tORNELL UNIVERSIEC LIBRARIES ITHACA. N. Y. I48J3 JOHN M. OLIN LIBRARY r, ■"■•je f|istpry of the Pittsburgh Synod of t 3 1924 008 622 403 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924008622403 Rev. E. D. Bright Rev. H. D. Darbaker, D.D. Rev. A. B. Bauman / C Rev. David B. Lady, D. D. Rev. a. h. Truxal, D.D. Rev. H. H. Wiant Rev. Alex. Harsanyi, Ph.D. .THE HISTORY OF THE PITTSBURGH SYNOD OF THE REFORMED Church IN THE United States PREPARED IN COMMEMORATION^OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY/ By REV. DAVID B. LADY^ D. D. Assisted by Reirerends E. D. BRIGHT, H. D. DARBAKER, D. D., A. B. BAUMAN, A. E. TRUXAL, D. D., H. H. WIANT, mid ALEX. HARSANYI, Pk. D. "Forsan et Haek olim Memenisse Juvabit" PRINTED BY CMAS. M. HENRY PRINTING COMPANY 'I- GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA I 1920 FROM THE MINUTES OF PITTSBURGH SYNOD "The following resolution was unanimously adopted on Friday. "Resolved, 1st, That the Pittsburgh Synod of the Re- formed Church in the United States commemorate its Fiftieth Anniversary, 1920, by the publication of a His- tory, setting forth the important events of its existence. "Resolved, 2d, That the Rev. David B. Lady, D. D., be requested to undertake this important work, and that he be authorized to select four associates from the Synod. "Resolved, Zd, That Synod underwrite the publication to the extent of $2,500." See Minutes of Pittsburgh Syn- od, 1918, p. 125. At the meeting of Synod in 1919, permission was given Dr. Lady to add two more to the number of his associates in the preparation of the history. The following are the associates : Revs. E. D. Bright, H. D. Darbaker, D. D., A. B. Bauman, A. E. Truxal, D. D., H. H. Wiant, and Alex- ander Harsanyi, Ph.D. Synod committed to the seven per- sons named all questions arising as to the preparation, publication, and sale of the History. See Minutes of Syn- od, 1919, pp. 108, 109. CONTENTS Page I. Pennsylvania 1 II. German Emigration ..- 4 III. Settlement of Western Pennsylvania.... 14 IV. The Scotch-Irish 18 V. Hardships of the Early Settlers 23 VI. German Emigration Westward 28 VII. Early Reformed Settlers, Sketches and Names 32 VIII. Church Beginnings 42 IX. The Pioneers, Weber and Koch 54 X. The Pioneers, Continued, Hacke 69 XI. The Pioneers, Continued, Voigt and Conrad 85 XII. The Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod 93 XIII. Officers of Synod, Young Men Entering the Ministry 114 XIV. Literary Institutions 117 XV. St. Paul's Orphans' Home 138 XVI. Missions 145 XVII. Beneficiary Education, by Rev. H. D. Darbaker, D. D 157 XVIII. Biographical Sketches of Ministers, Now Deceased 163 XIX. Biographical Sketches of Ministers, Now Deceased, Continued 190 XX. Biographical Sketches of Ministers, Now Laboring Elsewhere 214 XXI. Biographical Sketches of Ministers, Now Laboring Elsewhere, Continued.... 237 XXII. Pittsburgh Synod's Professors of The- ology 257 XXIII. Westmoreland Classis, by Rev. E. D. Bright 269 XXIV. Clarion Classis, by Rev. H. D. Darbak- er D. D 359 XXV. St. Paul's Classis, by Rev. A. B. Bau- man ..:.. 416 XXVI. Somerset Classis, by Rev. A. E. Truxal, D. D. .: 447 XXVII. Allegheny Classis, by Rev. H. H. Wiant 498 XXVIII. Hungarian Classis, by Rev. Alex. Har- sanyi and Rev. Alex. Kalassay 547 ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHURCHES Page First Refd. Church, Greensburg, Pa.. ..-- 312 Old Harrold's (Union) Church — Inside View 315 Old Harrold's (Union) Church— Outside View.... 316 New Harrold's Refd. Church 316 Christ Refd. Church, Latrobe 322 Old Denmark-Manor (Union) Church 326 New Denmark-Manor Refd. Church 326 Brush Creek (Union) Church, Adamsburg, Pa 341 Interior Brush Creek (Union) Church, Adams- burg, Pa 341 Grace Refd. Church, Jeannette, Pa 348 Original Refd. Church, Clearfield County, Pa 389 St. Peter's Refd. Church, Dubois, Pa 393 St. Luke's Refd. Church, Kittanning, Pa opp. 401 Old St. Paul's (Union) Church, Knox, Pa 407 New St. Paul's Refd. Church, Knox, Pa 407 Zion's Refd. Church, Greenville,' Pa. 435 St. Paul's Refd. Church, Meadville, Pa 443 St. Paul's Refd. Church, Somerset, Pa 476 Trinity Refd. Church, Berlin, Pa 488 Amity Refd. Church, Parsonage, and Sunday School House, Meyersdale, Pa 490 Old Grace Refd. Church, Pittsburgh, Pa 540 New Gyace Refd. Church, Pittsburgh, Pa 541 St. Mark's Memorial Refd. Church, Pittsburgh, Pa 544 Hungarian Refd. Church, Lorain, Ohio 567 INDEX. Page Academies 21 Adair, E. M 163 Adams, J. K 214 Akron, Ohio 564 Albertson, J. W .•. 465 Allegheny Classis 14, 105, 498 Officers 501 Statistics 503 Althaus, J 95 Althouse, C. F 214 Alspach, J. W 163 Amity 489 Apollo, 381, 410 Apostolic Benediction 148 Apple, J. H., 164, 125; T. G. 164 Ascension, Church of, 532 Aurant, 50 Bachman, J. P 215 Baer Family 461 Bair, J. F., 214; L. E 291 Bakav, Arpad 558 Barkley, T. J 165 Barley, A. W 216 Barnhart, Wm. 34; W. R., 34; J. L., 216. Bassler, H. N 504 Bauman ,A. B 430 Bayer, J. A. 95, 165 Beam, S. Z., 217, 153, 459; Estate, 137; Charge, 474. Beamer, Jacob 37 Bean, J. M 217 Beaver Charge 406 Becker, J. C 71 Bedford, Fort ,.... 23 Belknap 385 Beneficiary Education 157 Beneficiaries 161 Berlin 488 Bethany 530 Beulah 331 Biesecker 463 Biographical Sketches: Westmoreland 291 Clarion 376 St. Paul's 430 Somerset 465 Allegheny 505 Page Hungarian 558 Black, A. A., 165; B. A 291 Boswell 496 Borchers, C 504 Boush, C. M 113 Bowling, R. C 376 Bowman, J. C 264, 292 Boauet, H 15, 35 Boyer, B 53, 95, 166 Braddock , 521 Brady's Bend 530 Bridenbaugh, S. R 218 Bright, E. D., 292; H. W., 218 Brombacher, W 95 Bromer, E. S 266, 293 Brown, C. H., 218; F. W., 219 Brush Creek 304 Bucher, J. C. ..: 42 Buffalo 446 Building Funds, Origin 153 Burger, I. N 166 Bushong, C. A 505 Butler 524, 530 Byerly, A 35 Byers, C 33 Calvary 496, 520 Carbaugh, L. 376 Cast. C, - 166 Christ Churches, 323, 354, 438, 524 Church Extension Board 151 Clarion Classis 96, 359 Officers 366 Statistics 369, 375 Collegiate Institute 125 Clark, R. W 219 Cleveland 568 Coetus 11 Cogley, W. H 377 Collison, A. J 219 Concord 9 Conestoga 29 Connellsville 304, 340 Conrad, Wm 48, 49 Contributions to Instituitons, 136 Cort: Cyrus, 167; J. Jost, 33; Lu- cian 167 Craig, T. J 542 Crow*, H. I ^19 Crum, R. E 377 INDEX. Page Cumberland 487 Dale, A. 168 Darbaker, H. D. 505 Dayton, 564 Deatrich; W. W., 220, 125; E. R., 220 Delmont 300, 335 Denius, S. R 48, 168 Denmark-Manor 325 Derry 299, 333 Dewey Ave., 444 Diekman, H 171 Dietrich: E. M., 378; J. H 221 Dietz, T. R 171 Dietzel, S. H 293 Dieffenbach, A. C 221 Dieffenbacher: J. F., 169; D. S. 169 E. H., 170; C. R., 170 Dieffenderfer, M. H 170 Diffenderfer, W. M 430 Dillinger, D. L 143 Dittmar, D. N 222 Dltzler, H 171 Dokus, G 558 Dorschel, 0. H 431 Dotterer, R. H., 222; J 172 Dubois 392 Dundore, P. J 294 Dunn, D 506 Duquesne ...^ 517 Ebbinghouse, J. W 172 Eddyville ' 387 Edmonds, L. C, 172; F. A 173. Edie 475 Elk Lick : 467 Ellwood City 534 Emlenton 397 Emigration 428 Emanuel 355, 394, 534 Engelbach, J. F 95 Erie Classis 94, 275 Ernst, D. B 173, 53 Eschbach, E. R _ 173 Evans City 536 Evans, J. M 222 Fairview Charge 537 Faith 330 Feightner, H 35 Fenneltown 336 Ferer, B. B., 431 Page Ferner, C. R 141, 143, 294 First Refd., 293, 291, 311, 313, 319, 344, 345, 356, 410, 519, 535. Fisher, W. S., 223; G. P 507 Fiskey 44 Forenczi, F 174 F. & M. College 129, 131 Frank, M. F 223 Friedens 494 Freeman, J. S 224 Frostburg 479 Garner, H. S 174 Garrett, 486; W. E 224 Garrison, J. S 224 Gass, R. F 225 Geary, A. C 174 Gebhard, H. E 507 General Synod 107 George, M. N 225 German Emigration 4 Giese, H 47, 175 Gilbert, J. ,J , 378 Ginder, A. H., 175; W. F 508 Goerrig, L. P 226 Good, C. W , 227 Good Hope 52 Glade 482 Gladdens 492 Glenco 480 Glessner, A. S 226 Grace, 347, 352, 401, 405, 446, 486, 522, 517, 539. Grant, J 176 Greensburg : 1st, 291, 293, 311 2nd. : 349 3rd 350 Greensburg Seminary 126 Greenville 435 Gress, Daniel .-..'. 295 Gross, P 33 Groff, A. H 432 Grove City 438 Gru^nstein, E. E 176 Gumbert, C '227 Gurley, G. D 227 Gutelius, U. C. E 228 Habliston, H. N. B., 48, 71, 176 INDEX. Page Hacke, N. P 24, 50, 69 Hahn, F. B 176 Hamme, E. R 228 Hardships ^. 23 Harman, W. S 508 Harmony 522 Harner, J. P 228 Harnish, D. N 227 Harrison City 295, 327 Harrow's 43, 314 Harsanyi, Alex., 558; Andor 296 Hartman, H. P., 53, 177; R. V., 296 Hassler, E. S 229 Hartzell, C: M... 177 Hauser, C. A 230 Hay, B. K 230 Hedeman, J. R. T 230 Heilman, C. U 178 Heller, A. J 297 Henneman, J. C 178 Herman, A. J 379 Berber, H. J 509 Hetrick, L. V 231 Higbee, E. E 179 Hoke, Elmer, R 231 Holliger, H 231 Hoffman, H 52, 179 Hoffheins, J. A 181 Hoffmeier, C. P., 180; H. W., 180; E. P., 465. Homestead 531, 565 Hooversville 494 Horstmeier, W. E 465, 509 Horvath, Samuel 561 Houpt, W. C 181 Hoyman, J 182 Huguenots 32 Hugus 37 Hungarian: Classis, 547 Officers 554 Statistics i. 555 Sketches 558, 564 Hunsicker, J. D 232 Hyndman 478 Ibbeken, H. G 47, 182 Irwin,, 291, 313 Isenberg, S. H 232 Jeannette 347 Jerusalem 399, 440 Page Jones, R. R 233 Johnson, J. H 182 Johnston, G. H. 147 Johnstown: St. John's 345 St. Paul's 352 Kaske, A. W 471 Keener, H. F 183 Kefauver, L. H 183 Kehl, C. P 233 Keifer, A. M 139, 432 Keil, Peter 143 Keller, J., 95; F. H., 233; John, 184 Kemp 35 Kerlin, J. F 234 Kerr, D. W., 235; F. L 510 Kerschner, U. O. H., 234; W. H., 433; W. S., 235. Kieffer, J. H. 47 King, Hiram 466 Kittanning 382 Klein, G. D 184 Kline, Peter, 34; A. K 297 Knable, J. C 298 Knappenberger, J. W 35, 184 Knepper, C 185 Knight, Henry 143 Koch, Henry 24, 52, 61, 500 Koplin, A. B 185 Kovachy, Stephen M 560 Kovacs, Andrew 562 Krebs, S. L., 235; W. E 236 Kremer, A. R 185 Kresge, A. S., 466; S. R 236 Kretzing, J 186 Krause, H. L 509 Kunkle, 38; I. U. E., 186; Jacob, 38 Kuss, C 186 Lady, D. B 298 Lahr, W. H 237 LaMar, E. S 510 Lampe, L. T 187 Land, T. S 187 Landis, W. H., 299; W. M...... 188 Larimer 358 Latrobe 294, 323 Laubach, E. H 300 Lauffer, P. E., 188; Christian.. 39 Law, J. A 237 Leader, D. H 139, 237 INDEX. Page Leasure, L. B 192 Leberman, J. J., 238; L. D., 188; D. D., 53. LePevre, W. D 190 Leh, L. L., 238 Leidy, H. M., 511; Geo 190 Leinbach, P. S 239 Lenhart, A. S 300 Levan, F. K 147, 190 Lichliter, W. F 239 Limberg, G: A., 139, 191; G. E., 191 Line, F. M 240 Literary Institutions 117-137 Lobach, S. E 301 Long, S. G 240 Lorain 566 Louis XIV 6 Love, J. W 192 Mackley, J. F 193 Mahenschmidt, J. P., 50, 52, 193 Main, R. F 240 Manor 344 Marchand, David 32 Marks, E. 241 Mase, S. B 301 Master, D. E 241 May, Josiah 193 Maxwell, H. D 302 Mayer, L. J 194 Meadville 442 Meixell, E. D 242 Mellon, Judge 59 Memorial 543 Mennonites 9, 10 Mercersburg 303 Messner, J. C 467 Metger, G. E 242 Metzger, B. S 195 Mickley, J. H 302 Miller, S. S., 243; W. A., 467; A. J., 511. Millhouse, W. H 195 Milliron Farm 46, 60 Ministers: Deceased 163 Removed 214 Missions 145-156 Missionary Bishop 147 Monn, 1. S 467 Mt. Lebanon 479 Page Mt. Pleasant, 295, 356; Academy, 126. Mt. Tabor 495 Mt. Union 386, 412 Muehe, E. F. J 195 Muir, W. J 303 Musser, C. J., 243; J. B 468 Muntz Farm 144 Myer, Balthaser 42 Myersdale 489 McClellan, W. A 468 McConnell, J 194 McKee, J. K 241 McKeesport 535 McMeekin, R. F 511 Nace, L G 303 Naly, J. N 244 Nau, F. G 512 Netcher, F 195 Nevin Memorial 404 Nicholson, H. S 433 Noacher, M. M 244 Noll, A 196 Northern Turnpike 24 Noss, C. L 304 New Centreville 483 New Germany 481 New Kensington 525 New Salem 477 New Stanton 354 Obold, Howard 244 O'Boyle, R 245 Ohio Co 14, 28 Olive 339 Olivet Charge 526 Old Redstone 16, 28 Old Stanton 350 Ordained by Synod 116 Organization of Synod 93 Orphans' Home 138-144 Otting, E. H 245 Palatinate 46 Paradise: Charge 388, 481 Congregation 3^0 Pastorius 9 Pennypacker, J. J 196 Peters, C., 345; J. A 196 Petersville 52S Pilgrim, R. J., 246; Fred 197 INDEX. Page Pine Run 301, 337 Pittsburgh Synod: Organized, 93- -113; Officers, 114; Statistics, 95 Pitcairn 519 Pleasant Unity 294, 320, 321 Pontius, J. W 513 Presbyterian 20 Professors of Theology 257 Prugh, John H., 197; P. C, 139, 512 Punxsutawney 395 Pymetuning - 444 Quakers 2 Raezer, J. C 246 Rahn, A. M 247 Rauhauser, D 198 Rebert, C. B 379 Records' (early) 42 Redeemer ■ 492 Red Bank 403 Regnier, J. S 47, 198 Reiter, Lewis, 247; C. H 198 Renoll, A. C 434 Rimersburg: Charge, 399; Acade- my, 129. Roads 23 Robb, Lewis 513 Rockwood 485 Roth, G. L 247 Roxbury 482 Ruhl, J 199 Ruffsdale 354 Runkle, J. M 305 Rupp, Paul, 514; Wm. 199, 257-263 Russell, G. B., 200; C. G 199 Ruth, V. A 515 Salem 384, 397 Salina 296, 328 Sanders, J. C 248 Samuel's 477 Sandoe, W. B 200 Sanners 484 Schaffner, A. M 248, 515 Scheetz, J. E 469 Schell, C 201 Scheibler, G 37 Schick, J. M 201 Schlatter, Michael 11 Schmertz, W. E 542 Schmidt, A. M 248 Page Schucker, M. G.... 515 Schulenberger, W. C. B 205 Schwedes, F. R 202 Scotch-Irish 18 Scottdale 300, 334 Seal 113 Seanor's 351 Second Refd 349 Seitz, P. C 305 Shannondale 414 Sharon ' 436 Shaw, S. -A 203 Shenango 439 Shepley, J. R 249 Shoemaker, J. G., 202; E. D., 203; D. O., 204. Shoepf 56 Shontz, J. B 204 Showers, L. W 205 Shupe^ C. G 434 Sites, L A 205 Skyles, E. P., 469; N. H., 206 Smith, A. H., 249; G. M., 250; H. N., 250. Snyder, H. E., 250; H. G., 380; J. F., 306; L G., 380; A. C., 206; Family, 35. Somerset: Cong 475 Classis 447 Sketches 474 Statistics 454 Souder, J. M 248 Souders, D. A 307 South Bend 412 South Norwalk 565 Spangenberg, Cyriacus 46 Stamm, S. A., 516; F. K., 251 Statistics: Westmoreland ....280-286 Clarion 369-375 St. Paul's 416-422 Somerset 454-456 Allegheny 501-503 Hungarian 554-557 Stauffer, T. F 139 Steckel, L. D 306 Stephan, D. S 470 Stepler, J. H 251 Stonesifer, J. B., 206; P. 'T 307 Stover, S. C 252 INDEX. Page Stoyestown 493 Sugar Creek 529 Summey, C. W 308 Swander, J. 1 252 Sykes, J. H., 207; W. C, 308 St. John's, 314, 330, 332, 345, 357, 398, 413, 437, 439, 441, 481, 483, 491, 495, 526, 536, 537. St. Luke's, 321, 354, 382, 394, 406 482, 521. St. Mark's, 408, 440, 444, 543 St. Jacob, , 412 St. Paul's, 320, 332, 352, 387, 406, 436, 442, 475, 484, 486, 495, 496, 529, 528, 524, 526, 533. St. Peter's, 392, 395, 402, 475, 523, 538. St. Thomas 411 Temple 414 Theological Seminary 131 Third Refd 350 Thirty Year's War 5 Thomas, J. D 309 Thompson, J. B 139, 207 Titzel, J. M 208 Toledo 569 Trafford 298, 350 Treasurer of Synod Ill Trenton 569 Trinity, 834, 385, 340, 350, 388, 402, 403, 441, 475, 481, 482, 485, 488, 530, 525, 518. Truxal, A. E., 470; C. W 462 Turtle Creek 520 Ujlaky, John 562 Uniontown 296 Vandergrift 302, 345 Voeglin, J 208 Voigt, H. E. F., 51, 85, 47 Wagner, C. E., 209; S. T., 253; J. S., 208. Wagoner, J. J 209 Wahl, F 53, 210 Walter, J. G 253 Page Watson Run 437 Waugaman, John, 38; S. U. 310 Weber, J. Wm 44, 54 Weinel, W 49, 210 Weiss, G. M 11 Weller, E. E 253 Wellersburg 491, 493 Westmoreland College 126 Westmoreland Classis: 269 Statistics 280 Officers 288 Wetzel, Frank 472 Whitehead, V 36 Whitmore, G. A 254 Wiant, J. F., 210; H. H 515 Widnoon 401 Wilhelm: Estate, 137, 458 Congregation 495 Wilkinsburg 518 Will's Creek 479 Willers, D 211 Wilson, L. N 472 Wise, F 211 Wohlbach, J 211 Wolf, D. J 381 Wolff, D. W., 212; Geo., 52; Bern- ard, Jr., 546 Woman's Missionary Society: Narrative 153 Officers 156 Contributions ., 156 Yearick, J. L 473 Yingst, W. J 354 Youngstown 298, 330 Youngwood 293, 319 Yukon 352 Zacharias, G. M 212 Zehring, J. W 255 Zeiser, P 53, 213 Zeienople 523 Zinzendorf, Count 11 Zion Valley 411 Zion, 333, 411, 435, 441, 445, 486 -Index prepared by E. D. Bright CHAPTER I. Pennsylvania America was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The first successful attempt by Europeans to occupy the country permanently was made by the Spaniards in what is now the state of Florida in 1565. They landed on the coast on the 6th of September of that year and began the fortifications and town of St. Augustine. The next settlement was made at Jamestown in Virginia by the English in 1607. The third was also an English enterprise, and was made at Plymouth Bay, Massachu- setts, in 1620. The settlers at Jamestown came to the new world in a spirit of adventure, and with the object of improving their worldly condition. They expected to enrich them- selves, rumors of fabulous wealth existing among the Indians having reached Europe, and being generally be- lieved, for a long time. The people who came to Plymouth Bay, the Pilgrims, left their homes and settled in the wilderness, west of the Atlantic Ocean, for conscience sake. They sought a place of abode where they could worship God according to their understanding of the requirements of his Word, without interference from the government, a freedom which they could not have, at that time, in their own country. America has, ever since, been regarded as a place of refuge for the op- pressed of all nations. The English authorities were willing to encourage those desiring to emigrate to the new world, whatever their motives for leaving their native country might be, for colonization would enlarge their possessions and extend the borders of their dominion, and add to the trade of their enterprising merchants. Accordingly in this way, from the small beginnings at Jamestown and 1 2 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Plymouth the New England and Southern colonies came into existence, in the course of three-quarters of a century. In the great religious upheaval in Europe which took place at the beginning of the XVI Century under the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Luther and John Calvin, now called the Reformation, and which resulted eventually in the formation of various religious bodies, there arose in England, about the year 1650, what is known as the Society of Friends or the Quakers. Admiral Penn, a prominent officer in the English Navy, had mar- ried Margaret Jasper, a Holland lady, and one of their sons, William Penn, became a Quaker in 1667. He proved to be a man of more than ordinary ability and energy, as might have been expected from his parentage, and was^very active in the propagation of his faith, for which, in that age of religious intolerance, he was called upon to suffer imprisonment and other forms of persecution. Prompted by missionary zeal, he made two visits to Holland and Southern Germany, to preach his form of religion, and found there, among the Mennonites and, to some extent, among the Reformed and Lutheran Pietists somewhat kindred spirits, and a soil ready for the reception of the seed which he had come to sow, minds and hearts prepared for the acceptance of his ways of thinking. The second, and most important, of these visits was made in 1677. In 1681 William Penn received from Charles II, King of England, in payment of a debt of 16,000 pounds, owing his father, an immense tract of land in America, to which was given the name of Pennsylvania, or Penn's Woods. And here Penn proceeded to plant a colony, first of all, for English Quakers, but ultimately for dissenters of all kinds, where a large degree of political and religious freedom might be enjoyed. Penn, when undergoing im- prisonment for his religious views, declared : "My prison shall be my grave before I will budge one jot, for I owe obedience of conscience to no mortal man." As a reflec- tion of this sentiment the Constitution of Pennsylvania contains this clause: "No human authority can in any Pennsylvania o case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience." It is said that the first settlers of Massachussetts also insisted on freedom of conscience for themselves, but were unwilling to allow a like privilege to those from among their number, who came, in course of time, to differ from them. Hence the banishment from their settlement of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchison. In Penn's scheme of a colony a different spirit ruled. Men of every sort of religious views were welcomed by his agents. A man might change his opinions a dozen times a day without forfeiting his privileges as a citizen. CHAPTER II. German Emigration to Pennsylvania In recruiting for people to settle upon his American possessions Penn prepared a pamphlet in which he des- cribed the country, the provisions of his charter from the King of England, and the kind of government he was about to establish. A German translation of this paper was published in Amsterdam and copies of it were sent to Switzerland and to many places in southern Germany. When we look for the causes of German emigration to the new world, we find them to be both general and par- ticular. Men are by nature restless and adventurous, anxious not only to hear some new thing, as were the inhabitants of Athens and the strangers in that city, in the days of St. Paul, but willing to leave their old homes and seek new places of abode in strange lands, to make a living and to improve their circumstances. There were before the late war, large English, French, American and Ital- ian colonies in the hart of Germany. Many Germans, Eng- lish, and Americans reside permanently in Paris and in other parts of France. This is true of other lands and especially of America. The accounts of the migra- tions of Nations, their discoveries of new and unoccupied countries and settlement therein, and their inroads into and conquest of occupied countries, make up a large part of the history of the human family. The Germans have perhaps more than an ordinary measure of this colonizing spirit. And this has prompted them to seek and find homes in many quarters of the globe. After the discovery of America and when men began to start settlements here, the Germans naturally felt the impulse to join the people of other countries, the Spanish, the French, the English, the Dutch, and the Swedes, in seeking new homes beyond the Atlantic, after 4 German Emigration to Pennsylvania 5 the knowledge of these new opportunities for gaining a livelihood and prosperity had penetrated to them. This is general and is at the root of the large influx into America of people of many nations after a beginning had once been made by the Spanish and English pioneers of the westward movement. And what was begun three hundred years ago is still going on. The impulse to emigrate to America has never lost its force in Europe and Asia. Foreigners were coming to these shores in increasing numbers up to the outbreak of the World War in 1914. But there were special causes for a large German emi- gration to Pennsylvania. For a hundred and fifty years after the Reformation, Germany, and, more or less, the rest of Europe, was in a very disturbed state, because of the religious and other wars which swept over the country. The Thirty Years War — 1618-1648 — was one of the most destructive in history. Catholic armies under Tilly and Pappenheim and Wallenstein, generals of the Catholic League, and Mansfield, Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimer, generals of the Pro- testant Union, with sometimes French, Spanish and English armies taking part, overran a large part of Germany, and, living mainly by plunder, reduced the country almost to a wilderness. Cities and towns and villages were destroyed by friends and foes. Rapine and murder accompanied the marches of the armies, with their hordes of camp-followers ; and the whole intellec- tual moral and religious character of the German people received a shock which threatened it with annihilation. Of all the classes upon whom were visited the dire consequences of these wars, none suffered more than the farmers. Before this the farmers of Germany were in a state of great prosperity. Their houses were com- fortable, their barns capacious, their stables well stocked with cattle, their crops plentious, and many had money stowed away for future needs, and some even boasted of silver plate. But now horses and cattle were driven away, and houses and barns and crops were burned. The master 6 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod of the house was often tortured to discover the hiding place of his gold or, as a punishment for having nothing to give. Fin9,lly at the approach of an army whole vil- lages would take to flight and the people would live for weeks in the woods and marshes and caves. Many were slain, or perished from exposure or hunger. And some of the young men were lured away to swell the ranks of the soldiers. In some parts of the country, more than three-fourths of the inhabitants perished and more than four-fifths of the goods were destroyed. So complete was. the desolation, that in some districts it took more than two hundred years to restore agricultural pros- perity. In the Palatinate, on the Rhine and Necker, whose center was the city of Heidelberg, where the land was very fertile and the farms in a high state of cultivation, the ravages were the most severe and the sufferings the greatest. Before and during the Reformation the Pala- tinate was one of the most powerful and influential states of Germany, and the University of Heidelberg was one of the most famous seats of learning in Europe. Here in 1636-1638 famine and pestilence added to the horrors of war. The people tried to satisfy their hunger with roots, grass, and leaves, and cannibalism was more or less frequent. The gallows and the graveyards had to be guarded, and the bodies of children were not safe from their own mothers ; and where once were flourish- ing farms and vineyards, bands of wolves roamed un- molested. In 1674 and 1675 there was war between France and Holland, into which the Elector of Brandenburg and the Emperor Leopold were drawn, and this brought ad- ditional destruction to the land along the Rhine. It was the purpose of Louis XIV, the French King, to render the Palatinate useless to his enemies. Turenne, the French general, had received definite orders from Ver- sailles to lay waste the Palatinate; and he carried out these orders to the letter. Noblemen, burghers, and farm- ers were plundered, fields were ruined, cattle were carried off, and even the clothing was torn from the backs of German Emigration to Pennsylvania 7 the wretched people, and the bells and organs were taken from the churches. What could not be carried away was destroyed. Starvation again caused the death of many of the people. In 1685 the Simmern-Zweibruecken dynasty died out and the Neuburg line, represented by Philip William, inherited the Electoral title of the Palatinate. Thereupon Louis XIV, King of France, laid claim to a large part of the country in the name of Elizabeth, the daughter of the late Elector, who had married his brother, the Duke of Orleans. This woman had no legal right to the land and did not herself claim it. England, Germany and Holland opposed the intrigue of France. Then Louis again determined that if the Palatinate could not be made to furnish supplies for the French, it should furnish none for the Germans, and approved the orders of his minister, Luvois, to lay waste the Palatinate. What followed sur- passed even the horrors of the Thirty Years War. The people were ordered from their homes in the middle of winter. Country houses and churches and villages were set on fire. Wheat and rye fields were ploughed up. Orchards were cut down. Not a vine or an almond tree was left standing on the sunny slopes of the Rhine, oi about Heidelberg. The Reformed people were the greatest sufferers. Many of their churches were burned or turned over to the Catholics. It was the purpose of Louis to crush out the Protestant religion on both sides of the Rhine. Philip William, at that time Elector, though a Catholic, was a kind hearted man and by no means intolerant in matters of religion, but he was compelled by the poverty of the country to dismiss many Protestant pastors, teachers, and officials and to combine or dissolve a number of churches and schools. By the year 1693 these cruel measures had reached their utmost severity. At the treaty of Ryswick, in 1697, the Protestants were compelled to accept the Catholic usurpations, and on the basis of this treaty the French diplomatist, two years 8 The Hisjory of the Pittsburgh Synod later, brought in a list of 1922 churches, mostly in the Palatinate, which he claimed for the Catholics. A system of nagging was then introduced and persistently practiced by the Jesuits. The Protestants were compelled to bow the knee at the passing of the Elements of the Mass, or Catholic Lord's Supper, and to furnish flowers at the church festivals of their rivals; and proselyting was carried on publicly. By one decree seventy^five school masters were made pennyless. Hundreds of pett^ per- secutions on persons and property were made. It is a wonder that Protestantism was not entirely destroyed in these sections. But it was not. We are told that the Reformed Church in the Palatinate showed itself, to a large extent, unyielding. Many of the pastors stood firm, and nearly all the congregations maintained their organizations. Very few proved cowards or untrue to their convictions. War and persecutions served only to purify their lives, and never since the days of Frederick IV, had the people exhibited so good a moral character as in these years of untold hardship. Pietism spread among them to some extent. Many looked for a speedy end of the world as a release from their sorrows. But the great body of the people remained true to the princi- ples of sound religion. The German rulers also, in these years, were heartless. All through the 18th century they tried to imitate the habits of the French Court. While the country was on the verge of ruin, costly palaces were built and enormous retinues were maintained. While pastors and teachers were starving hundreds of court officers lived in idleness and luxury. The burden of feudalism also still lay to an extent on the farmers, and the chasm between them and the upper classes grew wider as the years passed. Before the French Revolution the farmer and his children had to render body service, pay heavy taxes in case of the sale or inheritance of property, see their crops trampled down by hunting parties, and find themselves as a rule deprived of justice in the courts. This glance at the condition of the people in Southern Germany will show that there were special reasons why German Emigration to. Pennsylvania 9 the invitation of William Penn to the Germans to join the movement to colonize Pennsylvania should be gladly w^elcomed and accepted by large numbers. One of the first responses to Penn's pamphlet was the organization of a company at Frankfort on the Main to promote emigration. A man by the name of Pastorius, the hero of John G. Whittier's "Pennsylvania Pilgrim," •was the agent of this company. On the 6th of October, 1683, the first German emigrants, under the leadership of Pastorius, landed in Philadelphia from the ship Con- cord, which has been called the German Mayflower. The company consisted of 13 men with their families. They were Dutch and German Mennonites from the villages of Crefeld and Kriegesheim. They found Penn's City on the Delaware a straggling village of some 80 houses. They themselves began a settlement nearby, which they named Germantown, but which was soon nicknamed Armentown, or Povertytown, because of the lack of all kinds of nec- essary supplies and the want and need of the early settlers. But the patience and industry of these poor people soon brought them a measure of prosperity. A year after their arrival one of them wrote to a friend in Rotterdam, "I have here a shop with many kinds of goods and edibles. Sometimes I ride out with edibles and sometimes bring something back, mostly from the Indians, and deal with them in many ways. ... I have no rent or tax or excise to pay. I have a cow which gives plenty of milk, a horse to ride around ; my pigs increase rapidly, so that in the summer I had seventeen, where at first I had only two. I have many chickens and geese and a garden. My wife and I are in good spirits." Germantown was the pioneer of the German settlements in America. In 1710 an important movement of Swiss Mennonites to Pennsylvania began. These settled in Lancaster county. On October 23rd of that year a patent for 10,000 acres on Pequea Creek was granted them. The County was organized in 1729. In 1723 a large colony of Germans came by way of England, the Hudson river and the Scho- harie and Mohawk valleys in New York, to the mouth of the Swatara Creek, up which they made their way to 10 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Tulpehocken, where they made a permanent settlement. The third and largest emigration movement to Pennsyl- vania began about 1727. Many at this time came from the Palatinate, but some also from Wurtemburg, Alsace, Darmstatt, Westphalia, Hanover, Saxony and other states of Germany. From 1727 to 1775, it has been calculated, on the basis of records preserved in the State Capitol at Harrisburg, that nearly 70,000 Germans settled in Penn- sylvania, some of whom however eventually passed south into Maryland and Virginia. Counting the natural increase of the first 20,000 who had been in the colony for two generations, the number at the outbreak of the Revolution is thought to have been something like 110,000 or about one-third of the population. Soon after the beginning of the XVIII Century they began to take up land in what are now Montgomery, Lancaster and Berks Counties, and later crossed the Susquehanna and founded the counties of York and Cumberland, and, still later, spread over Northampton, Dauphin, Lehigh and Lebanon Counties. After the middle of the century they swept to the South and the newly opened West. As early as 1732 many Germans from Pennsylvania settled in Fred- erick, Rockingham, Shenandoah and other counties in Virginia, and some went to the central and western counties of North and South Carolina. The first movement from Germany and Switzerland to Pennsylvania was made up mostly of Mennonites and those who held similar views. Those coming later from the Palatinate, Wurtemburg, Alsace, and other staLes were Reformed and Lutheran and a few of them Catholic. As a rule these people did not come as congregations or united groups of people, having a common religion, but as individuals and families. There were however some schoolmasters among them and those gathered the children into schools and instructed them as they had been doing in the fatherland. Some of them also met the people in the schoolhouses or in private houses on the Lord's day, and, in the absence of the regular ministry, led them in singing and prayer, and read sermons to them out of sermon books. German Emigration to Pennsylvania 11 There were, however, some exceptions to this rule. A few ministers came with their people. In 1727, four hundred Reformed people came with their pastor, Rev. George Michael Weiss, and settled along the Skippack Creek, in Montgomery county. A few other ordained men also appeared from time to time and a few of the schoolmasters were ordained to the ministry by the auth- ority of the Classis of Amsterdam and others by the Presbyterian Church, so that they might preach and administer the Sacraments regularly, which some of them had been doing without special ecclesiastical auth- ority. A few of these schoolmasters and early ministers were men of not entirely blameless lives, and there was considerable confusion in church matters in Pennsyl- vania for a good many years. The Episcopal Church in Virginia had to contend with the same difficulties, and also, later, the Presbyterian Church west of the Alle- ghenies. In 1746, the Rev. Michael Schlatter was sent to Penn- sylvania by the Classis of Amsterdam, in Holland, to gather the Reformed people into congregations, and to act in the capacity of Superintendent over them. He found 46 congregations and four regular pastors. The next year he succeeded in organizing a Coetus or Con- ference. There were five ministers and 26 elders at the first meeting of this body. The Coetus was organized under the authority of the Synod of Holland. The Re- formed population at that time was estimated at 30,000. The Lutherans were organized in the same way into Congregations, Conferences and Synods by Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, who arrived in America in 1742. The Reformed Church sustained many losses in the first few decades of its history in this country for a want of a sufficient supply of pastors to look after the spiritual interests of the people, and from the fact that a consider- able number of the men secured to meet this want were not adapted to the work. It was a time of great religious destitution and unrest. Count Zinzendorf, a Moravian, made an attempt, probably with the best intentions, to unite all the Germans into one religious organization. 12 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod under the title of the "Unity of the Brethren." Rev. Henry Antes, pastor of a large Reformed congregation in Lancaster, and others, fell in with this movement. Both Schlatter and Muhlenberg had considerable trouble to hold their people true to their own churches. Eventually there was a demand for a change from the German to the English language, in conducting divine service, which naturally was opposed by many older people and favored by the younger members, some of whom, when their own churches seemed to move too slowly in the matter, united with English speaking congregations, or fell in with new religious movements, such as that of the Methodists, the United Brethren, the Evangelical Association, the Christian Church and the Church of God. The founder of the United Brethren Church, Rev. William Otterbein, and the founder of the Evangelical Association, a Rev. Mr. Albright, as well as the founder of the Church of God, Rev. John Winebrenner, were, at one time, ministers in the Reformed Church. The opinion has been expressed that the members of the Reformed Church are peculiarly liable to be led from their moorings and to pass over into other churches. But this is questionable. Other churches also lost many members. Many Quakers, eventually, united with the Church of England. A considerable number of Luth- erans also entered that Church. The Methodists and United Brethren recruited from any and all churches. The same is true of the Christians or Campbellites, and the Church of God or Winebrennerians. The National Baptists, in some sections of the country, absorbed large numbers of the young pople of the Mennonites. Nor did the Reformed and the Lutheran Churches depend alto- gether upon their own material to build up their con- gregations. There have been Reformed ministers whose ancestors were Presbyterians or Methodists or Menno- nites or Schwenkf elders. Baptists and Catholics and people of the Church of England are found here and there in Reformed congregations. Baptists, under certain cir- cumstances, do not hesitate to accept Infant Baptism or German Emigration to Pennsylvania 13 Episcopalians or Catholics try to find their way to Heaven without Bishops or a Pope. This, however, may be said: A small church is more liable to lose members to another denomination than a large church; for naturally, more of its young women marry into the families of the larger churches, and more of its families drift into communities where their own church is not represented by a congregation, and so find a church home in another denomination. The Reformed Church has been at some disadvantage in this respect. The rise of new denominations is not peculiar to the United States. They are found to spring up in other countries as well as in America. There is also in every denomination, and no less in the Reformed Church, a smaller or greater loss, each year, of actual and prospective members, brought about by the inroads of Satan and the world. St. Paul in writing to his young friend and co-worker, Timothy, referred to an instance of such loss, when he said : "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." Every denomination is losing members continually, not only by death, and by change of residence to sections of the country where the denomination is not represented by a congregation, but by withdrawals through inordinate love of the world and the overpowering presence of sin in the heart. We mourn the death of every faithful mem- ber; but are reconciled to the will of God in translating men form the church militant to the church triumphant. We part reluctantly fom those, who, for good reasons, transfer their membership and activitiesto sister churches, es, but are glad to have them use their Reformed training to build up Christ's Kingdom under other auspices. But for those who leave us for love of the world or to serve Satan, we have only sorrow and regret. Their with- drawal is nothing but pure loss — loss to their church, and an infinitely more serious loss to themselves. CHAPTER III. The Settlement of Western Pennsylvania "Beyond the mountains there are people too." But for many years there were no Pennsylvanians or Vir- ginians west of the Appalachians. About 1715 to 1728 an occasional trader would venture to cross these natural barriers to secure furs from the Indians of the Monon- gahela, Allegheny and Ohio Valleys. Among these hardy adventurers were James L. Fort, Peter Cleaver, John Evans, Henry Devay, Owen Nicholson, Alexander Ma- genty, Patric Burns, George Hutchinson, Barnaby Cur- rin, John McGuire, and a Mr. Frazer, who for a time had a trading station at Venango, now Franklin, but after- wards, moved back to the Monongahela river, at the mouth of Turtle Creek, where he was found by Wash- ington in 1753. These pathfinders of the wilderness were, in time, followed by settlers. In 1848, a Mr. Lee, who was of the King's Council in Virginia, and twelve other gentlemen of that state and Maryland, with a Mr. Hanbury, a London merchant, formed what they called "The Ohio Company," whose object was to settle lands and carry on trade with the Indians, west of the mountains. Aug- ustine and Lawrence Washington were members of this company. The King of England granted these gentle- men 500,000 acres of land between the Monongahela and Kenawaha Rivers. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent out to explore the country. He crossed the mountains and reached the Allegheny River by the valley of the Kiske'minetas, and went as far west as the Muskingum. This was the Captain Gist who accompanied Washington on his mission to the French at Fort Le Boeuf in 1753. The first actual settlement was made in 1752 by Mr. Gist himself and his family and eleven other families at what is now known as Mt. Braddock in Fayette County, 14 Settlement of Western Pennsylvania 15 Pa. The southern part of Western Pennsylvania, includ- ing a part of Somerset, Fayette, Green, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, was claimed by the Virginians, as belonging to that Colony. The exten- sion of Mason's and Dixon's Line to the eastern border of Ohio in 1784 gave this territory to Pennsylvania. In 1754, the Governor of Virginia, acting on a hint of Wash- ington, in one of his letters or journal, sent Captain William Trent with a company of Virginia troops to erect a fort at the forks of the Ohio to defend the country against the French and Indians. But before much prog- ress had been made the French and Indians, to the num- ber of 1000 men, under Monsieur Contrecoeur appeared and secured its surrender. This occurred on the 17th of April, 1754. The French completed the fort, and named it Duquesne, in honor of the Governor-General of Canada. Then followed the Old French War; Washington's march to "Great Meadows" and the capitulation at Fort Necessity in 1754, Braddock's march and defeat on the Monongahela in 1755, the final capture of Fort Duquesne by General Forbes and his able lieutenants, Washington, Armstrong, Boquet, and Lewis, in November, 1758. Five years later came the Pontiac Conspiracy and Boquet's victory at Bushy Run in the Denmark-Manor Valley. The Revolutionary War came in 1775 to 1783. The Crawford, the Lochry, the Harmer, and the St. Clair expeditions into the Indian country followed, all of which ended disastrously ; until in 1794 General Anthony Wayne with a well disciplined army inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Indians at Fallen Timbers on the Maumee River, in what is now the State of Indiana ; and after that, In- dian hostilities were no longer a menace to the people of Western Pennsylvania. The Indians were willing to receive the traders who supplied them with gu)ns and ammunition and other things, in exchange for their furs, and to deal with them. But they were opposed to the hunters, who thinned out the game and made it more difficult for them to secure subsistance, and to the settlers, who proposed a perma- 16 The History of the Pittsburgh SyNOD nent occupation of the land, and a reduction of the ex- tent of their hunting and fishing grounds. They regard- ed the pressing westward of the white people as an en- croachment upon their rights, and were easily persuaded to join the French in attempting to expel the English and the Colonists from the Ohio valley, and afterwards, to aid the English to drive back the Americans from the same territory. The English paid a premium for scalps. The Indians carried on war in their own savage way, and they naturally kept up the conflict on their ovsm account, long after their European allies had given up the fight. During all this time many families from Eastern Penn- sylvania, and Virginia and from England, Holland and Germany, were coming into this region and taking up farms, often without warrant of law, at other times by permission of the military commanders, and finally by regular warrant from the agents of the Penn family after the "New Purchase" in 1768, by which, the west- ern portion of the state came into the possession of the Proprietors, through a new treaty with the Indians, as the eagtern portion had been acquired by William Penn when he first took up his grant from the English King. Many of these families were murdered by the Indians, when on the War path. Men and women and children were killed and scalped, and a few, at times, were carried off to Detroit or Canada or to the Indian towns. Nearly every one has read Dr. H. M. Muhlenburg's interesting story of Regina Hartman, the captive maid, given in his "Hallische Nachrichten." The settlers defended themselves as best they could. Each man had a rifle and ammunition which he knew how to use. Blockhouses, stockades and forts were built in many communities. Some famous Indian fighters were developed. This is a paragraph from "Old Redstone" a book about these early times : "The settlers were guarded, and in fact, pre- served from utter destruction by a few brave men. Brave is a term not sufficiently expressive of the boldness of the Bradys, Sprouts, Poes, Lesnets. Wetzells, Caldwells, Crawfords, Williamsons, Pauls, Harrisons, and Zaneses, Settlement of Western Pennsylvanta 17 who for many years encountered unheard of privations in defense of the border settlements and often carried the war successfully into the Indian country." The gov- ernment organized and/ maintained several- regiments of Continental soldiers recruited in this district, at Wheel- ing, Fort Pitt and Kittanning to defend the settlers. The farmers carried rifles when they gathered to cut their har- vest or when they went to church, and guards were placed to give warning of danger. Many battles were fought, many massacres took place. Many Indians, also, were killed; but it has been asserted that fifty white people lost their lives for every Indian that was slain. It was only by the indomitable persistence of the white race that the country was finally entirely rescued from the savages and not only western Pennsylvania but Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and states farther west, opened to occupation and civilization. But all that is another story. CHAPTER IV. The Scotch-Irish. Among the people who came to Pennsylvania in large numbers, in early times, on the invitation of William Penn, were the Scotch-Irish, Scotch, and English, ad- herents of the Presbyterian Church. These three ele- ments were closely identified and were generally spoken of by the first title. The Scotch-Irish, strictly speaking, were descendants of Scotch and English Dissenters, who had gone to Ireland to occupy the confiscated lands of the Irish who had been declared rebels in the time of Eliza- beth and James I. This emigration, from Scotland and northern England to Ireland began about seventy years before the settlement of Pennsylvania, and was quite large. Later, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, additional lands were confiscated and more Scotch and English settled in Ireland. These people are known at home as IJlstermen, and they were more thrifty and intelligent than the native Irish. They were persecuted under Charles I, who tried to compel them to conform to the Church of England, and the original possessors of the land also rose against them, and they had to defend their faith and their possessions at the risk of their lives. Many of these people came to Pennsylvania from 1700 to 1750, attracted by the fame of the Colony for religious liberty and for fertility of soil. Some settled in Phila-. delphia. Others went up the Lehigh River, and into Bucks and Lancaster Counties. They occupied Octarara Creek, Pequea, Donegal, Paxton, and the "York Barrens." A good many of them went into the Cumberland Valley and some pushed on farther south into the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. They formed a considerable element of the adventurous people who crossed the mountains and gradually occupied Western Pennsylvania, from 1752 to the end of the century. 18 The Scotch-Irish 19 Fighting was part of the religion of the Scotch-Irish, as peace was of the Quakers. They used guns instead of treaties to settle their difficulties with the Indians. Rough, vigorous and independent, they at times became disorderly as in the Whiskey Insurrection in 1792-94. They made good soldiers and were among the men who successfully defended the frontier against the Indians during the Revolution, and engaged in the campaigns of Harmer in 1790 and of St. Clair in 1791 and of Wayne in 1794 against the Indians. One of the historians of those times tells us that they held three things essential to satisfactory housekeeping, a Bible, a rifle, and a bottle of whiskey. Another says that they clothed themselves with profanity as with a garment. Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith, the author of "Old Redstone" says, on page 138, that the early Presbyterian ministers found among the people an immense amount of ignorance, ungodliness, and profanity sufficient to have appalled the stoutest heart. After the French were expelled from Fort Duquesne, in 1758, and especially after the country was fully opened for settlement by a new treaty with the Indians, ten years later, many Scotch-Irish, Germans and others crossed the mountains. By 1775 Ligonier Valley was well occu- pied. The principal man here was Captain Arthur St. Clair, a Scotchman, who had served under Wolfe at Quebec and who was land-agent for the Penn family, and was the first Prothonotary of Westmoreland County, after it was established by the Legislature, Feb. 26th, 1773. Settlements were made where the Braddock road crosses the Big Sewickley, at Derry, along the Loyalhanna farther north, and at many other places in what is now Fayette, Green, Washington and Allegheny Counties. At Brush Creek and Turtle Creek were the Cabins and Blockhouses of Germans and Huguenots and Hollanders from Eastern Pennsylvania and of Germans directly from the Palatinate. The land was found to be heavily timbered, and the winters were long and cold. The country abounded in bears, and large herds of buffalo and deer wandered 20 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod through the woods. Squirrels were abundant. Wolves were, also, numerous but very shy. Rattlesnakes and copperheads infested the country, and were almost as much dreaded as the Indians. The settlers wore hunting shirts and breachcloufcs and moccasins made of deer skins, after the fashion of their savage neighbors. . The Scotch -Irish being Presbyterians, the Presby- terian Church in the East began, at an early day, to send itinerant missionaries to these "Back Woods" of Penn- sylvania to keep the spark of religion alive in the hearts of their dispersed sheep. Rev. Charles Beatty came west in 1755 or 1756 with troops under Dr. Franklin, and again in 1758 with the battalion under Colonel Arm- strong. He was probably with the forces which, late in the year, took possession of Fort Duquesne. In 1763 the same man and a Rev. Mr. Brainard were directed to spend three months in this region, but could not on ac- count of the Indian War. Four men who became promi- nent were early on the ground to remain, viz: Rev. Dr. James Power and Rev. Dr. John McMillan inl776. Rev. Dr. Thaddeus Dod and Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith in 1779. These four pastors with some of their elders, on the 19th of September, 1781, organized the first Presbytery in Western Pennsylvania, and named it Redstone. Three years later they were joined by Revs. Dunlap, Clark and Findley. The Redstone Presbytery remained undivided for twelve years. A number of Pres- byteries grew out of it. All the congregations were rural congregations, as there were no towns. The churches were built of unhewn logs and the roofs were made of rough clapboards, upon which heavy logs and large stones were laid, to keep them in place. The preachers were revivalists, but also faith- ful catechists. They had received their training under men influenced by the preaching of Whitefield and the Tennants and others of similar spirit. Large numoers came together at communion time. The preachers as- sisted each other on these occasions. Great, stirring ser- mons were preached, and many conversions took place. The services were held outdoors when the church was The Scotch-Irish 21 too small, and the weather permitted. The services were usually quite long, and when one became tired sitting or sleepy he would rise and stand until rested and wide awake. Sometimes during the delivery of the sermon one-third of the congregation would be standing. Natur- ally the Presbyterian Church grew strong under these conditions. These early pastors and their successors saw the necessity of educating pious young men for the ministry, to supply the growing need of the churches. In 1782 Rev. Dod and his neighbors came together and put up a log academy building, and here in 1782 began the first classical and scientific school in the west. In the course of a year or two, James Hughes, John Brice, Robert Mar- shall, John Hanna, Daniel Laidley, Jacob Lindley, David Smith, and Francis Dunlavy began their studies here In English, Latin and Mathematics, and they all entered the ministry subsequently. In 1875 Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith opened a Latin school called "The Study" designed especially to train young men for the ministry. Rev. Dr. John McMillan opened a similar school at Chartiers. Washington Academy was incorporated by the Legisla- ture on Sept. 24th, 1787, and had an endowment of 5000 acres of land. Rev. Dr. Dod became its principal in 1789. In 1806 the academy was merged into Washington Col- lege. About the year 1792 an academy was established at Cannonsburgh in Washington County which was afterwards incorporated under the name of Jefferson College. There was also much later, an academy located at Murrysville, in Westmoreland County, called "The Laird Institute," another near Pleasant Unity, in the same County, called "The Sewickley Academy," and still another at Elders Ridge, in Armstrong County. Many other public spirited citizens besides Presbyterians, of course, joined in starting and supporting these schools. And some of the other religious bodies had schools of their own. This was a very wise movement, on the part of the Presbyterians, and resulted in raising up a minis- try, willing and able to take charge of the churches in this section, and to continue the work of the pioneers. 22 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod It is not to be inferred, however, that the Presbyterians were the only people who established churches in this region in early times and looked after the religious in- terests of their people and others. There were many Seceder and Baptist Churches here, and these and Meth- odists, United Brethren, and other churches, grew up with the growth of the country. The limits of this work, how- ever, do not permit even the briefest possible description of their efforts to make and keep this part of the country Christian. CHAPTER V. Hakdships. The people who came to Western Pennsylvania had to endure many hardships on the journey. At first there were no roads, as in later times. They traveled on Indian trails, of which there were a number made by parties of Aborigines, and used and kept open by traders, going west and east. Such a trail was followed by George Wash- ington on his way to Fort Le Boeuf in 1753. This was known as "Nemacolin's Path," after the name of an Indian guide whom Washington employed. General Bra- dock used this path on his march west to capture Fort Duquesne, at the Forks of the Ohio, in 1755. His pioneers and axemen enlarged it to a width of twelve feet, so that the baggage wagons and artillery might be able to pass over it. In 1758 General Forbes, with Washington, Armstrong, Boquet and Lewis, in the expedition which resulted in the capture of Fort Duquesne, followed a trail farther north, from Raystown, or Fort Bedford, through Ligonier to the Forks of the Ohio, also widening the road and making it passable for wagons and artillery. This was considerably farther north than the Braddock road, keep- ing on the higher ground, to avoid swamps, and to guard against the army's being ambushed by the Indians, and was followed afterwards in general by the Harrisburg and Pittsburgh Turnpike, which is now the Lincoln Highway. There was another path still further north from Harris- burg, west. It started at Harris Ferry (now Harrisburg) passed Standing Stone (now Huntingdon) passed Old Town (now Johnstown) , named after a German settler. Captain Johns, by way of the Kiskeminetas River to the Forks of the Ohio. Kiskeminetas (now Leechburg) and Frankstown, named after a German trader, Stephen 23 24 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Franks, on the Juniata River, were points reached by another Indian trail, east from the Forks of the Ohio, as was also Kittanning on the Allegheny River. On a trail, from the Juniata through Cherrytree, Colonel Arm- strong led his expedition to Kittanning, where he sur- prised the Indian chief. Captain Jacobs, and his warriors, and burnt their town. In the beginning of 1787 commissioners were appointed by the Assembly at Harrisburg to lay out a State High- way from the Frankstown branch of the Juniata River to the Conemaugh. Their survey was approved in Dec- ember of the same year. It seems to have been extended to Pittsburgh somewhat later. There is a Frankstown Aveni>e in Pittsburgh. In 1800 a company was chartered by the Assembly to build a road called the Har- risburg, Lewistown, Huntingdon and Pittsburgh Turn- pike. It runs through New Alexandria, Delmont, New- linsburg and Murrysville, in Westmoreland County, and is now known as the Northern Turnpike. In 1806 the Assembly began legislation which resulted fi- nally in the construction of the Harrisburg and Pitts- burgh Turnpike, running through Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Bedford and Greensburg. It was not yet quite completed, when, in 1819, N. P. Hacke and Henry Koch rode on horseback from Northhampton County to Greensburg and Venango County, to visit their future fields of labor. They returned east. Dr. Hacke states, over the Northern Turnpike. These roads built by authority of the state, and, to an extent, under state supervision, were toll roads. The name turnpike was given them because at every toll- house a pole or pike was placed across the road which prevented the traveler from passing until he had paid his toll. When the toll was paid the pole or pike, which swung upon a post, was turned so that a passage was opened. Hence the road was called a turnpike. There was a toll-house about every twelve miles. In making the Braddock and Forbes roads the trees were cut off close to the ground, to a width of twelve feet, and the gullies filled up with logs. Where not need- ed for that purpose the logs and tops of the trees were Hardships 25 rolled to the side of the road or tumbled over a hillside. No bridges were built across the streams, but fordings were sought where men and horses could cross without endangering their lives. In fact the Indians had found such fords, and the path or trail indicated them. Such was Stewart's Crossing, on the Youghiogheny River, where the town of Connellsville now stands. Progress on these roads was necessarily slow. Brad- dock's army averaged but iive niiles a day, from Fort Cumberland to the scene of his defeat. And this is not to be wondered at when the difficulties in road making are taken into account. And neither the Braddock or Forbes or Frankstown, or any other trail was long main- tained in condition for wagons. It could not be done. Both men and money were wanting. Trees fell across the path. A rank growth of sprouts sprang up about the stumps. Heavy rains washed gullies across the roads. They became unfit for travel. In a few years after the armies were withdrawn, horses could scarcely pass over them with safety, and wagons not at all, until after repairs were made. Emigrants going from the east across the mountains either walked or traveled on horseback. Pack-saddles, made of wood and iron, were strapped to the backs of horses, and upon these the belongings of the people were carried. One man, in after years, wrote of his family's journey westward, along with nineteen other families, as follows: "Our family consisted of my parents, three young children, and a bound boy of 14. We had three horses, on one of which my mother rode, carrying her infant and all the table furniture and cooking utensils. On another were packed the stores of provisions, the plough irons and other agricultural tools. The third horse had on him a pack-saddle and two large creels made of hickory withes, in which were carried the beds and bed- ding, and the wearing apparel of the family, and two of the children. The tops of the creels were secured by la- cings, through which the children could force their heads but not their shoulders. Each family was taking along with them one or more cows, the milk of which furnished 26 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod the morning and evening meal for the children. Some of the fathers and grown up sons, when there were any, carrying rifles, went before the main caravan, or accom- panied it^ spread out to the right and left, to drive away wild beasts, and shoot game for food, while others led the horses or drove and herded the cows and other cattle. They had with them sheep and pigs. At night we en- camped in the open, exposed to whatever weather might prevail, the mothers being often kept awake, nearly all night, attending sick or ailing children. Arrived at our destination we selected the land for our farms and assist- ed one another to put up rude log huts, near a spring, and began to clear the land and prepare the soil for vegetables and corn and oats, in the spring, and for wheat and rye, in the fall. As the years passed more land was cleared, larger crops were produced, cattle increased, patches of flax were grown, the spinning wheel began to hum, the hand loom was set up in the house, and linen and woolen cloth and a mixture of the two, called linsey-woolsy, was tnade for the use of the family." In those times iron had to be brought from the east on pack horses at great expense. Salt also was secured in the same way, and is knovinti to have sold as high as $8.00 a bushel, whilst wheat was sometimes as low as 121/^ cents a bushel. In fact, for years, the price of wheat and flour did not pay for their transportation to the east. In 1784 the rates for carrying goods from Philadelphia or Baltimore to Pittsburgh was 45 shillings per hundred weight. In 1786 carriage from Philadelphia was six pence per pound. It cost from 12 to 15 dollars to carry a barrel of flour from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. "The wagons after they were introduced were clumsy struc- tures. The tires on the wheels were put on in pieces and the bed rested on huge bolsters. Nothing else could have stood the jolting. The road in the valleys ran through swamps and marshes, in the mountains over logs, stumps and rocks, along the sides of the hills and up and dovm the walls of ravines. Sometimes the wheels would fall perpendicularly two or three feet over a rock, again they would swing sideways over the washed out shale, more Hakdships 27 than fifty yards down a precipitous hill. From the fall to the spring the roads did not have any bottom. Sticking in the mud was a common occurrence. Teams had often to be stabled while ascending the 'hogback' upon which Greensburg was built." One wonders that men, with wives and children to guard and care for, would voluntarily subject themselves and those dependent upon them to such hardships, and especially while the, hostile Indians were still often on the war-path. But families were large at that time, and the sons felt that there was not land enough in the home farms for all of them. They were used to hard labor, almost from childhood. Their fathers and mothers had crossed the ocean and hewn out homes for themselves from the primitive forests in the eastern counties of Pennsylvania. So the sons and grandsons crossed the mountains and did the same thing, in defiance of all ob- stacles which stood in their way. Emigration and the seeking of new homes seems to be in the blood of the human family, and it was strong in the blood of the an- cestors of those who make up the membership of the Pittsburgh Synod today, and also in the blood of many of their descendents, for they in their turn moved farther west and founded Reformed Churches in the new states neare;: the setting sun. CHAPTER VI. German Emigration Westward. As already stated, the formation of the Ohio Company, in 1748, greatly stimulated emigration from the eastern part of the country west of the mountains. In a note, on page 23 of "Old Redstone" this statement is made: "Mr. Lawrence Washington, upon whom fell the chief management of the affairs of the Ohio Company after the death of Mr. Lee, its originator, conceived the very plausible plan of inviting the 'Pennsylvania Dutch' and their brethren from Germany to colonize this region . . Mr. Washington, in a letter to Mr. Hanbury of London, wrote: 'I conversed with all the Pennsylvania Dutch I met, and recommended their settling on the company lands.' " There was, however, an obstacle in the way, which prevented this scheme from fully succeeding. Accord- ing to the laws of Virginia a parish tax, for the support of the Episcopal Church, had to be paid by every occu- pant of a farm or home in that colony ; and to this the Pennsylvania Germans, or at least many of them, objected. But in the course of time, when Mason's and Dixon's Line was surveyed to the Ohio border, as it was in 1784, it was discovered that a large part of this western country, which had been claimed by both colonies, fell within the bounds of Pennsylvania. And, whilst the Scotch-Irish and many Scotch who were Seceders, and other people who were Baptists, and a number of Germans from east of the mountains had come into this region before 1784, they came in increasing numbers after that date. The Germans were mainly farmers rather than traders and storekeepers and professional men. Their inability to speak English, at least fluently, also stood in the way, for a generation or two, of their taking a prominent part in public affairs. 28 German Emigration Westward 29 Mr. Sidney George Fisher, the author of "The Making of Pennsylvania" has this to say about these people, and it applies to those who came to the western part of the state, almost as well as to those who remained in the east : "All classes and sects of the Germans became farm- ers, and in that occupation they excelled the Scotch-Irish and all other settlers in the province. They took better care of their cattle, had better fences, and often built barns and stables before they built their houses. They were good judges of land, always selected the best, and were very fond of the limestone districts. They never avoided a tract because it had on it great forest trees which would require unusual labor to remove, for they knew that a heavy grovi^h of timber showed richness of soil. They were also shrewd enough to buy land which had already been cultivated by unskillful settlers, and were often known to grow rich on farms where their pre- decessors had almost starved." In this way they dis- placed many of the Scotch-Irish and English in Western Pennsylvania as they had done in Northampton County and in the Cumberland Valley. "Most of the Germans," Mr. Fisher goes on to say, "hated debt, and were, as a rule, very punctual in their engagements. They worked their farms with their sons, daughters and wives, and had very few slaves. They developed a very fine breed of draft horses, called the Conestogas, from a stream, near Lancaster, where they were first bred. The same name, Conestoga, vi^as applied to their wagons, strong and solid as a fortification, and covered with a great canvas roof, like the prairie schoon- ers of later times. Until far down into the XIX Century these wagons were one of the most typical scenes on all the highways of Eastern Pennsylvania, as, filled with chickens, turkeys, and all kinds of the best country pro- duce, they rolled slowly toward the towns." These Conestoga teams of heavy horses and canvas covered wagons were long used, after the turn- pikes had crossed the mountains, to transport flour and other products of the western counties to the eastern cities, and groceries and dry goods to the west. Long 30 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod strings of these wagons, as well as large droves of cattle were a common sight on what is now the Lincoln High- way as well as on the other main roads connecting the east and the west, up to the time when the railroads put the turnpike temporarily out of commission. In finding their way into the western part of the state the German settlers from the eastern counties brought their habits of industry and thrift with them. They were good judges of land and good farmers, but getting in among the Scotch-Irish and other English-speaking peo- ple, and being outnumbered by them, their peculiarities were slowly modified ; and they also had an influence upon those by whose side they lived. There were many inter- marriages between those who were of German descent and those who spoke only English and the tongue of the majority speedily became the tongue of the community. The German language did not persist as it did in many of the eastern counties, where a large part of the popu- lation spoke German, and only German, for several gene- rations. Many farmer's sons became mechanics, some of them went into business, others became school teachers or doctors or lawyers, or County and State officials. Colonel Israel Painter (or Bender) was Canal Commis- sioner in early times. Pennsylvania has had a number of Governors who were of German descent. The State Superintendent of Public Schools for 25 years, recently deceased, was a Pennsylvania German, educated in Re- formed institutions, and a member and clergyman of the Reformed Church. Numerous County School Superin- tendents and Academy Principals were of German descent. There has been little German preaching in the Reformed Churches of western Pennsylvania for several generations except in a few instances, where a considerable group of Germans from the east had settled close together, or where a new emigration from the Fatherland had found homes and established a Reformed Church. There are several places in the territory of Pittsburgh Synod where this was done. The Germans from the east settled in the Valley about Fort Ligonier, about Mt. Pleasant, in a district about German Emigration Westward 31 three miles south of Greensburg, where the Harrold's Church was afterwards built, about Brush Creek, and in the Denmark-Manor Valley, in Indiana County, and far- ther north, in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Mercer, and Crawford Counties, where there are many churches of the faith, as presented in the Heidelberg Catechism. Not many Mennonites came to this part of the State, and of those who came, as the second generation became familiar with the English language, a large number drifted into the National Baptist Church. Most of the Pennsylvania Germans who settled in Western Pennsylvania were Ee- formed or Lutherans. Those here, among the earliest settlers, were continually being reinforced by others from the east joining them, and thus augmenting their number. CHAPTER VII. Early Reformed Settlers — Sketches and Names Names of Reformed people who came into the hounds of Pittsburgh Synod among the early settlers, many of whose descendents are now members of Reform.ed churches in this territory. Before going on to the contents of this chapter it might be well to quote the following paragraph from a recent book. "Many Huguenots came to Pennsylvania from the Palatinate, fleeing before the invasion of the armies of Louis XIV, when 1200 villages were ravaged and burnt in midwinter. Fearing to be recognized by the French army they destroyed their family papers and had their French names translated into German; and thus many of the 'Pennsylvania Dutch' are really of Huguenot and French descent. — "French and Belgian Protestanism." — page 127. The same book in a note gives this account of the origin of the name by which these people were known : "Hugue- not is an old French word, common to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Its application to the French Reformers is thus explained by Estienne : "The Protest- ants of Tours used to assemble at night near the Gate of King Hugo, whom the people regarded as a ghost. Up to this time they had been called 'Lutherans' but a monk of Tours said they should be called Huguenots, because like Hugo they went out at night. The name became generally used from the year 1560." Dr. David Marchand, the ancestor of the prominent Marchand family in Westmoreland Co., was of French descent. His father was a Huguenot and fled from France with his family on account of religious persecu- tion, and settled in Lancaster Co., Pa. The Doctor was for a while before coming to America, a surgeon in the French army. From Lancaster Co. he moved to Hagers- 32 Early Keformed Settlers 33 town, and from there to Westmoreland . Co., about the year 1773. He located on a farm in Millersthal, several miles south of Grapeville and Adamsburg. A fort was erected here on the Rumbaugh farm, and was called Fort Marchand. He was one of the men who urged the Coetus at Reading to send a minister to western Pennsylvania. He also advised the people of the Brush Creek settlement to apply for a patent for 182 acres of land for church and school purposes. The patent was granted in Dr. March- and's name Nov. 14th, 1792. He made a deed to the Brush Creek churches in 1797. He is buried in the cemetery of the Brush Creek Church, of which he was a loyal supporter. Closely associated with Dr. Marchand was John Jost Cort, or Kort, the ancestor of the Cort family of America, and also the Grosses and Kemerers. John Jost Cort came to America in 1758, when he was 21 years of age, from Siegen in Westphalia, Germany, and was of Reform- ed stock. He became acquainted with Dr. Marchand either on the voyage to or soon after they came to Ameri- ca. At Hagerstown, Md., they married two sisters by the name of Kemerer. Another sister was married to a Mr. Peter Gross. These three families, with three Kemerer brothers, came to Westmoreland County together. The Grosses sprang from Peter Gross and his wife, and the Kemerers from the three Kemerer brothers. Peter Gross was one of the first settlers in the Brush Creek region. His son, Jesse, was an elder in the Re- formed Brush Creek congregation, when the present Brush Creek church was built in 1816. The late Elder Daniel Gross of Brush Creek was a son of Jesse Gross and a grandson of Peter Gross. Conrad Byers, an emigrant from Germany, purchased. June 3rd, 1773, 339 acres of land in Mt. Pleasant Twp.! Westmoreland County, on which he built a strong log house, to which his neighbors frequently fled for shelter from the Indians. His wife was a redemptioner, named Mary Riel, whose indenture he purchased. Their sons, were Peter, Andrew and John. The land was held by John and Jacob Byers, grandsons, for many years, and 34 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod one of the farms is still held by a great-grandson, Marion M. Byers. William Barnhart, the ancestor of the Westmoreland County Barnharts, came from Holland with his father, Casper Barnhart, in 1764, and settled on a farm in West- moreland County, Pa., southeast of Greensburg. He helped to organize the First Reformed Church in that town, and was one of the members who partook of the first communion in 1796. He died in 1823 at the age of 77 years. His son, William Barnhart, Jr., bought a farm three miles northeast of Greensburg in 1815, which is still in the family, being owned by George S. Barnhart, a great-grandson. William Barnhart, Jr., died from an accident in 1820, at the age of 39 years. He was the father of Hon. William R. Barnhart, of Greensburg, and the grandfather of Rev. J. L. Barnhart, pastor of one of the Reformed churches of Baltimore, and of Paul S. Barnhart, Esq., of Greensburg. The ancestor of the Kline family of Westmoreland County lived in Lancaster County and was named Peter Kline. He had three sons one of whom, John Kline, took part in the Revolutionary War under the immediate com- mand of Washington. After a serious sickness at Valley Forge, he was transferred to the Commissary Department and was put in charge of foraging parties to collect pro- visions for the Continental Army. In the discharge of these duties he incurred the ill-will of some of his later tory neighbors near Millerstown, then in Lebanon County Pa. So he resolved to move to Kentucky with his wife and three children. When they came to what was known later as the Agnew farm, about four miles west of Greens- burg they got into conversation with a Mrs. Painter, who lived there, and who plead with them not to go farther as the Indians had lately become hostile. They first un- packed and found shelter in the Painter springhouse, but soon bought land where the village of Adamsburg was subsequently built. John Kline was a weaver as well as a farmer, and also a conveyancer, which latter employment took him to Philadelphia occasionally. From one of these journeys he did not return. He had a son, Early Reformed Settlers 35 John, as well as other children, who married Mary Buch- man of Hagerstown, Md. His son, John, married Eliza- beth Knappenberger, and settled on a farm in the Manor of Denmark, in Penn Twp., Westmoreland County. They were the parents of W. J. K. Kline, M. D., of Greens- burg, N. L. Kline, D. D. S., of Scottdale, and Rev. A. K. Kline, of Trafford City. John Kline had another son named Lewis, who married into the Cort family and became the father of Silas A. Kline, Esq., of Greensburg. John Kline was also the grandfather of Revs. A. C. Sny- der, and H. E. Snyder, and Judge D. J. Snyder, and of Dr. Charles Snyder of Greensburg, and of Dr. William Snyder of Pittsburgh. Henry Feightner, to whom the numerous Feightners, in the Reformed Church, in the Pittsburgh Synod,- trace their origin, was born in 1752 and died in 1827. He and Jacob Holtzinger came from Germany before the Revo- lutionary War. They both enlisted in the "Pennsylvania Line," from Northampton County. They were in Captain Lukens' Company. Lieutenant Holtzinger was once captured by the Hessians. These two men were under General Putnam. Henry Feightner, wife and three children, Abraham, John, and Elizabeth moved, about 1785, from Northamp- ton County, Pa., to Westmoreland County, and settled three and a half miles south of Greensburg. The son, John, married Elizabeth, daughter of Lieut. Jacob Holt- zinger, and they had seven children. Abraham, also mar- ried and had a family. Elizabeth first married a Mr. Immel, and after his death a Mr. Kimmel. The ancestor of the Kemp family was Gerhard Kemp. He was born in Germany in 1741 and came to this country in 1768. Andrew Byerly, whose wife was a native of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, was given charge of a relay sta- tion with 300 acres of land at Bushy Run, near the present Harrison City, by Col. Henry Boquet, who was also from the Canton of Berne, in 1759, soon after the taking of Fort Duquesne by General Forbes. The General died in 36 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Philadelphia a few months after his expedition to the west, and Col. Boquet became his successor. At Byerly's station express riders from Fort Pitt to Fort Ligonier exchanged horses. Col. Boquet was a fre- quent guest at Byerly's. When the Pontiac War broke out the Byerlys fled to Fort Ligonier, and Andrew Byerly was with Boquet at the battle of Bushy Run. One of Andrew Byerly's sons,, Jacob, the great-grandfather of Rev. Dr. Cyrus Cort, was a soldier in the 13th Virginia Regiment, under Col. Gibson, which was stationed at Fort Pitt. He lived to be 99 years of age, and is buried in the Brush Creek cemetery. A large military monu- ment marks his grave. He and his younger brother An- drew were members of the Reformed Church at Brush Creek. The Whitehead family are of German descent. The original name was Weiskoph. During the latter half of the 17th century a German couple of that name came to America, settling in Richmond, Va. A son, Valentine was born at sea. When a mere lad he came with a com- pany of soldiers to Fort Pitt. Later, when a young man, he located in Sewickley Twp., Westmoreland County, and still later in North Huntingdon Twp., on a farm which has remained in the family until now. Peter Whitehead, his son, born in 1796, was an elder in the Brush Creek Church for many years and for some years treasurer of Westmoreland Classis. His son, also named Peter, was born in 1830, and was Deacon, Elder, and Trustee in the Brush Creek Reformed Church for many years, and, as did his father before him, represented the charge at Classis and Synod, on many occasions. Large numbers of children were the rule in the Whitehead family. The last Peter Whitehead and his wife had ten children, all of whom lived to grow up, and were confirmed in the Brush Creek Reformed Church. Simon Peter White- head of Manor is a nephew, and has two sons who gradu- ated at Franklin and Marshall College, one of whom is an attorney in Greensburg. The Whiteheads have always been liberal supporters of their church and her institu- tions. Early Reformed Settlers 37 A large number of Scheiblers are members of the Re- formed Church. George Scheibler came from Germany in 1700, and settled in Montgomery County, Pa. His youngest son, Frederick, was born in 1763, served in the army, was captured by the British and taken to a mili- tary prison on the West India Islands, escaped and after the war, returned to his father's home. Later, he came to Hempfield twp., Westmoreland County, where he en- gaged in school teaching. He married Salome Leichty. He was a resident of Westmoreland County for fifty years. He died in 1843 at the age of 80 years, survived by two children, sixteen grand-children and forty-six great- grandchildren. One of his descendents was Anna Scheibler who became the wife of Rev. T. F. Stauffer, one of the superintendents of St. Paul's Orphans' Home. Jacob Beamer, with two brothers, came to America from Switzerland about 1770 and settled near Hagers- town, Md. His son, John Beamer, settled in Westmore- land, County, Pa., many years ago, and among his des- cendents were Elder Henry Beamer of the Denmark- Manor, and Elder Michael Beamer of the Brush Creek and later, the Manor Station Reformed Church. One of the early Beamers donated land in Franklin Twp., West- moreland County, Pa., upon which was erected the Beam- er's or Olive Reformed Church. William J. Beamer of Ma- nor is one of the present representatives of the Beamer family. Three brothers by the name of Hugus, probably Hughes at first, came from France, early in the XVIII Century, and settled in Browne County, Pa., whence one of them or his descendents emigrated to Westmoreland County, Pa., where Jacob, or Jacob Paul, Hugus, was born, and where he died at the age of 83 years. He was a clock- maker by trade. He had a son, John, who was an elder in St. Paul's Reformed Church near Pleasant Unity, for many years, and he had a son, George R. Hugus, who was also an elder in St. Paul's Church. One of Jacob Hugus' daughters, Susan D. Hugus, married Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, and another daughter, Mary Magdalena Hugus, married Rev. Henry Koch, the pioneer Reformed min- 38 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod ister of Clarion County, Pa. John Hugus married Miss Rebecca Hacke, a sister of Rev. N. P. Hacke. Daniel Hugus, another son of Jacob Hugus, was the senior member of the firm of Hugus and Hacke, drygoods mer- chants in Pittsburgh. The Kunkles in the Reformed Church in Greensburg are descendents of a Mr. Jacob Kunkle who came to the United States from Germany and settled in one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, but afterwards lived in Westmoreland County as a farmer for some years, and then, returned to the East. He left a son, who spent his life in Westmoreland County. His son, Michael, was a major in a Westmoreland County regiment. His son, Amos, m.arried Sarah, a daughter of Jacob Kepple of Stony Springs, by whom he had eight children, among whom are John E. Kunkle, Esq., William A. Kunkle, Esq., and Mary M., wife of Joseph Robinson, of Greensburg. John E. Kunkle is an elder in the First Reformed Church of Greensburg and Superintendent of the Sunday School and President of the Board of Directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home of the Pittsburgh Synod, located at Greenville, Pa. The first man by the name of Waugaman, John Wauga- man came from Northampton County to Westmoreland County probably about 1770, when he was a young man. He had five sons and two daughters. One of these sons, named Peter, whose wife's name was Hall, was the father of John, Peter, Uriah, Hezekiah, Asa, and Boaz Wauga- man. Hezekiah Waugaman married Catherine Lauflfer, and they had nine sons and four daughters. Some thirty years ago Hezekiah Waugaman and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and their children were all present except one daughter, who died early, and the parents and nine sons and three daughters, with their pastor. Rev. Dr. A. E. Truxal, sat at one table at the anniversary dinner. Rev. S. U. Waugaman is a son of Hezekiah and Catherine Waugaman, and two of his sons are graduates of the Mercersburg Academy and Franklin and Marshall College. The original John Waugaman and quite a number of his descendents are buried in the ceme- Early Reformed Settlers 39 tery connected with the Denmark Manor Reformed Church. The Lauffers, of whom there are a great many in Pennsylvania lived in the Rhine country, from which they were scattered by French invasions and cruelties. There is a Lauffer Street, Gate, and Clocktower in Nuremburg. Near Strassburg there is a village of 400 inhabitants named Lauffer. Among emigrants coming to America in 1751, as learned from official records, were Michael, Michael J., Mathias, Christian, and John Lauffer. In 1771, Christian Lauffer bought 40 acres of land in North- ampton County. He came to Westmoreland County in 1774, and is the ancestor of the Westmoreland County Lauffers. He was born about 1730 and died about 1800, and was the father of eleven children. Among his des- cendents was John Lauffer of Harrison City, who died Jan. 14th, 1904, aged 100 years, 11 months and 19 days; Rev. Frank E. Lauffer, Ph, D., Charles A. Lauffer, A. M., M. D., a distinguished physician of Pittsburgh, and H. A. Lauffer, president of a bank in Jeannette. The Lauff- ers are of the Reformed faith. The above sketches are but specimens of what might be written of prominent names in the Reformed Church, and families who make up the membership of the congre- gations in Western Pennsylvania, had full family and church records been made and preserved. But they were not, and in most cases it is impossible to tell at what date the ancestors of most of our people left Europe, or when the representatives of any particular family came to this section of the church, or whether there was one person or two brothers or three brothers. There seems to be a tradition in many families that there were three brothers possibly psycologically based on the fact that Noah had three sons, whose descendents peopled the earth, after the flood. In fact there is a story that three brothers by the name of Klein came to Pennsylvania from Ger- many in early times, one of whom translated his name into Little, another became Small, and the third kept the name. Klein. We have a host of Littles, and Smalls and Kleins, all of German origin, and all, accord- 40 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod ing to this story, descended from these three brothers. The Klines and Clines in this district may also be des- cendents of these brothers. It is also the fact that in a book like this it would be impossible to give even an eight or ten line sketch of every prominent family in the constituency of the Pittsburgh Synod, were the information at hand upon which to draw for such sketches. But the following list of names is given as among those common in the Re- formed congregations in this section, many of which go back to early times. But it is not claimed that the list is at all complete. Some of these names are not German, which shows that people of other nationalities also early became identified with the Reformed Church. Adams, Albert, Alleman, Alshouse, Alt, Ament, Arma- gost, Arner, Asch, Ashbaugh, Aurand; Bachman, Baer, Bair, Baker, Bargerstock, Barnhart, Bartholomew, Ba- sore, Bauerschmidt, Baum, Baumer, Beam, Beamer, Bean, Beck, Benn, Bieghley, Biehler, Bigle, Blakely, Beishouse, Beitler, Bender, Berlin, Best, Biesecker, Bittenbender, Blumer, Bortz, Bousch, Bowling, Bowman, Boyer, Brant, Brendle, Brinker, Brown, Brubaker, Bucheit, Burger, Bushyager, Byerly, Byers; Christman, Chorpenning, Cort, Coleman, Countryman, Clue, Craft, Cribbs, Coghe- nour. Crick, Crissinger, Crock, Croushore, Crum; Dan- nenfels, Daniel, Datz, Daubenspeck, Davis, Dell, Delo, Delp, Denver, Diechman, Dieffenbacher, Dieffenderfer, Diehl, Doverspike, Drexler, Drum; Eberhart, Edmonds, Ehrgott, Eichbaum, Eisaman, Engle, Erret, Everett, Ellenberger; Fahringer, Felgar, Fennel, Fisher, Flick, Fleiger, Foch, Fogle, Foight, Foust, Fox, Frantz, Frei, Frey, Fritz, Fulmer; Garner, Geier, George, Glatfelty, Glessner, Glunt, Good, Goodlin, Goodman, Graff, Gress, Grim, Grindlesperger, Gross, Guntrum; Haag, Hahn, Hale, Handshew, Hamm, Hartman, Hartzell, Hawn, Hawk, Hay, Hecker, Heeter, Heile, Heins, Henry, Hepler, Herschberger, Hess, Hetrick, Hershey, Hicks, Highberg- er, Hill, Hillegas, Hilliard, Hoffman, Horner, Horning, Huber, Hugus ; Jemison, Johnson ; Kaster, Kaufer, Keef- er. Keener, Kegg, Keifer, Keihl, Keil, Keim, Kemerer, Early Reformed Settlers 41 Kemp, Kern, Kerschner, Kimmel, King, Kistler, Kline, Klingensmith, Klinger, Knappenberger, Knecht, Knight, Knepper, Knoble, Knorr, Koehler, Koen^g, Krick, Kuhns, Kunkle, Lauffer, Laver, Leighty, Lehart, Leppley, Lo- bach, Lohengeier, Long, Lorah, Lorentz, Lott, Loughner, Lowe; Marchand, Martz, Master, Mays, Meals, Mehr- wein, Meyers, Miller, Moesta, Mohney, Mong, Moore, Mowry, Moyer, Musser; Naly, Neely, Neleigh, Negly, Nicely, Nolf; Ogden, Otto, Otting; Painter, Perkins, Peterman, Philips, Piper, Polliard, Pontius, Poole, Poor- baugh, Poorman, Poschman; Reamer, Rearich, Reefer, Reimer, Reimold, Reiter, Reitz, Remsburg, Riegel, Riegel- man, Riegert, Ritz, Rhodes, Rodemoyer, Root, Rosensteel, Ruhlman, Rumbaugh, Rumeiser, Rupert, Ruprecht; Sandles, Saxman, Schaeffer, Schaener, Scheibler, Schick, Scherer, Schmertz, Schoch, Schoup, Schmethers, Schreck- engost, Schucker, Schlabbig, Schweitzer, Seiple, Siebert, Siegfried, Siegrist, Sigworth, Sing, Siveling, Shannon, Shirey, Schrum, Shupe, Shoemaker, Slaugenhoupt, Small, Smith, Snyder, Snair, Stahl, Stahlsmith, Stauffer, Stein- man, Stoyer, Stopp, Swope ; Texter, Thomas, Troutman, Truby, Truxal, Turney ; Utzinger ; Vensel, Voigt ; Walter, Walthour, Walton, Wasser, Waugaman, Weaver, Weber, Weil, Weller, Weible, Weitzel, Welty, Wentling, Wentzel, Werner, Whitehead, Whitmore, Wiant, Wiester, Will, Willhelm, Wingard, Williams ; Yockey, Yeany, Yingling ; Zeigler, Zimmerman, Zimmers, Zumpstein. CHAPTER VIII Church Beginnings The first Reformed minister who is known to have held divine services in Western Pennsylvania was Rev. John Conrad Bucher. He was born in the district of Neukirch in the Canton of Schaufhausen, Switzerland, June 30th, 1730. He was educated for the ministry, and took the highest honors in the schools which he attended. He was also inclined to a soldier's life, and at the age of 25 entered the military service of Holland, and later, that of England. He was Captain and Adjutant in a Pennsylvania regiment of foot in 1764, and was with Col. Boquet in that year. About the year 1762 he was also inducted into the ministry. He preached at Forts Bedford, Redstone, Ligonier, Pitt, and other places, at least occasionally, from 1764 to 1768. From this time to the end of his life, in 1780, he served many congre- gations in the Cumberland and Lebanon valleys. He may be said to have laid the foundations of the Reformed Church in the region now covered by the Pittsburgh Synod. The people were then visited from time to time by traveling missionaries who were sent by the Coetus to preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments to the scattered sheep of the Reformed household, of faith in the south and west. It is known that Rev. Isaac Gerhart, during his theological studies, which closed in 1813, spent 3 months in missionary work in Western Pennsylvania. Others before and after his time did the Skme thing. In the absence of an ordained minister the school teachers often conducted divine service, reading prayers from their prayerbooks and sermons from sermon books, and leading the people in singing. The school teacher also, in some places, baptized the children. Balthasar Myer, a German schoolmaster, started the first Congregational 42 Church Beginnings 43 Record of Harrolds Church, near Greensburg, begun in 1771, in which he gives the names of children bap- tized by himself. The first Baptism recorded is that of Peter, son of Anthony and Elizabeth Walter, born Sept. 11th, 1771; baptized Aug. 2nd, 1772. There is also an old Church Record belonging to the Reformed Congre- gation in Berlin, Somerset County, Pa., on the title page of which is this sentence: "Church Book of both the Evangelical Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed Congrega;tions in the Glades, Brothers' Valley Town- ship, Bedford County, Province of Pa. — written in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1777." The following minute is found in this book: "Both congregations re- solved together to build a decent schoolhouse where their children may be instructed in the word and grace of God, where also from time to time service may be held, at which the school-teacher, or, if there should be none, some member of either congregation, shall read prayers, as well as a sermon and where also sermons may be preached and the Holy Sacraments administered by visiting mini- sters in regular connection with the very Reverend Coetus of the Reformed and Ministerium of the Lutheran Church." The first baptismal entry in this Record is dated Oct. 9th, 1777. The child baptized was Sophia, a daughter of Heinrich Glessner, born March 7th, 1777. Sixteen others were baptized on the same day; and from the 10th to the 15th of October twenty-six more were bap- tized. The next entry was made on Sept. 30, 1779. It is to be regretted that the names of the visiting ministers who administered these baptisms, are not given. It is altogether likely that these traveling preachers or some of them, extended their journeys into other sections of this territory. But there seems to be no account any- where of their having done so. In fact, no other Church Book, except the two mentioned, goes back further than 1782. The Coetus which convened in Reading in May, 1782, received a request from the people of Western Penn- sylvania for a minister to settle permanently among them. 44 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod John William Weber had come from Germany to America as a school teacher in 1764, and was ordained to the ministry in 1772, and for a time served congregations in Northampton County. Some of his relatives had gone to Western Pennsylvania, and he expressed an inclina- tion to respond to this call and was appointed to do so. In the minutes of Coetus for 1782 is found this entry: "A congregation in Westmoreland County, a district near Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, a new settlement, where there was no German minister heretofore, very earnest- ly petitioned for an able minister, whom it promised eighty pounds annually, together with other necessaries of life. Since Mr. Weber showed an inclination for this congregation, the Reverend Coetus resolved to recom- mend him, so that he may receive a regular call to the place." In a document drawn up by Mr. Weber in March, 1814, he gives the following history : "In the year 1782, I was sent by Coetus to Westmoreland County, Pa., to visit the congregations there and privilege was given me to become their pastor if they should call me. I arrived on the ground in September of that year; preached in all the congregations in Westmoreland County, Pa., on to Pittsburgh ,and afterwards in Washington and Fayette Counties, returning again to Westmoreland County on the 14th of October. Four men, as Elders and Deacons, came to me in the house of Mr. Thomas, and requested me to accept a call to come and labor among them. . . They offered me 116 pounds in money, one hundred bushels of wheat, a free house, and firewood, annually." Mr. Weber accepted this call, and the next spring a Mr. Fiskeys, from the neighborhood of Pleasant Unity, went with a team to Northampton County to move him and his family to the West, and he became the first set- tled Reformed pastor west of the Allegheny Mountains. It seems, however, that the people, in their enthusiasm over getting a regular pastor, promised him more salary than they were, morally or financially, able to pay. In the brief account of his life, quoted from above, Mr. Weber says that the temporal contract was never alto- Church Beginnings 45 gether fulfilled. No suitable house could be found for him, and so, after some time, he bought a farm on Sewick- ley Creek and lived upon it the remainder of his lifetime. He was twice married, the first time in 1767 to Maria Agnes Born, a native of Baden-Baden, Germany, who died in 1784, the second time to Anna Maria Robinson. He had, in all, eighteen children. It seems to have been con- sidered the proper thing in those days, in this part of the country, for the minister to have a farm. The early Presbyterian pastors, and some of the Lutheran pastors also had farms. While the husband and father was attending to the duties of his calling, and was often absent on long pastoral and preaching trips, his wife and child- ren would earn part of the living of the family by culti- vating the soil. Rev. Mr. Weber had not only charge of the four con- gregations which called him as their pastor, but he made frequent missionary journeys into Fayette, Somerset, Washington, Allegheny, Armstrong, Indiana, Butler, Clarion, and Crawford Counties, or into the territory afterwards organized into these counties, to^ preach the gospel, baptize the children, instruct and confirm the youths, and administer the communion. In fact all of the "Back Parts of Pennsylvania," that is, all of the state west of the Allegheny mountains, seems to have been included in his field of labor. In these journeys he carried a rifle to defend himself against the Indians and wild animals, and preached in school-houses and log cabins, or in the open air. People went long distances to divine service in those days. Many young people came and remained with friends near the churches for months, to attend catechetical instruction, and only re- turned to their homes after the confirmation and com- munion were over. Most of them, no doubt, spoke only the German language and needed to be taught in that tongue. Rev. Weber is said to have been the pastor of the Berlin congregation in 1788, although, owing to his distance from the place and his large field of labor, he was unable properly to discharge the duties of the office here. He also preached, about that time, in other parts 46 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod of Somerset County, and probably organized the con- gregation at Salisbury. Rev. Mr. Weber preached at Harrolds, Brush Creek, St. Pauls, near Pleasant Unity, St. Johns or Kintigs, near Mt. Pleasant, and also in Pittsburgh for 12 years pretty regularly, and at a number of other places at long intervals until July, 1816, when he was called to his reward. He was buried in the Milliron. graveyard, about five miles south of Greensburg, where the Reformed Church once had a house of worship and still has a farm of 75 Va acres. There was a small congregation here at one time, an offspring largely of the Harrold's congre- gation, to which most of the members finally returned. His grave was unmarked for many years, but finally a monument, made of Peterhead Granite, was erected over his remains, at an expense of 450 dollars. It was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies on the 20th of June, 1874. The committee to bring this about consisted of Rev. J. W. Love, Rev. Dr. N. P. Hacke, and Elder John Truxal. The services were held in the old log church near the graveyard. The trustees of this property are appointed by the Court of Westmoreland County, and are at pre- sent members of the Seanors congregation. In 1796 a congregation was organized in Greensburg under Father Weber's administration, by people wor- shiping up to this time at Harrold's and other places. In 1808 the people in the Denmark Manor valley came together and organized a congregation and soon after- wards built a church. The Emmanuels, or Hills con- gregation came into existence in 1828. These were Union or Reformed and Lutheran Churches. The Reformed people from as far north as the Kiskeminetas River, at first traveled all the way to Brush Creek, and later to Manor church, to attend divine service. In 1788 a man by the name of Cyriacus Spangenberg, who had been a Hessian soldier in the Revolutionary War, and who had sought ordination in vain from the Reformed Coetus in 1783, and again in 1784, and who was finally ordained by an independent preacher by the name of Jacob Michael, came to Berlin and took charge Church Beginnings 47 in an irregular way of the church. He preached here and at Bedford, Salisbury, and probably at other places until 1794, when at a congregational meeting he mur- dered one of the elders, a Mr. Glessner, by plunging a knife into his heart. For this crime Mr. Spangenberg was hanged at Bedford on October 10th, 1795. This was a severe blow to the Reformed Church in Somerset County. After Spangenberg came Rev. Henry Giesey, who la- bored in the county of Somerset, the only Reformed mini- ster there, for 23 years. He was born in Lichtenau, Saxony, Germany, April 13, 1757, was thoroughly edu- cated for the ministry in a gymnasium at Heresfeld and in the University of Marbourg. He came to America in 1776, was ordained in 1782, and after laboring for 12 years in Loudon County, Virginia,- came to Berlin in 1794. His first baptismal entry bears date April 26th, 1795. He preached at Bedford, Berlin, and Salisbury, and made missionary journeys into Fayette and West- moreland Counties. He organized churches at Somerset, Centreville, Stoystown, Wellersburg, Levansville and Stony Creek, between 1796 and 1800. He used the Heidleberg Catechism and observed the church festivals. He was very much opposed to the introduction of Eng- lish in divine service. Father Giesey gave up the active duties of the ministry in 1833, and died in 1845, in the 88th year of his age. His body lies buried just a few rods from the doors of the Reformed Church in Berlin. A Rev. J. H. Kieffer, who was also a doctor, preached to some of these congregations from about 1818 or 1820 to 1825 or 1826, but eventually went back to the practice of medicine because it was more remunerative. In 1827-1828 Rev. H. E. F. Voigt was pastor of the Wellersberg and of the Bedford and two other congre- gations. From here he went to Ohio for about four years, and then settled in Westmoreland County, Pa. In 1831 Rev. Herman G. Ibbaken, a native of Olden- berg, Germany, a pious and learned man, took charge of a number of the congregations previously served by Father Giesey, and others. He was pastor of the Somer- 48 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod set charge, consisting of from 7 to 10 congregations, until his death in 1844. He was an excellent man, beloved by all whe knew him, and accomplished much for the Reform- ed church in Somerset County, but he was never able to conduct service in the English language, which fact was somewhat of a hindrance to his uselfulness. There should have been some English preaching in the town of Somerset and throughout the County, from about the year 1820. A Rev. Jacob Siegmund Regnier served the Berlin charge — the Berlin, Salisbury and Stoystown congre- gations — from Nov. 3rd, 1833, for about a year. He was succeeded by Rev. Solomon R. Denius, who labored in Berlin and the neighboring congregations for six years. He was scholarly and had a well balanced mind, having studied under Rev. Dr. C. L. Becker of Baltimore- and Rev. Jacob Geiger of Manchester, Md., for over seven years. At Berlin he confirmed 130 members and bap- tized over 100 children. He introduced the E'liglish language in the services in Berlin. At the close of his pastorate here he went west and served several charges dying at the age of 80 years. Rev. William Conrad, who graduated at the Seminary at York in 1835 became pastor the same year of the Salis- bury and Grantsville and neighboring congregations. In 1841 he became pastor of the Berlin charge where he labored until 1859, a period of 18 years. He served the Beam charge for three years, until September, 1862, when he retired, dying in Berlin in 1865, at the age of 56 years. He was animated by a missionary spirit and was abun- dant in labors. While the changes mentioned were taking place in what is now Somerset Classis, history was being made also in other parts of the church in this section. After the death of Rev. John WilKam Weber, Rev. Henry N. B. Habliston, who had studied u^nder Rev. Christian Ludwig Becker, D. D. in Baltimore, served Rev. Weber's congregations from 1816 to 1819. During this pastorate new life was infused into the several congregations. Many young people were confirmed and large additions Church Beginnings 49 were made to the membership. After a successful but brief pas,torate, Rev. Habliston withdrew and moved farther west. Soon after Rev. Mr. Habliston went to Greensburg, an- other of Dr. Becker's students, Rev, William Weinel, who had been licensed to preach by the Synod at Easton in 1815, and ordered to go as a missionary to North Carolina, somehow drifted to Wester!n Pennsylvania. During the next meeting of Synod at New Holland in 1816, a letter was read purporting to be a call to Mr. Weinel from congregations' in Westmoreland County. Mr. Weinel's course was not entirely approved of, but he was permitted to minister to these Westmoreland con- gregations. He was ordained at a meeting of Synod in 1819 at Lancaster, Pa. Rev. Weinel served congregations at Mt. Pleasant, Schwab's, Kindig's, Ligonier Valley, Muehleison's, Zeh- ner's, Yockey's, and Boehmer's. The charge was changed from time to time. He lived at one time on the church farm at Muehleison's, and later on a farm near Leech- burg. He also served congregations in Armstrong County namely: Zion's, Franze's, and Eisaman's, and Hill's in Westmoreland County. He labored up to 1854 and died Jan. 28th, 1865, aged 84 years and one day. Father Weinel's education was somewhat limited and his qualifications for the ministry somewhat defective; but he could use the training he had and the knowledge he possessed to very good advantage. He had a strong and musical voice, which did him great service, both in the pulpit and in leading the singing of the congregation. His health was excellent. There was no end to his en- durance of bad weather and work. He was very plain in his habits and dress. Strangers took him for a tiller of the soil rather than a minister of the gospel. He was fond of riding fast and cracking a whip. Often when riding through the woods he would sing with a clear loud voice. His address was not the most polished, but there was not lacking a kind and generous heart beneath the somewhat rough exterior. His memory was long held in grateful esteem by the people whom he faithfully 50 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod served in the gospel and by others who enjoyed the pleas- ure of his acquaintance. Between the withdrawal of Rev. Weinel and the com- ing of Rev. Voigt, a Rev. Adam Beyer, or Bayer, served the congregations about Mt. Pleasant for a year or more, and there is also mention made of a Rev. C. Zwidler, who according to the records held two communions at Schwab's or Zion's Church in 1829. Rev. Mr. Aurant went to Huntington County in 1803-4. It is said that he preached also in Washington and Alle- gheny Counties. Rev. Mr. Mahnenschmidt preached in Washington County, 1806-1812. The Germans in Wash- ington County, however, seem to have been too few in number to maintain congregations permanently. Mr. Mahhenschmidt also from Ohio, later, visited North- western Pennsylvania, especially Mercer County, occa- sionally. In 1811, he went to the Synod for license. He had been preaching, and baptizing without license up to this time. He was then licensed as a catechist. In 1812 he was licensed to preach and in 1817 was ordained. In 1813 the Synod ordered that all licentiates before accepting a congregation should make missionary tours for two or three months under the direction of Synod, and that all pastors should take up collections to pay the traveling expenses of these missionaries. Isaac Gerhart as mentioned before, during his theological studies in Philadelphia which closed in 1813, spent three months in missionary work in Western Pennsylvania. In October, 1819, Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, another of Dr. Becker's students, came to Greensburg and as- sumed the pastorate of what came to be called the 1st Greensburg charge, in which he continued until October, 1877, a period of 58 years. This was a remark- able pastorate and Dr. Hacke was a remarkable man. He was born in Baltimore, but was sent at an early age to Germany for his preparatory schooling, and later studied under Dr. Christian Ludwig Becker, and after his death, under his son Rev. Dr. J. C. Becker. He became a minister when he was 19 years old, and conducted service, of course, at first exclusively in German, but Church Beginnings 51 twenty years before his death he introduced English. He was a fine christian gentleman, well educated, one of the leading citizens of Greensburg and Westmoreland County, the equal of the best ministers, lawyers, doctors, and business men, by whom he was surrounded. He was a fine preacher and pastor, and the congregations pros- pered greatly under his ministry. Rev. Henry Earnest Frederick Voigt was the son of a Reformed minister in Germany. He received a univer- sity education. He came to America in 1826 and settled at Mt. Pleasant in 1833, and became pastor of a large number of small congregations having at one time as high as eleven preaching points. He retired from the ministry in 1864, but preached German occasionally for his successors until shortly before his death, which oc- curred on the 14th of January, 1875. In course of time several preaching points were given up and several small congregations became extinct, such as: Milliron, Donegal, Indian Creek, Barren Run, and the Forks, but these losses were made up, more than ten times over, by new congregations, some of them, organi- zed in new towns, such as : The Second and Third Greens- burg churches, Irwin, Latrobe, Manor Station, Harrison City, Larimer, Jeannette, Trafford City, Grace, St. Marks M'emorial, St. Paul's, Church of the Ascension, and Christ Church, Pittsburgh, Trinity Church, Wilkinsburg, Trinity Church, New Kensington, Calvary, Turtle Creek, First Church, Homestead, Grace Church, Duquesne, First Church, McKeesport, First Church, Pitcairn, Churches in Greenville, Butler, Johnstown, Kittanning, Evans City, Zelienople, Apollo, Vandergrift, Cumberland, Dubois, and a number of other places. The ministers also multiplied as the membership increased and as more congregations were organized. In 1783 there was but one settled minis- ter, Rev. John William Weber, in this whole territory. In 1843, sixty years later, there were ten, namely : Revs. N. P. Hacke, William Conrad, H. G. Ibbeken,William Weinel, H. E. F. Voigt, H. Knepper, H. Koch, G. Leidy, P. Zeiser, and J. Althouse. And now sixty years later still, there are 111. Many of the early settlers of what is now Clarion and 52 The History of the Pittsbukgh Synod neighboring counties were Germans from Lehigh, Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, Lancaster, and Northampton coun- ties, east of the mountains, and from Germany and Swit- zerland and were members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches. Rev. John William Weber, who located in Westmoreland County in 1882 visited these people oc- casionally and preached for ^them and baptized their children. Rev. William Weinel also, who came to West- moreland County in 1815, and Rev. Henry Habliston, who came in 1816, made missionary journeys to this part of the country. In the fall of 1819, Rev. Henry Koch, who was a young man fresh from Rev. Dr. Jacob Chris- tian Becker's private theological school in Northampton County, located in Clarion County and organized a con- gregation in Beaver Township, named St. Paul's in 1820, St. John's near Curllsville, about the same time, and later the St. Peter's congregation at St. Petersburg, the Salem congregation in Limestone township, and the Jerusalem congregation at Rimersburg. In 1845 Rev. Koch died and Rev. Henry Hoffman succeeded him. He organized the Salem congregation in Salem toMmship. In 1846 Rev. L. D. Lebernian came west and took charge of the congregations south of the Clarion River, and or- ganized additional congregations at Mt. Zion, north of Callensburg, at Squirrel Hill and at Shannondale and several in Jefferson and Armstrong Counties. In 1848 Rev. George Wolf entered the field and took part of Rev. Leberman's charge, and served until 1853. About the year 1822 some families from Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, and other eastern Counties settled in Venango, Mercer and Crawford counties. There were no churches within 40 or 50 miles of them. Revs. Mahn- enschmidt and Sonendecker, who were located in Trum- bal County, Ohio, visited these people, occasionally, preaching at a place called Zions in Wolfcreek township, in Mercer County, eight miles south of the town of Mercer and at another place called Good Hope, two miles south- west of Greenville. The children were baptized and the young people catechised and the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered by them. Church Beginnings 03 In 1825 Rev. Philip Zeiser came to Mercer County and organized the people at Zions and at Good Hope into congregations and also a third congregation at Con- neaut Lake, in Crawford County. The next year, 1826, a congregation was organized in Meadville, made up mostly of European Germans. These congregations, em- bracing a territory of 52 miles in length, with about 75 communicant members constituted Rev. Zeiser's field of labor until the year 1829. In 1830 the Reichels con- gregation in Crawford County, came into existence, and in 1831 the Jerusalem congregation in Hickory Township Mercer County, was added to the charge. In 1837 Christ's Church on "German Hill" six miles south of Meadville, made up of European Germans, was organized. In the same year St. John's, halfway between Greenville and Mercer, and in 1843 another, named Salem, in Salem Township, Mercer County, came into existence. Rev. Zeiser thus organized 10 congregations in 18 years. The congregations were small and the membership poor in worldly goods. In 1832 a Rev. William Schultz, a Luth- eran preacher, organized a Lutheran and Reformed con- gregation in Saegertown, of which Rev. Zeiser also be- came pastor in 1833. In 1843 Rev. Benjamen Boyer accepted a call to Saeger- town, Reichels, Meadville, and a new point known as Watson Run. Rev. Zeiser continued to serve the rest of the charge until 1848 when failing health compelled his resignation. At this time Rev. Boyer resigned and was succeeded in the Saegertov^ni charge by Rev. D. B. Ernst, whilst he became pastor of the Mercer County congregations until 1853 when he was succeeded by Rev. Frederick Wahl, who served here until 1856, when Rev. Henry F. Hartman became pastor. The churches flour- ished under Rev. Hartman's labors, new congregations were organized at Greenville and New Hamburg, and the Salem congregation on the Mercer and Butler pike was revived, and the Mercer Mission constituted, with Rev. D. D. Leherman as pastor. Such in brief were the beginnings of the Reformed church in the territory of the Pittsburgh Synod. CHAPTER IX. The Pioneers. Rev. John William Weber The first settled Reformed minister in Western Penn- sylvania was Rev. John William Weber. Mr. Weber was born in the province of Wittgenstein, Germany, March 5th, 1735. He was a school-teacher in his native land. He came to America in 1764. He was married, October 5th, 1767, in Falkner Swamp, Mont- gomery County, Pa., to Maria Agnes Born, a native of Baden-Baden, Germany. She died July 25, 1784. After- wards Mr. Weber married Anna Maria Robinson. He had eighteen children. Coming to this country, he also engaged in school teaching for some years. There was a great dearth of ministers at that time; and in many places the school teacher gathered the people together on the Lord's day and read the bible, led in singing and prayer and read them a sermon, in other words, conducted religious ser- vice. In some places he even baptized the children. In a number of cases these pious school teachers, after such experiences for some years, entered the ministry reg- ularly, being licensed, first as catechists, then to preach, and finally licensed and ordained as regular ministers of the gospel. In the letters of Coetus to Holland for 1771, this para- graph appears : "In this connection we must also inform the Reverend Fathers that another man, also a schoolmas- ter, by the name of Weber, appeared before the Reverend Coetus and requested to be examined in divine truth, and, if found capable and sound in doctrine, to be allowed to supply with preaching and catechization those con- gregations that are without ministers and where such supply is necessary. After Mr. Weber had been examined by the Reverend Coetus and had given satisfaction, it was resolved in regard to him, as also with regard to 54 The Pioneers 55 Mr. Steiner, to allow him to preach and catechize in congregations where it is necessary, but at present to hold out to him no hope of ordination. He shall also be under the supervision of the nearest ministers, who shall carefully watch his doctrine, life, and conduct. Whatever else shall be done with regard to Mr. Weber, we expect to learn from the Reverend Fathers." The church in America was then under the jurisdiction of the church in Holland, to which annual reports were sent, and the above is an extract from the report for 1771. The report for 1772 contains this : "The brethren Wack, Weber, Neveling, Wagner, and Steiner, who were examined last year by the Coetus held in Reading, ap- peared and, partly themselves, partly their congregations which they served thus far, petitioned Coetus for ordi- nation. At first they were put off with hopes for next year, since by that time we expect an answer from the Reverend Fathers in regard to them. However, on ac- count of the earnest petition of their congregations and the representation of their great need, that, although they had a minister in their midst, yet at baptism and other ministerial acts they were obliged to look elsewhere for an ordained minister, and thus were only supplied with preaching, and concerning the administration of the Sacraments they must still be regarded as vacant, therefore the Reverend Coetus finally resolved to proceed as follows: "Resolved: The brethren named above (according to the resolution passed in 1771 at the Coetus held in Read- ing) shall once more be examined, peremptorily. The place where this shall be done shall be at the home of the President, Do. Faber. Dos. Wayburg, Faber, Gross, and Pomp were chosen as examiners. If the result shall be satisfactory to the examiners, the ordination shall take place." In the Coetal letter sent to Holland in 1774, this pas- sage occurs: "You will no doubt remember that the candidates Neveling, Wack, Wagner, Steiner, and Weber, 56 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod after having passed the examination, were received into the holy ministry." The Fathers in Holland expressed their disapproval of the admission of these candidates into the ministry by the Coetus, without first obtaining their consent. But later they modified their action, for in the Coetal letter of 1775 we find this sentence : "Your Reverences prove, first of all, your continued affection, in that you have not entirely disapproved of our proceedings concerning the reception of the five candidates, Dos. Neveling, Wack, Wagner, Steiner, and Weber, into the holy ministry. Urgent necessity compelled us to take this step." It might be said here, in passing, that the Holland Fathers insisted that the Coetus should not ordain men to the ministry without first submitting each case to them. For years the Coetus did that. But afterwards, from time to time^ transgressed the rule, and finally in 1793 ceased to report its proceedings to the Fathers across the ocean ; and so, from that time forward, became an inde- pendent church, and met in Synod, with full legislative power, instead of as a Coetus, that word meaning Con- ference. Soon after his ordination, obtained with difficulty and delay. Rev. Weber located among some destitute congre- gations near the Wind Gap in Northampton County. In the minutes of 1776 he is reported as pastor in Plainfield, Greenwich, Hanolden, Hamilton, and Mount Bethel, and having under his pastoral care 120 families, and 50 pupils and as having baptized 50 and confirmed 15. It was resolved that Rev. Weber should remain with these con- gregations as long as they give him the necessary support. In the minutes of 1782 he is reported as pastor of Plain- field and Hamilton, and as having 65 families, and one school and 40 pupils, and as having baptized 25 and confirmed one. Several congregations had apparently been detached from his charge. Mr. Shoepf , a German traveler in America, relates that in August, 1782, he went from Philadelphia to the Wy- oming Valley and that he remained over night two miles north of Wind Gap, and passed several farms occupied The Pioneers 57 by Germans and a small log church which had been built by Lutherans and German Reformed; and that a Rev. Weber had last served this congregation ; but that he lost the affection of the people, because he preached too much about the w^ar, that they withdrew their support from him and he was under the necessity to leave, and that he had gone to Pittsburgh. The Coetus met in Reading in May, 1782 ; and in the minutes of that year it is recorded : "A congregation in Westmoreland County, near Pittsburgh, a new settlement where there was no German minister heretofore, very earnestly petitioned for an able minister, whom it prom- ised eighty pounds annually, together with other necessi- ties of life. Since Mr. Weber showed an inclination for this congregation, the Reverend Coetus resolved to recom- mend him, so that he may receive a regular call to the place." In a letter to the present writer, dated Nov. 24, 1876, Dr. Hacke wrote of the St. Paul's Congregation, near Pleasant Unity, in Westmoreland County: "The first church in v/hich the congregation worshipped was built upon the farm formerly owned by Casper Weaver, a relative of Rev. Weber ; the largest number of Reformed members, principally from Northampton County, where Rev. Weber preached in the first years of his ministry, resided in this neighborhood ; the so-called Sewickley settlement was at an early day very German ; Rev. Weber soon after his arrival in these parts, is known to have held catechisation in the vicinity of the first and second churches; and, lastly, a Mr. Fiskeys, from this neigh- borhood, was sent with a team to Northampton County, to move Rev. Weber to Westmoreland County." These facts were given by Dr. Hacke to explain why he believed that St. Paul's was one of the four congregations which called Rev. Weber to this field. But several of them would also account for the fact stated in the quotation from the Coetal minutes, that Rev. Weber showed an inclination to this field of labor. His relatives and for- mer members in Westmoreland County may have com- 58 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod municated with him before application was made to the Coetus to send them a minister. In a document drawn up by Rev. Weber near the close of his life, dated March 28th, 1814, he gives an account of his removal to Westmoreland County, from which it is thought well to quote the following sentences: "In the year 1782 I was sent by Coetus to Westmore- land County, Pa., to visit the congregations there; and privilege was given me to become their pastor if they should call me. I arrived on the ground in September of that year, preached in all the congregations in West- moreland County, Pa., on to Pittsburgh, and afterwards in Washington and Fayette Counties, returning again to Westmoreland County on the 14th of October. Four men, as Elders and Deacons, came to see me in the house of Mr. Thomas, and requested me to accept a call to come and labor among them. I believed sincerely that it was my duty to accept their call, and remove to them, v/ith my family. The question then arose: how much salary was necessary to support me? I told them they knew best what would be required in the circumstances. Whereupon they consulted together, returned to me, and offered me 116 pounds in money, one hundred bushels of wheat, a free house, and firewood, annually. In the beginning of June, 1783, I removed with my family to Westmoreland County." Rev. Weber first moved into an old house rented for him by a Mr. Gerhart Thomas, which was so open and exposed as to cause the family considerable hardship during the following winter. Then he bought a farm, for which he went considerably in debt. The first pay- ment was 100 pounds, of which he had to borrow 60. He does not state what the whole price of the farm was, but says that his salary was not paid according to prom- ise, and that 18 years passed before he was out of debt, that he rode from 40 to 50 miles to preach to destitute congregations on week days with a view of increasing his income, that he might get out of debt, and when at The Pioneers 59 home, labored with his children to maintain his family from the land. When Mr. Weber first arrived in these parts he served regularly four congregations, one in Pittsburgh, two in Hempfield Township, Brush Creek and Harrolds, and one in Mt. Pleasant Township. In the Coetal minutes for 1783 there is this entry: "Do. Weber took charge of the con- gregations which called him at the last Coetus, namely, Fort Pitt, Hantown, Hempfield and Mt. Pleasant, in Westmoreland County, State of Pennsylvania. Dr. Harbaugh translates Hantown, Hantolon. Rev. Weber was actuated by a laudable desire to build up the church, as well as to pay the debt resting on his farm, and for this purpose made preaching trips to Washington, Somerset and Fayette Counties, and also to Armstrong, Venango, Butler and Crawford Counties ; and to him, under God,, is due the credit of planting the Re- formed church in the northern and northwestern counties of Pennsylvania. Judge Thomas Mellon in his "Life and Times" speaking of the Negly family, to which his wife belonged, and inci- dently mentioning Rev. Mr. Weber, says: "Loyalty to religion and its support is also a strongly marked feat- ure in the Negly character, which may have descended from the ancestral discipline of Zwingli. Their ancestor, Alexander was a strong supporter of the renowned Father Weber, who accomplished so much in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, at an early day, in organizing German Reformed Churches. A peculiar trait in the character of Father Weber was his forecast in obtaining and attaching to each organization of the kind a farm or large plot of ground, which contributed much in after years ^o its support. Weber was the originator of the German Reformed Church at the corner of Smithfield Street and Sixth Avenue in this city, and secured it an entire square for church purposes, which has been a source of revenue to the congregation ever since. His associates in this enterprise and among the first trustees, were Alexander Negly, John Beitler, F. Lorens, William Eichbaum and many others, whose descendents are 60 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod among our well known citizens, although not now attached to that denomination. Alexander and his family wor- shipped there during his lifetime; and he was buried where the present church edifice now stands, but his remains were afterwards removed, as already mentioned. His son, Jacob, my father-in-law, was equally liberal in the support of religion, but with common sense too strong to allow his zeal to become fanatical." When Mr. Weber first traversed this country there was still much danger in traveling, from wild beasts and Indians ; and, in riding on horseback, or traveling afoot to his appointments, he usually went armed with a musket or horse pistol. It was not until Wayne's victory in 1794, that all danger from the Indians ceased. "Mr. Weber was truly a man who sowed in tears." This servant of God was able to continue his labors to the end of his life. He preached his last sermon in St. Paul's Church near Pleasant Unity just two weeks before his death. On his return to his home he visited his son-in-law, Mr. A. Turney, in Greensburg and said to the family, he thought that would be his last visit, as he believed the time of his departure was at hand. He went home, was confined to his bed, and in two weeks died. He was buried in the graveyard at Muehleisons Church about five miles from Greensburg, on land which he had been instrumental in securing for the church. The grave- yard lies on the side of a considerable hill, along which a road passes. The funeral service at the grave, on the day of the burial, was cut short by a heavy thunder- storm. Sometime afterwards a funeral sermon was preached in the principal congregations of the charge by Rev. Henry Habliston, who became his successor. His resting place was left unmarked for nearly 60 years ; but a suitable monument was erected to his memory, at a cost of 450 dollars in 1874 by a committee of West- moreland Classis, consisting of Rev. J. W. Love, Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D., and Elder John Truxal. His age was eighty-one years, four months, and some days. In personal appearance, Mr. Weber, was a good look- The Pioneers 61 ing, portly, well formed man. The writer had a daughter of his, Miss Hannah Weaver, as a church member, in his first charge, who must have been like her father. She was tall, and well proportioned and probably fair to look upon in her youth. When he knew her she was a woman of some sixty years of age. Mr. Weber had a strong and vigorous constitution, and was able to undergo a great deal of labor and fatigue. He was of an ardent temperament, free spoken, rapid, but clear and distinct in his enunciation, while preaching, and in the habit of what is generally termed calling things by their right names. He was sensitive to injuries, and remembered them perhaps too severely, which caused him some un- happiness. He had some enemies, as well as many warm and greatly attached friends, as is generally the case with men of strong character and aggressive spirit He was remembered and favorally spoken of by his cate- chumens and others for many years after he had gone to his reward. Rev. Henry Koch. Rev. Henry Koch was the son of George and Elizabeth Hecker Koch, and was born in Allen Township, North- ampton County, Pa., August 21, 1795. His mother's genealogy has been traced back several generations and is as follows : John Wigand Hecker, of Nassau-Dillenburg, Germany, was equerry to Prince Christian of Nassau. His wife was Anna Juliana. There were eight children. Rev. John Egidius Hecker, son of John Wigand Hecker and Anna Juliana, his wife, was born Jan. 26, 1726 at Dillenburg, Germany. His wife's name was Catherine. He came to America on the ship Neptune, from Rotter- dam; James Wier, Captain. He took the oath of alle- giance to the English government in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 23d, 1751. Elizabeth Hecker, daughter of Rev. John Egidius Hecker, was born Feb. 2d, 1740. She married George Koch, who was born July 28th, 1744. George Koch was 62 The History op the Pittsbukgh Synod buried Sept. 4th, 1811, aged sixty-seven years, one month, and six days, and Mrs. Elizabeth Koch, Dec. 19th, 1824, aged eighty-four years, ten months, and fifteen days, by Rev. Thomas Pomp, of Easton, Pa. Gerlach Paul Flick, also sailed from Rotterdam to America in the ship Neptune ; James Wier, Captain, and took the oath of allegiance to England in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 23d, 1751. He located in Moore Township, Northampton County, and was buried at the Stone Church, aged eighty-seven years. Catherine Flick, daughter of Gerlach Paul Flick, mar- ried Jacob Hugus, a Frenchman and a clockmaker, who located on a farm near Greensburg, Westmoreland Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. Mary Magdelena Hugus, daughter of Jacob Hugus, married Rev. Henry Koch in 1822. Mrs. Susan D. Hugus another daughter of Jacob Hugus, married Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, a classmate of Rev. Henry Koch. When Henry Koch was sixteen years old his father died. He had attended school in Allen Township, North- ampton County. It was understood that he was to be a minister. His brothers aided him financially to take the required four years course of study at the private Theological Seminary of Rev. Christian Ludwig Becker, D. D., at Baltimore. His accounts contain the following entries: "Took with me, in 1817, 40 dollars." "Took with me to Baltimore from brother Adam, in 1818^ 45 dollars." There is a tradition in the family that he also studied under Rev. Thomas Pomp, of Easton, Pa. It is known, however, from records that after Dr. C. L. Becker's death, July 12th, 1818, he, with several other students of Dr. C. L. Becker, continued his studies under Rev. J. C. Becker, D. D., in Northampton County, Pa. In the spring of 1819 Mr. Koch and Mr. Hacke and a farmer by the name of Byers rode on horseback from Easton to Greensburg, Pa., in response to a letter which their preceptor had received from Rev. Henry Habliston of Greensburg, Pa., in which he asked that two young men might be sent, one to Westmoreland County, and the other to Venango County, to become pastors of a The Pioneers 63 large field of labor which he was leaving to go farther west. Near Greensburg the two young candidates for the ministry passed the house of Jacob Hugus, where several of his eight daughters were seen. Mr. Hacke indicated one of them and said, "There is my wife." Mr. Koch, not to be outdone, indicated another of the girls, and said : "There is my wife." This sudden choice proved to be prophetic. Each of the young men, a few years later, married the young lady, then chosen in such an impromptu way. Mr. Hacke, preached in Greensburg and the neighbor- ing congregations. He said, later: "I trembled in my boots, afraid I should be elected to go to the 'back woods' to preach." Mr. Koch, on learning the preference of his friend, said : "Stay here. Brother Hacke, and I will go to, the wilderness." He then made his way, through Saltsburg, Mahoning, Watersonville, and Catfish, to Venango County. The preaching points were Millers- town (now Chicora) , Parkers Landing, Richland (later St. Pauls, or the Stone Church), Licking (Churchville), and Redbank. At Licking he found many neighbors and friends from Northampton County. There were unor- ganized congregations and church buildings at Millers- town, Richland, where a church had been built in 1814, Licking, and Redbank. Rev. John William Weber, who came to Westmoreland County in 1782, was Lne first Reformed minister to visit this section, and minister to the settlers in spiritual things. In 1815, Rev. William Weinel visited Clarion County, baptizing the children and holding communion. Mr. Koch and Mr. Hacke returned to the east, after visiting the scenes of their future labors, and finished their studies. In the early fall they appeared before the Synod which met that year, in Lancaster, Pa., on Sept. 5th. They were examined and with eleven other young men, were licensed and ordained on Sept. 9th. The minutes of Synod record that, "Communications were received from Venango and adjacent counties request- ing that a young man named Koch be admitted to the ministry." Rev. Mr. Koch's baptismal records show that 64 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod he came to Clarion County in Sept. 1819. He must have started on the long journey from home about the first of the month, stopped over at Lancaster for his examination, licensure and ordination and then immediately pressed forward, to enter upon his work. He says, "Baptized in Richland Township, Venango County, five before my trial sermon, in September. At the same time I bap- tized in Redbank Township, in the Redbank Church, three children." In his journal these entries are also found : "Preached my trial sermon in Donegal Township, Butler County, on October 31st, 1819." "Preached my trial sermon in Richland Township, Venango County, November 7th, 1819." "Preached my trial sermon at the Licking Krick Church, November 14th, 1819." "Preached my trial ser- mon at Redbank, November 21, 1819 ; preached my trial sermon in Parker Township, at Maglens, on the first Christmas day, 1819." During the first year of Rev. Koch's ministry he board- ed with a Mr. John Kribbs. This entry is found in his Record Book: "I came to Mr. John Kribbs to board, Dec. 12th, 1819." In the history of Clarion County by Prof. A. J. Davis, there is this statement : "John Cribbs erected a large hotel at West Millville for the accommo- dation of the traveling public." In the spring of 1822 he married Mary Magdalena, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Flick) Hugus. A number of young people from his charge, among them Mr. Nicholas Berlin, rode with him on horseback to Greensburg, to be present at the ceremony. It is a his- torical coincidence that Rev. Henry Koch's bride's mother was a daughter of Gerlach Paul Flick, who came to Ameri- ca from Germany in the same ship, at the same time, with the groom's grandfather, the Rev. John Egidius Hecker, and was for many years a leading member of Rev. Hecker's church, near Petersville, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. After the marriage of Rev. Henry Koch and Mary Magdalena Hugus their first home was on the Philip Bit- tenbender farm, near Curllsville.. Later, a log house was The Pioneers 65 built for the minister and his family on the Squire George Means farm, west of Curllsville, where he resided until he bought the "Honnes" Miller farm of 50 acres, from James Carson for 250 dollars. It was originally a part of the Bingham tract. The agreement of sale was made March 6, 1828. On the same date, March 6th, 1828, an agreement was also made between the Bingham heirs and Henry Koch for 80 acres, in addition to the 50 acres of James Carson. A deed was granted for 130 acres, Dec. 25th, 1835, which deed was recorded at Kittanning, Pa., June 25th, 1845, in Deed Book Vol. 12, page 202. This later deed may have been made to clear the title, or to cover irregularities in former deeds. John Arner, whose wife, Elizabeth, was a sister of Rev. Koch, and family, came to the Arner farm, one mile south of Rimersburg, in 1827. Another sister, Re- gina, the wife of William Bartholemew, also came with her husband and family to Catfish, not very far from Rimersburg. These two sisters and their families are buried in the Rimersburg cemetery. A brother of Rev. Koch, George Koch, located on the Redbank Creek, and engaged in the lumber business. He is buried in Jeffer- son County. William, Jacob, and Caroline, children of Rev. Koch and wife, were born near Curllsville, Sarah Ann was born at Rimersburg. The Koch farm near Rimersburg is now owned and occupied by Mr. W. P. Keltz and family. Mrs. Keltz was Christina Koch, daugh- ter of William Koch, and granddaughter of Rev. Henry Koch. The people to whom Rev. Koch ministered were emi- grants from Switzerland, from the eastern part of the state, and from Westmoreland County. The country was thinly inhabited. There were no roads. Footpaths and trails for horses connected one clearing and log cabin with another. People did not think it too far to go twelve miles to divine service, with guns in their hands to defend themselves against wild animals. The country abounded in streams which were at times rapid and deep, and were without bridges. Rev. Koch's members often went 66 The Histoey of the Pittsbukgh Synod with their pastor to the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers, and with trembling hearts saw his horse plunging into the angry waves of the swollen streams. On one occa- sion, remaining absent from his family beyond the prom- ised time, on account of continued falling snow and rain, when he came to the Allegheny, he found it full of float- ing, ice, and leaving his horse, to be cared for by those who had come with him, he leaped from one cake of ice to another until he reached the further bank, and then, after waving his hand in farewell to his friends, made his way on foot to his home, where he found his family in a suffering condition. They lived two miles from the nearest neighbor at that time. On one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Hacke visited him, leaving Greensburg in a vehicle but. were compelled to cut out their way with an axe for miles to get to his house. From this it will be seen what kind of a field this devoted servant of the Lord had undertaken to cultivate and what hardships he was called upon to endure in the service of hig Master. Rev. Koch organized the St. Paul's Congregation in Beaver Township, St. John's at Churchville, Trinity on the Redbank, St. Peter's at St. Petersburg, and another at Arner's schoolhouse, which was afterwards moved to Rimersburg, and the Salem Church at Lamartine. When the church was built at Rimersburg, he preached for that congregation a year without compensation, the salary going to the purchase of a lot for the church. The honor of naming the church at Rimersburg was given to the pastor's wife. Her choice was, "New Jerusalem," but at the laying of the cornerstone the word "new" was omitted, perhaps inadvertently, by the officiating mini- sters, and was never afterwards used. This omission was always a matter of regret to Grandmother Koch, who was a member of this church to the time of her death. She outlived her husband many years. Mrs. Koch was born Dec. 14th, 1801, and died Sept. 16th, 1884. A mark- er was placed at her grave by her grandchildren on May 15th, 1919. Rev. Henry Koch was twenty-four years old when he The Pioneers 67 was ordained to the ministry. Here is a copy of his ordi- nation certificate : "Dieses, der candidat Theologie Heinrich Koch ist, nachdem er in seinem Examen faehig befunden und sich- auch eines Dieners Christi geziemenden Wandels be- fleissiget, von uns zum heiligen Predigtamt ordinirt und als ein Mitglied unserer Reformirten Synode angenom- men worden. Dieses zu bestaetigen, haben wir unser Synodal Siegel untergesetzen. So geschehen in Lancaster County im Staat Penn den 9te Septem 1819. Lewis Mayer, Pres., p. t. Samuel Helffenstein, Scriba, p. t. Physically Mr. Koch was a strong, well proportioned, firmly built man, somewhat above the average height, with blue eyes and fair skin. He was unfortunate in being bald. What hair he had was dark brown. To hide the defect of his baldness his wife arranged his hair by combing it over the bald part of his head, plaiting the ends and tucking them under. He was an earnest preacher of Christ. In one of his sermons, possibly the first he preached as pastor at the confirmation of a class of catechumens, referring to his own confirmation, he said: "That day and the feelings of my heart are now vividly before me — the occasion, when I, but a few years since, bowed my trembling knees before the altar, giving myself unreservedly to my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Oh, how awfully solemn was that moment, confessing in weakness with my mouth what my heart believed ! May the good spirit of our Lord impress you with similar feelings, so that you may confess with your mouth what your hearts really believe." Rev. Koch labored faithfully in this large field until he was called to lay down his armor to obtain the crown of life. In August, 1845, he was stricken with a malig- nant form of dysentery. It is said that he refused to take medicine during his illness. He seems to have realiz- ed from the seriousness of his condition, that there was no remedy for him. He died Aug. 7th, 1845, aged forty- nine years, eleven months and sixteen days. Before his departure he called his family and some members of his Rev. N. p. Hacke, D. D. CHAPTER X. The Pioneers — Continued. Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D. D. Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke was born in Baltimore, Md., on the 20th of September, 1800. His parents were Nicholas Hacke, Sr., and Sophia (Smith) Hacke. Nicho- las Hacke, Sr., came to America from Bremen, Germany, on the river Weser, in 1792. Mrs. Hacke was from Zwei- bruecken, on the Rhine. Nicholas P. Hacke was baptized by Rev. John H. Dreyer, a Reformed minister in Balti- more. The father destined Nicholas for the ministry, and, as Mrs. Hacke failed to speak German to the chil- dren, he was sent when quite young, one account says, at the age of six, and another, at the age of nine years, to his grandmother in Bremen, to acquire the German language in the best schools. The understanding was that he should return to America, in a few years, and continue his education in English, so that he might be able, eventually, to preach in both languages. But these plans were frustrated. He could not return when he wished to do so, on account of the war which then raged between Napoleon and the allied powers in Europe. Before this was over the war of 1812-14 broke out be- tween the United States and England. Nicholas Hacke, Sr. was a member of a military company in Baltimore, called the Green Yaegers, and shouldered his rifle, and in company with his fellow Yaegers, fought against the English at Bladensburg, Washington, and Northpoint. His business partner, who was captain of another com- pany, the Gray Yaegers, was shot down before his eyes in one of these battles. Soon after peace was declared Nicholas Hacke, Sr., went to Germany to visit his mother, brother and sisters, and to bring home his son. As the mother was very old, 69 70 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod and evidently nearing her grave, he remained until after her death, when he and the son, who was then sixteen years old, returned to Baltimore. The passage was made, of course, in a sailing vessel, and they were eight weeks on the ocean. Nicholas P. Hacke had forgotten his Eng- lish and had to take it up again almost as a foreign tongue. Whilst with his grandmother in Bremen the boy had the beneiit of an extended course of catechetical lectures under the Rev. Dr. Meyer, pastor of a Reformed Church in that city, and was confirmed as a member of the Re- formed Church at the age of thirteen years. These lec- tures and the solemnites of the confirmation service made a deep and lasting impression upon the heart and mind of the youth, and became the model of his own instruction to his catechumnes, in after years, and of the confirmation services which he conducted. Rev. Dr. Deitrich Willers and Dr. Hacke sat on the same bench in the Buerger Schule or Citizen's School of Bremen. Willers was after- wards trained for the ministry in this country by Rev. John Willam Dechant, and entered upon his work in 1820. The Reformed Church had at that time no colleges or theological seminaries in this country. Candidates for the ministry were received into their homes by well edu- cated ministers here and there, who instructed them in the different branches of theology, in a course of study running over some four years. Many of these men would have graced a professor's chair in a theological seminary, had such been in existence. They were pious and learned and thoroughly devoted to their worl: as preachers, pas- tors and instructors. Such a man, the Rev. Christian Lud- wig Becker, was pastor of a large Reformed Congregation in Baltimore, of which Nicholas Hacke, Sr., was an elder. Dr. Becker was a graduate of the University of Witten- burg, in which Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon were professors in their day. Dr. Becker had a number of students under his instruction in 1816, and to him young Nicholas P. Hacke was sent to study theology. Dr. Becker, after a somewhat prolonged illness, died on the 12th of July, 1818, and then Mr. Hacke, with a num- ber of his fellow students, went to Northampton County, The Pioneers 71 Pa., and placed himself under the instruction of Rev. Jacob Christian Becker, D. D., a son of Dr. Becker of Baltimore, who was pastor of the Stone Church, Dryland, Indian Creek, Moore Township, Chestnut Hill and Tow- amensing. The students lived with Dr. Becker in the parsonage in Kreidersville, near the Stone Church. It was the custom to have the students preach occasionally during the last year or two of their course. Mr. Hacke had preached once in Baltimore and once in York, before going to Northampton County, and while Dr. Becker was absent moving his mother and aunt from Baltimore to Kreidersville, which took him four weeks, Mr. Hacke filled his pulpit several times and conducted a number of funeral services in the charge. Early in the spring of 1819, Rev. Dr. Becker received a letter from Rev. Henry Habliston, of Greensburg, ask- ing that several students be sent to Westmoreland and Venango (Clarion) Counties, to take charge of the con- gregations in and about Greensburg, which he had just resigned, and to establish congregations in Venango (Clarion) County, where many of his members and other Reformed people, directly from the east, had settled. The matter was laid before the students, and Mr. Hacke, to whom this letter of Rev. Habliston seems to have made a strong appeal, wrote to his father for permission to respond to the overture. But his father replied that he wished him to finish his studies with Dr. Becker and then attend an English Seminary for sometime, so that he might be able to preach in both languages. But when the son wrote again and emphasized what he had been told abou,t the- spiritual destitution of these western people of the Reformed Church, and his own earnest desire to go to them as a missionary, the father withdrew his objections, and forwarded the money necessary for the journey. Mr. Hacke, then, and a classmate, by the name of Henry Koch, some of whose relatives from Northamp- ton County had lately emigrated to Venango (Clarion) County, and who was also moved to respond favorably to Rev. Habliston's appeal, started west on horseback. 72 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod accompanied by a farmer by the name of Byers, from Saucon, who wished to visit his relatives in Mt. Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County. On the second day of the journey, when they camie to Reading, it began to rain, and continued to do so for days. The travelers were soaked to the skin, and the roads were almost im- passible. There was no turnpike, or macadamized road, except a stretch of six miles east of Reading, from North- ampton County to Loudon, at the foot of the Tuscarora Mountains. Naturally the three young travelers were much discouraged. But when they reached the moun- tains the weather changed. The sun shone out in all his glory. The turnpike from Loudon to Pittsburgh was almost finished and the rest of the journey was made rather joyously. At Greensburg, they came first to Irishtown, which looked dirty and dismal, but when they reached the center of town, and could look doAvn to Dutchtown, and up and down Main Street, they had a better impression of the place. They stopped at Deneson's Tavern, and hearing nothing but English spoken they felt that they had come to the wrong place. It did not seem much like Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, and Reading, where little except German was heard on the streets. Mr. Hacke expressed his fears to Mrs. Simon Drum, who reassured him by telling him that many of the people in the country were German. Mr. Koch continued his journey to Venango (Clarion) County, and Mr. Hacke remained and preached in the congregations of the Greensburg charge, appointments having been made beforehand for services in the different churches. His first sermdn was delivered in St. Paul's Church near Pleasant Unity, on a weekday, to a small audience, composed mostly of old people. He also preach- ed at Herolds, as the name was spelled then, at Brush Creek, Denmark Manor, and Greensburg. At Manor Church he had a large audience, as the service was held on Sunday. At Greensburg the service was held on Sunday also, and in the Courthouse, as the congregation was engaged in building a new church, and the audience The Pioneers "^3 was quite large. The congregations gave Mr. Hacke a call to become their pastor, but offered him no stipulated salary, but only what the deacons should be able to col- lect. In Clarion County Mr. Koch preached at a number of points, and, as ^there were no organized, congregations there, the people in general gave him a letter, desiring him to come into the district and become their pastor, and organize them into congregations. He returned to Greens- burg, in a few weeks, and the two young men went back to Northampton County, by way of the Northern Pike, and through a tovra now called Mauch Chunk and through the Watergap of the Lehigh. They pursued their studies until about the first of September, and then went to the meeting of Synod which convened that year in Lan- caster, on Sept. 5th, and then along with a number of other candidates for the ministry they were thoroughly examined, the examination was approved, and on the 9th of September, 1819, they were licensed and ordained to the gospel ministry. It was then customary to send newly licensed and or- dained ministers to some distant part of the country as missionaries for the first few months of their service. Rev. Hacke was directed by the Synod to go to North Carolina. He accepted the mission, went to Baltimore to visit his parents, and then to Hagerstown to get funds for the journey south from Rev. Mr. Riley, the treasurer. There was, however, no money on hand, and Rev. Mr. Riley, after some delay, advised Rev. Hacke to go to Westmoreland County and accept the call from the Greensburg charge, which he did. The people received the new pastor gladly, and though never installed, he immediately began his work, with zeal and enthusiasm among them, he being then only a little over nineteen years of age, and continued it suc- cessfully for 58 years. His resignation bears date, Greens- burg, Sept. 1st, 1877, and went into effect Oct. 1st, 1877. His people are understood to have been well-to-do; and his father supplied him with clothing, books and a horse. He boarded for a time with Mr. Jacob Hugus in the country, some distance east of Greensburg, at the rate 74 The History of the Pittsbukgh Synod of 60 dollars a year, including the keeping of his horse. He subsequently married Miss Susan D. Hugus, one of the eight daughters of his host, and they established a home of their own in Greensburg, and became the parents of ten children. Mrs. Hacke died in 1864, and only one of the children is Hving at this date. Miss Sarah Lose Hacke, of 1456 North Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. The Jacob Hugus farm, where Mrs. Hacke was brought up, and where Dr. Hacke boarded for a time, was on the road from Pleasant Unity to Latrobe, about a mile from Pleasant Unity. His son, Jacob, occupied it for some time after his death. It was then bought by William Porch, who is still living there, at the age of eighty-six years. About the time Rev. Hacke began his ministry the coun- try was subjected to a great financial panic, following about five years after the war of 1812-14. All produce fell from a high to an extraordinary low price. Flour would not bear the freight to the east. Three new churches had been begun before the panic came, and were left deep- ly in debt. The salary was very small. Things looked dark and perplexing. The pastor was young, inexper- ienced, and unaccustomed to the country, having been brought up in large cities. But he found true friends, and soon felt at home in cabins and log houses, because the attachment shown him was honest and devoid of hypocrisy and sham. His officers stood by him, when he introduced singing by note, established choirs, had the congregations purchase organs, and took up offerings for benevolence. He kept his people to the old paths, was a faithful catechist, and confirmed the young after instruc- ing ther|i thoroughly. He never favored new measures, and hailed with gladness Dr. Nevin's tract on the "Anx- ious Bench." His people were conservative and church- ly. The first Sunday School was started some ninety years ago in the St. Paul's Congregation, and was soon followed by similar schools in the other congregations. There was no opposition to their introduction. He per- suaded the people to take the periodicals of the church and found their readers ready to respond when he asked for The Pioneers 75 funds for the work of the church at large. In 1845, he reported 100 Zeitschriften and 30 Messengers taken by his people. In 1846 there were 80 Zeitschriften and 40 Messengers taken. The Brush Creek and Manor Congre- gations gave 1200 dollars for the endowment of the Semin- ary at Tiffin, Ohio, when it was first established, in sums from 50 to 300 dollars and the people contributed gen- erously to the building of churches at other places. He had at first five congregations, but for some years preached also at Brand's in Ligonier Valley, Kindig's, Seanor's and Youngstown, and later at Emmanuels. He resigned St. Paul's in 1863, and Emmanuels in 1867. Rev. William Weinel had served some of these congrega- tions for a time, and Rev. H. E. F. Voigt served them after he came to Mt. Pleasant about 1833. Dr. Hacke's labors, as may well be believed, in a charge so large as this, were very great. Some of his catachu- mens had to be taught to read before they could commit the questions and answers in the Catechism. Instruction had to be given in both English and German. He held catechise like school, the exercises going on from morning to evening, with an intermission at noon, and often for sev- eral days together, or even a week, just before confirm- ation. There was much traveling to be done. There were many sick to visit, and many funeral services to con- duct, and many marriages to solemnize. Much time was spent in the saddle. As there were few bibles and hymn- books in those days the pastor carried a number with him in his saddle-bags, for the use of members at the church services. He went on a missionary tour with Rev. Henry Koch, after dedicating a church in Clarion County, to Meadville, Conneaut Lake, French Creek, Erie, and Buffalo. He attended church dedications near Leech- burg, and at Crooked Creek, in Armstrong County, Zel- ienople, in Butler County, and Barren Run, in Westmore- land County, and others in Clarion and Armstrong Coun- ties. He attended meetings of Synod at Lancaster, Read- ing, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the east, and at Wooster, Canton, and Delaware, Ohio, in the the west, and meetings of Classis at Somerset, Berlin, Stoystown, 76 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Negro Mountain, Pittsburgh, and in Clarion and Washing- ton Counties. In his earlier years he took a deep interest in the affairs of the church in general. From 1840, the year in which the records, that have been preserved, be- gin, to 1862, he was President of Westmoreland Classis six times. He was President of the Ohio Synod in 1854, in Greensburg, and, again at Delaware, Ohio, some years later, and presided at the organization of the Pittsburgh Synod in 1870. Dr. Hacke was a great reader and an earnest student all his life. He had special taste for the natural sciences, and kept himself well informed on the thinking and the political and social movements of the day. His sermons were thoughtful and instructive and his conversation en- tertaining and full of information. In 1866 Franklin and Marshall College conferred on him, in recognition of his scholarship, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He duly appreciated this act of the College, but smilingly remarked that, if given at all, it ought to have been given many years earlier. Dr. Hacke had remarkable social qualities, and his pastoral and social visits to his members were looked upon as t treat and a blessing. Meeting a group of people he made it a point to have something to say to each one of them. He had great tact. The people loved him and were loyal to him, and he kept the congre- gations together to a remarkable degree. Dr. Hacke dressed well, was dignified at all times, without being stiff or excessively formal. No man in the country had intimate relations with such a large number of influential citizens as he. A young man, entering a profession in Greensburg, sought his friendship as a pass- port to Success. His judgment of capacity and character was excellent. He was on terms of friendship with the judges, leading lawyers and business men of the commun- ity, and they entertained for him a profound respect, as a man of fine education, a theologian and philosopher, a man of strong character and great attainments. He was the equal of the leading men of his part of the state, as all felt, and was also a pleasant and helpful fellow-citizen The Pioneers 77 and fellow-christian to the humblest of his church mem- bers, or of any one who needed and sought his services. Dr. A. E. Truxal says, in an address which he prepared and expected to deliver on December 7th, at the Dr. Hacke Memorial Service, in the First Reformed Church, 0^ Greensburg, which he was providentially prevented from delivering on that occasion : "Dr. Hacke was an . educated and cultured gentleman. His ministrations were for many years performed exclusively in the German language. During the last part of his pastorate he preached also in English. It is, however, of his German preaching I wish to speak. I sat under his teaching and preaching until I was nineteen years of age. I was bap- tized, catechised, confirmed and examined for licensure by him. He was an excellent preacher. He was not elo- quent but a very pleasing speaker. He employed chaste words and well-rounded sentences. He was possessed of a clear musical voice. His pronounciation of the Ger- man language was beautiful. He prepared his sermons thoroughly and delivered them without manuscript. He gave his message to the people in a calm dignified manner, employing few gestures. He was not emotional at all, either in the matter or manner of his preaching. He ap- pealed t6 the intellect of his hearers rather than to their emotional nature. His aim was to instruct them in div- ine truth. He laid down his premises, and reasoned clearly and logically from them to his conclusions .... He was a convincing preacher and teacher, and made sub- stantial Christians. At the close of his labors numerous men and women and whole families could be found all over the central portion of the county^ who were firmly indoctrinated in the Christian faith, according to the Re- formed apprehension of it. Very few of the people taught by Dr. Hacke wandered from the fold. Some withdrew on the score of language but not on the ground of ineffi- cient teaching. "Dr. Hacke prepared his prayers as carefully as his sermons. From a lecture on prayer before the catechet- ical class, I have reason to believe that he wrote his pray- ers, studied and committed them, and then employed them 78 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod in the sanctuary to lead the people to the throne of grace. A peculiarity of his was that he prayed with his eyes open. Standing straight and erect, almost motionless, with his eyes fixed in front of him, he would offer up the prayers of God's house. "He was always solemn and serious in the discharge of his duties in the house of God. I never knew him eveh to smile in the pulpit or before the catechetical class. And his demeanor caused a spirit of seriousness and solemnity alco to pervade his congregation in the hours of worship However, in his social intercourse with his people he was free and easy, giving evidence of a vein of humor dwelling in his nature. "Dr. Hacke possessed a strong personality. His knowl- edge, culture, genial disposition, strong convictions, and positive views on many subjects caused him to wield a great influence and made a deep and lasting impression upon all those with whom he associated, especially upon those to whom he ministered in spiritual things. For many persons his word was law in reference to any ques- tion. "Of Dr. Hacke's personal appearance. Dr. Russell says : 'Tall, straight, dignified, intellectual, genial, and patriar- chal, all who saw him once would ever remember his characteristic appearance. He was always and everywhere in manner and habit, a gentleman of the old school.' As he rode the highways in the discharge of his ministerial and pastoral duties, he could be recognized at a long dis- tance by the stately manner in which he sat his horse; and he was known by every man, woman and child, for many miles around. "And as from decade to decade he walked up and down the streets of Greensburg, as erect as the best trained sol- dier, with clean-shaven face, florid complexion, high- standing collar and white stock, with a pleasant but dig- nified greeting for every one whom he passed, he com- manded the respect and admiration of both young and old, and attracted the attention of strangers as a man of unu- sual type." Dr. Hacke, having served for the last ten years of his The Pioneers 79 ministry, only four congregations, Greensburg, Harrold's Brush Creek and Denmark Manor, after some nine months of serious illness, from which he did not expect to recover, resigned his charge on Sept. 1, 1877. This is the paper : "I herewith offer my resignation of the First Greens- burg charge, of which I have been the pastor for fifty- eight years, and ask that the consistories of the several congregations of which it is composed accept it, and join with me in a request to Westmoreland Classis to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between me and said charge to take effect the 1st of October. "Physical inability and want of health compel me to take this step. The infirmities of old age as well as other providential indications admonish me that my ministerial labors in your midst have been completed. I regret that I have been denied the gratification of taking leave in per- son among my people and would ask you to accept my heartfelt thanks for the confidence you have ever reposed in me as your pastor and also for the many favors you have shown me personally, and I pray God that his bless- ing may be with you in the future as in the past, and that for the sake of His dear Son, He will speedily send you a pastor, a man after His own heart, who will minister to you in spiritual things and break unto you the bread of life. "May the blessings of God the Father, and of God of the Son, and of God the Holy Ghost, be with you. Amen. Nicholas P. Hacke." The Joint Consistory upon receiving the resignation, adopted the following paper : "Whereas, Our beloved pastor. Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D., who has so long and so faithfully labored in our midst, and served his charge with so much acceptance for more than half a century, has, in the Providence of God, been very sorely afflicted for the past nine months ; and Whereas, he feels himself admonished by the infirmities of old age, 80 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod and other Providential indications, to lay down the pas- toral work of his charge ; therefore, Resolved, That we, the members of the Joint Consist- ory, and the whole people of his charge, do most heartily sympathize with him in his severe affliction, and, although we feel constrained, under existing circumstances, to ac- cept his resignation, yet we do so not without feelings of regret that a pastorate of such unusual length and great usefulness should thus be brought to a close. We cannot help on this occasion but express our regard and appre- ciation of our beloved pastor, who, for so many years, has labored among us with such faithfulness anO marked success. We shall ever cherish, with the most sacred re- gard, the recollections of his ministrations in our midst. Whether in his official capacity as a minister of the gos- pel, or as a man in the more private relations of life, his character was most exemplary and impressive. He was ever much beloved and venerated by the people 'of his charge, and highly respected by all who knew him. We therefore feel that this tribute of respect is due him from a grateful people, and pray that he may be restored to such a degree of health as to permit him to enjoy the fruits of his labors still longer, and that when his end does come, it may be in peace and joy. , Resolved, That a copy of the above preamble and res- olution be presented to Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D., and that they be also published in the Reformed Messenger and the county papers. John Shrum. Secretary of Joint Consistory. September 17th, 1877." Dr.Hacke, after an illness, lasting over a year, departed this life on Monday, August 26th, 1878, aged seventy- seven years, eleven months and six days. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 29th, in the Reformed and Lutheran Church on Main Street, Greensburg. The casket containing the body was placed just outside the chancel railing. Eighteen clergymen, including those in the pulpit, sat inside the railing. Rev. The Pioneers 81 Thomas G. Apple, D. D., professor of History and Exe- gesis in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., preached the funeral sermon from Hebrews 13 :7-8, and Rev. George B. Russell, D.D., then of Washington, D. C., a relative by marriage, read a sketch of the life and labors of the departed. The body was carried by the pallbearers, selected by himself, preceded by the eighteen clergymen present, to the German burying ground, about two blocks from the church. The service at the grave was read by Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher and Rev. David B. Lady, Dr. Hacke's successors. All business in Greens- burg was suspended during the funeral services, and a large concourse of people was present in the church, in fact, the building could not contain all the people. Thus this man of God lived and labored in this portion of the Lord's vineyard, for over half a century. It is fitting that we who have entered upon the spiritual in- heritance which he left us, after almost another half cen- tury has passed, since he entered upon his reward and re- ceived his crown of righteousness, should commemorate his life and labors, in the field of pastoral work of which this congregation is a part. The stewardship which he with such eminent ability and faithfulness administered, while he lived, is ours to administer, in these later years. May we all be as devoted to our tasks as he was to his. And may we all, at last, as no doubt he did, some forty- two years ago — little more than a few days, to look back upon — be ushered through the gates into the heavenly city with the Master's words of welcome: "Well done, good and faithful servants! Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." The Pittsburgh Synod, convening at Jeannette, Oct- ober 6th, 1919, ordered the observance of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the pastorate of Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D. This is the action : "Rev. N. P. Hacke, D.D., began his ministry as pastor of what has for many years been known as the First Greensburg Charge in the year 1819, one hundred years ago, this year. He was pastor of this charge for fifty- 6 82 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod eight years, having resigned nearly a year before his death in August, 1888. "The Synod considers it proper that an event of such far-reaching importance as the settlement in such a field of labor by such a man as Dr. Hacke, and a pastorate so fruitful of good results and of such length as this, ought to be celebrated on the 100th anniversary of its beginning. I "Therefore be it resolved : That a committee be ap- pointed to make provision for such a celebration during the month of November of this year. ""That the service of the occasion be held in the First Reformed Church in Greensburg, Pa. "That Rev. A. E. Truxal, D. D., who w^as baptized and confirmed by Dr. Hacke, and w^ho has been a pastor in this Synod for forty-seven years, be asked to deliver an historical address at the proposed celebration. "That the arranging of the other features of the cele- bration be placed in the hands of the committee called for in this paper. "The following were appointed the committee : "Revs. David B. Lady, D. D., F. C. Seitz, D. D., W. C. Sykes, J. F. Snyder; Elders: H. A. Fisher, H. L. Mull, W. F. Shrum,- Frank Wible, J. H. Kuhns, and William H. Glunt." The committee met and arranged for this service, to be held in the First Reformed Church in Greensburg, on December 7th, 1919. Much to the regret of those in- terested Dr. Truxal could not be present because of the death of his son, and Dr. Lady took his place, reading as in address the chapter on Dr. Hacke prepared for this history. Dr. Truxal, however, sent the committee his address, which was read in the Second Reformed Church at the evening service, by Rev. F. C. Seitz, the pastor, whilst Dr. Lady repeated his address at the evening service of the Third Reformed Church. The pastors of the other churches served by Dr. Hacke held suitable memorial services on December 7th, or one of the Sundays near that date. The Pioneers 83 The following program was followed in the First Reformed Church. PROGRAM Service 10:45 A. M. Rev. Edward S. Bromer, D. D., pastor, presiding. Prelude — "Jerusalem the Golden." "Holy, Holy, Holy." Invocation — Hymn No. 436— "I Love Thy Kingdom Lord." Scripture Lesson — Deut. 32 :7-12. Prayer — Offering and Offertory Prayer — Offertory — "Vesperale." Anthem— "Lift Up Your Heads." Announcements — Address — Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D. — Rev. David B. Lady, D. D. Lord's Prayer. Hymn No. 452— "Jesus I Live to Thee." Doxology. Benediction. Postlude — Grand Chorus — Salome. Service 2 :30 P. M. Elder John E. Kunkle, presiding. Prelude — Funeral March and Seraphique Chant. Invocation — Rev. F. C. Seitz, D. D. . Hymn No. 409— "When All Thy Mercies, O My God." Prayer— Rev. F. C. Seitz, D. D. Five Minute Addresses — Rev. E. D. Bright Rev. Charles L. Noss S. A. Kline, Esq. Rev. S. U. Waugaman. Offering and Offertory Prayer. Offertory — Largo from the New World Symphony. Anthem — "How Lovely Are the Messengers." 84 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Five Minute Addresses Rev. A. K. Kline Mr. Irwin Walthour Mr. W. J. Beamer Hon. D. J. Snyder. Announcements — Lord's Prayer. Doxology. Benediction. Postlude — March for a Church Festival. Young People's Service. 7:00 P. M. Prelude — "Pastorale." Hymn No. 685 — "Angel Voices Ever Ringing." Scripture Lesson— ^Psalm 84. Prayer — Hymn No. 689 — "Beautiful Savior, King of Creation." Of f ering and Offertory Prayer. Oflfertory — Berceuse. Anthem — "Savior When Night Involves the Sky." Address — Early Life of Dr. N. P. Hacke — Paul Truxal. Address — The Ministry — Charles Hammer. Hymn No. 711— "I Love to Tell the Story." Address — Dr. Hacke as a Young Minister — Rev. E. S. Bromer, D. D. Hymn No. 693— "Onwaid Christian Soldiers." Mizpah Benediction. Postlude — March S6lennelle. As a feature of this celebration the surviving daughter of Rev. Dr. Hacke, is having a bronze memorial tablet placed upon the front wall of the First Reformed Church audience room in memory of her father, which will be unveiled later with appropriate services. CHAPTER XI. the pioneers — continued Rev. Henry Ernest Frederick Voigt Rev. H. E. F. Voigt was born in Luedenhausen, Fuer- stenthum, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on November 28th, 1785. He was the son of Rev. Henry Christopher Voigt, who was superintendent of the principality of Lippe-Det- mold, Germany, a man of commanding presence, ex- tensive learning, and an earnest preacher and defender of the Reformed faith. The son was trained from infancy in the doctrines and duties of religion, and at the proper age was confirmed in the church of his native town, and soon after began his studies for the holy ministry. He graduated at the University of Jena, after which he was tutor for several years, in a private family. Then he was assistant pastor, for a short time, at Bega, and pastor for six years at Augustdorf . He came to America in 1826. In the minutes of Synod for 1827 it is stated that having lately arrived here he made application to be received into connection with the Synod. During the year 1827-28, Rev. Voigt had charge of four congregations in Somerset County, Pa. He was then appointed as missionary to a German settlement, at that time forming on the Maumee River, in the state of Ohio. He was long remembered by some of the inhabitants of Stark, Columbiana and Harrison Counties, Ohio, and spoken of with respectful reverence and love. He was in Eastern Ohio, probably about four years and then, about 1832 or 1833, came to Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pa., where he took charge of six congregations at a salary of $450. From time to time he served other con- gregations, not regularly belonging to his charge, and had often, as high as from eight to eleven preaching points at the same time. He preached at Kindig's, Schwab's,, 85 86 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Barren Run, the Forks of the Yougheogheny, Donegal, Indian Creek, Ligonier, Muehleison's, Seanor's, Beamer's, and Yockey's. He labored here hard and faith- fully for over twenty years. Rev. Jacob F. Snyder, now eighty-five years old, remembers that when he was a boy he often saw Rev. Voigt passing his father's house on foot, on his way to Beamer's and Yockey's, to hold divine service. Preaching only in the German language, an English supply was secured as his assistant from about 1860 forward. In 1864, owing to the infirmities of age, he gave up his pastorate, but preached German oc- casionally for his successors. His last appearance in the pulpit was on September 22d, 1872, in St. Paul's Church, near Pleasant Unity, where he preached to a crowded house, during the pastorate of Rev. David B. Lady, and his last .public address was made at the unveiling of the Weber Monument on the 20th of June, 1874. He rode on this occasion from Mt. Pleasant to Muehleison's and back in a buggy, with Mr. William Hitchman, a neighbor and warm friend, and enjoyed the trip very much. Father Voigt was a fine scholar, and had a remarkable memory. He was familiar with Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German and English, and with other tongues and dialects, and was often asked to go to the courthouse in Greens- burg as an interpreter. The Hon. Harrison P. Laird, whose father, Rev. Dr. Francis Laird, was for years principal of "Laird's Institute," a classical school at Murrysville, and pastor of a large Presbyterian congregation there, when a student was in the habit of attending church regularly at Beamer's to hear pure German spoken by Rev. Voigt. Mr. Laird himself became so proficient in Ger- man that he once delivered a German political speech in Greensburg. And although his father was an eminent Presbyterian minister and educator, he united with the Reformed Church in Greensburg, and was a liberal contri- butor to the church enterprises, both local and general, all his lifetime. This may have been largely owing to Fa- The PioiMEERS 87 ther Voigt's ministrations in German in Mr. Laird's youth, at Beamer's Church. In his preparation for the pulpit, Father Voigt wrote out his sermons word for word, in a beautiful hand- writing, committed them to memory, committed the Scrip- ture lesson to memory, and the hymns, and then rendered the service and preached the sermon without opening a book, or referring to his manuscript. He told the present writer that students at the University of Jena were trained to do that, when he was a student. As a result he came to know much of the Bible and many hymns by heart. He preached very earnestly and forcibly, and often, with tears in his eyes, set forth the love of God in Christ, and plead with men to repent and believe the gospel. Rev. Mr. Voigt was married, on July 28, 1820, in Lue- denhausen, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, to Anna Ulrica Louisa Cronemeyer, daughter of Siegmond Eberhardt Cronemeyer. Three children were born to them in their native country. Then, when Mr. Voigt came to America, Mrs. Voigt's parents were not willing to part with their daughter. At length the parents died and Mrs. Voigt wrote to her husband that she was ready to join him in America. It was arranged that she should sail from Bremen on the ship "Weser" a three masted sailing ves- sel, on the 20th of August, 1834, and land at Baltimore. The voyage lasted 60 days, the ship reaching port on the 19th of October. Her husband went to Baltimore to meet his family, and for twelve days, every morning climbed a tower and with a hired field glass looked for a vessel flying the Bremen flag. At length the ship made its appearance and husband and wife, after a separaton of seven years were united. They hastened by rail to Frederick and then by stage to Mt. Pleasant, where the rest of their days were spent. Three more children were born to them in America. Father Voigt had not only a remarkable and culti- vated mind, but a sound body, and vitality of the highest order. He labored in the active duties of the ministry for half a century and never knew what sickness meant 88 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod until about two months before his death. He braved tl;e cold of winter and the heat of summer, traveling many miles, often on foot, over the hills' of Westmoreland County, to'till his appointments. His life was a life of exposure, which only the most vigorous constitution could have endured. About three weeks before his death he partook of the holy communion, administred by the present writer. On this occasion, though suffering in body, and his mind, in a measure darkened to the realities of this world, he spoke with delight of the love of Christ, manifested in giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed for us. He showed no fear of death, but seemed eager to depart and be with Christ. And so about noon on the 14th of January 1875, he passed from the darkness of earth to the bright light and joy of Heaven. His age was eighty- nine years, two months and twelve days. The funeral was held on the 16th of January. Services at the house were conducted by Rev. J. I. Swander, and at the Kindig's, or St. John's church, by Revs. J. W. Love, A. E. Truxal, T. J. Barkley, and David B. Lady. Rev. Barkley, then pastor of the Grace Reformed church, Pitts- burgh, and President of Pittsburgh Synod, preached the sermon, and Rev. Liady, as the family pastor, read the committal service at the grave. Father Voigt in his subsequent life fully justified the good opinion which the examining committee of Synod had formed of him in 1827. They reported: "We can confidently assure the Reverend Synod that Brother Voigt has the most satisfactory testimonials both as to acquirements and his moral character. We heartily re- joice in this fact, and cannot suppress the wish that all German ministers might be able to produce such testi- monials. It is our opinion that Brother Voigt will be a useful laborer in our American Vineyard and an honor to this body." He walked with God and was not, for God took him to himself. "When Father Voigt came to America, he left his three small children to the care of their mother who heroically The Pioneers 89 volunteered to support and train them until they would be able to follow their father to the new world, which responsibility she faithfully discharged, and by precept and example incited them to industry, instilling into them principles which developed into usefulness in their after life." Mrs. Voigt was also born in Luedenhausen, Lippe-Det- mold, Germany, in the year 1800. She died in Mt. Pleasant in 1890, in her ninetieth year, and rests beside her hus- band in St. John's Cemtery. One son died at Mt. Pleasant, when he was between the age pf three and four years. The other children lived to a good old age, and then, after lives of Christian usefulness, joined their venerated par- ents in the better land. Rev. William Conrad Rev. William Conrad was born in Hagerstown, Mary- land, August 11th, 1808, and was baptized by Rev. Jo- nathan Rahauser. His father died when he was a boy. In 1813 his widowed mother moved to Berlin, Somerset County, Pa., where her father. Rev. J. Henry Giese, was pastor. He was catechised by his grandfather, and confirmed on Whit-Sunday, 1825. He learned the trade of watchmaking with his brother, Jacob, in Con- nellsville. But the calling of a watchmaker did not satisfy the mind and heart of William Conrad. He felt that he had a call to serve God and his generation in the gospel minis- try. He entered the High School and Seminary at York about 1832 and spent several years there, under the instruction of Rev. Dr. F. A. Rauch and Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer. Owing to the scarcity of money, he on more than one occasion, made the journey from Berlin to York on foot. "A young man that will do that," says one of his biographers, "in order to qualify himself for the solemn work of the ministry, will afterwards also be a faithful and earnest minister." Mr. Conrad's educational advantages were limited, compared with those which our young men enjoy now. 90 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod or those which his grandfather had enjoyed at Heresfeld and Marburg, in Germany, but he made the best possible use of them. His talents were of a high order, and by constant application he became an accomplished scholar and theologian. His mind was original and exceedingly logical. Even his familiar letters were systematicin ar- rangement. It was his habit to approach a subject in an orderly way. In his preaching he was instructive and edifying rather than entertaining. His sermons, which were sometimes longer than would be thought proper now, were always full of profound thought. His utter- ance was rapid, and his subject matter of a nature to benefit the listener. For a man of his ability he was exceedingly modest and even timid, and, on this account, was not appreciated as much as he deserved. He was generally reserved and reticent, and was by some held to be unsociable, but, when drawn out, he conversed freely on many subjects, and was always ready to impart in- formation. He also had a ready wit and humor, and had quite a capacity to entertain. Mr. Conrad wrote a great deal for the church periodicals. Many of his articles ap- peared in the Messenger, over different signatures. He published a small treatise on the "Subject and Mode of Baptism," and another on the "Sin Against the Holy Ghost." He also wrote several treatises which were never published : one on the Heidelberg Catechism. He devoted part of his life to the study of scientific subjects, and once delivered a series of lectures on astronomy. For thirty years he gathered geological specimens, which he presented finally to Westmoreland College, one of whose founders he was, and one of whose hearty supporters to the end of his life. In 1835, the year of his graduation in the Seminary at York, William Conrad became pastol- of the Grantsville charge irt what is now Somerset Classis, which included Hoffman's Church, Stoystown, and Wills Creek, and to which was added, the following year, the Shade Church. In 1841, when Rev. Giese resigned the Berlin Charge, Mr. Conrad succeeded him. There were many changes in The Pioneers 91 the charges in those times. In 1842 Mr. Conrad's charge was made up of congregations at Berlin, Salisbury, Cen- treville, Stony Creek, Stoystown, Shade and Greeneville. In 1846 Rev. Henry Knepper took charge of the Grants- ville and Salisbury Congregations. In 1847, Mr. Conrad organized a congregation at Pine Hill, which is now called the Mt. Zion's or Hay's Church. He also supplied other churches in the county, some for a longer and others for a shorter time. He was animated by the true mission- ary spirit, and was abundant in labors, and considered no amount of toil and exposure too great to build up the Kingdom of Christ on earth. On the 12th of March, 1859, Rev. Conrad became pastor of a newly constituted group of churches, called the Beam Charge, where he remained for three years. His health was now broken down and his constitution shat- tered by severe labor. The distances he had to travel in the discharge of his ministerial duties were very great. At one time he was, for several years, the only Reformed minister in the county. There were many sick , to visit, many funerals to attend, many catechetical classes to instruct, besides the regular services of the Lord's Day. Mr. Conrad was always punctual and ready to meet all demands made upon him. He rarely missed an appointment. In all kinds of weather he attended to the duties of his calling. Fidelity and conscientiousness in the discharge of all his obligations were leading charac- teristics of his long and useful life. The Reformed Church of Somerset County, now strong and aggressive, owes a debt of lasting gratitude and honor to William Conrad. He gave himself earnestly to its advancement, when ministers were hard to secure. Through his labors the membership increased rapidly. He was thoroughly Reformed at a time when many others departed from the customs and standards of the church of their fathers. He admired the spirit of the Heidelberg Catechism and maintained its use and teaching when the mourners bench system was flourishing all around him. When quite a young man he was shocked by the irrever- 92 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod ence and presumption of new converts, and his convic- tions were strengthened by his theological studies and the experiences and observations of his riper years. It was not Mr. Conrad's habit, however, to attack what he believed erroneous in church practices directly, or wage open war against it, and give the outside world occasion to say sneeringly : "Behold how these Christians love one another," but he preached the positive truths of the word of God as apprehended and set forth in the Catechism. He resisted mildly but firmly every false tendency. That the Reformed Church in this part of the country was not stripped of its proper life and spirit by the tide of " New Measures" which swept over central and western Pennsylvania in his day must be mainly attributed to him. He yielded neither to its assaults and threatenings, nor to its caresses. His position was too well defined to be misunderstood by those who cared to examine it closely. He did for the Reformed Church in Somerset County what Dr. N. P. Hacke and others did for the same church in Westmoreland County. Rev. William Conrad was truly a good man. He served his Master faithfully, in simplicity and sincerity of heart. His character and consistently Christian life gave him and his church a standing which they could have gained in no other way, and gained for himself great esteem and love in the whole community in which he lived and la- bored. He had multitudes of the warmest possible friends and he retained their respect and attachment to the end of his life. Mr. Conrad died at his residence in Berlin, Somerset County, Pa., February 16th, 1865, aged fifty- six years, six months and fifteen days. His funeral was largely attended. An appropriate discourse on his life, character and labors was delivered by Rev. F. K. Levan. Rev. Benjamin Knepper and Rev. Frederick Wahl also made addresses. Revs. George H. Johnston and A. J. Heller and two Lutheran and one Methodist minister were present at the funeral. CHAPTER XII Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod Western Pennsylvania as well as the territory farther west, was originally under the jurisdiction of the Coetus and later of the Old Mother, or Eastern Synod, into which the Coetus was changed in 1793, and the ministers or missionaries in this section reported to this body from year to year. In the year 1819 when Synod was divided in- to six classes all the charges west of the eastern line of Bedford County and east of the Ohio line formed what was called the Western Pennsylvania Classis, which was part of the Synod of the United States. In 1836 this Western Pennsylvania Classis was given permission to unite with the newly formed "Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States," and the union took place the following year. At a meeting of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States at New Lancaster, Ohio, in 1839, the name of this classis was changed from Western Pennsylvania Classis to the Eastern District Synod of Ohio. The first meeting under the new name was held in Schellsburg, Bedford County, Pa., in May, 1840. Of this and subsequent meet- ings there are full records in Minute Books in possession of the Stated Clerk of Westmoreland Classis. Previous to this date there are, so far as the writer has been able to discover, no records. At a meeting of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, held in Canton, Ohio, in 1842, an action was passed dividing the Eastern District Synod of Ohio into two Classes, the one to be known as Westmoreland and the other as Erie. To Westmoreland Classis were to belong all the ministers and charges south of a line drawn due east from the north-western corner of Mercer County to the Allegheny Mountains. It therefore included nearly all 93 94 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod the territory now included in the Pittsburgh Synod. The first meeting of the new Classis, named Westmoreland,, took place, by direction of Synod, at Kindig's or St. John's Church, near Mt. Pleasant on May 28th, 1843. The first meeting of Erie Classis was held in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., on the first Sunday in June, 1843. As the delegate sent from Erie Classis to the Ohio Synod was properly a member of Westmoreland Classis there is no report of Erie Classis in the minutes of the Ohio Synod for 1843. Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod 95 -PlH^d ^Ah « kJ ■ 2.9 'p4J^*^>H T3?^ r? oi (DT5 £,SfeS 3 «!l ^..^S| rig 73 c3 M c3 3 3 „ o » y|e.ei} thp Classis of Westmprelanci and the npw Classjs of Allegheny, be- tween which and the §t. Paul's Classis |;he boundary shall bie the lower line oi Mercer County, Pennsylvania. ' "Resolved 4. That the Classis of Westmpreland sh^H hpld its annual meeting in the Reforpipd Church at Salem, on the first Thursday in June, 1872, at 7:30 P. M., an& that the Rev. L. B. Leasure preside at itsorganizatioij. "Resolved 5. That the Classis pf Ajleg'heny shall bold its first annual meeting in thp First Reformed Church, Allegheny City, on the first Thursday in June, 1872,' at '7:30 P. M., and that the Rev. F. K. Levan preside at its org^nizatipn." Then ior a feW years Pittsburgh Synod consisted of six Classes. At its annual meeting in 1872 West New York Classis requested Pitt;sburg?J Sypod to dismiss it for the purpose of uniting with other classes m forming a German Synod. TJiis request was granted, to gp into effect when sanction- ed by the General Synpd. The General Synod which met in Cincinnati on Novem- ber 27th. 1872, tpoji the following action : "Resolved that General Synojd give its full consent and permission to any four or more Qernian classes, regularly constituted and lying adjacent, in the sense a^ove given, to be organized into a Germafi Distric Synod, so soon as the consent of the ORGANIZATIPN OF TIJE PITTSBURGH SYNQD J.07 synod or synods to whjch they may belong has been properly obtained." In the miiiytes of the npxt tri-ejinial meeting of General Synqd, Fpft Waynp, May 1875, we read that t]ie committee on District Synods reported — It.eni 6 — "The proceedings of the German Synod of the east Jnf orni us that, Qn the au- thority of the General Synod, ian,d the Synods of the Ignited States, Pittsburgh and Potomac, a new German Synpd was organized on t)ie i2th of J3,nuary, 1875, in Sa- leni's Refornied Church, Philadelphia, Pa., under the name of the German Synod of the East of the Refornied Churph in the United States." The statistics pf thp West New Yorl' pla.ssis appear for t|ie last time ip the niinutes of the Pittsburgh Synod of t|ip meeting in Berlin, Pa., Octojber^ 1874. By the tinje of the next nieeting, held in Kittanning in Qctober, 1875, thj^ clasgis had becpme a part of the new German Synod of tlje East. ' The Pittsjaurgh Synod firohi that time to the organization of the Hungarian Classis was constitu- ted of five classes, Westmoreland, Glaripn, St. Paul's, Sonierset ^n^ -4l|^sheny. At the prelinjjnS'J^y meeting of Synod in Grace Church, Pittsburgl;, February 11th, 1870, a conimJttee on charter ■jvj^s appointed, consisting qf Revs. F- K. Levan, W. E. JCrebs apd Elder W. J. Bear. This committee reported a charter which was a4ppted by the Synod, at its first annual meeting, in Bnffalo, in Noyeniber, 1870. It is 4s follows : "Whereas, the Ministers and Elders forming the Pitts- burgh Synod of the Reformed Chnrch in the United States, consisting of citizens of the state of Pennsylvania, and of others of the United States of America, have represented that, by donations, bequests, or otherwise, of charitably disposed persons, they are possessed of moneys for be- nevolent and pious purposes, and the sai4 Ministers and Elders have reason to expect further donations for similar use, but from the scattered situation of the said Ministers and Elders and other causes, the said Ministers and Elders find it very difficult to manage the said funds in the way 108 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod best calculated to answer the intention of the donors; therefore, Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That and their successors duly elected and appointed, in man- ner as is hereinafter directed, be and they are hereby made, declared, and constituted a corporation and body politic and corporate, to have continuance forever, by the name, style, and title of "Trustees of the Pittsburgh Syn- od of the Reformed Church in the United States," and by the name, style, and title aforesaid shall forever here- after be persons able and capable in law, as well to take, receive, and hold all and all manner of lands, tenements, rents, annuities, franchises, and other hereditaments which at any time or times, heretofore have been granted, bargained, sold, enfeoffed, released, bequeathed, devised, or otherwise conveyed to, or acquired by the said Minis- ters and Elders of the Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church, or any other person or persons, to their use, or in trust for them ; and the same lands, tenements, rents, an- nuities, liberties, franchises, and other hereditaments, in- cluding personal property, are hereby vested and estab- lished in said corporation and their successors forever, ac- cording to the original use and intent with which such de- vises, bequests, gifts and grants were respectively made ; and the said corporation and their successors are hereby declared to be seized and possessed of such estate and es- tates therein as in and by the respective grants, bargains, sales, enfeoffments, releases, bequests, devises and other conveyances thereof, is or are declared, at all time here- after, shall be capable and able to purchase, have, receive, take, hold, and enjoy in fee simple, or of lesser estate or es- tates, any lands, tenements, rents, annuities, franchises, and other hereditaments, by the gift, grant, bargain sale, alienation, enfeoffment, release, confirmation, or devise of any person or persons, bodies politic and corporate, capable and able to make the same ; and further, that the said Ministers and Elders, under the corporate name Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod 109 aforesaid, and their successors, may take and receive any sum or sums of money and any portion of goods and chat- tels that have been given to the said Ministers and Elders, or that hereafter shall be given, sold, leased, devised or bequeathed to the same corporation, by any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, able or capable to make a gift, sale, bequest, or other disposal of the same, such money, goods or chattels to be laid out and dis- posed of for the use and benefit of aforesaid, agree- ably to the intention of the donors, and according to the objects, articles and conditions of this act. Section 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That no misnomer of the said corporation and their successors shall defeat any annual gift, grant, devise bequest to or from the said corporation : Provided, The intent of the parties shall sufficiently appear upon the face of the gift, will, grant, or other writing, where- by any estate or interest was intended to pass to or from the said corporation. Section 3. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the said corporation and their success- ors shall have full power and authority to make, have,-and use one common seal, with such devise and inscrip- tion as they shall think fit and proper, and the same to break, alter and renew at their pleasure. Section 3. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the said corporation and their success- ors, by the name, style and title, aforesaid, shall be able and capable in law, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any Court, or before any Judge or Justice, in all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, matters, and demands, of whatsoever nature, kind and form they may be, and all and every matter and thing to do in as full and effectual a manner as any other person or per- sons, bodies politic and corporate within this Common- wealth may or can do. Section 5. And be it further enacted by the author- ity aforesaid. That the said corporation and their suc- cessors shall be and are hereby authorized and empowered to make, ordain, and establish by-laws and ordinances. lid THE HlsTOitY OF THE PlTTSBtRGli StNOi) aild do everything; incident aiid needful for the support and due government of tlie said corporation, and maii- agirig the fur\ds aild reveriiies , thereof : Provided, That sdid b^-la\vs be riot repugnant to the Constitution and laws of the tlnited States, to the Constituticin and laws of this Coriiindhwealtli, to this act, or to the Cohstitutiori, l^ws krid regulatioris of the Pittsburgh Synod of the Refbrltied Church in the Uilited States. Section 6. And be it further enacted by the authoi-- ity of the aforesaid, That the said corpoi-ation shall consist of five persons, neither more nor less, who shall be members of the Reformed Church, and continue to be members of the said corporation for the term of fi\e years , each, the term of office to end always on the first day of January; and the said Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the tfnited States shall annual- ly change one-fifth of the said board or corporation; in such manner as to the said Synod shall seem t)t'Gper, but the same person may not be re-elected until after he shall have ceased to be a member of the said board ol- corporation for at; least one year. Provided, however. That the aforesaid Trustees shall continue in office as follows : One of them until the first A&^ of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred arid seventy-twQ, one until the first day of January one thousand eight hundi-ed arid seventy-three, one until the first day of Januai-y one thousand eight hundred arid seventy-four, one until the fii"st day of January one thousand eight huridi-ed and severity-five, and one until the first day of Jariuai-y one thOiisarid eight hdndred and sev- eritSr-six; these different teirriis of office to be distributed by lot or Otherwise By the said corpoi-ation among them- selves at their first meeting; and further, if the place of ■ priy mfembei- Of the said corporation be made vacant by de^th, resignatiori or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the remaining members of the said corporation, at the fii-st riieeting held, at which such vacancy shall become known, to el6fct aijd appoint a person who is a member of tHfe Reformed Church to the office of Trustee, or a nletiiber of the said corporation, who shall, however, hold ORGANIZATldN oi' THti PITTSBURGH SYNOD 111 office only for the unexpired term of the member cre- ating such vacancy, and the person thus elected by the said corpdratioh Shall not be re-eligible to the body aforev said until after he has ceased to be & Trustee fot the period of at least one year ; further, if the Syiiod aforesaid fail during any year to change the one-fifth vacancy occurrihg oh the first day of January d,ccordihg to the provisions arid .restrictions of this kct, this vacancy shall be filled by the. said corporation, and the person thi.s elected and appointed shall be a member of th<.i said cor- pbtatioti for thfe term bf five years. Section 7. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,, That the corporation aforesaid shall have power and authority to manage and dispose of all money.;, goods, chattels, lands, tenements, and hereditaments and other estate whatsoever, committed to their care and trust by the said Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States ; but in cases where special instructions for the management and disposal thereof shall be givfen by the said Synod, ih writing, under the hdnd (jf their clerk, it shall be the duty of the said corporation to act according to such iiistructibns : Pro- vided, The said instructions shall not be repugnant to the coristitiation and law^s bf thfe United Stiates, or the Cbilstitutibti and laws bf this Cbhimbnwe&ith, or to the prbvisibris arid restrictions iii this act contained. Section 8. And be it further enacted hy the authority aforesaid, That the corporation shall arid .may have a President, a Vice President, who shall also be the Secre- tary qr Clerk, and a Treasurer; the President and Vice President to be chosen by the said corporation out of their own number as often as they shall see proper, and according to the rules by them to be prescribed, biit the 'treasurer to be elected annually by said Synod, from year to year so long as he cohtinues to be a mem- ber of the said corporation. And the said corporation shall have authority to appoint siich other officers a^d servants as shall by them, the said corporation, be deemed riecessdi"y; to all of which officers the said cor- 112 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod poration may assign such a compensation for the services and such duties to be performed by them, to continue in office for such time and to be succeeded by others in such way, the Treasurer being excepted, conformably to the provision of this act, as the said corporation shall direct. Section 9. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That three members of this board or corpora- tion, whereof the President, or in his absence, the 'Vice President, shall be one, shall be a sufficient number to transact the business thereof, and to make by-laws, rules, and regulations ; Provided, That previous to any meeting of the board or corporation for such purposes not ap- pointed by adjournment, ten days notice shall be previous- ly given thereof by a circular, sent by mail or otherwise, to each member of the corporation. Section 10. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said corporation shall keep regular and fair entries of their proceedings, and a just ac- count of their receipts and disbursements, in a book or books to be provided for that purpose ; and their Treas- urer shall, once in every year, exhibit to the Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States, an exact state of the accounts of the corporation. Section 11. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the said corporation; may take, receive, purchase, possess, any enjoy messuages, houses, lands, tenements, rents, annuities, and other hereditaments, real and personal estate of any amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars yearly value ; but the said limitations not to be considered as including the annual collections and voluntary contributions made in the churches under the care of the Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. The committee, consisting of Revs. F. K. Levan, W. E. Krebs, and Elder W. J. Bear, was continued, with instructions to have this document legally executed. This committee reported a year later as follows : "Your committee appointed for the purpose of having the Charter, adopted by the Synod, confirmed by an Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod 113 act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, beg leave to re- port that they have successfully discharged that duty. "At the suggestion of Speaker Wallace of the Senate, one or two technical changes were made. The Charter appears as Bill No. 794, page 881, of the pamphlet laws of the State for the year 1871." The first board of Trustees, elected under this con- stitution, was as follows : C. M. Boush, five years ; W. E. Schmertz, four years; J. B. Kniest, three years; J. I. Swander, two years ; and George Reiter, Sr., one year. At a meeting during the sessions held in the Second Reformed Church, of Greensburg, Pa., in October, 1871, the board organized by the election of C. M. Boush, President, and J. B. Kneist, Vice President and Secretary. At the close of the preliminary meeting of Synod in February, 1870, Ithe officers Were instructed to pro- cure a seal for the use of the body. The officers of Synod, through Rev. F. K. Levan, re- ported the result of their examination of the matter of the seal at the first annual meeting at Buffalo, in Novem- ber, 1870. A committee consisting of Revs. F. K. Levan and W. E. Krebs, was instructed to procure a seal. This committee reported as follows at the second annual meet- ing, at Greensburg in October, 1871 : "Your committee appointed to secure a suitable seal for this Synod would report as follows : We selected for the design the figure of a Dove beachur an Olive Branch, with the words, Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the U. S.', 1870, surrounding the same. Both the seal and a suitable press for it are now at the dis- posal of the Synod." Thus the Pittsburgh Synod was fairly launched on its career of service for the Kingdom of God. CHAPTER XIII Officers of Synod — Young Men Entering the Ministry From This Territory The Synod was organized in Grace Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 11th, 1870 : Rev. N. P. Hacke, D. D., President, pro tem. The Rev. F. K. Leyan was elected President. The annual meetings and Presi- dents are as follows : 1870 Zion's Buffalo, N. Y ReV. D,. Willeirs 1871 Second Greensburg Rev. J. G. Shoemaker 1872 Zion's Greenville Rev. William Rupp 1873 St. Paul's Titusville Rev. J. I. Swander 1874 Trinity Berlin Rev. T. J. Barkley 1875 St. Luke's Kittanning Rev. C. R. Dieflfenbacher 1876 First Irwin Rev. J. W. Love 1877 St. Paul's Meadville Rev. J. H. Apple 1878 St. Peter's St. Petersburfe ...Rev. J. M. Titzel 1879 Grace Pttsburgh Rev. A. E. Truxal 1880 St. John's Centerville Rev. D. S. Dieffenbacher 1881 Second Greensburg Rev. John McConnell 1882 Trinity Red Bank Rev. Frederick Pilgrim 1883 St. Luke's Kittanning Rev. David B. Lady 1884 St. Peter's Mt. Pleasant Rev. C. U. Heilman 1885 Trinity Berlin Rev. H. F Keener 1886 St. Paul's Butler Rev. J. F. Snyder 1887 Zion's- GreenviJie Rev. S. Z. Beam 1888 Amity Meyersdale Rev. H. King 1889 First Greensburg Rev. A. R. Kremer 1890 St. Paul's Me^uh-ille Rev. J. F. Wiant 1891 Christ .Latrobe Rev. A. J. Heller 1892 First Irwin Rev. R. C. Bowling 1893 Zion's Greenville Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher, D.D. 1894 Second Greensburg Rev. P. C. Prugh, D. D. 1895 St. Paul's Butler Rev. D. H. Leader 1896 Christ Latrobe Rev...S. T. Wagner 1897 Trinity Wilkinsbiirg Rev. T. S. Land 1898 St. Peter's St. Petersburg Rev. J. H. Prugh. D. D. 1899 St. Peter's DuBois Rev. E. S. Hassler 1900 St. John's .Fvans City Rev. D. N. Harhish 1901 Amity .Meyersdale Rev. A. M. Kiefer 114 Organization of the Pittsburgh Synod 115 1902 Grace Jeannette Rev. D. A. Souders 1903 St. Luke's Kittanning Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1904 Trinity Berlin Rev. C. R. Ferner 1905 Christ .Latrobe Rev. R. E. Crum 1906 Zion's Greenville Rev. C. M. Hartzell 1907 Second Greensburg Rev. W. J. Muir 1908 Trinity _Wilkinsburg Rev. E. P. Skyles 1909 Amity Meversdale Rev. Lewis Robb, D. D. 1910 St. Paul's Butler Rev. J. M. Evans 1911 St. John's Johnstown Rev. D. Snyder Stephen 1912 Zion's .Greenville Rev. A. K. Kline 1913 St. Peter's DuEois Rev. S. TJ. Waugaman 1914 Grace Teannette Rev. Henry H. Wiant 1915 St. John's Evans City Rev. John W. Pontius 1916 Amity Meyersdale Rev. Albert B. Bauman 1917 Zion's 'Greenville Rev. Edw. S. Bromer 1918 St. Paul's Somerset Rev. David J. Wolf 1919 Grace Teannette Rev. Wm. A. McClellan Vice Presidents No Vice President Was Elected Until 1882 1882— Rev. W. J. Knappenberger 1901— Rev. U. O. H. Kerschner 1883— 1902— Elder H. F. Texter 1884— Rev. J. F. Wiant 1903— Rev. A. K_ Kline 1885— Rev. J. M. Evans 1904— Rev. R. E. Crum 1886— Elder S. C. Remsburg 1905— Rev. A. K. Kline 1887— Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1906— Rev. Lewis Robb 1888 — Rev. Lucian Cort 1907— Rev. J. L. Barnhart 1889— Rev. N. H. Skyles 1908— Rev. H. Holliger 1890— Rev. A. E. Truxal 1909— Rev. A. K. Kline 1891— Rev. T. S. Land 1910— Rev. E.K. Deatrick, B. D. 1892— Elder J. M. Conroy 1911 — Rev. U. O. H. Kerschner 1893— Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D. 1912— Elder H. F. Texter 1894— Elder W. R. Barnhart 1913— Elder P. W. Siebert 1895— Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1914 — Elder W. H. Kretchman 1896 — Rev. John M. Evans 1915 — Rev. H. S. Garner 1897— Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1916— Rev. W. C. Sykes 1898— Rev. A. M. Keifer 1917— Elder V. A. Barnhart 1899 — Rev. D. A. Souders 1918 — Rev. David Dunn 1900— Rev. J. Grant Walter 1919— Rev. E. M. Dietrich Stated Clerks 1870-1872 — Rev. Walter E. Krebs 1875-1884— Rev. H. F. Keener 1872-1875— Rev. J. A. Hoffheins 1884-1894— Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D. 1895- —Rev. J. Harvey Mickley, D. D. 116 The History of the Pittspurgh Synod Treasurers 1870-1875— Elder W. E. Schmertz 1875-1887— Elder T. J. Craig 1887-1893— Elder C. M. Boush 1893-1894— Elder R. S. Jamison 1894-1899— Rev. A. J. Heller, D. D. 1899-1903— Rev. D. H. Leader 1903-1908— Rev. A. J. Heller, D. D. 1908-Jari. 1912— Rev. W. C. Sykes Jan. 1912-1915— Rev. C. L. Noss 1915-1920— Rev. Frank Wetzel Names Of Men Entering The Ministry From The Section Of Pittsburgh Synod. Thomas G. Apple Joseph H. Apple A. T. G. Apple S. A. Alt John F. Blair Thomas J. Barkley J. L. Barnhart Benoni Bates H. L. Beam R. C. Bowling C. W. Brugh I. N. Burger Percy C. Byers Wm. H. Cogley Wm. Conrad Lucian Cort Cyrus Cort R. E. Crum H. D. Darbaker J. G. Dehgler C. R. Dieffenbacher E. H. Dieffenbacher D. S. Dieffenbacher John W. Ebbinghous E. E. Emhoff Chas. H. Faust C. R. Ferner W. S. Fisher O. P. Foust W. W. Foust A. S. Glessner C. T. Glessner James Grant Daniel Gress F.E. M. Grove C. Gumbert G. D. Gurley Ralph J. Harrity Ahdor Harsanyi C. M. Hartzell E. S. Hay B. K. Hay E. F. Hoffmeier J. C. Horning John Hoyman Conrad Iffert J. O. Johnson Wm. R. Jones Victor H. Jones H. F. Keener U. O. H. Kerschner W. H. Kerschner Hiram King A. K. Kline J.p. Knable J.' W.' Knappenberger Benj. Knepper I. U. E. Kunkle F.E. Lauffer L. B. Leasure Wm. F. Lichliter W. E. Ludwick J. P. Mahnenschmidt W. D. Marburger D. E. Master H. S. Maxwell R.F. McMeekin A. J. Miller C. J. Musser Albert Naly J. N. Naly H. S. Nicholson R. J. Pilgrim J. W. Pontius P. R. Pontius Lewis Reiter A. O. Reiter Paul B. Rupp Casper Scheel J. M. Schick L. W. Showers C. G. Shupe Dennis Sipple Simon Sipple E. P. Skyles M. A. Smith J. F. Snyder A. C. Snyder H. E. Snyder I.'G. Snyder R. M. Stahl F. K. Stamm T. F. Stauffer W. D. Stoyer A.E.Truxal J. S. Wagner J. J. Wagoner J. G. Walter S. U. Waugaman E. E. Weller J. B. Welty J. F. Wiant H.H. Wiant CHATER XIV Literary Institutions The ministers and elders and members af the church who were active in securing the organization of the Pitts- burgh Synod had certain convictions with regard to the mission and work of the Synod which it may be worth- while to mention. These were the development of educa- tional religion, as over against emotionalism, or rather the laying of undue stress on the emotional element in religion ; the creation and support of a college for young men, and, later on, of a college for girls and possibly, even- tually, of a theological seminary; and the doing of a la,rge amount of Home Missionary work in this rapidlj- develop- ing section of Pennsylvania. As to church consciousness, the views of the largest number of the pastors and people are well brought but in the first report on the state of the church, which was written by Rev. Mr. Rupp of Berlin, a considerable portion of which will be found in Chapter XII, of this book. Mr. Rupp expressed the views of a large majority of the members of Synod. They have held them con- sistently up to the present time. One can see the influence of Mercersburg Theology in the report, and perhaps of Dr. Nevin's tract on the Anxious Bench, and of the Heidelberg Catechism. Time, however, has produced some change, which has come about almost impercep- tably. The sharp antagonism between the emotional and educational systems of religion is no longer felt as it once was. The parties have approached each other. The best features in each system have been, at- least to some extent, recognized and appropriated by the ad- vocates of the other. The ministers were for the most part conservatively 117 118 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod liturgical and churchly. A free service has been the rule in nearly all the churches, except on special occasions, such as : the Lord's Supper, Baptism, Confirmation, Ordi- nation and Installation, Cornerstone Laying, Church Dedication, Marriage and the Funeral Service. In a few congregations the Order of Worship is used at the morning service; and its introduction oc- casioned very little friction, and, in most cases, none at all, The delegates to the General Synod from this body generally voted with the liturgical element when the controversy was at its height. All along, the pastors educated at Mercersburg and Lancaster and the few who have come from other schools have worked together in the greatest harmony. This is no doubt due to the fact that the practical things of the church were emphasized, rather than the theoretical. The bringing of men to Christ and the introduction of them into the church and the promotion of their growth in faith and piety, and the devotion of a considerable portion of their interest and time and money to the service of God, were the objectives held up before them- selves and the people by the pastors, rather than absolute correctness in speculative doctrines or highly artistic forms in the conduct of divine worship. Aggressiveness, with peace and prosperity, has marked the course of the Synod throughout its history. The old Westmoreland Classis was looking forward to the establishment of an educational institution as a reason for and a much desired result of the organization of a new synod. The Classis had appointed a commission, in January, 1867, to visit Clarion and St. Paul's Classes to discuss with their members the prospect of a new synod and the founding of an educational institution. Here are a few sentences from their report, showing what was in the minds of the brethren. "Your delegates appointed to attend the last annual meeting of the Clarion and St. Paul Classes with in- structions to call their attention to the creation of a district synod in western Pennsylvania, and to urge their favorable consideration of it ; also, and chiefly, to present the claims of higher Christian education, as this Literary Institutions 119 is beginning to receive attention among us, would re- spectfully report: We had the pleasure of attending the meetings of said Classes and were most kindly and fra- ternally received, and were invited to take part in their deliberations, which were earnest and important in their character. So much are they in sympathy with the churchly spirit of our Classis that we felt quite at home among them." This was the action of the Clarion Classis : "Resolved, That this Classis has heard with interest the remarks of the delegation from Westmoreland Classis, and this Classis extend its sympathy and cooperation, so far as the way may be open -to do so, in the establishment of an endowed college within the bounds of the contemplated District Synod." Similar action was taken by St. Paul's Classis. At the preliminary meeting of the Pittsburgh Synod, in February, 1870, a committee on educational institu- tions was raised, which reported as follows, near the close of the meeting : "Whereas, By the constitution each district synod is empowered to maintain or establish such theological and other institutions within its bounds as it may deem neces- sary: and Whereas, the Clarion Collegiate Institute at Rimersburg, under the care of Clarion Classis, is in active operation, and the Westmoreland College is about being placed in the same condition ; "Therefore, Resolved: "1. That these two institutions be recommended to the patronage of our people. "2. That a committee of seven, four ministers and three elders, be appointed by this Synod to take the gen- eral educational interests of this Synod into consideration, and to propose a plan as to place and manner of getting up a literary institution in behalf of this section of the church and report at the next annual meeting of this body." The committee called for in the report was appointed 120 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod and consisted of Revs. W. E. Krebs, Joseph G. Shoemaker, J. B. Kniest, T. J. Barkley, and Elders W. J. Bear, D. S. Dieffenbacher and Christian Siebert. At the first annual meeting of Synod, which was held in Buffalo in November, 1870, this committee offered the following comprehensive report, expressing the senti- ments of the members of Synod on the subject of educa- tion and outlining an educational policy for her future guidance : "The subject is one of vital importance. It has a direct bearing upon the great work entrusted to this Synod of developing and furthering the interests of the church within its bounds, for the promotion of man's salvation and the glory of God. By no other single means can it better accomplish this than by establishing a good liter- ary institution, such as will meet its wants. Such an institution will serve as a center to bind the Synod, which is now quite a compact body as to territory, still more closely together, drawing pupils and parents to itself from every part, and diffusing Christian light and learn- ing back to its utmost bounds. "What our church needs to become still more efficient in the Master's cause, is just the awakening of its people to a sense of the great powers still slumbering in its bosom. The more the light of Christian learning shines abroad, the more energetic will our people be in working for the church and the spread of Christ's kingdom. That we have not been as prosperous outwardly and vigor- ous as some denominations around us, not as old as ourselves, is owing no doubt as much to past remissness in this directon, as to any other one cause. A Christian literary institution that will be able to reach in its in- fluence our hundreds of families, would soon be felt as a mighty power in the Synod, which would be seen in the increased activity and zeal of the people in every de- partment of Christian work. "Let these statements be admitted, and it becomes a Literary Institutions 121 matter of solemn duty for this Synod to make suitable provision for these wants of her children. "As to the kind of institution that our needs require, we may remark, in the first place, that it should be one that will fall in with the general plan of education of the church at large, with respect to institutions both of a lower and higher grade. It should be of such a character and possess such advantages as to draw students con- tinually from local classical schools, which might easily be sustained in every well-populated district or com- miinity. The Synodical School in turn should look to something higher than itself, to a central institution of the church at large, or a university, which is now the longing of many of our learned men to establish. "In the second place, our institution should be for both males and females. Our girls and young ladies need to be educated as well as our boys and young men. Should the time come when we will feel ourselves able, and see any necessity therefor, we can easily then establish two separate institutions. But for a synodical school of the kind proposed, there are some advantages in the educat- ing of the sexes together that can not otherwise be enjoyed. Members of the same family could be educated at the same place and the prevalence of family life, so desirable at this formative period of human exstence, would be more attainable, including as it does the cultiva- tion of good manners and habits for the mingling in society. Wherever this plan has been properly tried, it has proved an entiire success. In such an institution we would be able to fit young men for all the ordinary pursuits ih life, as well as provide a full course in the case of young ladies. "Parents and guardians, after securing for their child- ren or wards all the benefits which their local schools afford, still see the importance of sending daughters and sons abroad for one, two, or three years to some higher institution, to enjoy advantages they cannot enjoy at home. Besides, the majority, cannot have even good local schools near enough to board their children at home. If 122 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod we do not make proper provisions for their wants they will either be compelled to send them away to a great dis- tance, which many are loath to do, or else to institutipns of other churches, whereby they frequently become lost altogether to their own. No other church can provide for our own children as well as we can provide for them ourselves. "In the next place, our institution should be properly and permanently located from the beginning. In this respect we ought tQ learn a wholesome lesson from our past experience. Such a location should be selected as would, in all respects, looking to the future as well as to the present, meet most fully the wants of the Synod as a whole. To this end it should be centrally located in order to draw its patronage from our whole territory, and not so much from any one particular point. It should be on the line of a railroad, so as to be readily accessible from all directions. It should be so situated as to be able to reap the benefits both of country and city life. "The city of Pittsbui'gh is confessedly the centre of commercial life for the territory covered by this Synod. All the railways in this section of the state center there. Our Synod itself is fitly called after its name. It is the home of immense wealth: its importance is continually increasing ; its influence is felt and universally acknowl- edged. Some location in the country within easy and fre- quent access by rail to the city, seems to be a natural suggestion. "In the last place, our institution should be equal to the best in its class in other churches. This we can make it, by concentrating all our efforts upon it, such as no mere local school could possibly be. Each department should be presided over by a competent teacher, and every facility afforded, for all who desire, to pursue music, painting and other extra branches. The expenses should be moder- ate so as to be within reach of men. of moderate means. But, in addition to all this, it should be a positively Chris- tian school, not in any sense of a sectarian character, but in such sense as to afford the pupils the opportunity at least of enjoying all the blessings and privileges of the Literary Institutions 123 church. For this purpose, a congregation might be or- ganized in connection with the school, and thus have the students confronted all the time with the realities of re- ligion, in the ordinances of God's house. This feature is successfully and with highly satisfactory results, carried out both at Lancaster, and Mercersburg. It can not easily be overvalued. Pupils are away at school mostly from the age of twelve to twenty, a critical period in their lives, the very period in which they ought to attend catecheti- cal instruction and be admitted to full communion with the church. Children no less than their parents need the Bread of Life for their growth in grace. While their mental development is attended to, full provision should also be made for their spiritual wants. Education di- vorced from religion, as it is coming to be universally felt, will fail of its end. "The management and control of the institution should be left in the hands of a Board of Trustees, elected by Syn- od. This body should not be large, as experience teaches us that a small number of men, active and zealous, is far more efficient than a large number, living so far apart as hardly to be able to get together, even once a year, to form a quorum. The sum of at least forty thousand dollars will be required to purchase the grounds, erect the necessary buildings, and properly furnish the same. We believe that our people will come up to this require- ment, if the subject, in all its importance and bearing upon the best interests of the church, be clearly laid be- fore them. What is most needed is for this Sjmod to enter heartily into this Christian enterprise, and as heartily commend it to all her people. "Your committee, therefore, offers for consideration the following resolutions : "Besolved, That Sysiod at this meeting' elect hine Trustees, three for three years, three for two years, and three for one year; and three at every annual meeting thereafter, to serve for three years. "Resolved, That the Trustees thus elected be directed 124 The History of the PITTsbtiRGH Synod to meet in the City of Pittsburgh on the 28th ,day of December, 1870, in the morning at 10 o'clock, who shall elect their officers from their own number, and pro- ceed at once to be incorporated under a proper title, and in general accordance with this action of Synod. "Resolved, That the Trustees be requested to proceed at once to the election of a President for the institution, who shall visit our various charges and bring the matter before them, to elicit their patronage, and secure the necessary funds, or else appoint some other agent for this purpose. "Resolved, That the Trustees be requested to proceed to the establishment of the school as soon as in their judgment the way be properly open, and to present to Synod at every meeting a report of its condition, pros- pects, and wants. "Resolved that we hereby heartily commend this sub- ject to the attention of our pastors and people." The following Trustees of Literary Institutions were elected at this meeting: W. E. Schmertz, W. E. Krebs, C. M. Boush, Christian Siebert, A. J. Heller, B. Wolff, T. J. Barkley, W. J. Bear, and F. K. Levan. Some efforts were made to secure a location for a college, and to raise funds for its endowment. But there were difficulties in the way, probably the greatest of which was that no man or group of men were found with sufficient zeal for the cause and ability to undertake and carry to completion the work of starting and putting into successful operation such an institution as the lead- ing members of Synod had in mind. Several of those most forward in advocating the establishment of a college, shortly after the Synod began its work, found employ- ment in fields of labor outside the bounds of Synod's territory, and a Reformed college for the Pittsburgh Syn- od never came into existence, in all the fifty years of her history. Within the classes eventually composing the Pitts- Literary Institutions 125 burgh Synod there were however several academies un- der classical control and supported by the churches. The first of these was Clarion Collegiate Institute, at Rimersburg, Clarion County, Pa. It was founded and a building for its accommodation was eredted in 1859, largely through the efforts of Rev. Joseph G. Shoemaker, then pastor of the Curllsville-Rimersburg Charge, who canvassed the congregations of two counties and secured funds to start it on its career of usefulness, free of debt. This school lived for more than thirty years, not the most vigorous life, or in the most flourishing condition, but was at last forced to close its doors for want of patronage. Clarion County had at one time no less than seven similar academies, all but one of which went out of existence before Clarion Collegiate Institute suspended operations. The exception was Carrier Seminary, the one at the county seat, which was saved only because the State of Pennsylvania took it over and re-organized it as a State Normal School. The affairs of the Clarion Collegiate Institute were managed by Trustees elected by Clarion Classis. After the Synod came into existence this Board reported, from year to year, to the Board of Trustees of Literary Institutions of the Synod, which Board in turn reported to the Synod. Thus the Institution was, in a way, under the care of Synod, although tlie title to the property and the actual management of the school were in the hands of Trustees elected by the Clarion Classis. The first principal was Rev. Lucian Cort, the second was Rev. Abner Dale. Rev. Joseph H. Apple was prin- cipal from 1861 to 1870 : Rev. Charles Knepper from 1870 to 1871 ; R. B. Huey from 1871 to 1873 ; Rev. J. J. Pennypacker from 1874 to 1876; A. J. Davis from 1878 to 1881 ; Rev. W. W. Deatrick from Jan. 1883 to the sum- mer of 1891 ; A. G. Reiter from 1891 to 1892 ; S. W. Kerr from 1892 to 1894 ; and W. L. Smith from 1895 to 1898. It will be noticed that most of the principals remained but a short time. Dr. Joseph H. Apple was at the head of the school for nine years and Dr. W. W. Deatrick for about seven and one-half years. He went from Clarion Collegi- ate Institute to the Keystone State Normal School at 126 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Kutztown, Pa., where he has occupied the chair of English and Psychology for the past twenty-five years. Clarion Classis at its annual meeting in 1901, decided that the academy should be discontinued aiid the property sold, and this was finally done. ' There was also an Academy at Mt. Pleasant, Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, under the management of the old Westmoreland Classis. Rev. F. K. Levan was prin- cipal from its beginning in 1861 to 1867, when he was elected Missionary Bishop of Westmoreland Classis, his place at the head of the Academy then being taken by Rev. John H. Sykes. This school turned out a number of stu- dents, most of whom entered more advanced schools and some of them eventually found their way into the minis- try. Such were Thomas F. Stauflfer, James Crawford, John 0. Johnson, Albert E. Truxal, Jacob B. Welty, Alpha K. Kline, and John M. Schick. Others were Silas A. Kline, who became an attorney in Greensburg, U. M. Snyder, who became a physician in Delmont, and H. Clay Frick, the well-known coke manufacturer and millionaire. Westmoreland College attempted to carry on its work without an endowment, and did not secure a patronage large enough to maintain itself. It had failed twice before — once as a community academy, and once under the man- agement of the United Brethren Church. It did not succeed in maintaining itself permanently as a school of Westmoreland classis, closing its doors in 1868. Then a summer normal school was held in the building for several summers. Later, two citizens of Mt. Pleasant, a Mr. Hitchman and a Mr. Niel bought the property in 1871. They sold it to three Associations of the National Baptists, a year or two later, who, securing something of an endow- ment, carried on an Academy there for a good many years. There is some music taught in the building now, but the literary part of the work has long since been given up. The Greensburg Seminary was still another Academy within the territory of Pittsburgh Synod. In 1874, Rev. Prof. Lucian Cort purchased a lot from the Clopper es- Literary Institutions 127 tate on Bunker Hill, in Greensburg, for the purpose of founding a seminary for girls. Rev. J. W. Love, pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Greensburg, canvassed the town and secured money enough by selling scholar- ships to erect an imposing and commodious building upon this lot, and a boarding school for girls and day pupils was established. The school did good work for about fourteen years, as Professor Cort always employed good teachers. After the first few years young men were also received as pupils. Cyrus M. Hartzell prepared for the theological seminary here, and A. M. Keifer, John M. Jamison and many others for advanced classes in college. This was in fact a private enterprise of Prof. Cort's, although the Trustees of Literary Institutions of Pitts- burgh Synod had nominal control of it. At a meeting of Synod in Butler, October 4th, 1886, Prof. Cort sent in a letter, in which he made known the fact that, owing to the continued illness of Mrs. Cort, he was desirous of withdrawing from the work and dis- posing of the property. This action was taken : "1. Synod does not see its way clear to purchase the property. "2. Synod suggests to Prof. Cort that he advertise the Seminary property in the church papers, with a view of finding a purchaser among the ministers or members of the Reformed Church, who would carry on the school in the interest of our church. "3. That, in case no purchaser of this character can be found within a reasonable time, full liberty be given Prof. Cort to dispose of the Seminary property as he may see fit." At the meeting of Synod at Meyersdale, September 20th, 1888, two years later, the Trustees of Literary In- stitutions made this statement. "We regret to be under the necessity of reporting to 128 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Synod that the Greensburg Seminary, at the close of the last school year, passed from the control of our Board ^nd of this Synod, into the hands of another denomination. The long sickness and ultimate death of the wife of Prof. Cort, the owner of the property and principal of the school, created a desire on his part to sever his rela- tions with the institution. Of this desire the Synod had been repeatedly informed, and by an action passed at a fleeting of this body in Butler, two years ago. Prof. Cort was authorized to sell the institution, if a favorable opportunity should present itself,offering it first of all for a reasonable length of time, to someone who would carry it on in the interest of the Reformed Church, and after- wards, if no such purchaser could be found, to any one who would be willing to take it off his hands. These con- ditions were fully complied with by Prof. Cort. No one came forward, during the two years in which the institution was offered for sale, to purchase it and carry it on as a Reformed Church school. It has now been leased for a term of four years to the liUtherans, who are making it a school of their own church. The relation heretofore existing between this institution and the Pittsburgh Synod has thus come to an end, by the action of Synod and Prof. Cort." The Lutherans carried on an academy here for a number of years with more or less success. There were, however, very frequent changes in the principalshlp and faculty, and their success was not permanent. In the end the property was sold to a wealthy man as a site for a home. The Academy building was torn down and a large private residence put up in its place. The street running along west of this property is, however, still called "Sem- nary Avenue." Should some resident of Greensburg, in the distant future, inquire the reason of this name, the answer will be found in these pages. One of the chief reasons of the failure of these three academies under Church auspices, or rather their want Literary Institutions 129 of permanent success, for they did good work while they lasted, was the rapid development of the common schools, the organization of high schools in the towns and cities and later in some of the townships, and the establishment of normal schools all over the state. These are supported by taxation and are under the supervision of the general state and county school organization. Pupils from Latrobe and Greensburg would no longer go to the academy at Mt. Pleasant when they had just as good schools at their own doors, which they could attend with no expense for tuition, and without leaving home. Hence the time came, soon after the organization of the Pitts- burgh Synod, when the academy had outlived its useful- ness. The Academy at Rimersburg was maintained for many years, perhaps after it could have been dispensed with without much loss to the Reformed Church. It is well known, of course, that when the institutions now located at Lancaster were founded, the ministers and congregations of the western part of the ^tate were members of the Eastern Synod. When therefore, the hopes of a large legacy for the founding of an institution of learning for the Pittsburgh Synod, which had been entertained for some years, failed of realization, it was thought best to unite with some of the other synods in supporting colleges and seminaries already in existence, although not located within Synod's territory, or under Synod's sole management. Eventually the charters of the college and of the theological seminary at Lancaster were so changed as to have the three eastern English synods, the Eastern, the Pittsburgh, and the Potomac, unite in the ownership, support and management of these institutions. A full account of this transaction may prove interesting. At a meeting of Synod held at Latrobe, Sept. 30th, 1891, a committee appointed at the previous annual meeting, to define the educational policy of the Synod, made the fol- lowing report, which was adopted : "The Committee appointed at last meeting of Synod to define the educational policy of Pittsburg Synod, begs leave to report the following plan, and recommend its 9 130 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod adoption, and that suitable legislation be enacted from time to time to carry it out. "1. We recognize the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States, located at Lancas- ter, Pa., as the Theological Seminary of this Synod. We direct our students for the ministry to pursue their stud- ies there, and we give this school of the prophets, in whose Board of Trustees we have three members and to whose Board of Visitors two of our ministers belong, our most hearty, moral and financial support. "2. We recognize Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa., as the college of this Synod, and advise all our young men to take their college course in this institu- tion ; and we recommend the college at Lancaster to our wealthy members, as a school, in every way, worthy of their gifts and bequests, to the end that it may be more liberally endowed and that it may become more and more efficient from year to year. "3. In case it should be the good pleasure of the East- ern Synod, "which now has possession and sole control of the college at Lancaster, to recognize the joint ownership of this Synod in the property, and to give us a proper representation in its management, such a disposition will be most grateful to us, and we will readily assume both the privileges and responsibilities which such joint own- ership and control involve. We have not forgotten the fact that the churches in the bounds of our Synod formerly belohged to the Eastern Synod and shared in the owner- ship and control of both seminary and college, now in Lancaster, and that in recent years these institutions received a valuable bequest from our portion of the church. In view of these facts and of the action hereinbe- fore recommended, it is resolved that this synod do now appoint a committee of three of her members to con- fer with similar committees from the Eastern and Poto- mac Synods, and we direct said joint committee to for- mulate a plan by which such changes in the charters of the college and seminary at Lancaster may be made as shall provide for the joint ownership and management pf these institutions by the three synods interested. "A copy of this action shall be communicated to the Literary Institutions 131 Eastern and Potomac Synods, and they are asked to ap- point committees to confer with the committee of Pitts- burgh Synod, above-named, with reference to the mat- ters hereinbefore mentioned." Revs. William Rupp, and David B. Lady, and C. R. Dieffenbacher, D. D., were appointed to represent the Pittsburgh Synod on the joint committee called for in the third resolution of the above report. The Eastern Synod responded favorably to the sug- gestions of the Pittsburgh Synod, as found in this legis- lation and the Synod of the Potomac also fell in with the movement, each of these synods also appointing committees. The joint committee at a meeting held in Lancaster, June 13th, 1882, after careful delibera- tion, took the following action : L Franklin and Marshall College. "Resolved 1. That the ownership of the property of Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., and the management of the institution be vested, as heretofore, in a Board of Trustees consisting of thirty persons, to be held in trust for the Eastern Synod, the Pittsburgh Syn- od and the Synod of the Potomac, of the Reformed Church in the United States, and to be carried forward in their interest ; and that the charter of the college be so changed as to give the Eastern Synod the right of electing twelve, the Pittsburgh Synod three, and the Synod of the Poto- mac six members of the Board of Truste;3, the remain- ing nine members to be chosen by the Board itself; the term of office of said Trustees to be as heretofore, ten years. II. The Theological Seminary. "Resolved 2. That the ownership of the property of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States, at Lancaster, Pa., be vested in a Board of Trustees, consisting of eighteen laymen, to be held in trust for the Eastern Synod, the Pittsburgh Synod, and the Syn- od of the Potomac of the Reformed Church in the United States, to be managed by them in the interest of these three Synods ; and that the Charter be so changed as to give the Eastern Synod the right of electing nine, the 132 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Pittsburgh Synod three, and the Synod of the Potomac six of such Trustees ; the full term of service of such Trus- tees to be six years, but of those first chosen by each Synod under this arrangement, the term of one-third shall be only four years and one-third only two years. "Resolved 3. That there be, as heretofore, a Board of Visitors, consisting of twelve Ministers, six of whom shall be-elected by the Eastern Synod, two by the Pittsburgh Synod, and four by the Synod of the Potomac of the Re- formed Church in the United States, who shall perform the duties of said Board as designated by the three Synods interested, and as set forth in the articles of incorpora- tion ; the full term of service of said Visitors shall be four years, but of those first chosen by each Synod under this arrangement, the term of one-half shall be only twc years." The action of the joint committee was reported to Pittsburgh Synod at the annual meeting held in Irwin on Sept. 28th, 1892, and was adopted. The other two Sjmods also took favorable action on the subject, and the State Legislature amended the charters so as to include the Pittsburgh Synod and the Synod of the Potomac in the ownership, support and management of the College and Seminary at Lancaster. Thus the educational policy of the Pittsburgh Synod, .as far as the College and Theological Seminary are con- cerned, was formally settled in 1893, twenty-three years after her synodical career began. As the Synod had been sending nearly all her students to Lancaster from the beginning, the action taken was most natural and sen- sible, in fact, just what might have been expected, under all the circumstances of the case, from a body of men as practical as are the ministers and elders of this synod. It is said that someone once wrote a history of Ireland, and that the heading of one of the chapters was: "Snakes," and that under that heading was the sentence : "There are no snakes in Ireland." Only this and nothing more. The reader, if anyone ever reads this book, might be of the opinion that the writer might have imitated fne Irish historian, and written, under the heading : "Literary Literary Institutions 133 Institutions" — "There are no Literary Institutions in the Pittsburgh Synod." This would at least have been brief, and the truth. Following the example of Franklin and Marshall Col- lege and the Seminary at Lancaster, Hood College for young ladies located at Frederick, Md., founded by the Synod of the Potomac some twenty-six years ago, in which many girls from western Pennsylvania had been educated for over twenty years, sought a closer union, a few years ago, with the Pittsburgh Synod. At a meeting of the Synod of the Potomac, held in Al- toona, Oct. 27th, 1914, the following action was taken : "Resolved : That this Synod at this time overture the Pittsburgh Synod to join the Synod of the Potomac in the control and support of Hood College; and that if such overture is favorably received Pittsburgh Synod be re- quested to appoint a committee to confer with a similar committee of this Synod." In connection with this action Potomac Synod appoint- ed a committee consisting of Rev. W. C. Schaeffer, D. D., Rev. A. S. Dechant, Elders George A. Robb, Jacob Rohr- bach, and J. H. Apple to co-operate with Pittsburgh Syn- od's committee. In a statement to the Pittsburgh Sjmod, Prof. J. H. Apple said : "I would commend this overture to your earnest, and, I hope, favorable consideration, and for your information on any details of the question there will be present two members of the committee who vdll gladly speak of the College and its work, either in committee or open session of the Synod. Praying that you may be guided into such action as may be for the highest interests of the kingdom." To this overture the Pittsburgh Synod made the follow- ing response : "a. Resolved, that Pittsburgh Synod, without at this time committing itself to any definite action in the matter, nevertheless is ready to give the proposition respectful and due consideration and therefore authorizes the presi- dent of Synod to appoint a conference committee of five, to meet a similar committee already appointed by the Synod of the Potomac. "b. Resolved, that said committee be instructed to 134 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod report the actions of the joint meeting to the next annual meeting of Synod or to a special meeting called for the purpose." These committees met in Frederick, Md., Oct. 22d, 1915: and this is their report, made to the Pittsburgh Synod at its annual nleeting, in Meyersdale, Oct. 11th, 1916: "After careful deliberation the following action was unanimously adot)ted: "Resolved, First. That this committee of conference recommend to the Potomac and Pittsburgh Synods that the two Synods join in the control and support of Hood College, Frederick, Md. "Resolved, Second. That for the carrying out of the purpose of this resolution the Synods request the Board of Directors of Hood College to secure such amendments to its charter as to make the Board consist of eighteen members, six to be elected by the Potomac Synod, six by Pittsburgh Synod, and the remaining six by the twelve thus elected. "Your committee therefore begs leave to present this action as its report, with the recommendation that Pitts- burgh Synod approve and adopt the resolutions of this committee and take such action as may be necessary to complete the plans. "The history of Hood College, its new site and valua- ble grounds, its present prosperous condition, the large new buildings, already filled to overflowing, the com- prehensive plans for future enlargement, the wise man- agement and direction — all prophesy the bright fu- ture of the institution of which the Synod may justly be proud. It is not a decadent and languishing college likely to be a constant burden, but one that has in it every promise of successfully filling one of the most important fields of modern education in the Reformed Church. The committee heartily recommends the favorable action of Synod." The Synod took this action, reported by the standing committee on educational institutions : "There was also referred to our committee the report of the committee appointed by your body at the Synod Literary Institutions 135 of 1915 to confer with a similar committee of the Po- tomac Synod in regard to the control and support of Hood College, located at Frederick, Md. "After due deliberation your committee asks : "1. That the report of your committee be adopted, thereby Pittsburgh Synod becoming partner in the con- trol and support of the above mentioned college. "2. That the directors asked for in the said report be referred to the Committee on Nominations, two for elected for one year, two for two years and two for three years. "3. That the representatives from our Synod be com- posed of three ministers and three laymen." A change in the charter of Hood College was secured to make it conform to the above legislation on the part of the two Synods interested. The following persons were in due time, at this meet- ing, elected to represent the Pittsburgh Synod as Trus- tees of Hood College; E. P. Skyles, A. E. Truxal, Lewis Robb, E. P. Hay, H. F. Texter, and John E.Kunlde. Later, by the Trustees themselves E. S. Bromer was made a Trustee. Thus the Pittsburgh Synod also acquired an interest in a school for girls. It is felt now on all sides, in the Synod, that the policy here set forth at length, is the wisest that, under all the circumstances of the case, could have been adopted. As the people of the Synod look at it, it is better to have one good strong college, and one well managed and flourish- ing girl's school, and one fully endowed and equipped theological seminary, even though the students must travel farther to reach them, than a number of weak schools nearer home. At a meeting of the Pittsburgh Synod in Greenville in 1872, in response to an overture from the Board of Trus- tees of the seminary at Lancaster, Pa., the Synod agreed to take part in the support and management of that insti- tution. The seminary agent came into the field and col- lected about $1,700, towards the endowment of a chair in the Seminary to be known as Pittsburgh Synod's Chair. 136 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Many years later the Synod decided to complete the en- dowment of this chair. A committee, of which Rev. David B. Lady was chairman, began work on this project in January, 1891, and the task was practically completed by January, 1894, when Synod's first professor began his work in the Seminary. The amount contributed for this purpose, including the $1,700, secured about 1872, with accrued interest on the same, was $33,650. In the fall of 1904 the Synods controlling the Seminary took measures to increase its endowment. A committee of the three Synods met in Lancaster on January 12th, 1905, and agreed that an effort should be made to secure $150,000 for this purpose. Dr. J. C. Bowman was prevailed upon to undertake the work, and obtained from the ministers of Pittsburgh Synod $6,462.00, and from its laymen $19,865,26, a total of $26,327.26. In 1915 the Board of Trustees asked the Synods to make provision for the erection of a dormitory and re- fectory for the use of the seminary. Pittsburgh Synod approved the project at the annual meeting of that year in Evans City. Through the efforts of Dr. Bowman $13,892.27 was contributed by the people of the Synod for the dormitory, and one individual gave $1,000 to- wards the Library Annex. The Synod also contributed $350 for the purchase of a lot. The contributions to the seminary for permanent improvements and endowment are as follows : From the Wilhelm Estate $ 13.333.00 Pittsburgh Synod's Chair 33,650.00 Increased Endowment 26,327.26 Dormitory and Refectory 13,892.27 Library Annex 1,000.00 Purchase of Lot 350 00 Total $ 88,552.53 There was given for permanent improvements and endowment of Franklin and Marshall as nearly as can be ascertained in the absence of data furnished by the authorities, the following sums : Literary Institutions 137 From the Wilhelm Estate $ 26,067.00 For the Erection of the Science B.ilUiii;? 12,000.00 For Equipment of the Science Building 5,000.00 Philip Daubenspeck, Annuity 5,000.00 Mrs. and Miss Wol^ 2,000,00 Mr. and Mrs. Buchheit 1,000 00 Collected by Professor Hartman for the Academy Building and Endowment 35,000.00 Collected by Mr. W. R. Barnhart for Endowment.... 15,000.00 Fred W. Biesecker, for a Gymnasium 30,000.00 Total $131,667.00 So far very few contributions have been made to Hood College by members of Pittsburgh Synod. A good many years ago Mr. Abraham Beam, of Somer- set County, set aside a farm, the proceeds of which were to be used for the education of young men for the minis- try, at the Eastern Seminary. The coal under the farm has lately been sold for $150,000. This is an additional contribution from Pittsburgh Synod to the support of the Seminary. There are about 1800 acres of coal belonging to the Wil- helm Estate which came to Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary, which will probab- ly soon come into market and from which the institutions expect to realize a large sum, from one quarter to three quarters of a million dollars. CHAPTER XV. St. Paul's Orphans' Home. The minds of the ministers and people of the church in western Pennsylvania were turned to the matter of establishing a home for orphan children at a compara- tively early date. Already in 1859, Clarion Classis called the attention of the Synod of the United States, of which Synod this Classis was a member at that time, to the importance of establishing an Orphan Asylum. This was several years before the founding of the Orphans' Home at Bridesburg,,near Philadelphia, by Rev. Emanuel Boehringer, which is now the "Bethany Orphans' Home," located at Womelsdorf, Pa. At a meeting of St. Paul's Classis held in Harmony, June 1st, 1865, a request for contributions from a Home in Centre County was presented. To this the Classis replied : "The Orphans' Cause is one, in the nature of the case, that lies near to the heart of every member of this Classis. Since the idea of such a Home originated in Clarion Classis, which was then composed of what is now Clarion and St. Paul's Classes of the German Re- formed Church, our warmest sympathies, best wishes, and earnest prayers are with the founder of this par- ticular Home, brought to our notice. We will also cheer- fully encourage individual contributions thereto, but, as a Classis, cannot see our way clear to pledge ourselves for any special amount of money, since we feel the need of such a Home in our own midst." These are the first two notices on record that the people of the Reformed Church of this district were thinking of an Orphans' Home. At the next meeting of St. Paul's Classis, held in Butler, June 1st, 1866, a committee was appointed to consider the propriety of establishing an Orphans' Home within 138 o z 3 3 1 H o < M cu ■ OS o m E3 Lawrence D. Leberman Lawrence D. Leberman whose parents were Bavarian Jews, and whose father was murdered by pirates at sea, came to America and for some time made his living by Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 189 pedling. He studied under Rauch and Mayer at York. Near the close of 1847 he became pastor of a charge in Clarion County, Pa., south of the Clarion River. He or- ganized congregations at Mt. Zion's, Squirrel Hill and Shannondale. In 1848 the charge was divided into an east and west section. Rev. Leberman took the east sec- tion including Redbank, Salem, etc. From 1858 to 1866 he was pastor at Meadville, Dutch Hill and the Marsh. Then he was missionary secretary with headquarters at Reading for some time. Later he was pastor of the Limer- ick charge and then of Pottstown, Amityville and Baums- town. During the last few years of his life he resided in Philadelphia, and he was buried at Reading. He had a strong personality, was a fine preacher in German and English, and had good executive abilities. During his pastorate at Meadville the Reformed congregation sep- arated from the Lutherans and built their own church. In 1869 he was a delegate to the General Synod from Leb- anon Classis. CHAPTER XIX. * Biographical Sketches of Ministers Now Deceased — Continued. William D. Lefevre William D. Lefevre was born near Littlestown, Adams County, Pa., March 1st, 1837, and graduated from Frank- lin and Marshall College in 1862, and from the Theologi- cal Seminary in Mercersburg in 1864. He was ordained Oct. 27th, 1864, at a meeting of Synod held at Lancaster, Pa. He was pastor at Sulphur Springs, Pa.; Martins- burg, Va. ; Greenfield, Shellsburg, Stoyestown, and El- derton. Pa. He died at Dover, Del., Oct. 25th, 1913, aged seventy-six years, seven months and twenty-four days. George Leidy George Leidy, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., Nov. 7th, 1793, and died in Norristown, Pa., May 30th, 1879, aged eighty-five years, six months and twenty-three days. In 1813, he began his studies for the ministry un- der his uncle. Rev. Casper Wack, in Germantown, Pa., and continued them for five years. He was licensed in 1818, and ordained in 1819. He labored for five and one- half months in Virginia and North Carolina as a travel- ing missionary and then settled at Woodstock, Va., where he labored three years ; then at Westminister, Md., eight years; in Cumberland Valley four years; and at Shells- burg nine years. Here he was a member of the Eastern District of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, later Westmoreland Classis. Then he resided for a time at Car- lisle, Pa., and finally at Norristown, Pa., until his death. Franklin K. Levan Franklin K. Levan, D. D., was born in Maxatawney Township, Berks County, Pa., July 25th, 1831, and died in Wilkesbarre, Pa.,Nov. 13th, 1874. He graduated from 190 Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 191 Franklin and Marshall College in 1853. After a course in the seminary at Mercersburg he was licensed to preach by Westmoreland Classis in 1856 and became pastor of the Somerset charge. In 1861 he was elected principal of the Mt. Pleasant College, from which he retired in 1868 He lived for a while near Pittsburgh and was sup- erintendent of Missions for Westmoreland Classis, and' later for the Tri-Synodic Board. In 1878 he went to Wilkesbarre as pastor of Zion's Reformed Church, where he remained until his death. He was for some years a regular contributor to the Messenger under the pen-name of Wyoming. He died suddenly and was greatly mourn- ed. The family is of Huguenot origin. Cakl August Limberg Carl August Limberg was born in Elberfeld, Germany, Dec. 24th, 1824, and came to America in 1848. He grad- uated from Heidelberg Theological Seminary in 1854, and the same year became pastor of the Clearfield charge in Clearfield County, Pa. He was pastor at Butler and sev- eral neighboring congregations in 1867, when he was appointed superintendent of St. Paul's Orphans' Home, in which position he served for about four years. He then served several congregations again in Butler County. He died in Butler, June 13th, 1900, aged seventy-five years, five months and nineteen days. George Elias Limbert George Elias Limbert, son of Henry and Catherine (Long) Limbert, was born in Madisonburg, Centre Coun- ty, Pa., Dec. 30th, 1865, and died Feb. 25th, 1907, in Al- toona. Pa., aged forty-one years, one month and twenty- five days. He prepared for college at Spring Mills Aca- demy, and taught at Madisonburg and Millheim. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1890, and from the Lancaster Seminary in 1893. His first charge was Grove City, Mercer County, Pa., where he labored seven years. He organized a new congregation in Grove City, and was stated clerk of St. Paul's Classis. In 192 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod 1900 he became pastor in Danville, Pa., and in 1905 came to Altoona, Pa. He left a wife, whose maiden name was Flora Moyer, and one son Paul, who was valedictorian of his class at Franklin and Marshall College in 1918. John Wesley Love John Wesley Love, D. D., was born in New Windsor, Md., March 9th, 1834. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1860, and from the Seminary in Mer- cersburg in 1862. He was licensed by the Eastern Synod at Chambersburg, Pa., and entered upon his work in Alexandria, Huntingdon County, Pa., where he remained eight years. His second charge was the Second Reform- ed Church of Greensburg, and the Seanor's "congregation, seven miles south of Greensburg. A new congregation was organized at New Stanton, and new churches built at the three places. He remained here sixteen years. A parsonage was also built at Greensburg. Mr. Love's next iield of labor was at Wichita, Kansas, where also a church was built. He next served the Kansas City mission, and for the last four years of his life was supply pastor at St. Joseph, Mo., St. Louis. Mo., and at Columbus Junction, Iowa. He died Dec. 21st, 1907, aged seventy-three years, nine months and twelve days. LORAN BiGELOW LEASURE- Loran Bigelow Leasure, son of Abraham and Barbara (Lobengier) Leasure, was born near Madison, Westmore- land County, Pa., Oct. 26th, 1826. He was married to Miss Anna Tinsman, Nov. 20th, 1855, and became the father of eight children. He was licensed to preach by a quarterly conference of the U. B. Church, Jan. 30th, 1852, and was ordained by an annual conference, which met at Liverpool, Perry County, Pa., Jan. 4th, 1862. He was re- ceived into the Reformed Church by Westmoreland Classis in 1866, and served a charge in Somerset County, one in Kittanning and Emlenton, one at Wilkinsburg, and one at Scottdale. Pa. He died Nov. 9th, 1881, aged fifty-fiye years and thirteen days. Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 193 John F. Mackley John F. Mackley was bom in Littlestown, Pa., graduat- ed at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., in 1876. He attended a medical college and became an M. D. in 1882. After practicing several years he entered the East- ern Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1886. He served charges at Emlenton, Maytown, St. Thomas and the Fairfield-Cashtown charge. Pa. He died at Fairfield, Pa., Sept. 16th, 1914. John Peter Mahnenschmidt John Peter Mahnenschmidt was born in Somerset or Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1783. He for a time follow- ed the calling of school teacher. He was instructed in the Heidelberg Catechism by a colleague of Rev. Otterbein. He often spoke at prayer meetings. In his nineteenth year he preached a funeral sermon. In 1806, at the earnest solicitation of the members, he began to preach to vacant congregations in Washington County. He was licensed as a catechist in 1811, and to preach in 1812, and ordained in 1817. He came from Mahoning County, Ohio, and preach- ed at Zion's, seven miles south of Mercer and at Good Hope, in Mercer County, Pa., for seventeen years. He died July 11th, 1857 in Canfield, Ohio, aged about seven- ty-four years. JosiAH May Josiah May was bom in Bedford County, Pa., Oct. 19th, 1826, and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1858, and from the Eastern Theological Seminary sev- eral years later, and was ordained by Tiffin Classis in 1864. He served charges at Findlay, Ohio, Cochranton, Pa., Balm, St. John's, and Sugar Creek, Butler County, Pa., and Wills Creek, Pa. He died at Bayard, W. Va., Nov. 27th, 1913, at the age of eighty-seven years, one month and eight days. 194 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod LuciAN John Mayer Lucien John Mayer was born in West Brunswick, Schuylkill County, Pa., Aug. 14th, 1834, a son of Rev. Philip Mayer and wife, and died at Oak Lane, Philadel- phia, Pa., July 27th, 1903, aged sixty-eight years, eleven months and thirteen days. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1858, and from the Mercersburg Seminary in 1860. He was licensed by Schuylkill Classis and ordained by St. Paul's Classis. He took the Clarks- ville charge, consisting of five congregations. In 1862 the charge was divided and he continued to serve Hickory, Coalbank and Clarksville. In 1864 the charge was again divided, two new congregations having been organized, one in Sharon, Pa., and another in Hubbard, Ohio In Oct. 1866 he took the Swamp charge in Montgomery County, Pa., where he served twenty-one years. Then he re- moved to Saegertown for a period of rest, but supplied the Sharon charge, which was vacant at the time. In 1891 he went to Reamstown, Pa., and a few years later to For- eston. 111., where he was pastor for nine years. Then he came to the home of his son-in-law and daughter. Rev. and Mrs. A. S. Dechant, where he died shortly afterwards. He was forty-three years in the active pastorate. His body was buried at Saegertown, Pa. John McConnell John McConnell was born in York County, Pa., June 24th, 1823. He served as a soldier in the Mexican War. He was married to Miss Rachael Humbertson in 1849, with whom he lived for over sixty-two years. He was licensed to preach by Westmoreland Classis in 1853 and preached for six months as supply at Grantsville, and nearby con- gregations. He was ordained by Miami Classis in 1855. He served at Jonesboro, 111., at Stoutsville, Ohio, Johnstown, Ohio, Corydon, Ind., St. James and Salina, Pa. ; and at Henshews, Cookport and New Castle, Pa., as supply. He died at Salina, Pa., Feb. 16th, 1913, aged eighty-nine years, six months and twenty-two days. Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 195 Blocadus S. Metzger Blocadus S. Metzger was born in Allentown, Pa. He graduated from the Eastern Theological Seminary in 1877. He served congregations in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. He was pastor of the Paradise charge in Clarion Classis from 1885 to 1890. On account of throat trouble he gave up the ministry and studied and practiced medicine from 1898 until his death on Jan. 14th, 1914. WiLLOUGHBY H. MiLL HOUSE Willoughby H. Millhouse was born Nov. 13th, 1867, in Lehigh County, Pa., and was educated at Palatinate Col- lege, Franklin and Marshall College and the Seminary at Lancaster, graduating from College in 1898 and from the Theological Seminary in 1899. He was licensed by Le- high Classis the same year. He served pastorates at Towamansing, Sharon, Beam's charge, and Leek Kill, Pa. He died in Allentown, Pa., May 27th, 1916, aged forty- eight years, six months and fourteen days. Emil F. J. Muehe Emil F. J. Muehe was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1865. His mother dying when he was young, he became a waif, took several sea voyages and finally was found in an in- dustrial home in his native city. He was confirmed in the Third Reformed Church. He learned the carpenter trade but felt a call to the ministry. He was for some time at Mercersburg Academy and graduated from the sem- inary at Lancaster in 1895, and became pastor at Mc- Keesport, Pa. His health soon broke down and after spending a winter in North Carolina, and some time in Denver, Colo., he returned to Lancaster, Pa., where he died Feb. 15th, 1899, at the age of thirty-four years. Francis Netcher Francis Netcher was born April 15th, 1826, in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany. He came to America with his par- ents when twelve years old and settled near Buffalo. He 196 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod studied in the college ill Mercersburg and Lancaster, grad- uating in 1854, and in the seminary in 1856. He served the Benders charge in Adams County, Pa., from 1856 to 1858. He went to the Red Bank charge in Clarion Coun- ty, Pa., in May, 1858. He died April 16th, 1859, aged thirty-three years and one day. Aaron Noll Aaron Noll was born at Montgomery, Pa., Apr. 7th, 1861, and prepared for college at Milton, Pa. ; graduated at Franklin and Marshall College in 1885, and in the East- ern Seminary in 1888. He served charges at Hazelton, Pa., Youngstown, Ohio, Calvary, Philadelphia, West Mil- ton, . McKeesport, . Montgomery, and Scranton,. Pa. He died at Scranton, Pa., July 8th, 1914, at the age of fifty- three years, two months and one day. JOSIAH J. PENNYPACKER Josiah J. Pennypacker was born in Philadelphia, Dec. 13th, 1835. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1864, and was for a time in the army and in the Sanitary Commission. He graduated in the Mercers- burg Seminary in 1867. His first charge was in Arm- strong County, Pa. From 1878 to 1882 he was principal of Clarion Collegiate Institute, doing also considerable preaching. In Jan., 1883, he took charge of the Mercer mission. He died April 23d, 1884, aged forty-eight years, four months and eleven days. John A. Peters John A. Peters, D. D., was born in Hagerstown, Md., June 25th, 1832. Later, the family moved to Lancaster County, Pa. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1857. He was principal of the Irwin Academy from 1857 to 1859. Then he was tutor in Latin and Mathematics in Mt. Washington College, Md., from 1859 to 1861. He studied theology from 1861 to 1864 at Mer- cersburg, Pa. He was pastor at Mt. Pleasant from 1864 Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 197 to 1869 ; at Carlisle from 1869 to 1870 ; tutor at Franklin and Marshall College from 1870 to 1871 ; pastor at Alex- andria, Pa., from 1871 to 1878 ; pastor of the First Re- formed church, Lancaster, Pa., from 1879 to 1884, at Dan- ville from 1884 to 1891. He was president of the literary department of •Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio, from 1891 to 1901. He died Sept. 28th, 1901, and was buried in the Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Pa. His age was sixty-nine years, three months, and three days. He was president of the Board of Home Missions for a number of years. Fredekick Pilgrim Frederick Pilgrim was born in Huntershausen, Hesse- Cassel, Germany, Dec. 24th, 1837. He came with his mother and sisters to America and settled in Philadelphia in 1857. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall Col- lege in 1863 and from the Seminary at Mercersburg in 1866, was licensed by Philadelphia Classis, and ordained by St. Paul's Classis in the same year, and was pastor of the Shenango charge in Mercer County, Pa., for two years then at Columbia, Pa., for four years, and again of the Shenango charge for fifteen years. Then he was at Ir- win, Pa., for a few years, after which he moved back to Greenville and supplied some vacant congregations in St. Paul's Classis, and after a short residence in Braddock, he moved to Lancaster County, and took the pastorate of the Bethany charge. He died July 5th, 1896, in a hospital in Philadelphia, aged fifty-eight years, seven months and eleven days. He was a good musician. Rev. Robert J. Pilgrim of Lancaster, is a son of Rev. F. Pilgrim. John Hassler Prugh John Hassler Prugh, D. D., son of Rev. Peter Cornel- ius and Catherine Priigh, was born at Xenia, Ohio, Oct. 23d, 1854, and died in Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 22d, 1915, aged sixty-one years, one month and twenty-nine days. Dr. Prugh was educated in a Lutheran college at Spring- field, Ohio, and at the U. P. Theological Seminary at 198 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Xenia, Ohio, graduating in 1880. His only pastorate was that of Grace Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. He was president of Pittsburgh Synod one year and of the General Synod one triennium. He was the minister long- est in the service of one congregation in Pittsburgh when he died, having been pastor of Grace Ch«rch thirty-five years. He was vice-president of the Board of Foreign Missions for a number of years. Daniel Rauhauser Daniel Rauhauser, of whose early life there seems to be no record, appears in the list of ministers in 1821. At this time he was pastor at Harmony, in Butler County, and at Wolf's Creek and Cribb's in Mercer County, Pa. He labored here eight or ten years. He then removed to Ashland, Ohio, and had four congregations, where he re- mained to the close of his life. He died in Mifflin, Ohio, Jan. 3d, 1848. J. S. Regnier J. S. Regnier came from Switzerland. He succeeded Rev. Henry Geise as pastor of the Berlin charge, Som- erset County, Pa. He remained here from Nov. 3d, 1834, to Nov. 1835, when he removed to Bethlehem, Ohio, and after some years died there. C. H. Reiter C. H. Reiter was born Oct. 17th, 1816, and died Nov. 17th, 1881, aged seventy-five years and one month. He was a graduate of the seminary at TiflSn, Ohio, 1855. He served charges at Carrolton and Smithville, Ohio, Aarons- burg. Woodcock Valley, and Orbisonia, Pa. His last charge was Glencoe, Somerset County, Pa. He preached the gos- pel for thirty-six years. His last few years were spent at Marklesburg, Pa., from where he did considerable sup- ply work. His funeral was largely attended, and was in charge of Rev. C. U. Heilman. Revs. Dr. Rupley, Heil- man, and Pontius made addresses. Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 199 John Ruhl John Ruhl was born in Iba, in Hesse, Germany, May 4th, 1821, and came to America in 1836. He studied pri- vately under Rev. Isaac Shellhammer in Luzerne Coun- ty, Pa., and Rev. John W. Hamm, in Ohio. He was li- censed in 1845 by Sandusky Classis and appointed mis- sionary at various points in Medina and Summit Coun- ties, Ohio. From 1847 to 1860 he served pastorates at Congress, Meron, Defiance and Bazil, Ohio. Then his voice failed and he studied medicine and practiced until 1869, when he came to Frostburg, Md., and was pastor there for sixteen years, and built up a flourishing congre- gation. He died in Frostburg, May 29th, 1885, aged six- ty-four years and twenty-five days. William Rupp William Rupp, D. D., was born in Lehigh County, Pa., April 17th, 1839, and prepared for the ministry at Allen- town Seminary, Franklin and Marshall College, and the seminary at Mercersburg, graduating from the latter in 1864. He was pastor at St. Clair, and Berlin, Pa., Man- chester, Md., and Meyersdale, Pa. He was installed as Pittsburgh Synod's professor in the Seminary at Lan- caster, in Sept. 1893. He received the degree of D. D., from Franklin and Marshall College in 1886. He diecl Apr. 3d, 1904, aged sixty-four years, eleven months and sixteen days. A fuller sketch appears elsewhere. Christian C. Russell C. C. Russell was born in Washington County, Md., Oct. 7th, 1827. He was confirmed by Rev. J. 11. A. Bomberger in the Salem Church, near Waynesboro, Pa. He graduated at Franklin and Marshall College in 185:1. He taught for a year and a half, and then studied in the seminary at Mercersburg, and was licensed to preach in 1856. His first charge was Columbia, Pa. Then he went to West- moreland County, and preached in a number of congrega- tions as a co-laborer with Father Voigt, for about fif- 200 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod teen years. His last charge was in Kent County, Dela- ware. He died Nov. 17th, 1871, in Philadelphia, aged forty-four years, one month and ten days. George Besore Russell George B. Russell, D. D. L. L. D., was born at Russell's Mill, near Leitersburg, Washington Co., Md., Aug. 18th, 1824, and died at his residence, "Trek's End," Waynes- boro, Pa., Jan. 5th, 1907, aged eighty-three years, four months and seventeen days. He graduated from Mar- shall College in 1849. He then taught in Middletown, Md., for two years and was tutor in Marshall Academy for two years, taking, at the same time, the course in theology under Drs. Schaff and Nevin. He was licensed in Oct., 1853, and soon after ordained by Lancaster Classis and sent as a missionary to Pittsburgh, where he succeeded in founding Grace Church in 1854. Here he labored eight years, developing the congregation, and building a church, partly by personal collections abroad. In 1863 he or- ganized a mission in Allegheny. He organized several other missions, and was the first pastor of Grace mission in Washington, D. C. He published the "Pastor's Help- er," the first Sunday School paper in the Reformed Church, and was associate editor of the Messenger and "Book Editor." He edited and published the "New Era," for the Pittsburgh Synod, for several years, 1873 and 1876, and was one of the founders of St. Paul's Orphans' Home, at Butler, Pa. He wrote "The Ripe Harvest," "Creed and Customs," "Jesus in the Home," and "Fo\ir- score and More," which last is an autobiography. He was for two years president of Palatinate College at Myers- town, Pa. In 1883 Dr. Russell moved to his farm near Waynesboro, where he lived for a number of years, sup- plying a congregation at Mount Alto, and afterwards to a residence in Waynesboro, in 1903. William B. Sandoe William B. Sandoe, son of Abraham and Nancy Sandoe, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 2d, 1814. When twen- Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 201 one years of age he enlisted in the U. S. Army, and served three years under Col. Kearney with General Zach- ary Taylor in the Florida War with the Indians. Then he taught school, was received into the Reformed Church in 1841 by Rev. I. F. Steely. He was ordained to the ministry on May 22d, 1850 by the Free Synod of the German Reformed Church. He served eleven different charges, among them Henshews, Butler County, Pa. He died Jan. 23d, 1890, aged seventy-five years, four months and tvi^enty-one days. He nearly completed forty years in the ministry. Casper Scheel Casper Scheel vi^as born in Neuengronau, Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, Aug. 24th, 1830, and came to Pittsburgh in 1846, where he became acquainted with Rev. Samuel Miller, of Harmony, Pa., by whom he was persuaded to study for the ministry at Heidelberg College and the sem- inary at Tiffin, Ohio. He was licensed to preach by Clar- ion Classis in 1855. He served several charges : at Littles- town, Pa., and in Ohio, Indiana and Maryland. His last charge was at Zelienople, Pa., where he served seventeen years. He died May 14th, 1915, aged eighty-four years, six months and twenty days. John M. Schick John M. Schick, D. D., born at Richmond, Va., Nov. 8th, 1848, was educated at Westmoreland College, Mt.Pleasant, Pa., and Mercersburg College and Theological Seminary, was licensed by Allegheny Classis in 1876, and the same year, ordained by Mercersburg Classis. He served charges at Orbisonia, Myersdale, Shenango, Pa., Tiffin, Ohio, and Washington, D. C, where under his pastorate a fine new church was built. He was stated clerk of Pittsburgh Synod from 1884 to 1894. He died at Washington, D. C, July 12th, 1913, aged sixty-four years, six months and twenty-two days. 202 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Francis R. Schwedes Francis R. Schwedes, D. D., was born in Kirchbaum, Hesse, Germany, May 31st, 1830, died at Terre Haute, Ind., Sept. 26th, 1903, aged seventy-three years, three months and twenty-five days. He was educated in the Gymnasium of Heresfeld, and the University of Marburg. He came to America through the influence of Dr. Schaff , giving several more years to the study of theology at Mercersburg, graduating in 1861. He was pastor at Cov- ington, Ky., from 1861 to 1868, at Fort Wayne, Ind., from 1868 to 1874. In 1873 he was called to the chair of German Literature in Tiffin College, but went to Ger- many for six months, and then returned and took the congregation at Cumberland, Md. His last pastorate was at Terre Haute, Ind., from 1887 to 1897. He was in re- tirement for six years before his death. He was very successful in building up his congregations. Franklin and Marshall College gave him the degreee of D. D. in 1895. Gustav a. Schwedes Gustav A. Schwedes, son of Rev. Francis R. Schwedes, D. D., was born in Covington, Ky., June 20th, 1866, and died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 2d, 1919, aged fifty-two years, eight months and twelve days. He was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Seminary, graduating from the seminary in 1885. He served charges in Frostburg, Md., Kutztown, Bethle- hem, and Allentown, Pa. He served Christ Church, Beth- lehem, Pa., for twenty-one years. His health failed three years before his death, and he was in New Mexico to get the benefit of the climate when he died. Joseph G. Shoemaker Joseph G. Shoemaker was born in Friend's Cove, Bed- ford County, Pa., Aug. 15th, 1828. His parents were Philip J. and Christina Shoemaker. He took a partial course in Marshall College. In the spring of 1854 he en- tered the seminary at Mercersburg. He was licensed to Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 203 preach by the Eastern Ssoiod at Chambersburg, Pa., in the fall of 1855. On March 1st, 1856, he became pastor of the Curllsville, Pa., charge, where he remained for eighteen years. He then served charges in Reading, Aaronsburg, Pa., Emporia, Kansas, Alexandria, Ohio, and Red Band, Pa. He died Oct. 20th, 1896, aged sixty-eight years, two months and iive days. Samuel Shaw Samuel Shaw was bom in Morrow County, Ohio, March 25th, 1835, and was educated at Tiffin, Ohio. He was li- censed Oct. 20th, 1860, and ordained May 5th, 1861. He was pastor at Fostoria, Ohio, for two years; Port Jef- ferson and other points, eight years; Delmont, Pa., two years; Liberty Centre, Ohio, a short time; Corothers, Ohio, twelve years ; Marmont, Ind., four years ; Lone Tree and Conesville, Iowa, one year ; Tipton, Iowa, three years. He died April 7th, 1897, aged sixty-two years and thirteen days. E. D. Shoemaker E. D. Shoemaker was born in Friend's Cove, Bed- ford County, Pa., June 29th, 1829, and was the son of Henry P. and Charlotte Shoemaker. The family is of Swiss origin and has belonged to the Reformed Church since the Reformation. Rev. Shoemaker's grandparents came to America in 1760. Mr. Shoemaker was educated at Lancaster, but left college at the end of the sophomore year. Later he entered the Seminary at Mercersburg from which he graduated in 1860. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Kittanning charge in Armstrong County, Pa., by Revs. J. G. Shoemaker, J. S. Shade and F. Wise. A large number of people were added to the church ; but he overtaxed his strength, and had to withdraw at the end of two years. In 1864 he became pastor of the Latrobe charge in Westmoreland County, Pa., where he labored for three years, when his health broke down, and he had to give up preaching for three years. In 1870 he became pastor of the Yellow Creek charge in Bedford County, Pa., where he labored for four years, and then 204 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod moved to Bedford to recover his health. In 1876 he was elected register and recorder of Bedford County, and also for a second term. In 1891 he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he lived until the time of his death. He died Feb. 27th, 1902, aged seventy-two years, seven months and twenty-eight days. His active ministry lasted only fourteen years, and of these he was able to labor but nine. David Otto Shoemaker David Otto Shoemaker, son of Philip J. Shoemaker, was born in Friend's Cove, Bedford County, Pa., March 30th, 1833. He studied in an academy at Rainsburg, took a partial course in Franklin and Marshall College and the course in Mercersburg Seminary, graduating in 1860. He served charges at Fairview, St. Petersburg, Shamokin, Augusta, Nittany Valley, and Stoyestown, Pa. He died Aug. 25th, 1893, aged sixty years, four months and twen- ty-five days. Jonas Buckwalter Shontz Jonas Buckwalter Shontz, son of Christian and Marie (Buckwalter) Shontz, was born near Marklesburg, Hunt- ington County, Pa., May 13th, 1837. His father was a school teacher, and his mother lived to be nearly ninety years of age. He entered Franklin and Marshall College in 1859, to study for the ministry, but enlisted in 1861, and served in the army during the Civil War, and then kept store for four years. He entered the seminary in Mercersburg in 1868, and graduated in 1870. His charges were: Wilton Junction and Tipton, Iowa, from 1871 to 1876 ; Wilkesbarre, Pa., from 1876 to 1877 ; chaplain of the Maryland Penitentiary from 1877 to 1882 ; Shippens- burg. Pa., from 1882 to 1886 ; Grace Church, Akron, Ohio, from 1886 to 1888 ; Chambersburg, Pa., from 1889 to 1904. From 1904 to his death he supplied several churches, and was pastor at Homestead, Pa., for two years. He died in Chambersburg, Pa., Nov. 15th, 1914, aged seventy-sev- en years, six months and two days. Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 205 LuciEN Wilson Showers Lucien Wilson Showers was born at McAUisterville, Pa., Oct. 8th, 1850. He entered the ministry of the M. E. Church and served several charges in that communion. In 1892 he was received into the Reformed ministry by Clarion Classis. He served as pastor of the Plum Creek charge in Armstrong County, Pa., a charge in North Car- olina, and one in Fayette, N. Y. He died at Kittanning, Pa., Feb. 10th, 1912, aged sixty-one years, four months and two days. William C. B. Schulenberger William C. B. Shulenberger was born August 7th, 1838, at Newburg, Cumberland County, Pa., a son of John and Jeannette (Beatty) Schulenberger, and died March 28th, 1912, aged seventy-three years, seven months and twen- ty-one days. At twenty-four he went to Lacon, 111., and taught school for three years, reading law at the same time. He came back and entered the seminary at Mer- cersburg, graduating in 1868. He was ordained in 1869, and became pastor at St. Thomas in Franklin County, Pa. In 1871 he went to Middlebrook, Va., for two years. The next year he was missionary at Scottdale, Pa. Then he was at St. Petersburg, Pa., for nine years, where a handsome new church was built during his pastorate. From here he went to West Alexandria, Ohio, for two years, and from there to Shelby, Ohio, where he labored seven years. From Shelby he went to Lancaster, Ohio, re- maining two years. In 1885 he became pastor of the Reformed Church in Emmitsburg, Md., which he served until 1903, when he retired, having been in the active ministry for thirty-five years. He was very much afflict- ed during his last years. In 1911 he moved to Hagers- town, where he died and was buried. Isaac A. Sites Isaac A. Sites, son of George and Susanna Sites, was born in Fairview, Randolph County, Ind., Aug. 9th, 1846, 206 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod and educated in Heidelberg College and Seminary, grad- uating from the seminary in 1870. He was pastor at New Jefferson, 111. ; Dakota, 111. ; Freeport, 111. ; Columbus Junction, Iowa ; Ada, Ohio ; Fostoria, 111., and South Bend, Pa. He was financial agent for Northern Illinois College, and was the author of two books, one called "The Well Driller." He died March 10th, 1903, aged fifty-six years, seven months and one day. Nehemiah H. Skyles Nehemiah H. Skyles was born at Martinsburg, Pa., June 22d, 1837, and died at Woodstock, Va., Dec. 3d, 1918, aged eighty-five years, five months and thirteen days. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1868, and from the seminary at Mercersburg, in 1862. In 1863 he was ordained and installed as pastor of the Shellsburg charge in Bedford County, Pa., by Mercersburg Classis. He was pastor at Sulphur Springs, Va., from 1873 to 1875; Jefferson, Md., from 1875 to 1888; at Jeannette, Pa., from 1888 to 1898 ; at Woodstock, Va., from 1893 to 1908. His wife preceded him in death. He was sur- vived by six children, among whom are Rev. E. P. Skyles, of Cumberland, Md., and Major W. W. Skyles. Addison Calvin Snyder Addison Calvin. Snyder was born near Boquet, West- moreland County, Pa., June 9th, 1857, and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1883, and from the Theological Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio, in 1885. He pur- sued special studies at Grove City College and the Lan- caster Seminary, and received titles, Ph.D. from Grove City, and B. D. from Lancaster. He served charges at Plum Creek, Pa.; Harrisonville, Va. ; Glencoe, and Pit- cairn, Pa. He died Dec. 10th, 1905, aged forty-eight years, six months and one day. James B. Stonesifer James B. Stonesifer was born in Littlestown, Pa., Jan. 14th, 1859, and graduated in Muhlenberg College, Allen- Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 207 town, Pa,, in 1886, and later, graduated in the Eastern Theological Seminary. He served pastorates at Glencoe, and Shellsburg, Pa., Winchester, Va., Carroll charge, Md., Mt. Crawford, Va., and Fort London, Pa. He died Nov. 15th, 1916, aged fifty-seven years, ten months and one day. John H. Sykes John H. Sykes was born at Barnsley, Yorkshire, Eng- land, Nov. 5th, 1834. He arrived in America, June 18th, 1856. He taught school for two years, and was then tak- en under the care of East Pennsylvania Classis as a stud- ent for the ministry. He attended Allentown Seminary for two years, and afterwards had charge of the Allen- town High School for three years and of the Easton High School for two years, and a select school at Beth- lehem for some time. He was licensed to preach in 1863 and ordained and installed as pastor at South Easton in 1864, which congregation he served along with his teach- ing. In 1866 he was pastor of the Somerset charge for a year, and then taught in Westmoreland College for a year or more. After this he was pastor at Martinsburg, Woodcock Valley, and Greencastle, Pa. He died Nov. 10th, 1880, aged forty-six years and five days. Joseph B. Thompson Joseph B. Thompson was born in Montgomery County, Pa., Aug. 9th, 1820, and entered the preparatory depart- ment of Marshall College in 1840 or 1841, and took an ir- regular course in college, and spent two years in the Mer- cersburg Seminary, leaving in 1848. He entered upon pastoral work in the west. He was^ superintendent of St. Paul's Orphans' Home at Butler, Pa., from June 14th, 1871 to April 1st, 1877, and pastor of the Red Bank charge, in Clarion Classis, for the next five years. In March 1882, he accepted a call from the Canaan charge, in Wayne County, Ohio. Here he died Oct. 16th, 1882, at the age of sixty-two years, two months and three days. 208 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod John Martin Titzel John Martin Titzel, D. D., son of Christian and Mary (Eupp) Titzel, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., March 19th, 1832, and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1854. From 1854 id 1856 he was principal of a High School in Lebanon, Pa. He graduated from the seminary in 1858. His first pastorate was at Shepards- town, Va., and in 1862, he became pastor of the Reform- ed churches at Emmitsburg, Md., and at Fairfield, Pa., where he labored ten years. Then he was six years at Ir- win, Pa., and six years at Altoona, Pa., and then pastor, and the last few years; pastor emeritus, of the First Re- formed Church at Lancaster, Pa. B.e was on the Peace Commission, which also prepared the Directory of Wor- ship, was on the staff of the Messenger for a time, and one of the editors of the Reformed Church Review. He was a great scholar, and wrote many book reviews and articles for the church periodicals. He died June 16th, 1905, aged seventy-three years, two months and twenty-seven days. John Voeglin John Voeglin entered the ministry in 1869, was re- ceived from Maryland Classis by Westmoreland Classis in 1870 and is reported as pastor of the St. James Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1871. For several years later he is reported as serving independent congregations at and near Dunkirk, N. Y. After this he served various pas- torates, the last being St. John's, Philadelphia, Pa., where he died Sept. 15th, 1901, aged fifty-eight years. John Shockey Wagner John S. Wagner, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Shockey) Wagner was born near the town of Salisbury, Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pa., July 29th, 1848, and was baptized by Rev. B. Knepper, and confirmed by Rev. Wm. A. Gring. In 1868 he was received as a student for the ministry by Westmoreland Classis and went to Mercers- burg to prepare for college. He graduated from Frank- Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 209 lin and Marshall College in 1874, sharing with a class- mate the Marshall oration. He graduated from the East- ern Seminary in 1878. His first charge was Stoyestown, Pa. Then he was for a year and ten months at Wil- liamsport, Pa. His last charge was New Centreville in his native county of Somerset. He died Apr. 28th, 1891, aged forty-two years, eight months and twenty-nine days. He was in the ministry for twelve years. Charles Elmer Wagner Charles Elmer Wagner was born near Newville, Cum- berland County, Pa., Aug. 20th, 1869. He was educated at Mercersburg Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating from the seminary in 1896. He was licensed and ordained by Carlisle Classis, May 16th, 1896. He was pastor at Bel- mont, and at Connellsville, Pa. He was for years pres- ident of the Sunday School Board of Pittsburgh Synod. He died at Connellsville, Pa., March 27th, 1918, aged for- ty-eight years, seven months and seven days. Johnson J. Wagoner Johnson J. Wagoner was born in Rural Valley in Arm- strong County, Pa., March 12th, 1852. He was educated in Adrian College, Adrian, Mich., and later took a post graduate course in Heidelberg University. In 1875 he was ordained in the Methodist Protestant Church and served congregations in that communion for fifteen years. In 1890 he became a minister in Clarion Classis for the Reformed Church, and served pastorates at Emlenton, Turtle Creek, and South Bend, Pa., Millersburg, Ind., St. Jacobs, near Tiffin, Ohio, and also served charges at Ger- mane, Mochican and Marshallville, Ohio. He died in Ak- ron, Ohio, Sept. 22d, 1916, aged sixty-four years, six months and nine days. 13 210 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Frederick Wahl Frederick Wahl was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 21st, 1821, and came to America in 1832. At the age of fifteen years he became a devout member of the Albright Church, at Salem, Ohio. In his twenty-first year he entered the ministry in that communion. In 1845 he came into the Reformed Church, and was an active pas- tor in this communion for thirty-three years. He served pastorates in Ohio and western Pennsylvania: at Ber- lin, the Shenango charge, Watson Run, the Mercer mission. Pa., and in Indiana and Iowa. In 1878 he pass- ed over into the Presbyterian Church. He died in Halls- ville, Ohio, July 14th, 1881, aged sixty years, three months and twenty-four days. William Weinel ■ William Weinel was born in Mittel-Grum-Dorf, Ger- many, Jan. 17th, 1781, and prepared himself for teaching. He came to America when he was eighteen years old. He was teacher and organist in Dryland Church, Northamp- ton County, Pa. He studied under Drs. C. L. and J. C. Becker. He was licensed at Easton in 1815, went to Westmoreland County and served congregations there for many years. He died in Leechburg, Pa., Jan. 28th, 1865, aged eighty-four years and one day. Jacob Fahr Wiant Jacob F. Wiant was born near Leatherwood, Clarion County, Pa., Dec. 17th, 1839. His parents were Jacob and Hannah (Mays) Wiant, He was baptized by Rev. Henry Koch, May 8th, 1840, and confirmed by Rev. Jos. G. Shoe- maker, March 28th, 1857. He attended school at Clarion Collegiate Institute, graduated from Franklin and Mar- shall College in 1866, and from the seminary in 1869. He was licensed by Clarion Classis, and ordained and in- stalled pastor of the South Bend charge, Pa., on June 22d, 1869, by Revs. F. Wise and J. J. Pennypacker. His pastor- ates besides the iirst were : St. Lukes, Lancaster, Pa., the Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 211 Beaver charge, the Paradise charge, and the Sharpsville mission, Pa. He died at Greenville, Pa., Feb. 21st, 1916, aged seventy-one years, two months and four days. Rev. H. H. Wiant, of St. Mark's Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., is his son. DiEDRICH WiLLERS Diedrich Willers, D. D., was born Feb. 6th, 1798, at Walle, a village adjoining Bremen, Germany. He was educated in the schools of his native village and of Brem- en, and was brought up by an uncle, and apprenticed to a mercantile trade, entered the army of Hanover in 1814, and served for nearly five years. He was in the battle of Waterloo. His company of 120 men had only fourteen left after Waterloo. He came to Baltimore, Nov. 16th, 1819. He taught school in York County, Pa. He studied under several leading divines for the ministry, Rev. Jacob Geiger and Rev. Dr. J. C. Becker. He preached at six different points in Seneca County, N. Y., and seven or eight other points in Tompkins, Cayuga, Wayne, Living- ston and Niagara counties. At Bearytown he preached sixty years and eight months in consecutive service, until Jan. 1st, 1882. He died in the tovsni of Varick,'N. Y., May 13th, 1883, aged eighty-five years, three months and seven days. Frederick Wise Frederick Wise was born in Centre County, Pa., Oct. 11th, 1818. From 1849 to 1852 he pursued the study of theology. He was licensed and ordained by Clarion Classis, Oct. 21st, 1852. He served a large charge in Armstrong Co., Pa., for twenty-four years. His charge was divided and subdivided from time to time. He died at his home in South Bend, Armstrong Co., Pa., June 30th, 1876, aged fifty-seven years, eight months and nine- teen days. John Wolbach John Wohlbach, son of David and Anna (Lehr) Wohl- bach, was born in Lower Nazareth Township, Northamp- ton Co., Pa., Jan. 8th, 1886, and was baptized Feb. 6th of 212 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod the same year by Rev. Thomas Pomp. He began to teach school when he was seventeen years old and taught for eight years near his home. In 1860 he took a school in Nazareth, Pa., which he taught for six years, at the same time studying theology under Rev. J. B. Roth, Lutheran, for a year, and under Rev. E. H. Reinecke, Reformed, for five years. Then for another year he gave his time entirely to theology under Revs. Reinecke and M. A. Smith. He was licensed in 1868, and became pas- tor of the Overton charge in Bradford County, Pa. After two and a half years he went to the Mahanoy charge. Pa., for five years, and from there to the Paradise charge in Clearfield Co., Pa. Here his health failed and he eventually moved to Nazareth and thence to Catasauqua, preaching occasionally for neighboring pastors. He died Jan. 28th, 1901, aged sixty-five years and twenty days. David W. Wolff David W. Wolff was born near Carlisle, Pa., Nov. 29th, 1829. He was confirmed by Rev. Samuel Gutelius at Hampton, Pa., and graduated from Franklin and Marsh- all College in 1854, and from the seminary in Mercers- burg in 1856. He was pastor at Danville, Pa., from 1856 to 1861, at Schuylkill Haven, in 1862, and at Mahanoy in 1865. He was for a short time in the Christian Commis- sion, and also agent for the Publication Board. He was pastor of the Conowago charge in Adams County, Pa., from 1866 to 1873, and then at St. Petersburg and Emlen- ton. Pa., for about two years. He died at Carlisle, Pa., March 16th, 1876, aged forty-six years, three months and seventeen days. George Merle Zacharias George M. Zacharias was born in Frederick, Md., Jan. 23d, 1858, and died in the Lancaster General Hospital, Jan. 23d, 1910, aged sixty-two years. He was a son of Rev. Dr. Daniel Zacharias, who was pastor of the Evan- gelical Reformed Church in Frederick, Md., for nearly forty years. He was educated in Washington and Jef- Sketches Of Ministers Now Deceased 213 ferson College, and in the seminary in Lancaster, the University of Berlin, Germany, and the Institute of His- tory in Kome. He traveled extensively in Europe. He served churches in Somerset County, Marietta, and Birds- boro. Pa., and in Cumberland, Md., each one only for a short time. Brief funeral services were held in the Col- lege chapel, at Lancaster, and in the Evangelical Reform- ed Church in Frederick, Md. Interment was made in Mt. Oliver Cemetery, Frederick, Md. Philip Zeiser Philip Zeiser was born July 19th, 1802 in the village of Schallbach, Saarburg, Lorraine, France, son of Rev. Nicholas and Catherine (Mueller) Zeiser. He was bap- tized by Rev. Glasser, and coniirmed by Rev. Louis Her- man, Aug. 16th, 1816. He came to America in 1819. He studied under his father, who was a pastor for many years in Luzerne County, Pa. He was ordained Sept. 14th, 1824, by the Free Synod. He came to Good Hope church, Mercer County, Pa., July 3d, 1825. He was the first minister who labored regularly in Mercer and Crawford counties. In 1848 a throat and lung disease compelled him to give up the active duties of the ministry. He died in New Hamburg, Mercer County, Pa., Jan. 25th, 1875, aged seventy-two years, seven months and six days. CHAPTER XX. Biographical Sketches of Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere John K. Adams John K. Adams, son of Wm. J. and Mary J. Adams, was born near Conyngham, Luzerne Co., Pa., Nov. 10th, 1865. He was educated at the Bloomsburg Nor- mal School, Franklin and Marshall College, and the East- ern Theological Seminary. He was licensed by Wyom- ing Classis; ordained by Allegheny Classis: committee: Revs. A. K. Kline, T. R. Dietz and A. H. Smith. His pastorates were: Homestead and Duquesne, two years; Berwick and Nescopeck, eleven and a half years; St. Mathews, Chester County, five years — all in Pennsyl- vania. He was married to Miss Sula L. Santee, of Sy- bertsville, Luzerne Co., Pa., Oct. 25th, 1899. Rev. Mr. Adams organized the congregations at Duquesne, Home- stead and Neskopeck. Charles Franklin Althouse Charles Franklin Althouse, son of Levi M. and Sarah A. Althouse, was born at Kintersville, June 5th, 1869, and educated at Riegelsville Academy, Keystone State Normal School, Franklin and Marshall College, graduating from college in 1891, and from the Eastern Theological Sem- inary in 1894. He was licensed by Tohickon Classis, May 28th, 1894; and ordained by Illinois Classis, Dec. 2d, 1894: committee: Revs. D. N. Frantz and R. F. Oplinger, and Elder George Poorman. He served pastorates at Ed- inburg, 111., from 1894 to 1896 ; Chicora Pa., from 1897 to 1902; McKeesport, Pa., from 1902 to 1904; Saxton, Pa., from 1904 to 1907; Allentown, Pa., from 1907 to 1917; Phoenixville, Pa., 1918 He was married to Miss Agnes E. Kessler, of Easton, Pa., Sept. 12th, 1894. 214 Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 215 He was a delegate to General Synod in 1902, 1908 and 1914. He was President of Illinois Classis in 1896 ; Al- legheny, 1902 ; Lehigh, 1912 ; stated clerk of Lehigh Clas- sis from 1914 to 1917; Franklin and Marshall College gave him the degree of A. M. in 1896. Joseph P. Bach man Joseph P. Bachman, son of Stephen and Caroline (Fe- torolf) Bachman, was born at Lynnville, Lehigh Co., Pa., June 14th, 1868. He was educated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May 18, 1896, by Lehigh Classis ; ordained Jan, 12th, 1897, by Clarion Classis: committee: Revs. S. T. Wagner, R. C. Bowling and D. W. Kerr. He was married to Miss Georgiana Tripple of Safe Harbor, Lancaster Co., Pa., Apr. 14th, 1897, and four children were bom to them : Russell Stephen, Wilbur George Tripple, Har- riet Caroline, and Joseph Peter. He served the Paradise charge from 1896 to 1900 ; Salisbury 1900-1908, both in Pennsylvania; Mulberry, Ind., 1908-1911; St. Stephen, Perkasie, Pa-, 1911-1912; St. Paul's, and St. Mark's, AllentovsTi, Pa., 1912-1915; Emmanuel, Allentown, Pa., 1915 to the present time. John Franklin Bair John F. Bair, son of Philip Snyder and Leah (Steiner) Bair, was born near Greensburg, Pa., Aug. 29th, 1867. He was educated at the Greensburg Seminary, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theological Sem- inary; licensed by Westmoreland Classis at Scottdale, Pa., May 23d, 1897 ; ordained by Somerset Classis, Oct. 3d, 1897; committee: Revs. Benjamin Knepper, A. E. Truxal, D. D., and D. H. Leader. Pastorates: Wills Creek charge, Pa., 1897-1898; Shelbyville, 111., 1898-1901; Lindsey, Ohio, 1901-1902; Sunday School missionary, 1902-1903; Ligonier, Pa., 1903-1905; Third Greensburg and Seanors, 1905-1913 ; Numidia, Pa., 1913-1918 ; Brem- en, Ohio, 1918 . He was married Aug. 29th, 1901 to 216 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Miss Laura Wright, of Pocahontas, Pa. Children : Mild- red Irene, Russell Franklin, John Raymond, and Laura Lavern. Author of five books: "The Andrews Raid." 1898 ; "Lines to the Boys of the Tenth Regiment," 1899 ; "Poetical Works," 1904 ; "A Double Discovery," 1906, and "Complete Poetical Works," 1907. Arthur Wilbert Barley Arthur Wilbert Barley, son of Solomon and Barbara E. Barley, was born at Woodbury, Bedford County, Pa., Jan. 14th, 1878. Educated at Altoona High School, Franklin and Marshall College and Lancaster Theological Semi- nary; licensed May 20th, 1910, by Juniata Classis; or- dained June 26th, 1910, by Virginia Classis ; committee : Revs. N. H. Skyles, A. H. Smith and Milton Whitener. Pastorates: Woodstock, Va., 1910-1914; Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 1914-1919 ; Harrisville, Va., 1919 Married Jan. 4th, 1900, to Miss Margaret L. Lingenf elter. Children : Anna Catherine, and Alton Wilbert. He worked eleven years at the printing trade before studying for the min- istry. John Love Barnhart John L. Barnhart, son of William R. and Catherine S. Barnhart, was born near Greensburg, Pa., July 1st, 1872, educated at Franklin and Marshall College, Hartford Un- iversity, and Lancaster Seminary, graduating in 1897 ; li- censed by Westmoreland Classis at Scottdale, Pa., May, 1897 ; ordained by West Susquehanna Classis : committee : Revs. Z. A. Yearick, M. L. Firor and S. L. Whitmore. Pas- torates : White Deer, West Milton, Pa., 1897-1901 ; Saeg- ertown. Pa., 1901-1910 ; Christ Church, Baltimore, Md., 1910 Two new congregations were organized in his first charge, a heavy debt was paid off in Christ Church, Baltimore. Married : Sept. 27th, 1898, to Miss Emma A. Rupp, of Lancaster, Pa. Two children : Louise Gertrude, and William Rupp. He has been a member of General Synod's Board of Ministerial Relief since 1914; contributed a number of articles to The Reformed Church Messenger and The Review. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 217 Samuel Z. Beam Samuel Z. Beam, son of Henry Conrad and Margaret S. Beam, was born at Linganore Mill, Frederick County, Md., May 8th, 1837 ; educated at Heidelberg College and Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio; licensed May 27th, 1862, by Ohio Synod at Dayton, Ohio; ordained by St. Joseph's Classis, Oct. 1862. Pastorates : Neriah, Mich., 1862-1866 ; was home missionary in Wakeshma, Kalamazoo, Mich., 1866-1871 ; Grindstone Hill charge. Pa., six months ; White Pigeon, Mich., 1872, for six months ; Fulton, Mich., 1872- 1876; Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 1877-1884; Lima, Ohio, 1884- 1885 ; St. Petersburg, Pa., 1885-1888 ; St. Clairsville, Pa., 1888-1892 ; Carrollton. Ohio, 1892-1898 ; Bettsville, Ohio, 1899-1903 ; stated clerk of the Ohio Synod since 1903 ; president of Pittsburgh and Ohio Synods, Pittsburgh Board of Missions and Board of Church Extension ; mem- ber of Board of Visitors, Theological Seminary at Lancas- ter and also of Central Theological Seminary ; member of Board of Directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home; four times a member of General Synod; contributed twenty- five articles to the Reformed Qvurterly Review; re- ceived D. D., from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, in 1888. Married to Miss Frances Elizabeth Rauch, of Ida, Mich., May 10th, 1864. Five children: Henry Louis, Anna Margaret, John Albert, George Theodore Nevin, and Mary Hester. J. N. Bean J. N. Bean, son of Levi and Mary Anna Bean, was born at Bakertown, Bucks County, Pa., Dec. 10th, 1867; ed- ucated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May 15th, 1902, by West Susquehanna Classis; ordained July, 1902, by the same Classis: committee: chairman. Rev. James M. Runkle. Pastorates : Susquehanna charge, four years ; Sugar Creek charge, four years ; Armstrong Valley, two years. Mar- ried Miss Mary Dechen, Nov. 29th, 1904. Children : Cal- vin Zwingli, and Mary Jane. 218 The History of the Pittsbitrgh Synod Samuel Reid Beidenbaugh Samuel R. Bridenbaugh, D. D., son of Henry H. and Susan Bridenbaugh, was born in Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa., Jan. 26th, 1849; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed by Mercersburg Classis, May, 1875 ; ordained by the same Classis, May, 1875 : committee : Revs. Drs. E. E. Higbee, P. S. Davis, and W. M. Deatrick. Pastorates : Greenfield charge, two years ; Berlin, eight years ; Blooms- burg, two years; Norristown, five years; Second Re- formed Church, Reading, twenty years; Oak Lane, Pa., eight years. Married Jan. 19th, 1876, to Miss Lydia A. Bowman. Four children :, John H., Paul S. George B., and Mary Elizabeth; received D. D. from Franklin and Marshall College. Harry W. Bright Harry W. Bright, son of Michael and Anna Bright, was born near Winchester, Va.', Sept. 12th, 1871, edu- cated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May, 1895, by Lebanon Classis; ordained May 23d, 1895, by the same Classis: committee: Revs. Warren J. Johnson, David E. Klopp, and A. C. Whitmer. Pastorates : New Kensington, Pa., 1895-1899 ; Norristown, Pa., 1899 Married Miss Ed- na E. Ritts, and they have one child, Esther Ritts Bright. Charles H. Brown Charles H. Brown, son of Samuel Brown and wife, was born near Friedensburg, Pa., Nov. 22d, 1877, edu- cated at Ursinus College and Lancaster Theological Sem- inary ; licensed May 16th, 1910, by Goshenhoppen Classis ; ordained by St. Paul's Classis, July 12th, 1910 : commit- tee: Revs. W. M. Diefenderfer and W. S. Fisher. Pas- torates : Shenango charge, six years ; Mahanoy, 1916.. Married to Miss Patty P. Baughman, June 7th, 1910. Had one son, Webster E. Brown. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 219 F. W. Brown F. W. Brown, son of Henry and Rachael Brown, was born at Lewisburg, Pa., Dec. 21st, 1849, educated at Mercersburg College and Seminary, licensed by West Susquehanna Classis, May, 1879, ordained by Iowa Clas- sis, June 17, 1881 : committee : T. S. Land, and S. C. Long. Pastorates : Brandon, Iowa ; Schellsburg, North Washington ; Nittany Valley, Aaronsburg ; Manordale ; Beaver Springs; and Wapwallopen, Pa. Married Miss Emma B. Brown, Jan. 1st, 1884. Walter Randolph Clark Walter Randolph Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. David M. Clark, was born July 1st, 1884, at Quakertown, Pa. ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed by Tohickon Clas- sis, Aug. 20th, 1912; ordained to the Gospel ministry by St. Paul's Classis Oct. 12th, 1912: committee: Revs. A. M. Keifer and A. B. Bauman. Rev. Mr. Clark has serv- ed the following charges : Dewey Avenue, Rochester, N. Y., 1912-1917; Pitcairn, Pa., 1917-1920; Hamburg, Pa., 1920- - Albert James Collison Albert J. Collison, son of Alfred J. and Annie J. Col- lison, was born in Baltimore, Md., Apr. 3d, 1874; edu- cated at the Eastern Seminary, Reformed Church, at Lan- caster, Pa. ; licensed by Maryland Classis in 1894 ; ordain- ed by Allegheny Classis June 1st, 1904 ; committee : Revs. Paul S. Leinbach, Albert C. Dieffenbach, and J. H. Deat- rich. Pastor at Homestead, 1904-1906. Married to Miss Elsie Danzeglock. Children : Alfred B. and John A. Collison. Dismissed to Brunswick Presbytery, N. J., May 1919. Harvey I. Crow Harvey I. Crow, son of Abraham and Mary Crow, was born in Liverpool, Perry County, Pa., Feb. 2d, 1865 ; edu- cated at New Bloomsburg Academy, Bloomsburg State 220 The History of the Pittsbukgh Synod Normal School and Eastern Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed by Carlisle Classis, May, 1895; ordained by St. Paul's Classis Aug., 1895 : committee : Revs. A. M. Keifer, D. B. Lady, D. D., and Geo. E. Limbert. Pastorates: New Hamburg, 1895-1900; Nittany Valley, 1900-1910; Hublersburg, 1910-1911 ; Bethany, Bethlehem, Pa., 1911 Married Anna E. Kass, July 7th, 1895. Chil- dren : Mary Matilda and Emma Elizabeth. Edward Ranson Deatrick Edward R. Deatrick, B. D., son of William Miller and Harriet (Peyton) Deatrick, was born in Loysburg, Bed- ford County, Pa., Aug. 22d, 1856 ; educated at Mercers- burg College and Seminary ; licensed by Maryland Classis, at Clearspring, Md., June 14th, 1884; ordained by same Classis, Aug. 31st, 1884; committee: Revs. G. L. Staley, D'. D., C. Clever, D. D., M. L. Firor, and J. T. Rossiter, D. D. Pastorates : Trinity Church, Baltimore, Md., 1884- 1906 ; Mt. Pleasant, Pa., 1906-1913 ; Martinsburg charge, Pa., 1913—. Was stated clerk of Maryland Classis, 1890-1906; stated clerk of the Synod of the Potomac, 1901-1906; stated clerk of Juniata Classis, 1913 Married Miss Mary A. K. Everhart, Oct. 23d, 1890. Chil- dren : Anna Marguerite. Received B. D. from Franklin and Marshall College. William Wilberforce Deatrick William W. Deatrick, Sc. D., son of William Miller and Harriet (Peyton) Deatripk, was born in Huntington, Pa., Aug. 1st, 1853 ; educated at Mercersburg College and the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed by Mer- cersburg Classis at Shippensburg, Pa., May, 1879; or- dained by Somerset Classis June 17th, 1880 ; committee : Revs. J. Ruhl, and H. F. Keener; Pastorates: New Centreville, Pa., three years and a half; principal of Clarion Collegiate Institute, 1884-1891; professor of English and Psychology at Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa., 1891 ; member for fifteen years of Simplified Spelling Board. Married Miss Emma Jane Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 221 Balliet, of Milton, Pa., June 15th, 1881. Children : Wil- liam Balliet, Ethel Matilda, Eugene Peyton, Ph. D. W. W. Deatrick is an A. M. of Mercersburg College and Sc.D. of Franklin and Marshall College. A. C. DiEFFENBACH Albert C, son of Frederick A. and Jeannette R. Dief- fenbach, was born at Manchester, Md., July 4th, 1876; educated at Johns Hopkins University, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating in 1911 ; licensed by Maryland Classis May 20th, 1901 ; ordained by Allegheny Classis Oct. 11th, 1901. The Rev. John H. Prugh, D. D., was chairman of the committee. During the years 1901 and 1902 he was field missionary for the Sunday School Board, in Allegheny Classis. From 1902 to 1911 he was pastor of the Church of the Ascension, North Side, Pitts- burgh, Pa. From 1912 to 1918 he was pastor of the Unity Church, of Hartford, Conn., and from 1918 to the present time, editor of the Christian Register, Boston, Mass. Rev. Mr. Dieflfenbach was married Nov. 4th, 1903, to Miss Helen A. Bertole^te of Mauch Chunck, Pa. They have one child, Ruth B., born Jan. 16th, 1907. In 1898 the Johns Hopkins University conferred the degree of A. B. upon Rev. Mr. Dieffenbach. John H. Dietrich John Hassler, son of Jerome and Sarah (Sarbaugh) Dietrich, was born Jan. 14th, 1878 at Fannetts- burg, Franklin County, Pa.; was educated at Mercers- burg Academy (1893-1896) ; Franklin and Marshall Col- lege (1896-1900) ; and the Eastern Theological Seminary 1890-1906; stated clerk of the Synod of the Potomac, 1905; ordained by Allegheny Classis, June 15th, 1905; committee : Revs. John H. Prugh, D. D., A. C. Dieifenbach and Henry Holliger. Pastorates: St. Mark's Memorial Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1905-1911 ; First Uni- tarian Society of Minneapohs, Minn., 1911 Rev. Mr. Dietrich was married Aug. 25th, 1912, to Miss Louise Erb, 222 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod of Madison, Wis. They have two children : John Erb and William Erb Dietrich. D. N. Dittmar D. N. Dittmar, son of John and Catherine Dittmar, was born at Loysburg, Pa., Jan. 16th, 1849 ; educated at Mer- cersburg College, and the Theological Seminary at Lan- caster, P^. ; licensed by Mercersburg Classis in 1875 ; ordained in 1875 by the same Classis : committee : Revs. E. E. Higbee, D. D., and Isaac Brown. Pastorates: St. Clairsville, Pa., six years; Littlestown, Pa., ten years; Second, Greensburg, Pa., five years; Fort Washington, Pa., six years; field secretary for the Home Mission Board five years ; Jefferson, Maryland, four years ; Hynd- man, Pa., five years Ray Harbaugh Dotterer Ray Harbaugh Dotterer, son of Rev. John and Mary Catherine (Moyer) Dotterer, was born at Mervin, West- moreland County, Pa., August 4th, 1880; educated at Franklin and Marshall College, the Eastern Theological Seminary, and Johns Hopkins University; licensed May 20th, 1909, by West Susquehanna Classis ; ordained June 27th, 1909, by Somerset Classis: committee: Drs. A. E. Truxal and Hiram King, and Rev. S. C. Stover. Pastor- ates : New Centreville, Pa., 1909-1912 ; Trinity, Balti- more, Md., 1913-1918 ; Faith Church, State College, Pa., 1918 Instructor in Penn. State College, 1918 Subjects : Philosophy and Psychology. Married, Oct. 25th, 1910, to Miss Mabel Resh. Two children : John Emmanuel, and Anna Mary. John Miles Evans John Miles Evans, son of James G. and Rebecca (Kry- der) Evans, was born near Spring Mills, Center County, Pa., Aug. 9th, 1848 ; educated at Penn Hall and Bellefonte academies, and Franklin and Marshall College, 1875, Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 223 Eastern Theological Seminary, 1878; licensed by West Susquehanna Classis ; ordained Jan. 7th, 1879, by Clarion Classis : committee : Revs. Henry Hoffman, J. B. Thomp- son and J. J. Pennypacker. Pastorates: Currlsville, six years ; Paradise, eight years ; Red Bank, ten years ; St. John's, eight years ; Spring City, seven years, all in Penn- sylvania. Married April 7th, 1885 to Mrs. Ellelia Bott Weller. Two children: James Wolf and John Kryder Evans. William Smith Fisher William S. Fisher, son of Samuel B. and Mary (Myers) Fisher, was born at United, Pa., July 10th, 1868, edu- cated at Franklin and Marshall College, 1896, the Eastern Theological Seminary, 1899, licensed May 1899, by West- moreland Classis, ordained July 23d, 1899, by the same Classis : committee : Revs. J. F. Snyder, and J. M. Evans. Pastorates : Pine Run, Salina, Pa., 1899-1901 ; Burkitts- ville, Md., 1901-1904; Cochranton, Pa., 1904-1911; Py- matuning. Pa., 1911-1914; Hartville, Ohio, 1914-1919; Ganges, Ohio, 1919... Married Oct. 19th, 1899 to Miss Katherine May Zalin. Four children : Parke Don- ald, John Samuel, Mary Etta and Anna Katherine. M. F. Frank M. F. Frank, son of John and Margaret Frank, was born at Uniontovm, Stark County, Ohio, Jan. 23d, 1851, educated at Heidelberg College and Theological Seminary, 1875-1877, licensed May 1877 by Tuscarawas Classis, or- dained Jan., 1878, by Miami Classis: committee: Revs. H. M. Herman, D. D., and J. H. Reiter, D. D. Pastor- ates : Farmersville, Ohio, six years ; Highland Ave., and Trinity Churches, Pittsburgh, Pa., two years, when his health failed, and he retired from the ministry. Mar- ried to Miss Florence V. Poorman, of Tiffin, Ohio, March 1888, and to Miss Cora Dall Swaney, of East Liverpool, Ohio, Sept., 1897. One child : Earl Poorman Frank. 224 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod James S. Freeman James S. Freeman, son of John and Mary Freeman, was born at Worcester, Montgomery County, Pa., Dec. 22d, 1859 ; educated at York Collegiate Institute, Lafayette Col- lege, 1883, and Union Theological Seminary, 1886; li- censed May 26th, 1886, by Goshenhoppen Classis; or- dained Jan. 9th, 1897, by Allegheny Classis : committee : Rev. John H. Prugh, D. D., chairman. Pastorates: Trin- ity, WilkJnsburg, Pa., 1886 to 1895 ; Trinity, Akron, Ohio, 1895-1907; St. Louis, Mo., 1907-1908; Reformed Church, Shelby, Ohio, 1908-1909 ; Grace Church, Tiffin, Ohio, 1910- 1916; First Church, Fostora, Ohio, 1916 Married Miss Eleanor Quillman, Oct. 23d, 1890. Two children: Philip Q. and Mary Eleanor Freeman. Walter Earl Garrett Walter Earl Garrett, son of Simon Thomas and Sarah Ferry Garrett, was born at Lebanon, Pa., July 29th, 1873, educated at Ursinus College and Ursinus School of The- ology, licensed May 7th, 1902, by Lebanon Classis, ordain- ed June, 1902, by Juniata Classis: committee: Revs. P. A. DeLong, John S. Heffner and D. Ernest Klopp. Pas- torates: McConnellstown, Pa., charge, 1902-1907; Brad- dock, Pa., 1907-1915 ; New Oxford, Pa., charge, 1915-1918; First Reformed Church, Philadelphia, Pa., 1918 Married June 8th, 1905, to Miss Jane Edith Lehman. Four children : Paul Lehman, Earnest Thomas, Mary Gertrude, and Virginia Elizabeth. President of the Allegheny and Gettysburg Classes. On Potomac Synod's Board of Ministerial Sustentation. J. SiLOR Garrison J. Silor Garrison, son of J. Silor and Rebekah Garrison, was born in Augusta County, Va., Sept. 6th, 1867, educated at Mercersburg College, Catawba College, Eastern Theological Seminary, and the University of Virginia; licensed May 25th, 1894 ; ordained Feb. 22d, 1895 : com- Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 225 mittee : Revs. C. B. Heller, J. P. Earner, and N. H. Skyles. Pastorates : St. Stephen's mission, 1894-1897 ; the Edin- burg charge, 1897-1898 ; organized Massanutten Academy and served as president, 1889-1903; Duquesne mission, 1903-1904; professor of English at Catawba College, 1904-1908; head of department of mathematics in the State High School at Harrisonburg, 1908 ; stated supply for St. Stephen's mission in the fall of 1908 ; pastor of the mission in 1910; still at the head of the mathematical department of the High School. Married Sept. 4th, 1900, to Miss Mary Moore Fletcher. Five children : Mary Fletcher, Virginia Rebekah, Mary Irene, J. Silor, Jr., and Mildred Fletcher Garrison. Richard F. Gass Richard F. Gass, son of Joseph and Mary Gass, was born near Sunbury, Northampton County, Pa., Nov. 19th, 1852 ; educated at Sunbury, Lewisto^^-n, and Franklin and Marshall Academies and the Eastern Theological Sem- inary; taught school for thirteen years; licensed 1887 by Lancaster Classis ; ordained July 14th, 1887, by Clarion Classis; committee: Revs. D. B. Lady, W. W. Deatrick, and S. T. Wagner. Pastorates: Red Bank, 1887-1903; Tannersville, 1903-1908; Paxinos, Augusta charge, 1908- 1916 ; Nittany Valley charge, 1916 Married April 5th, 1877, to Miss Lizzie Walters of Sunbury, Pa. One child was born June 21st, 1879, but died in infancy. Built four new churches in his first charge. M. N. George M. N. George, son of Peter and Julia George, was born at Lowhill, Lehigh County, Pa., Aug. 26th, 1869, educated at Franklin and Marshall College and Seminary ; licensed May 20th, 1896, by Lehigh Classis ; ordained June 18th, 1896, by West Susquehanna Classis; committee: Revs. S. H. Eisenberg, J. Dotterer and A. A. Black. Pastor- ates : Rebersburg charge, 1896-1900 ; Sharon, Pa., 1900- 1901; Northampton, Pa., 1901-1912; Grace Church Mahanoy Citv, 1912-1917; Lafayette, Ind., 1917. 226 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Married April 18th,. 1887, to Miss May A. Peters. Four children living : Robert J., Peter G., Ruth J., and Eva E. Albert S. Glessner Albert S. Glessner, son of Henry A. and Lydia Glessner, was born at Berlin, Pa., July 19th, 1868 ; educated at Ju- niata Collegiate Institute, Franklin and Marshall College, and Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed June 7th, 1891, by Somerset Classis ; ordained July 12th, 1891, by Juniata Classis : committee : Revs. R. L. Gerhart, S. C. Stover and J. B. Stonesifer. Pastorates: Man's Choice, Pa., 1891-1893 ; Cumberland, Md., 1893-1897 ; Hyndman, Pa., 1897-1898 ; Saegertown, Pa., 1898-1901 ; Greenville, Ohio, 1916 Maried June 20th, 1895, to Miss Rosa B. Appel of Myersdale, Pa. Four children : Mary Eliz- abeth, Martha Evelyn, Miriam Lenore and Bertha Rosella. Built and dedicated new churches at West End and Hyndman, Pa.,Cumberland, Md., and Greenville, Ohio. Louis Philip Goereig Louis P. Goerrig, son of David and Wilhelmina (Priester) Goerrig, was born in Cologne, Germany, Nov. 17th, 1868; educated at Calvin College, Cleveland, Ohio, and at the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed 1894, by Lancaster Classis ; ordained 1894 by St. Paul's Classis, Rev. U. 0. H. Kershner officiating. Pastorates : Sharon, Pa., 1894-1899; Boston, Mass., 1900-1905; University of Berlin in Germany in 1906 ; Welseley, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1907-1909; Pleasant Fork, Canada, 1909-1912; Calgary, Alberta, and traveling missionary 1912-1916; traveling missionary for Alberta and Saskatchewan 1916- 1917 ; traveling missionary for Grenfell, Wolsey and Duff, Saskatchewan, 1917-1918, and for Duff, Saskatchewan, 1919 Married Sept. 17th, 1909, to Miss Margaret A. Miller. Three children: Immanuel Samuel, Louis Philip and Margarete. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 227 Charles Winters Good Charles W. Good, son of Rev. Prof. R. Good and Mary Good, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, June 18th, 1851 ; educated at Heidelberg College and tha Theological Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio, took middle year at Yale Divinity S3I100I and one year at Oxford ; licensed May, 1872, by Tiffin Classis ; ordained May 1872 by Miami Classis : committee : Revs. Drs. David Winters, D. VanHorn, and I. H. Reiter. Pas- torates: Germantown, Ohio, Shelby, Ohio, and Delmont, Pa., from 1873 to 1882 ; supply work from 1885 to 1917, then retired from the ministry. Christian Gumbert Christian Gumbert, son of John and Esther Gumbert, was born in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, Pa., Sept. 20th, 1850; educated at Mercersburg College and Theological Seminary; licensed by Westmoreland Classis, 1879 ; ordained by Allegheny Classis Oct., 1879 ; committee : Revs. T. F. Stauffer and W. B. Sandoe. Pas- torates: Sugar Creek, Pa., 1879-1884; New Centre- ville, Pa., 1884-1885 ; Middlebrook, Va., 1885-1887 ; South Bend, Pa., 1887-1897; Fort Loudon, Pa., 1897-1903 Yellow Creek, Pa., 1904-1908; Shellsburg, Pa., 1908- 1915. Married Jan. 8th, 1880, to Miss S. Hallie Cook. Three children: Elnathan Park, Paul Cook, and Justin Lloyd. George Dickie Gurley George D. Gurley, son of Samuel and Sarah Gurley, was born in Armstrong County, Pa., Sept. 22d, 1847; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and the East- ern Theological Seminary; licensed Sept. 6th, 1876, by West Susquehanna Classis at Bloomsburg, Pa. ; ordained on the same date and by the same classis : committee : Revs. George B. Dechant, A. Houtz and J. K. Millet. Pastorates: Bloomsburg, Pa., twenty months; Latrobe, Pa., two years; North Carolina home mission work, six years, and Tipton, Iowa, six years. Married Jan. 24th. 1888, to Miss Emma C. Bell of Springfield, Mass. 228 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Urban C. E. Gutelius Urban C. E. Gutelius, son of Samuel A. and Lucinda (Wolfe) Gutelius, was born at Littlestown, Adams Coun- ty, Pa., Apr. 1st, 1868; educated at Edgehill Institute, Franklin and Marshall College and Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May, 1897, by Gettysburg Classis; ordained July, 1897, by Somerset Classis at Cumberland, Md., committee: Revs. A. S. Glessner and D. H. Leader. Pastorates: Cumberland, Md., four and one-half years ; Evans City, Pa., two and one-half years ; Irwin, Pa., six and one-half years ; Grace Church, Philadelphia, Pa., nine and one-half years, to date. Married July, 1897, to Miss Prudence A. Harner. Two children : Athalia Catherine and Madeline Prudence. Edward R. Hamme Edward R. Hamme, son of Elias S. Hamme and wife, was born at Brodbeck's, York County, Pa., March 7th, 1883, educated at Ursinus College 1904-1906, Gettysburg, 1907-1909, Central Seminary 1910-1912 ; licensed by Get- tysburg Classis, May, 1912 ; ordained by Juniata Classis, June, 1912 ; committee : Revs. A. C. Ohl, and M. A. Keefer. Pastorates: Woodcock Valley, Pa., 1912-1814; Zelienople, Pa., 1914-1919. Married, Sept. 12th, 191^ to Miss Cassie Garman. J. Philip Harner J. Philip Harner, son of Wm. M. and Catherine A. Harner, was born at McGaheysville, Va., Feb. 6th, 1860 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed June 12th, 1893, by Virginia Classis at Winchester, Va. ; or- dained July 2d, 1893, by the same Classis at Timber- ville, Va. : committee: Revs. Josiah May, C. B. Heller, and A. B. Bauman. Pastorates : Timberville, Va., seven years; Glade charge. Pa., two years; Cavetown charge, Md., six years and eight months ; Middlebrook, Va., five and one-half years; Mt. Moriah charge, Md., four and Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 229 one-half years; and Lovettsville, Va., 1919 Married Dec. 7th, 1899, to Miss Myrtle D. Cowger, of Greenback, W. Va. Two childijen: Nevin C. and Phyllis Dare Harner. Daniel Neff Harnish Daniel N. Harnish, son of Abram and Anna Eliza (NefF) Harnish, was born at Water street, Huntington County, Pa., June 4th, 1856; educated at Mercersburg College and the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed. May, 1883, by Mercersburg Classis; ordained, Sept., 1883, by Clarion Classis: committee: Revs. D. H. Leader, and A. K. Kline. Pastorates : South Bend charge, three years and three months, and Butler charge, twenty-eight years. Stated clerk of Allegheny Classis for twenty-seven years; elected president of Pittsburgh Synod at Evans City, Pa., in 1900. Retired from the ministry on account of catarrhal trouble, and now living at San Gabriel, Cal. Married June 4th, 1891, to Miss Mary Augusta Prugh. Two children : C. Prugh, and Charlottte G. Harnish. Edgar Schaff Hassler Edgar S. Hassler, son of Jacob and Matilda (Stenger) Hassler, was born at Mercersburg, Pa., Sept. 25th, 1856 ; educated at Mercersburg College, and Eastern Theologi- cal Seminary; licensed May 13th, 1881, by Mercersburg Classis ; taught one year in St. Paul's Orphans' Home at Butler, Pa., and two years in the Butler High School; ordained Apr. 25th, 1884, by Juniata Classis at St. Clairs- ville. Pa. : committee : Dr. F. A. Rupley, Dr. E. N. Krem- er, and Rev. J. D. Miller. Pastorates: St. Clairsville, Pa., 1884-1888; Braddock and Turtle Creek, Pa., 1888- 1893 ; Wilhelm charge. Pa., 1893-1903 ; Grove City, Pa., 1903-1912; Wilhelm charge. Pa., a second time, 1912- 1914 ; Uniontown, Ohio, 1914-1919 ; Shelby, Ohio, 1919...., Married in 1887 to Miss Rilla J. Prugh, of Dayton, Ohio. Eight children : Jacob Prugh, Paul Clifford, Edgar Steng- er, William Markle, Miriam, Helen, Donald, and David. 230 The Histoky of the Pittsburgh Synod Conrad Augustine Hauser Conrad A. Hauser, D. D., son of John and Mary Hauser, was born at Frederick, Md., May 17th, 1872; educated at Johns Hopkins University, one year at the Theological Seminary of the Mission House, two years at the Theolog- ical Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. After three years in the ministry, he spent the better part of a year at the Uni- versity of Berlin, Germany; some special work at the University of Pennsylvania; licensed May, 1897, by the German Maryland Classis ; ordained Aug., 1897, by Som- erset Classis: committee: Revs. D. H. Leader, E. S. Hass- ler, and Dr. Thomas Bachman. Pastorates : Frostburg, Md., 1897-1900; University of Berlin, Germany, 1900; Cumberland, Md., 1901-1903 ; Rochester, N. Y., 1908-1911 ; educational superintendent of the Publication and Sun- day School Board of General Synod, 1911 Married Oct. 24th, 1901, to Miss Sophia Marie Hartig. One son, Paul M. C. Hauser. Benjamin Keener Hay Benjamin K. Hay, son of Benjamin George and Harriet (Glessner) Hay, was born in Brothersvalley Tovraship, Somerset County, Pa., Feb. 16th, 1877 ; educated at Mer- cersburg Academy, Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May 25th, 1903, by Somerset Classis; ordained July 30th, 1903, by Virginia Classis : committee : Revs. Ellis S. Hay and George G. Everhart. Pastorates: Mt. Cravsrford, Va., 1903-1907 ; New Kensington, Pa., 1907-1910 ; Des Moines, Iowa, 1910-1913; Mt. Jackson, Va., 1913.. Married Dec. 18th, 1907, to Miss Julia A. Francis, of White Gate, Va. Was overseas in service of Y. M. C. A., with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, from Apr., 1918, to May, 1919. John R. T. Hedeman John R. T. Hedeman, son of John H. Herman and Mary Bloss Hedeman, was born at Baltimore, Md., Nov. 10th, 1888; educated at Baltimore City College and Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May 25th, 1914, by Mary- Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 231 land Classis; ordained Jan. 5th, 1915, by Westmoreland Classis : committee : Revs. S. B. Mase, D. D., E. S. Bromer, D. D., and E. D. Bright. Pastorates : co-pastor of First Reformed Church, Greensburg, Pa., 1914-1916 ; St. Mark's Reformed Church, Baltimore, Md., 1916 L. Valmore Hetrick L. Valmore Hetrick, son of Isaac S .and Sarah Etta (Cressman) Hetrick, was born at Argus, Bucks County, Pa., Nov. 23d, 1881 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall Academy and College and the Eastern Theological Semi- nary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed. May, 1906, by Tohickon Classis ; ordained July 1st, 1906, by Allegheny Classis : committee: Revs. D. H. Leader, Chas. H. Faust, and A. H. Ginder. Pastorates: Bethany, Butler, Pa., 1906- 1907 ; Zion's, Pottstown, Pa., 1907-1911 ; Salem, Doyles- town, Pa., 1911-1919. Married June 21, 1905, to Miss May Emily Read. One son : Richard Dee Hetrick. Serv- ed in U. S. Army overseas as Chaplain — as First Lieuten- ant, and later promoted to the rank of Captain, from 1918 to 1919. Called as permanent supply pastor to Cavalry Reformed Church, Reading, Pa., 1919 Elmer R. Hoke Elmer R. Hoke, son of Edward John and Mary Mar- garet Hoke, was born in Ada, Ohio, Sept. 16th, 1892; educated at the Lewistown High School, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating in the latter in 1917 ; licensed by West Sus- quehanna Classis, June 5th, 1917 ; ordained by Westmore- land Classis, Oct. 25th, 1917: committee: Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., B. A. Black, and R. F. Main. Pastorates : Trafford City, Pa., 1917-1918; Trinity, Baltimore, Md., 1918 Married, March 18th, 1916. One child, Elmer Rhodes Hoke, Jr. Henry Holliger Henry Holliger, son of Henry and Elizabeth Holliger, was born at Monroeville, Ohio, Aug. 3d, 1861 ; educated at Calvin College, Cleveland, Ohio, and the Mission House, 232 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Sheboygan, Wis. ; licensed Aug. 19th, 1884, by Erie Clas- sis, Central Synod ; ordained Sept. 28th, 1884, by Heidel- berg Classis: committee: Revs. J. H. Stepler, D. D., and E. D. Miller. Pastorates: Kenton, Ohio, 1884-1887; Al- liance, Ohio, 1888-1896 ; St. Paul's, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1897- 1914 ; Waukegan, 111., 1914 Married May 7th, 1885, to Miss Henrietta Dorothea Gelsenliter. One child, Edna Minnie Holliger. John D. Hunsicker John D. Hunsicker, son of Josiah E. and Kate P. Hun- sicker, was born Oct. 17th, 1866, in Schwenksville, Montgomery County, Pa. ; educated at Ursinus Academy and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed by Gosh- enhoppen Classis, May 22d, 1894; ordained by Clarion Classis, Sept. 1894: committee: Rev. R. C. Bowling, D. D., and Robert E. Crum. Pastorates: Curllsville, Pa., three years; Wills Creek, Pa., five and one-half years; Greenville, Pa., six years. No regular charge from 1910 to 1916, supplied the Nittany Valley charge, winter of 1914-1915 ; served the Rebersburg charge, 1916-1919 ; ac- cepted a call to Old Springfield, Ohio, in Oct., 1919. Mar- ried Aug. 28th, 1894, to Miss Annie G. Steiner, who died Dec. 10th, 1918. There are seven children : Blanche L., Harold S., Naomi S., Florence, Eldon, Leonard, and Waldo. Samuel H. Isenberg Samuel H. Isenberg.Ph. D., son of William L. and Re- becca Isenberg, was born in Williamsport, Blair County, Pa., Dec. 14th, 1850 ; educated at Mercersburg College and Theological Seminary (post graduate course) ; licensed by Mercersburg Classis, May, 1879; ordained by West- moreland Classis, Dec. 1880 : committee : Revs. J. W. Love, and C. R. Dieffenbacher. Pastorates: Latrobe, Pa., four years ; Greenville, Pa., five years ; Centre Hall, Pa., ten years ; Millersburg, Pa., three years ; in school work, ten years; Williard Church, Akron, Ohio, three years; Athens, Mich., two years, and Robertsville, Ohio, two years. Married to Miss Etta J. Irvine, Nov. 16th, 1881. Two children : George Carl, and Ethel Irvine. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 233 Robert Raymond Jones Robert R. Jones, son of John R. and Janet Jones, was born in Wales, Great Britain, March 14th, 1864 ; educat- ed at the Keystone State Normal School, Kutstown, Pa., and the Eastern Theological Seminary, at Lancaster, Pa., a graduate of both institutions ; licensed June 3d, 1897, by Wyoming Classis ; ordained Sept. 22d, 1897, by Virginia Classis : committee : Revs. Henry Ditzler and N. H. Skyles. Pastorates : Middlebrook charge, Va., six years ; in charge of Massanutten Academy, two years ; Glade charge. Pa., five and one-half years ; Saegertovwi, Pa., one year ; and Center Hall charge, 1911. Married Feb. 12th, 1899, to Miss Ellen Griffith. Four children were born : Rev. William Raymond, Rev. Victor Herbert, Harold Griffith, and Gladys Jones. Charles Pennypacker Kehl Charles P. Kehl, son of William H. and Emma Kehl, was born at Pennsburg, Pa., July 21st, 1868 ; educated at Ursinus College and Seminary; licensed in 1893, by Goshenhoppen Classis; ordained Dec. 6th, 1893, by Wy- oming Classis at Dushore, Pa. : committee : Dr. F. K. Levan and Rev. Geo. S. Sorber. Pastorates : Dushore, Pa., 1893-1895 ; Red Lion, Pa., 1895-1900 ; Dillsburg, Pa., 1901- 1904; Fort Loudon, Pa., 1904-1906; Rimersburg, Pa., 1906-1909 ; Ringtown, Pa., 1909-1913 ; Mt. Moriah charge, Md., 1913-1914; Sulphur Springs, Pa., 1914 Married to Ada Elizabeth Schwenk in 1893 and to Minnie May Bowman in 1903. Three children : George Pennepacker, William Schwenk, and Mary Jane. Frederick H. Keller F. H. Keller, son of Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., and Emma, his wife, was born in Belleview, Ohio, Jan. 27th, 1863; educated at Ursinus College and Heidelberg Theological Seminary; licensed by Tiffin Classis, May 1886, and or- dained by the same classis on the same date ; committee : Revs. G. W. Williard, D. D., and S. Shaw. Pastorates : 234 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Wathena, Kans., four years; Fireside, Ohio, three years; Pennsburg, Ohio, three years ; Orrville, Ohio, three years ; Hartville, Ohio, five years; Sharpsville, Pa., five years; Bucyrus, Ohio, ten years. Mr. Keller married Miss Anna M. Lecrone, Oct. 19th, 1886. There were two sons : Howard Albert and Ralph Carleton. Mr. Keller was president of Eastern Ohio and of Tiffin Classis, stated clerk of Heidelberg Classis, and a Y. M. C. A. director and treasurer. John Freeman Kerlin John Freeman Kerlin, D. D., son of Wm. T. and Justa A. Kerlin, was born at Sunbury, Pa., in 1864 ; educated at Wy- oming Academy, Dickinson College and Priestly Univer- sity; licensed June, 1896, by West Susquehanna Classis; ordained by the West Susquehanna Classis. Pastorates : Sugar Creek, nine months; Evans City, three years; Beam's charge, three and one-half years, and Hyndman charge, three and one-half years. Married to Miss Emma R. Shoemaker, daughter of Rev. D. 0. Shoemaker. David W. Kerr David W. Kerr, son of Lewis Barnett and Elizabeth (Wagner) Kerr, was born at Marsh Run, Tuscarora Township, Perry County, Pa., Feb. 6th, 1864 ; educated at Shippensburg State Normal School, Mercersburg College, and the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed June 10th, 1893, by Clarion Classis at the annual hieeting in Dubois, Pa. ; ordained June 20th, 1893, by Clarion Classis: committee: Revs. R. F. Gass, R. E. Crum, and S. T. Wagner. Pastorates : St. John's charge. Pa., 1893- 1900 ; Grove City, Pa., 1900-1902 ; New Hamburg, Pa., 1902-1905; Apollo, Pa., 1905-1914; and Fayette, N. Y., 1914.._ Uriah Oliver Hartman Kerschner U. 0. H. Kerschner, son of John Peter and Harriet (Reichard) Kerschner, was born at Greenville, Pa., Feb. 23d, 1860; educated at Edinboro State Normal School, Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere ''^S Thiel College, Franklin and Marshall College, e Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licenacu ^i±a.y 17th, 1892, by St. Paul's Classis ; ordained May 17th, 1892, by St. Paul's Classis: committee: Revs. Dr. John M. Schick, Thomas Land, and John D. Thomas. Pastor- ates: Sharpsville, Pa., 1892-1895; St. Petersburg, Pa., 1895-1905 ; Punxsutawney, Pa., 1905-1915 ; Newport, Pa., 1915...... Married June 9th, 1892, to Miss Caroline Snyder. One child: Carol Snyder Kerschner. Presi- dent of classis three times; vice-president of Pittsburgh Sjmod, on the board of directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home, twenty-two years. W. Sherman Kerschner W. Sherman Kerschner, son of Eev. and Mrs. J. G. Kerschner, was born at Guthsville, Lehigh County, Pa., Oct. 31st, 1885; educated at Ursinus Academy and Col- lege and the Central Seminary ; licensed May 15th, 1912, by Schulykill Classis of Eastern Synod ; ordained June 18th, 1912, by Illinois Classis: committee: Revs. G. W. Kerstetter and J. M. Newgard. Pastorates :Freeport, III., 1912-1914; assistant pastor of Grace Church, Pitts- burgh, Pa., 1914-1915 ; York, Pa., 1915 Married Miss Elizabeth Kratz Long, Apr. 3d, 1913. Stanley LeFevre Krebs Stanley LeFevre Krebs, Psy. D., son of Rev. Dr. W. E. and Isabella (LeFevre) Krebs, was born at Waynesboro, Pa., Feb. 14th, 1864; educated at Muhlenburg College, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theolog- ical Seminary ; licensed 1890, by Gettysburg Classis ; or- dained Sept., 1890, by Lehigh Classis : committee : Revs. Drs. B. Bausman, and A. R. Bartholomew. Pastorates : Reading, Pa., ten years, and Greensburg, Pa., six years. Married Miss Anna F. Frantz, Sept. 17th, 1890. Three children : Stanley Walter, Anna Belle and Josephine. Has done research work, lecturing and writing since 1909. 236 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Walter Edmund Krebs Walter E. Krebs, D. D., son of Isaac and Esther Krebs, was born at Littlestown, Pa., Jan. 1st, 1837 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Seminary at Mer- cersburg, Pa. ; licensed and ordained by the Eastern SsTiod at Frederick, Md., 1858 : committee : Revs. Drs. E. V. Ger- hart, Daniel Zacharias, S. R. Fisher, and J. H. A. Bom- berger. Pastorates: Emmitsburg, Md., four years; Waynesboro, Pa., six years; Allegheny City, Pa., two years ; Irwin, Pa., two years ; Professor in F. & M. Col- lege, five years; Bloomsburg, Pa., two years; president of Allentown College for Women, two years. Married to Miss Isabella LeFevre, of Littlestown, Pa. Children: Ada, wife of Rev. A. T. G. Apple, and Stanley L. Krebs. Degree of D. D. was conferred by Franklin and Marshal) College. Seward Roswell Kresge Seward R. Kresge, son of Alfred and Savannah Kresge, was born at McMichael, Monroe County, Pa., Aug. 5th, 1885; educated at Dickinson College, Schuylkill, and Eastern Theological Seminary. Pastorates : Wilton Junc- tion, Iowa, two years; New Providence, Pa., two years; Hyndman, Pa., two years; Jenner mission, two years; James Creek, Pa., Woodcock Valley charge, and Landis- burg charge at Landisburg, Pa. Married June 28th, 1910, to Miss Valeria Haag. Two children: Donald H. and Eric Roswell Kresge. Organized the mission at Jenner, Pa., on Jan. 1st, 1915, with twenty-four members. CHAPTER XXI. Biographical Sketches Of Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere. — Continued. William H. Lahr William H. Lahr, son of Philip and Marie Lahr, was born at Huntingdon, Ind., Nov. 22d, 1866; educated at the Mission House, Sheboygan, Wis. ; licensed July 15th, 1892, and ordained Aug. 18th, 1892, the committee being : Revs. C. F. Kriete, C. M. Schaaf, and E. U. Henschen. Pastorates : Clay City, Ind., three years ; Fort Wayne, Ind., one and one-half years ; Waukegan, 111., three years ; Frostburg, Md., six years; Curtiss, Wis., five years; Bluffton, Ohio, eight year; Indianapolis, Ind., 1919 Married Sept. 24th, 1893, and there were five children : Cordelia, Edith, Marie, Franklin and Evelyn. J. Albert Law J. Albert Law, son of Thomas J. and Hettie (Hurst) Law, was born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa., Sept. 5th, 1876; educated at Central Seminary, graduating in 1908 ; licensed May, 1908, by Miami Classis ; ordained by Eastern Ohio Classis, at Calla, Ohio, June, 1908 : commit- tee: Revs. E. D. Wettach, D. D., and L. J. Rohrbach. Pastorates : Paradise charge, Ohio, two years ; Sugar Creek, Pa., four years; Union charge, Ohio, two years; Ada charge, Ohio, three years ; since that time has been employed as a stationary engineer. Married June 25th, 1901, to Miss Sula E. Bailey. Six children : Vereria, John, Gertrude, Paul, Robert, and Cecil. Daniel H. Leader Daniel H. Leader, son of Rupert and Elizabeth Leader, was born at Bedford, Pa., Feb. 20th, 1850; educated at 237 238 The History of the Pittsbukgh Synod Mercersburg College and Theological Seminary ; licensed May 17th, 1879, by Mercersburg Classis; ordained Oct. 31st, 1879 : committee : Revs. J. David Miller, D. N. Ditt- mar, and David M. Whitmore. Pastorates : Everett, Pa., 1879-1882; Dubois, Pa., 1882-1884; Williamsport, Pa., 1884-1889; Sagertown, Pa., 1889-1893; Elk Lick, Pa., 1893-1900; New Kensington, Pa., 1900-1901; Brush Creek, Pa., 1901-1903; superintendent of St. Paul's Or- phans' Home, Butler and Greensville, Pa., 1903-1909 ; Pen- brook, Pa., 1910-1913 ; since then in business, doing pul- pit and supply work occasionally. Married March 12th, 1889, to Mrs. Margaret Jane Heller. Twin children : John and Margaret. Daughter was missionary for five years in Japan, now in educational work in the United States. At Dubois, Pa., two new churches were built; at Wil- liamsport a new church was completed ; at Saegertown a new church was built at Reichels; at Elk Lick a new church was built, and at Pen-brook a new parsonage. John J. Leberman John J. Leberman, D. D., son of Jacob L. and Hattie (Fake) Leberman, was born in Union Township, Leban- on County, Pa., Nov. 29th, 1848 ; educated at Westmore- land College and Heidelberg College ; licensed May 20th, 1873, by Ohio Synod ; ordained May 20th, 1873, by Ohio Synod: committee: Rev. N. H. Loose, president of the Synod. Pastorates : Louisville, Ohio, 1873-1900 ; Beav- er charge, 0, 1900-1901 ; Lancaster, O., 1901-1905 ; Brad- dock, Pa., 1905-1907; Akron, Ohio, 1907-1914; Supply work 1914 Married June 10th, 1873, to Miss Lizzie C. Lutz, and to Miss Anna A. Sharp in June 26th, 1905. There were nine children : Agnes C., Leora Louise, May Ida, John K., Evelyn, Esther Monica, Eunice Pauline, Ole- via, and Isabella. The degree of D. D. was conferred by Heidelberg University in 1890. Leonard L. Leh Leonard L. Leh, son of Orville P. and Polly A. Leh, was born at Egypt, Pa., May 31st, 1889; educated at Ministers Now I^aboring Elsewhere 239 Franklin and Marshall College and Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa.; licensed May 26th, 1914, by Lehigh Classis ; ordained June 14th, 1914, by Lehigh Classis : com- mittee : Revs. G. P. Stem, R. M. Kern and J. 0. Oswald. Pastorates : Mill Creek, 111., 1914-1915 ; Emlenton, Pa., 1915-1918, when he resigned to enter the U. S. Army. Married June 10th, 1914, to Miss Myrtle Clarke. Paul Seibert Leinbach Paul S. Leinbach, son of Rev. Thomas Calvin and Maria R. (Seibert) Leinbach, was born at Womelsdorf, Pa., Sept. 21st, 1874 ; educated at Franklin and Marshal Col- lege and Lancaster Theological Seminary; licensed May 20th, 1898, by Lebanon Classis ; ordained July 3d, 1898, by Juniata Classis : committee : Revs. J. F. Moyer, D. D., Lewis Robb, D. D., and E. M. Beck. Pastorates: Al- toona. Pa., 1898-1900 ; Wilkinsburg, Pa., 1900-1904 ; East- on. Pa., 1904-1912; Hamilton Grange church. New York City, 1913-1917; editor of Reformed Church Messenger since 1917. Married to Miss Belle Martin, May 26th, 1898, and to Miss Helen De Long on Aug. 2d, 1910. Four children: Thomas Martin, Joseph Nevin, Paul Harold, and John De Long. President of Eastern Synod; vice president of General Synod ; editor of Sunday School lit- erature ; secretary of Board of Home Missions, and mem- ber of American Relief Commission to the near East. William Franklin Lichliter William F. Lichliter, son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Dinges) Lichliter, was born in Woodstock, Va. ; educated at Mercersburg College and Theological Seminary at Lan- caster, Pa. ; licensed July 9th, 1875, by Lancaster Classis ; ordained Aug. 1st, 1875, by Philadelphia Classis : commit- tee : Revs. Samuel R. Fisher, D. D., and John G. Noss. Pastorates: St. John's Church, Wyoming, Del., fifteen months ; First Church, Allegheny, Pa., fourteen months ; St. Luke's Church, Lancaster, Pa., 1800 Secretary of the Board of Education of the Eastern Synod since 1897. 240 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Francis M. Line Francis M. Line, son of Reuben and Margaret Rebecca Line, was born in Winchester, Ohio, March 14th, 1867; educated at Franklin and Marshall SoUege and the Sem- inary at Lancaster ; licensed by Maryland Classis in May, 1890, and ordained by Juniata Classis, June 1891, Revs. J. W. Pontius, S. C. Stover and F. A. Rupley, D. D., being the committee. Pastorates : Tyrone, Pa., 1891-1893 ; Saegertovra, Pa., 1894-1899; Rimersburg, Pa., 1899-1904; principal of school at Vandergrift, Pa., 1904-1908 ; Liver- more Presbyterian Church, 1910 ; Hamburg, N. Y., 1910- 1912 ; Westtown, N. Y., 1912 Mr. Line vi^as married to Miss Ada H. Smaling, of Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 26th, 1891. Three children: Margaret, Frances, and Clar- ence. Mr. Line has been in the Presbyterian church since 1910. Samuel C. Long Samuel C. Long, son of George and Caroline E. Long, v^^as born at Huntingdon, Pa., July 27th, 1846 ; educated at Mercersburg, Pa. ; licensed April, 1878, at meeting of Mercersbiirg Classis, at Bedford, Pa.; ordained Oct., 1878, by lovi^a Classis: committee: Revs. Cyrus Cort, D. D., and D. S. Fouse, D. D. Pastorates : Wilton, Iowa, four years ; Boulder and Brandon mission, Iowa, two years and five months ; Sulphur Springs mission. Pa., six years ; Braddock mission. Pa., two years ; New Centreville charge. Pa., four years ; Beam's charge, Pa., five years ; Butler, Pa., four years, when he became blind, and was inactive for two and one-half years ; Newburg, Pa., three years, when he resigned on account of eyes. Married Nov. 12th, 1879, to Miss Emma Longacre, of Philadelphia, Pa. Two children: Howard C. and Clarence J. R. Franklin Main R. Franklin Main, son of George J. and Sarah A. Main, was born near Middletown, Md., Apr. 17th, 1872 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May, 1897, by Maryland Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 241 Classis ; ordained Sept., 1899, by Somerset Classis ; com- mittee : Revs. Hiram King and Frank Wetzel. Pastor- ates: Assistant pastor at Beam's, Pa., 1899-1901; St. John's charge, Pa., Clarion Classis, 1901-1908; Larimer, Pa., 1906-1919 ; Brunswick, Md., 1919 Edwin 0. Marks Edwin 0. Marks, son of Alfred H. and Annie S. (Ehr- ich) Marks, was born in Allentown, Pa., Jan. 2d, 1888 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall Academy, College and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating, 1906, 1910, 1913 ; licensed by Lehigh Classis in May, 1913 ; ordained by Westmoreland Classis July, 13th, 1918. Pastorates: St. Paul's Reformed Church, Johnstown, Pa., 1913-1920 ; East Mauch Chunk, Apr. 1920. Rev. Mr. Mark married Miss Mary C. Arbogast, of Allentown, Pa., June IBth, 1913. There is one child, Robert E. Marks. Daniel Elmer Master Daniel Elmer Master, son of Charles D. and Lydia (Conner) Master, was born in Monroe, Clarion County, Pa., Feb. 4th, 1866 ; educated at Clarion Collegiate Insti- tute, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern The- ological Seminary; licensed by Clarion Classis in 1896; ordained by St. Paul's Classis Sept. 15th, 1896 : commit- tee : Revs. D. B. Lady, D. D., J. F. Wiant, and George E. Limbert. Pastorates: Cochranton charge. Pa., four and one-half years ; Apollo, Pa., four and one-half years ; Hunt- ingdon, Pa., fourteen years and three months. Married April 28th, 1897, to Miss Viola Gertrude Rupp, daugh- ter of Dr. Wm. Rupp. Was president of St. Paul's, Clar- ion and Juniata Classes, and member of Board of Visi- tors of the Theological Seminary. J. Kern McKee J. Kern McKee, son of Samuel and Margaret McKee, was born at Andersonburg, Perry County, Pa., Aug. 22(i, 1872; educated at Ursinus Coollege and Seminary; li- 14 242 The History op the Pittsburgh Synod censed May 20th, 1901, by Carlisle Classis, and ordained June 11th, 1901, by Zion Classis: committee: Revs. Gid- eon Fisher, George Sorber and George Stibitz. Pas- torates : Red Lion, Pa., 1901-1906 ; Christ Church, Pitts- burgh, Pa., 1906-1907 ; Zion's Church, York, Pa., 1907—. He was married May 29th, 1901, to Miss Carolyn Strock, and two children were born. The New Zion's Church, at YoTk, Pa., was built since he is in charge. E. D. Meixell E. D. Meixell, son of M. J. and Rachael (Saylor) Meix- ell, was born in Saylorsburg, Monroe County, Pa. ; edu- cated at Muhlenburg College and the Theological Sem- inary at Lancaster, graduating in 1891, and from the Seminary in 1894; licensed by Lehigh Classis at Kutz- town. Pa., in 1894, and ordained July 22d, 1894 by Westmoreland Classis in Trinity Reformed Church, at Delmont, Pa. : committee : Revs. J. N. Bauman and J. F. Snyder. Pastorates : Salem charge, Delmont, Pa., two years; Scottdale, Pa., four years; Newport, Pa., two years ; since then in the banking business, eight years with the Westmoreland National Bank, of Greensburg, Pa.; cashier of First National Bank at Cresson, Pa., since 1909. Married to Miss Annie L. Leisenring, of Allen-' town, Pa. There were three children : Ruth, Harold and Esther. George E. Metger George E. Metger, son of Johannes Ludolph and Louise (Zenner) Metger, was born in Emden, Germany, Dec. 5th, 1862 ; educated at Heidelberg College and Seminary, graduating in 1884 and 1886; licensed by Illinois Classis, May 22d, 1886; ordained by Illinois Classis, May 23d, 1886, at Orangeville, 111. Pastorates: Summum, 111., four years ; Germano, Ohio, four years ; Bethel, Ohio, five years ; Old Springfield, Ohio, four years ; Frostburg, Md., eight years ; Harrisville, Va., four years. . Married May 30th, 1886, to Miss Amanda Erb. Five children : John, George W., Harvey, Earl, and Helen. Elected president four times of Sunday School association. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 243 Simon S. Miller Simon S. Miller, son of Henry and Eliza S. Miller, was born near Waynesboro, Pa., Feb. 22nd., 1842, and was ed- ucated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Theologi- cal Seminary at Mercersburg; licensed by the Eastern Synod, Oct. 22d, 1864; ordained by Sandusky Classis, Ohio Synod, June 22nd. 1865: committee: Revs. J. J. Excell, W. B. Sandoe and W. H. Loose. Pastorates: Grace, Akron, 0., 1865-1866 ; Jefferson, Md., 1867-1873 ; Boonsboro, Md., 1873-1890; St. Petersburg, Pa., 1890- 1895; Mt. Pleasant, Md., 1895-1897; was a teacher in Marshall Classical Institute, Pa., 1866 ; principal Sunbury Classical Institute, Pa., 1867; stated clerk of Maryland Classis, 1868-1890 ; president Maryland Classis, 1879, and of Potomac Synod, 1889; superintendent Daniel Stine Memorial Home, 1897-1901 ; treasurer of the Society for the Relief of Ministers and their Widows, 1880-1920. Rev. Mr. Miller was married to Miss Mary Geneveve Biser, of Jefferson, Md., Nov. 25th, 1873. There were three children: Mary Geneveve, Paul Biser, and Hugh Sweig- art. Cyrus John Musser Cyrus J. Musser, D. D., son of John and Rose Ann (Brubaker) Musser, was born in Berlin, Somerset Coun- ty, Pa., Sept. 12th, 1857 ; educated at Franklin and Mar- shall College, 1878, and Eastern Theological Seminary, 1881 ; licensed by Somerset Classis, June, 1881 ; ordained by Mercersburg Classis, July 1881 : committee. Revs. El- lis N. Kremer, D. D., and H. S. Garner. Pastorates : St. Clairsville, Pa., 1881-1884 ; Roanoke, Va., 1885 ; Hunting- don, Pa., 1886-1891; St. Mark's, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1891 Church of the Ascensio#, Norristown, Pa., 1892-1896 editor of Reformed Church Messenger, from 1896-1917 editor emeritus, 1917 Married to Miss Edith Mow- ry, Jan. 7th, 1888, at Bedford, Pa. Three children : John, Elizabeth Virginia, and Paul Howard. 244 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod John Nicholas Naly John Nicholas Naly, son of Eli and Sara (Earnest) Naly, was born at Greensburg, Pa., Apr. 4th, 1863 ; edu- cated at Greensburg Seminary, Franklin and Marshall College and Theological Seminary ; licensed by Westmore- land Classis, May 15th, 1893 ; ordained by Westmoreland Classis, at Jeannette, Pa., May 15th, 1893: committee: the officers of classis. Pastorates : student supply, Apol- lo, Pa., and New Kensington, Pa., in the summer of 1892 ; Apollo, 1893-1900; Tipton, Iowa, 1901 Married to Miss Edith Garnet Stewart, Oct. 24th, 1905, at Parnassus, Pa. Milton M. Noacker Milton M. Noacker, son of John and Priscilla Noacker, was born in Snyder County, Pa., Nov. 22d, 1860 ;educat- ed at Selinsgrove Institute, and the Lancaster Theologi- cal Seminary ; licensed by East Susquehanna Classis, June 9th, 1890; ordained by Lancaster Classis, Aug. 24th, 1890 : committee : Revs. E.. V. Gerhart, D. D., F. A. Gast, D. D., and Wm. F. Lichliter. Pastorates : Maytown charge. Pa., three years and four months ; Arendtsville, Pa., eight years ; Homestead, Pa., two years ; Duncannon, Pa., three years; Enola, Pa., one and one-half years; Rowen, N. C, four years; Cheney, Kas., one year; Albe- marle, N. C, nine months ; Fifth Creek, Southern Presby- terian church, N. C, one year ; Woodstock, Va., two years ; Arcadia, Cal., three years. Married June 8th, 1882, to Miss Anna M. Hockenbroch, and Jan. 12th, 1910, to Miss Anna K. Seager. One child : Elizabeth Tupf er Noacker. Remodeled three churches and built four new churches and one parsonage. Howard Obold Howard Obold, son of John H. and Elizabeth (Evans) Obold, was born at Reading, Pa^ June 12th, 1877 ; educat- ed at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed June 10th, 1901, by Reading Classis of the Eastern Synod ; ordained by Jun- iata Classis of the Potomac Synod, July 17th, 1901 : com- Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 245 mittee : Revs. Dr. Lewis Robb and P. A. De Long. Pas- torates: Water Street charge, 1901-1910; Irwin, Pa., 1910-1916 ; Quarryville, Pa., 1916... Married June 19th, 1902, to Miss Bessie Lord at Reading, Pa. Three chil- dren : Walter Lord, John Howard, and Florence Kath- erine Obold. Robert O'Boyle Robert O'Boyle, D. D., son of Samuel and Kathryne O'Boyle, was born at Kutztown, Pa., July 28th, 1860 ; ed- ucated at Franklin and Marshall College and Theologi- cal Seminary ; licensed May 31st, 1887, by Somerset Clas- sis, and ordained by the same Classis in 1887. Pastor- ates : New Centreville, Pa., Sunbury, Pa., and St. John's, Philadelphia, Pa. Married to Miss Flora Bitner in 1887, and there were four children. Edward Henry Otting Edward Henry Otting, son of J. Christopher and Fanny Otting, was bom in Cincinnati, Ohio. March, 12th, 1852 ; educated at Heidelberg College and Seminary; licensed by Miami Classis, Oct. 18th, 1873; ordained by Eastern Ohio Classis, Apr. 15th, 1874: committee: Revs. J. M. Kendig, D. D., and H. H. Hilbish. Pastor at Harmony, Pa. Married to Miss Adaline Wanamaker on June 7th, 1877. Six children: Daniel C, Mary E., S. Adaline, Herbert E., Sena P., and Bertram C. Charles Peters Charles Peters, son of David J. and Amelia (Clause) Peters, was born at Jordon, Pa., Oct. 23d, 1884 ; educated at Keystone State Normal School, Franklin and Marsh- all College, Eastern Theological Seminary, Grove City College, post graduate course ; licensed by Lehigh Classis, May, 1910; ordained by Allegheny Classis, July, 1911; committee: Revs. Lewis Robb, D. D., J. W. Pontius, and Daniel N. Harnish. Pastorates : St. Peter's, Zelie- nople. Pa., two and one-half years; St. Paul's, Juniata, 246 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Pa., three and one-half years ; St. Paul's, Buffalo, N. Y. Married to Miss Agnes V. Knowlton, June 20th, 1912. They have two children: Josephine H., and Charles K. Peters, Jr. Robert James Pilgrim Robert James Pilgrim, son of Rev. Frederick and Eliz- abeth Hester Pilgrim, was born at Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., Aug. 15th, 1877; educated at Franklin and Marshall Academy and College and the Eastern Theologi- cal Seminary; licensed by Lancaster Classis, May 17th, 1901, and ordained by Maryland Classis July 28th, 1901 : committee : Revs. J. T. Rossiter, D. D., James M. Mul- len, B. D., and W. S. Stewart. Pastorates: Grace Church, Baltimore, Md., 1901-1906; First Church, Car- lisle, Pa., 1906-1911 ; Church of the Ascension, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1912-1917, and St. Peter's, at Lancaster, Pa., 1917 Married to Miss Hilda Theresa Hask, of Bethlehem, Pa., Julne 4th, 1907. Two children: Hijldegarde and Robert Hask. John Calvin Raezer John Calvin Raezer, son of Levi R. and Martha A. Raezer, was born at Brod-in-hand, Lancaster County, Pa., Sept. 15th, 1885 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall Academy and College, and the Eastern Theological Semi- nary ; licensed May 17th, 1912, by Lancaster Classis, and ordained July 14th, 1912, by Westmoreland Classis: com- mittee: Revs. Drs. J. Harvey Mickley and David A. Souders, and Rev. Samuel H. Isenberg. Pastorates : St. Paul's, Johnstown, Pa., 1912-1913; Emmanuel's, York, Pa., 1913-1916 ; from May 1st, 1916, has not been in active ministry on account of throat trouble. Married Sept. 3d, 1912, to Miss Frances Ethel Rishel, of Alexandria, Pa. Three children: Margaret Louise, John Calvin, and Philip Enterline. Since leaving York, Pa., has been in the accounting department of the Lancaster Steel Pro- ducts Corporation of Lancaster, Pa. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 247 Alfred M. Rahn Alfred M. Rahn, son of Wilson and Lenora C. Rahn, was born in Greenwich Township, Berks County, Pa., Dec. 29th, 1882 ; educated at the Kutztown Normal School, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May, 1912, by Lehigh Classis, and ordained July 2d, 1912, by Maryland Classis : committee : Revs. J. M. Mullan, E. T. Coblentz, and John L. Bamhart. Pastorates : Ridgely, Md., 1912-1916 ; Du- quesne, Pa., 1916-1918; Souderton, Pa., 1918 Mar- ried June 1st, 1912, to Miss Blanche R. Hostetter, and they have three children : Alfred, John, and Paul. Lewis Reiter Lewis Reiter, son of John D. and Ruth (Robb) Rei- ter, was born at Kittanning, Pa., Sept. 24th, 1854 ; educat- ed at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed Oct. 23d, 1885, by North Carolina Classis ; ordained on the same date and by the same classis: committee: Revs. G. Dickie Gurley, Jere- miah Ingold, and John A. Foil. Pastorates: Hickory, N. C, five and one-half years ; Roanoke, Va., seven years ; Monroe, Pa., two years ; Punxsutawney, Pa., four years ; Meadville, Pa., two years; Harmony, Pa., five years; Shoops, Harrisburg, Pa., nine years. Married May 3d, 1893, to Miss Mary Jane Bixler. They had no children but brought up a niece of Mrs. Reiter's who is known as and called their daughter. George Leith Roth George Leith Roth, son of George W. and Theresa (Leith) Roth, was born at Hamburg, Pa., Jan. 21st, 1888 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall Academy and College, and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May 29th, 1911, by Goshenhoppen Classis ; ordained Aug. 31st, 1911, by Clarion Classis: committee: Revs. R. C. Bowling, D. D., C. B. Rebert, and H. S. Nicholson. Pastorates: Emlenton, Pa., 1911-1915; First Church, Royersford, Pa., 1915 248 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod John C. Sanders John C. Sanders, son of Calvin M. and Elizabeth J. Sanders, was bprn at New Berlin, Pa., March 22d, 1881 ; educated at Bucknell College, and the Lancaster Semi- nary ; licensed May 22d, 1906, by West Susquehanna Clas- sis ; ordained July 2d, 1908, by Allegheny Classis : com- mittee : Revs. Lewis Robb, D. D., D. B. Lady, D. D., and Aaron Noll. Pastorates: Turtle Creek, Pa., six years and five months ; Turbotville, Pa., five years. Married to Miss Margaret E. Boyer, of Mifflinburg, Pa., Sept. 10, 1908. Four children were born to them: Elizabeth, ' John, Calvin, and Franklin. Ambrose M. Schmidt Ambrose M. Schmidt, son of Absalom G. and Catherine (Trone) Schmidt, was born in Hanover, York County, Pa., June 12th, 1857 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College, and the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lan- caster, Pa. ; licensed May 17th, 1889, by Gettysburg Clas- sis ; ordained May 27th, 1889, by Maryland Classis ; com- mittee : Revs. Joseph W. Santee, D. D., Simon S. Miller, and Marion L. Firor. Pastorates : Christ mission, Bal- timore, Md., three years; St. Mark's, Pittsburgh, Pa., four years ; financial secretary of Franklin and Marshall College, five and one-half years; St. John's, Belief onte. Pa., eighteen years. Married Oct. 24th, 1893, to Miss Alda May Stouffer. Two children: Richard Bernard, and William Stouffer Schmidt. Chairman of Sunday School- Hymn"al Committee; Secretary of New Hymnal Committee, and is author of a number of hymns. ALFRED Martin Schaffner Alfred Martin Schaffner, son of Daniel and Salome Schaffner, was born in Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Pa., Oct. 11th, 1864; educated at Mercersburg College, Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May, 1893, by Lancaster Classis; ordained June, 1893, by Maryland Classis: com- Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 249 mittee: Revs. G. A. Whitmore, and J. R. Lewis. Pas- torates : Emmitsburg, Md., two years ; Meadville, Pa., four years; Ruffsdale, Pa., four years; Catawissa, Pa., seven years; Orangeville, Pa., five and one-half years. He was married to Miss Isabel Slick, Nov 9th, 1893. Four children: Daniel M., Paul A., Walter F., and Henry K. He was married, the second time, to Miss Emma E. Shuman, Jan. 25th, 1912. James Ray Shepley James R. Shepley, son of John Abraham and Amanda Shepley, was born in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pa., Nov. 18th, 1888; educated. at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Seminary; licensed May 15th, 1915, by Lancaster Classis; ordained July 11th, 1915, by Westmoreland Classis: committee: Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., R. V. Hartman, and J. F. Snyder. Pastorates: Vandergrift, Pa., 1915-1917, then, removed to Eastern Synod, at Riegelsville, Pa. Married May 13th, 1915, to Miss Grace Elizabeth Rupp. These children were born : James R., Catherine Louise, and Jane Ellen. Andrew Hoffee Smith Andrew H. Smith, son of Charles J. and Sarah A. (Hoffee) Smith, was born in Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pa., Oct. 2d, 1865; educated at Carol Institute, and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May, 1892, by Schuylkill Classis ; ordained Oct. 8th, 1892, by North Car- olina Classis : committee : Revs. J. L. Murphy, D. D., J. C. Clapp, D. D., and John A. Foil, Ph.D. Pastorates: Newton, N. C, five years ; McKeesport, Pa., five years ; Harrisville, Va., eight years and six months ; York, Pa., six years and six months ; superintendent of Hoffman Or- phanage since 1917. Married to Miss Kate S. Shultz, of Reading, Pa. Three children : Elsie Virginia, Sid- ney Shultz, and Charles Niom. 250 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod George Milton Smith George Milton Smith, Ph.D., son of Lewis and Annie (Schaffer) Smith, was born in Walnutport, Northampton County, Pa., Nov. 19th, 1880 ; educated at Albright Col- legiate Institute, Muhlenberg College, and Ursinus Col- lege; licensed May 3d, 1906, by German Philadelphia Classis ; ordained Oct. 7th, 1906, by Lehigh Classis : com- mittee : Revs. N. F. Peters, E. J. Fogel, and D. A. Winter, Pastorates : Heidelberg charge, 1906-1912 ; Grace Church, Jeannette, Pa., 1912-1915 ; Telford charge, 1915-1916 ; St. Paul's Church, Mahanoy City, Pa., 1916. Married Feb. 22d, 1902, to Miss Annie Minerva Caskie and brought up one adopted daughter, Mary Heller Smith. The Uni- versity of Potomac conferred the degree of Ph.D. on him. Henry N. Smith Henry N. Smith, son of Albert A. and Mary J. Smith, was born at Line Mountain, Northumberland County, Pa., Mar. 21st, 1873'; educated at Franklin and Marshall Aca- demy, Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Seminary; licensed June, 1899, by East Susquehanna Classis ; ordained March 15th, 1900, by St. Joseph's Clas- sis, Ohio Synod : committee : Revs. H. A. Welker, C. H. Schoepfle, and C. P. Ruhl. Pastorates : a charge in St. Joseph's Classis, 1900-1904; Troutville, Pa., 1904-1908; Delmont, Pa., 1908-1918. Married to Miss Mary M. Voll- rath, of Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 31st, 1901. Two children: Mary Eunice, and Esther Alcott Smith. Henry Elmer Snyder Henry Elmer Snyder, son of David L. and Mary A. Snyder, was bom on a farm in Penn Township, Pa., Jan. 1st, 1864; educated at Heidelberg University, and the Eastern Seminary; licensed in 1890 by Westmore- land Classis, and ordained in 1891 by Allegheny Classis. Pastorates : Bethany, Butler, Pa., Gallery, Pa., Pleasant Unity, Pa., and Bullcreek, Tarentum, Pa., the last three in the Presbyterian church. Married to Miss Blanche D. Derland, of Boiling Springs, Pa.' Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 251 John Mortimer Souder John Mortimer Souder, son of John and Mary Marga- ret Souder, was born in Lovettsville, Loudon County, Va., May 16th, 1846 ; edlicated at Franklin and Marshall Col- lege and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed May, 1872, by Lancaster Classis ; ordained Dec, 1872, by Mary- land Classis: committee: Revs. Dr. G. L. Staley, Dr. A. R. Kremer, and S. S. Miller. Pastorates : Glade, Md., four years; Wilkinsburg, Pa., three years; New Castle, Pa., three years ; New Providence, Pa., twenty-one years ; Middlebrook, Va., five years ; Edinburg, Va., eleven years. Married June 23d, 1873, to Miss Susan Elizabeth Buckey, and three children were born: Paul B., Roy M., and George Claire. Frederick Keller Stamm Frederick Keller Stamm, son of Dr. John W. and Annie E. Stamm, was born at Millheim, Pa., Sept. 27th, 1883 ; ed- ucated at Fredonia Institute, Fredonia, Pa., Franklin and Marshall College, and the Eastern Theological Seminary ; licensed by St. Paul's Classis, May, 1910; ordained by Clarion Classis, Aug. 9th, 1910; committee: Revs. R. C. Bowling, D. D., and U. O. H. Kerschner. Pastorates; South Bend, Pa., two years ; Vandergrift, Pa., three years ; Butler, Pa., three years ; First Church, Dayton, Ohio Married to Miss Mary Montgomery Griffith, of Lancaster, Pa., June 29th, 1910. Three children : Mary Elizabeth, Janet Bell, and Margaret Jean. John Henry Stepler John Henry Stepler, D. D., son of John and Katherine Stepler, was born in Maar, in Hessen, Germany, Oct. 15th, 1841; educated at Heidelberg College and Seminary, at Tiffin, Ohio ; licensed Oct. 1862, by Tiffin Classis ; ordain- ed Nov. 12th, 1862, by the same Classis : committee : Revs. George and John Rettig and Daniel Zimmerman. Pastor- ates: Second Reformed Church, Marion, Ohio, two years ; Bluifton, Ind., two years ; Sharon, Pa., seven years ; 252 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Caroline charge, Ohio, five years ; Lima, Ohio, ten years ; Second Reformed Church, Cleveland, Ohio, twenty-six years. Dr. Stepler preached fifty-two years without in- terruption, occupying his own pulpit on every Lord's Day. Married to Miss Dorothy B. Reimold. Six chil- dren: Meta E., John Calvin, Emma Kosower, Louisa Land, Clara Sommerlatte, and Philip Melanchton. Dr. Stepler built four churches, two parsonages and was the author of several books, and a frequent contributor to the church papers. Samuel Charles Stover Samuel Charles Stover, son of John and Eva M. Stover, was bom in Farmersville, Centre County, Pa., July 1859 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College, and the East- ern Seminary; licensed by West Susquehanna Classis, May 20th, 1888 ; ordained Oct. 1888, by Revs. Dr. R. L. Gerhart, and S. C. Long. Pastorates : Dunning Creek, Pa., twelve years; Paradise, Pa., three years; Wilhelm, Pa., eight years ; and Boalsburg, Pa., nine years. Married to Miss Sadie Kuhns, of Berlin, Pa., June 14th, 1895. Two children : John K. and H. Elwood. During 1918 and 1919 he taught school at Boalsburg High School and preached at the same time. John I. Swander John I. Swander, D. D., son of Thomas and Sarah Blair (Hampton) Swander, was born in Warren County, N. J., May 3d, 1833; educated at Heidelberg College and Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio ; licensed in 1859 by Ohio Synod ; ordained June 1859, by the Synod of Ohio; committee: Revs. Drs. David Winters, George W. Williard, and Sam- uel Mease. Pastorates : The Kinnikinnick charge, Ohio, five years; Union charge, Ohio, four years; Latrobe charge. Pa., eight years ; Delmont, Pa., two years ; Fre- mont, Ohio, twelve years. Married to Miss Barbara Kimmel, March 29th, 1860. Two children : Sarah El- len, and Nevin Ambrose. Author of twenty books, all bearing on the subject of the Christian religion. Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 253 Samuel T. Wagner Samuel T. Wagner, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Wag- ner, was born near Landisburg, Perry County, Pa., July 15th, 1846; educated at Mercersburg College and post graduate course in theology; licensed June 3d, 1878, by Zion's Classis; ordained Oct. 14th, 1880, by Pittsburgh Synod: committee: Revs. T. F. Stauffer, D. S. DiefFen- bacher and H. F. Keener. Pastorates : assistant to Rev. L. D. Steckel, 1880-1881 ; pastor at Hyndman, 1881-1884. St. John's charge, Armstrong County, Pa., 1885-1891 Beaver charge. Pa., 1891-1898 ; Watson Run charge. Pa. 1898-1902 ; Boonsboro charge, Md., 1902-1905, and then retired. Married Dec. 27th, 1881, to Miss Catherine Barnhart. Two children: John, and Mary. John Grant Walter John Grant Walter, son of Charles A. and Samantha J. Walter, was bom at Gebharts, Somerset County, Pa., Oct. 11th, 1868; educated at Heidelberg University, and the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa.; licensed May, 1894, by Westmoreland Classis; ordained Oct., 1894, by Lancaster Classis : committee : Revs. M. H. Sangree, El- lis N. Kremer, D. D., and J. Stewart Hartman. Pastorates : Hummelstown, Pa., Sept. 1894-1896; St. Mark's, Pitts- burgh, Pa., 1896-1904; Christ Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1904-1906 ; Hough Avenue Church, Cleveland, Ohio, 1906- 1914; from 1914-1918 engaged in secular work; pastor of the May Flower Presbyterian Church, Cleveland, Ohio, 1918 Married Miss Bertha B. Siple, of Hummels- town, Pa., Apr. 1897, who died in May, 1901; married Miss Margaretta L. Goodel, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct., 1906. Two children : John S., and Mary Louise. Received the degree of A. M. from Heidelberg College in 1890. Elmer Ellsworth Weller Elmer Ellsworth Weller, son of John and Sarah -Wel- ler, was born at Gebharts, Somerset County, Pa., Sept. 27th, 1861 ; educated at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, 254 The Histoey of the Pittsburgh Synod and the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. ; licensed in 1890 by Somerset Classis, and ordained by the same classis and at the same time. Pastorates: Hyndman, Bedford County, Pa., 1890-1892; Germantown, Ohio, 1892-1896; Fostoria, Ohio, 1896-1897; chaplain of the State Industrial School for Boys, at Golden, Colorado, 1899 Married Sept. 10th, 1891, to Miss Leva M. Rarey. Two children : Charles M., and George E. Wel- ler. Organized the English Reformed Church in Cum- berland, Md. George A. Whitmore George A. Whitmore, son of Samuel and Sophia (Evers) Whitmore, was born at White Hall, A\igusta County, Va., May 15th, 1848 ; educated at Mercersburg College and Seminary; licensed May, 1878, by Virginia Classis; or- dained June, 1879, by Clarion Classis : committee : Revs. D. S. Dieffenbacher, A..K. Kline, and T. R. Dietz. Pas- torates: St. John's charge. Pa., 1879-1883; Mill Creek charge. Pa., 1883-1889 ; Mechanicstown, now Thurmont, Md., charge, 1889-1906 ; Zion's charge, Millersville, Pa., 1906-1918. Married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Lichliter,' Oct. 20th, 1880. Four children : Ethel Elzabeth, George Merle, Raymond Evers, and Jay Dinges. Built two new churches; sent six young men into the ministry; three church building funds were contributed by his peo- ple ; was delegate to an Ecumenical Council of Reformed Churches in Toronto, Canada, and has prepared the his- tory of several churches. Walter Josiah Yingst Walter Josiah Yingst, son of Josiah and Susan Cath- erine Yingst, was born at Lebanon, Lebanan County, Pa., Oct. 5th, 1891 ; educated at Ursinus College, and Cen- tral Theological Seminary: licensed May 16th, 1916, by Lebanon Classis ; ordained June 18th, 1916, by Westmore- land Classis : committee : Revs. E. S. Bromer, D. D., R. V. Hartman, and J. R. Shepley. Pastorates : Pine Run, Pa., charge, 1916-1917 ; Overton charge. Pa., 1917 Ministers Now Laboring Elsewhere 255 J. William Zehring J. William Zehring, son of Jacob D. and Sarah A. (Walter) Zehring, was born at Manchester, Carroll Coun- ty, Md., Feb. 18th, 1878 ; educated at Franklin and Mar- shall College and the Eastern Seminary; licensed in 1905, by Lancaster Classis ; ordained by Allegheny Classis, Oct. 3d, 1905 : committee : Revs. D. B. Lady, D. D., and Lewis Robb, D. D. Pastorates : New Kensington, Pa., six months; St. Clairsville, Pa., 1906-1914; Dallastown, Pa., 1914-1917 ; Trinity Church, Mountville, Pa., 1917..—. Mr. Zehring married Miss Rose Mae Shoemaker, Oct. 8th, 1910. They have one child, Catherine Louise Zehring. An attempt was made by the author of this history to get a sketch of all the ministers who had ever served congregations in the territory covered by the Pittsburgh Synod. The extent to which success has attended this effort the foregoing pages of the last few chapters will show. It is regretted that this success did not come nearer being absolute. In some cases the man whose sketch was desired had completely vanished, as though he had entered a cave from which there were no returning footsteps — "Nulla Vestigia Retrorsum." A few have gone into other churches, and the records accessible are silent in regard to them. Others passed out of life, and their friends are unknown to the writer. A few of those living did not respond, for some reason or other, to the questionnaire sent them, and not even to a second questionnaire. That reason naturally has not been di- vulged. That to make brick without straw is difficult, but not impossible, when one can go into the fields by night and gather stubble, as the writer has had to do in a number of cases, is admitted. But to make brick with- out either clay or straw, it did not occur to even the Egyptian taskmasters to demand of their Hebrew slaves. This parable is deemed a sufficient explanation of the fact that the sketches of some ministers who are known to have served congregations in this district are not record- ed on these pages. Only the names of such are added to 256 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod this chapter. And it is not even certain that all the names have been secured. The author in this connection desires to express his appreciation of their courtesy to those who have cordially responded to his request for in- formation concerning themselves, for this book. C. L. Alspach Wm. M. Andrews H. A. D. Baer John T. Balliet W. H. Bates J. Baumgarten H. Bentz A. W. J. Best H. Bielfeld Lewis Christ H. Daniel E. E. Emhoff Frederick Emmer Edmund ^ErJb G. A. Fikes Richard Fricke Julius Fuendeling J. D. Gaekenheimer Alvln G. Gekeler S. H. Giesy I. E. Graff W. A. Gring Augustus Guenther F. P. Hartmetz J. S. Hartzell W. S. Hartzell H. C. Heyser H. H. Hibschman G. H. Johnston F. H. Keller J. Keller D. Kemerer Andrew Kern C. G. Klein John Knie J. B. Kniest H. Knepper R. Koehler Albert Krahn D. D. Leberman Henry Loseh J. W. Leuscher G. B. Massalsky Homer S. May M. H. Mill J. W. Miller George W. Muelder I. C. Mueller J. E. L. Miller E. C. Musselman J. B. Poener D. H. Reiter J. J. Roemer H. H. Sandoe D. I. Schaeffer J. S. Shade Wm. H. Shepp P. H. Sheulke H. A. Shiffer Calvin Skyles M. A. Smith H. H. Spahn Charles E. Stoner H. W. Super S. Thomas R. P. Thomas F. C. Trapp Wm. H. Tussing Aaron Wanner J. H. Wagner J. B. Welty E. F. Winters George Wolf J. B. Zumpa CHAPTER XXII. Pittsburgh Synod's Professors of Theology Rev. William Rupp, D. D. The First Incumbent of the Chair of Practical The- ology IN THE Eastern Theological Seminary, AT Lancaster Pa. At a meeting of Pittsburgh Synod, convened at Mead- ville, Pa., Oct. 1st, 1890, it was resolved to enter actively upon the work of securing funds to endow a professorship in the Eastern Theological Seminary. Two years later, at a meeting at Irwin, Pa., the Synod, acting upon a suggestion of the Faculty and Board of Visitors of the Seminary, selected the chair of Practical Theology, including Cultus, Catechetics, Homoletics, Church Polity, Christian Ethics, etc., as her chair in the Seminary, and elected Rev. Wm. Rupp, D. D., pastor of Amity Reformed Church, Myersdale, Pa., to the office of professor of theology. The collection of funds was not completed at this time, but it was the mind of the synod that the proposed pro- fessor should have a year in which, along with his duties as a pastor, he might prepare for his work in the seminary. The inauguration took place during a meeting of the Synod at Greenville, Pa., Sept. 30th, 1893. Rev. Dr. E. V. Gerhart the president of the seminary, who was pres- ent by invitation, made an address, and the officers of synod conducted the service, the chief feature of which was the inaugural address by the ingoing professor. A brief account of the endowment of the chair and the in- auguration services, including the addresses, was, by order of Synod, prepared and published by a committee consisting of Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., J. Harvey Mickley, and Elder Cyrus W. Truxal, copies of which are still ex- tant. Dr. Rupp entered upon his duties in the Seminary 257 Pittsburgh Synod's Professors Of Theology 259 Jan. 1st, 1894, and continued to discharge these duties with earnest devotion and great ability until a few months before his death, which occurred on the 3d of April, 1904. In reporting the death of Dr. Eupp officially to the Pitts- burgh Synod, convened in special sessions in Grace Re- formed Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., June 14th, 1904, the Board of Visitors expressed itself as follows : "It is with great sorrow that the Board makes known the death of Rev. William Rupp, D. D., professor of Prac- tical Theology. Dr. Rupp was born April 17th, 1839. He died April 3d, 1904. Faithful and laborious in his devo- tion to the church as a pastor, he brought his great abili- ties and capacity for work to the service of the seminary upon the acceptance of the call tendered him by the Pitts- burgh Synod in 1892. He entered upon his labors in the seminary in January, 1894. In his own department of instruction, in the editorship of the "Reformed Church Review," and in other public duties, he called attention to the church and seminary as a centre and sphere of ad- vanced thinking, of broad liberality and positive faith. He was fearless in investigation, submissive to the au- thority of truth, and clear and forceful in the presentation of any subject he handled. By his departure the seminary has lost one who gave the best years of his life to its ser- vice, and who spared not his time and strength in the heavy labors of his position. If he undertook more than his strength permitted, it was because of his energy and honesty, which impelled him to labor to the full measure of his powers." The Synod appointed a committee to prepare a minute on the death of Dr. Rupp, which was adopted. It is to this effect : "The Synod feels that it, as well as the cliurch at large, has sustained a great loss in the comparatively early death of Rev. Prof. William Rupp, D. D. Born April 17th, 1839, he was but sixty-five years of age when called to his reward. Chosen professor in October, 1892, inaugurated one year later, and having entered upon his work in the seminary in January, 1894, he served the church ten years in this important position. We might reasonably 260 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod have expected at least ten years more of efficient service from him ; but it seemed good to our Heavenly Father to order the event otherwise. He said to his servant, 'It is enough, come up higher.' We bow in humble submission to His will, and say with such sincerity as we can : 'The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord.' " "Dr. Rupp was a man of great intellect and a great heart, and of great force of character. He was a most diligent student during the forty years of his ministry and public service. He grappled earnestly the profound problems of the day in the sphere of sociology, biblical interpretation and theology. He was in the front rank of the thinkers of his generation. He made a profound impression upon his students! He was easily first among his fellow-ministers of the synod to which he belonged. He moulded the thinking of many of his brethren in the church, and outside of the denomination of which he was a member by his articles in the "Review." We loved and admired him for his fidelity and earnestness as a student, for his devotion to his work, fc^ his friendship which many of us enjoyed. We profited by his learning. We yielded ourselves to his leadership. We are grateful for the work he was enabled to do, and the results he has left us in the minds and hearts of those who listened to his lectures and who read his articles. "We have lost a friend and a brother; a great man has fallen in Israel. We sympathize with his wife and child- ren in their loss. Their grief is that of the synod and church to which they, and we, belong. We mingle our tears with theirs, and join in their prayers for comfort and support in this d-^y of bereavement and trial. May God be with them and grant them help out of his sanc- tuary ; and may he raise up worthy successors to fill the positions which he who has now gone to God so ably occupied during his life." Dr. Rupp was a student and thinker after the type of Dr. Nevin. . He was fully conversant with the latest in- vestigations in biblical studies and theology in his gen- eration, and had wrought out a complete system which Pittsburgh Synod's Professors Of Theology 261 he gave to the students in his lectures and to the church at large in his articles in the Quarterly Review of which he was one of the editors. His untimely death was very much regretted by his associates in the seminary and the members of the synod which he represented in that insti- tution. An appreciative sketch of Dr. Rupp by another hand is added : William Rupp, D. D., the first incumbent of the chair of Practical Theology in the Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., was born in Lowhill Township, Lehigh County, Pa., Apr. 17th, 1839. His parents, Solomon and Mariah Frey Rupp, were people of humble circumstances, farmers on a small scale. His father died when William was sixteen years old, so that the boy's home training was largely in the hands of his mother, who was both a devout and thoughtful woman. His thoughts were first direct- ed towards the Christian ministry by one of his earliest teachers, Mr. Oliver Holben. With the ministry in view he entered Allentown Seminary in 1856, but after two months attendance his financial affairs compelled him to withdraw and go to teaching. Then his pastor, William A. Hellfrick, D. D., persuaded him to go to Franklin and Marshall where he entered the preparatory department in 1857, but again he was compelled in a few months to return to teaching. However, in 1858, he returned to Lancaster and continued his college course without any in- terruption until his graduation with the highest honors in 1861. After graduation he continued his studies in the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg under Profes- sors Schaf f , Wolf, and Harbaugh and maintained the same high rank in scholarship there that he held in college, graduating in 1864. On Oct. 25th of the same year he was licensed to preach the gospel by Lancaster Classis in session at Lancaster, Pa., and five months later, Feb. 6th, 1865, he was ordained at Pinegrove, Pa., by a com- mittee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. F. W. Kremer, J. E. Hiester and G. Wolf. His first charge was 262 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod at St. Clair, Pa., extending from Jan. 27th, 1865, to Sept. 30th, 1866. It was during this pastorate that Dr. Rupp was married to Miss Emma A. Hambright, of Lancaster, Pa., Nov. 16th, 1865. The following children were born to them : Mrs. Mary L. La Mar, WiUiam N., Mrs. Viola G. Master, Rev. Henry H., Mrs. Emma A. Barnhart, Dr. Frederick A., Rev. Charles E., Theodore F., and Rev. Paul B. Rupp. The other pastorates held by Dr. Rupp were: Berlin, Pa., 1867-1877 ; Manchester, Md., 1877-1888 ; Meyersdale, Pa., 1888-1893. It was during the pastorate at Berlin that he began writing for the Review, then the Mercers- burg Revieiv, to which he was a regular contributor until the year of his death. When Pittsburgh Synod met in Greenville, Pa., in 1872, he was elected its president. In 1878 he was a member of the "Peace Commission" which brought to an end the liturgical controversy which had disturbed the church for nearly a generation. On this commission he represented Potomac Synod, having mov- ed to Manchester the previous year. Throughout his ministry Dr. Rupp was a close student of theological problems, and many articles came from his pen upon subjects that at the time were of pressing in- terest, one of which, "The Church Question," was written while pastor in Meyersdale, Pa., and printed in pamphlet form for general distribution. He averaged one article for the Review a year, and was in fact the most extensive writer for its pages of all its contributors. After his election to the professorship at Lancaster, he became associate editor of the Review, serving from 1893 to 1897, in that capacity; in 1897 he assumed full charge of the Review and was its sole editor until about a year before his death, when Prof. G. W. Richards, D. D., became the associate editor. In 1884, under pressure from the seminary faculty and board of trustees looking towards the enlargement of Pittsburgh Synod's Professors Of Theology 263 the teaching force, Pittsburgh Synod initiated a movement to raise an endowment fund for its professorship, an ac- tion which had been determined upon some years pre- vious, and which was finally consummated in 1893. At the session of synod, held at Irwin in 1892, it was decided to elect a professor to fill the chair of Practical Theology, and Rev. William Rupp, D. D., pastor of Amity church, at Meyersdale, Pa., was unanimously chosen by Synod to that office. One year later, on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 30th, 1893, at the session of synod at Greenville, Pa., the professor-elect was solemnly inducted into his of- fice, and was directed by synod, to begin his labors on Jan. 1st, 1894. The subject of Dr. Rupp's inaugural ad- dress was, "The Prophet of Today, or the Ministry for the Times." During his professorship at Lancaster, in addition to his editorship of the Reformed Church Review, Dr. Rupp prepared special lectures for his students on Ethics, So- ciology, Halieutics, Cultus and Poimenics. He was also a contributor to the American Journal of Theology, as well as special lecturer to the students of Union Theological Seminary, New York. As professor "he commanded the admiration and respect of the students from the first hour in the class room. He laid hold of every subject with the hand of a master and left the impression that he might with almost equal ease fill any other chair in the institution. He made his students think. He taught them how to deal with fundamental principles and reach independent conclusions." His editorials in the Review were not concerned merely with theological problems, but with the great questions of the hour, and they plac- ed the magazine in the front rank of theological thought. His professorship ended with his death on Easter Sun- day morning, Apr. 3d, 1904, at the age of sixty-five years. 264 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Rev. John Calvin Bowman, D. D., the second incumbent of the chair of practical theology in the eastern the- ological seminary at lancaster, pa. John Calvin Bowman, son of John and Elizabeth (Nick- las) Bowman, was born near Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pa., Aug. 15th, 1849. He studied at the Cham- bersburg Academy and fche Mercersburg Preparatory School and College for four years, and entered Franklin and Marshall College at the beginning of the second term of the Junior year, 1870, graduating in 1871. He was a member of the Diagnothian Literary Society. He taught school in Hagerstown in 1872, and graduated from the Theological Seminary in Lancaster in the class of 1875. Mr. Bowman was ordained, Nov. 12th, 1875, and was pastor of Christ Reformed Church of Shepherdstown, W. Va., from 1875 to 1882, and pastor of Emmanuel's Reformed Church of Hanover, Pa., from 1882 to 1890. In 1890 he was elected by the Synod of the Potomac as the first incumbent of the professorship of New Testa- ment Exegesis, which that Synod had endowed. The in- auguration took place May 12th, 1891. He occupied this chair and discharged its duties for fifteen years. At a special meeting of the Pittsburgh Synod held in Grace Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., June 14th and 15th, 1904, Dr. Bowman was elected to the chair of Prac- tical Theology, as successor to Dr. William Rupp, who had died April 3d, 1904. Dr. Bowman began his work in his new department at the beginning of the seminary year in Sept. 1904, and his inauguration took place October 16th, 1904, during the meeting of synod at Berlin, Pa. His inaugural ad- dress was published in pamphlet form along with several others. Dr. Bowman served the church in this capacity until Pittsburgh Synod's Professors Of Theology 265 Aug. 15th, 1919, when, having arrived at the age of seventy years, according to the constitution he became professor emeritus, but at the request of Synod contin- ued to perform the duties of the chair for a year longer. Dr. Bowman also served as president of the seminary from 1906 to 1920. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon Mr. Bowman in 1874, and that of D. D., in 1893, by Franklin and Marshall College. While Dr. Bovsntnan was pastor at Hanover the Synod of the Potomac resolved to endow a chair in the Seminary at Lancaster, and Dr. Bowman served as chairman of the committee to carry this purpose into effect, and he and his co-workers secured the sum of $35,000 for the Sem- inary, and in addition a Fellowship Fund which, with accrued interest now amounts to $3,800. Since his con- nection with the seminary, the present seminary grounds were purchased, and the main building and library build- ing erected at a cost of over $100,000, and five alcoves in the library were endowed, and the Endowment Fund was increased by 167,000, and later, three professors' houses and a janitor's house were erected at a cost of $30,000, and in 1915-1917 a new Dormitory and Refectory and Library Annex were built, and the buildings were furnished and equipped, at a cost of about $100,000 ; and all this was accomplished almost entirely through the zeal, skill and energj' of Dr. Bowman. The value of the seminary plant in dollars and cents is now, according to these figures $440,000 greater than it was thirty-five years ago, when Dr. Bowman began to take an interest in the work. Besides all this for a large part of these thirty years Dr. Bowman did the work belonging to his chair in the class-room, and during the last fourteen years per- formed such duties as fell to the lot of the president of the seminary. The Reformed Church, especially the synods immediately interested, owes a lasting debt of gratitude to Rev. John C. Bowman, D. D., the outgoing incumbent of Pittsburgh Synod's professorship. 266 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Edward Sheppard Bromer, D. D., the third incumbent of the chair of practical theology in the eastern the- ological seminary at lancaster, pa. Edward S. Bromer, son of Albert and Catherine (Sheppard) Bromer, was born at Schwenksville, Mont- gomery County, Pa., March 19th, 1869. He took his college course at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa., 1886- 1890, and his seminary course at the Yale Divinity School, 1890-1893, graduating with the degree of B. D., and then spent one year, from 1893 to 1894, at the same institu- tion in post-graduate work, specializing in Biblical The- ology and Social Ethics. He was licensed at East Green- ville, Pa., by the Classis of Goshenhoppen, Eastern Synod, and ordained by the Classis of Schuylkill, July 9th, 1894, at Orwigsburg, Pa. The committee of ordination consist- ed of Revs. W. H. Herbert, H. Leisse, 0. H. Strunk, and A. R. Bartholomew. Rev. E. S. Bromer was pastor of the Orwigsburg, Pa., charge from 1894 to 1898; of the Tabor congrega- tion, Lebanon, Pa., from 1898 to 1905 ; professor of New Testament Exegesis and Theology in the Ursinus School of Theology, Philadelphia, Pa., from 1905 to 1906, when that institution was united with Heidelberg Theological Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio; pastor of the first Reformed Church of Greensburg, Pa., from 1906 to 1920. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon Rev. Bromer by Ursinus College in 1905. He was chairman of Com- mission B II, in the Reformed Church Survey, in 1914; general chairman of Local Church Efficiency Commis- sions, under the auspices of the Layman's Missionary Movement, from 1915 to 1916; chairman of the com- mittee on Evangelism of the Home Mission Board, since 1914; chairman of the Young People's Committee of General Synod since 1914; member of the United Mis- sionary and Stewardship Committee since 1917; secre- tary of the Department of Spiritual Resources in the Forward Movement from 1919 to 1920. In 1918 Dr. Pittsburgh Synod's Professors Of Theology 267 Bromer delivered a course of five lectures on Evangelism in the theological seminaries at Lancaster, Pa., and at Dayton, Ohio. On Wednesday, October 8th, 1919, during the annua] meeting at Jeannette, Pa., Pittsburgh Synod elected Rev. Edvi^ard S. Bromer, D. D., to the chair of Practical The- ology in the Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., to succeed Dr. John C. Bovs^man, which election the Synod of the Potomac and the Eastern Synod endorsed at their annual meetings a few weeks later. At the request of Synod the incumbent of this chair. Rev. John C. Bow- man, D. D., who became professor emeritus in Aug., 1919, continued to discharge the duties of the professor- ship during the scholastic year of 1919 to 1920. Dr. Bromer entered upon his duties in the Seminary in September 1920. At the meeting of Westmoreland Classis at Connells- ville in May, 1920, a committee was appointed to report a Minute on Dr. Bromer's withdrawal from the active pastorate : This is the report. To the Reverend Classis of Westmoreland. Dear Brethren : Your committee appointed to draw up a suitable minute relative to Rev. E. S. Bromer's leaving the pastorate to ac- cept the responsible position of teacher of theology in our Theological Seminary respectfully submits the following : The subject of this minute has labored among us as pastor of the First Greensburg charge for a period of almost fourteen years. During this time together with his corps of .efficient co-workers he has numerically in- creased the membership of the congregation and develop- ed them along spiritual and benevolent lines to an extent which truthfully cannot be calculated, but which places them among the front line congregations of our denomina- tion in efficiency and spirituality. While doing this he divided much of his time with the Classis, the Synod, and the General Synod to do committee work assigned him by these several judicatories, which work as we behold it 268 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod today, in the very midst of the great Forward Move- ment, was far-reaching in the results so far accomp- lished and in establishing our present status of liberality and spirituality as a denomination. For many years he was a leader, the guide and an inspiration in the classi- cal ministerium which meets semi-monthly, and there are those among us and others who have gone out from our midst who will ever rise to bless him for the helpfulness and inspiration which they derived from fellowship with him. He has shown himself to be an indefatigable work- er in every task placed before him, by the classis, the synod, and by the church at large, and in every phase of activity, whether in the church or in the community, he has proved himself to be a worker that needeth not to be ashamed. In view of this, therefore, — Resolved, 1st. That we hereby express our regret at the thought and the consciousness of having these pleas- ant and profitable relations so long and faithfully sus- tained to us severed, as they will be, in measure at least, by his assumption of other duties, but that we rejoice with the entire church in the fact that he has been called to and will assume a more responsible position in the church we all love. 2nd. That we sympathize with the people of the First Reformed Church of Greensburg to whom he minis- tered so faithfully and who feel the loss occasioned by his withdrawal so keenly. We would console them with the thought that while it is an honor to have as pastor one who ministers to a congregation so efficiently, it is even a greater honor to the one so ministering tp be asked to come up higher. 3rd. That we hereby express our best wishes for the heailth, happiness and success of our friend and co-worker in his new field of labor, and assure him that we will ever follow him with fond and prayerful hearts. F. C. Seitz, D. B. Lady, E. L. Brindle CHAPTER XXIII. Westmoreland Classis Westmoreland is the oldest classis in the territory now, for the last fifty years, embraced by the Pittsburgh Synod, though not always known by this name. The first ministers or missionaries were sent to this region, and further west, by the Coetus, or Conference, into which the ministers and congregations of the Reformed Church, in the United States, were organized by Rev. Michael Schlatter in 1747, and reported, from time to time, to that body up to 1793, and after that to the Synod, into which the Coetus was changed in that year. In 1819 the Synod divided itself into six classes. All the ministers and congregations west of the eastern line of Bedford County and east of the Ohio line formed one of these classes, and received the name of the Western Pennsylvania Classis ; and was part of the original Synod, the old mother, or Eastern Synod. It seems that there are no records of the transactions of this classis to be found. In 1836 this Western Pennsylvania Classis received per- mission to unite with the newly formed Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, for the purpose of establishing a theological seminary in the west, and the union took place the following year, 1837, at Osnaburg, Stark County, 0. In 1839, at a meeting held in Lancaster, Ohio, the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, divided itself into three districts. The first district included the territory from the eastern boundary of Bedford County to the Ohio line. The name "Western Pennsylvania Classis," was at that time changed to "The First District Synod of Ohio," or "The Eastern District of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States." Both names occur in the minutes. 269 270 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod There are full records of this body and its successors down to the present day. The first meeting was held in Shellsburg, Bedford County, Pa., from the 4th to the 7th of May, 1840. The pastor of the Shellsburg charge at that time was the Rev. George Leidy. The Synod is said to have met on Sunday, the first Sunday in May. On the previous Saturday the pastor confirmed a number of young people. After the confirmation a service preparatory to the Holy Com- munion was held, at which Rev. J. Althaus was the preach- er. Rev. Althaus also preached in English, in the Pres- byterian Church, on Saturday evening at eight o'clock, and also preached the communion sermon in the German church on Sunday morning, whilst Rev. S. K. Denius preached in English in the Presbyterian church. On Sunday afternoon Rev. S. K. Denius, preached the Pas- • toral sermon, as it is named in the minutes, in German, in the German church. The first business session was held on Monday after- noon at two o'clock in the house of Michael Reed, Esq. There were present: Revs. S. K. Denius, G. Leidy, J. Althaus, and Wm. Conrad; Elders: Peter Schall, John Yaenny, Michael Zimmerman, and Henry Chorpenning, and a delegated elder from the congregations of Rev. H. G. Ibbeken, whose name the secretary seemed to have forgotten. Absent: Revs. N. P. Hacke, D. Kemerer, H. G. Ibbeken, J. Keller, H. Koch, D. Rauhauser, H. E. F. Voigt, W. Weinel, P. Zeiser, E. F. Winter and A. Bayer. Rev. S. K. Denius was chosen president; Rev. J. Alt- haus, secretary, and Mr. J. G. Miller, treasurer. Only the pastors present reported their statistics, and from the four charges : 209 baptisms, 117 confirmations, 943 communicants, 34 burials, 22 weddings, 8 week day schools, and four Sunday Schools are reported. The second annual meeting of this First District of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States was held in Somerset, Somerset County, Pa., from Sunday, May 23d, to May 25th, 1841. On Saturday, at 2 :00 P. M., Rev. W. Weinel preached the preparatory sermon and Rev. Wm. Conrad Westmoreland Classis 271 preached in the evening in English. Rev. N. P. Hacks preached the communion sermon in German, and Rev. J. F. Dieffenbacher in English, on Sunday. In the evening. Rev. Samuel R. Fisher preached in English. On Monday at 9:00 A, M., the Synod met for business. There were present: Revs. N. P. Hacke, W. Weinel, P. Zeiser, H. E. F. Voigt, H. G. Ibbeken, W. Conrad and G. Leidy ; Elders : P. Weiskoph, Abra. Bernhart, Rudolf Hunsicker, M. Zim- merman, and Herbert Otto. Absent : Revs. H. Koch, J. Keller, J. Althaus, D. Kemerer, D. Rahauser, A. Bayer, E. F. Winter, and H. Giese. Rev. W. Weinel was chosen president, Rev. H. G. Ib- beken, secretary, and Elder Peter Weiskoph, treasurer. This is the statistical report : Ministers Congs Bapts Confd Comts D'ths S. Schs. W. Weinel 5 E. H.F. Voigt: 11 H. G. Ibbeken 8 W. Conrad 4 G. Leidy 5 P. Zeiser 9 J. Keller 6 J. Althaus 6 N. P. Hacke 5 H. Koch 5 63 76 405 5 68 22 207 10 63 20 235 20 2 30 37 135 51 7 187 67 30 400 8 3 73 49 329 11 111 42 304 2 Totals 64 526 283 2202 56 5 Revs. Hacke and Koch reported only their congregations, and ReV. A. Bayer made no report — "Kein Bericht.'' The third meeting was held at Brush Greek Church, near Adamsburg, Westmoreland County, Pa., from the 23d to the 25th of May, 1842. Rev. G. Leidy preached the preparatory sermon on Saturday afternoon. On Satur- day evening candidate, B. Knepper, preached in English. On Sunday morning Rev. H. G. Ibbeken preached the communion sermon, and on Sunday afternoon Rev. W. 272 The History Op The Pittsburgh Synod Weinel, and on Sunday evening Rev. William Conrad, preached. On Monday morning at 9 :00 o'clock the business ses- sions began. Rev. N. P. Hacke was chosen president. Rev. H. E. F. Voigt, secretary, and Elder P. Weiskopf was re-elected treasurer. N. P. Hacke again failed to re- port his statistics. W. Weinel also was derelict in this re- spect. Rev. H. Koch reported 5 congregations, 107 bap- tisms, 52 confirmed, 134 communicants, 8 funerals, and 1 Sunday School. Rev. A. Bayer also reported 5 congre- gations, 45 baptisms, 348 communicants, 11 deaths, and 1 Sunday School. P. Zeiser and J. Keller did not report their statistics, and E. F. Winter and H. Knepper did not report at all. At a meeting of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States at Canton, Ohio, in 1842, the territory of the three dis- tricts of the Synod was divided into six classes. The First District was, according to this plan, divided into two classes. The line of division began at the northwestern corner of Mercer County, Pa., and extended due eastward to the Allegheny mountain range. All the pastors and congregations north of this line were to constitute the Erie Classis, and all south of the line were to be known as the Westmoreland Classis. The first annual meeting of the new Westmoreland Classis was held in St. John's, or Kindig's Church, near Mt. Pleasant, Pa., from the 28th to the 30th of May, 1843. The second annual meeting was held in Berlin, Somer- set County; from Saturday, June 1st to Tuesday, June 4th, 1844. On Sunday morning, June 2d, the newly built Reformed church was dedicated, in connection with which Rev. N. P. Hacke preached in German and Rev. Wm. Conrad in English, and the Holy Communion was also ad- ministered, at the same service. In connection with the minutes of this meeting the statistics of Rev. N. P. Hacke's charge of five congregations, viz : Greensburg, Ridge, Manor, Brush Creek and Harrold's, appear for'the first time. This Minute Book goes back only to 1840. At Westmoreland Classis 273 the fifth meeting, therefore, Rev. Hacke seems to have handed in his statistics, something which he had not been in the habit of doing. Naturally not all the ministers in the classis were present at every meeting. Those not present did not as a rule send their statistics. And some of those who were present did not furnish the secretary with the statistics of the charge at each meeting. It may not have been insisted upon by the classis. Or there may have been reasons why, in certain cases, the rule, if there was a rule, was not complied with. A table is here given containing the statistics of all the charges in the classis for 1844. In those charges which did not report their statistics in 1844, the report of a previous year, nearest 1844, is taken to complete the figures. 15 00 -a siooqos ^■spung d T3 Hh C (8 >. ■s o 3 o s U w >> TO rH ^ m .2> .i^ >. S3 3 4-^ 3 3 3 -1-3 ^ S mjD 5 "o 1 0-3 c'^.2 xn 302 t4 . 02 sm 3 « 'S to o PL, 4^-^ I m O Hi ,30 g O -S « u - (U gPk 3 ^ -r3 pq^tn o ^ ffl r— t 5^<«2-a ■ — I « » .2,351 30«'^ 1= ^14 CD ,J3 o 3 si ,3 N O w I w Westmoreland Classis 275 In 1842, the last meeting of the ministers and elders of this section of the church as the First District Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, Rev. G. Leidy, reported, as pastor of five congregations : Shellsburg, Friends Cove, Dennens Creek, Miller's, and St. Clair's, Bedford County, Pa., 52 baptisms, 45 confirmed, 12 deaths and 2 Sunday Schools. J. Keller also reported as pastor of 6 congrega- tions: Amherst, Lancaster, Failings, Clarence in Erie County, Pa., and Zion's and Frieden's in Niagara County, N. Y., but does not give statistics. In 1841, the year be- fore his statistics w^ere : Baptisms, 73 ; confirmed, 49 ; communicants, 329 ; deaths, eleven. In 1844 there is also a report from H. Knepper, as pastor of 6 congregations : Mt. Carmel, Glades, Crab Orchard, Cuppits, Frankhaus- er's, Preston County, Va., and Nesler's, Barbour County, Va. The post office address is given as German Settle- ment, Preston County, Va. The statistics are : Baptisms 70, confirmed 27, communed 181, Sunday Schools, four. In 1842, there is also a report from A. Bayer, as pastor of 5 congregations : St. Jacob's, Paul's, and Peter's, Living- stone County, Orangeville, and Sheldon, Wyoming Coun- ty, N. Y., baptisms, 45; communed, 348; deaths, 11, and one Sunday School. Naturally, Rev. J. Keller and his congregations, and Rev. A. Bayer and his congregations, and others, \?ent into the new Erie Classis, when the First District Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, was divided into the West- moreland and Erie Classis in 1842. As to the Erie Classis, these facts have been gathered from the minutes of the Synod of Ohio by Rev. Wm. H. Cogley of Troutville, Pa. At the meeting of the General Synod of the German Re- formed Church of Ohio and Adjacent States, at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, Oct. 1-6, 1842, it was resolved that in- stead of the District Synods, the Synod of Ohio would henceforth be composed of six classes. A committee con- sisting of Revs. D. Winters, H. Williard, J. P. Mahnens- 276 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod chmidt, S. B. Leiter, N. P. Hacke, and J. Keller, was ap- pointed to define the boundaries of said classes, and re- ported as follows : "The original First District Synod shall be divided into two classes, by a straight line commencing at the north- .west corner of Mercer County, Pa., and passing thence due east to the Allegheny Mountains. Those ministers who live south of this line shall constitute the classis of Westmoreland, and those north of it, the classis of Erie." The first meeting of Erie Classis was held in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., on the first Sunday in June, 1843. As the delegate sent from Erie Classis to Synod (Ohio) was properly a member of Westmoreland Classis, he was not recognized, so we have no report for 1843. The ministers and charges of Erie Classis in 1844 were as follows : =4 Oc 1^ 4J OQ OD 3 h O ■a Q ■a *i! -s ■a id k o FH o +j OQ o c Ch ^ o IS _o '-3 si be H s IS pf H o H s CS o! g [^ 0) 1/3 1^ m a H »-3 3 o O CO C CD O 3 tn ri g o O . mm o P. c3 o SM => 2 o o ■go o m fc P3 fe Ck o 3 >< ^ fi S => S PM o 0) ca 5 g PL, .2 -SI ■ m •r! 3 c3 O p. t3 si O 3 3 o O C3 / 'm 0) S tn J bl S ) .a m PI ■B 3 1 a 1 "q 4J 0) ^ c£ & If: cc ex '^ . f- a a : 5 'a 1 1^ p f- a < «t- H !^ tL i C 2 ' I 3 M 1 m FL £ c i ti J & < d ^2 & 1 !/ 2 C 3 L 3 1 o PL, 3 .a 3 o ft P. ^ ^ o o 00 CO CO PM o » >. o W o Eh o o IM s o 1866 POST OFFJCE ADDRESS 5^ Si 1 OS ■J 1 ■a s a 1-2 C )-- o !8 a . P- m a: ^ Pittsbui-Kh. Pa. Cumberland, Md. Stoyestown. Pa. Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Lancaster, Pa. suojq,nqij;juoo o <: o c CO ej 00 ~ 3 Oi o ci 00 O CJ liD CD- o c- o .-; Cl o OJ c^ eg CM o o c o o c CO d tx kO O Cv Al ■ : : o6 : : CO : : o : ; "* ■ ■ €» ! ; : Ci : : w sioonog -g , CC CM 11 ! Ml sqieaa t- t 00 CO -(C CV] 3S o ■<# (M O C- OJ iH 3S O U3 C i-i CM : ; : t- ; ; ; ■* : : ; oo at < o o < E % S Si J p^ II go. C T 1 a ; : : : i i ■ -c ■ a g s CO .-H Jl i i "S i B i be li Is IS o 1 . < W Li. jO .01 . m (Si. :a _u_ : ; : i :i ■ . - -1 \ \ &£ 03 ' S sS ■ = -a .S aj = S c ^ :) 11. o m c g ,H .H lO J_LL. ■s M ills : 4) ; fcC ; : _5 09 S go ^+3 2 o bog > -^^ ° S-o fe« fe ^ CD £ '^ MT- O ' « ft -(J C !» O aO^ (I) ^ 1871 POST OFFICE ADDRESSES Greensburg, Pa. Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Wellersburg, Pa. PM 1 nl CM 1 El CM t 1 «3 Ph 1 Q © O d o o rH C4 FIh E m o o si eg P. o o 00 CM o £ p o o 00 eg o" c o o c T-1 CM d c 1 1 1- i V g CQ 1^ ft Irwin Station, Pa. Latrobe, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Greensburg, Pa. Dale City, Pa. Cumberland. Md. suopnqii^uoo < ^uaioAsuaa J e o i -dJ 3 is o : o I in ; t^ i o o ir- o g 00 t"; tH "* eg o o eg D 1 ■o i * : o olo o o.co CO d CD t- rH rH o"i25 uS" O C- CD DO d ! so : rH '. eg : "^ : \a ; Tf ; eg ■ «©■ siBloqog < looqog XBpung c o IT. o o o CM r-( ; ; o ; H 1 ■^ i I : © : C^l siooqog jtBpung o : -* CO CO c* eg co «D CD eg c H g 1 rH Ui eg rH rH.C^J 1 1 SUOI^BUUyUOQ •= i CO CM GO O o CO CO ' 1 i 00 c- c suisi:;aBa ^ 3 ; CO n I CO o'lo* eg CO 00 i OO CO CO CO «> T r~ CO eO CO N CO CD •^ c CO co,t- >-< eg 1 1 co \a siaquia]^ \ paraj^uooun ^ D ; o ■3 ; o a 1 Tji o eg CO O -^ C t- CO eg r cglo t 3 TJ< CO O C4 CMrO rHi-<* Hi 1'-' * rH eg i - imp 1 1 1 a CQ i a] 1 m 1 ni W CO cd cd PM ■<*' .5 1 M n M 1 1-5 K cd PQ u OJ P. 1 1 1 2 ^ H ^ ym ►J-1 fe^y O < «0 CO O CO 00 L CO M 1-^ a^Baijitjjao snoi^euLiifUo^ stasiijdBa aiaqtaaK pauuTjuooufi sjaqoraK patmijuoQ o suoiq.B3aj3uo3 ^ -Xi^ o .-1 lO -^J'ieS 0|0 CO OSlOO M t- "■"Sly ■ CJ;eO (M O CO OlltO CO « iH i-l g I I "rr I 1 POST OFFICE ADDRESS Statistical Table 1880 O o 1 1 B § S -s I O d (N (N d CO i 3 P B m o o in in o o in c- in 1 m a I O o in t- in P4 1" p o o d o to Ah s f 1 1 d in OS ^ - 1 >^ : ■«* ; CO ; ei ; CO ; IN ; ■ ae- : CO i CO : °o ■ e© 1 H o sasodjnj [i3Uoi^BSai3uoo o o o o o CO o o d o 1-1 rH O o in CO IN Ta< w eouatoAauag CO o o o CO 00 o IN O vC, d CO IN o d in g in o o in m o o in in o o d (N i'co ^Jitsjuipi 31(1 -^of sjuopiiis ; Til 00 to 00 CM (c o to t in CO d" >H d" M in" bb § 0) ; cs : to : to 1 eg ; t- : "* "Too" ; eg eg 00 "To" : CO :fcg to in CO CO 1 ■ i ^^ II 1 1 m icg a^Boyi^jiaO (M Cl t- CO "i t£> IN O (N eo CO CO d"" 1 ■ u H-l t-* 00 'Am O M Hi Sm- ?iSf S^' 3oo; J33u3ssai\[ -aoi:^'B38j:3uoo .Oisiuipi ai[3 .Toj ffijiiapms SJBIOXlDg "S "S sioonog jSBpung sq^Haa parjBoiunuiuiooxa; 9 lA O C 1 Oslo ( I tH CO ) t- (M Oi I 3 O CS ) O (M 1'^ :::r. I i-H CM CC ^1 is: lI'D"!! passiuisiQ paunuiuio^ paiUJijuoo ;|(M c s:nnpv s^u-Bjui sjaqui3]i\f pauiJijuooufi 1 O CO C J o w ) la o H N CO suot:).H33J[3uoo 1 S m E \^^\ 'S^_ : O - s H o m It, f^ H o « Q H O < A* ua^iBx sjadB^i qojniio pa:juBjV\. sa:^nuii\[ noooTtiOfMO-^oooc-ooe M OO eO O -^ COM ONOOOr-HOOtl nOOeDOSOOiHNlftt-OOD-lOi-tOOcOC p MM o o -jnj :(U3|OA3U3s lOOSt-tH»00100eONOSOOCOmi-HOii-HOW O «0 (N irt 00 U3 iH M eO eO «5 iH N tH M (M CO -<*WC0CC»X3->i*C0 lOlOTjiNr-IN CONM Xj:^siui];^ joj s:^uapn:^g OOi-IOOOOOOOC0OOOOOt-'«5'o'^a>c)Ooo-^oc-omc;ooo pa5,Boiuniuuiooxa IjO Oo®OC»OoOOOOOOOOOO passinisiQ; [lo o oMcgcomorH(M->i'mcg«DOTi't:-t- joj^-aa JO -jn-iaO CiOo3Ci,H'3l0lOr-lfHO-icgr-iegcgi-ico.Hegu5r O < o i£ HA E-i 5 fl . fe •- o ti 3 t I O M ^ Q ^0 [ifa CQ r/: 3 «i E 2«4S "vi bo g ») 3 — HI'S •a 5 bo . W.S S 3 JO CU QJ 0) 0) bn bs be bo h h h ^ A d d d J3J3J5J3 OOOO dd6hiijd f^ S STATISTICS, POST-OFFICE ADDRESS NAMES OF CHARGES OR CONGREGATIONS MEMBERS A MINISTERS i o 'B f S B s i a P n < WESTMORELAND CLASSIS W. J. Muir, Stated Clerk. 233 190 159 J F. Snyder Salina Salina 18 Retired O M Hartzell Christ Without Charge 468 401 150 31 1 C. R. Ferner Mt. Pleasant Jeannette Johnstown \ Irwin J. N. Bauman Grace 492 868 65 850 272 60 370 272 38 16 10 3 J. Harvey Mickley St. John's.. St. Paul's D. A. Souders, D. D. 100 356 68 77 289 56 72 96 28 6 16 4 Second Trinity C. E. Wagner Connellsville A. J. Heller. D. D Greensburg Cyrus Cort, D. D Without Charge Third '""77 76 47 215 192 361 "'68 70 32 184 169 298 '60 66 22 92 72 156 ""12 3 2 3 16 18 Greensburg < Box 303, Manor -i Seanors.: Trinity C L Noss Manor Brush Crepk U. C. E. Gutelius Johnstown Youngwood j Greensburg E D Briffht Harrolds First 96 130 93 96 87 65 4 4 L D. Steckel Retired J C Bowman D. D. Lancaster .... Export, R. F. D. 1.. -j Mt. Pleasant i 3d & Maple Gbg. S. U. Waugaman Emanuel Christ First 258 38 216 68 930 38 40 10 128 160 16 169 73 132 34 174 44 186 61 77 73 185 116 32 214 38 167 45 735 34 39 9 114 121 16 147 62 90 20 148 42 159 52 68 47 162 93 30 141 37 114 32 398 28 26 19 69 110 12 67 42 60 15 87 16 97 38 49 50 87 61 11 1 14 ■■30 3 E. R. Deatrick, B. D. E. S. Bromer, D. D..... St. John's First, Greensburg First Ligonier St. John's Pine Run C W Summey 3 14 4 5 i 1 1 4 5 3 3 4 13 7 Larimer j Delmont \ Ruflfsdale | Scottdale | Pleasant Unify < Derry Harrison City \ R. Franklin Main Trinity St Luke's W. J. Muir St Paul's S. H. Deitzel, Ph.D Emmanuel .- Harrison City Olive Committee on Supply Ministers. 29 Congregations. 40 6481(5279134361 281| 4 OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN THE U. S., FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY 3, 1920. iMS AD- DITIONS ROSSES Sunday Schools «.2 It *5 i 1 XI CONTRIBUTIONS S ■3 2 •a 1 3 1 1 1 1 JS m 1 .a g a S II « s ij 1" (U II a .S S g 1 & g «s II ° u & 4J < .3 0) 13 n .1 •s 1 m 6 \"i ...... ,"4 "ii "is ■el "i "35 314 83 .... '526.00 '''iisM ioM 20.00 15.00 'ibbiibb 298.00 283.00 475.00 260.00 iiiM 48.00 2i6;bb 158.00 165.00 86.00 144.00 330.00 31.00 104.00 1342.00 "iise.M , 14.00 8.00 i23"bb 317.00 70.00 660.00 106.00 35.00 36.00 1667.00 13.00 25.00 iib'.'bb 160.00 23.00 7bi2!bb ""i 3 1 1 "i !!'.;2 2 " "i 1 1 1 "23 18 19 15 "mi 153 178 84 "M's.'bb 236.00 130.00 88.00 "■2ii;bb 184.00 130.00 84.00 B 3 i's g 4 6 ■•"7 2 1 '3 2 3 ■4 , 3 2847 00 7 ? 1279.00 5 116S 00 7!bb 4.00 26.00 10.00 R iii 'i 1 .... ....„ 1 '9 2 ""2 1 ""i "i 1 16 9 "l67 69 'eiVob 40.00 'ei'.ob 40.00 757"bb 1 .... lb 435.00 . 5 9 4 1 13 4 1 4 13 3 6 12 i 1 i 21 9 7 6 15 5 6 1 2 13 ii 5 3 1 1 3 2 4 3 5 7 4 1 4 2 1 2 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 "i 1 1 21 21 16 12 19 26 10 19 32 "46 27 14 170 92 196 136 180 240 79 262 531 :::.:.:; 716 341 110 31 1 169.00 81.00 170.00 64.00 83.00 306.00 42.00 447.00 703.00 698.00 1414.00 'ibb.'bb 109.00 157.00 96.00 219.00 142.00 78.00 49.00 706.00 129.00 30.00 27.00 33.00 i79.bb 'iee.w 77.00 340.00 64.00 83.00 303.00 37.00 83.00 920.00 726.00 300.00 83.00 1246.00 640.00 2150.00 A 3 30 "6 88 9 84 1180.00 S 2295.00 2 9 28.00 4.00 9.00 322.00 ibb.bb 56.00 2026.00 339.00 7 "3 "3 7 12 27 !~! 19 16 7 16 ■ '9 16 5 2 4 9 3 8 l( 785.00 3 5 4 f, 16 "i7 12 9 6 3 a 4 1 1 65 "ib5 88 ■■38 4466.00 '9150.00 9747.00 949.00 s 1 19 1 61 4 UM 14.00 77.00 2542.00 3 3 10 8 4 2 3 4 ■ 1 ""2 "i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 19 14 8 19 14 14 10 19 18 8 20 5 17 13 6 157 99 36 234 116 121 61 223 91 96 303 26 160 75 42 110.00 156.00 92.00 216.00 144.00 68.00 65.00 725.00 127.00 30.00 7.00 33.00 300.00 22.00 179.00 2651.00 i iel i inl 20 1876.00 314.00 ' 2 "2 1 1 9 2 16 1 17 8 4 6|- 4 11 3 9 4 9 ? 2 1 2 2 4 '■3 ■ '2 'i 3520.00 s 1277.00 1600.00 1 6 2 8 10 '5 1 9 6 16 i 6 4.>; 6 10 4470.00 oi 16819.00 6 12.00 3.00 673.00 1 220.00 774.00 9 2 4 2 290.00 9 24 1088.00 6 6 1 6 3 383.00 ? 216.00 1.. ______ 1 1 i 3 5 6 10 "27 lb 3 10 3 1 1 '3 "2 4 "22 """'"4 7 "10 ■3 "l 6 ii ■ ■3 1 1 1 i 6 21 21 64 95 24 1 66.00 148.00 240.00 66.00 162.00 230.00 67.00 261.00 418.00 1771.00 147.00 9 2846.00 266 22.00 ■'323.00 2782.00 7 776 801 1 1702.00 2180.00 6813.00 J2|76|37 j|179|7 4|20 512301 981 4 i 3 |669i7186| 6271 2|$9678.0 |$9416.00 |$1106.00 |$12691.00 |$107938.00 Westmoreland Classis 287 Through such vicissitudes and changes has Westmore- land Classis passed since it was constituted "The Western Pennsylvania Classis," in 1819, especially since 1840. Bedford County was separated from it at an early day. Then in 1842, Erie Classis was taken off. In 1851 Clarion Classis was formed out of one end of it ; and in 1871, it parted with a portion of its territory on the west to form, with a part of Clarion Classis the Allegheny Classis, and with another portion on the east to form the Somerset Classis. It has only three congregations now outside the Westmoreland County boundaries, two of them in Johns- town, Cambria County, Pa., and one in Connellsville, Fay- ette County, Pa. It has grown steadily through all these changes and divisions, and is now a strong, vigorous, ec- clesiastical body. May it not become weary in well doing, but may its past achievements and present aggressiveness be but an earnest of larger and more successful work for men and the Master in the future. 288 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod •Hjftfcftl-Jl-jKiHjHjl-jHjSSSaSSfc^^ddddtHiHi^^H^I-JEH'HH^Hjh^hiHihjHjH^ flj O; gj gj (II di m ni > : 0) w u ■MPS .3^^Pi^*hi 8^"&;" o So o L ►q ^j « «■ H H ti << < <; ^; I-; 1^ 1^ I-; I-; 1-; Hi 1^ t; h; ;- j3 ^ o « o o oi-li-l'-^"-'*-'*-'""^"^"" . pj (ij p^ pj p^ p^ p^ ptj pj_ pj_ M pj pj pj pj p:; pj pj pj pj pj i:tj tf p:; tf ti p^ tf p^ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ u u \ \ \ -^ \ '\ \ \ \ \ \ d \ \ \ '• c \ _\ \ \ \ \^. \ \ ^a o o D3ca Wfc, o ^H ea S" 2 S own, lis 501 .3 .-So . gl.s rigs III g|.sssa.sc.s 1-1 P PQ iH S M f^, "^ M q tq M H m M ffl fl m J CO awSFM>^-; WMmE-t^-^MCqwC'CQ(Z]E-lM +5 E .ft 4J -P' +> M 4£ QJ • mEHp^cQcQajHmcQP 5P^-1 c c E HOmBMiiBOE-iMBipqcoE-iBP ni ^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^* ^^ ^^ ^^ uj uj KJ i*j "iJ US "J "J "J "^ ^*J >*' ^f ^M ^w *^ "-f ^ik* ^•^ **^ ^*^ •» 1- *- ^~ *. ^ 1- ^- fc- ■- l^QOOOOOQOCOODOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOCOQOOOOOOOOOGOODOOCOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOCOOOODCOOOCOQOCOaOOO Westmoreland Classis 289 V Qi 0) 0) V 0) (3 > > i> > > > t^ O O O O O O ri bo £4 ^iL^ IB Oi ta oi m 01 "^ ^ 3^ i* i* i* H 'r'MCQWCQaicQ QiDo^Dd) 4)0) Q) a)a»,2»3»3 >>f>>>">)>i>> 00«Pij^j^«^jj MMWKW MMWWWS^!^M«««2«^«3 __ ____ QjQj-Sri;ajajo<0!uii!i)(uiiiuiy(U4iiu(u U <1) ■ > > > a;.c) at a >>>>>■ a; (J) QJ gj a; i i : : C ■a t: oi i 2 J3 « C II t. O-T- rt !■' d ^ <= s », l>JP4 >.!i ."^•Q a; u > > > a; tU QJ «S-SH ^U^ri>?,3 > > > > W QJ V U V 5 N'T ai-rj 03d ci e (U c<) S.S'Sc ZQmM 2 " S'^^ o tfl H) d di-iw Mg cf„S > > «P3 •g « o fl Oi-IC^«"5t<10t3 0000000)G)0»010^030»OiO>0>0000000 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOClOiCJOlOCJO ■p 4J (J a -^^ ? u ph .s ■♦^ "s t-oociOi- a> a> rrt o 0)010) o ?. !-i iJ 1-1 1-5 fl W !-i ^ h !h ^ »4 ^ 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) 0) !H^PH^4i i *| I ^i I ^i > ^1 J Fj I ^1 I ,p^p,P,P^p^p^P^OOOOa^alaJ(UaJ(UQ) I Dj CL pi cl, Qi a &i^ r^M .Jm r^ 'Ji:* '<£t 'X 'z? 'j::? 'X *j? .< ^^^<^<^-^=« tn w M Q Q O Q Q O O S^ ^ f< 0) 0) o o o o n c€ C3 S l=! fi 0) OJ 0) 0) 0) 0) 55(3 C/5 1-1 o 2 O < o O Pi M o [^ o o i-i < 0)o)0)a}o)0)a)OJCjajaJo;o)0)o}Oia)0)0)0)cuajo)a>a) o -a w III §>= CQ|I| W g i3 ss WW WW w (0 0) S S oj 0) 0)^ O O C8 1-3 1-3 -< OJ OJ CD cd ^ c3 sss 0} a> 0) o o o x/ixfim 0) d) Oi c^ ri cj s a s n n n ssa OJ CU 0) o o o uiinxfi 0) OJ OJ ^ ^ ^ 0) 0) 0) ^pH^^^^UOUCJCJU CD CD a> ^ ^^ cS nJ c4 ssa O) 0) 0) o o o mmx/1 OJ 0) 0) C3 c^ ^ ssa OJ CU O) o o o ^ Qi ^ P3 C C OJ (U OJ eH>>t>>l>>l>>>>>>!>>!>>>>>>>>>>>J>>>>l>t>>> PH«PHpH«««KKtf««««««««K«tfK«««rt«PHtf«KP?«tf 0> Ell) "H U ^ o 0)^ fi « c« 03 CS S a sE ** ■ - C^ri 0) C g^Sa§ HO CIS pjMi-^Q[Swdi-i 0) JPIJ Em I ; cs i s 0) ; oi a oi a J3.S *^ B'js o fi.a q) M gaS-wWW^^.S ^ • • * t^ i-iWdi-ji-is^o'^ (V <0 K in SPS*! W ,iS - S <« S ^riw^?Wp,^i^°^g^°| Qj0a)aja)ci)ajcDa)(i}aJa)a)(i'^a}^^ ^3 r^<^^<^■^"50'X>t-oooiOr^(^lco■^u^^t>c»o>o^HCQiw■^utlCC't-QnOiOr^<^IW lT oooocooooocooooowooooooooc»oocooooooooooooooooococooooooooooooocooo ^ .rHTHr-liHiHTHi-lTHiHT-lrHTHTHirHT-lTHrHT-lTHi-lT-li-lTHT-lTHrHrHT-|.rH^'~'rH^^ Clarion Classis 367 ea .S .S .BB.B.B.B.BB.B.B .B .B .S .S .S .S .S .S .S .B .B -B .B .S .S -S .S .S .S .S .S .B -B -B .0)00000000000000000000000000000000000 ^CQpqcqpqpqpqnpQfqmnnpqnpqnnnnpqnpqnpqnnpqpqpqfqNnnpqn 0) QOOoooooooouodooooooodddddoQoooooooo /O O OOOOOOOO'OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO gPPPOQQQwMOOOOOOOQOQOOOOOOOOOOOOQOUU „j^^^^^^^ I oHWEiiwWHE4wHH"aHWHHHHHHp4aHHHHNi, p^'p:^^^p:^Mw«o^(^f^(^Wt^f^f^i^i^P^f^f^P^P^P^W««pi««««tf aja)a>ajaja)a>QjQ)ajQ)cucp<3jQjajQjcuaJcuGjajajajQJQJa>a>QJi>fl^GJ3JQjajQj > > > (V 0) OJ K«P5 > t> > ai !> > > (u (3; oj > > > > QJ dJ (V OJ «« COMOOOOOOOOOiOS05CaOS05Cias01CSOOOOOOOOOOT-li-lT-Hi-H-iHT-lT-(T-Hi-tT-MC-i o O g § 1 ■5 A Is la 4 OS - Ph ; -s n i ^ rH so" q* ^ r "^ q Ol T t^ r id" o la I o ^ ; "^ "^ *~7 "o c' ~'ia ~ cT Q0"« •a »< iS . 0) a; = 5i ■* r-i J «5 CO 5 i ; "^ 3 : lo To" o" 3 -^ oo P4 c o S CD o" (M C5 E- c- iH O CD CO t- \S CD ^ CI CO CM C }a:).nui])\[ uao •- 3aitiui]/i[ 'Sua " lOonDg -s j sii^Baa p^ZI:^(iBg: " 3 CO ■<: D DO 5 M j3;pt: ^a " paiujijr-oo « = : >- ^ tr- 3 «l C ueotununu33 " •J ^ (£> O ^ M cq c sj:3qttiai\[ ^ 3 lO U ; : ■ ; , ■ i p s 1 ;^ S : '.I ! . . ? >< " IL 3 ' a to 3 CI id J '; 3 ^ ! D -! 'a d 3 A 3 S 0) fl o si §1 S J K t- in c< eg (M o i i P § g. 1 i CD ^ C . I" 1-3 O c 3 o o 3 lO lO q 1-1 H i S : i M i IS \ , s i CO f-H i c i a "£ ^« . O ; P4 s ■S O CD ■s i <: U5 -^ 1 CO o 1-1 3 < w -j.oiVsSox3u:^y- 02 .18 CN 00 c/0 CO < O z o POST OFFICE ADDRESS Troutville. Pa. South Bend. Pa. Curllsville. Lamartine, Pa. Kerr's Store, Pa. Rimersburg, Pa. Rural Village, Pa. MeConnellsburg, Pa. t- M TO o aJ t- : : so O TO Oi o t- suoi^nqiJjuoo g gj g g 5 S : i sjBtoqog i S S g : 5i S 15 looqog -g lr^^^N: -' : "= MNM-^CO— t«l OS S[0oqog -g ^ sqiBag i " : (M .^ (N : ; ; TO suoisBicasia i i ! i KtuBoiunuiraoo SSSgS^S IS ! tH Tp M IN : OS s:taqmaH SS355«''S ig CHARGES Luthersburg South Bend Curllsville. Pa Petersburg Red Bank Rimersburg Kittanning Without Charge Total SUOI^B3aj3UO0 TjtW.,i.U5.,*rHM ^ MINISTERS C. A. Limberg P. Wise J. G. Shoemaker J. S. Shade H. Daniel J. H. Apple ....: C. R. Dieffenbacher E. D. Shoemaker Totals 8 o 00 < i-l O z o 2 <: O ADDRESS POST OFFICE South Bend. Pa. Curllsville, Pa. Lineville, Pa. Lamartine, Pa. 851 62.001 Troutville, Pa. 146| 352.631 Elderton, Pa. 40| 33.011 Rimersburg, Pa. 1601 10.001 661 21.261 1101|$1233.02| CO u3 ® ® " suoi^^nqu^uoo g ;1 § ^ [^ :}U3TOAauaa: ^ S « o i£ cc iM •- ^'^\^m ABpuns Ills siooi|os ABpuns ; « -l"* '' f rH CJ .H ^ rH O sn:^Baa '"' '" :j^ ^ 3 CO CO lo ; CO passiuisia \\ \ "^ 3 : (N 1 : ;[io ■raooxa Mi M M i J 1 siuBoiunmraoo o S ? i o ^ 5 o .H o o eit lo lO OO lO O COlOi a CO iH w loo ca ,H to , oi o sa^BOiji:;jaO M : rH «> 00 iH CO suoi^-Buiaijuo^ ; ^ ; =^ ■■ ^ 03 « : : oolco H CO : : 'oo (M o in o suisiq.(lBa th CM ^ c lO O t- lO to CO «] 00 "^ y-i \a w s" ^ IB" c^ "o o 1 "^ a : t- K o soTco •J : .-• CO [oo a" o" "H CO (N sjaqiaan g ^ S ^ ^ SJaqmaw S g § § S pauuijuoQ -H M ^ = CHARGES Plum Creek .... Curllsville Tylersburg Petersburg 2 11 .§ ■S .2 -l o z O < i-i o ■J 4 og ii 1 1 JO 1 M CO a s B 1 o 00 eg tH iH o CO as B "># t- o" o Oi Ph B 1 m o" o o s o o CM '^ SO eg OJ" eg eg eF Ci 00 OS To eg eg S « O w eg a> .5 S fed < n) (1h 1 1 1 Hi m I" to t- ej o"" o ec 00 o" I U3 C ~T ^ 00 c "^ r to C eg r "^ T cT "^ "^ c O" C 00 c eg r "t^ C eg r w 1^ iH C ■a , Is . f d i' i C B 3 B II 3 O 3 O <* 00 5" o" z> o -i lo »s a o" eg H "^ o ^ 'S i ^ : 7 eo IT ^ 1 1 o lO lO o" o T-i eg To CO CO To" eT Ph a) 1 5 o" o oi CO D- o" o o eg eg CO to o" CO 00 CO eg "co ! o Cl- io o" o o6 lO o" CO eg CO e*a A ft B 1 O d lO c- cT c O L eg r oT c CO c i CO e To^lii o u rH r ■to iH r iH r o" U O r 11 iH r- ci o c 1 N c «j ft il s i 3 i ft o : D I H i D ~T o ; H T ~T o|~T o ; 3 "T 3 : H : •T ~T ~r -( H ■H b" 1 1 s3sodj[rL<} ■3U00 : o i ® ■■ oo ;i ; 00 : eg iS Sdsodjn^j ■Aauag ^JJsjuiM joj s^uaptus 4 : eg sjBioqog looqDg -g s eg" m" CO iH w" rl- eg "ia rH ot" CO eg o" N 00 u> (N to c c s eg si 1 Q Q cT CO 00 eg "55" CD eg 00 00 eg o" CO 0) g « fin ca i ; 00 i "^ siooqDg -g CM : ec : CO ; "^ : OS ; CO i eg sq^Eaa sauiE^ JO ajnsBja passiuisiQ s^ucsiunmiuoQ : lO : t- : CO -J eg : O i "^ i "^ i ^ 4 saoKjBSajSuoo If « Is o in H CO V M K s ^ M 1^ ?^ o ^ i a V It = 1 i . m i ^ Th" iH US eg 1-1 o" to C o 1 01 1-3 Q cT ■^ CO o" lO iH US (M *> i C pi? B 1 CO "^ CO o" iH "^ eg id O CO i s <■ d , CQ EHnpv eg CO S^UBJUI 1 lO : eg : cs : t- : oi pauuHiUooufi ■3 H H » ~i H i i ^ il g i cd 5 l-S sj3qiu3x\[ : us : o 1 lO : eg 1 1 1 eg P. 1 d a 1 CO : >* • '~! U i 01 ! h : P3UUIJUO0 l-H o 00 O 2 O 3 < i-i o ii ^ 9 o be '5 1= :§ W o" «3 io o d CI d" CO CO i^ \o iH d" o d" CD d" o lO o" o CO S3 "in lo o (M cT "d" ■ "d" CO CO '^ Cl ~r "d" cc" M 7i" cT > 1 CJ 1-3 Ah 1 2 s o S o q a i -a d' "d" o I 00" o _«■ '> S, T- 3 O d" o o" la d" o d o o" o \a so 00 ■* t-H rH "co" i-H ~CO To" CO CO 00 "co Ah ^" »- s || p ^ d" ~r "* ; d" -i^ iH CO d" d" es o OS lO CD CO o o o o id -^ CD t- ■ i ; ; O 00 SS l-f t- Id 00 CO c^ CO w" c^ To t^ CD CO CI OO CO tD o" "cO oa CO : ^ : C .2 pa o Q « i I II « i 11 o o d" ~r o d CO ; «D : d" ~ o «J o" : CO : oa ; ca ; 00 ~ oj : "^ i o lO ; t- ; lo : g ^ OJ 1^ m p 4^ : Ii lo -^ . u >^ ei Ah £ > i I 3 Ah o »o "o d o a 00 cc o o lO oa ' To d" o d o 00 ' d" o 00 CO ' "^ ~ oo" " d" in CO " "cD oa ~ "^ ~ To CO ~ d" oa CO s" oT 3 CX3 CO ■ ^ h « > ■ ^co : ^ oa o — d o ; o CO I oi oa : OJ oa : o s-wdBj -s -S sjad-Bd iiojnqo CO i oa □= o sasodJnd; [BUOiq.B33J:3uO0 sasodJTid H-ua^oAauaa CO : d oa, : rH oa : OJ : OJ ■ && 1 if lO lO rH OO Oi CO t- oa ci jij:^siuiK[ JOJ s^uapn^s sjBioqog [ooqos 'S syoonog -g *"• s^:^B^a ■s 1 p p. K 6 E d he U o 1 P3 (M ■^ ~ d" a OO o. o" " oa To T2 lO c oq 1 4^ 4 § CJ CO > t pasBJa 1" d" d" CO d" "* ; CD pa^Boiunuiuiooxg; passiuisiQ; : o : ; "* d" To 7h" CD -^ t- CO iH CD oa si,UB3iunuixno3 BAiauaa JO '^30 -jojt : o : o ; : Ci i J=° : *=* Th ~7'C? ^ ilS Tj< '»0 o rii icD oa CO iH oa 1 oa CO' o -q- ^ t- o -* tH T-H "co oo^d III a S CM H 1 Si CJ o ca SUOI^BUIJIJUOO srasi^d'Ba ^JinpY stasi:HiBa ^UBjui .-1 IX :r C^ i-H .-( si CQ Q SUOiq,"BJg3J:3uOQ JO '0^ O 5 c o d O P3 1^ n h rn 1* W o PS p H O < Ph siac[Bd I(3JtmQ :1 I ( S ra ; pou^g JO -uiM s95od.ind uOT^eSajSuoo sasodjtnd ^U3|OA9Uaa sjBpnog O O GO <; tJ z o < O puB SJ30IJJ0 S[OOllOg -ON ■uoouti 'sq^^BaQ •UIIHOQ sq:jB3Q 3.insBj;g CO orate of Rev. H. D. Darbaker the church was remodeled and circular pews installed at a cost of $1630. Rev. U. 0. H. Kerschner preached the dedicatory sermon Sept. 6th, 1900. While Salem was a member of the Beaver charge it had the following pastors : Rev. Henry Kach 1837—1845 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1846—1855 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1856—1858 Rev. J. S. Shade 1858—1865 Rev. D. 0. Shoemaker 1866—1874 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1875—1879 398 The Histoey of the Pittsburgh Synod St. John's Congregation. The minutes of Classis, 1858, have this record : "There was brought to the notice of classis that an organization of a new German Reformed congregation, in Emlenton, Venango County," had been effected. "Adopted, — the organization confirmed and placed in the St. Petersburg charge," Rev. J. S. Shade being the pas- tor. The next reference is found in the minutes of Synod, 1871 — the Superintendent of Missions stated that Kittanning and Emlenton were to be constituted a charge, with Rev. L. B. Leasure stated supply. A few years later Emlenton and Parker were made a charge; but an extensive fire occurring at Parker, the interest there was abandoned. On Nov. 9th, 1879, the Licentiate, R. C. Bowling took charge of the mission, and the following March the present charge was formed. The officers at that time were as follows : Salem: — Elders: M. O. Loughner and Daniel Hale. Deacons: Elias Loughner, Samuel Weeter and Joseph Shirey. St. John's — Elders: Joseph Weller and Stephen Lawall. Deacons: Isaac Shakely and J. M. Truby. During Rev. Bowling's pastorate the Lutheran inter- est in St. John's church was bought for $1200, and the building remodeled and paid for. He resigned Nov. 9th, 1885. His successors were Revs. John F. Mack- ley, J. J. Wagoner, H. D. Darbaker, S. C. Long, C. L. Roth, L. L. Leh, and J. J. Gilbert. While Rev. Darbaker was pastor the church was en- larged by an addition of sixteen feet, two class rooms formed, a new roof, and concrete side walks made, at an expense of about $2000. Mrs. Angeline Weller and her son, John A. Weller paid for the improvement — Rev. R. C. Bowling preached the dedicatory sermon, Oct. 25th, 1896. Rev. Darbaker obtained two church build- ing funds — $500 each — from Mrs. Magdalena Allebach and Miss Philistia Kline— and $2506.70 for the endow- ment fund of St. Paul's Orphans' Home, from Mr. Mich- ael Nidle, and the same amount from him for St. John's church, Emlenton, Pa., of which Mr. Nidle was a mem- Clarion Classis 399 ber. Later, Miss Kline gave another church building fund of $500. This congregation pays its apportion- ment at the beginning of the classical year. It con- tributes liberally to all objects presented. The officers for 1920 are : Salem— Elders: Fred S. Loughner, 0. C. Knight, and E. D. Dittman. Deacons: W. L. Long, A. L. Boyer, and V. E. Ashbaugh. Emlenton:— Elders: Ford Rosche, F. P. King, and Dr. C. S. Bridenbaugh. Deacons: A. E. Bishop, J. R. Ferringer, and C. R. King. Names of Pastors: Rev. Robert. C. Bowling 1879—1885 Rev. John F. Mackley 1886—1889 Rev. J. J. Wagoner 1890—1893 Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1894—1908 Rev. S. C. Long 1908—1910 Rev. George L. Roth 1911—1915 Rev. L. L. Leh 1915—1918 Rev. J. J. Gilbert 1919— RiMERSBURG CHARGE Jerusalem and Grace Congregations. Jerusalem Congregation at Rimersburg. The Rev. Henry Koch organized this congregation in 1841. The record of the first meeting reads as follows: "In the beginning of the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1841, the friends of the Gospel assembled themselves and nominated the following members to establish a congregation and to prepare a church con- stitution." Rev. Henry Koch John Krick Henry Yeager John Arner John Kratzer Jacob Weaver John Reimer Daniel Stop "By the same a consistory was organized consisting of the following gentlemen, namely: 400 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod John Kfick, Pres. John Reimer, Consistorist Henry Yeager, Elder Michael Hawn, Trustee Wm. Bartholomew, Elder Frederick Hilliard, Trustee John Kratzer, Deacon Daniel Stop, Secretary John Krick, Deacon The congregation at first held services in Amer's school houses In 1848 a lot was bought from John Reimer for a church and graveyard for five dollars. The building committee was composed of George Wal- ters, Wm. Bartholomew, and John Krick. A brick building was erected at a cost of $4200. Rev. L. D. Leberman was the pastor. During Rev. J. M. Evans' pastorate, 1880, the church was remodeled at a cost of $2700. In 1909 while Rev. R. V. Hartman was pastor, an addition for the use of the Sunday School was built, costing $3300. The dedicatory services took place Dec. 12th, 1909. Besides the pastor. Revs. H. S. Nicholson, and W. H. Kerschner were present. A parsonage was built in 1904 at a cost of $2240. Prominent Events. 1. Mrs. Rev. Koch was given the honor of naming the Reformed church at Rimersburg. 2. Dr. Philip Schaff visited Father Koch in 1844. His kind, genial manner won the affection and esteem of the entire family. 3. Rev. D. B. Lady received his title of Doctor of Di- vinity from Franklin and Marshall College, while he was pastor of the Curllsville charge, which included the Rimersburg congregation at that time. 4. The monument erected to the memory of Father Koch was unveiled June 21st, 1889. The services were in charge of Dr. D. B. Lady. The other ministers pres- ent were: Revs. R. C. Bowling, S. T. Wagner, W. W. Deatrick, and J. F. Wiant. Rev. Wiant delivered the address. Consistory for 1920 : Elders: A. J. Mortimer, B. S. Flick, and H. G. Bonnett. Deacons: H. A. Thompson, Geo. D. Shoup, and Walter Mitchell. Clarion Classis 401 Grace Congregation at Widnoon This congregation was organized by Rev. Robert E. Crum, assisted by Rev. F. M. Line, July, 2d, 1903. Of those entering the organization, eighteen came from the Tital Presbyterian church; eighteen by renewal of pro- fession ; three by confirmation, and one by adult baptism — forty in all. Steps were at once taken to erect a church. The building committee consisted of Geo. Balsiger, J. Harvey Crisman, and T. T. Meredith. The church was dedicated March 26th, 1905, at a cost of $5,400— all paid before the day of dedication. The pastor. Rev. S. U. Waugaman, was assisted at the dedication by Rev. Robert C. Bowling. The Sunday School was organized with 106 persons the following Sunday. At Easter, four weeks later, eighteen persons were added to the church. The present "membership is ninety. Officers for 1920 : Elders: Amos Shiry, J. D. Cobbett, and J. H. Crisman. Deacons: Wm. Duncan, Wm. Crisman, and Delwyn CoUingwood. Rim#rsburg Pastors: Rev. Henry Koch 1841—1845 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1845—1847 Rev. L. D'. Leberman 1847—1849 Rev. George Wolf 1849—1853 Rev. Mr. Smith Three Months Rev. N. E. Gilds ^ 1854—1856 Rev. J. G. Shoemaker 1856—1860 Rev. Abner Dale Six months Rev. J. H. Apple 1861—1870 Rev. Charles Knepper 1870—1871. Rev. J. J. Pennypacker 1874—1878 Rev. John M. Evans 1878—1884, Rev. David B. Lady 1885—1894 Rev. J. D. Hunsicker 1894—1897 Rimersburg and Widnoon Pastors: Rev. F. M. Line 1898—1903 Rev. S. U. Waugaman 1904—1906 Rev. C. P. Kehl 1907—1908 Rev. R. V. Hartman 1909—1913 Rev. F. M. Brown 1913—1914 Rev. A. S. Lenhart 1915—1917 Rev. A. J. Herman 1918 — 19 402 The Histoey of the Pittsburgh Synod St. Petersbueg Charge St. Peter's,- St. Petersburg, and Trinity, Foxbury Con- gregations. St. Peter's Congregation. St. Peter's church was organized by Rev. Henry Koch, March 1st, 1834. Among the first members were the Ashbaughs, Allebacks, Bostaphs, Convers, Dittmans, Frys, Fujiks, Joneses, Neelys, Wevels, Ritts, Shoups, Snyders, and Werners. Richard Peters, Esq., of Philadelphia, donated land to the Reformed and Lutheran congregations for church purposes. The Reformed trustees were John Snyder and Daniel Ashbaugh. The corner stone was laid May, 1837. The building cost $1003. In 1854 the Re- formed people having sold their interest in the church building to the Lutherans, erected one of their own, at a cost of $1212. During the pastorate of Rev. W. C. B. Shulenberger the present church was built. The corner stone was laid July 4th, 1876. ^The dedication took place in connection with the meeting of Pittsbugh Synod in the church, Oct. 13th, 1878. The cost was about $20,- 000. The church is the largest and finest for miles around. The membership is 222. A fine, modern par- sonage belongs to the congregation. Trinity Congregation. This congregation was organized by Rev. U. O. H. Kerschneri, Jvnjtie 16th, /1901, wjth the followiing offi- cers: Elders: Wm. I. Crawford and James M. tPn- capher. Deacons: Timothy Cokley and Wm. A. Gates. The lot was donated by Mrs. James Fowler and children. The corner stone was laid Oct. 27th, 1901. The church was dedicated the summer follbwing. The member- ship is about 25. Officers for 1920 : St. Peter's — Elders: Archie Miller, Forest Jordan and Peter Clarion Classis 403 Klinger; Deacons: J. A. Bissel, Lester Fulmer, Tracy Neelv, and Earl Coal. Trinity — Elders James Uncapher and Sherman Uneapher; Deacons: P. C. Speer and James Canoe. Pastors : Rev. Henry Koch. 1834 — 1845 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1846 — 1856 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1856—1858 Rev. J. S. Shade 1859—1866 Rev. D. O. Shoemaker 1866 — 1873 Rev. D. W. Wolf 1873 — 1876 Rev. W. C. B. Schulenberger 1876 — 1883 Rev. S. Z. Beam, D. D 1885 — 1888 Rev. S. S. Miller 1890—1895 Rev. U. O. H. Kerschner 1895—1905 Rev. A. C. Renoll, Ph.D 1£06— 1910 Rev. C. B. Rebert 1910 Red Bank Charge Trinity, Nevin Memorial, Grace, and St. Luke's Congre- gations. Trinity Congregation. This congregation is located at Oak Ridge, Pa. It was organized in the winter of 1819-1820 by Rev. Henry Koch. There are no records extant of the officers and members of the congregation of that early day. The first church building was a log structure. This was in keeping with the dwellings of the members. About 1849 a neat frame building was erected in place of the for- mer one. This also corresponded to the new and better dwellings of the community. In the spring of 1891 ground was broken for the third church building. The corner stone was laid July 2d, 1891, and the building was Gothic in style and seated about 400 persons. The main room was 40x60 feet ; the Sunday School room was 20x40 feet. The entrance to both rooms was through the vestibule in the tower, which contained a 40-inch bell. The cost was $4100. Rev. R. F. Gass was the pastor. He was assisted in the dedication services, and 404 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod those of the previous week, by Revs. D. B. Lady, D. D., R. C. Bowling, R. E. Crum, and J. J. Wagoner. This edifice being destroyed by fire the fourth church was erected during 1913-1914. The corner stone was laid June 7th, 1913 — Rev. E. M. Dietrich being the pastor. Revs. R. E. Crum and R. C. Bowling, D. D., assisted in the service. The dedication took place a year later — June 7th, 1914— Revs. R. E. Crum, R. C. Bowling, D. D., and U. O. H. Kerschner aiding the pastor. The pres- ent membership is 65. Officers : Elders: C. J. Keuper, J. M. Mohney, Oscar Oarlson, and Raymond Hepler. Deacons: S. C. Wiant, J. Clyde Miller, and D. W. Young. Pastors : Rev. Henry Koch 1820—1845 Rev. L. D. Leberman Rev. H. Daniel Rev. Francis Netcher Rev. Henry Hoffman Rev. John Dotterer 1874—1877 Rev. J. B. Thompson 1877—1882 Rev. L. C. Edmonds 1882—1885 Rev. J. G Shoemaker 1885—1886 Rev. R. F. Gass 1887—1904 Rev. John M. Evans 1905--1911 Rev. E. M. Dietrich '. 1912—1916 Rev. H. G. Snyder 1916— Nevin Memorial. The former name of this congregation was Salem. During the pastorate of Rev. J. G. Shoemaker, steps were taken to build a church. This building was not completed until Oct. 30th, 1887, under the pastorate of Rev R. F. Gass. The dedicatory sermon was preach- ed by Rev. R. C. Bowling. The members live in an excellent farming community and are vtery liberal. The number of members is 76. Elders: Benjamin Stahlman, Jacob Stahlman, and I. S. Barn- hart. Deacons: G. G. Stahlman, F. C. Rhodes, and J. E. Mercer. Clarion Classis 405 As far as our records show the following ministers served this congregation : Rev. John Dotterer 1874—1877 Rev. J. B. Thompson 1877—1882 Rev. L. C. Edmonds 1882—1885 Rev. J. G. Shoemaker 1885—1886 Rev. R. F. Gass 1887—1904 Rev. John M. Evans 1904 — 1911 Rev. E. M. Dietrich 1912—1916 Rev. H. G. Snyder 1916— Grace Congregation. This church was formerly called St. John's and was located at "Licking" a mile east of Curllsville. It was organized during the winter of 1819-1820 by Rev. Henry Koch. The original records, if any were kept, have been lost. For some time the services were conducted in the winter time in a log school house; and in the summer time in the open air. Later on the Reformed and Luth- eran people built a log church, which was used until 1841. Then a union brick church was erected. In connection with the laying of the corner stone, a con- stitution prepared by the unionists was read. This pro- hibited any one becoming pastor who could not preach in both English and German. Father Koch who could not preach in English felt much aggrieved. The member- ship is 53. Officers for 1920 : Elders: J. R. Slauphenhaupt, J. B. Rankin, and John F. Humphrey. Deacons: Dr. G. B. Woods, Chas. Campbell and I. F. Fox. Pastors : Rev. Henry Koch 1819—1841 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1845—1847 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1848 — 1850 Rev. Geo. Wolf 1850—1854 Rev. Smith Three months Rev. N. E. Gilds 1854—1856 Rev. J. G. Shoemaker 1856—1874 Rev. John Dotterer 1874—1877 Rev. John M. Evans 1878—1885 Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D 1885—1894 Rev. J. D. Hunsicker 1894—1897 406 The History Op The Pittsburgh Synod Rev. F. M. Line 1898—1903 Rev. S. U. Waugaman 1903—1905 Rev. J. M. Evans 1905-1911 Rev. E. M. Dietrich 1912—1916 Rev. H. G. Snyder 1916— St. Luke's Congregation. This congregation was organized by Rev. L. D. Leb- erman in 1848. For many years the Reformed and Luth- eran members worshiped in a church owned jointly by them. We have no records of the early histoi-y of St. Luke's. In the year 1870, during the pastorate of Rev. J. G. Shoemaker, the Reformed members built a house of worship of their own, a short distance from [the Lutheran church. The building is of frame and cost about $2,000. The membership numbers 65. Officers for 1920 : Elders: F. J. Marshall, P. H. Hartman, and R. S. Gates. Deacons: R. L. Henry, John Males, and Ross Furling The pastors are the same as those of Grace church, Curllsville, Pa., from Rev. L. D. Leberman's time. Beaver Charge St. Paul's and St. Mark's Congregations St. Paul's Congregation. This congregation was organized by Rev. Henry Koch in 1820. The only record extant shows certain baptisms by Rev. Koch : "Samuel, son of John and Margaret Smith ; Elizabeth, daughter of John and Rosanna Sigwoi*th; George, son of George and Elizabeth Berlin ; and Hiraipi, son of Henry and Barbara Neely." The "Delos, Berlins, Shoups, Neelys, Vensels, Bests, and Ashbaughs," came from Westmoreland County. Mr. Henry Best gave two acres of land, Jan. 9th, 1813, on which a log house, 20x30 feet, was erected for school and church purposes. In 1825 a small frame church was built. In 1859 the large stone church was erected. This church was own- Clarion Classis 407 OLD ST. PAUL'S (UNION) CHURCH, KNOX, PA. '•' 'M * "i. f '^^i^^^HI ^ Ml M^^Sii II ^SSam^^SmSSmmi^l NEW ST. PAUL'S REFD. CHURCH, KNOX, PA. 408 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod ed by the Lutherans and Reformed, and was used until 1906. During the pastorate of Rev. H. S. Nicholson, the present beautiful, well-arranged church was built. The corner stone was laid Aug.' 6th, 1905, Rev. H. D. Dar, baker delivered the address, in the presence of a thousand persons. Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D., of Washington, D. C, was present as a visitor. The church was dedicated June 24th, 1906. A farewell service conducted by Rev. Darbaker was held in the "Old Stone Church." Profes- sor Meckel, who had been organist years before, had charge of the music. The dedication service was held in the new church — Prof. J. C. Bowman, D. D., delivered the sermon. Services vv^ere held every evening of the previous week, ad- dresses were delivered by Revs. H. D. Darbaker, R. C. Bowling, U. 0. H. Kerschner, E. H. Laubach, R. E. Cruin, J. M. Evans, J. J. Wagoner, R. F. Main, Lewis Robb, D. D.J and D. H. Leader. The church cost $15,- 000, which was provided for before the day of dedica- tion. This stands as an honor to the St. Paul's con- gregation and the pastor. Rev. Nicholson. St. Mark's Congregation. Rev. Henry Hoifman organized this congregation in 1874. The first consistory was composed of the follow- ing : Elders : John Lorah, and Peter Johnson. Deacons : Jacob Knappenberger and Adam Dearolph. Mr. John Lorah donated a lot on which the church was built. The corner stone was laid by Rev. D. 0. Shoemaker, Sept. 20th, 1874. The church was dedicated by Rev. Henry Hoffman, then pastor, Sept. 12th, 1875— Rev. J. F. Wiant preaching-the sermon. The other ministers present were Revs. D. W. Wolf, J. J. Pennypacker, and John Dotterer. The congregation has decided to replace this church with a large, modern stone edifice. The material is nearly all on the ground. The charge has been very liberal in Clarion Classis 409 its contributions. Only the larger offerings can be noted : 1907 — For the Endowment of the Eastern Theologi- cal Seminary $2000.00 1912 — Church Building Fund _ ... 370.00 1916 — For Seminary Dormitory 857.00 Personal Gifts 1912 — Eli Wentling, Endowment, Orphans' Home $ 400.00 1912 — John Alt, Church Building Fund 500.00 1910 — Henry Knight, Orphans' Home Debt 100.00 1910 — Henry Knight, Orphans' Home Endowment 500.00 1911 — Henry Knight, Girls School, Sendai, Japan 500.00 1916 — Henry Knight, Church Building Fund ; 500.00 1917 — Henry Knight, Orphans' Home Endowment 500.00 1919 — Henry Knight, Orphans' Home Endowment 5000.00 The present membership is: St. Paul's 311, and St. Mark's, 171. Officers for 1920 : St. Paul's: Elders: Edward Wentling, W. U. G. Mahle, W. B. Kribbs, and H. M. Wetzel. Deacons: Chas. Wentling, Chas. Alt, J. B. Black, Adam Went- ling and Geo. Hugus. St. Mark's: Elders: T. B. Crura, F. I. Master, J. H. Kahle, and Jesse Knappenberger. Deacons: E. E. Knight, John Ashbaugh, H. B. Beele, and Floyd Fleming. Roster of Pastors: Rev. Henry Koch 1820—1845 Rev. Henry Hoffman 1845—1855 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1855—1856 Rev. J. S. Shade ...1857—1865 Rev. D. O. Shoemaker 1865—1874 Rev. Henry Hoffman..^ 1875—1879 Rev. Jacob F. Wiant ...1880—1890 Rev. S. T. Wagner 1891—1897 Rev. Lewis Reiter 1897—1899 Rev. E. H. Laubach 1900—1904 Rev. H. S. Nicholson 1904—1914 Rev. Irwin C. Snyder 1915— 410 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Apollo Charge First Reformed Church. The First Reformed church of Apollo was organized by Rev. C. W. Summey, July 23d, 1892. The names of the first officers are: Elders: Abra- ham Hill and G. Smith ; Deacons : J. G. Rau and Calvin Wise. The church property was bought from Rev. R. A. Jamison, pastor of the U. P. church for $4000. The corner stone was laid Oct. 26th, 1893. The church was dedicated March 11th, 1894. The total cost of the church in money and labor was about $3500. The parsonage was on the lot when it was purchased. The congrega- tion became free of debt in 1906. The Board of Mis- sions furnished aid from July 1st, 1893, to July 1st, 1911, amounting to $5800. The congregation has the proud record .of always paying its apportionment in full, which last year amounted to $437. A church building fund was started July, 1911, which has grown to over $5000. A parsonage fund was begun in the fall of 1919, which has gone over the $1000 mark. The present pastor has added 173 persons to the mem- bership, which is now 260. The salary has been in- creased from $1000 to $1600. The officers for 1920 are: Elders: F. K. Whitlinger, W. L. Miller, U. U. Jewel and W. G. King. Deacons: Geo. D. Wallace, N. H. Smith, J. F. Deibler, and Wm. C. Fry. The following pastors have served this church: Rev. J. N. Naly 1893—1900 Rev. D. E. Master 1901—1905 Rev. D. W. Kerr 1905—1914 Rev. D. J. Wolf 1915— The present membership is 110. The present con- sistory : Elders: W. J. Silvis, J. J. McKnight, and O. M. Anderson. Deacons: B. F. Saltzgiver, Ed J. Boye and H. H. Hanna. Clarion Classis 411 ZioN's Valley Congregation This congregation was organized by Rev. J. G. Shoe- maker, June 20th, 1868. Twenty members dismissed from St. Jacob's congregation entered the organization. About a year later. Rev. T. F. Stauffer, pastor of St. James' charge in Westmoreland Classis became supply pastor. During this pastorate a very comfortable church building was erected. Rev. James Grant became pastor in 1871, but resigned in 1873. He was succeeded by Rev. H. W. Hoffmeir who served the congregation sev- eral months, when it was transferred to Westmoreland Classis and served by Rev. John McConnell, under whose care the membership increased to 75. In 1882 it was returned to Clarion Classis and made a part of South Bend charge. (For successive pastors see St. Jacob's Congregation.) The congregation was disbanded in 1919. St. Thomas Congregation Very little is known of the early history of this con- gregation. According to the oldest record, it was or- ganized by Rev. Wilhelm Weinel, Sept. 24th, 1840. The first communion of which there is any record was held October 23d, 1841. On that date 31 members commun- ed and a class of 31 was confirmed. It was organized as a union church — union not in name only but in fact as both Reformed and Lutherans worshipped togeth- er, and according to the records participated in the same communion. The church was built by Reformed and Lutheran people and was a union church for many years but there is no record as to the time of its erection. The present church building was remodeled in 1902 during the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Kerschner. The following ministers served the congregation : Rev. William Weinel 1840—1853 Rev. F. Wise 1853—1876 Rev. M. H. Dieffenderfer 1877—1881 Rev. A. K. Kline 1881—1884 Rev. A. C. Snyder 1885—1887 412 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Rev. A. M. Keifer 1889—1890 Rev. W. D. Lefevre 1890—1893 Rev. L. W. Showers 1895—1900 Rev. W. H. Kerschner 1903—1914 In 1916 it was made a part of the South Bend charge. The present membership is 80. The present con- sistory : Elders: Nicolas Reefer, Maurice Timlin, and John Boyer. Deacons: Mellow Thomas, Marley Penrod, and Kelley Reefer. Mt. Union Congregation This congregation was organized by Rev. F. Wise, May 28th, 1864, mainly of members from St. Jacob's congregation. The corner stone of the first church was laid June 23d, 1869 and the church dedicated Oct. 23d, 1870. This church was destroyed by fire Jan. 9th, 1873, but rebuilt of brick and dedicated June 7th, 1874. Rev. F. Wise continued his pastorate until 1876, the last com- munion service being held on Feb. 1st, of that year, at which time, on account of failing health, he was obliged to omit part of the service. He was never able to preach again and passed away in July of the same year. The following ministers served this congregation : Rev. F. Wise 1864—1876 Rev. M. H. Dieffenderfer ■..1877—1881 In Jan., 1882, this congregation became a part of the South Bend Charge until 1916 when it was disbanded. From 1882 it had the same pastors who served the St. Jacob's congregation. South Bend Charge St. Jacob's Congregation ' The early history of St. Jacob's Congregation at South Bend is obscure. It was probably organized by Rev. Wil- liam Weinel about 1822. In May, 1823, the first com- munion, of which there is a record, was held, at which time 24 persons were confirmed and 40 members com- Clarion Classis 413 muned. The first church building was a plain log "meet- ing house," with "slab benches" for pews. There was no need of stoves, heaters or chimneys as no services were held during the winter. This meeting house was on the hill one-half mile north of the village of South Bend. Near this location the "White Church" as it was called, was erected by the Reformed and Lutheran people about 1840. The present church located in South Bend, was erected during the pastorate of Rev. C. Gumbert. The corner stone was laid in May, 1890, and the church ded- icated in September, 1891. The following ministers have served this congregation : Rev. Wm. Weinel 1822—1850 Rev. F. Wise 1852—1864 Rev. H. Hockman 1864 — 1867 Rev. J. F. Wiant 1869—1876 Rev. A. K. Kline 1876—1880 Rev. J. S. Hartzell 1882—1883 Rev. D. N. Harnish 1883—1886 Rev. Christian Gumbert 1887 — 1897 Rev. I. A. Sites 1898—1902 Rev. J. J. Wagoner 1902 — 1907 Rev. F. K. Stamm 1910 — 1912 Rev. A. S. Lenhart 1913 — 1915 Rev. J. I. Lauffer 1915—1918 Revs. H. King, D. D., and R. E. Crum are sons of this congregation. St. John's Charge St. John's, Worthville, Temple and Shannondale Congregations St. John's Congregation The history of St. John's congregation runs back to the year 1835. The first church services were held in the barn of Abraham Hock, one mile south of Sprankles Mills. In 1838 a small log church was built near by. After ten years this building was used for a school house. In 1848 a larger building was erected on the present site of the church. A cemetery was opened near the church and the numerous graves mark the passing of 414 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod these sturdy settlers for well nigh a century. In 1868 the church was remodeled, and again, in 1919, the ex- terior and interior was beautified by the congregation. The congregation numbers about 65 persons. A live Sunday School has been maintained for a long time under the able leadership of Supt. Russell Moser, who is vice-president of the Jefferson County Associa- tion of Sunday Schools. The community is populous and a prosperous and thrifty lot of people have been patiently waiting for a pastor. Worthville Congregation. This congregation, situated in the village of Worth-- ville, about four miles north of St. John's, was formed from members of that church in the year 1870 under the pastorate of Rev. Hoffman. The church is owned jointly by the Reformed and Presbyterian icongreg'a- tions. Death, removal, and a lack of a pastor have so affected the life of the congregation that Clarion Classis, several years ago, authorized the abandonment of the church. The property, however, has not been dis- posed of. Shannondale Congregation. Before 1888 the Reformed and Lutheran people in this community worshipped in one church building. Desir- ous of having their own church each erected in this year substantial buildings. The church belonged to the Red- bank charge together with that of the North Freedom church. Under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Evans they were added to the St. John's charge being six and eleven miles from St. John's. Under this arrangement the life of this end of the charge began to wane. At the present time there remain only a handful of members. Temple, North Freedom. This congregation is situated five miles south of the Shannondale church in the village of North Freedom. Clarion Classis 415 It was organized before the Civil War and worshipped in *i outworn building for' more than forty years. In 1894 the second building was erected which is used to- day. The members number about 20. It is evident that the decadent spirit of the church is due to the poor- ly arranged charges in the past and to the over-zealous members who found little pleasure in worshipping in churches other than their own. Today they stand empty beckoning spectres of the past calling to a heartless pres- ent. Rev. H. A. Hartman was the last pastor to serve this charge. CHAPTER XXV. St. Paul's Classis By Rev. A. B. Bauman. St. Paul's Classis was constituted under the direction of Pittsburgh Synod, at Hartstown, Crawford County, January 18th, 1861, by the election of the following offi- cers: President, Rev. Henry F. Hartman, vice-president, Rev. D. B. Ernst ; treasurer. Rev. L. J. Mayer. The territory covered by the new classis included all that part of Western Pennsylvania lying north of Pitts- burgh and west of the Allegheny River, embracing Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, and parts of Alle- gheny and Beaver Counties. Entering into the new or- ganization were six charges, with twenty-two congre- gations and seventeen hundred and thirty-four members served as follows : Saegertown, three congregations. Rev. D. B. Ernst; West Greenville, four congregations; Rev. H. F. Hartman, Meadville, four congregations ; Rev. L. D. Leberman; Harmony, three congregations, Rev. F. W. Dechant; Fairview, two congregations, Rev. D. 0. Shoemaker ; Mercer, five congregations. Rev. L. J. Mayer and Hartstown, one congregation, supplied. Revs. Philip Zeizer and Benjamin Boyer superannuated, and Rev. S. M. Callender without a charge. Rev. Philip Zeizer was the first settled pastor of the Reformed faith in this extended field. Previous to his coming Rev. Mahnenschmidt of Trumbull County, Ohio, visited and preached for communities of German origin, especial mention being made of those of Wolf Creek Tovmship, Butler County, _ eight miles south of Mercer and Good Hope, two miles southwest of Greenville, Mer- cer County. However, when Rev. Zeizer began his labors in 1825 there was no organized congregation, but he im- mediately began the task and by the end of the first 416 St. Paul's Classis 417 year had regularly organized congregations at Wolf Creek, Good Hope, in Mercer County, and Conneaut Lake, in Crawford County. The next year he effected a fourth organization at Meadville and these four, embracing a territory fifty-two miles in length, constituted his field of labor for the next four years. In 1830 he enlarged his field by the organization of congregations at Reichels, four miles north of Saegertown and Jerusalem, Hickory Town- ship, near Sharon. In 1832 he helped organize and build a union Reformed and Lutheran church in Saegertown. The Reformed congregation was served for a time by a Mr. Muck, who stood in no connection with Synod, but in 1833 Rev. Zeizer was called to preach for them also, his field now covering a territory sixty-two miles from north to south and twenty-five miles from east to west. Never- theless, he continued his efforts for the spread of the kingdom, organizing in 1837, Christ church, six miles south of Meadville and St. John's, seven miles north of Greenville, Sugar Creek, Venango County in 1841, and Salem, Mercer County, 1843, later known as Jerusalem congregation. In 1839 the Wolf Creek congregation was made a part of the Harmony charge and in 1843 Rev. Benjamin Boyer accepted a call from the Saegertowii, Reichels, Meadville and Watson's Run churches, which left the four congregations in Mercer County under the care of Rev. Zeizer until 1848, when his strong consti- tution yielded to the pressure of over-taxed labor and his failing health compelled him to resign. From this time until the organization of the new clas- sis, the work so splendidly begun by Rev. Zeizer, was successfully carried forward by the able ministries of Revs. Boyer, Frederick Wahl and Henry F. Hartman in the churches of Mercer County and Rev. D. B. Ernst and L. D. Leberman in the churches of Crawford County. During a great part of Rev. Zeizer's ministry the territory included in the above fields was a part of the Erie classis, until this classis united with Columbiana Classis, East- ern District Synod of Ohio, in forming the "Independ- ent Synod of the German Reformed Church of Ohio and Adjacent States." From that time until 1861 it was 418 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod included in the territory of Clarion Classis, under whose direction the field was cultivated, the history of the earlier organizations south of Wolf Creek being part of the records of that classis. During the time of Rev. Boyer's pastorate, 1853, some thirty Reformed and Lutheran members of the Good Hope church living in the eastern end of Pymatuning Township united in the erection of a "more convenient" place of worship, but because of opposition on the mother church, the organization was not completed until the following year, when under the pastorate of Rev. Frederick Wahl, it became a part of the West Greenville charge,. Rev. Wahl labored but two years in this field, resigning early in 1856, and in the summer of the same year Rev. Henry F. Hartman accepted a call from the West Greenville charge. Rev. Hartman was a very able and active pastor, build- ing up the already established congregations and acting in the capacity of a "self-constituted missionary," as he styled himself, organized congregations at Blacktown, New London, Coal Bank and Clarksville, at New Ham- burg and at Greenville, with the result that of the twenty- two congregations entering into the new classis seventeen were from Mercer and Crawford counties, the scene of his labor. A special meeting of classis held at Koonce Corners, Crawford County, December 10th, 1882, divided the Mer- cer charge into two missions and appointed Rev. Abner Dale, received from Clarion Classis to serve Blacktown and New London, which was named the Mercer Mis- sion, and Rev. Lucian J. Mayer to serve Hickory, Coal Bank and Clarksville, named the Clarksville Mission. At the second annual meeting, Meadville and German Hill were constituted the Meadville charge, the remaining con- gregations, and points formerly belonging to this charge were declared a mission field to be known as Decker's Run, and a newly organized mission at Rochester, Beaver County, was received and placed under the care of Rev. Casper Scheel. A special meeting the same year author- ized Rev. G. B. Russell to begin mission work in St. Paul's Classis 419 the city of Allegheny. During a special meeting at Decker's Run, December 29th, 1863, Licentiate John Kret- zing was ordained and installed as pastor of this field, hitherto supplied by the pastor of the Meadville charge, and Rev. F. W. Dechant was given authority to effect an organization in the town of Butler of which Rev. C. A. Limberg was to be missionary. At the annual meeting. May, 1864, a petition from the Titisville congregation, organized by Rev. D. D. Leber- man and John Kretzing, to be received under the care of St. Paul's Classis received favorable action and was en- rolled as a mission. The call to Rev. D. D. Leberman, a recent graduate from the Theological Seminary at Tif- fin, Ohio, was confirmed at a special meeting one month later. Sudden and severe affliction in January, 1865, compel' ed Rev. Leberman to relinguish his work in this field before the end of his first year's pastorate. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Ebbinghouse who had just com- pleted the theological course, but after serving the mis- sion nine months he resigned to accept the call from the Meadville congregation. The history of this mission was the record of frequent and long vacancies interspersed with brief pastorates. Finally at the annual meeting in 1878, the congregation was dismissed to the West New York Classis, German Synod of the East. The first six or eight years after the organization of St. Paul's Classis were marked by intense missionary zeal. The membership of the congregations was small and many of these being recent settlers were unable to contribute much for the support of the church. Weak charges were strengthened by the organization of con- gregations in towns or settlements nearby. In fact, the whole territory within the bounds of classis was regarded as a "great field of missionary opportunity." Commit- tees were appointed from year to year, "to superintend the missions and supply new fields with suitable laborers." At the annual meeting held in Butler, 1866, it was re- solved, "that Rev. H. F. Hartman be constituted chair- man of said committee, that he be clothed with plenary power as the general missionary of the classis to explore 420 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod all promising points, and organize missions, when needed, and take such measures as shall be necessary to give effi- ciency and success to such undertakings ; and that a prop- er remuneration be made for his labors given to this v(rork whether it engaged the whole of his time or only such por- tions as his impaired health may allow him to give." As a remalt of this missionary activity the number of congregations increased from twenty-two in 1861 to thirty-two, as reported at the annual meeting in 1866. Both the organization of these additional congregations and the division of charges as the growing congregations in the cities and towns required the whole of a pastor's time made it increasingly difficult to supply the requir- ed number of ministers. This occasioned many recon- structions and frequent and often long vacancies which ultimately led to the dissolution of some of these con- gregations. Another obstacle to more rapid progress in these earlier years was that occasioned by the question of language. Many of the older Germans were loath to give up the mother tongue and even refused to allow English ser- vices to be held in the church. This led to many bitter contentions, the locking of the doors of churches against ministers and classis, and in some cases to litigation in the civil courts. At the annual ^meeting held in the Harmony Reformed Church, May, 1870, the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted : Whereas, the territory of St. Paul's Classis is extensive, involving much travel, inconvenience and expense and not infrequently failure in necessary action on the part of classis, and delinquency on the part of members, making business uncertain and inefficient, and leaving very im- portant interests to be served by a few brethren at the extreme end of said territory, and Whereas, Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities together with their suburban parts open up wide and promising fields of labor now occupied by active, efficient and able men who are laboring earnestly and successfully for the interests of the church and the cause of Christ, therefore St. Paul's Classis 421 Resolved, that this classis cede that portion of its ter- ritory lying south of the Southern line of Mercer County, the line to run straight from the Ohio State line until it reaches a point on the Allegheny River. Resolved, that the Reverend Westmoreland Classis be and hereby is respectfully requested to cede such por- tion of its territory as may be necessary with the above portion ceded by this classis to constitute said new classis, and that they also join this classis in making the neces- sary request to the Reverend Synod at its next annual meeting in Buffalo, New York. The committee on minutes of synod in its report to the annual meeting of the classis held in Saegertown, May 20th, to 27th, 1872, reports the granting of this re- quest. Ten congregations were dismissed to form the new classis, leaving eighteen congregations, or nine pas- toral charges, to constitute the St. Paul's Classis. These were served as follows : Saegertown, one congregation, Rev. D. B. Ernst ;Meadville, one congregation, Rev. D. D. Leberman; Greenville, two congregations. Rev. C. R. Dief f enbacher ; Sharon, two congregations, Rev. J. B. Stepler; Mercer, two congregations. Rev. Eusebius H. Dief f enbacher ; Watson's Run, two congregations, Rev. Frederick Wahl; ShenangO, four congregations, Rev. Henry C. Heyser ; Titisville, one congregation, Rev. Julius Fuendeling. At an adjourned meeting Greenville, Oct- ober 11th, 1872, St. Peter's congregation at Corry was received and made a part of the Titisville charge, but after several years during which there was no regular pastor, the name of this congregation disappears from the roll. Trinity congregation, Fairview, was received and united with the Zion's charge, Cochranton at the annual meeting, 1875, at which time twenty-one congregations are reported. From this period efforts seem to have been directed more toward the building up of the charges and congre- gations already established than to the enlarging of the field. It was but natural that many readjustments had to be made, and these together with many changes of 422 The History of the Pittsbukgh Synod pastorates and often with long vacancies proved disas- trous to some of these hastily organized congregations. In order to provide for English congregations in West- ern New York, classis extended her territory in 1912 by the reception of the Dewey Avenue Mission of Ro- chester, N. Y., and the installing of Rev. Walter R. Clark, as pastor, October 21st, 1912. Another promis- ing mission in this new territory was organized in Buffa- lo by Rev. Oscar H. Dorschel and received under the care of classis, February 26th, 1915. These congrega- tions are at the present time rather isolated by reason of distance, but it is altogether probable that these will be- come 'the nucleus of a new English classis in this prom- ising field. In spite of difficulties St. Paul's Classis has moved forward and the congregations under the guidance of strong and faithful pastors have made themselves felt as factors for righteousness in their respective communi- ties. In the councils of the church at large the classis has through her splendid representatives of the type of Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher, D. D., Rev. J. M. Schick, D. p.. Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., Rev. B. B. Ferer, D. D., Rev. A. M. Keifer,- and Rev. W. J. Muir, and others had an honorable part. That St. Paul's Classis will continue to do her full share in the work of the kingdom is assured by the ag- gressive labors being done by faithful men now manning the several fields. They preach not themselves, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and themselves as servants for Jesus' sake. 1^ u f-H ,— * SS OS oi WW G TS « ■4J C3 't' W cc >^ xn xn < CO ■A -to Q m ^ -w 'y:\ <5 i T3 1 Oh fii s '^ H M sa WW WW r^ ■H y* \t 0) V W U O t) o o S C3 ^ Ql 63 g S a) J[ij>^i-^feH;fefL;i-ipi-;wdi3p^3SWP3yO<>lW^mSwCJwpqowOwogOw;z;p V 0) ^r^ c€ V ^ CU C3 a „ O 3 Ww i* ; ;T3 ; « ; ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ rH tH tH T-t tH T-H ^-t tH rH '^ tH '-^ rH »-l rH tH T-H rl tH T-H T-i o u ■S -f^ -f^ -fi -a -fS J3 ^ nfl X ^ ^ ,J3 ^ ^ ^ ^ rS ,£! X ,£3 ,£! ^ ,£! J3 ,a !^ u J3 P P — ' ^ — — ~' ■ ' — ' "^ — ' " " — — ' rn rn fflpqfqfflfqpqpqpqpqpqpqeqmpqpqpqpqpqpqmpqpqmfqpqpqSS s3 ^ ^ oi ssss ooo o OQQQ _ J . . . . -4^ -4-3 -M -»-> fH ^H ^H fj f^ Oj Qj o; Qj (1> SSSS S )-S 1-3 1-5 1-3 60 C C C C fi o o o o o . m m M m tn „.„.„.&j.t!.s.s.a|||| sl!llll Sfi^iS33S33 S mmmm m o o o o o MMMM =5 0) g> O) OJ 0) ^' 0) ^ ni s-I 5h oja GJ cj oj a> i ^ ^ n ^ Tf ■as >iS'oS!w oj i-;Mi-ipQ S S 5 o^SftiS § I « g qOP^,Hw!z;o>,OM 6*^ 13 ft u ^ h o o O i^ S " X k> ™ J'J ^&gal£'ss£^-:i>^ ca c3 0) o ^ o*c wHMOwOpa OS H ft o^ >< r-lT SlOTgOMl-sWOMMWSIKItSl'^WNPQOMgMOlSl-sWMOOMO 00Q0S5'^"3^05050^a^0^05O5OOOC>OOOOoOT-(THT-(T-tTHTHTH,-HTHT-< oow°5ooooooooooooooooooa^o^o^-JOiC^a^Oic3sciaso^05C5ajoiai050ios St. Paul's Classis 425 00 H M < Eh 6 CM o" o o m" CO o" _Q> '> s; o d S ce W ni o (M 00 co" Ci (N 1 -^ C S ■s ij d c o E 1 CM To" CO 00 'ia "io' (M c i en w 1 Q) Q 1 QO" CO eo" 00 (M i F 1 1 m d d "> a CO "to ?T o" la CM CO o" o CO t^ h V >. c Si CO £ 2; n) e QJ a u OJ 'E S3 p. Ic A- — c 01 aj 1 to 1 m n siooqDg XEpung tM ii s^Eaa o" o" pi 1 K T-l "p. Pi (U >> a o =1 •S O psssirasid tM CO ■uiODxa pauniutuoQ a^BoijjiJrao pauiJijuoo pasndEa pamaijuoDun. saaqinaM □0 1 eg « H d m O < W O SU0llB3aj3U0Q w s Co H 1-5 1-4 o 00 72 < 00 p. 0. ADDRESS Hamburg. Pa. Saegertown. Pa. Brady's Bend. Pa. Coehranton, Pa. Meadville, Pa. Greenville, Pa. Butler, Pa. 1| 3| 1301 153.001 Harmony. Pa. 1 2| 70| 65.001 Sharon. Pa. 2 2| 901 lOl.OOl London. Pa. 1| 75 49.001 Meadville. Pa. 1 1] 75 74.001 9| 4| 360 207.001 Greenville, Pa. 1 1 1 1 Titusville. Pa. o o -^ CO .H : o o § g g suoiinqu^uoo 2 o ° "= " ^uajoAauag 3 3 § 3 °° 1 1 en "o" o" ® '^ °o saBioqog -g -g ji" S = "= S "^ c^^ CO spoqag -g 1 || :co ; ® *" paunuimoo | i H! ^ « S ^ ^ t- 00 00 1 ; .^ U3 CO • Is ( ; c- OS as in CO o pasHdBg j ; ~ ^ ^ -^ 1 ; .^ ua o o o 2 paraaijuooun i 3 S! 2 S S ^ 00 CSI ; CO w o o "^ ^ .sjaquiapj j 3 S 5 S ^ CHARGES Without Charge Saegertown Fairview -.. Zion's Meadville Greenville Butler 0) ■ 1 Ci saoBB8aj3uoo ^ „ ^ ^ ^.j c-, JO jaqran^ MINISTERS fhilip Zeiser L. B. Ernst Abner Dale J. Kretzing D. D. Leberman C. R. Dieffenbaeher r A T.imhpro- ft ft 13 &3 tS3 E-t s o oo 00 m < xn m m H Q fi << d Pi 1 "> d" o d CO lO o" o d o cT co" d" to" CO CO CO CO C3 > § g OS c^ (M "io" CO co" cT oo" g 69| 16.001 1800.001 Sharon. Pa. 60| 36.001 560.001 Balm, Pa. 150| 105.001 722.00-1 Cochranton, Pa. 2501 140 OOl 1176 OOl Greenville. P-. 1144|$712.001$7487.001 SBSodand [Buoi:iBSaj3uoo O o d o o in c- a?- o to cq" cc" aouapAsuaa S.TB[Ol(0g -g -g aiooqag -g rf rt m N ^ ^ M =^ lO c- i 1 ; 1 CO SH^BBd s3jnsBJa -uioo xa 111-' 1 .121 \ 113 19|......| 9| 2| 3 2 122 1| 1 161 1| 14 5i 161| 1 1 291 3| 22| 191 2311 4 1361 8| 1041 34114881 38 ...... passiuisiQ- pauniuuioQ 3jB0!j!;.i3o psxujijuoo ■IdBa ^inpv uT CVl C<1 "d" •?dBa -jui paiujtjuooun. to >H io" I m (M "ft a < S s o to I-l d" oq 1 (M g B d CO "^ la O C g fa 0) Fred P. Hartmetz I 2 | Sharon | 185| 163 Josiah May | 2 | Mercer 1631 92 John W. Pontius | 4 | Zion's 161| 132 Fred B. Hahn 1 2 1 Greensville 1 2431 220 Totals 1 18 1 Total 1174611297 s.iaqmaj\[ CHARGES suoi:^B3ajSuo3 Pi s g so HO H Q o 00 < m SI 8 & i,^^ 2^^£ (X, _ - f^ . - ; a 5 ^ g g «r ■& i 4i" <; s a 5 5 = = 3 S 3 > 1 ll< SB > M t: • t o % % o ^ fH A S' be be !1. s g O t; rt rt ^ J C3 m cQ ; 5" o" o" o" e ^ o u o 3 o" o" ~r o" O" 5 O O O C 3 o o : oi.o sasodan^i ■0 lO O ■* I. o CO « : ,H OS 30 lO OS ■* C M 1-) »-( f -I rH ; 'qO ■0 O .to lO f -I C- N C » 4 f^ \ e« jtJ^BlUlJ^ D .-1 O O C =. o o ; w aqi joj ajuapnjg sjEioqog -g -g -* CM C- CJ C - la la : ; o -( CO ;!io ■v] ■* !M N C •0 .-1 cq ;,io s[ooii3s -g 1 ■l^ » 00 00 M (M L- ; -^ sqi(Eaa -^ \ \r M O O O C 71 fS> ; 00 saansEja in : : in •Hioo xg i i -1 y-^ : ; •* M U3 fH (N C CO : ; Oi a}Boij!}jao 4 i ir pauijijuoQ i H ^ ,_, C 1 : il^ •IflBa ftinpv i ° 1 1 \€ 3 to 00 -^ C ■;aBa -jui H (N (N i-< |r . ^\ ;| Ijj : ~- SD O OS t, in in 1 : m CO patuaijuoDun. _i. >3 !£i Oi O C H tH ; ,-1 3S (M O lO t sjaquiajt M to C- ffl ■• ■O lO « M -■ * CO ; ■* 't -^ eg CO c M ra CM : '-1 o suoT:jE3aj3uo3 ■ <^ Mull m W o i s s §1 < 2 1 -o ^ • 5 Q Q C C ^^ bo c (1) rt S^ J en m cQ ^ !" <" £ ^ ? 3 ;^ c ^ K^ i i : i 1—1 1 M. Schick... n J. Mayer. 1 H. Leader. H. Shepp. ion Keifer. k PilgrinT s hj r- e William A. Mar Frederic Vacant Q 5 8j SI >-3 t- i-j J o e J- HO o s o xn ST. PAUL'S— 1£ MINISTERS POSTOFFICE ADDRESS NAME OF CHARGES OR CONGREGA- TIONS MEMBERS ADDI A. M. Keifer Greenville, Pa. Supt. Orph. Home- J. F. Wiant Greenville, Pa.. ..Disabled ..|.. John L. Barnhart.... Saegertown, Pa. ....Saegertown | 1 9B 27 21 21 Reichel's [ 1 39| 15 01 1 E. S. Hassler Grovee City, Pa Without Charge -I I I Will S. Fisher Cochranton, Pa St. Mark's Zion's _91|_B2i 64| 40 _4|_0|_01 0| 01 oi St. John's I 1 64| 55| 46 0| 01 2| Trinity 36| 341 Chas. A. Bushong.. Meadville, Pa. ..Watson Run | 1 821 52 Oj Oi Oj St. John's I 1 125] 96| 58 4| II 12 B. B. Ferer, D. D.Meadville, Pa. ..St. Paul's I 1 207| 76 5| 1! 1 W. M. DlefenderferSharon, Pa St. Paul's | 1 2 0D| 180 16| 0| 6 Edward S. LaMar-.Sharpsburg, Pa Grace .1 1 1461 110| 18| 1| 26 Alpha K. Kline. Grove City. Pa Christ's | 1' 95 77| 62 2| 0| 13 Albert B. Bauman- Greenville, Pa. Zion's *St. Mark's 1 *Jerusalem tE. C. Musselman-trreenviUe, Pa | J709 MO J78l _93l 143 '651 600 | 226 174| 30 165| _27l 78|_33' 1151 641 '«0| 245' ■.■;,-l 2342|1007 14| 21 10 2| 01 81 II 0111 4|_2|_ "51 11 80| 12' 01 "Estimated. tDismissed to Presbyterian Church Number of congregations, 18. Number of Charges, 10. i!'EAR ENDING MAY 1, 1920 429b i 1, 3 1 8 1 1 i i 1 i3 ■3 i s CO f 1 1 IS il o 1 o 1 m s ^ 1 1 ^ d .2 1 other Bene- volence '5 c „ 11 as 1 1 1 :-.. ...-1 i 1 1 |.... ^ 5 4| 4| 1 6 3| 19 4 6 1 17 274 40| 0$ 229.00|$ 229.00|$ 25.00|$1143.00|$ 5880.00 15 6! 51 36| 4| 12| 3| 4 3 2 1 25 360 481 0| 312.00| 319.00| 41.00| 776.00 2992.01 22 36 14| 7| 13| 12 1| 11 47| 743 1111007.001 975.00| 13B.00| 3186.00 6339.00 4i 6 41 1| 0| 1| 1 o| 1 i 8 80] 0] 0| 85.00] 96.00] 8.001 193.00 500.00 4 81 0| 0| 2| 2 1 o| 8 49] 0] 0] 86.00] 80.00] 7.00] 155.00 465.00 01 Oj 0| 0| 1| 1 2 0| 1| 8| 801 Ol 0| 67.001 60.00] 6.00] 67.00| 375.00 3 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 1 0| 0| 0| 0| 0| Ol 24.001 22.001 2.00| 46^00{ 140.00 -7 11 21" 12i 0| 1| 1| 2 4| 11 01 11 0| 1| 22 105 ].... 1 141.00] 134.00 6.00] 382.001 864.00 :0 21. 1| 4i 2| 1 14 91 1.... 1 118.00] 112.00 5.00] 231.00] 968.00 14 3| 17| »l H\ 01 01 1 1| 11 181 17. 1 |.... 1 1 11 18| 1 1 1] 17] 94] I.-] 79.00] 79.001 28.00 92.00] 577.00 1 1 91 1 1 M 1 2 1 11 1 1 1 11 1 1 [ 1 298.00 2 01 11 11 31 11 3 01 Ol 11 91 1131 lOl ni 155 nol 93.001 25.001 40.001 700.00 99| 32'177| 341 601 461110 481 211 1812651318711181 2 IS3156-n01l82976.001$ 522.001S7442.00IS29772.00 o o a: < tZ2 P. 0. ADDRES Greenville, Pa. Greenville, Pa. Gochranton, ±"2 Meadville, Pa. Berlin, German O o 0) tLD Saegertown, Pa. Meadville, Pa. Sharon, Pa. Sharpsville, Pa. Grove City, Pa. New Hamburg, Pe. s s (M rH =; o \a CO (N ,-1 o o o o o o o O O O O O O O o d eo «! CO ir^ CO lO iC TO lO -^ -^ o O iH 50 ■* OS t-,-* O O o o aouaiDAsuaa 3 3 o o irt CO » in [N c^ o o o o o o o o o o o o o o ci T^ m ca a o'tD CO CO C- CO O CO L- ©" O O O "o o" M 1 joj s:^u^pn^s | N i LO o : LO 00 : II \ eg lo CM lo lA o ^ t- C- r-( CO OC CO Oi puB sjaaijjo i3 ci : i-< CO O 00 "-t t- CO C<1 eg rH WW'* S|Ooq3g '"' ^ -0" (N : cj t-H r-( *" eq vh" 00 1"^ (JdUIJIJUOOUXl .H CO sq^Baa rH O eg o t- o .-* o oc B:^uBDiuniuuio3 w o s^:^B^a "^ J) di eg CO c« tH eg so 00 r 00 UU aansBJa -1 o o o o <= o o t- 1 •luooxg; = O \ O O C) o o o.c passioiSTQ = to 1 \ CM u5 eg o o "*|(c 1 --r 31^3IJ!^-I30 ^ ^ i) CO ; \ O OJ O ■* to COj'-H pauiaijuoQ ^ '-' a o \ iH WW. •dBg ^[npv ( J! O ■>* CO o o o eg "V 1 i~ •dBg -jui jc^J mI 3> (M ; .-1 eg 00 o 1-1 CM CO W 1-1 iH c\ paiujijuooua ?5 N| 35 ^ i o o o o so eg ur t- i-< lO 00 lO 00 , o 12 00 £4 paunoiLuoQ ^ ;^ * CO £) ,-1 M N O O rH 00 •-< OS .* CD ffi Oi CD O lO .* iH .H .-< rH .-< CO o ^ K to M C<1 5" "w T 4 4 2| 197 1| 244 1 169 2 184 3 120 1 186 2112820 suoi^BSajSuoo P MINISTERS CHARGES A. M. Keifer Greenville D. B. Lady, D. D. Shenango S. T. Wagner Watson Run L. P. Goerris No Charge O i i fa n) U 1 p Q _a)" P. <: w -3 A. S. Glessner Saegertown F. L. Kerr Meadville M. N. George Sharon J. E. Sheetz Sharpsville ..; Vacant Grove City Totals 430 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES Albert B. Bauman A. B. Bauman, son of Rev. Freder- ick and Elizabeth J. Bauman, was born in Zwingle, Iowa, June 17th, 18B6; attended Epworth Seminary, College of Northern Illinois, Frank- lin and Marshall College, class of 1889, and Eastern Theological Semi- nary, class of 1892. Supplied St. Paul's Reformed church, Baltimore, Md., during the pastor's absence, the summer of 1892 ; licensed by Virginia Classis, October 28th, 1892. and was ordained and installed pastor of the Harrisvills charge in St. John's church, Harrisville, Va., October 30ih, 1892, by Rev. J. A. Hoffheims, D. D., and Rev. H. St. John Rinker. Pastorates : Harrisville, Va., eight years and three months ; Pitcairri, Pa., six years and eight months ; St. Luke's, Baltimore, Md., two years and eight months; Greenville, Pa., since May 1st, 1910. William Martin Dieffenderfek Win. M. Dieffenderfer, son of Allen Victor and Emma Elizabeth (Muir) Diefifenderfer, was born at Emans, Lehigh Co., Pa., Nov. 11th, 1881, and educated at Perkiomen Seminary, Franklin and Marshall Col- lege, ard the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating from college in 1903, and from the seminary in 1906. He was licensed by Lehigh Classis, May 21st, 190G, and ordained by St. Paul's Classis at Sharon, Pa., July 22nd, 1906, the ordination committee being compos- ed cf Rev. W. J. Muir and Rev. H. F. Keller. He has been pastor of St. Paul's Reformed church, Sharon, Pa., since his ordination to the present time. Rev. Mr. D:ef- St. Paul's Classis 431 fenderf er was married to Miss Alvira A. Warner, of Shar- on, Pa., in June, 1920. From the fall of 1911 to the pres- ent time Mr. Dieff enderfer has been an instructor in the Sharon High School, in addition to his pastoral work, for the first seven years as head of the German depart- ment, and for the last two years as principal of the Freshman building and instructor in History and Physi- cal Geography. 0. H. DORSCHEL 0. H. Dorschel, B. D., son of Oscar and Elizabeth (Hofeinz) Dorschel, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 7th, 1878; educated at the Mission House, Sheboygan, Wis- consin, and took a post-graduate course at the Eastern Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pa.; licensed and or- dained by West New York Classis on May 12th, 1910, Pres. M. P. Shoepfle, and Wm. BoUman, Stated Clerk. Pastorates: Clarence, N. Y., 1910-1914; Buffalo, N. Y., 1914 Eev. Mr. Dorschel was married June 28th, 1910, to Miss Elsie Helen Saenger. There are three chil- dren, Margaret, Eunice, and Clarence. Benjamin Beatty Ferer Rev. B. B. Ferer, D. D., son of Wil- liam and Susan (Beatty) Ferer, was born in Easton, Pa., Nov. 21st, 1853, graduated from the Easton High School in 1871, Franklin and Mar- shall College, with the Franklin Ora- tion, in 1875, and from the Eastern Theological Seminary in 1878; was licensed by East Pennsylvania Classis in 1878; ordained by Westmoreland Classis the same year, Rev. G. D. Gurley being chairman of the commit- tee. Pastorates: Pleasant Unity, Pa., 1878-1884; Rieg-. elsville. Pa., 1884-1906; Meadville, Pa., 1906 Re- ceived the degree of D. D., in 1901; president of East- ern Synod, member of the Board of Visitors of the Eastern Seminary, Phi. Beta Kappa, president of the School Controllers of Meadville for six years. Dr. Ferer's labors were marked by improvements to the church prop- 432 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod erty, and largely increased benevolence, the beautiful church in Meadville, now free from debt, being the crowning evidence. Rev. Mr. Ferer was married to Miss Laura F. Kline, of Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 6th, 1880. There are four children: Charles K., M. D., Edmund Fcltz, Civil Engineer, Ruth, teacher in the Meadville High School, and Clara, in her brother's office in Meadville. Addison Hershey Groff A. H. Groff, son of Addison M. and Mary Elizabeth (Hershey) Groff, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., on June 22nd, 1891, and was edu- cated in the Lancaster High School, Franklin and Marshall Academy and Franklin and Marshall College, grad- uating from college in 1910, and in bhe Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating in 1913. He spent the summer of 1919 in the University of Chicago. Mr. Groff was licensed by Lan- caster Classis on May 9th, 1913, and ordained June 19th, 1913, by Allegheny Classis, the ministers officiating at the ordination being Revs. Lewis Robb, D. D., H. A. Shiffer, and W. H. Tussing. His pastorates have been: Christ Reformed Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1913-1917, and Dewey Avenue Reformed Church, Rochester, N. Y., 1917, to the present time. Rev. Mr. Groff was married to Miss Rebecca Keiper, Oct. 28th, 1913. There are two children : Caroline, and Addison R. Alexander M. Keifer Alexander M. Keifer, son of James and Rebecca Keifer, was born at Manor, Pa., Feb. 13th, 1862 ; was ed- ucated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed May 23d, 1889, by Clarion Classis; and ordained by the same Classis on the same date. Pastorates : Plum Creek charge. Pa., St. Paul's Classis 433 1889-1890; Greenville, Pa., 1890-1909; Superintendent of St. Paul's Orphans' Home from May 14th, 1909, to date. Married to Miss Rosa Welty, May 14th, 1889; married, second time, to Miss Maida L. Henning. One child, Mary Rosa, now Mrs. Rev. I. G. Nace. William Henry Kerschner William H. Kerschner, son of J. Peter and Harriet (Reichard) Ker- schner, was born in Ottercreek Town- ship, Mercer County, Pa., Jan. 13th, 1870 ; educated at Fredonia Institute, Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating from the latter May 14th, 1903 ; licensed by St. Paul's Classis, June 5th, 1903 ; ordained by Clarion Classis July 17th, 1903, committee: Revs. R. C. Bowling, D. D., and U. 0. H. Kerschner. Pastorates : Plum Creek charge, Pa., 1903- 1914; the Watson Run charge. Pa., 1914.... Married Oct. 13th, 1903, to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, of Hadley, Pa. One daughter Ida Marie, born Jan. 16th, 1905. Harvey S. Nicholson Harvey S. Nicholson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Simon C. R. Nicholson, was born in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, Pa., Dec. 28th, 1861 ; educated at Clarion Colleg- iate Institute, Grove City College and the Heidelberg Theological Seminary; licensed by Somerset Classis May 9th, 1896 ; ordained by St. Joseph's Classis, Aug. 2d, 1896 : committee: Revs. F. Ware, and J. A. Albright. Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D., preached the sermon by request. Pas- torates: Colon, Mich., 8 years; the Beaver charge, Pa., 10 years and 4 months ; Grove City, Pa., since Oct., 1914. Married to Miss Lily Good, of Tiffin, Ohio, Oct. 12th, 1897. Four children: Paul Reuben, Stanley Reese, Anna, and Nevin Good Nicholson. Organized the congregation at Colon, Mich., built two new churches, repaired two 20 434 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod and bought a parsonage ; stated clerk of St. Joseph's. Clas- sis ; stated clerk of St. Paul's Classis ; president of Clar- ion Classis; member of the board of directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home ; editor of the Gleaner and of the Guardian and twice a delegate to General Synod. Adam Calvin Renoll Adam C. Renoll, Ph.D., son of Elias M. and Mary Ann Renoll, was born at Hanover, Pa., 1875 ; educated at Heidelberg University, TifRni 0., graduating in 1897, and graduated from Heidelberg Seminary in 1900; receiving the degree of A. M., from Heidelberg University in 1900; the degree of Ph.D., from Grove City Col- lege in 1911. Mr. Renoll was ordained by St. John's Classis, May 2d, 1900. Pastorates: Waynesburg, Ohio, 1900-1906 ; St. Petersburg, Pa., 1906-1910 ; Grace Church, Altoona, Pa., 1910-1917 ; Shenango charge. Pa., 1917. Cyrus George Shupe Cyrus G. Shupe, son of Lewis B. and Caroline B. Shupe, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., Oct. 13th, 1878; educated at Mt. Pleasant Institute, Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed by Westmoreland Classis, May, 1905; ordained by Somerset Classis, June 4th, 1905 : committee : Revs. A. R. Kremer, D. D., A. E. Truxal, D. D., and H. S. May, the sermon being preached by Rev. A. E. Truxal, D D. Pastorates : Wills Creek Charge, Pa., 1905- 1908; Ruffsdale Charge, Pa., 1908-1911; Zion's Charge, Crawford County, Pa., 1911 Married to Miss Mar- garet Mclntyre of Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 11th, 1907. There is one child, Margaret Alice Shupe. St. Paul's Classis 435 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHARGES AND CONGREGATIONS OF ST. PAUL'S CLASSIS Greenville Charge Zion's Reformed Church. Zion's Reformed Church, of Greenville, Pa., was organ- ized by Rev. Henry F. Hartman, pastor of the Shenango Charge, Jan. 27th, 1861. Daniel Saul, Sr., was elected Elder and Aaron Saul and John Kern, Deacons. The con- gregation purchased a church from the congregational- ■ zion's REFD. church, GREENVILLE, PA. 436 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod ists in May, 1863, which was afterwards sold to the St. Clements Episcopal Church and is still in use. The corner stone of the present church was laid July 11th, 1885, and the dedication took place Sept. 4th, 1887, during the pas- torate of Rev. S. H. Eisenberg. A steam heating plant and a pipe organ were installed during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Keifer. In the summer of 1911, in the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Bauman, a hard wood floor was laid in the auditorium and new pews were placed in the church and the gallery built, and in 1916 the building was enlarged by an addition of 28x55 feet at a cost of $15,000. The present membership is 910. The present consistory is composed of eight elders and eight deacons : Elders : W. J. Moyer, J. Fred Christman, A. H. Derr, D. H. Mathey, W. H. Loch, P. F. Deissler, Ernest Fisher, and R. E. Thorne; Deacons: W. E. Miller, J. A. Packard, W. A. Shadt, Robert Croll, George Moyer, George Seiple, Ralph Jaxtheimer, and Nevin Bolivar. Greenville Pastorates : Rev. Henry F. Hartman 1861—1865 Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher 1865—1878 Rev. F. B. Hahn 1878—1884 Rev. S. H. Eisenberg 1884—1889 Rev. A. M. Keifer 1890—1909 Rev A. B. Bauman 1910—1920 St. Paul's Reformed Church. Sharon. Pa. St. Paul's Congregation of Sharon, Pa., was organized . about 1860, by Rev. L. J. Mayer. The earliest records go back to 1866, in the ministry of Rev. J. H. Stepler. There were at first three congregations in the charge : Jerusa- lem or Hickory, St. Mark's, both now abandoned, and St. Paul's. The first house of worship for St. Paul's con- gregation was erected in Rev. Mayer's pastorate, near Trout's Corner, some distance from Sharon. In 1874 the congregation began to hold services in town, and the same year bought a lot on Sharpsville street and erect- ed a church at a cost of $4095. A parsonage was built in the rear of the church in 1883. In 1907 the church was remodeled, side walks laid, and the property gener- St. Paul's Classis 437 ally improved. In 1910, the parsonage was removed and a Sunday School building erected upon its site at a cost of |5,500. In 1905 there were 165 members. The present membership is 368. The services were at first held ex- clusively in German. English services were introduced in 1895. Since 1907 all the services are held in English. The congregation is thinking of making additional im- provements to its property. The following have been pastors : Revs. L. J. Mayer, 1860-1866; J. H. Stepler, D. D., 1866-1873; F. P. Hart- metz, 1873-1882 ; E. Gruenstein, 1882-1888 ; L. J. Mayer, a second pastorate, 1888-1891 ; F. Pilgrim, supply, 1891- 1892 ; Fred Emmer, 1892-1894 ; Louis P. Goerrig, 1894- 1899 ; M. N. George, 1900-1901 ; W. H. Millhouse, 1902- 1905 ; W. M. Dieffenderfer, 1906 to the present time. WATSON RUN CHARGE St. John's and Watson Run Congregations St. John's Congregation. St. John's congregation was organized in 1836 by the Rev. Philip Zeiser and was a part of the Meadville Charge until 1898, when the St. John's and the Watson Run con- gregations were constituted the Watson Run Charge. The congregation worshipped in Mr. Bery's house for a num- ber of years. Aferwards a church was erected on Union Hill, Union Township, Crawford County, Pa. A new church was built in 1854, another in 1894 which was burned in 1899. In 1900 the present brick veneered church was built. Frederick D. Weber was the first elder. The ministers who served this charge were : Revs. Philip Zeiser, 1835-1848; B. E. David, 1849-1853; Renter, Abel, Klopp, Kahler, and L. D. Leberman, 1853-1868; Frederick Wahl, 1868-1871; D. D. Leberman, 1872-1885; F. B. Hahn, 1885-1888 ; T. S. Land, 1889-1895 ; A. M. Shaffner, 1895-1898; S. T. Wagner, 1898-1901; W. S. Hartzell, 1903-1905 ; C. A. Bushong, 1905-1913 ; W. H. Kerschner, 438 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod 1914. The officers for 1920 are : Elders : Daniel Ehr- gott and John Ernst, Sr. ; Deacons : W. W. Ehrgott and Aaron Shilling ; Trustees : David Bery, A. M. Crooks and Conrad Kahler ; Secretary and Treasurer : W. E. Klipple. The membership is 107. Watson Run Congregation. Watson Run congregation was organized by Rev. Philip Zeiser sometime between 1835 and 1840. The congrega- tion worshipped in the school house until 1850 when the present church building was erected in the southwestern part of Vernon Township, Crawford County, Pa. The building was dedicated under the pastorate of Rev. D. B. Ernst and was remodeled in 1905 making an up-to-date rural church. The congregation belonged to the Saeger- town charge until 1898. The ministers serving this con- gregation were : Revs. Philip Zeiser, D. B. Ernst, D. E. Klopp, F. Wahl, J. H. Apple, A. A. Black, 1886-1888; D. H. Leader, 1889-1893; F. M. Line, 1894-1898; S. T. Wag- ner, 1898-1901 ; W. S. Hartzell, 1903-1905 ; Chas. A. Bush- ong, 1906-1913 ; W. H. Kerschner, 1914 The present consistory is : Elders : Daniel Holabaugh, and G. W. Brown; Deacons: F. L. Brown, and Wm. Breckenridge ; Trustees : Earl Keller and Chas. H. Brown ; Secretary and Treasurer, Edgar A. Brown. The present enrollment is 138. Grove City Mission Christ Reformed Church Christ Reformed Church, of Grove City, Pa., was or- ganized by Rev. George E. Limbert July 9th, 1893. The first consistory was: Elders: Peter Hassel, and Jacob Reimold ; Deacons : Chas. Dresh and Elias Klink. The corner stone of the church was laid Oct. 25th, 1895 ; min- isters assisting the pastor were : Revs. A. M. Keifer and U. 0. H. Kerschner. The church was dedicated July 5th, 1896, minister assisting: Prof. J. B. McClellan, Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., and Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D., latter preaching St. Paul's Classis 439 the dedicatory sermon. Pastors : Rev. George E. Limbert 1893-1900 ; Rev. D. W. Kerr, 1900-1902 ; Rev. E. S. Hass- ler, 1902-1908; Rev. A. K. Kline, 1909-1914; Rev. H. S. Nicholson, 1914. The present membership is 112. The consistory for 1920 is : Elders : D. H. Mohr, C. C. Pearson and James Annable; Deacons: Ralph C. Allen, Dr. George Harry and Edw^ard Moan. Shenango Charge St. John's and Jerusalem Congregations. St. John's Congregation Under the pastorates of Rev. Philip Zeiser, Reformed, and Michael Kughler, Lutheran, congregations were or- ganized and a union log church was built in 1837, seven miles south of Greenville on the Greenville-Mercer road. The total outlay of money for the building was about $60 in cash and the collectors on Jan. 1st, 1838, when ac- counts were audited placed the unused balance of their collections, $5.31, in the hands of the trustees. The first communion of the Reformed congregation was held April 29th, 1838. The first record of the elec- tion and installation of oificers was in January, 1837, when Isaac Siegfried was elected trustee and Benjamin Moyer, deacon. In January, 1838, Daniel Hecker was elected Elder and and' Peter Waugaman, Deaeon. The corner stone of the second building, still in use but which will probably be re-placed by a new building during the summer of 1920, was laid in 1846. Rev. Philip Zeiser 1837—1848 Rev. Benjamin Boyer 1849 — 1853 Rev. Frederick Wahl 1853—1856 Rev. H. F. Hartman 1857—1866 Rev. F. Pilgrim .'. 1866—1868 Rev. H. C. Heyser 1869—1872 Rev. F. Pilgrim 1872—1887 Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D 1888—1894 Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D 1894—1900 Rev. W. J. -Muir 1900—1909 Rev. A. C. Brown 1910—1916 Rev. A. C. Renoll, Ph.D 1917— 440 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Jerusalem Congregation. The Jerusalem congregation was organized in 1842 by Rev. Philip Zeiser. A log church was erected soon after- wards in which the congregation worshipped until 1855. In that year a frame church 40x45 feet was built. The third church, a brick veneered building, was erected in 1898, under the pastorate of Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., who also served as chairman of the building committee. The dedication took place Feb. 12th, 1899. The pastor was assisted by Rev. R. C. Bowling, Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D., and Rev. U. 0. H. Kerschner. Four sons of this congre- gation are in the ministry : U. O. H. Kerschner, of New- port, Pa. ; Conrad Iffert, of Humboldt, Nebr. ; W. H. Kerschner, of Meadville, Pa., and I. G. Snyder, of Monroe, Pa. Pastors : Rev. Philip Zeiser 1842—1843 ' A Licentiate from Ohio 1848—1853 Rev. Frederick Wahl 1853—1856 Rev. Henry F. Hartman 1856 — 1866 . Ref. Frederick Pilgrim 1866—1868 Rev. H. C. Heyser 1869—1872 Rev. Frederick Pilgrim 1872 — 1887 Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D 1888—1894 Rev. D. B. Lady, D. B 1894—1900 Rev. W. J. Muir 1900—1909 Rev. C. H. Brown 1909—1916 Rev. A. C. Renoll, Ph.D 1917— ZioN's Charge St. Mark's, St. John's, Zion's and Trinity Congregations. St. Mark's Congregation. St. Mark's Congregation was organized by Rev. D. B. Ernst, in the Prospect school house sometime between 1850 and 1858. The corner stone for a church was laid in Sept., 1867, by Rev. L. D. Leberman, C. M. Boush, Esq., of Greenville, making the address. The church was dedi- cated, July 12th, 1868, by Rev. D. B. Ernst, V\^ho was as- sisted in the services by Rev. L. D. Leberman. The Elders were : H. M. Stitzer and A. G. Apple ; Deacons : St. Paul's Classis 441 James Hart and Mathias Flaugh. The membership is 95. The consistory : Elders : Henry Smith and Fred Flaugh; Deacons: Paul J. Freyermuth and Hugh Du- pont. During the pastorate of the Rev. J. D. Thomas the St. Mark's church was remodeled. In 1900 Miss Lucy M. Powell, a member of St. Mark's Congregation, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Powell, was elected as a teacher in the Girl's School in Sendai, Japan, holding this position for seven years. St. John's Congregation. St. John's Congregation was organized by Rev. L. D. Leberman in 1861. A church was erected before the congregation was organized. Rev. D. B. Ernst and L. D. Leberman officiated at the corner stone laying and ded- ication. Elders: Jonathan Berger and Levi Peters; Deacons : Henry Hollabaugh and Peter Steiner. The church has a membership of 88. The present consistory is : Elders : Grant Nelson and Meade Hoflfman ; Deacons : Fred Pattison and C. E. Peters, Jr. Zion's Congregation. Zion's Congregation has a membership of 72. The present consistory is : Elders : W. A. Pattison, Jr., and Frank Walters ; Deacons : Elmer Loubold and John Kohler. Trinity Church. Trinity Church has a membership of 26. The con- sistory at present is : ' Elders : Henry Knodler and H, B. Hecker; Deacons: Henry Rung and James P. Crook- hamm. The St. Mark's and St. John's Congregations of this charge were at one time connected with the Meadville congregation. Pastors : 442 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Rev. John Kretzing 1863—1873 Rev. Josiah May 1874—1876 Rev. John W. Pontius 1877—1887 Rev. John D. Thomas 1887—1896 Rev. D. E. Master 1896—1901 Rev. H. H. Wiant 1901—1904 Rev. W. S. Fisher.. 1904—1911 Rev. C. G. Shupe 1911— Meadville Charge St. Paul's Congregation St. Paul's Church, of Meadville, Pa., was organized by Rev. Benjamin Boyer in 1826. Mr. Boyer resided in Saegertuwn and came to Meadville every two weeks and preached to the congregation in the courthouse. A small wooden church was erected in connection with the Lutherans on the corner of Pine and Chancery Streets in 1847. Rev. Boyer served the congregation until 1850, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. B. Ernst. From 1854 to 1859 the congregation was supplied by several men who were nut ministers of the Reformed Church. Rev. L. D. Leberman became pastor in 1859. Sometime later the Reformed interest in this property was sold to the Lutherans and a church was built on the corner of Park Avenue and Poplar street in 1867. A conflict between the English and Germans occasion- ed a division in 1868. In 1909 a large new church with all modern conveniences was built. The congregation is incorporated and well organized. The membership is 286. A parsonage was built in 1895. The pastors were: Rev. Benjamin Boyei 1826—18.50 Re-". D. B. Ernst 1850—1854 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1859—1866 Reev. F. B. Hahn 1885—1888 Rev. T. S. Land 1889—1895 Rev. A. M. Schaffner 1895—1899 Rev. F. L. Kerr 1899-1903 Rev. Lewis Reiter 1903 — 1905 Rev. B. B. Ferer 1905— St. Paul's Classis 443 ST. PAUL'S KEFD. CHURCH, MEADVILLE, PA. 444 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Dewey Avenue Reformed Church, Rochester, N. Y. Dewey Avenue Reformed church was organized July 30th, 1912, by Rev. Walter R. Clark with 39 charter mem- bers. C. Van Aalst and F. C. Hall were elected Elders, and John De Visser and J. C. Van Ryne, Deacons. The corner stone of the church was laid Nov. 10th, 1912. The ministers assisting the pastor were Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., J. M. G. Darms, D. D., and W. H. Hoch. The church was dedicated June 15th, 1913, the ministers as- sisting being: Revs. J. M. S. Darms, D. D., Charles E. Schaeffer, D. D., D. A. Souders, D. D., A. B. Bauman, and D. B. Clark. The cost of the church was 14,000. The church was decorated in 1918 at a cost of $1400. At the re-dedication Sept. 29th, of that year, Elder Jos. S. Wise, treasurer of the Home Mission Board, made the address. The present membership is 225. The pastors have been : Rev. Walter R. Clark, from May 16th, 1912, to April 1st, 1917 ; Rev. Addison H. Groff , from August 15th, 1917, to the present time. Pymatuning Charge St. Mark's, Zion's and Jerusalem Congregations. St. Mark's. The St. Mark's Congregation of New Hamburg, was or- ganized by Rev. H. F. Hartman, pastor of the West Greenville charge, Sept. 30th, 1860, with thirty members, and an old church in the village was bought for the use of the congregation. In 1865 this congregation and a newly organized congregation in Greenville were made a charge, and Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher became the pastor. He continued for thirteen years, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. B. Hahn in 1878, and he by Rev. S. H. Eisen- berg in 1885. Rev. A. M. Keifer became pastor in 1890, H. I. Crow, 1895 to 1901 ; J. W. Albertson, 1901 to 1903; D W. Kerr, 1908 to 1906; E. C. Musselman, 1906 to 1908; W. S. Fisher, 1910 to 1914; H. S. Garner, 1915 to 1918. A new church was built in 1894, at a cost of $7,000. The next year the congregation was separated from the St. Paul's Classis 445 Greenville charge and made a charge by itself. In 1909 it was connected with the Zion's congregation at Trans- fer and the Jerusalem congregation in Hickory Town- ship in a new charge called the Pymatuning charge. The St. Mark's congregation has ninety-seven members. The Elders at present are : S. B. Hall, J. A. Kashner, W. F. Heckman and W. H. Saul; the Deacons: I. E. George, R. B. Buckley, C. A. Kashner and C. C. Stoyer. Zion's Church. Zion's Congregation of the Pymatuning charge began in 1853, when some thirty members of the Reformec and Lutheran congregations at Good Hope erected a "more convenient" place of worship at Rickerts corners, Pyma- tuning Tovsmship. Because of opposition on the part of the mother church the organization was not completed until the following year, during the pastorate of Rev. Frederick Wahl. The first communion was held in May, 1854, when there were twenty communicants. The first officers were : Elder John Zimmerman ; Deacons : Samuel Kemerer and George Batteiger ; treasurer, Solomon Dief- fenderfer. The Reformed congregation decided to change its place of worship from Rickerts corner to Transfer in 1900, dur- ing the pastorate of Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., and in 1902, during the pastorate of Rev. W. J. Muir dedicated a new brick church. Dr. Lady then of New Kensington, Pa., preached the dedication sermon, and Rev. 0. H. Strunck of Schuylkill Haven made the financial address. Judge Miller of Mercer addressed the congregation in the aft- ernoon. This congregation constituted a part of the "West Greenville," later the Shenango charge, until Dec. 4, 1909, when in connection with the St. Mark's congrega- tion, New Hamburg, and the Jerusalem, or Hickory con- gregation, the Pymatuning charge was constituted, which was served by the following pastors : Rev. Will S. Fisher 1911—1914 Rev. H. S. Garner 1915—1918 446 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Grace Church, Buffalo, N. Y. On October 1st, 1914, the Board of Home Missions sent the Rev. 0. H. Dorschel to begin work in the district of this city called Kensington. A place was finally select- ed about a mile from the nearest Reformed church of which there were already seven in the city. It was a promising district for our work since so many of our people were locating there. On Dec. 6th, following,, the organization was effected with eight charter members. It worshipped at first in the lower flat of a building across the street from its present location. It was soon evident that a better and more suitable place of wor- ship was necessary. Within a few weeks after the work was started a lot was secured with the aid of the Board of Home Missions which also assisted in putting up the present house of worship. The corner stone was laid on Sunday, May 2d, 1915, by the pastor, the pastors of the other Reformed churches of the city assisting at this ser- vice. It was fortunate for Grace to be called into existence at this time from a financial point of view since the prices of materials were not yet in the ascendency. Thus it hap- pened that we obtained a property of 100x120 feet, with a brick veneered building 35x50 feet, completely furnished for $8500, the sum invested by the Board. Last De- cember Grace church was privileged to celebrate its Fifth Anniversary and rejoice in having been permitted to in- crease the valuation of its property to $24000, without any help from the board. The building was enlarged to make room for a pipe organ, given to us by Zion Re- formed church of Buffalo which was overhauled and in- stalled by Grace church. An adjoining lot was purchas- ed and paid for, on which a Community House has been erected in the past year. A parsonage was also built last year and the pastor is now comfortably housed on the church property. The church is located in a growing section of the city, and prospects for a flourishing con- gregation are good. The present membership is 172 persons. CHAPTER XXVI. Somerset Classis By Rev. A. E. Truxal, D. D. The territory of Somerset Classis lies between the Alle- gheny Mountains on the East and the Laurel Hill on the West. For a hundred years after the Declaration of In- dependence, no raidroad traversed this section of the state. Because of this isolation the Reformed church de- veloped in a large measure its own life and spirit. The people who settled in this territory came largely from eastern Pennsylvania and eastern Maryland. Many of the family names of Somerset County are found in the eastern portion of the country. In the early days of the church pastors in the east were wont to make occasional missionary tours to out- lying sections west of them. Evidence of such visits to Somerset County is found in the records which state that on Oct. 9th, 1777, seventeen children were baptized in Berlin, and a number of others again in 1779; in neither case is the name of the officiating minister given. The Berlin congregation is not only the oldest con- gregation in the classis but for many years it was the center of the Reformed church in this section of the country. Its first pastor mentioned was Rev. John Wil- liam Weber, who came to Western Pennsylvania in 1782, locating in Westmoreland County. He came from time to time to Somerset County and ministered to the Re- formed people at Berlin and probably visited also Salis- bury. He was regarded as the pastor of the Berlin con- gregation as late as 1788, in which year, however, the despicable Rev. Cyriacus Spangenberg took charge of this field. As stated in another chapter of this book, in 447 448 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod 1794 he stabbed to death Elder Jacob Glessner in the church. For the commission of this crime he was hang- ed in the town of Bedford. In 1794 or 1795 Rev. Henry Giese became the pastor of the Berlin charge, serving at first, Berlin, Salisbury and Bedford. He remained in this field a period of thir- ty-eight years, during which he traveled all over the county and organized congregations as opportunity of- fered, at Somerset, New Centreville, Samuels, now Lev- ansville, Wellersburg, Stoyestown, Stonycreek and San- ners, all of which in addition to Berlin and Salisbury he served at one time, when he was the only Reformed min- ister in the county. In 1818 Rev. J. H. Kieffer, M. D., arrived and took charge of Somerset, New Centreville and Sanners con- gregations. He established a preaching point at the Rhodes Schoolhouse out of which later grew the Beam church. Mr. Kieffer left under a cloud in 1825 or 26. In 1827 Rev. H. E. F. Voigt became pastor of Wellers- burg and neighboring congregations, which he served for about two years. Then for five or six years. Rev. Mr. Giese was again the only Reformed minister in the county. In 1831 Rev. Herman Ibbeken came to Mr. Giese's aid and served Somerset, Samuel's, Gideon (New Centre- ville), Rhodes, Friedens, Southampton and Wellersburg. He died in 1845 and was buried in the Somerset ceme- tery. In 1833 Father Giese resigned his remaining congre- gations on account of the infirmities of old age, lived a retired life until 1845 when he was called to his ever- lasting rest. He was buried in the Reformed grave- yard of Berlin. He may appropriately be called the father of the Reformed church in Somerset Classis. In 1835 Rev. Solomon K. Denius became pastor of the Berlin charge and served it about six years. He was the first to introduce the English language in the ser- vices. In the same year Rev. Wm. Conrad became pas- tor of the Grantsville charge just formed. In 1841 he became pastor of the Berlin charge and was succeeded Somerset Classis 449 in the Grantsville charge in 1846 by Rev. Henry Knep- per; and in the same year Rev. Benjamin Knepper be- came pastor of the Wellersburg charge, another new line formed. From 1844 to 1849 Rev. David B. Ernst w^as pastor of the Somerset charge. He v^as followed in 1851 by Rev. Charles F. Hoffmeier; in 1858 by Rev. F. K. Levan; in 1861 by Rev. E. R. Eschbaugh; and in 1862 by Rev. G. H. Johnston. Rev. Mr. Conrad resigned the Berlin charge in 1859 ; aftervi^ards served the Beam charge from 1859 to 1862, and died in Berlin in 1865 ; his earthly remains lie in the Berlin graveyard. He vs^as followed in Berlin in 1860 by Rev F. A. Edmonds ; in 1864 by Rev. F. Wahl ; and in 1866 by Rev. William Rupp. The Glade charge was organized in 1851 with Stoyes- town as its center and was served five years by Rev. John Hoyman and several years by Rev. A. B. Koplin. The Beam charge organized in 1859 was served sev- eral years by Rev. Mr. Conrad, a short time by Rev. W. H. H. Hibschman ; and in 1865 Rev. A. J. Heller be- came its pastor. The Grantsville charge was served by the following pastors : Revs. H. Knepper, John McConnell, six months ; G. A. Fichus, one year; and from 1858 by Rev. A. B. Koplin. The foregoing historical outline has been made with the intention of leading up to the presence of Revs. A. B. Koplin, G. H. Johnston, A. J. Heller, and Wil- liam Rupp in this field. To this group belonged also in the beginning Rev. John H. Sykes, and later, Revs. H. F. Keener and John Ruhl. These brethren united themselves into a body for the defense of churchly Christianity which had been se- verely assailed. New Measureism, ^s it was called, had arisen in the country and threatened to sweep every- thing before it. It naturally belonged to the Metho- dists and Evangelicals; and the Lutherans, the largest church in the county, had also come almost entirely under the influence of its ideas and practices. Sever- 450 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod al of the Reformed pastors and charges had fallen in with the movement, arid nearly all of the Reformed congrega- tions of the county were more or less affected by it. In 1867 the above mentioned brethren formed themselves into a ministerium which was maintained for five years, meeting every few months in some congregation. It met in almost every congregation in the county and in some of them several times. Th^ sessions continued from Tuesday evening to Thursday evening inclusive. At the evening sessions sermons were preached and sub- jects discussed before the congregation. During the day the ministers considered church questions among them- selves. Their programs were composed of subjects in church history, christian doctrine and religious cultus. They created a counter revival in churchliness and brought the Reformed church to a consciousness of its own life and spirit and inspired its members with a zeal and devotion to their own church. Bitter opposition was called forth from the advocates of New Measureism and the Reformed ministers and their teaching were crit- icised and condemmed from pulpit and street corner. Later, however, the other churches were also benefitted by the jjosition maintained by the pastors of the Re- formed church of this period. After the organization of Pittsburgh Synod in 1870 it was felt that Westmoreland Classis ought to be divided into several classes. The classis extended from the Kis- kiminetas river on the north to the Potomac river at Cum- berland on the south. Besides there was at this time scarcely any railroad connection between the different sec- tions of this territory, and as a consequence attendance upon the regular and special meetings of classis was some- times inconvenient and laborious. Accordingly in response to petitions properly submit- ted to it the Pittsburgh Synod, meeting in Greensburg in 1871, ordered two new classes to be formed: Allegheny to be constituted of a portion of Westmoreland Classis; Somerset Classis 451 and Somerset to be composed of the churches in Somerset county and adjacent territory in Maryland. In obedience to this action of Synod the following min- isters and delegate elders of this section of the church met in Salem Reformed church, Frostburg, Md., June 6th, and 7th, 1872: Revs. Benjamin Knepper, G. H. Johnston, William Rupp, A. B. Koplin, H. F. Keener, John Ruhl, and C. Cast, and Elders : A. C. Lepley, Samuel Durst, Philip Hay, Michael Brubaker, Conrad Noltey and Sam- uel Foust. By appointment of Synod Rev. Wm. Rupp preached the opening sermon and presided at the or- ganization. The officers elected were : Rev. J. Ruhl, pres- ident, Rev. H. F. Keener, stated clerk; Rev. Wm. Rupp, treasurer; and Rev. A. B. Koplin, corresponding secre- tary. At the time of its organization the classis consisted of the following charges : Berlin, with four congregations, Rev. Wm. Rupp, pastor; Somerset, with four congrega- tions, without a pastor at the time; Paradise with four congregations. Rev. A. B. Koplin, pastor; Wellersburg, with seven congregations. Rev. Benjamin Knepper, pas- tor; Beam, with five congregations. Rev. H. F. Keener, pastor; Frostburg, with one congregation. Rev. J. Ruhl, pastor; Cumberland, with one congregation (German), Rev. C. Cast, pastor ; St. John's, with five congregations, vacant; Dale City (Meyersdale) with two congregations, vacant ; Missionary Superintendent of Synod, Rev. G. H. Johnston. There were accordingly nine charges, thirty- three congregations, six pastors and one minister in the employ of Synod without a charge, 2138 confirmed mem- bers, 1847 unconfirmed, 1753 communed, seventeen Sun- day Schools, 787 scholars, and $3100 benevolent contri- butions. Soon after the organization of classis the following vacant charges received pastors: Somerset, Rev. A. E. Truxal; Meyersdale, Rev. L. D. Steckel, and St. John's, Rev. J. W. Alspach. Other ministers connected with Classis since then were : F. R. Schwedes, C. U. Heilman, W. H. Bates, S. R. Briden- 452 The History op the Pittsburgh Synod baugh, J. S. Wagner twice ; W. W. Deatrick, M. H. Dief- fenderfer, Hiram King, J. M. Schick, W. D. Lefever, G. M. Zacharias, C. Gumbert, I. N. Burger, J. M. Evans, C. H. Reiter, A. R. Kremer, G. A. Schwedes, A. J. Heller, Rob- ert O'Boyle, Aug. Guenthei*, A. G. Gekeler, R. Fricke, Wm. Rupp, J. B. Stonesifer, E. E. Weller, D. 0. Shoemaker, A. C. Snyder, S. C. Long, A. S. Glessner, L. T. Lampe, E. S. Hassler, D. H. Leader, F. Wetzel, H. Dieckman, A. E. Truxal, the second time; E. P. Skyles, J. T. Balliet, U. C. E. Gutelius, C. A. Hauser, J. F. Bair, J. D. Hunsicker, A. Walker, R. F. Main, J. P. Harner, H. S. May, C. B. Reb- ert, W. H. Lahr, W. C. Sykes, J. F. Kerlin, A. W. Kaske, twice; C. Skyles, S. C. Stover, W. H. Landis, H. H. Wiant, G. G. Shupe, R. R. Jones, W. H. Millhouse, G. E. Metzger, H. S. Garner, D. N. Dittmar, R. H. Dotterer, I. S. Monn, F. E. Lauffer, H. A. D. Baer, D. S Stephen, A. J. Miller, J C. Enable, A. S. Kresge, J. W. Albertson, W. A. Mc- Clellan, E. F. Hoffmeier, S. R. Kresge, H. H. Spahn, A. J. Herman, L. N. Wilson, L. D. Horn, J. E. Sheetz, M. W. Ruprecht, J. L. Yearick, J. C. Messner, Wm. H. Miller, and J. B. Musser. The following have been licensed by the classis : John S. Wagner, Gyrus J. Musser, C. R. Ferner, G. A. Schwedes, James B. Stonesifer, Elmer E. Weller, Albert S. Glessner, Ellis S. Hay, H. S. Nicholson, Simon Sipple, Benjamin K. Hay, Dennis Sipple, John C. Knable, Paul B. Rupp, Robert M. Stahl, Cyrus F. Glessner. The revival of churchliness produced by the labors of the ministerium, of which mention was made in a pre- vious paragraph, emphasized Christianity as a life that manifests itself in piety and good works. Under the influence of this conception the members of the various congregations were moved to procure new church build- ings better fitted for the orderly worship of the Lord. When the classis was organized all of the churches were old and of ancient style, with the single exception of the Wilhelm church of the Paradise charge, to which refer- ence will be made later. In the fall of 1872 a new church was dedicated at New Centreville ; a few years afterwards Somerset Classis 453 under Rev. H. F. Keener's pastorate, new churches were erected at Beam's and at Mt. Tabor. Afterwards fine churches were built in Berlin, Meyersdale, Somerset, Sal- isbury, Cumberland and Frostburg. The congregations in the villages and in rural districts are also equipped with suitable church buildings, that of Mt. Zion being worthy of special mention. In 1913 to 1915 Amity congre- gation of Meyersdale erected a Sunday School build- ing and social hall, and remodeled the church at consid- erable expense, and now possesses one of the best and most modern church plants in the Synod. Officers of Classis. Somerset Classis has met in almost every congregation within its bounds and in some of them quite frequently. The following table gives the year of meeting and the of- ficers : 454 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod xn W m t/j < h-1 u l>.r!3 i P. £, rt P. J H' a)3"S»4iM)WS> ^«^ jHtf- ajaj(i>aJQ>(DQJQjaJaJa>a)(ua;a)aJQ)(DQjaja)*U3^t-000>Oi-f(MK)'*U5tOOOC-OiOiH(NM55 5? t> t- C^ l> t> t- t> I> 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 05 Oi 05 S ,S 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 5S ?^ rHrHrHrHTHi-(r->>.>v>s>. >>>>>,>. 5 2 k? .? ^ ^ ^ ^ >>>>>>>■>>>>>>>>>■>■> >■ >■>■>>■>> S3 O ^ . . v>t ■ . . m X c 3 S J. 3 MJ3 77 ri F-i fM -^ o K!^""MH gtH-m>i>>>>>■>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>■>>">•>: lOCDt-oociOi-fCNrco^io'Xit-oooiOi-ioqco'^L^tcit-ooai Ci050i050^0000SOOOoOrHi-(.HTHi-liHTHT-lTHrH COCOOOOOOOOiaiOSOi5C501<^0505010i050lOia-OiCSOlOi i-iTHiHi-liHT-(i-CrHiH'~'i-lrHi-lTHT-HT-H,-l,-lt-(iHrHrHiHTHT-( 173 « << w ;^ iz; H H 1^ W •^^ H ^^ > bo - 2'S P :? <>5 ft^ ;z; ,-f^ O >j HH -U 02 H .>d <1 -M OS N ^^ CQ 02 <; 3 C3 o '^V. 1 — 1 a) aj ..H m '< ^ Pi m •1-^ CD i_) CS 02 n1 o -(J (1) H ft 5 1— 1 ai TJ H ^ S a !M O m O O 1— H CO 1— 1 H <^ H M m 13 O o o sasodjn^j ]^uoi^i33aj3uoQ ao^ ee O o r-J 00 CO CO oo" eo CO la c^ oJ o o -^ 00 Ci" o" o § to "^ o" CO o OJ CO CO 1-H N "*" g 00 lO suoissiH uaiajoj Joj o o o o rH CO as- suoissiM auioH Jt>^ ai ^J:^stuII^ joj s^uapn^g 00 t- soi^apos s.aidoaa 3[moA jo s-ioquiap; lO 00 t- So 13U! n°a aiP^-tO P"B •;aaa anioH 'siBioqog lO CO 3 CO OO sjaqoEai puE siaoijjo s[Ooq3S JO -on: D- o (M CO lO lO to »o CO CO to O 1^ i fpauuijuoouf[ 'sm^aQ to'coj -raoo 'sn:jBaa ^ to t- lO OO" o 30 (M g CO to c^ eg o CO CO 00 U5 CM pasBia saui^N Ci o "^ CO pessitasjc b- us to To" (N O uoissajoajijo iBMauag OO" CO Oi o o cT 00 (N m" o (M a> iH -5l-5l-jlTJ>-;i-5l-5l-il-jl-j>-il-j>-;i-;i-; ^SSSSSS HHBHHHE-iHHHHE-JHHHE-JWi-if-ii-i'-sH'-J ^ h h !h 0) ^ pj m c3 c i3 ® «?S:|^ OJ ca ^ Sh -O « o c « 2 C Q 3 -• ■ LJ f^? ^H rt ■» WJ L» r— I V-" S "^ "3 =s si! 9 «'3 a-S 3-e ij .a-fJ W) 2 5-^ :3 ^-o £* <; M 3 .5 jj tJie !- -W.2 3 3 jam . a) (u ! ^H K tj J 300 S 13 S a) 5X1 a, "^ " ^' M-u « 1^3 S3 Wc ■Ph > ^ fi a e3.5 ca = irc !- ■ .-n >, SJ 'x -rH -- C3 S >, rt CgcO'^i^COt-OOasOT-HWCO'^U^CDOOOCSOTHNCOTj' Cr-I:-[>£ri>I>t-L^OOC»OOOOOOOOooOOOOOOCS05C50SOa OOOOOOCOqqoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoOOOOOOOOOooOOOOOO ^H i-H-tH »-fT-(iHT-H^^THTHrHT-trHi-l,-(THTHT-lT-(rHi-lrHtH rHt-jt-jt-if^rlrliC! ' g g M M bJ) 6* M M M 60 « o o o oo o o »^ K ^^ n ^^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^-i-l S S S S S^ S o S a B B S B B S -W" -IJ -U -U +J -IJ 4J 4J -w Q O -fl .c j3 ,j3 ,J3 rC ,i3 rC « OOOQPOOE^EHHHHHE-iHHtnW...... bD bij I? :? !? izi ;? ;zi 1^ izi ^ ^ 1^ ;^ 1^ ;? :^ izi izi !zi ^ ^ f^ W IW02CC02 P3 P3 « rt rt « rt rt tf K rt rt « « « M P3 Pi « ■« K rt Ph tf rt P3 .a) 10) j3 bo ; w -p o fi ^ !3 tS] -p e« P S-Sp ■ "^^ 5 p ^i es.a 2^ o; N ■a.B 3 M^ . 0, > > > a; oj >.>|>>>>>t>t>>t>>>>!>|>>>>t>|> p3p^PiP5P5«tfp3PJP:3piP:?P3PiP3PiP3P5PiP3KP5 » bo S Id bo.-f' ^ ."^ m o tzi . ■ h . 4J -*J • ■-< -P ,M bo s.s rt ^H ^ ^< +j -fi tj bo S .-p en +3 -p ■> a> oT^ bo !^ ■ s -JSTS bOT3 U C3 3 Si •f?" K^ «5 C3 >^ -p Om bo-^ m S"^ - r^ Cd .B C3 !-l Sh 4J oOHm M o ■^.H o a>T3 5+3 « ^< (U C3 « •= ra -p u3 Sj >-S -IJ >f -p WHCQ >H tH lO'X>t-00050'rHCOOiOTHOCICO'^lOCDt-OOC50 050S05050SOOOOOOo*^OOtHt-HtHtHt-[tHt-ItHiHtH(M -j-j-j-J—I^iHtHiHtHtHtHi— 11— li— It— iTHTHrHiHT— It— I1— ii— (tHt— (i— I < i-l O z u K O u i-i < O O sasuadx;^ (BUOl1JB3aj3UOQ w- 3J t- C"- "0 IF CM co" £ 00 00 CM CO OC c- CM CO CI QO' s '^ t- 0" 0" ■^ 10 CM CM OS \a c^ CI go CM iH CM CM Oi §1 ■<* rH 10 SC 10 00 o"o d i-H 00 in U CD CO 00 f'l cJ loo CM CI ^r iO ^ CO tr- CM I"* 0" 0" Sis CO -* I-l aoua[OA3uaa -laipO uoii,Banpa suoiseiK uSiaJO^ siioissij\[ aiuojj 00 00 aausxoAauaa: SJ[B[OqDg b-. CM CO ^ CO CM CO -^ ■^ 10 CM oa la's CM CO 00 CO y-\ CM 0" o" CO t- "tF To sjaqoBax puB sjaozgo siooqog ABpung s a -A s:vuapins 3= 2 pauiJijuoDun. CO 0" US la go" c- o" CO -^ CO CO CB oT CM rH lo" CM Ci c- M CM CM § 00 s^uBaiununnoo pasBj;a; CM passiuisiQ eg CVI c- 00 cT cT 00 «l 00 To" 00 CO CO CM 00 00 «3 la CO cT 00 CM C- t- co CM -* CJ 0" CO ■<1' To" ■^ CM C5 eg CM rH Oi rH to tH CC "o eg CM oq ca CM CM 10 CM To CO 10 10 CM CO CM CM CI pa:^Eomnuituo3xa lEjw.aua'a a:;BDTji^jaO 00 10 1 *« flop ^inpv CI lUBJUI paUI-ITJUODUQ s^u-BoiunuiiuoQ 00 i]r eg sj.aqiuap([ suoi:;B3aj3iioo iO s.iaismij^ CM 00 504 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE MINISTERS OF ALLEGHENY CLASSIS Harry Nelson Bassler Harry Nelson Bassler, son of Charles A. and Marian F. Bassler was bom at Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pa., March 9th, 1867 ; educat- ed at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Semi- nary; licensed by East Susquehanna Classis May 15th, 1894;, ordained by Mercersburg Classis Nov. 4th, 1894, the committee consisting of Revs. Wm. M. Deatrick, D. D., W. C. Cremer, D. D., and T. R. Dietz. He has served the following charges: St. Thomas charge, Pa., from 1894 to 1903, Second Reformed church, Harrisburg, Pa., from 1903 to 1917, and Trinity, Wilkinsburg, Pa., from 1919 to date. Married to Miss Helen B. Hassler, of Lancaster, Pa., June 10th, 1895; married the second time to Miss Louise K. Britton of Upper Strasburg, Pa., Feb. 3d, 1903. They have one child, Marian Britton. Served as chaplain in the U. S. Army from 1916 to 1919. Had rank of Captain in A. E. F. President of the Rehef So- ciety. Conrad Borchers Conrad Borchers, son of Frederick Louis and Marie Louise (Wiedenbruegge) Borchers, was born at Hof- geismar, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, April 22d, 1844; edu- cated in his native town ; came to America in 1866 and became a citizen of the United States in 1872 ; complet- ed his education under the Rev. Max Stern, D. D., at Louisville, Ky. ; was ordained by Indiana Classis at New Albany, Ind., Sept. 20th, 1869. The committee in charge was composed of Revs. Max Stern, D. D., M. G. I. Stern and S. N. L. Kessler. Rev. Borchers has served the following charges: Salem, New Albany, Ind., five years; St. James, Pittsburgh, Pa.,. three years; St. John's, Allegheny Classis 505 Baltimore, Md., eleven years; First, Jacksonville, Md., one year ; Zion's, Cumberland, Md., two years ; St. John's, Evangelical Protestant, Beaver County, Pa., seventeen and one-half years. Since 1909 has been supplying in vacant charges. On October 31st, 1871, he was married to Miss Caroline E. Gerst, of New Albany, Ind. Five children: Emma L. (Mrs. L. T. Schiess), Herman G. F., Carl Conrad, Calvin U. M., and Edgar Augustine. Charles A. Bushong _ Charles A., son of Isaac and Sar- ah Bushong, was born at Tom's Brook, Va., on October 25th, 1863; was educated at Mercersburg Acad- emy, Franklin and Marshall College, 1894, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating in 1897 ; licens- ed by Virginia Classis in May, 1897, at Shepherdstown, W. Va. ; was or- dained to the ministry by the following commit- tee from West Susquehanna Classis : — Kevs. S. L. Whit- more, Z. A. Yearick and J. L. Barnhart, October 10th, 1897. He has served the following pastorates: Buffa- lo Valley, Pa., 1897-1898 ; supply pastor at Abeline, Kan- sas for a time; Sabillasville, Md., 1903-1906; Watson Run, Meadville, Pa., 1906-1913; Lancaster, Ohio, 1913- 1916; Emmanuel, Export, Pa., 1916-1920; First, Pitcairn, Pa., 1920 On Oct. 30th, 1912, was married to Miss Drusilla H. Remsburg of Frederick, Md. Henry David DarbAker Henry David Darbaker, son of John and Maria Darbaker, was born near Kelley Station, Armstrong County Pa., Apr. 25th, 1847. At the age of fifteen years he enlisted in the 67th Pa., — captured, wounded, promoted to Second Lieutenant — served three and one-third years. Educated at West- moreland College, Franklin and 506 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Marshall College, and Eastern Theological Seminary, graduating in 1874; licensed by Westmoreland Clas- sis, May 19th, 1874 — ordained and installed pastor of Nittany Valley charge. Pa., by committee of West Susquehanna Classis: Revs. W. H. Grow, and H. King, July 5th, 1874. Built two new churches.. Jan. 1st, 1876, accepted a call to Zion church, Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Principal of Harmony Collegiate Institute, two years; organized congregations at Turtle Creek, Pa., McKeesport, Pa., and Braddock, Pa.; built two churches; pastor thirteen and one-half years. In 1894 accepted call to Emlenton charge. Pa. ; remodeled two churches ; editor of the Gleaner, seven and one-half years ; obtained two church building funds, $500 each, $2506.70 for Orphans' Home Endowment, and an equal amount for St. John's Church, Emlenton, Pa.; pastor over thirteen years. In 1908 accepted call to Christ Church, Pittsburg, Pa. ; reduced debt $5000. Mem- ber of Orphans' Home Board, Board of Missions, and for twenty-five years president of Board of Beneficiary Ed- ucation ; president of Allegheny and Clarion Classes, and Pittsburgh Synod. Married to Miss Agnes Jane Kline, of Delmont, Pa., May 13th, 1874. On son, Leasure K. Dar- baker. Professor of Bacteriology and harmacognosy. Col- lege of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pastorates: Nittany Valley, Pa., 1874-1876; Zion, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1876-1880; Harmony Collegiate Institute, 1880-1882; McKeesport, Pa., 1882-1894; Emlenton, Pa., 1894-1908 ; Christ Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1908-1914; supply charges since then. David Dunn David Dunn, son of Horace Bell and Clara (Williams) Dunn was Dorn in Huntingdon, Pa., July 15th, 1891 ; re- ceived his education at Huntingdon High School, Juniata College, Frank- lin and Marshall College, Yale Univer- sity, University of Edinburgh, and New College, Edinburgh ; licensed by Juniata Classis, Potomac Synod, Nov. Allegheny Classis 507 9th, 1915, and ordained by Allegheny Classis, May 29th, 1916, the committee consisting of Revs. Lewis Robb, D. D., A. H. Groff, and W. S. Harmon. Has been pastor at Turtle Creek, Pa., since May 1st, 1916. Gideon P. Fisher Gideon P., son of Richard and Ann Fisher, was born at Gouglersville, Berks County, Pa., on March 31st, 1861. Mr. Fisher received his education at the Scientific Aca- demy, Reading, Pa., Keystone State Normal School, Kutz- town. Pa., Ursinus College, and the Ursinus School of Theology ; licensed by Lebanon Classis in May, 1899 ; and ordained by Goshenhoppen Classis, July, 1899, the com- mittee consisting of Revs. Eli Keller, D. D., L. K. Evans, D. D., and J. E. Freeman. Pastorates: Glenford, Pa., three and one-half years; Falker Swamp, one and one- half years ; Grindstone Hill, nine years ; Kreutz Creek, seven years ; Warren, Ohio, seven and one-half years ; Cul- ver, Ind., two years ; St. Luke's, Braddock, Pa., Nov. 1st, 1919. Was married June 25th, 1889. There are nine children: Charles, Lillian, Marguerite, Osie, "Phipps, George, Emma, Paul, and Frank. Henry E. Gebhard Henry E., son of John and Sarah E. (Wise) Gebhard, was born at Red Lion, York County, Pa., Feb. 23d, 1893 ; was educated at Red Lion High School, 1910 ; Ursinus College, 1914, Princeton Graduate School, A. M., 1917, Princeton Theological Seminary ; was licensed Apr. 16th, 1917, by the Presbytery of New Castle, Synod of Balti- more of the Presbyterian Church; ordained Apr. 16th, 1917, by the Presbytery of New Castle, the committee in charge being the Revs. Henry Cunningham, James M. L. Eskard, and William Crawford. Pastorates : Frankford and Ocean View, Del., Presbyterian, 1917-1918 ; Grace Re- formed, Duquesne, Pa., 1919.... Married to Miss Viola 508 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Beatrice Wagner, October 16th, 1915. One child, Mildred Evelyn. Mr. Gebhard was Home Missionary at Bronot, Pa., in 1915 and in 1916 served in the same capacity at St. Francis, Maine, at a summer home of the Lumber Jacks. William F. Ginder William F. Ginder, son of Lewis and Maria Ginder was born Nov. 5th 1876, at Ashfield, Carbon County, Pa. ; was educated at Mercersburg Academy ; Franklin and Marsh- all College, 1906, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, 1909 ; licensed by Lehigh ClaS'sis, May, 1909 ; was ordain- ed by East Pennsylvania Classis, July 22d, 1909, the com- mittee being Revs. M. N. George, G. W. Royer, and P. E. Heimer. Pastorates : Weisport, Pa., 1909-1913 ; Sum- mit Hill, Pa., 1914-1918 ; Christ's church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1918 Married June 30th, 1910, to Miss Marian M. Welder. One son, Wilson Lewis. WiNPIELD S. Harman Winfield S., son of Benjamin F. and Martha Ellen Harman, was born July 1st, 1882, near Taneytown, Md. ; edu- cated at Emmitsburg High School, Ursinus College, 1906, and the Cen- tral Theological Seminary, 1909; li- censed by Miami Classis, Ohio Synod, May 8th, 1909, and ordained by the same Classis July 4th, 1909, by Revs. Geo. W. Stibitz, D. D., and H. H. Kerst. His pastorates have been : Millville, Ohio, 1909-1910 ; Farmersville, Ohio, 1910-1913; Kenmore, Ohio, 1913-1915; Braddock, Pa., 1915-1918; Zelienople, Pa., 1919... Rev. Mr. Harman was musical director at Camp Stuart, from May 1st, 1918, to Feb. 28th, 1919; and from March 1st, 1919 to Oct. 31sti 1919, was in the Troop Train Service. Allegheny Classis 509 Henry J. Berber Henry J., son of A. J. and Amanda Herber was born near Grimsville, Berks County, Pa., Feb. 10th, 1887, Mr. Herber was educated at Keystone State Normal School, Muhlenberg Preparatory School, Ursinus College, 1911, and Central Theological Semi- nary, 1914 ; licensed by Miami Classis in May, 1914 ; ordained by Heidelberg Classis, June 11, 1914, the committee in charge was com- posed of Revs. Frank Keller and Frank Ruf . Pastorates : First, Marion, Ohio, 1914-1918; since this time he has been pastor of St. Paul's, Butler, Pa. Was married to Miss Hallie 0. Keefer on June 3d, 1914. They have one child : Denton Alfred, born April 4th, 1920. William Edward Horstmeier William Edward, son of the Rev. W. F.y and Emma (Marcus) Horst- meier, was born at Terre Haute, Ind., June 27th, 1886 ; educated in the Ur- sinus House at Franklin, Wisconsin, and the Central Theological Semi- nary, 1914; licensed by Sheboygan Classis, May 2d, 1914; and ordained by Allegheny Classis, July 19th, 1914, committee : Revs. Lewis Robb, D. D., John H. Prugh, D. D., and Conrad Borchers. Since May 12th, 1914, Rev. Horstmeier has been pastor of St. Paul's Church, Pitts- burgh, Pa. Was president of Allegheny Classis in 1918. Henry Linford Krouse Henry Linford Krouse, son of E. C. and Catherine K. Krouse, was born at Lansdale, Pa., in 1884 ; educated at Franklin and Marshall College, 1908, and the Eastern Theological Seminary 1911, licensed by Tohicken Classis 510 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod in 1911 ; ordained by Lincoln Classis the same year, com- mittee : Kevs. P. M. Orr and L. S. Faust. From 1911 to 1918, Rev. Mr. Krouse was pastor of Grace Church, Sioux City, Iowa. Since 1918 he has been pastor of the Church of the Ascension, Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1911, Rev. Krouse was married to Miss Caroline E. Capp, of Lancaster, Pa. Frank Lewis Kerr Frank Lewis, son of Lewis Barnett and Eliza Jane (Wagner) Kerr, was born Sept. 14th, 1869, at Landisburg, Perry County, Pa.; educated at Shippensburg Normal School, Mercersburg Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, 1891, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, 1894; licensed May 18th, 1894, by Clarion Classis; or- dained Sept. 30th, 1894, by Lancaster Classis, committee : Revs. E. N. Kremer, D. D., Rufus W. Miller, D. D., and M. H. Sangree. He served the following charges : Shoops charge. Pa., 1894-1899 ; St. Paul's, Meadville, Pa., 1899- 1903 ; Newport, Pa., 1903-1908 ; Pitcairn, Pa., 1908-1910 ; Phoenixville, Pa., 1910-1917-; Trinity, New Kensington, Pa., 1918 Married Sept. 15th, 1903, to Miss Mary E. McElheny, of Penbrook, Pa. Two children : Elizabeth, and Lewis. Edward Suin LaMar Edward Suin, son of Robert G. and Kate (Suin) LaMar, was born at Frederick, Md., March 24th, 1872 ; educated at Mercersburg Academy, 1898, Franklin and Marshall College, 1902, and the Eastern Theological Sem- inary, 1905; licensed by Maryland Classis, May 15th, 1905 ; ordained by Mercersburg Classis June 12th, 1905 : committee: Revs. W. C. Cremer, D. D., and E. R. Ap- penzeller. Pastorates : Lemasters, Franklin County, Pa., one and one-half years; Everett, Pa., two and one half years; Grace, Sharpsville, Pa., five years; Homestead, Pa., six years. On May 27th, 1915, he was married to Mary Louise Rupp. One child, Edward Rupp. Allegheny Classis 511 Hakvey M. Leidy Harvey M. Leidy, son of Milton and Martha M. Leidy was born Nov. 16th, 1880, at Hilltown, Pa. ; educated at Ursinus College and Central Theological Seminary, 1911 ; licensed May 30th, 1911, by Tohicken Classis; ordained July 26th, 1911, by Allegheny Classis: committee: Revs. D. N. Harnish, J. W. Pontius and A. H. Cinder. Since July 26th, 1911, he has been pastor of Grace Church, Har- mony, Pa. On June 7th, 1911, Mr. Leidy vs^as married to Miss Anna M. Miller. Alexander M. is their only child. Arthur J. Miller. Arthur Jacob, son of Frederick P. and Anna Margaret Miller, was born in Sharon, Pa., May 18th, 1887 ; educated in the Sharon High School, 1905 ; Westminster College, New Wil- mington, Pa., 1909, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, 1912. He was licensed May, 1912, by St. Paul's Clas- sis, Pittsburgh Synod ; ordained June 1912, by Somerset Classis, Pittsburgh Synod. Pastor- ates: Jenner, Pa., Somerset Classis, July, 1912, to Sept., 1914; Sulphur Springs, Pa., Juniata Classis, Oct., 1914, to June, 1919; Sugar Creek, Pa., Allegheny Classis, July, 1919 Married July 2nd, 1910, to Miss Adaline Rodgers, of New Wilmington, Pa. Children: Margaret C, born Feb. 14, 1912 ; F. Paul, born Sept. 22, 1913 ; John Rodgers, born Apr. 7, 1917. Robert F. McMeekin Licentiate Robert F. McMeekin, Ph.D., son of Thomas and Agnes (Coleman) McMeekin, was born August 10, 1865, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He received his education at Washington and Jefferson College, Post-graduate course at Grove City College, Degree of Ph.D.; licensed by Al- legheny Classis in May, 1917. Mr. McMeekin resides at Chicora, Pa. 512 The History Op The Pittsburgh Synod Frederick C. Nau Frederick C. Nau, D. D., son of Rev. Henry and Catherine Nau was born at Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 2d, 1871 ; educated at Calvin College, Cleveland, Ohio, and Heidelberg The- ological Seminary; licensed May, 1896, by Erie Classis ; ordained June, 1896, by St. John's Classis: commit- tee: Revs. J. B. Rust, John Beck, A. G. Lohman and Henry Nau. Pastorates : First, Can- ton, Ohio, eleven years; St. Mark's, Easton, Pa., two years; St. Mark's, Reading, Pa., seven years; Grace, Pittsburgh, Pa., since June 1st, 1916. Married Sept. 2d, 1896, to Miss Angeline C. Cantieny. Two daughters: Catherine L. and Dorothy H. Nau. The degree of Doc- tor of Divinity was conferred upon Rev. Nau by Frank- lin and Marshall College in May, 1917. Peter Cornelius Prugh Peter Cornelius Prugh, D. D., son of John and Catherine (Haines) Prugh, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on Sept. 13th, 1822; ,,,^ " ^^PH educated at Marshall College, 1848, ■^K «^K g^j^jj ^jjg Eastern Theological Semi- ^^^ iiiji nary, graduating in 1849; licensed I^HIk J^R ^^ Miami Classis in 1850; ordained by a committee of the same Classis: Revs. David Winters, and Thomas Winters ; George Long and Rev. Dr. Freese. Pastorates: First Church, Zenia, Ohio, twenty-one years ; chaplain of Soldiers and Sailors Orphans' Home, Zenia, Ohio, two years; Church of the Cross, Cincinnati, Ohio, three years ; Germantown, Ohio, six years; Superintendent of St. Paul's Orphans' Home, Butler, Pa., twenty-one years. Married to Miss Charlotte Hassler, Apr. 2d, 1852. Children: Edwin Nevin, John Hassler, Andrew Bauchman, Daniel Kieffer, William Allegheny Classis 513 Schaff, Jane Melonshevin, Etta Catherine, Mary Augus- ta, and Frances Grace. Rev. Mr. Prugh was stated clerk of Miami Classis for twenty-nine years, delegate and one of the secretaries of the Tercentenary Convention of the Heidelberg Cate- chism, delegate to the first meeting of General Synod, one of the Ohio Soldiers called the "Squirrel Hunters" during the Civil War. Franklin and Marshall College and Heidelberg College conferred the degree of D. D. upon Rev. Mr. Prugh on the same day. Dr. Prugh is now ninety- eight years of age, the oldest minister in the Reformed Church. He is president of the Centenarian Club of Los Angeles, Cal., and is active in Sunday School work. John W. Pontius John W., the son of Solomon and Margaret Pontius, was born near Chi- cora, Pa., Aug. 14th, 1846; educated at Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed by St. Paul's Classis June 11th, 1875; ordained by West Susque- hanna Classis, July 18th, 1875: com- mittee : Revs. H. King, D. G. Klein and J. Zellers. Pastorates : Lock Haven, Pa., one year ; Zion's, Cochranton, Pa., ten years ; Martinsburg, Pa., ten years ; Middletown, Md., ten years ; Bethany, Butler, Pa., twelve years. Married Mar. 26th, 1879, to Miss Ida Ap- ple. Five children: Joseph Apple, Margaret Elizabeth, Mary Catherine, Rev. Paul Reid, and S. G. Pontius. Lewis Robb Lewis Robb, D. D., son of Peter and Anna Marie (Gath) Robb, was born May 17th, 1860, at Howard, Centre County, Pa. ; educated at Penn Hall Academy ; Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Sem- inary; licensed by West Susquehanna Classis May 17th, 1888 ; ordained by the same classis July 31st, 1889 : com.- 514 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod mittee : Revs. D. 0. Shoemaker, J. F. DeLong, D. D., and George W. Gerhard. Pastorates: St. John's, Williams- port, Pa., 1889-1893; Trinity, Altoona, Pa., 1893-1904; Trinity, Wilkinsburg, Pa., 1905-1919. Rev. Mr. Robb was married Jan. 25th, 1894, to Miss Anna K. Dieffen- bacher. Two daughters, Mary Catherine and Dor- othy Martha. Dr. Robb was president of Potomac Synod in 1899; president of Pittsburgh Synod in 1909; stated clerk and treasurer of Juniata Classis; director of St. Paul's Orphans' Home for ten years and treas- urer of the Orphans' Home for seven years; member of the Sunday School Board since 1896; member of the Board of Ministerial Relief since 1914; member of Board of Visitors of the Eastern Theological Seminary for five years ; director of Hood College for two years. Franklin and Marshall College conferred the title of D. D. upon Rev. Robb in 1908. Paul B. Rupp __^^^^_.,- Paul B., son of the Rev. Dr. Wm. I ^^^^Hk. and Emma A. (Hambright) Rupp, i^^^% was born Apr. 28th, 1883 in Man- m. . ■' Chester, Md.; educated at Franklin ^mW^ : and Marshall Academy, Franklin nfcl^ and Marshall College and the Eastern ^M^\MA Theological Seminary, graduating ^.JmK^kj. from the latter in 1907 ; later taking a i^j^l^^K post-graduate course, receiving the degree of B. D. ; licensed by Somerset Classis May 27th, 1907; ordained by a committee of Juniata Classis, May 17th, 1908, namely: Revs. D. E. Master and E. S. La- Mar. Rev. Mr. Rupp was pastor of the Saxton, Pa., charge, 1908-1911; First Reformed Church, McKees- port. Pa., 1911 During his college course Mr. Rupp was a member of the debating teams which won the inter- collegiate championship. During his seminary course he won the Rhetoric prize and the Schaff Church History prize. During the war Rev. Rupp served as chaplain in the U. S. Army with the rank of First Lieutenant. Allegheny Classis 515 Victor A. Ruth Victor A., son of George M. and Ella H. (Gechter) Ruth, was born at Bernville, Pa., Aug. 13th, 1889 ; edu- >;ated at Franklin and Marshall Col- lege and the Eastern Theological Sem- inary; licensed by Goshenhoppen olassis, May 15th, 1918 ; ordained by Allegheny Classis Mar. 2d, 1919: committee: Revs. J. W. Pontius, J. I. Lauffer, and H. M. Leidy. Since Jan. 12th, 1919, Mr. Ruth has been pastor of the Olive charge, Butler County, Pa. Alfred M. Schaffner Alfred M., son of Daniel and Salome (Hoerner) Schaff- ner, was born in North Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Pa., on October 11, 1864; was educated at Mercersburg Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, 1890, and the Eastern Theological Seminary, 1893; was licensed by Lancaster Classis in May, 1893 ; ordained by Maryland Classis in June, 1893 : the committee in charge being: Revs. G. A. Whitmore, J. R. Lewis, and Jacob B. Kerschner. He has served the following charges : — Em- mitsburg, Md., two years; Meadville, Pa., four years; Ruffsdale, Pa., four years ; Catawissa, Pa., seven years ; Orangeville, Pa., six years; and Ellwood City, Pa., May 1, 1920 Was married in 1893 to Isabel Slick, who died in 1901 ; married to Emma Shuman in 1912. Four children — Daniel M., Paul A., Walter F., and Henry R. From 1910 to 1914 Rev. Mr. Schaffner was ovsnier and editor of the Meyersdale, Pa., "Comjnercial." Morris Guinther Schucker Morris G. Shucker, son of William R. and Maria (Guin- ther) Schucker, was born near Moselem Springs, Pa., Dec. 4th ,1877; educated at Franklin and Marshall Col- lege and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed by 516 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Allegheny Classis May 22d, 1907 ; ordained by West Sus- quehanna Classis Nov. 22d, 1907: committee: Revs. E. T. Rhodes and George K. Ely. Pastorates: Selinsgrove, Pa., charge, from 1907 to 1909, and since then has been teaching. At the present time he is teaching in the Pea- body High School, Pittsburgh, Pa. On Aug. 19th, 1902, Mr. Schucker was married to Miss Elsie M. Pflueger, of Seidersville, Pa. Children: Paul Frederick, Katherine Olivia, and Elizabeth Margaretta. Samuel A. Stamm Skmuel A. son of Conrad and Elizabeth Stamm, was born in Franklin Township, Beaver County, Pa.; edu- cated at Slippery Rock State Normal School and Heid- elberg Seminary; licensed by Allegheny Classis in 1898, and ordained June 17th, 1898, by Illinois Classis. Pas- torates : Shiloh, 111., 1898-1903 ; West Salem, Ohio, 1903- 1908; Ellwood City, Pa., 1909-1914; Fairview charge, Chicora, Pa., 1915 Married June 16th, 1897, to Miss Cora Ida Fombell. Henry Harbaugh Wiant Henry H., son of Jacob. Fahr and Mary Catherine (McGinnes) Wiant, was born in Lancaster, Pa., Feb. 17th, 1876 ; educated at Palatinate College, Franklin and Marshall College and the Eastern Theological Seminary; licensed by St. Paul's Classis June 6th, 1901 ; ordained by the same clas- sis July 14th, 1901 : committee : Revs. A. M. Keifer and F. L. Kerr. Pastorates: Zion's Cochranton, Pa., 1901-1904; Zion's, Berlin, Pa., 1904- 1917; St. Mark's Memorial, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1917- President of Somerset Classis, 1911, and president of Pittsburgh Synod, 1914. Editor's Note : — No data could be secured from the fol- lowing ministers of this classis: — E. R. Hamme, and J. I. Lauffer. Allegheny Classis 517 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CHARGES AND CONGREGATIONS OF ALLEGHENY CLASSIS. Grace Church, Duquesne, Pa. The organizers of this congregation were the Revs. A. H. Smith and A. K. Kline. On Oct. 18th, 1897, a Sunday School was organized, the first sermon being preached by Rev. A. H. Smith on Jan. 1st, 1898. On Sept. 24th, 1899, the congregation was organized in Spering's Hall, with Rev. A. K. Kline in charge. The first oflBcers of the congregation were : Elders : Simon H. Young; Deacon: Frank E. Zeigler. The corner stone was laid Dec. 25th, 1900. The lot and building together cost $3,580, and was dedicated Apr. 2d, 1901. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the pastor. In cash and pledges $1,037 was raised on this day. A parsonage was built in 1903 at a, cost of $2,344. The debt was cancelled during the pastorate of Dr. D. B. Lady. The sum raised for interest and principle was about $5,000. The following pastors have served this congregation: Rev. John K. Adams 1899—1901 Rev. M. M. Noacher 1902—1903 Rev. J. Silor Garrison 1903—1904 Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D 1905—1911 Rev. I. G. Snyder 1912—1915 Rev. A. M. Rahn 1916—1918 Rev. Henry E. Gebhard 1919.... The sum of six hundred dollars was raised for im- provements during the pastorate of Rev. Snyder. Dur- ing 1918 and 1919 the sum of $750 was raised for addi- tional improvements. The church and parsonage were sold for $11,750, May 15th, 1919. A lot was purchased at the corner of Seventh St., and Kennedy Avenue for $3,- 000. At the present time the congregation is making plans to build a new church. The present membership 518 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod is 115. The present officers are: Elders: Wm. S. Dor- man, Isaac C. Harvey and N. G. Bachman; Deacons: Charles C. Gorman, Paul F. Kraft, Gharles B. Hall and G. G. Myer. Trinity Church, Wilkinsburg, Pa. This church was organized June 19th, IS'^O, by Rev. L. B. Leasure. The number of members entering the organization w^as forty-eight. The congregation first worshipped in the Academy and later the use of the M. E. church was granted. In 1871 a lot was secured from Mr. James Kelly as a gift to the congregation. The corner stone of the chapel was laid Oct. loth, 1871, when the sermon was preached by the missionary superintend- ent. Rev. F. K. Levan, D. D. The chapel was completed and dedicated June 5th, 1872. On this occasion the ser- mon was preached by Rev. G. B. Russell, D. D. In 1874 a parsonage was built costing $2800. Because of the con- gregation's not being able to pay their indebtedness, it was thought the congregation would be disbanded. Mrs. Margarite Chadwick gave the congregation $1,200 and Pittsburgh Synod, $1,000, and then, four members of the church mortgaged their property to save the church. The mission was now unable to support a pastor, and petition- ed the pastor of Zion's congregation to supply them, which was done for a period of four years. The congregation took on new life again and in June, 1896, the corner stone of a new church was laid which was dedicated March 14th, 1897, the Rev. Conrad Clever, D. D., preaching the sermon. The cost of the church was $22,000 and Mr. Carnegie gave the pipe organ as a gift. In 1903 the auditorium was remodeled, a steam heater installed in 1906, and the organ was rebuilt and the church frescoed in 1910. A parsonage was bought in 1906 for $6,350. The present membership is 701. The members of the consistory are: Elders: H. F. Texter, H. H. Martz, and J. F. Arnold; Deacons: Harry Fullerton, J. E. Hindman, Allegheny Classis 519 William Segrist, J. C. Calwell, E. F. Guthrie, J. W. Brown, C. I. Miller, J. C. Price, N. E. Dibble, T. I. Hamm, C. F. Jordon and C. G. Speicher. The following pastors served this congregation : Rev. L. B. Leasure 1870—1871 Rev. T. F. Stauffer 1871—1877 Rev. J. M. Souder 1877—1879 Rev. J. W. Knappenberger 1879 — 1883 Rev. M. F. Frank 1884^—1886 Rev. J. S. Freeman 1886—1895 Rev. C. L. Alspach 1895—1900 Rev. P. S. Leinbach 1901—1904 Rev. Lewis Robb, D. D 1905—1919 Rev. H. N. Bassler 1919.- FiRST Church, Pitcairn, Pa. The First Church, of Pitcairn, Pa., began its history- May 28th, 1899. Then a service was held and a Sunday School was organized. Student, Ellis S. Hay conducted some services. Later the Sunday School Board commis- sioned the Rev. A. C. Snyder to take up the work. At the first session of the Sunday School, sixteen were present. The congregation was organized with twenty-two mem- bers. The first consistory was: Elder: Henry Arma- gost and Deacons : W. H. Walker and R. M. Baker. The corner stone was laid Aug. 20th, 1899, the sermon being preached by Rev. T. R. Dietz, and Revs. J. G. Wal- ter, A. K. Kline and A. C. Snyder, assisting. The church was dedicated Dec. 3d, 1899, when Revs. T. R. Dietz and J. F. Kerlin had charge of the services. The total cost of the building was about $1500 and there remained an indebtedness of $600 which was paid off Mar. 28th, 1905. An addition to the building was completed in 1909 at a cost of $1425. On Apr. 21st, 1915, it was decided to build a more suitable church and parsonage. This new structure was dedicated June 18th, 1916, the Revs. C. E. Schaeffer, D. D., of Philadelphia, Pa., and Elder Jos. S. Wise having charge of this service. The church building 520 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod was erected and equipped at a cost of $22,000, and the parsonage at a cost of $4,000. The following pastors have served this charge : Rev. A. C. Snyder 1899—1900 Rev. A. B. Bauman 1901—1907 Rev. F. L. Kerr 1908—1910 Rev. C. H. Faust 1910—1916 Rev. W. R. Clark 1917—1920 Rev. C. A. Bushong 1920— The present membership is 118. The present consistory : Elders— W. N. Walker, M. P. Hershey, W. H. Enyeart, and W. F. Jae. Deacons — Ralph Walker, Emerson Sprowl, George Davis, and E. M. Rosenberger. Calvary Church, Turtle Creek, Pa. This congregation was organized by the Rev. H. D. Darbaker, Oct. 15th, 1882, with twenty-one charter mem- bers. The first consistory was : Elders : Wm. N. Cline, and Wilson Wigle; Deacons: S. C. Bethune and W. H. Kemerer. During 1883 the first church building was erected, which was dedicated Oct. 29th, 1883, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. F. Snyder. The present brick structure was erected in 1896, the corner stone being laid in June, and on Oct. 25th, of the same year the church was dedicated. The total cost was $11,500. The minis- ters present at the dedication with the pastor, Rev. J. J. Wagoner, were: Revs. 0. H. Strunck, C. L. Allspach and A. K. Kline. A parsonage was built in 1898. The following have been the pastors : Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1882—1888 Rev. E. S. Hassler 1888—1893 Rev. J. J. Wagoner 1893—1897 Rev. T. R. Dietz 1898—1907 Rev. J. C. Sanders 1908—1914 Rev. David Dunn 1916— On April 1st, 1891, Calvary became a separate charge. Prior to this it formed a charge with McKeesport. On Sept. 25th, 1904, re-opening services were held after a thorough renovation. In 1911, extensive repairs were made. On Oct. 6th, 1912, the Thirtieth Anniversary was Allegheny Classis 521 celebrated with the dedication of the newly furnished basement. In 1919 a debt of $3,800 was paid and the congregation went to self-support, which event was cele- brated by a series of services. The present membership is 312. The consistory for 1920 is : Elders — A. H. Schultz, G. W. Snyder, and B. E. Rupert; Dea- cons — D. C. Hershberger, Wm. Miller, E. J. Ocker, Charles Milne, H. L. Forsha, and Mark Lewis. St. Luke's, Braddock, Pa. St. Luke's congregation was organized June 24th, 1888, by the Revs. H. D. Darbaker and J. W. Miller, a commit- tee appointed by Allegheny Classis. The first commun- ion was held Dec. 20th, 1888, and the first consistory was composed of the following: Elders: Edwin Twit- meyer and Joseph Miller ; Deacons : Amos Loughner, and William Sperling. The church building was erected and dedicated in 1890, and the ministers assisting the pastor. Rev. E. S. Hassler, were : Revs. C. U. Heilman, Jacob Hassler, D. D., A. E. Truxal, D. D., James E. Freeman, and J. H. Prugh, D. D. The parsonage was built about 1892, at a cost of $2,000. On March 29th, 1912, a pipe organ was installed and dedi- cated. The pastors have been : Rev. E. S. Hassler 1888—1891 Rev. S. C. Long 1891—1893 Rev. A. K. Kline 1893—1903 Rev. E. H. Laubach 1904—1905 Rev. John J. Leberman 1905—1907 Rev. W. E. Garrett 1907—1914 Rev. W. S. Harman 1915—1917 Rev. C. P. Fisher 1919— The present membership is 157. 1920 consistory: Elders— Henry Sarver, Benj. Roup, and Chas. McGurk; Dea- cons D. I. Haas, Milton Koontz, Samuel Hensh, Robert Ben- nett, C. A. Miller, and G. W. Shontz. 522 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Grace Church, Harmony, Pa. In 1805 on the 15th of February, George Rapp and his associates organized the Harmony Society. Ten years later Mr. Rapp and his followers left Harmony and went to New Harmony, Ind. Grace congregation was founded in the year 1826 by the Rev. Henry Koch. No record has been kept of the number or the names of the original members. The church which wais erected in 1809 was the meeting place of the Harmony Society. In 1826 it was purchased by Abrahalh Zeigler for $300.00. Since then it has been re- modeled and repaired until at the present time it has the appearance of a modern church. The following ministers have served the congregation : Rev. Hejnry Koch 1826—1827 Rev. Daniel Rauhauser 1827 — 1833 Rev. Minnick 1833—1834 Rev. Daubert 1835—1837 Rev. E. F. Winter 1837—1839 Rev. J. F. Dieffenbacher 1839—1842 Rev. E. F. Winter 1842—1845 Rev. Samuejl M'ilMr 1845—1848 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1848—1849 Rev. S. Miller 1849—1852 Rev. Joseph Miller 1852—1853 Rev. H. F. Hartman 1853—1856 Rev. Lucian Cort 1856—1857 Rev. P. W. Dechant 1857—1863 Rev. W. M. Landis 1863—1870 Rev. F. A. Edmonds 1870—1886 Rev. H. H. Sandoe 1886—1889 Rev. E. H. Otting ......1889-1895 Rev. A. J. Heller 1895—1899 Rev. J. A. Leutzinger 1899—1905 Rev. Lewis Reiter 1905—1910 Rev. H. M. Leidy 1911— The present membership is 386. The members of the consistory are : Elder Emeritus : Kilgore Moyer ; Elders : J. M. Wise, A. W. Moyer, Clarence Gallagher, H. C. Mil- leman, John Erb, and Wm. Kloffenstein ; Deacons: Wal- ter Lutz, Harry Shirey, John Wise, Roy Harper, Max Sitler and Earl Scheidemantel. Allegheny Classis 523 St. Peter's, Zelienople, Pa. This congregation was organized in 1858 by Rev. E. F. Winter as an independent church. It continued as such until 1911 when it became a part of Allegheny Classis of the Reformed Church. On Nov. 28th, 1858, the fol- lowing persons were elected to the consistory: Philip Banner, Peter Osterling, John Frishkorn, Michael Hahn, Henry Westerfeld, Henry Kusuff and Philip Stepler. This consistory held their first meeting Dec. 23d, 1858. A new church was dedicated the first Sunday after Easter in the year 1862. In 1864 a pipe organ, costing $500, was installed. In 1912 it was replaced by a modern Estey pipe organ, costing $1200. The church was legal- ly incorporated on Jan. 15th, 1872, under the name of "The German United Evangelical Protestant congrega- tion of St. Peter's Church." The following was the per- sonnel of the consistory at the time of the issuing of the charter: Elders: Henry Kaufman and Daniel Stamm; Deacons : John Dambach, Jacob Cerwig and Henry Lutz ; Trustees : John Wurster, Adam Endres and Edwin Zehner. In the year 1901 a parsonage was built at a cost of $2,314.84. In 1915 a large addition was built to the church. The pastors have been : Rev. E. F. Winter 1858—1879 Rev. C. Scheel 1880—1896 Rev. J. W. Ebbinghous 1896—1900 Rev. C. D. Miller 1900—1911 Rev. C. P. D. Peters.... 1911—1914 Rev. E. R. Hamme 1914—1919 Rev. W. S. Harman 1919— The present number of members is 369. The pres- ent members of the consistory are : Elders : Frank Smith and E. P. Young: Deacons: Harrison Cable, George Dambach, E. W. Zehner and Chas. Mickley; Trustees: Wm. Fogel ; Howard Rape and Henry W. Lutz. 524 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Christ Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. This congregation was organized April 20th, 1904, by the City missionary, Rev. A. K. Kline, in conjunction with a committee of Allegheny Classis in the I. O. 0. F. Hall in Homewood. The record of the first communion. May 22d, 1904, shows that all but two of the twenty-seven members communed. The following persons were elect- ed officers : Elders : Geo. W. Mclntyre and Steele Hender- son; Deacons: J. N. McComb, D. W. Baird, and John A. Duvall. The property at Hamilton and Lang Avenues was bought from the United Presbyterian church in the spring of 1906 for $14,000. The pastors have been : Rev. A. K. Kline 1903—1904 Rev. J. Grant Walter 1904—1906 Rev. J. Kern McKee 1906—1907 Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1908—1913 Rev. A. H. Groff 1913—1917 Rev. W. F. Ginder 1918— From 1910 to 1913 extensive improvements were made. The basement was excavated by the members, a new fence was placed around the lot, pews were purchased and new heaters were installed. All this was done during a severe financial panic. The average annual contribu- tions per members amounted to about $25.00. The pres- ent membership is 85. The present officers are : Elders : W. S. Groff, W. F. Lazaro and H. 0. Waugaman; Dea- cons : W. R. Andrews, G. A. Keil, S. E. Wampler and P. D. Otto. St. Paul's, Butler, Pa. At a meeting called for the purpose at St. Paul's Or- phans' Home Aug. 22d, 1878, with Rev. T. F. Stauffer, Supt. of the Home, presiding, an organization was effect- ed. Thirty-one members were enrolled. The first of- ficers were : Elders : Henry Nicholas and J. C. Tinsman ; Deacons : Edward Mackey and Henry Biehl. The English Lutheran Church on West North St., was purchased. Here the congregation worshipped for Allegheny Classis 525 some years. The corner stone of the present edifice was laid in the fall of 1888. The church on Walker Ave- nue was erected at a cost of $11,000. The dedication service was held June 22d, 1889. The ministers present at this service were Eevs. C. U. Heilman, H. S. Garner, P. C. Prugh, D. D., J. H. Prugh, D. D., and the pastor, Rev. D. N. Harnish. In 1898 a parsonage was erected beside the church at a cost of $3,500. The lots for the church and parsonage were donated by Mrs. Sarah Mack- ey. Pastors : Rev. T. P. Stauffer 1882—1884 Rev. P. C. Prugh, D. D Supply Pastor Rev. D. N. Harnish 1886—1914 Rev. F. K. Stamm 1915—1918 Rev. H. J. Herber 1918- For some years, until 1901, the St. John's congregation in Butler Township was a part of this charge. Through the generosity of Mr. Philip Daubenspeck, for many years an elder in the congregation, the sum of $7,000 was given as a fund for the improvement and en- largement of the church edifice. At a missionary ser- vice held in the church during a meeting of Synod Dr. W. E. Hoy made a stirring appeal to the congregation. He challenged them to give $500.00 for the cause of For- eign Missions. The result was that in half an hour the sum of $1100 was given. A few years ago a parsonage and lot for a new church was purchased for $20,000. The present membership is 512. The members of the consis- tory in 1920 are: Elders: J. G. Runkle, V. K. Irvine, B. F. Shannon, Wm. A. Armstrong, and S. H. Shakely; Dea- cons : Thos. Lyons, J. A. Perry, Joseph Standacher, C. P. Eberle, 0. H. Nicholas, James DufReld, Abram Gillis, N. E. Perrin and F. H. Davy. Trinity Church, New Kensington, Pa. This congregation was organized Dec. 19th, 1895, by the Rev. Harry W. Bright ; Elders : John Bromer, Isaac Heister and Obadiah Rupert; Deacons: William Ebner, J. C. Gruver, and C. W. Shaeffer. The present church is the original one. It has been 526 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod improved and repaired from time to time. The lots were given by the Burrell Improvement Company. In 1918 the congregation purchased the adjoining twenty feet for $1,065. The corner stone was laid July 5th, 1896. The ministers present at this service were: Rev. H. W. Bright and Ephraim Dickey of the Lutheran Church. The church was dedicated Nov. 29th, 1896. The cost of the building was $6,000. The clergymen present at the dedication service were Revs. A. E. Truxal, D. D., D. B. Lady, D. D., R. C. Bowling, P. C. Prugh, D. D., and the pastor. The present value of the property is about $20,000. The following pastors have served this congregation : Rev. H. W. Bright 1895—1899 Rev. D. H. Leader 1900—1901 Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D 1901—1905 Rev. J. W. Zehring 1905—1906 Rev. J. A. Leuzinger 1906 — 1907 Rev. B. K. Hay 1907—1910 Rev. J. E. Scheets 1910—1917 Rev. F. L. Kerr 1918 — The present membership numbers 217. The consis- tory at present is composed of : Elders : L. E. Biery, A. E. Imm, W. H. Yoder and A. T. Miller ; Deacons : A. F. Biery, W. E. Haney, L. W. Boyer and C. W. Shaeffer. Olivet Charge St. John's and St. Paul's Congregations. St. John's Congregation. This congregation familiarly known as the "White Church," originated from a German congregation that was organized by Rev. Samuel Miller, a member of West- moreland Classis of the Synod of Ohio, in the year 1845. The first officers were : Elders : Frederick Bergman and Henry Duff art ; Deacons : Abraham Handshoe, and Philip Duffert. The corner stone of the first church was laid May 28th, 1847. Rev. Samuel Miller officiated both in the German and English language. The ground upon which the Allegheny Classis 527 church was built was donated by John Henshew. In Nov. 1847, the church was dedicated. The pastor was assisted by Revs. L. D. Leberman, Henry Hoffman, and D. Poer- ner. The language question presented some problems here. In 1870 the English element was greatly in the majority. They organized a separate congregation. Both congre- gations occupied the same building though not meeting at the same time. In 1873 both the German and English congregations were united vvdth Prospect and Butler, forming the Butler charge. Rev. C. A. Limberg sup- plied as German pastor and Rev. J. B. Thompson as Eng- lish pastor. In 1877 this relationship was annulled and the two congregations became known as the Henshew charge. In 1886 the younger congregation worshipped in a hall. It was decided to build a church. The corner stone was laid Oct. 14th, 1888. The pastor, Rev. D. N. Harnish, was assisted in this service by Rev. P. C. Prugh, D. D. The officers at this time were : Elders : Eli Hen- shew, A. O. Eberhart and J. W. Kaltenbach ; Deacons : Alfred Sarver, A. P. Husselton and John Keiffer. The new church was dedicated Feb. 3d, 1889. The ministers present on this occasion were: Revs. D. N. Harnish, W. W. Deatrick, P. C. Prugh, D. D., and H. S. Garner. In 1906 the church was remodeled and beautified. A Sun- day School Annex was built. These improvements in- volved a cost of nearly five thousand dollars. The following have been pastors : Rev. Samuel Miller 1845—1860 Rev. F. W. Dechant 1860—1866 Rev. W. M. Landis 1866—1875 Rev. F. A. Edmonds 1876 — 1878 Rev. W. B. Sandoe 1878—1881 Rev. Josiah May 1882—1885 Rev. D. N. Harnish 1886—1901 Rev. C. H. Faust 1902—1910 Rev. J. M. Evans 1911—1918 Rev. V. A. Ruth 1919— The present members of the consistory are: Elders: A. F. Wochsmuth, Alfred Sarver, Harry Hoffman and 528 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod George Dershimer; Deacons: J. A. Eberhard, E. E. Hil- liard, James Barr, and Richard Dean. The present mem- bership is 178. St. Paul's Congregation, Petersville. This congregation had its beginning in a German In- dependent congregation known by the name of German Evangelical Protestant congregation. The congregation was composed mostly of former Lutheran and Reformed people. A constitution was adopted Sept. 28th, 1885, and signed by twenty-eight members. For sometime this congregation worshipped in a meeting house at Main and Renfrew streets. In 1887 the present building was erected at a cost of $700.' At the service of dedication held on Nov. 6th, 1887 the German sermon was preached by Rev. E. H. Otting and the English sermon by Rev. P. C. Prugh. The church existed as an independent charge until Dec. 25th, 1896, when it became a part of Allegheny Classis. The congregation became a part of the Olivet charge in 1901. In 1911 the church build- ing was remodeled extensively. A tower was built and a bell installed. New pews were furnished. A furnace was added to the equipment. This involved a cost of $1,900. The pastors have been : Rev. F. A. Edmonds 1886—1887 Rev. E. H. Otting 1887—1897 Rev. J. A. Leutzinger 1897 — 1898 Rev. W. G. Kline 1899—1901 Rev. U. C. E. Gutelius 1901—1902 Rev. C. H. Faust 1902 — 1910 Rev. J. M. Evans 1911—1918 Rev. V. A. Ruth 1919 — The present membership is 98. The members of the consistory in 1920 are: Elders: Lewis Rader, Sylvanus Henshew, Rudolph Barnhart and Henry Drushel; Dea- cons: Clinton D. Henshew, William Coulter, John Flin- ner and Charles Drushel. Allegheny Classis 529 Sugar Creek Charge St. Paul's and Trinity Congregations. St. Paul's Congregation. This congregation is located in the southeast corner of Fairview Township, Butler County. The exact date of the organization is not known. Tradition tells us that about the year 1803 a church and school house were built. Occasional services were held. The earliest avail- able record states that David Shakely was baptized Oct. 18th, 1822, by Rev. Henry Koch. About 1870 the present church edifice was erected. It is beautifully located in Sugar Creek Township, Arm- strong County, about a mile east of the original site. Church and parsonage and the well kept God's-acre pre- sent a most beautiful appearance. The following pastors have served here : Rev. Henry Koch 1819—1844 Rev. D. B. Ernst 1844—1845 Rev. Samuel Miller 1845—1848 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1849—1849 Rev. Samuel Miller 1850—1852 Rev. H. F. Hartman 1852—1856 Rev, Joiseph Miller (Supply) May.-Oct., 1856 Rev. Abner Dale 1856—1860 Rev. D. 0. Shoemaker 1860—1865 Rev. J. S. Shade 1865—1869 Rev. Abner Dale 1869—1874 Rev. J. W. Alspach 1875—1879 Rev. C. Gumbert 1879—1884 Rev. Josiah May 1884—1889 Rev. D. G. Klein 1890—1897 Rev. J. F. Kerlin 1898—1898 Rev. G. H. Faust 1899—1902 Rev. D. I. Schaeffer 1903—1905 Rev. J. M. Bean 1906—1910 Rev. J. Albert Law 1910—1915 Rev. Hugh D. Maxwell 1915—1918 Rev. Arthur J. Miller 1919 — In 1913 a furnace was installed in the basement of the church. In 1918 extensive improvements were made to the church property. This congregation has entertained 23 530 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Allegheny Classis four times. The present membership is 210. Present consistory: Elders: W. E. Wiles, D. T. Vensel, and Chas. McElroy; Deacons: J. E. Thompson, J. F. Wiles, G. P. Kepple, and W. I. King. Trinity's Congregation, Brady's Bend. This congregation was organized Oct. 30th, 1864, by the Rev. C. A. Limberg. The names of the first con- sistory are: Elders: Heinrich Boltz and Heinricn Hel- wig ; Deacons : George Pf af f , Philip D. Garner and Hein- rich Rupple ; Trustees : Wilhelm Vogt, Johann Pf af f , and Andrew Garner. The church was built in 1865. It was substantially built and has served as a house of worship for more than half a century. The seats and pulpit furniture re- main the same as when installed. Since 1899 this con- gregation has been a part of the Sugar Creek charge. The present membership is 73. The pastors have been : Rev. C. A. Limberg 1864—1890 Rev. D. G. Klein 1890—1897 Rev. J. P. Kerlin 1898—1898 Rev. C. H. Faust 1899—1902 Rev. D. I. Shaeffer 1903—1905 Rev. J. M. Bean 1906—1910 Rev. J. Albert Law 1910—1915 Rev. Hugh D. Maxwell 1915—1918 Rev. Arthur J. Miller 1919— The Rev. Mr. Limberg who served this congregation for a quarter of a century resided in Butler, Pa., and rode out on horseback to preach the Gospel to this flock. Present consistory : Elders : Henry Vogt, Wm. Hicks, Chas. Jones, and Walter Hicks; Deacons: Frank Vogt, Chas. King, Ed. E. Donalson, Chas. Crawford. Bethany Church, Butler, Pa. When St. Paul's congregation moved to the south side of the city in 1889, a portion of the congregation re- mained and continued to hold services' on the north side. Bethany congregation was organized Nov. 9th, 1890. Allegheny Classis 531 The first officers were : Elders : Henry Biehl and J. R. Smith. Deacons : F. W. Limberg and J. S. Wiles. The corner stone of the new church was laid Oct. 8th, 1911. The building was dedicated Oct. 27th, 1912. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. T. F. Herman. The Rev. W. H. Tussing preached in the evening and Rev. H. M. Leidy took part in the service. At this service the sum of $1,650.00 was raised. The cost of the edifice was $11,000. The following are the dates of the various pastors : Rev. H. E. Snyder 1891—1896 Rev. J. A. Leutzinger 1897—1899 Rev. W. G. Kline 1899—1901 Rev. S. C. Long 1902—1905 Rev. L. V. Hetrick 1906—1907 Rev. J. W. Pontius 1907— Bethany congregation was constituted a mission Jan. 1st, 1910. Allegheny Classis met in Bethany Church in 1915. For some years during the early history of this congregation it was connected with the Petersville con- gregation. The present membership is 199. The Elders in 1920 are: W. A. Ashbaugh and N. J. Boyer ; the Deacons : G. W. Braun, Roy Campbell, W. J. Biehl and LeVerne Armstrong. First Church, Homestead, Pa. The First Reformed Church grew out of the Sunday School which had been organized Sept. 4th, 1898 by a committee appointed by the Missionary Alliance of Al- legheny Classis. The Sunday School held its sessions in the Munhall public school building. On Aug. 1st, 1899, Rev. John K. Adams began his ministry in Homestead. After a little more than two months of work a congre- gation was organized. This was on Oct. 6th, 1899. The place was the office of Dr. A. P. Fogleman. The first officers were Elders: Dr. A. P. Fogleman and Dr. E. E. Wible ; Deacons : James Kemerer and Harry D. Dodge. 532 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod A plot of ground at 15th Avenue and Mifflin St., was purchased. The lot contained two two-story frame build- ings. The sum paid for the lot with improvements was $4,500. The corner stone was laid Oct. 26th, 1902. Ad- dresses on this occasion were made by the. Revs. J. H. Prugh, D. D., and C. W. Weaver, Ph.D., of the M. E. church. Homestead. On Apr. 19th, 1903, the church edi- fice was dedicated. The church fully equipped cost $4,- 800. The sermon on this occasion was preached by the Rev. D. S. Fouse, D. D., of Lisbon, Iowa. The present value of the plant is $10,000. The pastors have been : Rev. John K. Adams 1899—1901 Rev. M. M. Noacher 1902—1903 Rev. A. J. Collison 1904—1908 Rev. J. B. Shontz 1908—1910 Rev. H. a. Shiffer 1910—1914 Rev. E. S. LaMar 1914—1920 The present membership is 74. The members of the consistory are : Elders : E. E. Wible, A. P. Fogleman, and Wm. Gluck; Deacons: F. E. Stanton, Alex H. Faulds, H. T. Harding, Fred A. Hiege, Andrew Wallace and Harry E. Clever. Church Of The Ascension, Pittsburgh The Rev. A. C. Dief f enbach organized this congregation on Sept. 16th, 1902. There were forty-two persons who entered into the organization. The first consistory was as follows: Elders: John E. Garver and Samuel J. Myers; Deacons: Henry G. Rese, John Weitzel, Charles H. Wilson and W. J. Poschman. The corner stone was laid Nov. 15th, 1903. The church was erected at a cost of $31,500 and was dedicated on June 19th, 1904. The sermon on this occasion was preached by the Rev. R. C. Scheldt, of Franklin and Marshall College. The pastors have been : Rew A. C. Dieffembach 1901—1911 Rev. R. J. Pilgrim 1912—1917 Rev. H. L. Krause 1918— Allegheny Classis 533 The present membership is 125. The present members of the consistory are: Elders: Chas. M. Gates, W. J. Poschman and C. A. Muehlbronner ; Deacons: E. M. Kerschner, W. J. Lightner, Wm. L. Walton, A. H. Gross, Ed. G. Marzolf, Thos. C. Pinkerton, Oscar A. Muehlbron- ner, F. E. Dieffenbach, C. H. McCall, and Z. T. Plank. St. Paul's, Pittsburgh, Pa. This congregation was organized on June 19th, 1869, by the Rev. F. K. Levan, at that time a Missionary Sup- erintendent. Those constituting the first consistory of the congregation were the Rev. F. K. Levan, Chairman, Christian Siebert, Ernst Boehme, and Geo. Schade; El- ders: R. B. Paulisch, Adolph Konold and Adam Daum; Deacons ; and Fred P. Berg, Trustee, and Secretary of the consistory and congregation. In the beginning divine ser- vices were held in an old school house and a few months later a permanent house of worship was erected on the present site. As the congregation began to enlarge the old frame building was moved to the rear of the lot and the present brick structure built before it. For many years the services of this congregation were conducted in the German language and the congregation was aligned with the German Synod of the East. However, since June 1st, 1920, all services and worship have been con- ducted in the English language. The following are the names of the pastors including the period of their min- istry as served. Rev. F. K. Levan organized the con- gregation and supplied it for a short time. The pastors have been : Rev. J. B. Poerner a few months Rev. Albert Krahn 1869—1872 Rev. J. W. Ebbinghaus 1872—1877 Rev. George Saul 1877—1878 Rev. John Heberle 1878—1879 Rev. M. F. Drumstrey 1879—1887 Rev. Julius Herold 1887—1893 Rev. Conrad Boley 1893 — 1896 Rev. H. I Holliger 1897—1914 Rev. W. E. Horstmeier 1914— 534 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod During the interim of repeated vacancies occuring the Revs. Conrad Borchers and G. Dolch, D. D., acted as supply. The one prominent and very happy event in the history of this congregation was the three day celebra- tion of the Fiftieth Anniversary in June, 1919. The pres- ent membership enrollment is 162. Those constituting the consistory to date, are : Elders: P. W. Siebert, Frank Wagoner, Wm. Hirsch- cliff , and John Fyock, Sr. ; Deacons : Charles King, George Fritz, Wm. Amend, Oliver Weaver, and Frederick Weil; Trustees : Charles Hildebrand and Henry D. Engel ; Wm. Hirschcliff , Secretary of the consistory and congregation. Emmanuel, Ellwood City The Rev. A. K. Kline, city missionary of Allegheny Classis, -was the founder of this church. The congrega- tion was organized in the Welsh Baptist Church, Apr. 9th, 1905. The first officers were : Elders : John Scheide- mantel and Christian Frishkorn; Deacons: William Scheidemantel and Henry M. Cresswell. This congregation worships in a two-story brick struc- ture on the corner of 'Eighth St., and Cresent Avenue. The value of the property is now $18,000. The corner stone of the church was laid June 4th, 1911. Rev. D. A. Souders, D. D., and the pastor Rev. S. A. Stamm were in charge of the services. Several of the local clergymen were also present. Nov. 19th, 1911, was known as opening day. The min- isters present were in addition to the pastor loci. Rev. S. A. Stamm, Revs. A. K. Kline, Lewis Robb, D. D., and D. A. Souders, D. D., and several local pastors. Elder C. M. Boush, a member of the Home Mission Board, was also present and delivered an address. The completed church was formally dedicated on June 24th, 1917. The ministers present on this occasion were Revs. W. C. Schaeffer, D. D., S. A. Stamm, E. R. Hamme, R. J. Pilgrim, James A. Cosby and the pastor, J. B. Mus- ser. On this occasion the choir of St. Peter's Church, Allegheny Classis 535 Zelienople rendered special music. The amount of money in cash and pledges secured was $3,286.61. The cost of completing and furnishing the auditorium was $4448.07 The pastors have been : Rev. A. K. KJine 1905—1909 Rev. S. A. Stamm 1909—1914 Rev. J. B. Musser 1914—1919 Rev. A. M. Schaffner 1920— The first service was held Feb. 5th, 1905. The first Sunday School session was held Feb. 12th, 1905, with three scholars. The congregation was enrolled by the Board of Home Missions July 1st, 1907, with thirty-eight members. The present membership is ninety-three. The mem- bers of the consistory in 1920 : Elders : John Scheideman- tel, Samuel Wilkinson, Henry M. Cresswell, and George C. Nickols ; Deacons : Carl Scheidemantel, Wm. G. Dun- can, H. R. Laughlin and Charles E. Anderson. First Church, McKeesport, Pa. This congregation began its history on the second Lord's Day in Oct., 1882. The congregation was organ- ized by the Rev. H. D. Darbaker. ' The first consistory was composed of the following men: Elders: W. P. Watson and Adam Kemerer; Dea- cons : A. J. Baker and William Miller. A. J. Baker was elected secretary of the consistory and W. P. Watson, treasurer. The original lot at Ringold and Sinclair Sts., was bought in May, 1883, for $2,215.00. The first building was erected at a cost of $1,503.66. The dedicatory ser- mon was preached by the Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D. The Rev. A. E. Truxal had in charge the solicitation of funds. In 1902 this property was sold to the Greek Catholic congregation for $10,000. The present location at the corner of Library and South Union Avenues was bought for the sum of $3,000.00. The corner stone was laid in 1903. On April 9th, 1905 the new building was dedicated. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. M. Schick, D. D. 536 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Other ministers taking part in the service were: Revs. 0. H. Strunk, H. D. Darbaker and A. H. Smith. The total cost on the day of dedication was estimated at $21,000. The following pastors have been in charge here: Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1882—1894 Rev. J. F. Emil Muehe 1895—1897 Rev. A. H. Smith 1897—1902 Rev. C. F. Althouse 1902—1903 Rev. Aaron Noll 1904—1909 Rev. Paul B. Rupp 1911— In Oct., 1912, the Thirtieth Anniversary of the con- gregation was celebrated. The sermon was preached by Rev. H. D. Darbaker. On April 22d, 1919, the debt resting upon the church since April, 1905, was cancel- led. At this service addresses were delivered by the pas- tor. Elder Conrad Hohman and Prof. A. H. List and Rev. D. B. Lady, D. D., who had been in charge of the con- gregation for seven months, during the pastor's absence in the army. During the present pastorate numerous improvements have been made to the church property. The present membership is 175. The present officers are: Elders: E. A. Nace, Conrad Hohman and J. W. Hammer; Deacons: W. W. Henderson, Frank Young, Jack Beard, and Charles Hoffman ; Trustees : W. F. Klingensmith, C. 0. Fulmer, and Charles Kufen. The secretary of the consistory is J. W. Hammer; the treas- urer is E. A. Nace. St. John's, Evans City, Pa. Previous to the establishment of separate congregations the Reformed and Lutheran people of Evans City and vicinity worshipped as one congregation under the title of the German Evangelical Church. As early as 1849 St. Peter's Evangelical Union Church was organized by Rev. Henry Muntz as the Evansburg Lutheran and Re- formed Church. The Reformed people wishing to have a place of wor- ship, at a later period separated themselves from the congregation. A church was built and under the leader- Allegheny Classis 537 ship of the Rev. E. H. Otting, they organized a congrega- tion, drew up a constitution and applied for a charter as St. John's United Christian Church of Evans City, Pa. This was on April 1st, 1889. The first elders were: Conrad Wagner, Zeno Markel and William Goehring ; Deacons : George Dombart, A. H. Behm and John Entres; Trustees: Gustav Greisbach, Philip D. Gelbach and Daniel Markel. St. John's has a substantial church building with Sun- day School rooms attached. Recently the congregation has purchased a lot adjoining the church property upon which they contemplate erecting a parsonage. The con- gregation numbers 284 and is perhaps the leading con- gregation in the town. The following pastors have served St. John's: Rev. E. H. otting 1889—1894 Rev. A. J. Heller, D. D 1895—1898 Rev. J. F. Kerlin 1898—1901 Rev. U. C. E. Gutelius 1901—1903 Rev. A. H. Ginder 1904 — 1917 Rev. J. I. Lauffer 1918—1920 During the pastorate of Dr. Heller, St. John's congre- gation made application and was admitted to member- ship in Allegheny Classis. Pittsburgh Synod was enter- tained on two occasions by this congregation, in 1900 and 1915. During the spring of 1920 extensive improvements were made to the church property. The present members of the consistory are : Elders : John C. Goehring, J. W.. Shakely, George Fiehl, V. A. Barnhart, C. H. Behm, and Ira Behm; Deacons: H. B. Texter, Grover C. Rahiser, A. Zeigler, H. F. Gelbach, F. R. Leighner, and Alfred Metz. Fairview Charge St. John's and St. Peter's Congregations. St. John's Congregation. This congregation was organized by Rev. Abner Dale in 1869. The first officers were Elders : David Barnhart, 538 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Michael Meyers and Fred Barnhart; Deacons: Samuel Stewart, J. J. Barnhart and Adam Stewart. The church was built in 1869 and on June 19th of that year was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. There is an eight room parsonage located at Chicora. From the organization of the congregation until 1879 it belonged to the Sugar Creek charge. Since then together with the St. Peter's congregation at Baldwin, Pa., it has formed the Fairview charge. The following have been the pastors : Rev. Abner Dale 1870—1875 Rev. J. Hannaberry 1875—1879 Rev. J. W. Alspach 1879—1886 Rev. H. H. Sandoe.; 1887— 18i?8 Rev. H. S. Garner 1888—1896 Rev. 0. P. Altlhouse 1897— /1902 Rev. A. H. Ginder 1902—1904 Rev. E. H. Laubach 1905—1907 Revi O. B. Rebeirt 1907—1911 Rev. F. M. Shultz 1911—1913 Rev. E. M. Adair 1914—1915 Rev. S. A. Stamm 1915— The present members of the consistory are: Elders: 0. Barnhart, James Young, L. B. Lupher, and J. H. Andre ; Deacons : John D. Bish, L. A. Eberhart, W. T. Byers, L. C. Barnhart, G. A. Truscott, and A. D. Kepple. The church membership is 120. St. Peter's Congregation. The date of the organization of this congregation is 1847. The congregation was organized by Rev. Samuel Miller. For a long time before this services were held frequently in this section. The first services were likely conducted by the Rev. Henry Koch. The church was ded- icated May 31st, 1857. The following pastors have served : Rev. Samuel Miller 1845—1849 Rev. L. D. Leberman 1849—1850 Rev. Samuel Miller 1850—1852 Rev. H. F. Hartman 1852—1856 Rev. Abner Dale 1856—1860 Allegheny Classis 539 Rev. D. O. Shoemaker 1860—1865 Rev. J. S. Shade _ 1865—1869 Rev. Abner Dale 1870 — 1875 Rev. J. Hannaberry 1875—1879 Rev. J. W. Alspach 1879 — 1886 Rev. H. H. Sandoe 1887 — 1888 Rev. H. S. Garner.. 1888—1896 Rev. C F. Althouse 1897 — 1902 Rev. A. H. Ginder 1902 — 1904 Rev. E. H. Laubach 1905 — 1907 Rev. C. B. Rebert 1907 — 1911 Rev. F. M. Shultz 1911 — 1913 Rev. E. M. Adair 1914 — 1915 Rev. S. A. Stamm 1915 — The present members of the consistory are: Elders: J. M. Byers, E. J. Shakely, J. L. Ellenberger, and M. A. Carpenter ; Deacons : M. D. Snow, H. F. Bartoe, E. J. Delaney, Walter Ellenberger, Miles Shakely, and Pierce Shakely. The church membership is 88. Grace Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1853 Mrs. Wm. E. Schmertz whose father, the Rev. David Kemerer, had been pastor of the German Sixth and Smithfield congregation, wrote to Dr. Henry Harbaugh. She invited him to come to Pittsburgh and confer with some persons in regard to organizing an English Reformed church. Dr. Harbaugh spent two weeks in Pittsburgh. The first Lord's Day he preached in the Third Presbyterian church. The second Lord's Day he preached in the First English Lutheran church. Numerous conferences were held on the week days. It was decided to organize a congregation. The Rev. George B. Russell was commissioned by the Board of Home Missions to be the pastor of the new organization. The organization was effected May 14th, 1854. The seven charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Schmertz, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Rahauser, Mr. and Mrs. John Mish, and Mr. D. S. Dieffenbacher. The names of the first officers : Elders : G. F. Rahauser, and T. 540 The History Op The PiTtsBURGH Synod P. Hackett ; Deacons : W. E. Schmertz and D. S. Dieffen- bacher. For two years the services were held in a hall at the corner of Smithfield St., and Oliver Avenue. In 1856, OLD GRACE REFD. CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA. a plot of ground was purchased for $5,000 at the corner of Grant St., and Webster Avenue, and a church was erected at a cost of $16,000. The congregation raised $10,000 and the church at large contributed $6,000. The dedication of the church took place on the second Lord's Allegheny Classis 541 Day in Dec, 1857. The following ministers, together with Pastor Russell, took part in the dedicatory services : Revs. Henry Harbaugh, D. D., D. Zacharias, D. D., and M. Kieffer, D. D. In 1901 the congregation purchased a plot of ground at the corner of Dithridge and Bayard Sts., for $14,000. The church property at Grant St., and Webster Ave., was sold for $50,000. NEW GRACE REFD. CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA. The present beautiful edifice was erected in 1903. The church, with its furnishings and memorials, together with the ground, is estimated to have cost $125,000. The following clergyman Were present at the dedication: Revs. Drs. George W. Richards, P. C. Prugh, John H. Sechler and Revs. A. V. Casselman, and J. Grant Walter. 542 The History Op The Pittsburgh Synod The following pastors have served : Rev. George B. Russell, D. D 1854—1862 Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D 1862—1865 Rev. John H. Wagner 1865—1870 Rev. T. J. Barkley, D. D 1870—1879 Rev. J. H. Prugh, D. D 1880—1915 Rev. W. Sherman Kerschner (Ass't)....1914— 1915 Rev. F. C. Nau, D. D 1916— The General Synod of the Reformed church was or- ganized in Grace church, Nov. 18th, 1863; Pitts- burgh Synod was organized in this church Feb. 11th, 1870 ; the First Hungarian church of the Protestant faith in America was established in this congregation's church in 1890, services being held for one year ; the remaining in- debtedness of $28,000 was paid on Easter Sunday, 1920 ; Dr. J. M. Schick was educated for the ministry by this congregation ; in 1919, a gift of $13,300 was given to St. Paul's Orphans' Home by Mrs. Peter Keil. The present membership is 347. The present officers are: Elders: J. E. Ash, L. A. Meyran, W. H. Corle, T. W. D. Hieber, and J. H. Hollinger; Deacons: W. E. Schmertz, F. E. Freese, W. A. Caven, E. N. Prugh, E. F. Hays, W. R. Work, W. S. Linderman, H. S. Bair, J. F. Edwards, and A. W. Tosh. William Erwin Schmertz William Erwin, son of Christian and Caroline (Von Westphalen) Schmertz, was born in Driberg, Germany, May 4th, 1826. The family came to this country in 1830 and settled in Pittsburgh. Mr. Schmertz married Amel- ia, daughter of the Rev. David Kemerer, D. D. He died July 13th, 1893. Thomas J. Craig Thomas J., son of Thomas and Margaret (Geddis) Craig, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 12th, 1830. The Craig family attended the Second United Presbyterian church which then stood where the Nixon Theatre now is. One Sunday evening with some companions, young Allegheny Classis 543 Mr. Craig dropped in on a service conducted by Rev. G. B. Russell. The pastor gave out a hymn. He started it himself on the wrong key. He hesitated and then tried again. He was assisted by a clear, rich, high voice >which easily carried the soprano part. When the next hymn was given out, the pastor simply nodded to the un- known visitor and the hymn was led splendidly. At the close of the service the pastor thanked the young maa for his help. A life-long friendship was formed. In 1856 Mr. Craig united with Grace church. Just before Grace church was dedicated Mr. Craig and Miss Mary An- derson were pronounced husband and vnfe in the main auditorium. This was on Sept. 15th, 1857. Mr. Craig served as elder for many years. He frequently attended Synod. From 1863 to 1884, Elder Craig attended all the triennial meetings of General Synod. He served on the Board of Directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home for a number of years. He was a member of the Board of Foreign Missions; treasurer of Pittsburg Synod from its organization for a period of fifteen years ; and mem- ber of the Peace Commission in 1879. His earthly life came to a close Jan. 10th, 1887. St. Mark's Memorial, Pittsburgh, Pa. This congregation is located in the East Liberty dis- trict. The Reformed denomination in this section dates back to the year 1870. The St. James' congregation — for years an independent one — was admitted to Pittsburgh Sj^nod. The church and parsonage and school were lo- cated on Aurelia St. The following pastors served this congregation : Revs. J. Voegelin, F. C. Trappe, F. K. Le- van, I. C. Mueller, G. W. Muelder, C. Borchers, and G. A. Massalsky. The congregation passed out of existence about the year 1878. The buildings are still standing. In Oct., 1872, it was thought advisable to organize an English congregation in this district. The property of the East Liberty Academy Association on the corner of Highland Ave., and Kirkwood Street, had been damaged 544 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod by fire. This lot 40x70 feet with the ruined building was purchased for one thousand dollars. The building was put in repair. On the first Lord's Day in Jan., 1873, the first service was held in a hall on Penn Ave. This service was attended by seventeen persons. On March 30th, 1873, a formal organization was effected. The name assumed was that of Zion's Reformed Church. ST. MARK'S MEMORIAL REFD. CHURCH, PITTSBURGH, PA. This congregation dedicated its House of Worship on June 1st, 1873. The organizer, the Rev. G. B. Russell, D. D., was now the pastor. He was assisted at the dedi- cation by Revs. J. A. Hoffheins and T. F. Stauffer. The cost of the church was $4,519.86. The congregation has had the following pastors : Rev. G. B. Russel, D. D 1873—1875 Rev. H. D. Darbaker 1876—1878 Rev. J. W. Knappenberger 1879—1883 Rev. Milton F. Frank 1884—1885 Rev. J. W. Miller 1886—1889 Allegheny Classis 545 A meeting of the consistory was held Sept. 2d, 1889. These paragraphs are recorded: "On motion the Treas- urer was instructed to pay $13.02 interest on mortgage from Nov. 2d, 1888 to Nov. 2d, 1889." "On motion the Trustees decided to close the church until further action." The final meeting of this body was held on Dec. 10th, 1890. Certificates of dismissal were granted to seventy- nine members. Bills to the amount of $259.75 were paid. An order was then granted to the Rev. D. S. Fouse, D. D., Superintendent of the Board of Home Missions for $3,- 156.02, the balance in the hands of the treasurer of the congregation. At this meeting E. W. Marshall was pres- ident of the consistory and W. P. Eugh the secretary. The members of the consistory at this time were: Elders: E. W. Marshall and A. B. Goewey; Deacons: John L. Fun- dis and Peter Franzmann. On Dec. 22d, 1890 a meeting of prospective members of St. Mark's Memorial congregation was held in the church. Elder J. M. Conroy presided and Charles F. Wells was secretary. Thirty-seven people entered the organization. The first communion was held in March, 1891. The following officers were elected: Elders: G. F. Rahauser and A. B. Goewey ; Deacons : Paul C. Wolff, H. G. Hugus, C. M. Wolff and A. M. Voigt. On Highland Ave., at Howard St., just two squares north of the site of Zion's church, a beautiful stone church, with frame chapel on the rear of the lot was built by B. Wolff, Jr. The marble tablet in the church bears this in- scription : "This building devoted to the worship of Al- mighty God, was erected by B. Wolff, Jr., as a memorial to his brother Christian H. Wolff, born Apr. 6th, 1915, and died Feb. 28th, 1887." The corner stone of this church was laid Oct. 31st, 1889. The Revs. J. H. Prugh, D. D., and James S. Free- man were in charge of this service. The church was ded- icated Dec. 22d, 1890. The ministers in charge of the dedicatory service were Revs. C. J. Musser and A. E. Truxal, D. D. This property is at present valued at $75,- 000. During the thirty years of its existence St. Mark's 546 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod Memorial church has raised $31,801 for Benevolence and $80,131 for congregational purposes. The following pastors have served this congregation : Rev. C. J. Musser Apr. to Sept. 1891 Rev. A. M. Schmidt 1892—1896 Rev. J. G. Walter 1897—1904 Rev. J. H. Deatrich 1905—1911 Rev. W. H. Tussing 1912 — 1916 Rev. H. H. Wiant 1917— The present membership is 117. The present con- sistory is: Elders: S. L. Allen, J. A. Lemmon and Ed- win Johnson; Deacons: F. W. Schultz, R. E. Zimmer- man, Henry Leffler, H. J. Buchheit, J. Davis Allen, B. H. Rodeniser, W. C. Strock, J. A. Reamer, H. W. Kurtz, and H. H. Allebach. Bernard Wolff, Jr. Bernard Wolff, Jr., who built the St. Mark's Memorial church, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., in 1828 and came to Pittsburgh in 1845. Mr. Wolff was greatly in- terested in the building of old Grace Church. Soon after the organization of the congregation, he became a mem- ber. He was perhaps the first organist in Grace church, and was always present at the mid-week service to pre- side at the organ. For a number of years he served faithfully as a deacon in Grace church. Mr. Wolff was a man of splendid life and noble character. His per- sonality was most refined and charming. He was in- tensely interested in the work of the Kingdom and was ever loyal and devoted to his own denomination. Modesty prevented him from consenting to be elected to the re- sponsible office of elder. The Orphan cause was very dear to his heart. For a number of years he was a member of the board of directors of St. Paul's Orphans' Home. He was treasurer of this board for a long period. It was while he was at work on the Orphan Home reports that he was stricken. Mr. Wolff went home to God April 23d, 1901. CHAPTER XXVIII. The Hungarian Classis Bij Alex. Harsanyi, Ph.D., Assisted by Rev. Alex. Kalassay The feeling of organization is greatly developed in the people of the Hungarian Reformed faith. It was this spirit which induced the Hungarian ministers who appear- ed at the first conference held in Pittsburgh on Jan. 10th, 1896, to take the proper steps to organize a classis. Those present at this conference were Frank Ferency, Alex- ander Harsanyi, Bertalan Demeter, Gustav Juranyi, Alex- ander Kalassay and with the consent of Gabriel Dokus, who was unable to be present, requested the Board of Home Missions to permit some sort of organization of the Hungarian congregations, in order to insure uniform functioning. This organization forms the basis of the present Hun- garian Classis. The Hungarian ministers, and congregations were fully aware of the fact that the organization was not official and for this reason congregations of New York, Bridge- port, and South Norwalk, taking as their guide the law book of the Reformed Church in the United States, re- quested the New York German Classis to give them leave to organize a Hungarian Classis. The Classis granted this request, but the German Synod of the East, upon the motion of Dr. Volmer, appealed the decision of the Clas- sis to the General Synod in order that they might ascer- tain whether a Hungarian Classis may be organized or not. The question was discussed at the Synod held at Tiffin, Ohio, and this Synod referred the question back to the different classes. The vote of the classes made the func- tioning of one or more Hungarian classes possible. The 547 548 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Baltimore Synod expressly stated that one or more Hun- garian classes may be organized within the confines of the Reformed Church. The meeting of the organization took place Dec. 12th, 1905, in the Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh. The following were present at this meeting : 1. Rev. D. A. Souders, representative of the Board of Home Missions, and the Pittsburgh Synod. 2. Rev. Alex. Csutoros, from the First Church of Cleveland, Ohio. 3. Rev. John Kovach, and Stephen Molnar, of To- ledo, Ohio. 4. Rev. Alex. Harsanyi, and Stephen Jurcso, of Homestead, Pa. 5. Rev. Stephen Virag, of Trenton, N. J. 6. Rev. Alex. Ludman and Geza Szeghi, of Lor- ain, Ohio. 7. Rev. Stephen M. Kovachy and Andrew Bardos, of Dillonvale, Ohio. 8. Rev. Endre Kovach and John Pelsoczy, of Johns- town, Pa. 9. Rev. Alex. Kalassay, and Andrew Hornyak, of Pittsburgh, Pa. The meeting was begun by a prayer by Alex Kalassay. Rev. Souders then assured those present at the meeting that the Reformed Church is gratified by the work of organization, and sees in this work, a firm basis for labor in the future. Those present being duly elected members stated that they then and there organize the Hungarian Classis, and at the same time note that the congregations of South Chicago, Eleanor and South Bend, also wish to join the Classis. The following were elected as the first executives of the classis: Rev. Alex. Csutoros, President. Andrew Hornyak, Vice President. Rev. Alex. Ludman, Stated Clerk. Rev. Alex. Harsanyi, Treasurer. Hungarian Classis 549 The name of the classis became the "Hungarian Clas- sis of the Reformed Church in the United States." This classis has belonged to the Pittsburgh Synod, ever since its organization. The second meeting of the classis was held in Cleveland, Ohio, in the church of the First Hungarian Reformed Congregation. On the evening of June 11th, 1906, ser- vices were held when Rev. Alex. Vajo, of Trenton, N. J., preached. The meeting was begun at nine o'clock the next day, the 12th, when the president Alex. Csutoros, prayed. At this meeting there were present the pastor and the representative of the newly organized congrega- tion of Dayton, Ohio, and the pastor of the Eleanor, Punxsutawney, Pa., congregation. There were no changes made in the executives of the classis at this meeting. The classis held an extraordinary meeting in Dillon- vale, on Aug. 7th, of the same year. Those present at this meeting discussed the questions arising concerning the Sunday Schools, and the scholars, and gave instruc- tions to Alex. Csutoros, and Alex Kalassay who were departing to Budapest for the unveiling of the Washing- ton monument. The third regular meeting of the classis was held at Homestead on Apr. 23d, and 24th. On the evening of the 23d divine services were held when Alex Csutoros prayed, and Alex Ludman preached. The meeting on the 24th began with prayer by the Rev. A. Csutoros. On this occasion the South Norwalk and West Cleveland congregations joined the classis. On this occasion Alex. Kalassay was elected president, Joseph Tomcsanyi, vice president, Stephan Virag, stated clerk, and Alex. Harsanyi, treasurer. The classis held four extraordinary meetings from Apr. 23d, 1907, until June 11th, 1908, which were made necessary by the work of the Reformed Church in Hun- gary among the Hungarian Americans. In 1908, in consideration of the great burdens upon the congregation, the Pittsburgh congregation and their pas- 550 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod tor were permitted to leave the classis. At the meet- ing held in Johnstown, Pa., Alex. Csutoros became pres- ident, and the other executives remained unchanged. A new chapter begins in the history of the Hungarian Classis and in the spiritual and church life of the Hun- garian Reformed people in this country, with the inter- vention of the Reformed Church of Hungary. For almost fifteen years our Home Mission Board had operated undisturbedly and very successfully among the Hungarian Protestants, having organized during this time eighteen Hungarian Missions and having spent consider- able money on traveling expenses and salaries of min- isters, who have been called from Hungary to minister to the spiritual needs of their countrymen. In 1904 the Coventus of Hungary decided to send out one of its rep- resentatives. Count Joseph Degenfeld, to make a personal visit to all the established Hungarian congregations in America and, if possible, to induce them to sever their connection with the Reformed Church in the United States and to connect themselves with the church authori- ties in Hungary. Count Degenfeld's mission was only partly success- ful, to the great disappointment of the ecclesiastical and government officials of Hungary. On his first visit in Apr., 1904, none of the ministers and congregations show- ed any inclination to accept unreservedly the propositions as offered to them by Count Degenfeld. In Oct., of the same year, the Count came again to the United States with more decisive instrudtions, which were to the effect, that he should by all means organize officially a classis, in connection with and under the authority of the Coventus of Hungary. Ministers in this classis were to be supported by the Conventus, the congregations to receive a cash gift of Five Hundred Dollars, and all churches joining the nat- ional church organization were to receive financial help in paying their debts to the Board of Home Missions. Six ministers and their congregations were willing this time to enter the new organization. The greater part Hungarian Classis 551 of the missionaries and their congregations, however, remained loyal to the denomination, which so tenderly and lovingly took care of their spiritual needs, when the mother church in Hungary forgot to think of and pray for its children, who were struggling in the new world. While nobody would deny the right of the Conventus of Hungary to extend her spiritual care over her children living in the United States, yet the ways and methods as followed by her, and the aims she sought to attain, provoked the sensitiveness of the members of the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States. They protested vigorously in official letters to the Conventus. The reply to every one of the communications was, that the Reformed Church in Hun- gary feels herself now strong enough to take care of her children living in the United States, and that the Coven- tus is very willing to have peace with the Reformed Church in the United States, provided the latter denom- ination will unconditionally release her hold "upon the Magyar Reformed people in the United States. Thus in time the number of the ministers and congre- gations who aifiliated themselves with the so-called Na- tional Hungarian Reformed Church of America, a new denomination in this country, which, however, was to be regarded as an integral part of the body of the Reformed Church of Hungary, being under the direct management of the Conventus, grew from six to twenty-four, while the number of the missions which remained loyal to the Reformed Church in the United States has been reduced to fourteen. Most of the missionaries who had been under the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States remained under the Board and declined to sever their connection with the church in America, with which they had associated themselves. The national Hungarian Church brought a number of ministers from Hungary who were naturally attached to the home church, and who labored to carry out the purposes of the Conventus, to 552 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod have all Hungarian congregations in the United States come under its control. At the meeting held in Trenton, N. J., Apr. 14th, 1904, six ministers and their congregations went into the new organization ; viz : Rev. Zoltan Kuthy, New York, N. Y., Rev. Ernest Komjathy, Bridgeport, Conn. ; Rev. Lad. Ber- oczky, Phoenixville, Conn.; Alex Vago, Woodbridge, N. J. ; Bela Kovacs, Johnstown, Pa., and Elemer Kuthy, Pas- saic, N. J. In 1905 a seqond representajtive of the Conventus, Prof. Gesa Antal, came to America to complete the work of Count Degenfeld, but he seems to have concluded that the interests of the Hungarian Protestants in the United States would be best served by remaining in the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. In 1906 a third representative of the Conventus, ap- peared in the person of Prof. Lad Bede, but he failed to establish an understanding with the Reformed Church in the United States in harmony with the views of the Con- ventus, that all Hungarian ministers and congregations should be placed under the control of the Conventus. This work has been kept up for a number of years. The Con- ventus spent several hundred thousand dollars of their own government funds on the work in America and would no doubt have spent more had not the World War occur- red. A number of ministers and congregations seem to have united with the new organization under the pres- sure of heavy church debts in order to obtain financial relief and, in some cases, at least, to save their church properties. Since conditions have changed as to support from the mother country negotiations have been entered into for the return of the Hungarian pastors and congre- gations to the Reformed Church in the United States. Some Hungarian congregations and pastors in America are members of the Presbyterian Church. Others pre- fer to hold their membership in the German or English Classes of the Reformed Church in whose bounds they are located. The Hungarian Church at Uniontown, in Fay- ette County, Pa., is an example. This congregation and Hungarian Classis 553 its pastor, Rev. Andor Harsanyi, are members of West- moreland Classis. For this reason the Hungarian Clas- sis of Pittsburgh Synod has never been very strong. It is the smallest classis in the Synod. This sentence occurs in the report on the state of the church in 1906 : "With pleasure, we welcome the new classis to this Synod and pray that God's choicest bles- sings may rest upon our Hungarian brethren and their work." Time, Place of Meeting and Officers of the Hungarian Classis After the General Synod, at Baltimore, Md., had grant- ed the request of the Hungarian ministers to organize a Hungarian Classis within the bounds of Pittsburgh Syn- od a preliminary meeting of these ministers was held in Pittsburgh, Dec. 12th, 1905, when the following officers were elected: President, Rev. Alex. Csutoros, of Cleve- land, Ohio ; Secretary, Rev. Alex. Ludman, of Lorain, 0. A committee was appointed to prepare a constitution for the classis. The first annual meeting of the classis was held just six months later, namely on the 12th day of June, 1906, at Cleveland, Ohio, Pres. Alex. Csutoros opened the meeting with prayer. Rev. D. A. Souders, D. D., Supt. of Missions, was present, also representatives from Day- ton, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pa., Trenton, N. J., Punxsutawney, Pa., Homestead, Pa., Toledo, Ohio, and Lorain, Ohio. The former officers were elected. 554 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod S2 55 < O < 2 < o 2 ID M t3 ca 3 >. >> > t> .„.„-.« w m m >; .« -M pi( M s ^ 01 Mmwt3t3oi.ST3T3«£ H W W w >> >■>>>> r^,^^<13QiQ)Q)QiO S <] oQ <; M m -M +3 4J ta o m M o W O Pi ^ -a 7^, C <1 H o o Ph ^ > > o o s s cS oi ni c3 fq pq ca SS p< ft > > > > Q) CD QJ OJ CU ^ Q) aj oj Q> > w w w £ 0) 0) a) m > > r O °. oi ^ - ^ ft ^ ^ 13 S a ^ ^ 4J -4J ^ P= <[;<:;ww<; o o as IS o f^ -!* PL, ■ S (2 q5 -a X .- -o 13 ca o ^ =3 C3 a) ^ <" ^ m c! < w w S g ^ S S o o ::3 o 6 o o J" p-( PM *^ .^ H m 03 .S ca g S g ca Oh?aHqpwwjI>00<350 OOOi-lT-HrHrHi-lTHi-liH(M IBuoi^BSajauoQ sasodinj q.U9^0Aauaa sjBioqog JO -0^1 sj:apEa';[ puB sj90tyo JO -ojst sioonDg JO -Ojsi pauijijuoa -UQ JO s^re^a s^u-EDiunui -uxoQ JO sni^Baq; sauiB^ JO ajnsBjg passitusiQ . M|(M [BAi.auaH JO 3^e3ijiq.jao O O Xfl a t— ( H I — I Eh < !72 suisi^dEa ^l^^PV SXIISIIjdBa ^UBJUJ paiujijuooufi pautiraniog s^UHaiuninuiOQ suoi^ESajSuoo 2 o < H K <; u o w t^ Ci o o o o o « % o H O rn O CO PS q H p m ~^ <'1 H CO m O o o o O o o o 2; sdsodjnj M lO o ■<*' OS fM «; OS IBUOI^B39j3U00 49- ■^ CM e- CV4 IM (£> i rs o O o S aOU3pA3U3a o o o us in in H a> «■ a* j5j^siuii\[ joj ffijuapn^g "irT iM in" CO 1d (M in CO •S -.1 -A JO siaqmaM m ■OUI nog BipEJO puu in CO (M 3 to sjtaqoBax puB sjaoijjo — _ Z> s[ooqog JO -OK ^ '^ M ya CO O CO pauuijuooun. 'sm^aa '"' 1^ s^uBOiunuiraoo 'sq^BaQ is 3 1 'S > >^ 0) 1^ l> o 1 Q co" t- g <1 o 00 o to o 5 CO Ml < d ■^ ^ '. eo (M i 1 > Si u m' 1 >> 0} o !> i 1 & 1 !3 s Ti s ii s S u -a ■s r- c (0 sdoua[ o r- IV1 : c: cc -OAauag -isH^O ^o^ ee- t- 3 OS H o o y, uo^eonpa ao^ ojd o s at ra O o o o <:- suoissij^ auioH jo^ CM Cft CO o «= O O OS «; t^ m iCj:jsiuii/\[ J[oj S4U9p[4S O o" 4 4; H (M CO sai^aioog s,3|c[03(£ ? o •'1' aunoji JO sJsquiBjc o ■>* -j- la lo o ■3«I llOH aiPeJO P°« juacn^JBtlaa 3U10H 'saBioqas To" o" IE CO ^^ sjaqoBax ^ siaogjo ■^ o o siooqog JO '°N m CO paiujijuoDufi^ 'sn^Bao: Si-^QSl sq-UBoiumumoo 'sq^-BaQ SI: -1 FM CC ■ calico pasE^a sauiBjsj O passirasiQ; w 4 <£> o < 3 :|E V3 ■jojj JO iB^viauay: ^a -^ ; ^ o a^Boiji:^jaO A a nn .OS 1-1 paUUTJUOQ - - O (M o o .CO :Se9 suISl:^(iea *[npv o CJ fe "B suisi^dBg :iUBjui o to CN CO a cc s W pauijijuooun o o o o Pi «r =" o" 5" O IC lO n paunuiuioo ^^ ;:^ IC I H S P^ o «C "1 CO = o r~- l-H S s:^uB0!uniumo3 ^ aj M T-l H <: H SUOlJE^oajSUOQ o 2 q JZ X o : S W2 5 t^ o c < <; '11 a: U m — %H 03 O S Cl -C r 1^ § o !K- M 3 c 1 § be C g ffi ! s 5 £ ^ § s £ S CS Ah pia 6 o (1. t3 S < 1 i O Bi o > '> " •-s - ■< ; ^ H m <; o a. c 3 O O > < OS > < £ ■ nn t 9 3 o c 3 LO 3 .-H «3 "-" 00 Oi 05 m J : A 3 ■ IS >> ^ o ^ S "A E-l S a 03 td Ph sa 3 O z is +J ^•5 I) "o '—' n, oi ? ! ; s- 558 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES Arpad Bakay Rev. Arpad Bakay, son of Joseph and Rose Bakay, was born in Hungary, April 16th, 1889 ; educated in a Gym- nasium in Hungary, Heidelberg University at Tiffin, 0., and at Central and the Eastern Theological Seminaries; licensed and ordained by the Hungarian Classis, May 16th, 1916. Pastorates: Assistant pastor at Homestead, Pa., four months; Gary, Ind., four months; Akron, Ohio, since Jan., 1917 Rev. Mr. Backay was married to Miss Lulu M. Tomcsanya. The children are Archie and Lulu. Gabriel DoKus Gabriel Dokus, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Dokus, was born in Hun- gary, Sept. 4th, 1865; educated at Sarospatak, Hungary ; ordained by New York Classis, Dec. 9th, 1894: committee : Frank Ferenczi and Gas- par Bruner. He has been pastor at South Norwalk, Conn., since his or- dination. Married to Miss Bertha Kvancz, Jan. 23d, 1888. Six children: Rev. Gabriel, Jr., Stephen, Julius, Mrs. Bertha Horvath, wife of Rev. Samuel Horvath, Alexander, theologioal student, and Elizabeth Dokus. Alex. Harsanyi The Harsanyi family is one of the oldest Protestant families in Hun- gary. Stephan Harsanyi, a great protestant preacher some three hun- dred years ago in Hungary, was one of the forty-one unfortunate Hungar- ian Reformed pastors who were bound to galleys and sent to Naples by the bigoted and persecuting Catholic bishops of Hungary. He was releas- ed by Admiral De Ruyter in 1876. Hungarian Classis 559 Rev. Alex. Harsanyi, Ph.D., Homestead, Pa., was born in Turkeve, Hungary, on the 16th of Dec, 1870. The toAvn has a population of thirteen thousands souls, over twelve thousand of them being members of the Reformed church. This congregation is served by only two pastors, one of them being the father of Alex Harsanyi, of Homestead, Pa. Father Alex. Harsanyi has been serving the Tur- keve congregation for the last fifty-three years. He is now eighty-eight years old and in perfect health. Mother Harsanyi's maiden name was Margarita Wass. She is living yet and though seventy-five years old, does all the work around the parsonage alone. The old couple suf- fered much during the world war. They had to sleep out in the fields and in cellars in order to save their lives, when the Rumanians pillaged the tovra. Father Harsanyi and his wife had twelve children. The boys were all educated for the ministry, with the exception of one, and the girls, all except one, married ministers. Alexander is the oldest son in the family. At the present time three Harsanyi boys are serving in America as ministers ; Alex., in Homestead, Pa. ; his son, Andor, in Uniontown, Pa., and Ladislaus, in New York City, and a sister of Rev. Harsanyi, Mrs. Helen Hetey, is employed as Deaconess. Rev. Stephan Harsanyi, another faithful minister of the church, died ten years ago, as pastor of the large Bridgeport, Conn., Hungarian congregation. Rev. Alex. Harsanyi was educated in the old college and seminary at Debrecin, which is an orthodox theological school. The city is the great Calvinist center in Hun- gary, seat of the Synod, and permanent place of the Bishop. Rev. Harsanyi was licensed by this Synod in Hungary, in 1894, when he was' recommended by his professors to the Home Mission Board of the Reformed Church of the United States for the vacant charge at Cleveland, Ohio. He arrived in the United States on the 4th day of Nov., 1894, and has been in the service of the Home Mission Board ever since. He is the oldest Hungarian Protestant 560 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod minister in this country and one of the oldest ministers under the Board. He was ordained by Erie Classis, Ohio Synod, at Cleve- land, Ohio, on the 9th day of Dec, 1894, Rev. F. Shaad, and Rev. J. H. Roentgen, officiating. Rev. Harsanyi served the Hungarian congregation in Cleveland, Ohio, from Nov. 4th, 1894, to Feb. 1st, 1898. In Feb., 1898, he was sent by the Board to South Chicago, 111., to organize the congregation there. On the 3d day of Aug., in this year, he married Miss Emma Charlotte Schmidt, of Detroit, Mich. They have one son, Andor, who is pastor of the Uniontown, Pa., Hungarian congre- gation. Rev. Harsanyi is the author of a dozen or more religious books, tracts and pamphlets. He .translated into the Hungarian language the By-Laws of the Reformed Church in the United States, wrote the History of the Reformed Church in the United States, which book was published with the help of Pittsburgh Synod. He pre- pared the by-lingual English Hungarian Catechism, which has had eight editions so far. Rev. Harsanyi also wrote the first Hungarian Temperance book, entitled : "Be Sober, and the Wine Question in the Bible." Since 1917 he is the editor of the Hungarian Ameri- can Presbyterian and Reformed church paper, which is owned and published jointly by the Board of Publication and Sunday School Work of the Presbyterian Church and the Sunday School Board of the Reformed Church in the United States. He has been pastor of the Homestead, Pa., Hungarian congregation since its organization in May 25th, 1903, serving this congregation for more than seventeen years. Stephan M. Kovachy Stephan M. Kovachy, was born in Veszprem, Hungary, and studied for and practiced law for several years. He was a member of the Hungarian Parliament. In 1893 he Hungarian Classis 561 emigrated with his family, wife and eight children, to the United States. In 1902 he began to study theology, and decided to devote his remaining years to the Lord's cause. He went back to Hungary and with a special permit from the Conventus, was permitted to be examin- ed and licensed by the Theological professors at the Theo- logical Seminary of Papa. With the recommendation of the Conventus, he was commissioned by the Board of Home Missions to take charge of the new congregation at Dillonvale, Ohio, on the first day of Apr., 1903. Here he worked for two and one-half years, built a good church, parsonage, etc. He served all the adjacent Hungarian colonies: Cresent, Maynard, Batton and Martins Ferry. In 1905 he received a call from the Hungarian congre- gation at South Chicago, 111., where he preached for more than three years. Samuel Horvath Samuel Horvath, son of Gabriel and Susan Ivan Horvath, was born Sept. 3d, 1887, at Tarcal, Hungary, receiv- ed preliminary education in the Hun- garian College of H. Nanas, in Amer- ica at Mercersburg Academy, Bloom- field Theological Seminary, and East- ern Theological Seminary at Lancas- ter, Pa. ; licensed and ordained by the Hungarian Classis of the Pittsburgh Synod: committee of examination, Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., Ernest Por- zolt and Alex. Radacsy: committee of ordination, at Bridgeport, Conn.; Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., Gabrial Dokus and Alex. Ludman. Pastorates: Akron, Ohio, 1914-1916 ; Lorain, Ohio, 1916 Married to Miss Ber- tha Dokus, Jan. 16th, 1918. One child, Theodore Samuel Horvath. 24 562 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod Andrew Kovacs Andrew Kovacs, son of Andrew and Susan (Antal) Kovacs, was born in Sajo Kara, Hungary, Oct. 25th, 1862 ; educated at Sarospatak, Hun- gary ; licensed in June, 1888, by Saros- patak Classis; ordained Sept. 18th, 1892, Bertalan Kun, Superintendent and Julius Mitrovics, Stated Clerk. Pastorates: Szin, Hungary, 1893- 1898; Johnstown, Pa., 1905-1907. Married Jan. 2l3t. 1904, at Bridgeport, Conn., to Miss Lydia Deak. One adopted child. John Ujlaky Rev. Ujlaky is the oldest Hungar- ian minister in this country. He was born seventy years ago in Hun- gary, and came to the United States in 1903. He is a remarkably active ind indefatigable worker in the vineyard of our Lord. When he serv- 3d the. Dillonvale, Ohio, Mission, a few years ago notwithstanding his ad- vanced age, he often walked miles on Sunday in order to hold services at the different mining places. In Hungary he studied in the old college and seminary at Sarospatak. After his ordination he was, for a time, assistant min- ister, and was elected pastor later in a little town, called Lasztomer, where he preached for thirty years to a bi- Hngual congregation, in the Hungarian and Slavish lan- guages. At Mt. Carmel, he received a call from the congregation at Alpha, N. J., where he preached for two years. The following year he was transferred by the Presbyterian Board to Norton, Va., where he also built a church for the Hungarians. From here he went to Stanford, Miss., for a short time. In 1917 our Board commissioned him Hungarian Classis 563 to take up the work at Dillonvale, Ohio. This congre- gation was organized in 1904, by Rev. Stephan M. Ko- vachy. From here he attended to the spiritual needs of hundreds of Hungarian miners, living in Adena, Cresent, Barton, Herriek, Tiltonville, Connersville, Steubenville, Martins Ferry, etc. He traveled thousands of miles dur- ing the few years he was in the Dillonvale charge. In 1918 the Board transferred him to Martins Ferry, Ohio, because most of the Hungarians who lived in and around Dillonvale, left the place and there was no need of the ministers living there any longer. Here he received an invitation from the new Hungarian Presbyterian con- gregation of Davistown, Pa., which he has accepted with the consent of Dr. D. A. Souders, Supt. of Home Missions. 564 The History of the Pittsburgh Synod SKETCHES OF HUNGARIAN CONGREGATIONS The Reformed Hungarian Mission Of Akron, Ohio The Reformed Hungarian Mission of Akron, Ohio, was organized by Rev. Samuel Horvath in July, 1914. Among the charter members were John Boda and Frank Vigso. The first consistory was : Frank Vigso, Joseph Vajdso, John Boda, John Roesid, Frank Nagy and John Puike. A church was bought from the Lutherans in July, 1914, for $7500. The pastors were : Rev. Samuel Horvath, 1913-1916; Rev. Arpad Bakay, 1916 The present number of members is 100. A parsonage was bought, and the Fifth Anniversary of the dedication' of the buildings was observed in 1920. The present consistory is: Louis Gaisa, Emanuel Fijore, Michael Babinoriki, John Nagy, Alex Toth, Dan. Gergely, Stephen Apostle, Jozsef Baksa, Andrew Baliza, Louis Ferentry, Jozsef Hedervany, John Purke, Louis Purkai and John Rabados. First Magyar Reformed Church, Dayton, Ohio This congregation was organized by Rev. Stephan Vir- ag in 1905. The first consistory was composed of : John A. Herchig, John B. Horsik, Paul Demeter, Andrew Szabo, Paul Darabos, Jos. G. Demeter, Andrew Demeter, John Sipos, Alex Farkas, Ben. Szabo, Julius Rakos, and Paul Cheh. The corner stone of the church was laid Aug. 26th, 1906, the ministers present were: Rev. Wm. A. Hale, D. D., Rev. H. M. Herman, D. D., Rev. Mr. Vicks, and Rev. Stephan Virag. The church was dedicated Jan. 13th, 1907. The ministers present were: Revs. D. A. Souders, D. D., Alex. Kalassay, Alex Csutoros, Alex. Ludman, John Kovacs, Andrew Kovacs, and Stephen Vir- ag. The cost of the church was $7,000. The pastors have been : Stephen Virag, 1906-1907 ; Andrew Ko-<^acs, 1907 The church was injured by the flood in 1913, and was repaired at a cost of $887. In 1914 a tower was built costing $1200 and bells purchased at a cost of $250. Hungarian Classis 56b In- 1917 a pipe organ was installed costing $1300 and the same year a church was bought from the Baptists and remodeled at a cost of $15000, of which sum, forty members paid $6000, and the Sunday School bought a chapel organ for $150. The present number of mem- bers is 212. The 1920 consistory is : Jos. Demeter, An- drew Simon, Emery Maar, John Petroci, Michael Simon, Joseph Balars, Alex Csako, Joseph Andrasik, Stephen Veg, John Hanus, Gabor Silai, John Hegediis, Jr., and janitor Louis Toro. The Hungarian Reformed Church, S. Norwalk, Conn. This congregation was organized by Rev. Gabriel Dokus in 1894. The names of members of the first consistory are: John Lonchak, Martin Czakc, Daniel Levai, Joseph Makai, John Kvancz, Joseph Soltesz, Julius Teplitczy, Ladislaus Kantor, James Kaliai and Frank Kovacs. The first church building was dedicated Mar. 29th, 1896, and cost about $2000. The second church building was dedicated May 24th, 1911 costing about $20,000. A number of Hungarian ministers were present on each oc- casion. Rev. Gabriel Dokus has been pastor since its organization. In 1913 a new parsonage was built be- side the present church. A pipe organ has been pur- chased and is about to be installed at a cost of $2500.00. The present number of members is 180. The present consistory is : John Koletar, Andrew Szabo, Stephen Yoc- zik, Gabriel Kurimai, John Kvancz, Stephen Szocs, Steph- en Kvancz, Stephen Jobhagy, Louis Szabo, Paul Tamas, John Foris, Andrew Vadas, Michael Soltesz, Joseph Kiss, Sephan Farkas and Joseph Varga. First Hungarian Reformed Church, Homestead, Pa. This congregation was organized by Rev. Alex. Har- sanyi, May 25th, 1903. One hundred and ten persons took part in the first communion. The present pastor has served from the organization of the church. The 566 The Histoey Of The Pittsburgh Synod present number of members is 250. The consistory was : Elders : John Siposs, Jos. Bertha, John Mathe, John Bab- as, Alex. Lengyel, Bela Mokcsay, Michael Pesta, Jos. Tomcsanyi, Geo. Valyisko, John Toth, Daniel Toboz, John Vajda, Louis Bodnar, Chas. Farkas, Ladislaus Polonkay, Frank Szoke, Michael Hies, John Varga, Michael Kanoc, John Vitez, Michael Bulyko and Andrew Gedra, the chief Elder being Steven Jurcso, and the church treasurer An- drew Szinnyei. The president of the consistory is pas- tor Rev. Harsanyi. The corner stone of the church was laid June 12th, 1904, and it was dedicated Oct. 30th, 1904. The church cost $13,000 without the lot and the windows. The present consistory is : President, Rev. Alex. Har- sanyi; chief Elder, Stephen Lengyel; treasurer, Andrew Hudak; secretary, Alex. Bill; second Elder, Imre Czak- oczy. The Deacons are : John Bulyko, Andr. Sega, John Balla, John Mako, John Csontos, Jos. Timko, Jos. Geczy, John Kovacs, Kalm Kiss, and Bert. Kolysza. The Hungarian Reformed Church, Lorain, Ohio This congregation was organized Sept. 7th, 1902, by Refv. Bela Basso. The prospects for religious work in this field were ex- ceedingly bright. Several hundred Hungarians, mostly Protestants were employed here in the steel industries. The Reformed Church, realizing the great opportunity, helped to care for their spiritual interests. After the or- ganization the first need was a house of worship and an ideal location for a church building was selected. The corner stone of the church was laid Sept. 27th, 1903 ; the following ministers assisting the pastor. Rev. Bela Bas- so; Revs. Stephen Harsanyi, Alex. Csutoros and E. C. Young. The church edifice was completed and the dedication took place Oct. 4th, 1904, and the following ministers as- sisted the pastor: Alex. Kalassy, Alex. Csurotos, Steph- Hungarian Classis ser HUNGARIAN REFD. CHURCH, LORAIN, OHIO an Harsanyi, Alex. Ludman, and D. A. Souders, D. D. The following pastors have served the organization : Rev. Bela Basso 1902—1904 Rev. Alex. Ludman 1904—1907 Rev. Stephan Virag .....1907—1916 Rev. Samuel Horvath 1916— The Reformed church in Lorain, 0., is one of the most progressive among the Hungarians. It has 450 mem- bers, a Ladies' Society of 130, a Men's Society of 390, and a Young Peoples' Society of 57 members. There are 230 568 The History Of The Pittsburgh Synod children in the School for Religious Instruction. The congregation celebrated its Tenth and Fifteenth Anni- versaries and in 1919 paid its debts in full. The first consistory was Stephan Cseh, Andrew Istenes, Charles Kosa, and Joseph,Medgyesi, Sr. The membership enrolled at the organization was seventy-three. The consistory elected for 1920 is : Julius Pandy, Steph- an Kostrub, Frank Kovats, John Kocka, Joseph Medg- yesi, Sr., Stephan Cseh, Louis Farkas, V. Aros, U. G. Toth, J. Jager, L. Pirigyi, Andrew Korka, L. Szanyi, M. Csonka, J. Kosztyu, J. Majoros, John Lorenc, A. Garay S. Porkolab, Stephan Cseh, Jr., S. Pirigyi, Louis Pandy, M. Balogh, and John Folop. Cleveland, Ohio, (East Side, First Hungarian Cong.) Organized in May, 1891, by Rev. Gustav Juranyi, who served till Nov. 4, 1894. From Nov. 4, 1894, to Feb. 1, 1898, the congregation was served by Rev. Alex. Har- sanyi. After him came, Rev. Bert Demeter, who served the congregation for only a few months. Then came Rev. Alex. Csutoros, who for 13 years was in charge of the mission. In 1911 Rev. Csutoros having received a call from a church in Hungary, left the congregation. He was followed by Rev. Alex Toth, the present minis- ter. The first (frame) church was built in 1894, and dedicated on Nov. 25th, 1894. by Rev. Alex. Harsanyi and Rev. Stepler. In 1896 a parsonage was built. A few years later a fine new stone church was built. Pittsburgh, Pa. The work among the Hungarians in Pittsburgh was begun in 1892 by the Rev. John H. Prugh, who was the first who discerned the importance of this work, and took the Hungarians under his protection, for wliom he b\iilt a church in 1893. The pastors of the congregation were John Kovach, from 1892 until 1894. He later be- came a preacher in Toledo. Frank Ferencsy, from 1892 Hungarian Classis 569 until 1898. He died in Jurfe, 1898. Paul Konyha, from 1898 until 1903. From 1903, Alex. Kalassay has been the pastor of the congregation. Trenton, N. J. Organized in July, 1895. First pastor was Gustav Juranyi. He was followed by Frank Csanfordy, in 1897, who held this position until 1898, when Stephen Virag occupied this position, and held it until 1906. Toledo, Ohio. Toledo was a member of the classis for only a short time, during the pastorate of John Kovach. When John Kovach left Toledo, the congregation did not wish to call a pastor, but asked Eugene Boross, a theological student, to perform the duties necessary. For this reason the congregation was excluded from the classis. West Cleveland. West Cleveland joined the classis lately. Organized in 1906. The pastor was Charles Erdei, who was or- dained here. The congregation was in the classis only until 1907.