odd Fellows hall on Mineral Street was first used, and then for a time the services were held in the Mystic Chan hall on North Main Street.
By 1916 the New Creek congregation, feeling the need for a house of worship in Keyser, asked the district meeting to help make that a possibility. They were given the privilege of solicit- ing the district for funds. Again in 1917 the congregation came to district meeting for help but because of the high price of material, they were advised not to try it for another year. In 1919 district meeting considered that the time had come to build a house in Keyser and urged all congregations to respond favor- ably to a solicitation, and the district ministerial board under- took the responsibility of helping to secure a minister to locate among them.
On January 25, 1919, a very choice lot on Main Street and Fort Avenue was purchased and work on the new church was started. The loyal devotion and unceasing sacrifices of these faithful brethren and sisters who promoted the movement will never be fully known and appreciated in this world. For fear of underval- uing or omitting some names it is thought best in this brief his- tory to mention no names. The names and deeds are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. In December 1920 the church was for- mally dedicated in the presence of a multitude of people. Bro. Jeremiah Thomas of the Sandy Creek congregation delivered the dedicatory sermon. Following the dedication a revival was conducted by Bro. B. W. Smith, stimulating interest and adding a number to the church.
On June 11, 1922, Bro. Russell G. West of Virginia came to Keyser as the first pastor. In round numbers the membership was about fifty. The Sunday-school attendance averaged about forty-five. In a short time the work was better organized and began to function smoothly, membership increased, and the church began to win a recognized standing among the other churches of Keyser.
During the six years' ministry of Bro. West the church en-
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joyed a number of stirring revivals. Some of the outstanding men of the brotherhood served the church as evangelists, includ- ing A. B. Miller, John T. Glick, Jeremiah Thomas, A. C. Miller, O. B. Maphis, M. J. Brougher, and B. M. Rollins. Bro. Nelson T. Huffman served as music director during the first four meetings and C. W. Roller the fifth. At each meeting a number were added to the church.
The church has taken an active part in religious education. The Sunday school has had a steady growth as follows: 1921- 40; 1922-57; 1923-72; 1924-86; 1925-100; 1926-104; 1927- 115; 1928-132, which is about where it has remained during the following years. The church has also taken a leading part in leadership training, both as a local church and in co-operation with other churches of the city. It became a pioneer in the work of daily vacation Bible schools. During the summer of 1928 the Keyser churches put on a community Bible school with Bro. West serving as principal. During the following years the church enjoyed the services of such outstanding leaders as Ezra Flory, Minor C. Miller, and J. Quinter Miller, who helped in the field of religious education to give this church a high standing.
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