'UliiHi 
 
 Mil 'ii!liniptilj]lip' 
 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis bool< 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/cu31924008871281 
 
Cornell University Library 
 BX7817.036M69 
 
 A history of the Church of the Brethi 
 
 3 1924 008 871 281 
 
A History 
 
 of the 
 
 Church of the Brethren 
 
 Northeastern Ohio 
 
 T. S. MOHERMAN, B. D. 
 
 Editor and Writer 
 
 S. R. GARVER 
 
 Business Manager 
 
 A. W. HARROLD (Eld.) 
 
 Associate Contributor 
 
 Printed by 
 
 Brethren Publishing House 
 
 Elgin, III., 1914 
 
Dedicalcd 
 
 to 
 
 the memory of all ivho' have in any way 
 
 contributed to the development of 
 
 the Church of the Brethren 
 
 in Northeastern Ohio 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 A general sketch, a short history of the Church 
 of the Brethren from the earhest settlement in 
 Northeastern Ohio to the present time is no easy 
 task, because of the sealed lips and the old trails of 
 travel having become obscured with time, yet it is 
 a matter of interest to know that fifteen counties 
 of Northeastern Ohio were sold to the New England 
 people. These counties were settled for the most 
 part by emigration from Pennsylvania, Maryland 
 and Virginia. Some Brethren as early as 1800 emi- 
 grated to these counties in primitive modes of travel, 
 some on foot, others on horseback, and still others 
 following the ox-cart. This country was a thick 
 network of timberland ; roads had to be cut out as 
 the demand of travel required. These early settle- 
 ments in the various parts of Northeastern Ohio 
 were visited by the ministers from the older 
 churches in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, 
 the brethren coming on horseback, riding for days 
 to visit and preach to the brethren and sisters who 
 sought homes in what was then known as the new 
 country. The place of preaching in the winter time 
 was in the cabin houses, and in the summer time in 
 log barns. Generally the brethren traveled two 
 by two, following the example of the Master when 
 he sent out the twelve and the seventy to preach 
 the Gospel. 
 
 As emigration continued, here and there would 
 be formed a nucleus of members, who were soon 
 
 S 
 
6 INTRODUCTION 
 
 urs^anizcd into churches witli officers who had the 
 zeal and courage to develop the work of the Master. 
 
 About thirty-five years ago Elder Samuel Sprank- 
 cl was sent out by the Home Mission Board into 
 Ashtabula County to look after a few scattered 
 members in some of the northeastern townships of 
 the State. Here he found one of the old trails the 
 pioneer brethren used to travel on horseback, in 
 coming into this new country to break the Bread 
 of Life to the members in those new homes. On 
 this trail an aged sister was found that came from 
 Virginia, who had her home twelve miles north of 
 Warren, Preble County. She came from the above- 
 named State on horseback, taking the Indian trail 
 for her road, and settled on a farm of hea^'y timber, 
 which was naturally infested at that time with wild 
 animals. Her home became a stopping place for 
 the brethren when they would pass through to go 
 to these mission colonies, as they were called. 
 Brethren Hogue, Showalter, Karns, the Snyders, 
 Kurtzes, Henry Da\-3r, James Quinter and the Mish- 
 lers visited these meinbers upon occasions, wdiose 
 presence brightened their hope, and strengthened 
 their faith, resulting in the multiplying of organi- 
 zations. 
 
 The first Annual Meeting held within this terri- 
 tory was in 1822, eight miles northeast of Canton, 
 near by a village that was called Harrisburg, later 
 known as Berryville. 
 
 In 1864 the first District Meeting was held in 
 Northeastern Ohio, one and one-half miles south- 
 west rif Hart\-ille, in the barn of Jacob Brumbaugh. 
 Jsint-c then District Meetings have been held an- 
 
INTRODUCTION 7 
 
 nually, with varying interest and inspiration, look- 
 ing forward to the dex-elopment of the work of the 
 District. 
 
 It is a further note of interest to know that ])eace 
 and union and harmony ha\e ])re\'ailed throughout 
 the District with but sHght variations from the 
 earhest advent of the brethren into the Northeastern 
 territory of Ohio. 
 
 In the early days of the church, about one and 
 one-half miles southwest of New Berlin, there lived 
 a brother by the name of Funk. His zeal for the 
 cause of the Master was shown in the large log 
 house he built from the stately timber then densely 
 covering the country. The upper part of his house 
 was all in one room, where regular services were 
 held for some time. This place grew to such im- 
 portance that it was known far and near as the 
 Dunkards' headquarters. What is said of this place 
 ma)' be said of many landmarks all o^'er the District. 
 The reader will note with interest these beginnings 
 which prepared the way for the organization of 
 churches, and the larger work of the Master later 
 on. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 To write a history of a religious movement, trac- 
 ing out all the paths of travel and noting the inci- 
 dents by the way, is no ordinary task, even though 
 all the material pertaining to the movement should 
 be easy of access ; but when the matter comes to 
 hand in its crude state, to be reduced to a form of 
 beauty as well as sound and reliable information, 
 the task becomes more difficult. 
 
 To gather, compile and edit matter concern- 
 ing the church of Northeastern Ohio, a new path 
 of travel must be marked out. The libraries in the 
 homes and those collected in schools and colleges 
 do not contain those records that are of special in- 
 terest to our fraternity, hence we have to visit the 
 old and saintly homes of the brethren and sisters 
 who were pioneers in the westward movement and 
 draw from their rich memories those events that 
 have ever been sources of joy to their waiting souls. 
 Though this source of information reveals many 
 preserved factors of the early doings of the churches, 
 yet much of vital interest and importance has evap- 
 orated from these repositories of past events. We 
 are pleased to set forth what we have been able to 
 gather from different sources, hoping that it may 
 generate such an interest on the part of the member- 
 ship in the various churches to continue gathering 
 matters of historic worth, that the volume may in 
 due time be revised and become a greater source of 
 valuable information. 
 
 9 
 
10 PREFACE 
 
 This work of dexeloping the history of the Breth- 
 ren of Northeastern Ohio should become a matter 
 of serious concern, because no rehgious sect is so 
 little understood and so persistently misrepresented 
 as the Church of the Brethren. Her name, belief and 
 history are all unknown to the general reader. Even 
 scholars who attempt upon occasions to make ref- 
 erence to the faith and practices of this body are 
 so wide of the mark that it becomes necessary to be 
 diligent in setting forth our claims, that all may 
 run and read. 
 
 This history will become valuable to those who 
 attend our District and Annual Meetings, who par- 
 ticipate in the deliberations and join in the making 
 of history for Christ's people. If they are ignorant 
 of the facts of the work of the churches, they be- 
 come weak instruments indeed in inviting the on- 
 ward progress of that body of people that have 
 survived the wreck and debris of ages, and whose 
 westward move has been irresistible against every 
 opposition. By acc|uaintanceship with the records 
 of the churches we are enabled to become consistent 
 not only in faith but also in practice. 
 
 The aim of this work (which was ordered by the 
 District) is to make as complete record of the or- 
 ganizations of the churches as is possible and to use 
 this record as a defense of primitive Christianity as be- 
 lieved and interpreted by the Church of the Brethren. 
 
 The collection of the material has been a labor of 
 increasing interest. To find a new fact : to uncover 
 a lost record ; to gain an additional event in the 
 chain of e^'ents, has been a sustaining power in 
 many an hour of wearv toil with a desire that this 
 
PREFACE 11 
 
 \oluine may quicken our lu\ e for the church ami 
 that it may be the means, under God's blessings, to 
 do some good for the cause of the Master. 
 
 Those who have contributed in making this \'ol- 
 ume possible are too many to mention personally. 
 But may it be said that first and last and all through 
 the years that data have been accumulating for this 
 book, Brother Simon Garver, of Orrville, Ohio, has 
 been the li\'e wire through whose persistent agita- 
 tions among the Brethren at District Meetings, h.ne 
 feasts, and wherexer he would meet with those who 
 would lend a listening ear, has the District Meeting 
 been made willing to authorize the forward mo\'c 
 that the archives of memory may be searched and 
 the faith, hope and love of those who pioneered for 
 Christ's sake may be whispered to our souls who 
 are working on the superstructure of their splen- 
 did foundations. Brother Gar^•er's has been a self- 
 sacrificing effort all the way through, sparing nei- 
 ther means nor time that the rich treasures of the past 
 may be brought to the knowledge of present readers. 
 
 Brother Albert Harrold, of Columbiana, Ohio, has 
 been a faithful and wise counsellor. He has not 
 been sparing with his time and means that the 
 churches in the eastern part of the District might 
 l)e well written up, and the lines of pioneer develop- 
 ment may be clearly set forth ; for through his part 
 of the District were the first trails made into the 
 larger Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 As to myself, I would better make an apology 
 rather than say anything complimentary. On ac- 
 count of heavy school duties my editorial work on 
 the manuscript wdiich came to me has moved along 
 
12 PREFACE 
 
 with tiresome slowness. But by the untiring ef- 
 forts of my associate committeemen and of my 
 ever-faithful wife has the heavy load been sufficient- 
 ly lifted that the last item of interest could be in- 
 corporated. 
 
 The reader will not find perfection in style or in 
 the content, for data in a great part have come to 
 my desk somewhat fragmentarily and there were 
 many o\erlappings that were in some measure con- 
 flicting; hence in some instances the reader may 
 remember the events a little differently from what 
 is shown on these pages, as gathered from local 
 informants. We have used only what has been re- 
 ported to us as facts. 
 
 But few names of contributors appear because 
 much of the matter coming to hand suffered such 
 reconstruction that it would be no more than right 
 that the editor should bear all responsibility for in- 
 accuracies, and whatever other defects are found. 
 
 However, this beginning could not have been 
 made without the generous contributions which 
 have come in from all over the District. There is a 
 rich mine of data of the churches yet to be explored, 
 and that is : the inner workings of the congrega- 
 tions ; the real life of the members. The present 
 effort could not get into that rich field, but had to 
 be content for the most part in following dates, or- 
 ganizations, elections, ordinations, and scraps of 
 descriptive matter. 
 
 With malice toward none, but affection for all, 
 and my humble pardcm of any who may be offended, 
 this \olume is gi^•en to the public. 
 
 T. S. Mohcrman. 
 
Northeastern Ohio 
 
 Comprises a very large area of nature's richest 
 gifts. If you will turn to your map of Ohio contain- 
 ing all the counties, beginning at the northwest 
 corner of Lorain County, and pass along the west 
 boundaries of Lorain, Ashland, Knox, Licking, Per- 
 ry, Morgan and Washington Counties, you will 
 have the line that divides Northeastern Ohio from 
 the Southern and Northwestern Districts. There 
 are twenty-nine counties in all, viz. : Ashtabula, 
 Trumbull, Malioning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Geau- 
 ga, Portage, Carroll, Harrison, Monroe, Belmont, 
 Summit, Stark, Tuscarawas, Guernsey, Noble, Cuy- 
 ahoga, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Coshocton, Musk- 
 ingum, Lorain, Ashland, Knox, Licking, Perry, Mor- 
 gan and Washington. 
 
 The map of the Church of the Brethren comprises 
 the following counties : Ashland, Knox, Perry, 
 Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Coshocton, Summit, 
 Stark, Tuscarawas, Portage, Trumbull, Ma- 
 honing and Columbiana. Churches in Ashta- 
 bula and Belmont Counties have been disorganized, 
 which leaves less than half of the counties of 
 the District unoccupied by churches of the Breth- 
 ren. This map also shows that the westward move 
 was through the central counties of the District, 
 and so far as the records show, but few attempts 
 have been made to sprearl into the counties to the 
 
 13 
 
14 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 nurth ami SDUth. The answer to this rather pe- 
 cuHar phenonienun is that the Brethren pushed 
 straight on into the western parts of the State, 
 Indiana and lUinois. Too, the soil and type of 
 people played some part in not indulging in more 
 expansi\e mo\ements within the District. 
 
 The natural resources of this church District 
 cannot be excelled in their variety and richness. 
 It is the most populous part of the State, its cities 
 are large, and its manufacturing interests are great 
 producers. Its educational system provides for the 
 education of e^•ery youth, and all Protestant 
 churches are represented in the moral and religious 
 training of the pul:)lic. Steam roads and electric 
 lines are the transportation con\'eniences of e\'erv 
 rural community. 
 
 Why should not tiie faith of the Brethren of 
 Northeastern Ohio mo\'e into these counties un- 
 occupied by our people, and become a power of 
 God unto salvation to them who do not know Him? 
 The material resources stand for comfortable homes 
 and a substantial support to the cause of Christ. 
 The culture and large-heartedness of the people of 
 this part of the State are a great invitation, and a 
 home mission field that should enlist our young 
 brethren and sisters for Christ. By engaging our 
 Home Mission Board in opening up missions in 
 these populous centers, the District would not only 
 increase its strength at' home, but become a greater 
 power in reaching those who are in heathen dark- 
 ness in foreign lands. By keeping the home base 
 an ever-growing and expanding power, enal^les it 
 to become a dynamo of greater accomplisliments. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 15 
 
 From this the reader will see that there is a great 
 home field, and great resources in the home churches 
 for great accomplishments ; a great treasury of truth 
 in the Gospels to be taught ; and the great avenue to 
 realize these great opportunities is through a great 
 Home Mission Board, with a great and consecrated 
 ministry at its service, great congregations, great 
 Sunday-schools, great Aid Societies and Christian 
 ^Vorkers' organizations. 
 
 IMMIGRATIONS AND EARLY SETTLE- 
 MENTS. 
 
 As late as the middle of the nineteenth century, 
 Ohio was considered as Ijelonging to the Great 
 West l3y those who resided east of the Allegheny 
 Mountains. Its dense forests, rich soil, and water 
 supply became Cjuite an inducement to those who 
 had the courage to make the venture of a trip into 
 the new country. 
 
 The earliest migrations encountered many perils 
 due to the newly beaten trails over precipitous 
 mountains and through turbulent streams, and the 
 irate Indians who were driven ruthlessly from their 
 happy hunting grounds on the eastern slopes. The 
 means of travel were: The ox-cart, stage-wagon, 
 horseback and afoot. Homesteads were taken up 
 rapidly on easy terms, and deeds given bearing the 
 signatures of the Presidents of the United States. 
 Soon the original trails became well established 
 thoroughfares with frequent residences all along 
 the way, thus removing many of the dangers in- 
 cident to the earlier days. 
 
16 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The earliest immigrations of the Brethren into 
 Northeastern Ohio were along toward the close of 
 the eighteenth century, settling for the most part 
 in the first and second tiers of eastern counties. 
 The trickery of land agencies, Indian invasions, and 
 homesicknesses made the first settlements very em- 
 barrassing. However, there was a deep-seated faith 
 in the future of the new country, and the spirit of 
 peacemaking in the midst of contending factions 
 soon triumphed. The more healthful conditions 
 brought new recruits from the East, and by the time 
 Ohio became a State in 1803, immigrations of 
 Brethren from Pennsyh'ania, Maryland and Vir- 
 ginia were growing quite common. " Birds of a 
 feather flock together " was carried out only in a 
 measure by the Brethren from the East. While 
 there was some tendency to settle in colonies, yet 
 there was a marked disposition to move into new 
 sections of country, easy of access, however, for 
 spiritual fellowship. From this the reader will 
 note that the planting of the faith of the Brethren 
 in the virgin section of the State was quite apostolic. 
 The churches took on marked growth through the 
 a1)le preacliing of the Word and shepherding of the 
 flocks. 
 
 The first preachers were known as circuit riders, 
 because of their much traveling from place to place 
 on horselDack to fill the appointments. Their work 
 was ably supplemented at times l^y ministers from 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland and Mrginia, who made 
 their trips over the mountains mostl_y in the saddle, 
 spending in some cases several weeks, visiting the 
 churches, jiointing theru to the ideals of peace, bar- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 17 
 
 mony, plainness and a faithful walk in the footsteps 
 of the Master. Their farewells to the brethren be- 
 fore lea\ing for their homes were full of tenderness 
 and love. 
 
 At a certain point in the history of these pioneer 
 churches their growth was retarded, due to the 
 heavy migrations to Indiana and Illinois, incident to 
 the opening of those promising lands to settlement. 
 This movement gave these congregations a chance 
 to become mothers of churches. Not a few churches 
 in the farther West owe their organization directly 
 to the excellent and strong-faithed members who 
 took advantage of home-getting on easy terms. 
 
 The early settlements of Brethren were all farm- 
 ers, and they have maintained the reputation of 
 developing the finest agricultural districts in the 
 State. From this you will note that the Brethren 
 occupy a unique position in the prosperity of the 
 country, because it is through a right handling of 
 the soil and its treasures that there can be success 
 in any line of human well-being. This agricultural 
 instinct has been well maintained by succeeding 
 generations. 
 
 The preaching of the Word and the shepherding 
 of the pioneer churches was carried forward without 
 expense to the congregations. The ministers and 
 their families practically bore the entire burden of 
 spreading the AVord to a dying people, yet they 
 were prosperous and almost invariably headed the 
 subscription lists for the erection of churchhouses, 
 and any other expense incident to the carrying for- 
 ward of the work. 
 
 For a quarter of a century all preaching was done 
 
18 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN • 
 
 in the huuses ul the members. The meetings were 
 all-day ser\-ices, with a noon luncheon furnished l^y 
 the family entertaining the meeting. This taxed 
 the finances of some of the members to the utmost, 
 because of the long distances many of the members 
 had to travel for spiritual nourishment. They had 
 to be entertained for both lodging and meals, and 
 that in a time when the house was but a cabin, and 
 the means of gaining a living were primiti\e. Yet, 
 those were good old days, so faithfully occupied 
 that our cup of joy might' l:)e made full. 
 
 Through the well-wrought work of the churches 
 of Northeastern Ohio, she has both directly and in- 
 directly become identified with every modern activ- 
 ity and progress of the general Brotherhood. This 
 is as it should be. The Lord and Master has called 
 us to a great work, and let the churches erect the 
 superstructure of that which has been so nobly done, 
 into citadels of faith, where " Glory to God in the 
 highest, and on earth peace and good will to men " 
 might become immortal. 
 
 NIMISHILLEN CHURCH. 
 
 John Gans, Bishop Gans, as he was then called, 
 moved into Nimishillen Township, Stark County, 
 Ohio, in 1804. 
 
 He cut his way through the woods from Colum- 
 biana County, and mo\-ed on a farm about one 
 mile si3uth of Harrisburg. He was the first min- 
 ister and elder of the Nimishillen church of the 
 Brethren. 
 
 lie did not h'\'e tn a great aye, but in liis will tlicre 
 
20 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 can today be seen a clause which furbade the use or 
 presence of hquor at his funeral and sale. 
 
 He was buried on the Matthias farm near Harris- 
 burg, but his wife became \'ery old and is buried in 
 the East Nimishillen cemeter}^, three miles south 
 of Hart\'ille. On her tombstone can be read that 
 she was the wife of Bishop Gans. The definite lo- 
 cation of Brother (ians' gra\'e cannot be determined 
 at the present time. 
 
 The Nimishillen church of Northeastern Ohio was 
 therefore organized near Harrisburg, soon after the 
 year 1804. 
 
 John Clans, Michael Miller, Sr., Ulrich Shively 
 and Michael Dickey were its early ministers. 
 
 W'illiam Hoover, Isaac Karn, George Hoke, Jo- 
 seph Showalter, Michael Miller, Jr., George Shively 
 and Elias Dickey followed in the order named. 
 
 For some years previous to 1825 its regular meet- 
 ings were held in the houses and barns of the 
 following-named members : David Snyder, David 
 /■Ibie, John Sheidler, Jacob Snyder, Joseph Schnei- 
 der, George Swinehart, Daniel Brown, Michael Flo- 
 ry, John Her,shey, John Thomas, Jacob Bauer, Dan- 
 iel Markley, Joseph Showalter, Conrad Brumbaugh, 
 William Hoover, Peter Ebie, Martin Houser, A^'id- 
 ow Thomas, Andrew Crist, Jacob Funk, Widow 
 Eieser, David Bixler, Jacol) Replogle, John Garl 
 and Daniel Bowser. Big-licarted people they were! 
 These members li\ing in widely different parts of 
 the large territory embraced in this church, and the 
 meetings being held only once in two weeks, they 
 \\'iiuld come around only a1)out once a year. The 
 membei's would therefore go to meeting many miles 
 
22 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 un horseback and in heavy wagons over rough roads, 
 through a then rough and wild-looking country. 
 
 In the year 1825 this church was divided by or- 
 ganizing the Canton Church out of its territory. 
 The organization of the Canton Church left the 
 Nimishillen congregation with John Cans, Wm. 
 Hoover, Isaac Karn and Joseph Showalter as min- 
 isters. Bro. Showalter had been called to the min- 
 istry in 1819. 
 
 In 1822 the first Annual Meeting was held 
 in Ohio in the bounds of the Ximishillen Church, 
 eight miles northeast of Canton, near the village 
 of Harrisburg, now called Barry\'ille. 
 
 In 1840 George Hoke moved from the Canton 
 Church into Nimishillen. Previous to this Breth- 
 ren Gans and Hoo\'er had died, and Brother Karn 
 moved west. 
 
 In 1850 Daniel Fry mo\-ed to Illinois. 
 
 Menno Stouffer was called to the ministry in 1860 
 and soon afterward moved into this church, and in 
 1866 moved to Indiana. 
 
 About the year 1852 Brother Hoke moved to 
 7\shland County, this State, and in 1858 Brother 
 Showalter moved out of the congregation and the 
 oversight of the church was left in the care of Jo- 
 seph Mishler, who soon after became quite infirm 
 in body and mind, and died in 1867. 
 
 In 1858 David Young and John B. Mishler were 
 elected to the ministry. In 1864 the first District 
 Meeting of Northeastern C)hio was held in the barn 
 of Bro. Jacob Brumbaugli, one and one-half miles 
 southwest of I-Iart\ille. Tlie meeting places were 
 continued among tlie members until 1856, when a 
 
24 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Ijrick church was built three miles south of llart- 
 ville. Then some meeting places were abandoned 
 in the near-by territory and continued at other 
 places till 1868, when the Nimishillen territory was 
 divided into East Nimishillen, W^est Nimishillen 
 and Springfield congregations. The ministers at 
 this time were Flenry Browant, Henry Brumbaugh, 
 David Young, John B. Mishler; and deacons, John 
 Culler, I-lenry Young, Abraham Kurtz, Jacob Mish- 
 ler, Isaac Mohler, Thomas Hill, Manasseh HoU and 
 Cyrus Witwer. 
 
 East Nimishillen. 
 
 l-fenry Brumbaugh was the only minister in 
 East Nimishillen at the time of this division, and 
 John Culler, deacon, with the churchhouse as a 
 place for meetings. 
 
 In 1869, John Kurtz and Samuel Markley were 
 elected deacons, and David Bowers and Joseph 
 Hoover were elected to the ministry. 
 
 In 1871, Andrew Carper and Andrew Brumbaugh 
 were elected to the deacon's office. In 1875, John 
 Kurtz was elected to the ministry. In 1876, Charles 
 Kinsley, John Bair and Daniel F. Ebie were elected 
 deacons. In 1880, Charlie F. Kinsley was called to 
 the ministry. In 1890, John Kurtz was ordained to 
 the ministry and in 1892, Eld. Noah Longanecker 
 moved into the congregation. The brick church 
 that was built in the Nimishillen congregation in 
 the year 1856 was torn down in 1899 and rebuilt as 
 it stands at the present time, about three miles 
 south (jf Ilartville. In 1874, a frame meetinghouse 
 
26 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 was built on the farm of Lewis Brumbaugh about 
 one mile northeast of Hartville, with Andrew Brum- 
 baugh, John Bair, Daniel Feller and Ephraim Brum- 
 baugh on the building committee. The present 
 brick church was built with John Wolf, Andrew 
 Carper, Isaac Brumbaugh, Samuel Markley and 
 Josiah Kurtz on the building committee. Bro. Jo- 
 seph J. Hoover was the first clerk in the congrega- 
 tion. He resigned his office on April 30, 1875, and 
 was succeeded by Andrew Brumbaugh, who served 
 in this office until 1900. He was succeeded by 
 Solomon Shoemaker, who served in this office until 
 1910, when he was succeeded by Edson W. Wolf. 
 
 In 1876, Sister Margaret Gans donated $500 to the 
 church for the purpose of paying traveling expenses 
 of ministers visiting the church. 
 
 John Kurtz was the first treasurer of the church. 
 He served until 1877 when he resigned and was suc- 
 ceeded by Andrew Carper who served until his 
 death in 1900, and was then succeeded by Lundy 
 Miller. 
 
 May, 1901, Henry Kinsley and Edwin Stefty were 
 elected deacons. 
 
 May, 1902, William Eshelman and Solomon S. 
 Shoemaker were elected deacons. 
 
 November, 1902, S. S. Shoemaker w^as elected to 
 the ministry. 
 
 August, 1904, Geo. Goughnour and Uriah Kurtz 
 were elected deacons. 
 
 In 1896, Joseph Kimmel mo\'e(l into the congrega- 
 tion, ha\'ing received the ministry in Oregon. 
 
 The elders who have ])resided over the congre- 
 gation are: Henry Brumbaugh, John Kurtz, Noah 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 27 
 
 Longanecker and Charles Kinsley. Our present 
 ministers are : Noah Longanecker, Charles F. Kins- 
 ley, Joseph Kimmel and Solomon S. Shoemaker. 
 
 Our present deacons are: Daniel F. Ebie, John 
 Culler, Isaac D. Brumbaugh, Henry Kinsley, Edwin 
 Steffy, Wm. Eshelman, Uriah Kurtz, Cyrus Young, 
 George Carper and Edson W. Wolf. 
 
 Present Treasurer, Lundy Miller. 
 
 Present Clerk, Edson W. Wolf. 
 
 Soon after the present brick church was built, 
 five deacons whose lives were useful and agreeable 
 died. They were, namely, Andrew Carper, Henry 
 Hubley, Andrew Brumbaugh, Samuel Markley and 
 Samuel Young. Michael Gehman, an influential 
 aged deacon, moved into the Canton Church at this 
 time. 
 
 Our Sunday-school was organized in 1890, with 
 Daniel F. Ebie as our first superintendent. 
 
 Other superintendents were : C. T. Kinsley, Noah 
 Longanecker, Joseph Kimmel, Solomon S. Shoe- 
 maker, Edson W. Wolf, Andrew Kinsley, Geo. 
 Goughnour and Anthony Kinsley. 
 
 The church membership at present is 220. 
 
 The Sunday-school enrollment is about 150. 
 
 A Christian Workers' Meeting was organized in 
 1911 under the direction of our ministers. 
 
 The reader will be impressed with the accuracy 
 with which this church keeps its records, and the 
 fruitfulness of the original Nimishillen Church, 
 when once it is seen that four strong and well-or- 
 ganized churches remain to pay tribute to their 
 ancestor; and also one grandchild, viz., the Canton 
 City Church, can look back and call her blessed. 
 
28 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Elder Noah Longanecker. 
 1839 . 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Columbi- 
 ana County, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1839. United with the 
 church June 6, 1858, wlien he was but nineteen years 
 old, which was somewhat unusual, because very 
 
 ELDER NOAH LONGANECKER 
 
 few in those days united with tlie church so young — 
 there being no Sunday-schools to prepare for church 
 membership. 
 
 lie and T- H. Kurtz were elected to the ministrv 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 29 
 
 Aug. 30, 1861, under the super\'ision of Elders 
 Henry Kurtz and James Quinter, in what is known 
 as the Mahoning Church. A considerable sentiment 
 prevailed at that time, that two brethren should not 
 be elected to the ministry at the same time, for 
 fear that they might become jealous of each other. 
 If such was the tendency we have in these brethren 
 a pleasing exception. Brother Longanecker, being 
 only twenty-two years old when he was called to 
 the ministry, was for a long time known as the boy 
 preacher, for elections in those days generally 
 sought men of middle age, who were thought to be 
 better fixtures in the church. 
 
 He was married to Susanna E. Stenger, step- 
 daughter of Elder J. K. Z. Swihart, Sept. 20, 1866. 
 Theirs was always a happy home ; seven children 
 came to gladden it at intervals — one son, who died 
 in infancy, and six daughters. 
 
 His ordination to the eldership occurred in May, 
 1881, in the Tuscarawas Church, Stark County, 
 Ohio, under the fostering care of Elders J. H. Z. 
 Swihart and Conrad Kahler. These elders had no 
 fears, when they were calling Brother Longanecker 
 to associate with them in carrying the responsibil- 
 ities of the church, that they were getting too many 
 elders, for there was considerable sentiment in those 
 days that when the number of elders was increased, 
 trouble was also augmented. Here we have an- 
 other happy exception to the prevailing feeling. 
 
 In 1891 he moved into the East Nimishillen 
 Church. Here he labors together with Elders C. F. 
 Kinsley, J. T. Kimmel and S. S. Shoemaker, all 
 being on an equality so far as tlie oversight of the 
 
30 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 church is concerned. I'^rum this it appears that 
 these elders and the church are faithful to Acts 14: 
 23 and Titus 1 : 5. Since l)eing called to the elder- 
 ship, his ability was much sought to take the over- 
 sight of churches which he has repeatedly refused, 
 presumably on the grounds that elders should be 
 resident in the churches over which they have 
 charge, and to more nearly conform to the idea of 
 the Scriptures. 
 
 Brother Longanecker has been sought much in 
 matters of counsel, and his name has become pro- 
 verbial as a wise counsellor. He served on a num- 
 ber of committees to adjust differences throughout 
 the District. At District Meetings he served as 
 writing clerk often, and as moderator ten times, 
 and several times as assistant moderator. His serv- 
 ices on the Standing Committee number eight dif- 
 ferent times. In his younger days he did some 
 e^'angelistic work. This was a little exceptional, 
 because the evangelistic idea as now understood was 
 not very much solicited. 
 
 Though his much-loved companion has gone on 
 before him into the glory world, Brother Noah is 
 still nestled in the love and fellowship of the District 
 as one who is tried and true. His voice has e\'er 
 borne messages of divine truth, and his pen has in- 
 structed thousands of readers through the columns 
 of the Messenger. Peace and harmony were the 
 ins])iration of his soul in all his labors, thus making 
 efl'ectual the angels' song to the shepherds: " Glorv 
 to ("lorl in the higliest, and on earth peace and good 
 will In men." 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 31 
 
 MAHONING CHURCH. 
 Mill Creek. 
 
 When Uhiu was yet classed as a " Western State," 
 when the primiti\'e forests still cu\-ered her liills, 
 when the wild beasts uf nature were contending" 
 with the primitixe hunter lor su],)reniacy, while the 
 echoes of the " Red Alan's '' warwho(jp were yet 
 echoing upon her eastern border; before his foot- 
 steps had been oljliterated from lier friendl}' l^osoni, 
 immediately in the Avake of the intrepid " hunter " 
 and " Indian figditer," in company with the " pros- 
 pector " and " speculator," from beyond the moun- 
 tains of Pennsylvania came the sturdy " Pennsyl- 
 vania Dutch " pioneer to seek a home where he 
 might rear his family, worship his (jod and peace- 
 fully end his days in luxury. 
 
 With these first settlers of Eastern Ohio, m 1808 
 came a few families of Brethren wh(T settled ten 
 miles west of the Pennsyh-ania State line, antl a 
 few years later formed the " Mill Creek " Church, 
 so called in honor of the creek upon whose hills and 
 \'alleys they settled. From data recorded by Elder 
 Henry Kurtz, we are informed that among the first 
 settlers here are the names of John Summer, John 
 Shoemaker, his son, Philip Shoemaker, Abraham 
 Myers and Brother John Myers, with their families. 
 Tliey settled in Springiield, BeaA'er and Eairfield 
 Townships, then all of Columbiana County, but the 
 two former were later ceded to Mahoning County. 
 
 These Brethren had occasional meetings conduct- 
 ed by ministers from a distance. They flourished 
 to such an extent that a few vears later choice was 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO ,i,'i 
 
 held lor oUiclts, when George iioke and Joseph 
 Mellinger were eleeted to the ministry, and John 
 Collar and Abraham Hiestand to the deaconship. 
 The ehurch prospered, increased numerically, and 
 others came in from Pennsylvania until there were 
 four ministers located and the church fully organ- 
 ized. A discussion arose between two of the newly- 
 arrived ministers from I'ennsylvania, so that in 
 1820 the church sent a cjuery bearing upon the 
 doctrinal point in question to the " Big Meeting " 
 (as it was then called), which was held that year 
 in Lancaster, Pa. The two contending parties did 
 not accept the decision and " troublesome times " 
 ensued, until the church deposed both of them from 
 office. Immediately following, elections were again 
 held and George Hoke was elected to the office of 
 bishop, and David Shumacher and David Summer to 
 the ministry. The church took on new life and pros- 
 pered until it had a large membership. About this 
 time, or strictly stating, Felj. 4, 1822, Brother John 
 Myers and Susannah, his wife (the great-grand- 
 parents of the writer), donated and conveyed bv 
 deed two acres of land to the trustees of the church, 
 for the purpose of a churchhouse, a graveyard and a 
 Brethren schoolhouse (the latter, howe\'er, has ne\- 
 er been constructed). The trustees appointed to 
 receive this gift were Henry Myers, Abraham Stouf- 
 fer and Daniel Crumbacher. The ground is oc- 
 cupied by the Zion Hill house and is in Beaver 
 Township, Mahoning County. (See cut.) 
 
 A few years prior to this Brother John Summer, 
 then quite old, donated to the church a half-acre 
 tract of land in Springfield Township for a burying 
 
o4 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 gruuiid, where rest many of the church's loved and 
 respected dead. 
 
 In the year 1826, Elder (ieorge Hoke moved into 
 the Canton Church district, where he labored many 
 years, but retained the oversight of the Mill Creek 
 Church for some time until his successor was elect- 
 ed. About this time, almost a general exodus oc- 
 curred on account of the United States land laws, 
 which then existed, and which were that not less 
 than one section (640 acres) (jf go\'ernment land 
 could Ije sold to one person. This necessitated the 
 poorer members either to venture into del5t or lease 
 from others or buy land at a second price from 
 individuals at a higher figure. A large numl^er 
 moved away and some emigrated to Indiana and 
 perhaps other States. 
 
 In the inter\'al from 1826-1835, Elders David 
 Shoemaker, Da\'id Summer and Brethren Joseph 
 Mellinger, Abraham Myers and Abraham Hiestand 
 migrated, but the most of them located in the west- 
 ern end of Colum1)iana County, near the village of 
 North Georgetown. There they founded a new 
 settlement and a new cliurch, afterwards called 
 the "Sandy" Church, including the east end of 
 Stark County, where already some memlDers resided. 
 This materiall_v reduced the membership and left 
 the work in the hands of David Summer, Jr., and 
 Richard Brenneman, ministers of the first degree. 
 
 Sometime lietween the years of 1837 and 1840, 
 Henry Kurtz came tn lu'istern ()hio from A\'estern 
 Tcnnsyh-ania and, being dissatisfied ^\'ith the church 
 he was ser\'ing in a ministerial capacity, carncstlv 
 searched fur uKire light. He met with Elder Gen. 
 
36 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Hoke, of the Canton Church, and was by him Ija])- 
 tized and received into the church. This baptism 
 took place under a large maple on the bank of the 
 creek, upon the Royer farm in Stark County, which 
 tree is still standing, and under whose stately 
 branches and cool shade others have received the 
 sacred rite. In 1841 Brother Kurtz, having been 
 elected to the ministry, was appointed by Elder 
 Hoke to serve the " Mill Creek " Church in her ap- 
 pointments every four weeks. This he faithfully 
 did, making the trip of about forty miles on horse- 
 back once a month, until in the spring of 1842, after 
 a revival in which ten were added at one time. He 
 with five others were added by letter, including 
 Philip Rottenbgrger and wife, who became special 
 friends of Brother Kurtz. 
 
 In 1842, after a special visit to the members by 
 the adjoining elders, pending difficulties were set- 
 tled and a general reconciliation obtained. The 
 congregation was then reorganized as the " Mahon- 
 ing " Church, with Henry Kurtz as o^'erseer, while 
 yet in the second degree. He was ordained Sept. 26, 
 1844; David Summer and Richard Brenneman were 
 assistant ministers: Da^■id Hardman, Jacob Shoe- 
 maker and Conrad Haugcr, deacons. There were fif- 
 ty-five members in all. Additions in the thirtv ^-ears, 
 or to about 1870, numbered 122; remo\-ed by death, 
 forty-six ; migrated to other parts, sixty-nine. There 
 then remained but sixty-two members. Here is a 
 church that had more than (loul)led and yet shows 
 only a net gain of seven. \Ye here quote Brother 
 Kurtz's words of comment ujion this matter: " But 
 \\c gric\-c not, as we know our loss was the gain of 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 37 
 
 our sister churches, and the faithful dead are with 
 God, waiting for us, and with us for the glorious 
 day of the Lord and for the first resurrection of all 
 the saints." The church prospered under the care 
 of Elder Kurtz and by the help of such other min- 
 isters as were called by the church from time to 
 time. Among these we also note the moving in of 
 Brother James Quinter, who came from Fayette 
 County, I-^a., in the spring of 1856; he identified him- 
 self with Brother Kurtz's new publishing enterprise 
 in the springhouse loft, near Poland, Ohio, which 
 had ]:ieen started sometime before. 
 
 Brother Ouinter's ability and zealous activities 
 gave the church such prominence and prosperity 
 that has not been experienced l:>y many other of 
 the Northeastern Ohio churches. In June, 1857, the 
 office of the Gospel I'^isitor was removed from 
 Poland to Columbiana. With it came the families 
 of both Quinter and Kurtz. The interests of the 
 church centered a1)out this little \ illage, and in the 
 year 1872 the present " Zion Hill '' house was erect- 
 ed and the first ser\-ices held No\-. 3. The following- 
 years " series of meetings " were conducted by E. L. 
 Yoder, P. J. Brown and other notaljle ministers of 
 the church ; accessions resulted and interest contin- 
 ued until tlie 1882 " division." The church Avas also 
 greatly hel])ed 1)y A'isiting brethren from the ad- 
 joining churches, among whom were Elders Swi- 
 hart, Kahler, Shoemaker, Glass and others. In the 
 year 1873 a new house of worship was built at 
 " Bethel," the old one built at the same place in 
 1849 being inadequate to serx'e its purpose any 
 longer. This house is still standing (see cut) and 
 

 This nipniui'ial is inipurlant becansr it marks the lust 
 ea rthly rest in^ ])lare of one "who was t)ir IjeKianins of tlie 
 iiiudern pulilisliin.u: interests of tlie Cbureh of the Brethi'en. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 39 
 
 ill it regular ser\ices arc being held. Soim after 
 Brother Ouinter's remo\-al from Columbiana to Co^ - 
 ington (in 1866), Elder Menry Kurtz remained and 
 gave most of his time to the church and her work. 
 Here he closed liis e\'entful and good life after a 
 ser\'ice as o\'erseer for thirty years. lie died Jan. 
 12, 1874, and his body was laid to rest near the place 
 where he had gi\en life to the publishing interest 
 of the Brotherhood. After his death other elders 
 were invited to the oversight of the church. The 
 1882 division soon followed, causing a lack of in- 
 terest, and wdiile not many members were lost to 
 us, yet the work suffered and the church did not 
 gain much numerically. During these troublesome 
 times the church was visited by George Shiveley, 
 Jos. Showalter, Samuel (iarxer and some of those 
 previously mentioned. The members were much 
 encouraged and \'ery materially assisted. 
 
 At a council meeting held on Aug. 30, 1861, Jacob 
 H. Kurtz (son of Elder Henry Kurtz) and Noah 
 Longanecker, then a resident here, were elected and 
 installed into the ministry. Both were ad\anced to 
 the second degree, Nov. 9, 1867. After ser\'ing 
 faithfully for some years in the Lord's cause. Broth- 
 er Longanecker moved away and the burden of the 
 work fell upon Bro. Kurtz, his father being en- 
 feebled somewhat by age. Bro. J. 1^1. Kurtz was 
 ordained to the full ministry Sept. 24, 1881, and on 
 Nov. 18, 1883, was called to the oversight of the 
 church. He ga\e faithful services, conducting the 
 stated appointments at both houses of worship. 
 He died Feb. 10, 1912, aged se\enty-five years and 
 eighteen days. 
 
40 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Bro. Lewis Glass was closely identified with the 
 church and held the oversight from Oct. 4, 1874, to 
 Oct. 19, 1878, at which time Elder Samuel Garver 
 was chosen, and served the church until Sept. 2, 
 1882, when he resigned. The District Meeting of 
 October, 1878, was held at the Zion Hill house anrl 
 again at the same place in October, 1909. During 
 
 <Jvei- tliis spring, near Polaiiil, Mahoning: Coimtj-. Oliio, 
 stood tlie lionse in wliicli Elder Henry Kurtz first printed 
 the "Gospel Visitor" in 1851. Here tlie revival of printiim 
 in our Brotlieiliood took place. Tlie grave of Brother Kurtz 
 is .also locatf-d near here. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 41 
 
 these years brethren were chosen to the office of 
 minister and deacon. The majority served faithful- 
 ly, but a few failed and drifted. We append a list 
 of the names of these oflncials at the close of this 
 chapter. 
 
 Many successfvd re\'i\'als were held and souls add- 
 ed to the church, so that the membership in 1900 
 numbered about 135. 
 
 On Aug. 22, 1891, A. W. Harrold, the writer of 
 these lines, was called to the ministry. He and his 
 wife were immediately installed, advanced to the 
 second degree Sept. 3, 1893, and ordained to the 
 full ministry Oct. 31, 1903. He was called to the 
 oversight of the church at the first council after the 
 death of Elder J. H. Kurtz in 1912. I-Ie with his co- 
 laborers (noted later) are caring for the congrega- 
 tion, filling its appointments and assisting else- 
 where. 
 
 The church has now about 175 members, one 
 elder, one minister in second degree, three ministers 
 in first degree (who are now attending school), nine 
 deacons, two churchhouses, both fitted for commun- 
 ion meetings, and cemeteries adjoining. It also 
 maintains two evergreen Sunday-schools, one Chris- 
 tian A'Vorkers' Association, one Teachers' Training- 
 Class and holds two love feasts annually. AVhilc 
 her ship is not always sailing" upon smooth waters, 
 while the skies are not always clear, yet we are en- 
 couraged and look forward to and hope for greater 
 things, as great opportunities present themselves in 
 the large scope of territory belonging to us, the 
 thrift of our people, the educational facilities, rail- 
 road conveniences and many other ad\'antages found 
 
42 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 here. Among those who have labored here, besides 
 those already mejitioned, are the names of John 
 Clement, Aaron Shi\-eley, J. J. Hoover, D. M. Irvin, 
 D. N. Workman, J. F. Kahler, Ed. Loomis, N. Long- 
 aneeker, S. Sprankel, Geo. Worst, Simon Stuckey, 
 j. Nicholson, Cj. Bollinger, C. Holdeman, I. D. Park- 
 er, Peter Stuckman, Wm. J. Swigart, J. J. Shaffer, 
 S. Z. Sharp, Wm. Kieffer, J. B. Mishler, David 
 Byers, J. L. K. Swihart, Moses Weaver, F. B. Wei- 
 mer, T. C. AA'ieand, A. I. Heestand, T. S. Moher- 
 man, Josiah Keim, Wm. Johnson, Jesse Calvert, E. 
 S. Young, John Kurtz, John Metzler, R. R. Shroyer, 
 Wm. Desenberg, D. R. McFadden, and many others 
 rendered valuable assistance. This church was not 
 slow in calling in help to assist in keeping the altar 
 fires burning. 
 
 Ministers and Deacons Elected in the Mahoning 
 Church from Its Beginning to August 1, 1913. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 1. (ieorge Hoke. — Elected, advanced and or- 
 dained. Removed to the Canton Church in 1826, 
 where he resided until about 1844. Removed to the 
 Nimishillen Church and afterward to another church, 
 where he died of old age. He baptized, installed, 
 advanced and ordained Elder Henry Kurtz, wdio 
 said of him, "A useful man, a ser\ant of (!od, a 
 l(j\ing member of a meeting for many years. Peace 
 be to his ashes ! " 
 
 2. J(isei)h Mellinger. — Brother-in-law of Elder 
 III ike and elected to oflice at same time. Removed 
 to the West where he died. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 4.^ 
 
 3. Abraham Myers. — Mo\ed in from western 
 Pennsylvania some time prior to 1820; he also re- 
 moved to the West. 
 
 4. Abraham Heistand. — Elected late in life and 
 soon remo\ed to Knox Township, Columbiana 
 County. 
 
 5. David Shoemaker. — Before conversion a Unit- 
 ed States soldier of 1812 and a captain of the State 
 militia. He became a worthy brother. Advanced, 
 ordained and moved to the Sandy Church, where he 
 labored faithfully. He excelled in the A\^ord. Re- 
 moved later to Indiana. 
 
 6. Da\id Summer. — Elected and ad^'anced with 
 Brother Shoemaker. Also mo\'ed into the Sandy 
 Church, where by a fall he was crippled for life. He 
 and his wife died suddenly with supposed cholera. 
 
 7. Henry Kurtz. — Appointed overseer while a 
 member of Canton Church in 1842, while yet in the 
 second degree. Ordained Sept. 26, 1844, and reap- 
 pointed in full charge, becoming the successor of 
 Elder Eloke. He served the church faithfully for 
 thirty years and died Jan. 12, 1874, aged se\-enty- 
 seven years, five months and twent3'-one days. 
 
 8. Daniel Summer. — Elected, advanced and 
 moved West. 
 
 9. Richard Brenneman. — Elected, advanced, or- 
 dained and died within our bounds at the time when 
 he was the oldest in years and youngest in office. 
 From Gospel 1-^isitor, 1855, Vol. 5, page 48, we 
 quote: "Died Jan. IS, 1855, Richard Brenneman, 
 an exemplary and well-belo\'ed minister of the 
 Word, Aged seventy-four years. Was buried next 
 
41 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 day in uur uvvii little church, JVlahoniiiy Cuuiity, 
 Ohio." The first minister to die here. 
 
 10. Philip Rottenberger. — lilected, advanced and 
 moved to Indiana, where he was ordained. 
 
 11. James Quinter. — Removed from Fayette 
 County, Pa., in the spring of 1856, as minister in 
 the second degree ; was ordained here by request ol 
 Annual Meeting. Served with great efficiency and 
 removed to Covington, Ohio. 
 
 12. Jacob H. Kurtz.— Elected May 30, 1861, and 
 advanced Nov. 9, 1867. Ordained Sept. 24, 1881. 
 Died Feb. 10, 1912. 
 
 13. Noah Longanecker. — Elected Alay 30, 1861, 
 advanced No\'. 9, 1867, ordained Sept. 24, 1881, and 
 is now living at ilartville, Ohio, within the bounds 
 of the East Nimishillen Church. 
 
 14. Jonas Hoke. — Elected Oct. 3, 1875 ; advanced 
 Jan. 25, 1879. Lived near Leetonia, and died April 
 14, 1908, aged se\'enty-three 3'ears, one month and 
 four days. 
 
 15. Daniel Frank Longanecker. — Elected Oct. 4, 
 1879. Served acceptal)ly and faithfully. Died Aug. 
 11, 1880, aged twenty-nine years, ten months and 
 one day. 
 
 16. Edwin Ruhlman.— Elected Oct. 4, 1879. In- 
 stalled and gave several years of faithful scr\ ice. 
 lie drifted and left the church. 
 
 17. Albert W. Ilarrold.— Born May 18, 1860. 
 Baptized May 11, 1890. Elected Aug. 22, 1891, ad- 
 vanced Sept. 3, 1893, ordained Oct. 31. 1903. Lo- 
 cated on a farm near Columbiana, Ohio, near Zion 
 ITi1l house, and has the o\'ersight of the church at 
 the ])rcsent time. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 45 
 
 18. Jonas liorst.— Elected Oct. 13, 1900, installed 
 some time later and advanced. Is living on a farm 
 near North Lima, Ohio, and is ably serving the 
 church in her regular appointment. 
 
 19. Harry W. Rohrer.— Elected Oct. 15, 1905. 
 Removed his certificate of membership to Hunting- 
 don, Pa., where he took a course in Juniata College 
 and is at present engaged in temperance work in 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 20. Harvey A. Brubaker. — Came from Virden, 111., 
 a " Bethany Bible " student. Elected June 16, 1913. 
 An efficient and faithful worker, and with his wife 
 is now preparing for the foreign mission field at 
 North Manchester College. 
 
 Deacons of the Mahoning Church. 
 
 John Collar. — Date not known. Mo\'ed to Stark 
 County. 
 
 .\lM-aham Heistand. — Also later elected to the 
 ministry. Moved to Sandy Church. 
 
 Daniel Hardman. — Died here February, 1867, 
 aged se\'enty-nine years, one month and twenty-sev- 
 en days. 
 
 Conrad Ilaugher.— Died here March, 1857. 
 
 John Shoemaker. — Mu\ed to the West. 
 
 Jacob Shoemaker. — Mii\'cd t(.) the Sandy Church, 
 and later farther west. 
 
 Jacob Summer. — Elected Sept. 23, 1843. Died in 
 December, 1855. 
 
 Jacob Longanecker. — Elected Sept. 23, 1843. 
 
 Matthias Haas.— Elected Oct. 1, 1856. Died June 
 16, 1869, aged sixt\'-nine years, two months and 
 eight days. 
 
4(1 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 jacnlj J I. Kurtz.— JUectcd May 18, 1860, after- 
 wards tu the ministr}'. 
 
 (Jei.rge Groxe.— I^lected May 18, 1860. Moved 
 west. 
 
 John B. Summer.— IClected May 18, 1860. Moved 
 til Canton Church. 
 
 Jonas Hoke.— Elected July 7, 1867. Later to the 
 ministry. Deceased. 
 
 Fred W. Kohler.— Elected July 7, 1867; also 
 District Meeting Treasurer many years. Deceased. 
 
 Le\i Summer. — Elected C)cto1)er 13, 1870. 
 
 Alfred W. Longanecker.— Elected Oct. 13, 1870. 
 Resigned in 1912. 
 
 I'di H. Ruhlman.— (Jet. 10, 1876. Moved away, 
 drifted. Deceased. 
 
 Solnmon l':sterly.— l':iected Oct. 10, 1876. Still 
 acting at adxanced age. 
 
 D. E. Longanecker.— Elected Oct. 10, 1876, later 
 t(;) the ministr}'. Deceased. 
 
 Simeon Longanecker. — Elected (3ct. 16, 1886. 
 Still active. 
 
 Amos ilarrold.— Elected Oct. 16, 1886. Moved 
 away, united \\dtli other denominations. 
 
 Joseph Harrold.— Elected (.)ct. 12, 1889. Still ac- 
 ti\'e. 
 
 Ceorgc Miller.— Ejected Oct. 12, 1889. Still ac- 
 ti\e. 
 
 D. Newton ( iarver.- Elected Oct. 13, 1900. Still 
 acti\'e. 
 
 John II. Rasingei-.- I'.lccted Oct. 13, 1900. Still 
 acti\-e. 
 
 C. S. Lehman.— I'.lccted Oct. 13, 1900. Moved to 
 Lima, (Jhio. hdectcd to the ministrv. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 47 
 
 Henry Rohrer. — Came from the West where he 
 was elected. Still acting. 
 
 H. F. Kohler.— Elected June 19, 1910. Still act- 
 ing. 
 
 Wm. G. Kurtz.— Elected June 19, 1910. Still act- 
 ing. 
 
 The reader will please notice that this is one of 
 the real pioneer churches of Northeastern Ohio, — 
 a \-eritable incubator of men of worth, who with 
 their families mo\'ed into other localities, and with 
 their zeal for the Master became the nucleus of not 
 a few of the well-organized churches of the District. 
 
 Death of Elder Jacob H. Kurtz. 
 1837-1912. 
 
 On the afternoon nf Feb. 10, 1912, after an illness 
 of four days, with \-al\'ular heart trouble, occasioned 
 by a bad cold. Elder Jacob 11. Kurtz, of Poland, 
 Ohio, closed his eyes in sleep to all that is earthly, 
 and his body is now resting lieneath the sod and 
 snow, while his spirit has taken its flight to his 
 Maker. His \'oice is stilled. His place is \acant, and 
 we will see him no more, in this active, busy world. 
 
 Brother Kurtz Avas born Jan. 20, 1837, and was, at 
 the time of his death, seventy-five years and eighteen 
 days old. His entire life was spent in the country, 
 engaged in rural pursuits, except during the time 
 in which he assisted his father, Elder Henry Kurtz, 
 in the publishing business as typesetter. He began 
 that work in the year of 1852, when the office of the 
 Gospel J'isitor was located in the spring-house 
 loft on his father's farm, when he \vas but fifteen 
 
48 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 years uf age. iJe lulluvved his latlier and the print- 
 ing press to Columbiana, Ohio, where Elder James 
 Quinter identified himself with the Visitor. Brother 
 Kurtz remained with the office until the spring of 
 1864, when, having married Harriet Stump, he re- 
 turned to the old neighborhood and engaged in farm- 
 ing. There he remained until his death. 
 
 During all this time he was active in the work of 
 the church. He was called to the ministry Aug. 30, 
 1861, advanced to the second degree Nov. 9, 1867, 
 and ordained to the full ministry Sept. 24, 1881. 
 For a long time he was the onl}' active minister in 
 the Mahoning Church, filling the appointments in 
 both houses of worship. He had the oversight of 
 the church since Nov. 18, 1883. 
 
 During his career, while not robust in body, he 
 always remained faithful, despite the conflicts of 
 discouragement. He stood steadfast, and earnestly 
 labored to the best of his ability. 
 
 From our earliest recollections we think of Broth- 
 er Kurtz as being associated with the movements of 
 the Church of the Brethren. In our first endeavors 
 in Sunday-school and church work Brother Kurtz 
 had a prominent place. While he was not great, he 
 was good; not brilliant, but zealous; not elocjuent, 
 but faithful; not educated, yet scholarly; not a dis- 
 ciplinarian, but an exemplar ; not aggressive, but 
 earnest. He leaves behind him a faithful companion, 
 who stood by him in the ciinflicts of an elder during 
 fifty-four years of married life ; also two sons, three 
 daughters, one Ijrother and a number of grandchil- 
 dren and friends. 
 
 TTis l)(iil\- \\':is b'lid t(i rest l)esi(k' that nf liis \'ener- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 49 
 
 able lather, cUjse In tlic ,silc (if the uld spring-house 
 which was the beginning of our great publishing in- 
 terests. 
 
 Thus closes the short chapter of a long life, and 
 we turn to the work in hand, sadder and more lone- 
 ly, profiting by his example and endeavoring to dis- 
 charge our grave responsibilities in such a way that 
 we may follow him to that haven of bliss and glory 
 that lies beyond the sunset of life. 
 
 Funeral discourse by Bro. D. R. McFadden, as- 
 sisted by Brethren J. F. Kahler, Jonas Horst and 
 the writer. A. W. Harrold. 
 
 Columbiana, Ohio. 
 
 JONATHAN CREEK CHURCH. 
 
 The Jonathan Creek congregation, one of the first 
 churches organized in Northeastern Ohio, takes its 
 name from Jonathan Creek, a tributary of the Mus- 
 kingum River, flowing into it a short distance below 
 the city of Zanesville. The Brethren, in the early mi- 
 grations, you will remember, followed the Ohio River 
 from the East into the West. Following the his- 
 toric Zanes Trace, which was then the only line of 
 travel to the West; crossing this stream and being 
 attracted by the fertility of the soil and the pictur- 
 esque scenery, the Brethren made settlements on 
 its banks more than a century ago. Others came, 
 and in 1817 the organization was efTected. Just 
 where this took place is not definitely known, but 
 aliout this time it is traditionally known that a 
 house of worship was erected out of hewn logs on 
 
50 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the site now nccupiecl by the M. E. Church in the 
 village of Mt. Perry. 
 
 Here the Brethren worshiped for some time, Ijiit 
 gradually the memijership was gathering about two 
 other points, (jne to the east, where now stands the 
 old Goshen churchhouse, and one to the west, where 
 a house (jf worship, long known as the Helser house, 
 now Uli\-et, was erected. 
 
 For many years prior to the erection of these 
 houses the c(Migregation worshiped in dwelling 
 houses and barns. 
 
 At the time of the organization in 1817, there were 
 in the territory about twenty-fi\"e members. 
 
 The chrdnicler was unable to get the data con- 
 cerning the elders and ministers present at the 
 time of the organization, but traditionall}' the hon- 
 or and pleasure of attending and taking part falls 
 to Eli Stoner, W'hitmore Arnold, F. A. Bradley and 
 Samuel Orr. 
 
 The church flourished under the ministry of its 
 pioneer preachers. The membership grew in num- 
 1)ers. A house of worship was erected about the 
 year 1878 ^vhere the (ireenwood house now stands, 
 four miles northeast oi ( denford. The tract of land 
 where the church now stands was formerly owned 
 by Mr. John Defenbaugh, and sold t(3 the Brethren 
 for the express pur])ose of erecting a churchhouse, 
 and for the small sum of $35. 
 
 The great undertaking \\-as liegun liv Brother 
 Samuel Orr and his wife, Sarah f. ()rr, who were 
 the first to originate the ])lan of erecting a church- 
 house, and were also the first to sidiscribe money. 
 
 Tlie Brethren C( mtributed liber.ilh-, but Sister 
 
52 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Hannah Cover was the most liberal donor of all, 
 giving $200, 
 
 In the year 1878, June 23, the organization of the 
 above church was effected and the house was ded- 
 icated and set apart for the services of God, by 
 Brother James Quinter. 
 
 This house was destroyed by tire Sunday, May 
 17, 1896, having accidentally caught a spark from 
 a near-by clearing. 
 
 A new house was immediately erected and dedi- 
 cated Aug. 31, 1896. The dedicatory services were 
 conducted by Quincy Leckrone, assisted by Samuel 
 Orr and Elijah Horn. 
 
 Brother Orr was baptized by Brother W. Arnold, 
 of Somerset, made a deacon in 1876, and appointed 
 to the ministry in 1878, which office he held until 
 he departed this life in 1904, Sept. 22. 
 
 In the year 1883, about one hundred members 
 withdrew from the church and identified themseh'es 
 with the Progressive movement. This division 
 greatly crippled the church as to members, but stim- 
 ulated the remaining members to greater acti^•ity. 
 
 The territory of the church being very large and 
 the membership much scattered, though centered 
 about three principal points, it was unanimously 
 agreed at a council meeting, called for that purpose 
 at the Greenwood churchhouse. May 8, 1901, to 
 divide the territory into three separate congrega- 
 tions, to be known respectively as the Jonathan 
 Creek, the Greenwood, and the Goshen Churches. 
 
 The Jonathan Creek Church included the mem- 
 liers residing south of the Ton.athan Creek and west 
 ijf the Muskingum County line. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 3o 
 
 The Greenwood Church included the mcniljers 
 Hving" north of the Jonathan Creek and west of the 
 Muskingum County line. 
 
 The Goshen Church included the mcmhers living 
 in Muskingum County. 
 
 Liberty was gi\en those members living near 
 these lines to choose in which church they would 
 hold their membership. A number availed them- 
 selves of the privilege. 
 
 There were at this time in the entire territory 
 213 members. C)f this numljer 126 fell to the Jona- 
 than Creek Church, forty-nine to the Greenwood 
 Church, and thirty-eight to the (lOshen church. 
 
 Each of these di\'isions had in it a churchhouse 
 and each one a resident minister, except Greenwood, 
 which had two, viz., Samuel Orr and Quincy Leck- 
 rone. At Goshen was Elijah Horn, and at Jonathan 
 Creek, AVhitmore Arnold. 
 
 After this division each of these congregations 
 chose Quincy Leckrone to be their pastor, he hav- 
 ing alread}^ ser^'ed all of them for about ten years, 
 or since Oct. 4, 1891, during which time there had 
 been added to the church by baptism eighty mem- 
 bers, and about ten by letters. He continued to 
 serve the Greenwood and Jonathan Creek Churches 
 until Sept. 20, 1904, and the Goshen Church until 
 August, 1906. 
 
 At the time of the division Elder Samuel Sprankel 
 had oversight of the church. After the division he 
 was retained by the Jonathan Creek Church as 
 elder, which relation he sustained until Sept. 7, 1912. 
 
 I« 1904 A. AA". Dupler was elected to the ministry 
 
54 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 and served the church for a number of years, dur- 
 ing- which time, in 1906, a new and commodious 
 cliurchhouse was erected on the site of the old one. 
 
 \V. A. AViley, of Ashland, was pastor for one 
 year. Later tlie work was taken up by I'^lder Rufus 
 ^\'yatt, wlio continued in cliarye until Sept. 7, 1912. 
 
 The ( Ireenwood Church was without an elder 
 from the time of its organization until 1910, when 
 lih.ler Edward Shepfer was ch(jsen to take the o\'er- 
 sight, wliich he still retains. 
 
 In 1911 Frank Hochstetler was chosen to tlie 
 nunistry and is at present ser\ing the congregation. 
 
 The Goshen Church has been without an elder 
 since its organization. Though few in number and 
 ^ery much scattered the church has steadily gone 
 forward. Through the zeal and generosity of Broth- 
 er \V. W. Printz, a churchhouse was purchased in 
 the village of White Cottage, remodeled and dedi- 
 cated Aug. 4, 1901. The dedicatory sermon was 
 preached by Uuinc}' Leckrone, who was assisted by 
 lihjah Horn and Incal ministers df other churches. 
 The principal ser\ices of tlie congregatic.in were then 
 held at tliat place. The old Coshen house still 
 stands, marking the place in sacred memory of the 
 early activities of the Brethren on Jonathan Creek, 
 
 The elders and ministers of the church before the 
 division of the territory \\'ere : 
 
 Elders, John Roberts, Daniel Snidci-, KW Stoner, 
 Silas Hoo\'er: ministers, Jacob I^-ersole, Elijah 
 Schofield, Daniel Bowman, I'.lijah J-Jorn, Whitmore 
 Arnold, Franklin Bi'adley, Samuel Orr, Ouincy 
 Leckmnc. 
 
50 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Missionary Activity of the Church. 
 
 In the earher days many appointments were filled 
 by the local ministers in outlying places within the 
 territory belonging to the congregation. This ter- 
 ritory was large, ha\ing practically no limit on the 
 east or west and extending south to the Bremen 
 congregation and north to the Owl Creek and Co- 
 shocton congregations, some fifty or more miles. 
 
 One of these mission points was in Fairfield 
 County, northeast of Basil, to which Whitmore Ar- 
 nold made periodical trips for a numl)er of years. 
 Another was northeast of Glenford, resulting in 
 what is now the Greenwood Church. Later, in 1896 
 and 1897, the church maintained a mission in the 
 city of Zanesville, resulting in gathering a number 
 into the church. 
 
 Sunday-schools. 
 
 .'Vs early as 1868 a flourishing Sunday-school was 
 conducted at the Hclser (now 01i\et) house. The 
 New Testament alone was used in the advanced 
 classes, and primers from which the children were 
 taught to read. This school was held only in the 
 summer time. 
 
 yVfter an interim of se\'eral years the school was 
 again organized in 1885 and has continued ever- 
 green ever since. 
 
 Sunday-schools were also conducted from time to 
 time in the Goshen branch of the church as well as 
 at Greenwood, where the school has cnntinned ever- 
 green since about 1896. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 57 
 
 Debates. 
 
 The church l)eing- much isolated and surrounded 
 by strong denominations of other persuasions 
 caused the ministers frequently to be called upon 
 to defend the doctrine declared by them as main- 
 tained by the church. This led to a number of pub- 
 lic discussions. Of the earlier of these we have no 
 authentic data. 
 
 In February, 1886, a discussion lasting four days 
 was held in the Helser house between lilder Silas 
 Hoo\-er, then pastor of the church, and Rev. Rufus 
 Zartman, D. D., of the German Reformed Church, 
 on the subject of baptism. The meetings were at- 
 tended by large audiences and much interest was 
 manifested in the discussion. 
 
 The last discussion was between Quincy Leck- 
 rone, then pastor of the church, and Elder Thomas 
 Martin, pastor of the Disciple Church. This debate 
 was held in the Disciple Church in Mt. Perry Oct. 
 12 to 14, 1897, two sessions each day. The subjects 
 discussed were: Trine Immersion, The Lord's Sup- 
 per, and Feet-washing. The sessions were very 
 largely attended by all denominations and much in- 
 terest taken in the subjects discussed. 
 
 In all these discussions the doctrines of the 
 church were aljly maintained and favorable impres- 
 sions made, which has resulted in much good to the 
 church. 
 
 Other Activities of the Church. 
 
 The church at the Helser house was for many 
 years the center of musical activity in the com- 
 
58 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 munity. This was in a large measure due to the 
 efforts of Benjamin Leckrone, a deacon, wlio for 
 many years taught the old-time singing school and 
 led the congregation in the [jublic ser\-ices. The in- 
 fluence of the talent then de\'eloped is still felt in 
 the church and in the community. 
 
 The church, though much isolated from other con- 
 gregations of the Brotherhood and seldom visited 
 by members of other congregations, has ne\'erthe- 
 less maintained its distinctive doctrines and stamped 
 indelibly its characteristics of the simple life and 
 uprightness of character upon the community at 
 large. And ne\'er in its history was there a more 
 promising field opened for aggressive work than at 
 this present time. 
 
 SUGAR CREEK CONGREGATION, BALTIC, 
 OHIO. 
 
 The histor}' of the Sugar Creek congregation 
 dates back to some time near 1805, being one of the 
 pioneer churches of the Northeastern District of 
 Ohio. 
 
 The early arri\als of this section (which was 
 then a part of Muskingum County) came mostly 
 from Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset Coun- 
 ties of Pennsyh'ania. 
 
 Among the early arri\als we have the family 
 names : 
 
 Dinner, Burger, Shutt, Ncii, Hostetler, Miller, 
 Long, Pem-od, Cherryhomes, Garver, Showalter, 
 Franz and dinger. 
 
 Being without a church in which to worship, they 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 59 
 
 held the preaching service in the homes of the 
 brethren in rotation. Among these were: Frederick 
 Domer, Joseph Cherrjdiomes, George Mizer, George 
 Harshinan, Michael Domer, George Domer, John 
 Burger, Gabriel Neff, John Sheidler, Abe Hixson, 
 
 SUGAR CREEK CHURCH. TT'SCARAWAS COUNTY 
 Built in ISflS. 
 
 Jacob Domer, John Penrod, (ieorge Garver, Barney 
 Miller, Daniel Liub, Jacob Burger, George Long, 
 John Frantz, Peter Neff and Amos Hixson. 
 
 These were the good old pioneer days; many of 
 the services lasted almost the entire day. Love 
 
60 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 feasts were held at the lioines ul" the brethren, but 
 alternating among a much smaller number of mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Later services were held in a Mennonite church 
 north of Shanesville. Also in the Union church at 
 the south end of Rowsville ( Baltic j, which was built 
 about 1858. 
 
 In 1871 the brethren felt the need of having a 
 church home in which to worship. Brethren John 
 Burger, Michael G. Domer and Peter Neil were ap- 
 pointed as a committee on building. Bro. Domer 
 acted as foreman. Through their earnest efforts 
 they secured ground and built a neat little church 
 about one and one-half miles north of Rowsville 
 (Baltic), on what is known as the Christian Fisher 
 farm. 
 
 Love feasts were again alternated, being held in 
 barns (those of Jacob Burger, Michael G. Domer 
 and John Burger). Those were feasts of spiritual 
 things, joyous occasions long to be treasured in 
 memory. 
 
 Brother William Johnson (now of AVichita, 
 Kans.) moved from Fayette County, Pa., in 1875, 
 within the bounds of this congregation. He was 
 here instrumental in organizing one of the first 
 Sunday-schools in that part of the District, in 1877 
 or 1878. The first series of meetings was held about 
 the same time, on which occasion eighteen voung 
 men and women were added to the church. 
 
 The Union Flill Church was built in 1878. Here 
 the United Brethren, Amish, Mennonites, Wine- 
 brennerians and Brethren w()rshi])e(l. The I'.retli- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 61 
 
 ren at that place were served Ijy Brethren Wm. 
 Johnson, Josiah Hostetler and Michael Shutt. 
 
 June, 1875, Brother Josiah Hostetler was elected 
 to the ministry. Services were conducted at times 
 in schoolhouses about Berhn, Ohio. For two years 
 services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church 
 of Berlin. Meeting with considerable opposition. 
 Brother Hostetler succeeded, with the help of the 
 brethren, in building what is known as the Bunker 
 Hill house, in 1884, about one-half mile north of 
 Berlin. 
 
 This branch of the church has been under Elder 
 Hostetler's faithful care. Some twenty years ago 
 the Brethren bought the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church at Ragers\ille, Ohio. Services are conduct- 
 ed there regularly, and they have a zealous band of 
 workers. 
 
 Regular ser\ices are held in the Union Church at 
 Sugar Creek, Ohio, since 1904. This is the home 
 of Elder Edward Shepfer. A loyal number of 
 workers attend services at that place and the time 
 may not be far distant when the Brethren may ha\'e 
 a chiu'ch home of their own in which to worship. 
 
 The Brethren also maintain regular appointments 
 at the Mt. Healthy Church, three miles east of Dun- 
 dee. 
 
 Elders who have served the congregation : 
 
 Jacob Domer, Sr., Conrad Kahler, Wm. Johnson, 
 F. B. Weimer, J. K. L. Swinehart, Gabriel Nefif, Sr., 
 Michael H. Shutt, Samuel J. Burger. 
 
 Other resident ministers: 
 
 Peter Showalter, John Nicliolson, George Long, 
 Jaciib Keini, Jnhn Neff, Peter Pong, Josiah Hos- 
 
02 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tetler, Edward Shepfer, Jacol) Summers, Jacob 
 Domcr, Jr., I''li Steele, Jacob Snyder, Jacob Kaub, 
 Eli Holmes, J(_)lin Yoder, W. D. Eisher. 
 
 Some who ha\'e served in the deacon's office: 
 (jeorge Garver, George D(imer, I'eter Neff, Ben 
 Burger, Eli Burger, Ji)hn Shutt, Benjamin Speicher, 
 John Burger, Jacob H. Domer, 11. A. Hostetler, C. 
 R. Marshall, (jeorge H. Domer, Joseph Moomaw, 
 John (jar\'er, Michael G. Domer, Jacob Keim, Isaac 
 J. Miller, Eli Hershljerger, Martin Moomaw, Simon 
 Harshman, Wesley Rennecker, \Vm. Lantz, Wm. 
 Shutt, AA'm. Elorner, Isaac Olinger, Da\id J-. Shafer, 
 Edwin M. Domer. 
 
 Through the untiring efforts of Elder Michael H. 
 Shutt, who was ordained to the full ministry and 
 gi\'en charge of the congregation in June, 1884, the 
 membership increased and in 1898 the present 
 church home was built. The location is an ideal 
 one for a ctiuntry church, being about one-half 
 mile n(jrth of Baltic, surrounded by a gTO\'e of hick- 
 ories, (jaks and maples. They now ha\-e a spring 
 of pure, cold water in the yard. The seating ca- 
 pacity of the church is about eight hundred. Thev 
 ha\'e all the c()n\'eniences for k>\'e feast occasions. 
 Brother Ouincy Eeckrone preached the dedicators- 
 sermon. 
 
 Elder Samuel J. Burger, who was ordained in 
 1908, has presided (i\-er the congregation since 
 Elder Shutt's .death. 
 
 At ])resent there arc three elders, one minister 
 (second degree), ten deacons, .about 22.S members, 
 and li\e preaching places. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 63 
 
 DANVILLE CHURCH, KNOX 
 OHIO. 
 
 COUNTY, 
 
 This church was organized m 1822 with fourteen 
 charter members. The lirst ser\'ices in this territory 
 were held in the memliers' homes. These l)ecoming 
 inadequate, two houses were buiU, the first one in 
 1850, located one-half mile south of Danville: the 
 
 ^^'y-My" 4^^ 
 
 ^^Kliiiii^JSii 
 
 iH^tf 1 
 
 r'-'V 
 
 
 Hi' 
 
 
 
 .- f 
 
 .rf» 
 
 ^ '4 
 
 ■::'l^ 
 
 
 iH 
 
 i* f 
 
 .ii<;-';,;,,l';..w./i'i:i .:?,..„;„.. 
 
 
 /4 
 
 
 OI^D NORTH BKXD CHT'RCH, KNOX COUNTY 
 
 second one, known as North Bend house, was built 
 in 1870, six miles north of Danville. From these dates 
 you will notice that this church was without a per- 
 manent place of worship for a period of twenty-eight 
 years. Yet the fires were kept burning, the church 
 grew until larger accommodations were necessary 
 to proN'ide fc)r the ever-enlarging spirituality and 
 zeal of the luembership. In 1881 cpiite a number of 
 
04 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 members united with the i'rugressives ; these hved 
 for the most part in the vicinity of Danville, thus 
 leaving that part of the church territory with but 
 few members who remained true to the church. 
 The old house near Danville becoming unsafe, it 
 was abandoned in the year 1892 and the small house 
 four miles south was built. 
 
 The names of the elders who served this church 
 in former years and have now gone to their reward 
 are: Elders Schofield, John Mulsbaugh, Henr}- 
 Davy, Morgan Workman, J. J. Workman, James 
 Workman; with Peter Conkle, Isaac Ross and John 
 Nicholson as ministers in the second degree. 
 
 The present official board is : C. J. Workman as 
 elder, J. T. Workman, minister in the second degree, 
 and O. H. Elliott, Alf. Helser, B. B. Workman, Jay 
 Workman, C. A. Workman and Rufus Young as 
 deacons. 
 
 While this church suffered a loss in a number of 
 her members going with the Progressives, it is re- 
 markable that she has only lost fifty by death in 
 the last thirty years. The present membership of 
 the church numbers one hundred and twch'e souls. 
 
 The picture presents the North Bend house which 
 was torn down in 1910 and was replaced by a new 
 and modern-built house of worship in which the 
 songs of Zion are sung anew and the Sundaj'-school 
 is accommodated so it can do more efficient work. 
 
 The North Bend Sunday-school was organized 
 in 1870 by Brother James Workman acting as su- 
 perintendent, wdio continued from _year to year. 
 In 1892 Alfred Helser was chosen superintendent. 
 At this time the school decided to use certain chap- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 65 
 
 ters in the New Testament as a basis for the lesson 
 study. In 1893 J. T. Workman was elected super- 
 intendent, serving faithfully until the year 1897. 
 During this time there were some lesson helps in- 
 troduced into the school especially for advanced 
 classes, the primary classes still using the New 
 Testament. In 1897 Brother Clem Kihdy was 
 
 NORTH BEND CHURCH, KNOX COUNTY 
 
 elected superintendent; at this time the school be- 
 came evergreen, which advancement it has been 
 able to maintain to the present time. A number of 
 names of others that served in the capacity of Sun- 
 day-school superintendents might be given, space 
 forlndding, saving the mention of those who served 
 when certain departments in the work were intro- 
 
f.(. CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ductd. It might be added that during the last lif- 
 teeii years there ha\ e been introduced into the 
 school a number of practical Sunday-school helps, 
 so that all departments of the school are well pro- 
 ^•ided with that literature that will help into the 
 best understanding of the Bo(jk of books. The 
 Sunday-school supports a Cradle Roll and a Home 
 Department. The enrollment of the school at the 
 present is 100; Home Department, twenty-four; 
 Cradle Roll, nineteen. 
 
 Supplementary to the abo\-e Sunday-school rec- 
 ords, we are pleased to chronicle the organization 
 of another school within this territory, about ten 
 miles south of the North Bend Church, where a 
 small body of members reside and a cozy little 
 churchhouse has been built to accommodate the peo- 
 ple. This school has an average attendance of 
 thirty, with growing interest, and Brother Howard 
 AX'orkman as its energetic and faithful superintend- 
 ent. 
 
 READING CHURCH. 
 
 In the western end of Columbiana County, with 
 Knox Township as the center, in a rich agricultural 
 community, is located the present Reading Church. 
 This is an offspring of the old " Sandy " Church, 
 and for worshiping purposes is now using the house 
 and grounds formerly occupied by its renowned 
 parent (Sandy) and has adopted for church name 
 the term previously applied to the house alone 
 (Reading). 
 
 The church stands ])roniinently among her sister 
 churches. 1)ecausc of its age and the jironiinence of 
 
68 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 her early members, her own prosperity and the large 
 number of members she has given to other parts of 
 the country. 
 
 Her history begins somewhere in the years 1820 
 to 1825, with about fifty members, who removed to 
 this part of the State from the Mahoning Church, 
 lying to her eastern border, and from various parts 
 of Pennsyh'ania, Virginia and Maryland. Prom- 
 inent among these were Abraham Heistand and 
 family, who came to this locality from the Mahon- 
 ing Church and located upon the farm surrounding 
 the present church grounds. Brother Heistand be- 
 ing an able and aggressive church worker, and by 
 the able assistance of others, a community was 
 created that grew into a populous and prosperous 
 church where many foremost ministers and elders 
 loved to visit. Prominent among these was Elder 
 John Cline, who made frequent horseback trips from 
 Virginia through Pennsylvania, into parts of Ohio. 
 Among the names of those residing here, we find 
 Brethren Heistand, Summer, StoutTer, Shoemaker. 
 Brenneman, Byers, Bowman, Shively, AA^ea\'er, 
 Ploffman, Clement and others. These were men 
 from the best of Pennsyh'ania's Dutch stock, ex- 
 celling in industry, honesty, frugality, thrift and yiv- 
 tue. These qualities were richly Iiestowed upon the 
 community, and time has not Ijccn able to efface 
 them. 
 
 The membership in 1861 is reported as being 249, 
 with a strong ministerial force. A ver_y few of the 
 old records and documents remain to tell us of 
 the struggles, obstacles and discouragements or of 
 the pleasures, successes or ^■ictories. Hence our 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 69 
 
 history of her earlier days must he brief, as our de- 
 sire for accuracy admits of no guess work. The 
 church has always, as well as now, occupied a 
 strategic point, being favoraljly located as the social 
 center of a large community, and being on a line of 
 travel between the East and the then new West. 
 The neighborhood has been augmented by people 
 of Swiss descent, Quakers, Mennonites and others. 
 The people are kind, sociable and religious, very 
 few people living here who do not belong to or at- 
 tend church services somewhere. Hospitality and 
 helpfulness are characteristic of this locality as well 
 as of most parts of the District. 
 
 The keeping of the records of the church was not 
 brought about until the year 1870, when Elder 
 Lewis Glass accepted the oversight, being assisted 
 by Elder John A. Clement, S. B. Stuckey and Aaron 
 Shively, second degree ministers ; and Eli Stroup, 
 B. F. Bowser and C. Hiner in the first degree. 
 During these years the cause was greatly benefited 
 by the timely visits of Elders Conrad Kahler, David 
 Young, Geo. Irvin, Geo. Worst, Geo. Kollar, Samuel 
 Carver and others of the earlier days. All went 
 well till about 1882, the time of the division in the 
 Brotherhood, when clouds gathered thickly at 
 places. This church was seriously afifected and 
 many were lost to the Progressives. The clouds 
 finally cleared away and the altar fires rekindled, 
 souls were born into the kingdom, letters were 
 granted members who moved into other districts, 
 and letters were also received from those who de- 
 sired to move into a real live church. Thus has the 
 S'ood work continued. 
 
70 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 In going o\'er the minutes ni tlie councils, which 
 arc reasonaljly cuniplete, since 1870, we find the 
 following names (jf tli(jsc vvhu seemed to have car- 
 ried the burden of the church work : they are Breth- 
 ren Stroup, Shidlcr, Sanor, Thomas, Hahn, Benner, 
 Rijose, Burs(jn, Yeaghley, Riceley, Stump, Keim, 
 Bush, Myers, Newcomer, Neupher, Coyle and Lin- 
 ger. The records also show that many of the sisters 
 were just as acti\e as the brethren in the care of 
 the interests of the church. Among them we find 
 the names of Sisters Ella ^Veaver, Rachael Shively, 
 Martha Shively, A^'aril]a Hoover, Clementine Hee- 
 stand, Etta Unger, Amanda Culler, Emma Hoffman 
 and others whose cooperation with the brethren in 
 office has been of inestimable \'alue. 
 
 The existence of saloons, public dances, county 
 fairs, secret societies, within the church community 
 in the early days, gave the congregation no little 
 concern in keeping the lambs of the fold from con- 
 tamination. At times these enemies were a formid- 
 able foe and some losses were sustained. But with 
 all these troubles, the church bravely contended and 
 gave to us a clean, moral and intellectual commun- 
 ity, and has performed her part well in shaping the 
 lives and destinies of her members. 
 
 Among the ex'angelists who were called to assist 
 at intervals, we find the names of 1. Tv. L. Swihart, 
 
 Jesse CaKert, F'eter Stuckman, I. I). Parker, 
 
 Bollard, T. J. Rosenlierger, E. B. W'cinier, N. Eonga- 
 necker, S. Sprankel, R. R. Shroycr, Q. I^eckrone, 
 Edward I^onmis, T. S. Mi iherman, C. S. Straus- 
 baugh, A\^m. Bixler, John E. Rahler and manv (itliers 
 wliiise names we cnnld not learn. One of the first 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 71 
 
 ministerial meetings in the district was held in this 
 church May 6 and 7, 1892. A high standard of 
 spirituality and inspiration for better care of souls 
 was set for succeeding meetings. The large church- 
 house afiforded ample room for gatherings of this 
 kind. The first minutes actually kept 1)ear date of 
 Aug. 8, 1883, and were written by B. F. Bowser, 
 clerk at that time, wdio remo\'ed and was succeeded 
 by Brother Samuel Heestand, who was succeeded 
 in turn by Brethren John R. Hoffman, O. C. Hahn 
 and Walter Stouffer. The church for the most part 
 has maintained a strong force of deacons, and among 
 those reporting as having l)een on the annual ^•isit, 
 which has been strictljr attended to, are the follow- 
 ing: John Wea\'er, \Vm. L. Myers, D. E. Bowman, 
 D. S. Bowman, David Shi\eley, Feter Stouft'er, A. 
 ^^'yman, Eli Thomas, Frank We'dver. A. Heistand, 
 James Benner, Lex'i Heestand, Samuel Stouffer, 
 John Culler, and the following, of whom some were 
 not deacons but assisted them on the \-isit: J. W. 
 Glass, Edward Reese, Joseph Hahn, Joseph Shidler 
 and James Burson. 
 
 Brother James Benner served the church as treas- 
 urer many years and was succeeded by \\'. ^^^ 
 Stroup May 6, 1893, and he by Hiram Heestand in 
 1912. The finances of the church have been skilfully 
 cared for and large sums have been spent in caring 
 for her poor and for local expenses. She replenishes 
 her treasury by a system of taxation based upon 
 tax duplicates, less l)ona fide indebtedness, and by 
 voluntary donations. The church received from 
 David Morentzest the sum of $500, but on account 
 of re^•erses of someone, not much, if anything, has 
 
72 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 been realized therefrom. Another gift of real estate 
 from the Dr. Trollinger estate, valued at several 
 hundred dollars, was realized. Also a less amount 
 from the estate of Eli Stroup was received. 
 
 In the early history of the church we find the 
 name of Elder David Byers, of whom no authentic 
 account as to where he was from could be fotmd, 
 but his presence at many of the councils and the 
 part taken by him, as shown by the records, indicate 
 the importance of his work. He later removed to 
 an adjoining congregation, but often visited here 
 and assisted in her councils. The list of elders in 
 charge are Elder Abraham Heistand, of 1825, and 
 many years afterward Elder Lewis Glass accepted 
 the oversight, holding the position until he asked 
 the church to be relieved, which was done by the 
 consent of elders of District Meeting of 1889. Elder 
 Edward Loomis was selected for this position on 
 Dec. 3, 1890. He labored efficiently and attended 
 all her councils except three, until succeeded by Eli 
 Stroup, who was ordained and appointed bishop 
 on Nov. 17, 1894, which position he held in honor 
 to himself and to the church until his decease, which 
 occurred early in the year of 1899. 
 
 In all this time Brethren Aaron Shiveley and Joe 
 J. Hoover assisted efficiently in the work and in the 
 adjacent churches of the District until the decease 
 of Brother Shiveley and the removal to the West 
 of Brother Hoover and family, their letters being 
 granted them Feb. 16, 1901. Brother Simon Stuck- 
 ey, another worthy brother, identified with the work 
 from 1861, was much appreciated throughout the 
 district because of his ability to lead worship in 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 7i 
 
 song. He often visited the adjoining churches at 
 communion meetings. He became a leading worker 
 in the Freeburg Church, to which his later history 
 would properly belong. He was quite popular in 
 his community, conducting many funeral services 
 and in the solemnization of marriages. He was 
 elected to the ministry in 1876, advanced and or- 
 dained Nov. 25, 1900. He died Sept. 21, 1904, aged 
 seventy-one years, four months and twenty-six days. 
 He came to Stark County, Ohio, with his parents 
 when but eleven years of age and lived his entire 
 life in the county. 
 
 Brother M. W. Hahn, son of Joseph Hahn and 
 Rebecca (Haas) Hahn, also a minister and worker 
 at Reading, but later belonging to the Freeburg, 
 was elected Nov. 18, 1893, and advanced Nov. 24, 
 1900. He labored faithfully for some years and 
 moved with his family to the State of Delaware, 
 where he at present resides. Since all these changes 
 have taken place, the ministerial help has been ob- 
 tained from adjoining churches, Elder N. Longa- 
 necker often assisting in council and in the regular 
 appointments of the church, and is often invited to 
 her aid for advice and admonition. 
 
 Elder John F. Kahler, formerly from the Canton 
 Church and now of the Canton City Church, has 
 supplied several terms and served for more than a 
 year as pastor while residing at Mt. Union. At 
 present the pastoral work is supplied by Elder A. 
 W. Harrold, of the Mahoning Church, who now has 
 the oversight. 
 
 'J4ie church maintains a weekly Sunday-school, 
 Christian Workers' Meeting, Teacher Training 
 Class, and has church services every alternate Sun- 
 
74 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 day. She has a faithful membership of more than 
 150 members. The outlook is Ijright. Praise Ciod 
 for his Ijlessiugs of Mercy and (irace! 
 
 A. W. U. 
 
 OWL CREEK CONGREGATION. 
 
 llovv this church got its peculiar name is not 
 found in print, nor is it treasured in the memories 
 of the people. This place of worship is located one- 
 half mile north of Ankenytown, Knox County, Ohio, 
 on a beautiful knoll o\erlooking the surrounding 
 country. Its organization was somewhere about 
 1823. The early membership for the most part 
 came, from Bedford County, Pa. This being per- 
 haps the fifth church organized in the District, its 
 territory was necessarily large. The field indeed 
 was large but the laborers were few. Its present 
 area is only about one-half the original on account 
 of other congregations being organized and taking- 
 charge of their respective fields. 
 
 It was at the home of Brother Henry Hess, soon 
 after the Civil A\'ar, that committees from the differ- 
 ent parts of the State met and located the division 
 line that now divides our State Districts. 
 
 We are indebted to Brother Henry Hess for man^• 
 of the data that this church has ]:)ro(luced. Brother 
 Hess (deceased March ,\ 191,3) li\'ed within 
 the bounds of this congregation since 1839. His un- 
 tiring interest in the growth of this part of (iod's 
 domain contributed much tow.ird the fine church- 
 house they now worship in, and the beautiful 
 
7() CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 cemetery, begun in 1840, where 325 memorials testi- 
 fy to broken homes and hearts that human sympathy 
 could not comfort. 
 
 The first place of worship was built in 1854. Prior 
 to that time services were conducted in private 
 homes and in schoolhouses. At the meetings in 
 the homes l)0th men and ])easts were fed, and the 
 hospitality upon such occasions was a well spring- 
 ing up unto e\crlasting life. The love feasts in the 
 early days were held in homes, barns and on lawns. 
 The conduct of the visiting neighborhood was not 
 very commendable upon some occasions; civil offi- 
 cers had to be called in to keep order. The reader 
 will pause long enough to note that the Sunday- 
 school, Christian Workers' Meetings and Bible 
 classes were not in operation in those days. In 
 1899 the old churchhouse was replaced by a new 
 and commodious one which was dedicated Oct. 22. 
 1899. Twenty-five new and well-built sheds reflect 
 the humane spirit that enriches the hearts of the 
 worshipers. The cemetery is under a self-support- 
 ing management. Our chronicler has not informed 
 us as to what adjoining churches were the product 
 of the zeal and fidelity of this one. 
 
 It seems that the members did not at all times sec 
 things alike ; peace and harmony were put to a test 
 upon occasions. In September, 1858, at the regular 
 council meeting, twenty mem1)ers became dissatis- 
 fied and withdrew from the church. This sect was 
 commonly known as the Lecdyites. In 1881 thirty- 
 five members withdrew and miitcd with the Prri- 
 grcssivcs. The reader will rcadilj^ see tliat it re- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 77 
 
 quires a strong body of believers to survive such 
 losses. 
 
 The financial side of this church was reinforced 
 by Brother Daniel Hetrick and Elder Maltzbaugh, 
 who willed liberal sums of money for the support 
 of the poor. 
 
 Sunday-school work was launched in 1870. Twen- 
 ty-nine years later it became evergreen. It has been 
 a potent factor in the development of the character 
 of both young and old, and many have been directed 
 in the way of holiness through her agencies. The 
 school at the present is enjoying her greatest pros- 
 perity. The teachers, some of them, have graduated 
 from the Teacher Training Course. They use mod- 
 ern methods of teaching. The Home Department 
 and Cradle Roll come in for full consideration. The 
 school is a supporter of missions. 
 
 A Christian Workers' Society was organized in 
 February, 1905. It has continued with varied in- 
 terest till the present. The hungry have been fed, 
 the sick visited, and the Gospel has been preached 
 by the perseverance of this little band of workers. 
 
 The elders and ministers present an interesting- 
 picture. The first in the list is John Maltzbaugh, 
 who presided till his death on Sept. 14, 1858. Jacob 
 Garver, a minister, moved here from the East, died 
 in 1845. The church's membership at that time was 
 about 200. In 1841 Henry Davy and Abraham 
 Leedy were called to the ministry. Soon after this 
 the Delaware Church was organized ; Brother Davy, 
 living in that locality, became their minister. In 
 1858 Abraham Leedy was ordained to the eldership. 
 
7S ' CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 He had charge uf the churcli till his death in No- 
 vember, 1869. Mcrgan A\'orkman, of the Loudon- 
 ville Church, was then called to the bishopric of 
 this congregation, which duties he faithfully per- 
 formed till 1873, when Brethren Henry Keller and 
 William Murray were ordained to the eldership. 
 These men, joined together in the bonds of peace 
 and harmony, knew their flock by name, and the 
 sheep and lambs did follow them. Elder Murray, 
 after a time, removed into the Ashland Church, 
 Ashland, Ohio. Brother Keller, however, moved 
 steadily on with the work till his death, Aug. 31, 
 1903. His was a life of true piety known and read 
 by all men of his community, as one in whom the 
 Christ spirit dwelt richly. He was a preacher of 
 great earnestness, whose messages were full of per- 
 sonal experiences with the truth he was teaching. 
 Elder Samuel Montis lived within the bounds of 
 the church from about 1892. Being isolated the 
 greater part of the time from the main body of the 
 church, and not being able to get to her ser^-ices 
 \'ery often, he could not assvmie \ery much of the 
 responsibility of the flock. He always had words 
 of encouragement ior the church when in attendance 
 at her services. 
 
 Upon the death of Elder Henry Keller, Columbus 
 Workman, of the Dan\'ille Church, was chosen to 
 shepherd the flock, which he faithfully did for the 
 space of six years. Brother AX'orkman, finding the 
 charge of more than one church at a time too hea\ y, 
 resigned. The church reluctantly accepted his res- 
 ignation, and proceeded at once to call Brother 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 79 
 
 Aaron Heestand tu their leadership which he \-er3' 
 acceptabl}' performed. 
 
 While the last two named elders had charge, we 
 wish to call the reader's attention to two young 
 brethren, whose strength and courage and rich 
 stock of truth has been the means of bringing much 
 new life into this eighty-eight-year-old congregation, 
 \'iz., Walter Keller and George Strausbaugh. Walter 
 was born both physically and spiritually within 
 the bounds of the congregation. He was advanced 
 to the second degree of the ministry in a short time, 
 graduated in 1)oth Science and Biljle courses, called 
 to the pastorate of the Hagerstown (Md.) Church 
 in 1906, the \\'ashington (D. C. ) Church in 1909, 
 and to the Ashland congregation in 1911, which 
 charge he is still ser\-ing. The good Lord brought 
 Brother George Strausbaugh into the bounds of 
 this church through lo\e's highway in April, 1906. 
 He married one of her fair daughters. Besides the 
 domestic felicity Avhich he much enjoys, he is en- 
 gaging himself in a self-sacrificing ser\'ice for the 
 church. Though a young man, the responsibility 
 of the eldership was placed upon him (October, 1906. 
 Not for years has this congregation been so pros- 
 perous. Brother Strausbaugh, prior to his coming 
 to the ser\'ice of the church, spent a number of years 
 in higher education. 
 
 The half has not been told, yet we feel to inform 
 the reader that this church has l^een a heavy con- 
 tributor to the general growth of the Brc.itherhood 
 ill her means, and members whn huve moved into 
 other parts to perjictuate the faith of the faithful. 
 
80 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Henry Keller. 
 1829-1903. 
 
 Elder Henry Keller was born in Knox County, 
 Ohio, April 14, 1829, died in the same county July 
 31, 1903, aged seventy-four years, three months and 
 seventeen days. He was the son of Benjamin Kel- 
 
 ELDER HENRY KELLER 
 
 ler, a minister in the River Brethren Church. His 
 boyhood days were spent on his father's farm in the 
 county in which he was born. 
 
 Like many of the children of his day, his oppor- 
 tunities for securing an education were limited. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 81 
 
 He went to school only six weeks after he was four- 
 teen years old, and never studied history, grammar, 
 geography or any of the more modern branches, 
 except during the last six weeks he was in school. 
 
 Early in life he began serving as an apprentice in 
 an old-fashioned tannery and continued at this trade 
 until he became an expert tanner. He often re- 
 marked that he learned the multiplication table 
 while he was grinding bark in the tan shop. As 
 an apprentice, it was his duty to fill the hopper of 
 the grinder with oak bark and then see that the 
 horse kept moving. Later he built a tannery of 
 his own and followed that trade until the more 
 modern methods made it unprofitable, after which 
 he took up the occupation of farming. 
 
 Brother Keller was united in marriage to Eliza- 
 beth Grubb Nov. 18, 1850. Four children were born 
 to them. At the time of their marriage neither had 
 accepted Christ. His wife having been raised in a 
 Brethren home she came in touch with the teaching 
 and practice of the Church of the Brethren. These 
 being somewhat difTerent from his early teaching 
 it was difficult, when conviction came, to decide with 
 which church to unite. One of the main points 
 which perplexed him was the purpose of baptism, 
 whether because of the remission of sins or for the 
 remission of sins. 
 
 Seeking the True Light he began searching the 
 New Testament. In due time the Light came and 
 he chose to be baptized for the remission of sins, 
 uniting with the Church of the Brethren. In the 
 ■•lUtunin of 1858 he and his wife were baptized in 
 
S2 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the IjLiunds uf tlie (Jwl Creek Church by Elder 
 Abram Leedy, and Uved and labored in this church 
 until called home. 
 
 Soon after his l^aptism the church recognized 
 Brother Keller as a faithful and willing worker, 
 hence called him to the ministry. Although feeling 
 keenly the responsibility and his inadequate prepar- 
 ation he went to work to do the best he could. He 
 made the Bible a constant study, even studying and 
 memorizing Scripture while working at his trade, 
 placing the open Bible on a small shelf before him. 
 Thus he became well acquainted with God's Word 
 and gathered a rich store of Scriptural quotations 
 which he used with effect in both private conversa- 
 tion and puljlic speaking. Following the advice of 
 Peter he was always prepared to give a reason for 
 the hope that was within. 
 
 The exact dates of his election to the ministry, 
 advancement and ordination are not known. He 
 had the oversight of the Owl Creek Church for about 
 twenty-fi\'e years. At the time of the division in 
 the Brethren Church he had many trials and dis- 
 couragements to meet, but he remained loyal to the 
 church. He was conservati\'e and firm, yet patient 
 and kind, always exercising much charity and for- 
 bearance toward others. His advice was sought 
 much in the councils of the adjoining congregations. 
 He served the District as member of Standing Com- 
 mittee at the Conference at Naperville, 111. 
 
 During his ministry he performed man)- mar- 
 riage ceremonies and was called upon to preach 
 manv funeral sermons. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 83 
 
 As a public speaker Brother Keller made no at- 
 tempt at oratory. While his sermons were not elo- 
 quent they were clear, spiritual, comforting' and 
 abounded with Scriptural quotations. 
 
 He was a man of implicit faith and was especially 
 gifted in prayer. He believed that there was much 
 power in prayer and each morning all in the house- 
 hold were called around the family altar. 
 
 In appearance and action he was meek and hum- 
 ble and won the respect and confidence of all within 
 the circle of his influence. 
 
 Brother Keller made many sacrifices, financially 
 and of personal comfort, for the church and the 
 cause which he so much loved. /Vlthough he is 
 gone, yet his influence still lives. 
 
 Elizabeth Keller. 
 1829-1909. 
 
 Elizabeth (Grubb) Keller was born in Bedford 
 County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1829. At the age of four years 
 she came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. 
 (jrubb, to Pike Township, Knox County, Ohio, 
 where she lived the remainder of her long and useful 
 life. Nov. 18, 1850, she was united in marriage with 
 Henry Keller. She was a faithful companion and 
 helpmate, performing well her duties of wife and 
 mother in the home, and doing much to encourage 
 her husband in his ministerial labors. 
 
 Tlieir home was blessed with four children, two 
 sons and two daughters, all of whom are lixing. 
 
 In 1858 she united with the Church of the Breth- 
 
84 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ren, and continued a zealous and faithful member 
 until called to her reward. 
 
 She was a widow for nearly six years, during 
 which time she continued to live on the homestead 
 with her younger son. On Sunday, May 2, 1909, 
 
 SISTlLlR ELIZABETH GRUBB KELLER 
 Sept. 11, 1S29, May 5, 1909. 
 
 while at the home of her daughter, j\Irs. J. R. Beal, 
 at Ankenytown, she was stricken with paralysis, 
 and on Wednesday morning, May 5, her spirit took 
 its flight. She was aged eighty years. She is dead, 
 but her words and works still live in the Ha'cs of 
 those who knew her. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 85 
 
 CANTON CHURCH. 
 
 The torch of faith was kindled in Niniisliillen, 
 Osnaburg and Canton Townships some time in tlie 
 first quarter of the nineteenth century. This 
 church territory was originally a part of the old 
 Nimishillen congregation. This was a rich agri- 
 cultural community, and the best of people early 
 settled it, and realized great possiljilities for their 
 families, not only in material things, but in schools 
 and churches. The most populous centers were 
 Osnaburg, Louis^-ille and Canton. 
 
 The church took its name after the county seat : 
 " Canton." As to the circumstances which led to 
 the cutting off this valuable territory from the orig- 
 inal Nimishillen congregation, the individuals who 
 were present, the songs sung, the prayers offered, 
 the first meetings under the auspices of the new 
 congregation, and the place or places of worship, 
 are a bit of sealed history in the archives of the 
 spirit world. The early days of the church, dating 
 from 1825, must have lieen fruitful ones, because 
 of the splendid body of believers which grew up on 
 foundations laid in pioneer soil of only fifteen souls. 
 The church grew and in 1868 enjoyed the pleasure of 
 dedicating its first house of worship, and in a short 
 time adding another substantial structure about 
 four miles north of where the Center house now 
 stands. Later a mission point was maintained in 
 the city of Canton, which grew into what is known 
 as the Canton City Church. The details of this 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 87 
 
 citadel of faith, so far as we have been able to gather 
 from memories yet active, begin with Elder Hoke, 
 whose valuable services began, however, some time 
 on this side of the pioneer days of the church. Fol- 
 lowing Brother Hoke, about 1852, Brethren George 
 Shively and Jacob Snyder were the feeders of the 
 flock. Brother Shively acting as bishop, who, in 1857, 
 moved to Indiana. After Brother Shively's depar- 
 ture to a new field of service, Brother Jacob Snyder 
 faithfully cared for the church till his death. As- 
 sociated with Brother Snyder in the ministry were 
 Jonas Umbaugh, who moved West, John Cross, 
 who was considered a very able speaker for that 
 time, and Daniel Peck, who also pro\-ed himself 
 faithful to the cause of Christ. Brother Peck mar- 
 ried a daughter of Elder and Sister Snyder. Soon 
 after the death of Elder Snyder, Brother Peck, in 
 1865, was ordained to the eldership and placed as 
 overseer of the flock. This took place at a regular 
 business meeting held at the home of Moses and 
 Lydia Keim, in Osnaburg Township. At this same 
 meeting Josiah Keim was called to the ministry of 
 the church. Brethren Jacob Cjarber and Conrad 
 Kahler were the visiting elders to assist in the fore- 
 going installations. 
 
 Some time between 1856 and 1860 Brother Daniel 
 Clapper was called from the deacon's office to en- 
 gage in the larger work of the ministry. He was a 
 faithful servant of the Lord, and closed his labors 
 some time near 1898. Elders Peck, Clapper and 
 Keim were colaborers for a number of years. Upon 
 Brother Peck's death, some time about 1870, John 
 
88 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 B. Shoemaker, of Smithville, Ohio, became the elder 
 of the church for several years. When Moses 
 AVeaver moved from Ashland into the Canton 
 Church, Brother Shoemaker resigned his charge in 
 favor of Elder Weaver, who, after a few years, 
 moved to Michigan. Benjamin Bolinger was elect- 
 ed to the ministry in 1871, who, after a few years, 
 also moved to Michigan. After a short vacancy in 
 the matter of a housekeeper, Elder Conrad Kahler 
 was chosen to preside over the flock. Feeling keen- 
 ly the need of living among those whom he would 
 serve he moved from the Sandy Church and be- 
 came a lively and untiring keeper of the saints of 
 God. During his oversight the membership had a 
 leader who knew and loved every one, and who 
 never spared pains to make the work of the church 
 prosper. During his ministration Brethren Jacob 
 Weirich and John F. Kahler were called to the min- 
 istry. In the 1882 division in the Brotherhood 
 Brother Josiah Keim withdrew with the Progressive 
 Brethren, and organized a church in Louisville. 
 
 Upon the death of Brethren Kahler and Clapper 
 the feeding of the flock fell to the lot of John F. 
 Kahler and Jacob Weirich. These brethren filled 
 the full measure of the second degree of the min- 
 istry in their love for the cause of Christ. Brother 
 Samuel Sprankel, of the West Nimishillen congrega- 
 tion, by the voice of the Canton Church, joined with 
 the above named brethren in the care of souls as 
 their spiritual adviser. 
 
 In 1904 the Canton City Mission was organized 
 into a separate church with a full set of officers, and 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 89 
 
 a membership whose zeal is invinci1)le in meeting 
 and overcoming obstacles that would prostrate oth- 
 ers to the earth. With this organization the mem- 
 bership of the church for the most part is confined 
 to the country. 
 
 Supplement to the Canton Church. 
 
 Elder Daniel Peck, one of the pioneers of North- 
 eastern Ohio, who figured prominently in the organ- 
 ization of many of the churches in the eastern part 
 of the District, and a man who was ever ready to 
 take hold of new methods to perpetuate the work 
 of the church, is much revered in the Canton Church 
 for the valuable services he rendered especially to 
 the local congregation. It was by his untiring ef- 
 forts that the Sunday-school was organized at the 
 Center house, in the days when opposition was 
 expected. So appreciative have the churcli and Sun- 
 day-school been for the part he played in the organi- 
 zation of the latter school that an endowment fund 
 has been raised to keep his grave in excellent con- 
 dition. 
 
 In December, 1911, Brother Jacob Weirich, was 
 ordained to the eldership, Adam H. Miller advanced 
 to the second degree, and in May, 1913, Milton M. 
 Taylor was called to the ministry. The present 
 deacons are Brethren Michael Lehman, Peter B. 
 Snyder, John H. Miller, Wm. Horner, Henry Royer, 
 Wm. B. Royer, Jacob Keim and Wm. Mohn. The 
 church is in a harmonious condition and willing to 
 sacrifice for the cause of the Master. 
 
90 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Elder Conrad Kahler. 
 1819-1892. 
 
 Brotlier Kahlor began life in Frankfurt, Germany, 
 un Oct. 29, 1819. But very little of the Germany 
 childhood experiences were handed down to his 
 posterity. The little boy Conrad, the eldest of a 
 family of three children, passed through the trying 
 experiences that come to not a few children when 
 once they realize that they ha\-e to tear away from 
 their playmates and many other endearments, never 
 to see or visit them again excepting through the 
 quiet whisperings of memory. When he was ten 
 years old everything was gotten ready for the voy- 
 age to the New World, as it was then called. Cer- 
 tain personal property was disposed of, but Conrad 
 saw to it that some of the little treasures of his 
 tender life were snugly packed away among the 
 things that were to be brought along. Affectionate 
 good-byes were said and the voyage begun. The 
 trip across the Atlantic was reported as being very 
 stormy, taking six weeks before they landed at New 
 York. The reader will note the hazards that trip 
 must ha\'e had to keej) the minds and hearts of the 
 passengers in a constant state of tension. 
 
 After a few days at New York the Kahler family 
 remo\ed to Boli\'ar, C)hio. Economies were needed 
 t(i l)e practiced, hence Conrad at once sought em- 
 ])liiyment among the farmers, working in the sum- 
 mer time and going to school in the winter. He 
 did this till he reached eighteen, when he hired cmt 
 as a regular farm hand. He worked a number of 
 Cllnsecuti^ e years at Elder Yant's, and it was at this 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 yi 
 
 home the seeds of truth were sown and cultivated 
 which inchned him to the faith of the Brethren. 
 
 Jan. 13, 1844, he was married to Elizabeth Arnold, 
 who with her parents had mo\'ed from Rockingham 
 County, Va., to the Boli\ar community. Theirs 
 was a happy home t(i begin with, and was kept a 
 
 ELDER CONRAD KAHLER AND WIFE 
 
 growing happiness all the way through. Many sac- 
 rifices and hard struggling were bravely endured in 
 order to make secure the home and its comforts. 
 They wrought two years before they became se- 
 riously impressed that the Savidr was needed in 
 their home to i)crfect its joys, hence in 1846 they 
 
92 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 made application to be received into the fellowship 
 of the Brethren. They made strong their vows of 
 obedience to the commands of the Scriptures and 
 the time-honored usages of the church. Their faith 
 and love for the Master became growing pillars of 
 true devotion to God, and the uplift of their fellows. 
 
 To them were born seven children : three of them 
 died in youth and four are still living who have 
 brought into the church the zeal and love of their 
 parents. John F. Kahler, the only son, was soon 
 called to the ministry and is now pastor of the Can- 
 ton City Church. The daughters who are still living- 
 have expressed their love for the Master as ever- 
 zealous workers in the church, and in bringing up 
 children who are especially known by their devotion 
 to the better things of life. 
 
 In 1849, just five years after their marriage. Broth- 
 er and Sister Kahler were called upon to receive the 
 will of God through the voice of the church to en- 
 gage themselves in the work of the ministry. This 
 they did unfalteringly. Though not extensively en- 
 dowed with an education, yet their faith soon 
 brought them to the front ranks of service in North- 
 eastern Ohio. They truly magnified the office, and 
 in 1865 Brother Kahler was ordained to the full 
 ministry. It was by his labors while in this office 
 that he proved his greatest ability as a wise counsel- 
 lor and a leader among those of his class. He was 
 called to his eternal reward in 1892. The churches 
 of Northeastern Ohio lost a true and devout leader 
 in Brother Kahler, yet the fruitage of his labors is 
 still with us to cheer us on upon life's highway. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 93 
 
 Elizabeth, the companion and mother, will never 
 be forgotten, for her labors and faithfulness to every 
 call to duty in the home, community and the church 
 will ever be kept fresh and lively oracles on the 
 tablets of memory of those who knew her. Upon the 
 death of the husband and father she kept the altar 
 fires burning and the children instructed in the ways 
 of the Lord. Hers was a home that never turned 
 the most unfortunate away unwarmed and unfed. 
 Theirs was a true church home where every mem- 
 ber felt perfectly welcome to come and talk of their 
 joys as well as the more serious things of life. Her 
 talks in councils had special weight, for not a few 
 times were the members led out of the mists into 
 the light her mind would shed upon the situation. 
 
 Sister Kahler joined her husband in the glory 
 world at the ripe age of seventy-six. Though dead 
 yet she liveth in the rich memories of the lives of 
 those who survive her. 
 
 • MOHICAN CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized about 1830, being the 
 first church organized west of Stark County at that 
 time. It took its name after a beautiful stream of 
 water that flows through the community. 
 
 Twelve members in all gathered at the home of 
 Brother John Shoemaker. After songs were sung 
 and fervent prayers offered they proceeded at once 
 to resolve themselves into an organization that they 
 might more perfectly carry on the work of the 
 Master, which they so much loved. 
 
 Tlie harvest was great and the laborers were few 
 
'J4 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 and their territory at that time extended from the 
 lakes to the gulf and west to the Pacific Coast. 
 Not all the names of those present at that oc- 
 casion hax'e been preser\ed. We will give a few 
 that have been handed down by tradition : John 
 Shumaker and wife, Dr. Echer and wife, David 
 Garver and wife. During these early days the 
 meetings were held in the homes of the members, 
 meeting every two weeks. The preaching was in the 
 German language. This continued for a long time, 
 when there was a growing demand for preaching in 
 English; the German then naturally dropped out. 
 The singing was conducted on the style of the min- 
 ister lining two lines and the ccjngregation singing 
 them and then lining two more and singing them, 
 until the entire hymn was sung. 
 
 The list of elders who faithfully ser\-ed the church 
 from its earliest organization down to the present 
 time are the following; John Shumaker, John 
 Martin, Jacob Garver, Elias Dickey, Joseph Ritten- 
 house, P. J. Brown, Henry Worst, D. N. Workman, 
 Tobias Hoover, Samuel Sprankel and James Mur- 
 ray, lilders Joseph Kessler and David Worst being 
 recently ordained are doing faithful service for the 
 church. 
 
 Besides those who have had charge of the church 
 at diiTerent times, we have a list of \ery interesting 
 names who have l)een helpful in the ministry, w^hose 
 lives and personal service for the church have count- 
 ed much in establishing the faith and perpetuating 
 its influence in the moving-westward spirit: George 
 Pleck, George ^Yorst, Idenry Jacobs, Christian Hoi- 
 
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90 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tennan, William Keiffer, George Kessler, David 
 Worst, Silas Weidman, Samuel Bolinger. 
 
 In the deacon's office the chronicler has found the 
 names of twenty-three who ha\'e served faithfully in 
 all the departments of their work. Space will not 
 permit the record of these names ; suffice it to say 
 that these have felt the call of the Master and have 
 responded without equivocation and performed the 
 duties of their charges as men feeling themselves 
 responsible to the eternal God for their stewardship. 
 
 This church has had the pleasure of entertaining 
 the 1843 Annual Conference, held at the home of 
 rirother John Shoemaker. The Conference was re- 
 markable in the number attending it and the means 
 of transportation at that time, the brethren and sis- 
 ters for the most part coming from the east traveling 
 on horseback, afoot and in wagons. This occasion 
 is still a matter of vivid memory in the minds of 
 many of our older brethren and sisters, who found it 
 an occasion of spiritual uplift, intensive fellowship 
 and inspiration looking to a larger brotherhood that 
 has surely followed. These early Conferences built 
 better than they knew. In laying these foundations 
 they were sufficient to support the superstructure 
 which we trust will ne\-er cease rising into higher 
 worth. 
 
 This church enjoyed its first Sunday-school or- 
 ganization in 1869. Its organization was attended 
 with considerable opposition, liut through patience 
 and prayer this soon ceased and commendable work 
 was done from year to year. As an evidence the 
 most of her membership has been received into the 
 church through the Sundav-school. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 97 
 
 The Sisterhood of this church should receive spe- 
 cial commendation for the successful work they are 
 doing in their Aid Society. Many homes have been 
 blessed through their painstaking work. The mem- 
 bership of the society is small; their good work 
 largely makes up for this deficiency. 
 
 Another matter of historic importance should be 
 mentioned at this place, and that is, this church, 
 perhaps, more than any other in the Northeastern 
 District of Ohio, suffered from the 1882 division in 
 the Brotherhood. All her ministers as well as some 
 of the deacons withdrew to the Progressives. Were 
 it not for the energetic, persistent and executive 
 ability of Elder D. N. Workman, who came to their 
 rescue, the church would have suffered irreparable 
 loss, but through Elder A\"orkman's sacrifices as 
 well as faithfulness to those who remained true to 
 the church, the lamp of faith was kept burning and 
 continued to be a contributor tci the e\'er-growing 
 Brotherhood. 
 
 Supplement to the Mohican Church. 
 
 A few belated notes may be of interest to many 
 readers. The first services in this church were con- 
 ducted in the German language, Elders J(.ihn Shoe- 
 maker and John Martin doing the i)reaching. Soon 
 there was a demand for English preaching; then 
 Elders Jacob Garver and Henry Worst did the En- 
 glish preaching and the former two brethren the 
 German. 
 
 Elder John ?vlartin mo\-ed from Bedford County, 
 Pa. Elder P. J. Brown mo\'ed into this congrega- 
 
98 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tion in 1802. lie practiced dentistry at Congress, 
 Ohio, when not engaged in ministerial duties. 
 Henry Jacobs and Christian Halterman were elect- 
 ed to the ministry in 1873; WilUam Keiffer, in 1874. 
 Brethren Brown, Jacobs and Keifi'er withdrew with 
 the Progressives in the 1882 division of the church. 
 
 The church recei\'ed a se\-ere shock in the sudden 
 death of Brother Shoemaker. Elder Shoemaker was 
 hauling some lumljer for the building of the first 
 meetinghouse of the Brethren in this church. On 
 his return home he stopped in Lattasljurg a few 
 moments to transact some business. In his starting 
 from the village he attempted to get up into the 
 wagon by stepping upon the doubletrees ; his foot 
 slipped, entangling him in the lines and singletrees ; 
 the horses became frightened and ran away, injur- 
 ing Brother Shoemaker so that he lived only a few 
 days. 
 
 The esteem in which Brother Slioemaker was held 
 is seen in the very kirge funeral that was held over 
 his remains. One hundred and eighty wagons, 
 a few other vehicles and many on horseback 
 followed him to his last earthly resting-pkace. 
 The Mohican cemetery was consecrated by his 
 being the first one buried in it. His work was 
 suddenly ended, 1)ut what great work followed him 
 in the church ! 
 
 Elder Jacob Kurtz of tliis church also lost his 
 life by accident. The chronicler was unable to give 
 the deails of his death and funeral. For two prom- 
 inent elders to lose their li\es so suddenly within the 
 bounds of the same church is quite uncommon. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 99 
 
 Elder Jacob Garver. 
 1800-1879. 
 
 Elder Jacob Garver was l)orn near Hagerstown, 
 Md., June 16, 1800, moving with his parents to 
 \\'estmoreland County, Pa., in 1802, and in 1812 to 
 Fayette County, Pa. Aug. 22, 1822, he was united 
 in marriage to Mary Lucas, and in 1827 he and his 
 family moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in the 
 bounds of the Mohican Church. In 1830, he and 
 his wife united with the Church of the Brethren 
 and soon thereafter Brother Garver was elected to 
 the deacon's ofhce. In 1837 he was called to the 
 ministry, and in 1855 ordained to the eldership, 
 serving the church in that capacity until his death. 
 May 14, 1879. 
 
 Brother Garver donated to tlie church the land 
 on which the Mohican Church and cemetery are 
 now located. Coming into this part of the District 
 when there were but few members and no oppor- 
 tunity for holding meetings, save in members' 
 houses, caused Brother Garver to become very anx- 
 ious for the erection of churchhouses in which to 
 worship. Some of these churches were first seated 
 with benches without any backs, which were not 
 satisfactory to Brother Garver, he contending for 
 seats with backs. Some of the brethren opposed 
 this, but througli continued effort all the churches 
 were provided with seats containing backs. Broth- 
 er Garver was a man of strict integrity and faithful 
 in the various duties he was called by the church 
 to perform. Through his continued efforts the 
 church prospered and the members lo\'ed and re- 
 
100 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 \'ered his name. Fie was of a very sociable and 
 pleasant turn of mind and had a good word for e\'- 
 er3djody, and Sister Carver was a real mother to the 
 whole community. 
 
 Brother and Sister (jar\er iM'OUght up a family of 
 sixteen children. They labored on for many, many 
 years together for the upbuilding of the church, and 
 the advancing of pure Christian piety in the com- 
 munity in which they lived. Their house was al- 
 ways a Brethren's home. It may be said of Brother 
 and Sister Carver: "Inasmuch as you have min- 
 istered unto the least of these my brethren, )'ou 
 have ministered unto me." Two sons of Brother 
 and Sister Carver were ministers in the Church of 
 the Brethren: Samuel, of the Black River Church, 
 and Ceorge, who mo\'ed on a farm near Dayton, 
 Ohio. 
 
 Mary Lucas Garver. 
 1802-1881. 
 
 Mary Lucas Garver, wife of Elder Jacob Carver, 
 was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1802, living 
 with her parents until married to Jacob Garver, 
 Aug. 4, 1822. In 1827 they decided to go west. 
 Loading their belongings on a large, four-horse 
 wagon, they started out to try their fortune in the 
 then wild west of (Jliio, landing in Chester Town- 
 ship, AVayne County, on the farm ^^•here the Mo- 
 hican Church and cemetery are located. Sister 
 Carver was a strong, courageous woman, not afraid 
 to endure hardships and willing to do her part to- 
 ward clearing the furests away that they niight ]irii- 
 duce something on which to li\e. It is said of her 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 101 
 
 that she could use an ax as well as a man and that 
 she with her son, Samuel, then a ])oy at home, cut 
 the timber off and cleared the land on which the 
 Mohican Church and cemetery are located. With 
 the bringing up of sixteen chihlrcn and caring for 
 
 SISTER JACOB GARVBR 
 
 Of the Mohican Church. "V\rayne County. Sister Garver 
 helped to chop clown the trees and clear up tlie ground where 
 now stand tlie Moliican cliurch and cemetery. "Few men 
 coulil cut a large tree doM'n as quick as she. 
 
 an in\alid sister-in-law, she yet found time to look 
 after the welfare of the church and to study her Bi- 
 ble, and enjoyed more than anything else to con- 
 verse therefrom. Full of the Spirit, full of love, 
 she did what she could for the church and her God. 
 
102 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Her spirit took its flight in tlie month of June, 1881, 
 at the age of seventy-nine, to dwell with him who 
 gave it. 
 
 TUSCARAWAS CHURCH. 
 
 Tliis church was organized between 1836 and 
 1840. Brother Abraham Yant, pioneer from Penn- 
 sylvania, minister and elder, settled in Bethlehem 
 Township, Stark County, Ohio, two miles north of 
 Bolivar, His was a pioneering for the Lord. 
 
 Prior to the organization, services were held in 
 private homes and schoolhouses. Much interest 
 was taken in these services, which resulted in the 
 organization and the building of places of worship. 
 This territory originally was quite large ; two 
 churchhouses were built, the first known as the 
 Zion, erected in 1865, and an addition built in 1871 ; 
 the Eden house was erected in 1873. The former 
 is five miles north of Bolivar and the latter five and 
 one-half miles southwest of Canton. 
 
 The records of the membership of this church 
 from its earliest organization seem to have been 
 lost. Present membership is about forty. 
 
 Those who followed Elder Yant in the care of 
 his church were : John K. L. Swihart, Conrad Kah- 
 ler and Samuel Sprankel ; the latter holds the over- 
 sight of the church at the present time. Other 
 ministers of the church were: Martin Reely (Ger- 
 man), Henry Bender, George V. Kollar, Noah Long- 
 anecker, Reuben Shroyer, Jacob INIishler, Howard 
 Plelman, none of whom are now living within the 
 b(.)unds of the church. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 103 
 
 The records of the deacons can only be traced 
 back to 1855. They are as follows: George Hel- 
 man, John Yutzey, Jos. Sni\'ely, Chas. Buchman, 
 David E. Garber, Stephen Kocher, h'lias Gerber, A. 
 W. Yutzey. 
 
 This church was Cjuite flourishing for a number of 
 years and a few names may be mentioned as con- 
 tributors in a special manner to the progress of the 
 work, whose zeal and earnestness left indelible im- 
 pressions upon the memories of those wlio survive. 
 Brother and Sister Henry Bender were noted for 
 their zeal and liberality: Brother and Sister Conrad 
 Kahler for their fatherly and motherly care of the 
 tender lambs of the fold ; Brother and Sister Martin 
 Reely, who remembered the churcli financially by 
 becjueathing cjuite a nice sum of money; Brother 
 and Sister George Helman Avere untiring and faith- 
 ful, and were present at all services ; Brother and 
 Sister Daniel J. Yutzey for the part they played in 
 the Sunday-school and other features of church 
 work ; Brother and Sister John F. Kahler were shin- 
 ing lights and contributed much to the encourage- 
 ment and prosperity of the church. 
 
 A little bit of reminiscence of Elder Conrad 
 Kahler, who held the oversight of this church, will 
 be read with interest. He emigrated from Frank- 
 fort, Germany, with his parents when eleven years 
 old. They settled in Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, 
 on a little farm one mile north of the village. Elder 
 Conrad worked as a farm hand at Abram Yant's 
 place for a number of years ; there he learned the 
 doctrine as taught by the Brethren. He also formed 
 the acquaintance of Elizabeth Arnold, whose par- 
 
104 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ents came to Ohio from Rockingham County, Va., 
 in 1840, and in 1844 they were married. In 1846 
 they united with the Church of the Bretliren ; in 
 1849 Brother Kahler was chosen to the ministry 
 and in 1865 ordained to the elderslilp. To him much 
 credit is due for the early growth of this church. 
 He held the oversight imtil he removed to the 
 bounds of the Canton Church in 1882. He closed 
 his labors on earth in 1892. He had the joy of see- 
 ing all his children unite with the church. 
 
 The first Sunday-school in this church was organ- 
 ized in 1879 with considerable opposition. Through 
 patience and perseverance opposition abated and 
 the work was carried on with commendable zeal and 
 success under the leadership of such men as D. J. 
 Yutzey, Reuben Shroyer, William Fetters, A. W. 
 Yutsey, D. F. Helman and John Studer. The num- 
 ber of scholars upon its organization were fifteen. 
 A few years later a Sunday-school was organized at 
 the Eden house. Number of scholars at this organ- 
 ization were twenty-fi\-e ; the superintendents were 
 the following: John F. Kahler, Abram Sniveley, 
 William Rohn, A. A\'. Yutsey, \Mlliam Sniveley, 
 Flias Gerber and Daniel Lantz. 
 
 In 1874 this church was divided into two divi- 
 sions: the southern part was called the Mt. Zion 
 congregation. This division was on accoiuit of the 
 large territory and the difficulty of the memliers 
 getting back and forth to the different places of 
 worship. While this church has not sustained the 
 strength of its original membersliip, yet it has pro- 
 duced within its borders a number of ministers and 
 influential members ^^'ho migrated to other churches 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 103 
 
 and became pillars in building up the faith of the 
 Lord where they did the greater part of their life's 
 work. What is the loss to the Tuscarawas Church 
 was gain in other places. 
 
 BLACK RIVER CHURCH. 
 
 The history of the Black Ri\'er congregation dates 
 back to about the year 1846, when Brethren Ephra- 
 im and Joseph Swinehart with their families located 
 near Black River, Chatham Township, Medina 
 County, Ohio. Other immigrant members were 
 Brethren John White in 1849 and Joseph Ritten- 
 house in 1850, who with their wives were included 
 in the first membership. The territory at first was 
 a part of the Mohican congregation in AVayne 
 County, of which Brother Carver was then presid- 
 ing elder, assisted by Brother John Shoemaker. 
 Sept. 30, 1855, the congregation was organized at 
 the home of Brother Joseph Rittenhouse, at which 
 time he was elected to the ministry and Brethren 
 Ephraim Provant and John AVhite were chosen dea- 
 cons. Elders Elias Dickey, of Ashland, Ohio, and 
 Joseph Showalter, of Stark County, Ohio, conducted 
 the organization. 
 
 Among the charter members we find Brethren 
 Joseph Rittenhouse, John White, George Heestand, 
 John Robinson, Jacob Pro\-ant, Ephraim Pro\-ant, 
 Ephraim Swinehart, Gideon Bollinger, Samuel Gar- 
 ■\'er, Frederick Dague, John ^Yertf., their wives, and 
 Sister Mary Pittenger and Brother Nathaniel Rit- 
 tenhouse. 
 
 Brethren Samuel Gar\-er and John Werts and 
 
106 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 their wives, Nathaniel Rittenhouse, Frederick 
 Dag'ue and wife were baptized the day of the organ- 
 ization. 
 
 On the evening of this memorable day a love feast 
 was held in the same liouse, which is still standing. 
 Brother Jacob Garver had the oversight of the 
 Black River congregation until about the year 1867, 
 when Brother Joseph Rittenhouse was ordained and 
 given charge of this pioneer flock. 
 
 The first members baptized in this part of the 
 state were John Robinson and his wife, Elizabeth 
 (Rittenhouse') Robinson. This occurred in the sum- 
 mer of 1855. Less than two months after the or- 
 ganization Mary Rittenhouse, aged nine years, was 
 also baptized. It is to be observed that this church 
 did not Cjuestion the fitness of children to enter the 
 Kingdom and be trained for the Master's use. 
 
 During the first years the meetings were held in 
 the houses of the brethren ; when these were too 
 small, the barn was soon put into condition for serv- 
 ices. The families took turns in entertaining the 
 meetings. It Avas quite common to serve all who 
 attended the meetings with dinner; in this case 
 services were conducted in the afternoon also. Can 
 the reader imagine what spiritual feasts were had 
 upon those occasions? True, it took work, but the 
 grandmothers knew how to do that. 
 
 I^)efore t1ie organization the following ministers 
 kept the lamp of faith burning. Notice what an 
 elect lot they are : Jacob Garver, John Shoemaker, 
 Jolin ]\Tartin, George Flack, Emanuel Bughly, of 
 the AFdIiican Church; FJias Dickey, Isaac Smucker 
 and Muses \Vea\er, of the Ashkand Church; Chris- 
 
108 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tiaii Wise, uf tlic Richland Ciiurch ; Juhn Shuc- 
 maker, Sr., of the Chippewa congregation ; and Jacoh 
 Kurtz, of Stark County. Brethren Jlenry Davy, of 
 Ivnox County, John Wise, then of Pennsylvania, 
 I'eter Nead and James Quinter held series of meet- 
 ings before there was any churchhouse in which tn 
 worship. The membership grew rapidly, and it was 
 but a short time till the zeal of this newly-organized 
 church spread o\'er many townships. They did in 
 those early days what is now known as church ex- 
 tension w^ork. Soon the Gospel was being preached 
 in Troy and Sullivan Townships, Ashland County : 
 in Huntingdon, Harris\'ille, Chatham, Spencer, 
 Litchfield and Westfield Townships, Medina Coun- 
 ty. Will the reader pause to think how the min- 
 isters and their wi^•es would make these appoint- 
 ments regularly? 
 
 The writer remembers with much pleasure how 
 glad we children were when we would see the Breth- 
 ren ministers coming on Saturday afternoon, before 
 the Sunday meeting. They often came on horseback 
 when the roads were bad, fifteen or twenty miles, 
 or more, and how we enjoyed listening to the con- 
 versations on Scripture and religious subjects dur- 
 ing the evening; and the evening and morning wor- 
 ship, consisting of Scripture reading, singing hymns, 
 exhortations and fervent prayers. 
 
 Sister Robinson, in writing to me about the meet- 
 ings held in our parents' home and of the one busy 
 day when the congregation was organized, the elec- 
 tion, the Ijaptisms and love feast, says, " That was a 
 ' ( "dory ' meeting." 
 
 In 1867 Joseph Rittenhouse was ordained cider 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 109 
 
 and given charge of the church. Also at the same 
 meeting Jacob Shook and D. J. Myers were elected 
 to the deacon's office. 
 
 A few years after the organization Brother Sam- 
 uel Garver, son of Jacob Garver, was elected to the 
 ministry. In 1870 Gideon Ballinger was called. He 
 served faithfully until 1880 when he moved to Mis- 
 souri. May 3, 1873, Brethren Tobias Hoover and 
 John Pittinger were called to preach the Gospel. 
 They were ad\'anced to the second degree Aug. 8, 
 1874. At about this time Brother Samuel Garver 
 was ordained to the eldership and placed in charge 
 of the church, Elder Rittenhouse having moved to 
 Eastern Maryland. Brother Gar\-er kept the over- 
 sight of the church until 1904, when Tobias Hoover, 
 who was ordained in 1893, was placed in charge of 
 the flock which he faithfully shepherded till his 
 death, Jan. 26, 1907. The membership was largest 
 just prior to the 1882 rupture in the Brotherhood, 
 when 132 souls were counted. The division seemed 
 to be more se\-ere here than at a great many places. 
 Fourteen went with the Old Order Brethren, twen- 
 ty-five with the Progressives, lea\'ing ninety-three 
 who remained loyal to the church. The effects of 
 the di\'ision continued till 1896, when the member- 
 ship numbered only about fifty. The lamp of the 
 church could not be extinguished, however ; with 
 zeal and Christian determination the fires of faith 
 were rekindled and a brighter day dawned upon 
 that which was so beautifully begun. 
 
 April 7, 1883, Brethren William Shoemaker and 
 Toliias Prowand \vere elected deacons, the latter 
 not accepting the responsilMlities of the ofifice till 
 
110 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 three years later. Nuv. 7, 1887, lirother Charles 
 Woods was called to the ministry. He did com- 
 mendable service for a number of years. Nov. 5, 
 1892, Brethren Isaac Myers and George Hart were 
 elected deacons. Two years later Brother Hart was 
 killed accidentally. May 1, 1897, Henry Kilmer was 
 elected deacon. From 1896 until 1905 the church 
 grew by receiving nineteen members by immigra- 
 tion and twenty-four by baptism. Levi Dague and 
 ITenry Fleestand were called to the deacon's office 
 Oct. 14, 1899,, and A. B. Horst to the ministry. 
 Brother Horst was advanced to the second degree 
 the following year. Brother John Yoder, who had 
 moved into the church, was advanced at the same 
 time. Sept. 24, 1904, Brethren M. Clyde Horst and 
 S. M. Friend were called to the ministry and in- 
 stalled by Elder T. S. Moherman. The reader will 
 note the part a well-replenished official board plays 
 in piloting a church through turbulent waters. 
 
 The first meetinghouse was built in Homer Town- 
 ship in 1867. In the 1882 division this edifice was 
 given over to the Progressives. A second house was 
 l)uilt in 1868 in Chatham Township, on a corner of 
 the farm then owned by Joseph Rittenhouse, he 
 donating the land fur the churchyard and cemetery. 
 This house remained unchanged until 1900, when 
 it was remodeled, and an addition Ijuilt for commun- 
 ion purposes. See picture. 
 
 The Sunday-school record of the church dates 
 from 1868 to 1869 with Joseph Rittenhouse as the 
 first suiierintendent, succeeded by the following 
 ])retliren : W. V. luigland, Henry Homan, John 
 Dague, j. B. AA'ine, Tobias ]Too\'cr, John Pittinger, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 111 
 
 Charles M. Woods, Simon Carver, S. M. Friend and 
 Henry Kilmer. Brother Charles M. Woods directed 
 the work of the Sunday-school for sixteen consecu- 
 tive years. Why should these names be given? Sim- 
 ply because the work of the Sundaj^-school is an im- 
 portant department of the church. This was one of 
 the first Sunday-schools organized in Northeastern 
 Ohio. 
 
 October, 1902, a Missionary Reading Circle was 
 organized with Sister Mary R. Hoover as local sec- 
 retary. This circle soon merged into the Christian 
 Workers' Society, which is still an active unit in 
 the church. 
 
 The church suffered from a few emigrations along 
 about 1906-8. Brother A. B. Horst was ordained 
 in the fall of 1905, and later moved to Bellefontaine, 
 Ohio, to take charge of the first city church. John 
 Yoder moved to Canada. M. Clyde Horst was called 
 to the First South Bend Church, which pastorate he 
 still serves. This big field then fell to Brother S. M. 
 Friend, who was ordained in 1908. He has been 
 assisted in the care of the flock Ijy Brethren A. S. 
 Workman, of Loudonville, and James Murray, of 
 the Chippewa Church. In 1910-11 twenty-one mem- 
 bers were baptized. Brother A. B. Horst returned 
 to this field of labor in 1912. 
 
 A few elders' names who served in times of spe- 
 cial crises of the church deserve special comment. 
 
 Brother Joseph Rittenhouse, the first resident 
 elder, was a man full of the missionary zeal, was al- 
 ways a liberal giver to the finances of the church, 
 spent much time in laboring for her interests, and 
 aUva\s went rit his own chai-ges. During the Ci\il 
 
112 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 War, largely through his effurts, money was raised 
 ($300 each) to save a number of Brethren who had 
 been drafted, from going to the army. The money 
 was raised by taxation, each paying according to his 
 worth. 2 Cor. 8: 12 was Brother Rittenhouse's fa- 
 \-orite scripture. Brother and Sister Rittenhouse 
 returned from Maryland in 1876. In the 1882 divi- 
 sion he took a stand with the Old Order Brethren. 
 He died at the age of eighty-two. New Year's Day, 
 1892, and his wife at the age of eighty-three, 1893. 
 Biith are buried m the Black Ri\-er cemetery. 
 
 Elder Tobias Hoover served the church a number 
 of years as helper. His zeal and wisdom as 
 counsellor soon brought him into much of the re- 
 sponsibility of the church. He and his wife attended 
 regularly three places of worship, two of them eight 
 miles distant. It was but a few years after his or- 
 dination when he was called to the oversight of the 
 Mohican, Ashland and Maple Grove Churches, and 
 to be assistant elder of the Loudonville Church. 
 He served on the Annual Meeting Standing Com- 
 mittee a number of times. His was a service for the 
 good of the church and the glory of God. His last 
 years were made distressing by the dread disease, 
 cancer, which ended his life Jan. 26, 1907, at the age 
 of sixty-fi\'e years. He died at the Oncalogie Hos- 
 pital, Philadelphia, Pa. His remains were brought 
 home and laid to rest in the Black Ri^'er Cemetery. 
 
 Brother John Pittinger was a kind and loving 
 husband and worker in the church. His wife being 
 an in\'alid from rheumatism for a numl^er of vears 
 prevented him from engaging in much of the work. 
 PTis service was largely through his liber.alit \' which 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO llo 
 
 the church so iiuicli enjoyed, lie survived his wile 
 twenty years, Hving fur the most time with his 
 daughters, Mary and Clara. He died in November, 
 1907, at the age of eighty years and was laid in the 
 Black River cemetery. Thus in one year's time 
 three of Black River's faithful elders who had la- 
 bored together for over thirty years were called to 
 their reward. This sudden loss was a hard blow to 
 the church, but their labors do follow on. 
 
 " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from 
 henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 
 from their labors; and their works do follow them." 
 
 Tobias Hoover. 
 1841-1907. 
 
 Brother Hoover was born on a farm near Smith- 
 ville, Wayne County, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1841. He was 
 the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Miller) Hoover. 
 He was the second of a family of fourteen children. 
 
 While in his teens he learned the carpenter trade 
 and worked at it until after his marriage, wdien they 
 settled on a farm. 
 
 Oct. 23, 1862, he was married to Mary Kitten- 
 house. To this union were born four children, one 
 son and three daughters. His married life was spent 
 in Medina County, Ohio, with the exception of five 
 and one-half years spent in Indiana. He united 
 with the Church of the Brethren at the age of nine- 
 teen, and was always an active and faithful member. 
 
 The first morning after establishing their home 
 the family altar was instituted and was kept up as 
 long as the home lasted. 
 
114 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 May 3, 1<S73, he was chosen tu the ministry ; Aug. 
 1, 1874, he was advanced to the second degree, and 
 in 1893 was ordained to the eldership. He was 
 faithful in his calling. He was presiding elder in 
 his home church (the Black River Church) from 
 Feb. 4, 1904, until his death. He also had the over- 
 
 TOBIAS HOOVER 
 
 sight for some time of the Mohican, Ashland and 
 Maple Grove Churches, and was assistant elder in 
 the Loudonville Church. 
 
 He served as a member of the Standing Commit- 
 tee at the Annual Meeting at Lincoln, Nebr. He 
 was often deleijatc to Annual Meetings, was several 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 15 
 
 times Moderator at District and Ministerial Meet- 
 ings, and served on a number of important commit- 
 tees. He was a member of the District Mission 
 Board for a number of years. 
 
 He was loved and respected by the entire com- 
 
 SISTER MARY RITTBNHOUSB HOOVER 
 
 Hers was a zeal for the Lord, always abounding in g"ood 
 worlds. No sacrifice "^vas too .crreat for Si.'^ter Hoover to make 
 for the extension of the Kingrdom. 
 
 Sister (Rittenhouse) Robinson, to tlie left in tiie picture, 
 is an older sister of Sister Hoover. She too abounded in 
 deeds of love for the Master. 
 
 munity in which he lived and was looked up to as 
 an honest, Christian man. He died Jan. 26, 1907, 
 at the age of sixty-five years. 
 
116 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Elder Samuel Garver. 
 1825-1907. 
 
 Elder Samuel (jar\er, son of Elder Jacol) Gar\'er, 
 was born in Fayette County, Pa., Oct. 8, 1825, mo\- 
 ing with his parents to A\'ayne County, Ohio, in 
 1827. In 1847 he married Sarah Rice. In 1849 they 
 
 EIjUKK SAMUEL, GARVER 
 
 mo\ ed into the bounds of tlie Black Ri\er Church 
 and in 1854 united with the Church of the Brethren, 
 being charter members of the Black Ri\'er congre- 
 gation. In 1857 Brother Ciar\cr was called to the 
 ministry' and later was ordained to the eldership. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 117 
 
 efficiently ser^■ing the church in that capacity until 
 near the end of his life, which occurred Mav 13, 
 1907. 
 
 Brother Garver was ever ready to assist in any 
 movement taken by the church which had in it 
 the uplifting- of others or the advancing of Christ's 
 kingdom on earth. The Bible was his principal 
 study, in which he was very proficient. Much of 
 his time was spent for the church he so much loved. 
 
 He was a man of sterling worth in the church and 
 the community where he resided. Brother and Sis- 
 ter GarA'er's home was an ideal one, and a hearty 
 welcome was gi\en to e\eryone who came. 
 
 Sarah Rice Garver. 
 1823-1891. 
 
 Wife of Elder Samuel Ciarver, was born in Chester 
 Township, A\'ayne County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1823, and 
 died Feb. 22, 1891. 
 
 Sister Garver was a woman of few words. Her 
 life consisted principally of what she could do for 
 her family of eight children while Brother Gar\'er 
 was out working- among the churches, and to help 
 look after the welfare of the home congregation. 
 
 She was a devoted wife, a lo\ing mother and a 
 faithful member of the Brethren Church. Grounded 
 in righteousness, her ^'oice rang out in no uncertain 
 sound for every good thing. Her Bible was her 
 companion, and in her last days it was her sure 
 comfort, support and stay. How sweetly along life's 
 road have this father and mother traxeled their 
 happy way! Self-sacrifice, the rarest flower that 
 
118 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 blooms, crowned and glorilied their lives. Their 
 work is done but yet lives on as a monument well 
 built through a life of service and love. 
 
 SISTER SAMUEL, GARVER 
 
 LOUDONVILLE CHURCH, 
 OHIO. 
 
 LOUDONVILLE, 
 
 This church was organized in 1856, at the home of 
 Morgan Workman. The elders present at the or- 
 ganization were Elias Dickey and Joseph Smoker. 
 The organization was effected with four charter 
 members. Prior to the organization the services 
 were held in the barn of Elder Morgan. Workman 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 119 
 
 every four weeks. Four of his sons — AVilliani, 
 Joshua, David and Arthur — became ministers of 
 abihty in the church. The membership built up 
 quite rapidly under Elder Workman's management 
 and powerful preaching. He could hold his audi- 
 ences with unabated interest from one to two hours. 
 The membership at his death was 150. 
 
 Associated with Elder Workman in the ministry 
 were : Da^■id Brubaker, W. T. Workman, Daniel 
 Peck, J, J. AVorkman, Lincoln Allenbaugh and A. S. 
 Workman. Associated officials in the deacon's of- 
 fice were: Samuel Allenliaugh, George Rosebor- 
 ough, G. V. Smith, M. Teeters, A'Villiam Bowman, 
 J. H. Fisher, Eli Roseborough and Alonzo Work- 
 man. 
 
 This church has two places of worship and inter- 
 est in a Union house. The Plum Run house, located 
 two and one-half miles east of Loudonville, was 
 built in 1863. The Honey Creek house, seven miles 
 northwest of Loudon^-ille, was built in 1873. The 
 Union, or McFalls, house, three miles west of 
 Loudon^•ille, was built in 1870, All these churches 
 at one time were strong and \-ery influential and 
 maintained the highest standard of Christian piety 
 in their se^'eral communities. 
 
 Elder Morgan AVorkman, the prime mover in 
 the organization and de\elopment of the church, 
 deserves special mention. He and his wife were 
 received into the church at the 1854 Annual Meet- 
 ing, which was held in a barn of Elder Elias Dickey, 
 five miles southeast of Ashland, .Vshland County, 
 Ohio. Through their energy and great Io\'e for the 
 cause of Christ they were the means of the organi- 
 
120 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 zation of the Loudomillc Clnircli. After the death 
 of his wife in 1863 he laid off ground from his farm 
 for a cemetery and churchhouse and in the same 
 year erected a churchhouse, Ijearing two-thirds of 
 
 ELDER MORGAN WORKMAN 
 
 He and wife were baptized at the 1854 Annual Meeting. 
 They pioneered the southern end of Asliland County, building 
 up the Loudonville Church. At his death there were tliree 
 "\A'ell attended preacliing points within tlie congregation. 
 
 the expenses himself. This house is still used for 
 worship and stands as a monument to one whose 
 heart o\-erflowed with love for God and his fellow- 
 men. Fie was financially prosperous ; he gave liber- 
 ally to the poor and the cause of Christ. At his 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 121 
 
 death, in 1886, Da\i(l Bruljakcr took charge of the 
 church and served until his death. This church 
 has maintained a Sunday-school for a number of 
 years with varying success. The church has suffered 
 reverses the same as many others. Through internal 
 troubles and through migrations, predominantly 
 through the latter, the membership has been wonder- 
 fully decimated. A few members still convene upon 
 occasions to sing the songs of Zion, and their contem- 
 plations of heaven, to comfort each other's souls in 
 that faith that rises above the gloomv scenes of earth 
 beyond the chilly skies to the haven of eternal rest 
 whence there shall be no parting. 
 
 MAPLE GROVE CHURCH, ASHLAND, OHIO. 
 
 Along in the forties and fifties the spirit to go 
 west brought a number of very fine families from 
 different parts of Pennsyh'ania who settled in the 
 beautiful and rich valleys of Ohio. From among 
 them a number settled in Ashland County, ranging 
 from the extreme south to the north. For a number 
 of years this territory was in one congregation, with 
 mission points at Maple Grove, the Dickey Church 
 east of Ashland and the Loudonville, or Plum Run, 
 as it was more familiarly known. These points 
 were well taken care of by able ministers. They 
 grew until it became advisable to divide the terri- 
 tory into three churches, namely : Maple Grove, 
 Dickey, or Ashland, and Loudon^•ille, or Plum Run. 
 The ser\'ices at these mission points were held in 
 
122 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 MAPLE GROVE CHURCH, ASHLAND COUNTY 
 
 MAPLE GROVE PARSONAGE 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 123 
 
 private homes and the love feasts in barns; these 
 were some of the good old days when Christian 
 fellowship augmented Christian faith, and those 
 good old brethren increased the Kingdom with 
 courage and zeal. 
 
 The Maple Grove Church was organized in 1860. 
 The elders present upon that occasion were Elias 
 Dickey, of the Ashland Church, Jacob Carver, from 
 Mohican, Joseph Rittenhouse, from Black River, 
 and Morgan Workman, from Loudonville. These 
 were the leading brethren who performed the duties 
 which usually fall upon adjoining elders in the or- 
 ganization of churches. Other elders and ministers 
 present were Joseph Showalter, Isaac Smoker and 
 Moses Weaver. Elder Elias Dickey was chosen the 
 first elder in charge, Jacob Carver succeeding to 
 the oversight of the church upon the death of Elder 
 Dickey, June 2, 1864. Elder John Brillhart, from 
 Crawford County, succeeded Elder Carver, upon 
 the latter's resignation. Three of the resident min- 
 isters at this time were called to the eldership, 
 namely, William Saddler, Alpheus Dickey and 
 George Worst. William Saddler was chosen to the 
 oversight to succeed Elder Brillhart ; upon the death 
 of Elder Saddler, Tobias Hoover, from the Black 
 River Church, did faithful service for five years and 
 upon his request to be relieved, due to increasing 
 responsibilities elsewhere among the churches, El- 
 der W. L. Desenberg was called to the oversight, 
 under whose direction the church has had a com- 
 mendable growth in all departments of her work. 
 The church is in a flourishing condition. 
 
 Other ministers residing in this territory for short 
 
124 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 periods were Isaac Rudy, who continucil until death, 
 P^ly Horner, Elder William Murray and David Sny- 
 der. Charles Helm was called to the ministry in 
 the nineties, but his educational work soon called 
 him into other fields of labor. W. A. Wiley was 
 also chosen to the ministry in this church. His 
 has been a zeal for the Master. Perhaps the pioneer 
 minister and elder was John B. Myers, who moved 
 from Somerset, Pa., in 1853. Meetings were regu- 
 larly held in his home until the first churchhouse 
 was built. In 1860 the members felt that they ought 
 to have a place of worship that would accommo- 
 date the growing membership and the interests of 
 the community to a better advantage than their pri- 
 vate homes. The grotmd upon which the church- 
 house now stands was given bjr John Myers ; the 
 cemetery was given by Jacob Beeghly. An addi- 
 tion was built to the original house for communion 
 purposes, the barns being inadequate for the care 
 and keeping of the Lord's house as the brethren 
 felt that that service should be observed. 
 
 The list of deacons who assisted the elders and 
 ministers in their work, visiting the sick and paying 
 the annual visits and ser\'ing in every possible ca- 
 pacity, were the following: John Beeghly, William 
 Ramsey, Jacob Cart, Peter Deshong. Martin H^ogue. 
 and George Shideler, all of whom are now dead. 
 
 The present deacons are: Jacob Beeghly, Jo- 
 seph Beeghly, Abram Myers. Daniel Martin, jerrv 
 Bowman, William Switzer, Aaron Umbaugh, Zep 
 Shelly, L. C. Plostler and John Beeghly. Samuel 
 Beeghly and John Seibert mo\cd away socin after 
 their call to the deacon's (illice. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 125 
 
 The services in the earher days of this church 
 were attended by the membership from different 
 parts of the countr)'. As high as eight or ten min- 
 isters were present upon single occasions. The 
 services in the pri\ate homes were about every four 
 weeks ; finally, after they mo\ed into the church, 
 they were held every two weeks, and now services 
 are held every Sunday. The older members will 
 remember the long table behind which the ministers 
 would sit ; the deacons in the long bench in front of 
 the table would open the ser\'ices by reading a 
 chapter from which a number of ministers in turn 
 would speak. These were the good old days. The 
 services were usually divided between the English 
 and German-speaking brethren. The singing was 
 conducted by lining the hymns, two lines at a time, 
 and then sung by short or long meter tunes. 
 
 The Sunday-school was among the first organized 
 in the District. The date of the organization was 
 not preser\'ed. Klder Alpheus Dickey, now of 
 Oregon, was the first superintendent and Samuel 
 Beeghly, now of California, the assistant. These 
 directed the work of the Sunday-school for a num- 
 ber of years. No Sunday-school helps were used the 
 first ten years. Chapters were read from the New 
 Testament. In fact, this Sunday-schooJ, in all its 
 history, prides itself in ha\-ing a good, up-to-date 
 school. The first Children's Day exercises were in 
 1882. In these exercises not many of the children 
 took part. Sister William Shidler read an essay 
 on " Influence " ; Sister Joseph Beeghly, an essay 
 on " Friendship " : Sister Kate Shidler, an essay 
 on " Sunday-schdc il." ,Se\eral s[)eeches were made 
 
12(. CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 by the brethren, among whom I). N. Workman, 
 from the Dickey Church, gave an interesting talk. 
 The song book used in those early days was entitled 
 " Imperial Harmony." 
 
 The present Sunday-school, under the superin- 
 tendency of W. H. Gerber, supports a Home De- 
 partment numbering seventy members; Cradle Roll, 
 thirty-three; officers and teachers, sixteen; pupils 
 in the main school, 175 ; average attendance, 140. 
 This is the second largest Sunday-school in the 
 District. The school has been evergreen for years. 
 The Sisters' Aid Society of the church is in a most 
 excellent condition and has extended its influence 
 to homes of the community, especially where there 
 is help wanted. They are generous givers and con- 
 tributors to calls for help from large cities. This 
 church has built a parsonage and is supporting their 
 pastor. 
 
 Maple Grove Aid Society. 
 
 A Brief History of the Sisters' Aid Society, of the 
 Maple Grove Church, Ashland, Ohio. 
 
 In the year 1894, while husband and I were on our 
 return home from evangelistic work in the Middle 
 District of Iowa, we visited at the home of Brother 
 and Sister Tully Moherman, at Mount Morris, 111. 
 There I attended my first Aid Society in the old 
 Sandstone. Being impressed with the good work 
 and the much good that was being done at that 
 place, we secured their constitution and by-laws. 
 In January, 1895, we met at Sister Catherine Shid- 
 ler's anil nrcanizcd as a iiand of workers. At this 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 12/ 
 
 meeting the writer was chosen President, Sister 
 A'lell Beeghley, Vice-President. To the best of my 
 knowledge this was among the first Aid Societies 
 organized in the Church of the Brethren in North- 
 eastern Ohio. 
 
 Our aim from the beginning was to help in the 
 mission at home and in foreign lands. The Maple 
 Grove Society has supported two orphan children 
 in India until they were married and have now gone 
 out as workers in their home-land. We feel that 
 the Lord has blessed the work of this Society and 
 has ])een the means of making many a soul happy. 
 God has remo\'ed some of our number by death, 
 others have mo\'ed to other fields of labor, and still 
 the work of the Society goes on. 
 
 Mrs. W. L. Desenberg, 
 
 Ashland, Ohio. 
 
 Uncle George and Aunt Kate Shidler. 
 
 The pictures below are household countenances 
 in the homes of the Maple (jro\e Church. Though 
 not being blessed with children of their own, yet 
 they dearly lo\ed them, and spared no pains at all 
 times to make them happy and useful whenever op- 
 portunity aiTorded the occasion. Uncle George was 
 born in AA'ashington County. Pa., Oct. 9, 1823; 
 married Catherine Shopbell July 27, 1854; was 
 elected to the office of deacon in 1882, and died 
 Dec. 4, 1911. Brother Shidler was one of those 
 who went al^out doing good in a Cjuiet way, and 
 whose judgment was considered good counsel by 
 
128 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 all who knew liiin. lie played no small part in 
 making it possible for his wife to do the great work 
 she did in the church. They both united with the 
 Church of the Brethren Oct. 30, 1859, being baptized 
 near the Ashland (Dickey) Church by Isaac Smuck- 
 er. 
 
 Aunt Kate Shidler, as she is familiarly known, 
 
 UNCLE GEORGE AND AUNT KATE SHIDEER 
 
 was born in Ashland Count}^ Feb. 22, 1834. Soon 
 after their marriage, she and her husband became 
 seriously concerned about their souls' welfare and 
 went about earnestly to search the Scriptures and 
 get light on the subject. Being raised tnider difter- 
 ent persuasions the matter of where to pitch their 
 spiritual tent l)ecame a question of great concern. 
 Aunt Kate, of course, consulted her father, and he 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 129 
 
 too was interested in yetting' liieni his way. So 
 earnest were they that they sat up till after mid- 
 night to clear up the subject of baptism. Her 
 father finally, after failing to find the convincing 
 argument, told her to do as she thought best, that 
 he would not oppose her any longer. 
 
 Sister Shidler has ever been a leader in Sunday- 
 school work. She was superintendent of the Maple 
 Grove Sunday-school for two years, and taught in 
 the primary department regularly for thirty-seven 
 years. Her teaching was an earnest and unfailing 
 concern for the soul's welfare of her pupils. Her 
 voice was sweet in spiritual songs, her prayers were 
 persuasive and touching, and her whole soul was 
 an expression of the love of the Savior that every 
 one be saved. No children's program was complete 
 until her part was said and done. Her talks at 
 Sunday-school meetings were tender and full of 
 hope and inspiration. 
 
 lier home was a model in its hospitality, piety 
 and devotion to all that was good. Everybodv 
 loved to go to Aunt Kate's. 
 
 The Aid Society of the Maple Grove Church was 
 organized in her home in January, 1895, this being 
 among the first organized in the District. She has 
 been a tireless worker in this and in missions, the 
 left hand ne\'er knowing what the right one was 
 doing in her contributions to help the helpless. 
 Though she is past eighty years, she is still acti\'e 
 in all mo\-ements that make for the betterment of 
 mankind. 
 
l.iO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ASHLAND (DICKEY) CHURCH. 
 
 Situated in one uf the most beautiful and produc- 
 tive stretches of c<juntry in the State of Ohio. Mi- 
 grations into this expanse (jf country (then called 
 the " wild and woolly West," with the Red Man in 
 control) became somewhat active in the latter half 
 of the eighteenth century. And in the lirst half of 
 the nineteenth century the earlier settlers, desiring 
 to realize profits on their partially-improved lands 
 and go farther west, made it possible for the more 
 conservati\-e to find possessions and settle down as 
 permanent fixtures on the soil. Migrations were 
 mostly from Lancaster County, Pa., some few from 
 Maryland, and later a number of excellent families 
 came from the eastern part of (Jhio ; \iz., Stark and 
 Columbiana Counties. The first families of Breth- 
 ren came into the county somewhere between 1800 
 to 1825. 
 
 The families mo\'ing into the community from the 
 East, making up the nucleus and foundation ma- 
 terial of the church (whose reputation has become 
 a livel}^ oracle in the Brotherhood), are for the most 
 jiart the following: the Hesses, Witmers, Kilhef- 
 ners. Planks, Fosses, Burkholders, Dickeys, Roops. 
 Stones, Clarks, Baums, Brubakers. Myerses, De- 
 shongs, AVillises, Pecks, Showalters, A\^orkmans, 
 Mohermans, McQuates, Hersheys, Thomases, Kil- 
 lers, Scotts, Zimmermans, Wea\-ers. Weidlers, 
 Gaults, Harpers, Roops and Frantzes. The histor}- 
 of these families for the most part traces back into 
 the pioneer days of the church. By their thrift and 
 U])rightness the}' soon liccamc fixtures in the com- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 131 
 
 munity ; some few of them identifying themselves 
 with the church after some years of settlement. 
 
 During the real pioneer clays of the church (which 
 then included the entire county) preaching ser\'ices 
 and love feasts were conducted in private homes ; 
 they were generally all-day meetings with a lunch- 
 eon furnished by the family where ser\'ices were 
 held. The services at first were many "weeks apart, 
 due in most part to the distance the members lived 
 from each other and the difficult)- in traveling. The 
 preaching in those early days was done by men full 
 of the Holy Ghost, who traveled to their appoint- 
 ments on horseback, in some cases taking two 
 days to make the trip, and as long to go home again. 
 They were known as " horseback preachers." The 
 work was well done, for it was not long till three 
 promising mission points were established, viz., in 
 the Loudonville, Maple Gro\'e and Dickey commu- 
 nities. These points soon became officered by im- 
 migrations and elections, which ga\e the work much 
 encouragement. As the field of work became en- 
 larged in these communities by the opening up of 
 new places for preaching in the near-liy school- 
 houses, and the difficult}' of travel from one main 
 center to the other due to the increased number of 
 appointments at each, it was thought best to di\ide 
 the entire membership of the comity into three con- 
 gregations, which was done in the spring of 1860 
 (excepting Loudon\-ille, organized in 1856), the 
 three churches taking their original names as 
 mission points: Loudon\ille (or Plum Run), Ash- 
 land (or Dickey) and Maple (.jrox'e. 
 
 The Ashland (Dickey) Church then begins as an 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 133 
 
 organization in 1860, with Elders Elias Dickey, Ja- 
 cob Garver, Joseph Rittenhouse, Morgan Workman 
 and some ministers of the second degree present to 
 complete the terms of formal division of territory. 
 Elder Elias Dickey was chosen as the first house- 
 keeper. This newly-organized body of behevers 
 soon felt the added responsibility. They took up 
 the work with new courage, placing into official 
 position those among them that showed zeal and an 
 unbending faith. The AA'ord was expounded with 
 power, and for many years German preaching was 
 kept up to accommodate those who could not under- 
 stand the English so well. Tliis shows that the 
 earliest membership was largely German, Prac- 
 tically half of the singing also was done in German. 
 The last sermon in the German tongue was preached 
 at the church in the fall of 1887 by the late Elder 
 J. B. Light, of near Fostoria, Ohio. This terminal 
 of German preaching occurred at a lo\'e feast occa- 
 sion. 
 
 The first churchhouse was built in the summer 
 of 1853, just seven years before the organization. 
 This house was a rectangular building forty by 
 sixty feet. There were two entrances from the 
 south side — one for the women and the other for 
 the men. Each was expected to take his own side 
 of the house, excepting in cases of marriage, when 
 tlie young husband would sit with his wife upon 
 tlieir first time coming to the services. After that 
 the husliand would usually take his own side of the 
 house again. Tavo large posts stood near the cen- 
 ter of the building to support the ceiling and roof. 
 Two box sto\es for burning wood heated the house 
 
134 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 — one on each side of the house. The pulpit was on 
 a level with the rest of the main audience room, and 
 a table about sixteen feet long, three feet wide and 
 about three feet iii height, ser\'ed the purpose of 
 the modern pulpit stand. The elders and ministers 
 sat to the north side of the table facing the audience, 
 and the deacons sat on the other side of the table 
 facing the elders and ministers. It was quite com- 
 mon for the deacons to read the Scripture text for 
 the basis of the preaching which was soon to fol- 
 low, he himself frequently making comments on 
 the same. When the preachers would be unexpect- 
 edly absent to fill other engagements the deacons 
 then would take full charge of the services, includ- 
 ing the preaching. The preaching" services were 
 usually quite lengthy, Ijecause each preacher, from 
 the oldest to the youngest, was expected to say 
 something, not forgetting that a part of the preach- 
 ing and singing had to be in German. The singing 
 was nearly all according to the long and short 
 meter tunes. The minister would line tlie h_vmn, 
 two lines at a time ; the congregation would then 
 follow with the singing. The music was sweet and 
 lo\ely. Few if any protracted meetings were ever 
 held in the old churchhouse, but when neighboring- 
 ministers would come along the elders in charge 
 would never fail to announce a limited number of 
 appointments for them. 
 
 The resident ministers who did ser\-ice in that 
 sacred tabernacle were Elias Dickey, Joseph Sho- 
 
 walter, Peck, Da\id A\'itmer. George Hoke. 
 
 Isaac Schmucker, James Tracy, George AVitmer, 
 Henry Kilhefner, Moses Wea^•er, David N. Work- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 135 
 
 man, I. D. Parker and Isaac Kilhefner. The worth 
 of tliese men in the pulpit and community is best 
 seen by the exceptional standard of morality that 
 prevails throughout the church territory and the 
 growing congregation which has succeeded their 
 days. The things specially emphasized in the 
 preaching and daily living were : a close observance 
 of the Gospel doctrines and to keep oneself aloof 
 from worldly contaminations, such as shows, fairs, 
 drinking, using tobacco, di\-orce, secrecy, dances and 
 all places of questionable amusement. It is remark- 
 able how clean the membership kept along these 
 lines. When any one made application for church 
 membership, the entire membership Avas called to 
 one side for consultation to ascertain if all were 
 willing to receive the applicant into church fellow- 
 ship, or if any one knew of any reasons why the 
 candidate should not be recei\'ed. Where there was 
 no dissenting voice the applicant was recei\'ed Ijy 
 the usual order. If there were any financial matters 
 yet unprovided for, or any unsettled dispute with 
 any neighbor or others, then baptism was postponed 
 until full satisfaction would be made. This all 
 goes to show how cautious our forefathers were 
 and how anxious they were to keep the church '' un- 
 spotted from the world." A\'e ha\'e indulged in this 
 much detailed description l)ecause it indexes quite 
 well the general custom pre\'ailing all o\'cr the dis- 
 trict ; also to ser\'e tlie good purpose of re\-i\ing the 
 memories of the older membership now living, of 
 those good old davs, when vou were new in the 
 serx'ice, when wells of liA-ing water Avelled up within 
 vour souls giving vou refreshing for your faith and 
 
136 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 work, thus in a measure making you young in the 
 Master's service again; and those of you who think 
 those customs of former days were somewhat pe- 
 cuHar and strange, rememljer that you n(jw may 
 be wedded to some custom that will look just as 
 strange to the next generation who will read after 
 )'ou. Let us pray and work that we may ser\e our 
 day as well as they did theirs. 
 
 The first Sunday-school in the church was or- 
 ganized in the Old House in April, 1873. Elder D. 
 N. Workman and I. D. Parker were the first su- 
 perintendents. Only a little opposition was encoun- 
 tered in getting the consent of the church that such 
 a work should be installed. The school run only 
 the summer months during the first years. The 
 summer of 1877 no Sunday-school was conducted 
 because of the building of the new house and the 
 tearing down of the old one. Throughout the entire 
 history of the school it has been well officered and 
 a splendid corps of teachers has been maintained. 
 In recent years it has the reputation of being one 
 of the largest and most up-to-date country Sunday- 
 schools in the State. 
 
 The new churchhouse was built in the summer of 
 1877. It is forty by eighty feet, containing five 
 rooms, a cellar and a furnace room. The ceiling is 
 high, the acoustics good and nearly the entire space 
 can be thrown into one auditorium upon special oc- 
 casions. The windows are high, affording splendid 
 light. Large rolling doors separate the main audi- 
 ence and communion rooms. Few modern-built 
 houses in the Brotherhood have the conveniences 
 for all church purposes as this one has. The latest 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 137 
 
 improvements to the church property are the heat- 
 ing and Hghting by natural gas, and the installation 
 of a baptistry. 
 
 Elder James Ouinter preached the dedicatory ser- 
 mon to a densely-packed house, the entire building 
 being turned into one auditorium. The following 
 winter the first real revival meeting in the history 
 of the church was held. Brother Jesse Calvert, of 
 Warsaw, Ind., did the preaching. Sixty-five souls 
 in this Pentecost were gathered into the fold, a re- 
 markable percentage of whom became pillars in 
 the Kingdom, due in large measure to the splendid 
 care taken of them. Frequent pentecostal showers 
 have been the joy of the church in suljscquent years. 
 
 The ministry called to the services of the church 
 since the erection of the new house are the follow- 
 ing: W. F. England, now in California, and T. S. 
 Moherman, both elected at a special meeting in Oc- 
 tober, 1886, advanced in 1894 and ordained in 1904. 
 
 David Weidler was called to the ministry in Oc- 
 tober, 1897, advanced in October, 1903, tendered his 
 resignation in April, 1906. The church reluctantly 
 accepted the same. 
 
 S. U. Suavely, of Republic, C)liio, served the 
 church as pastor for two years. 
 
 Elder W. D. Keller, of Ankenytown, Ohio, is now 
 serving the church as pastor, with T. S. Moherman 
 as elder in charge. The church is in a most prosper- 
 ous condition. Peace and harmony is a golden 
 thread weaving together the hearts of the member- 
 ship into one purpose, that the Kingdom of God 
 might fill tlie whole earth with its praise and power. 
 
 No ^\■ork succeeds without the aid of women. 
 
138 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The sisters of the church ha\'e played no small pari 
 ill the history of her work. They were always more 
 numerous than the brethren, hence the finer ele- 
 ments of spirituality. Their service resolved into a 
 special organization in 1894, in the form of the 
 Sisters' Aid Society. Sister T. S. Moherman jiax- 
 ing come in contact with a similar work while at- 
 tending" school at Mt. Morris, 111., upon her return 
 she talked it up among some of the members. It was 
 only a short time till sufficient interest was aroused 
 and an organization effected. The constitution and 
 by-laws were in a measure original, that this new 
 feature in church work might lietter accomplish its 
 purpose. This has been one of the strongest arms 
 of the church in ser\'ing the interests of the com- 
 munity and distant points, and in preparing ma- 
 terial for church membership. To increase the 
 scope of their work a second society was organized 
 in January, 1913, in the city of Ashland, for the 
 special accommodation of sisters who cijuld not get 
 to the country meetings. It is doing a splendid 
 work. Nearly the entire Sisterhood of the church 
 is identified witli aid societ)" ^\•l:lrk through these 
 organizations. 
 
 The cemeter}^ is a beautiful and well-drained plot 
 of ground where lie many of the heads of the best 
 famiHes tliat ha\'e come to the community. Some 
 of the ])rom)nent ministers of the Brotherhood are 
 lying there also, such as Elias Dicke)^, Da^-id Wit- 
 mer, D. N. AVorkman, I. D. Parker, (Icorge Hoke 
 and Joseph Showalter. Imiiortant improvements 
 are now Jieing provided for and an endowment for 
 tlic perpetual maintenance of tlic same. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO l.VJ 
 
 Tlie present nieinl)ersliii) is ii[)\var(ls ol 25U souls. 
 A vigorous worlv is being carried forward and the 
 annual expenditure for all church work, both at 
 home and remote, are near the one-thousand-dollar 
 mark. No scA'ere storms have ever struck this Cita- 
 del of Faith. 'J'he Lord has been a constant Pro- 
 tector and Keeper of the flock. His name be praised ! 
 
 Subscription List of the Ashland (Dickey) Church. 
 
 "Ashland. (.>hi.-., May 1. 1877. 
 
 " For the building of a new meetinghouse in the 
 summer of 1877, for the German Baptist Society. 
 Said house to lie erected on the lot where the house 
 commonly called the Dickey Meetinghouse now 
 stands. Also said house and gra\'eyard attached 
 thereto to be open and free on all funeral occasions. 
 
 " We, the undersigned, herein agree to ])ay for the 
 above-named purpose the se\"eral sums annexed to 
 our names. Said amounts to be paid in two install- 
 ments. The one-half to be paid when the building 
 is commenced, antl the balance when it is under 
 roof." 
 
 The entire neighborhood, both in and out of the 
 church, were willing contributors, including many 
 of the business men of Ashland. The entire cost 
 (if the building was near $4,000. 
 
 Elias Dickey. 
 1808-1864. 
 
 My first knowledge of Father iJickey (Ixirn .Vug. 
 24, 1808) was in Stark County^ Ohio, from which 
 place he moved to Ashland County, < )hio, in the 
 
no CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 year 1844. lie first settled on tlie farm, southeast 
 of Ashland, previously owned Ijy David Roop. A 
 few years later he l)ought and moved onto the 
 farm then known as the Brubaker Farm, where he 
 li\ed until the time of his death, June 2, 1864. 
 
 He was a strong man physically and a farmer by 
 occupation. He cleared up three farms and erected 
 five sets of buildings. He was a self-made man, 
 without a school education, save three months of 
 German school and thirteen nights English school- 
 ing. He could neither read nor write when married. 
 He was known as a man of unusually strong mental 
 powers. He was alile to grasp and comprehend a 
 situation, howe\'er, and reason logically along lines 
 tending to solve the problems of life as they came 
 before him. He was a good organizer and a natural- 
 born leader, yet always seeming disposed to keep 
 himself in the background, and endea\(.)red to mould 
 sentiment that would reflect his conxdctions of right 
 and propriety. 
 
 Early in life he, with his wife, Eliza1>eth (Hoke) 
 Dickey, united with the Church of the Brethren and 
 both continued faithful and active members of the 
 church until removed by death. He was earlv called 
 to the ministry and was soon advanced to the full 
 ministry. Soon after his removal to Ashland Coun- 
 ty, Ohio, much of the work of the ministry in that 
 locality devolved upon him. He kept account, the 
 greater jiart of one year, of the distance tra\eled by 
 him in his own pri\ate con\'e)'ance, it amounting 
 to o\cr 5,000 miles, in church work. 
 
 He was a strong advocate and an aide defender of 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO lU 
 
 the plain principles and ductrines of the Kible. He 
 worked in harmony with the methods of the church 
 for the application of these principles, so long as he 
 felt that conditions justified his so doing. Although 
 strictly loyal to the church, yet being of an ag- 
 gressive nature, he was always ready for any move- 
 ment that would lead to more effective work for the 
 Lord and the church. J-Ie was one among the first 
 to set on foot and encourage protracted eiiort in 
 the way of holding series of meetings at one place, 
 which meetings proved to be successful in gather- 
 ing many souls for Christ. Un one occasion, while a 
 series of meetings were in progress and a number of 
 souls were being gathered into the church at Ash- 
 land, a report of the meeting reached Indiana. Some 
 of the elders there looked with some suspicion upon 
 the mo\'ement, fearing that " wild fire " had gotten 
 among the brethren at Ashland. One of their 
 prominent elders, an able minister, unexpectedly 
 came into the church one evening just as the meet- 
 ing was about to open. He was asked to participate 
 but refused. He continued in attendance for sev- 
 eral meetings until con\'inced of the propriety of the 
 v^'ork, then stated the reason for his silence, after 
 which he joined in and assisted nobly. Brother 
 Dickey being an able counsellor and adviser, his 
 counsel was sought for by many brethren in the 
 consideration of difficult problems that came to 
 them. In his council meeting work in his home 
 church, when trouble or difficulty arose between 
 lirethren, he was disposed to take a portion of the 
 l)lame upon himself, when it was possible for him 
 
142 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 to du so, e\ en thcjugh he was entirely iniKjcent. He 
 thereby gained much sympathy and conhdence from 
 all. 
 
 His companion was a noble helper tri him in all 
 the work of his ministry. She taught him to read, 
 which he could do understandingly in the Bible and 
 hymn book, but in nothing else could he read in- 
 telligently. She always stood by him anrl encour- 
 aged him in his work for the Lord and the church, 
 however much additional responsibility and labor 
 would de\'olve upon her. Their Christian home was 
 always open for the brethren, many of whom often 
 met there for counsel and social interview. 
 
 (Furnished by L. H. Dickey.) 
 
 Elder David Workman. 
 1840-1894. 
 
 Elder D. N. Workman was born near Loudon- 
 \'ille, Ohio, in those days when school pri\'ileges 
 covered only about three or four months during the 
 winter sessions. His was a remarkable mental acu- 
 men, Cjuick to apprehend a situation and untangle 
 complex problems in a practical and common-sense 
 ^vay. 
 
 Brother A\'orkman married Lavina Dickey Dec. 
 23, 1860. These were days wdien the cost of start- 
 ing a home had to be reckoned with. This young 
 and happy pair lived near Loudonville for three 
 years, during which time energy and thrift placed 
 them in a position to \enture the purchase of a 
 home for themselves. They bought the Dickey 
 farm Ivinsj one mile south of the church bearing the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 143 
 
 same name, and where the 1854 Annual Meeting- 
 was held. After aljout four years of agricultural 
 success they sold the farm to Calvin Parker. Of 
 all the choice lands in Ashland County, none seemed 
 so attracti^'e as the Isaac Sclimucker farm near the 
 Ashland (Dickey) Church, four and one-half miles 
 
 ELDER DAVID N. WORKMAN 
 
 from Ashland. In this home Brother Workman 
 spent the remainder of his life. The large farm soon 
 became known as one of the best and most beautiful 
 farms in the county. 
 
 Both Brotlier and Sister Workman united with 
 the church l)ef()re marriage, which was cjuite un- 
 
144 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 usual in those days, for there seemed to l^e a gen- 
 eral sentiment in the church that after matrimony 
 was soon enough, because young people naturally 
 1)ecame more settled then and would make Ijetter 
 fixtures in the church. 
 
 Brother Workman was elected to the deacon's of- 
 fice in 1866. He accepted every opportunity to ex- 
 pound the Scriptures, as did the deacons in the 
 Apostles' times. He was even asked to instruct ap- 
 plicants for baptism. His go-forward disposition 
 would not long leave him in this limited field of 
 serN'ice, hence in June, 1870, he was called to the 
 ministry at a love feast held in the barn of Austin 
 Moherman, where a large body of members were 
 present to welcome him and his wife into their new 
 field of responsibility, accompanied Ijy the usual 
 right hand of fellowship and salutation. The work 
 of the ministry was taken up at once, and his grow- 
 ing ability in expounding the Word, and his un- 
 swerving purpose, soon placed him in the second 
 degree of the ministry, where he became a valualjle 
 assistant to his seniors in office, in words of counsel 
 and pushing the work of the chvu'ch. 
 
 He was made l)ishop in the fall of 1880 by order 
 of the church, the installation services being con- 
 ducted by Elder R. H. Miller, who at that time was 
 president of Ashland College. The oversight of the 
 church soon fell to his responsibility, which he faith- 
 fully bore till his death. 
 
 lie had the pleasure of seeing some of the fruitage 
 of his years nf ser\-ice, in the strong sentiment the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 145 
 
 church had built up in tiie cumniunity fur righteous- 
 ness, and a church with business ability, working 
 together in peace and harmony. 
 
 He also was among the pioneers of the Brother- 
 hood in evangelistic work. Along in the seventies 
 
 SISTER LAVINA 1). WORKMAN 
 
 One who taore taithfiilly with her husbanrl the heavy re- 
 sponsibilities incident to tlie raie and l<cepins of many 
 churelies in Israel. 
 
 was the real transition period in the Brotherhood 
 relative to e^•angelistic work. It had been looked 
 upon as a worldly notion, and indi\iduals would 
 be brought into the church without due considera- 
 tion of tlie step they were taking, hence would soon 
 
Ho CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 become sul)jects of church (Hscipline. Then, too, as 
 was thought, it would have a tendency to bring into 
 the church those who were too young to know the 
 step they were taking. 
 
 Brother D. N. was among the few who threw 
 themselves into the work with a genuine love f(jr 
 Souls ; and by his forceful exposition of the Word, 
 and demonstration in the power of the Spirit, proved 
 to the cautious that the days of Pentecost were not 
 at an end; that men everywhere should get into the 
 Kingdom and do the work of the Master. His work 
 as an evangelist, for the most part, was done in the 
 Shenandoah X'alley of N'irginia, in Maryland, Penn- 
 sylvania, ( )hio and Indiana. His evangelistic work 
 cin'ered only a few years, due to the pressure of his 
 home and surrounding churches for his services in 
 the care of souls. 
 
 Brother W^Drkman was a baptizer of rare ability. 
 His j(.iy was a full measure while engaged in that 
 work. 
 
 He was also a pioneer in Sunday-school work, 
 when Dijposition had to l)e won o\'er to an appre- 
 ciation of its spiritual worth. He acted in the ca- 
 pacity of superintendent of the first Sunday-school 
 in the Ashland (Dickey) Church. 
 
 His earthly remains now lie in the beautiful cem- 
 etery near the church where his life's work was 
 mainly done. The truth lie expounded, counsels 
 given, and his life still li\e in the community, 
 bloominc and bearing lu.xui-iantlv. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 147 
 
 Isaac Dillen Parker. 
 1847-1910. 
 
 Born on a farm near Loudon\-ille, Ohio, Jan. 
 22, 1847, the se\enth chikl of a family of eight 
 children. His parent,s, brothers and sisters were 
 staunch members of the Baptist Church, while his 
 maternal Grandmother Priest was a devoted mem- 
 ber of the Church of the Brethren, for whom her 
 ministers held occasional meetings in the home and 
 neighborhood, through which the subject of this 
 sketch was led to accept his Savi(jr. He entered 
 into the fellowship of the Brethren Church at six- 
 teen years of age. 
 
 His church relations differing from those of his 
 parents made him a close and careful Bible student 
 early in life, which was an invaluable help to him in 
 the busy years that followed. However, be it said 
 to the credit of his people that although they did 
 not see and belie\'e alike, yet they never seriously 
 opposed the son in his con\ictions of right. 
 
 His parents came from that substantial i.)ioneer 
 stock that was able to endure hardships and to im- 
 part vigorous life and hardy ideals which de\'eloped 
 sterling character. 
 
 This youth lived and worked on the farm and at- 
 tended the public schools until he was seventeen 
 years old when, having a burning desire for an 
 education, he asked for his freedom, so that he 
 could sa\e up his earnings to use toward a higher 
 education. This was granted him and by ]nish and 
 perseverance he l)egan teaching school at nineteen 
 years of age, continuing teaching and studying for 
 
148 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 several years, always, as was (jften remarked, the 
 most diligent student in the school. A strong de- 
 termination served him. well in this as in many other 
 experiences that came to him later on. He gave 
 his best energies to the interests of the church in 
 
 ELD. T. D. PARKI':;R 
 
 its various lines. Especially was he interested in 
 Christian education under the guidance of our own 
 people, to which cause he bestowed with a liberal 
 hand, besides giving largely nf liis time free. In 
 the enlargement of our pubhshing interests, and in 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 149 
 
 the placing of llic church paper in every home of 
 the Brotherhood ; and in the largest possible endow- 
 ment of our general missionary work are seen e\i- 
 dences of his arduous and successful endeavor, and 
 his personal provision. 
 
 Because of his advanced ideas on some of the 
 more important phases of church work he was 
 sometimes severely criticized, but he pressed on. 
 He was aggressive, yet ready only for such new 
 advanced methods as conformed to the spirit of the 
 Word of God. When Sunday-school sentiment was 
 being created he was among the foremost to push it 
 to the front, likewise when the opportune time came 
 for the Christian Workers' organizations? 
 
 He was superintendent of one of the hrst Sunday- 
 schools organized in the Northeastern District of 
 Ohio, which was held in the Ashland Church. Hav- 
 ing no denominational or international lessons, he 
 worked out the lessons to be studied. Ide was also 
 chairman of the first Sunday-school convention held 
 in the District ; also encouraged District ministerial 
 meetings and District mission work. 
 
 He held one, and in many congregations se\"eral, 
 series of meetings in nearly exery church in the 
 District, besides his extensix'e evangelistic work in 
 other fields. God blessed these efforts with abun- 
 dant fruitage, and he has many spiritual children 
 doing efficient service in the home and foreign tields. 
 He had no greater joy than the fellowship of his 
 brethren and in the public worship, as in the various 
 councils of the church he was always there on 
 time, alert and interested in all and desirous of the 
 greatest good to the largest number. So eager was 
 
150 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 he l(j understand and do ellicient service for his 
 Master tliat he seldom lost an opportunity to attend 
 District and General Conference or committee meet- 
 ings, where he could sit at the feet of his elder 
 brethren and learn of them Bil^le Theology and 
 Church Government applied. He had the courage 
 of his convictions and was a strong advocate of tlie 
 principles of the Gospel as understood and practiced 
 by tlie Brethren. This was evidenced by his stand- 
 ing as one of two souls in the congregation voting 
 in fa^'or of loyalty to the Brotherhood at the time 
 of the lamentable disrupticjii at Ashland College. 
 Being an optimist he looked on the bright side and 
 always saw something brighter ahead. While he 
 deplored any irregularities that might arise in the 
 fold he sought to save erring souls rather than 
 destroy them. He had a great and tender care for 
 the weak and erring and was concerned for the 
 lambs within the fold. But his greater concern was 
 for the unsaved, and no message of his closed with- 
 out a tender appeal to them ; while in personal work- 
 he was especially instrumental in leading many 
 into the higher life. 
 
 His manner of doing his work won for him the 
 admiration e\'en of those who did not always agree 
 with him. His shepherding care was wanted and 
 his counsels sought after and followed, and his heart 
 was large enough to count it not too dear to spend 
 and be spent for the good of others. The young 
 sought his tender, helpful care. The bereft turned 
 to him for words oi comfort and healing. The 
 troublerl came to ha\e all clouds remo\-ed, or hnd 
 tlic way to surmount them. He was frequently 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 151 
 
 placed on inipdrtaiit ci jiiimittees ami scr\ cd them 
 well. In church gu\ernment he was mild and char- 
 italjle to the erring-, yet ne\er sacrificing principle 
 which appealed to the better judgment of all. He 
 met the most difficult problems with firm and un- 
 wa\'ering faith in the right pre\ailing in the end. 
 
 In man_y things Brother Parker li\'ed in ad\'ance 
 of his day. Yet he was nut disposed to grow im- 
 patient wdien his \ie\vs were nut accepted. lie 
 could labor and ivait. One of his fa\orite texts was, 
 " I can do all things through Christ wdio strength- 
 ens me." iVn(.)t]ier, "All things work together for 
 good to them that lo\'e the Lcjrd." Better still, " We 
 are saved by grace through faith." Ide sometimes 
 said that the one thing l^etter than the many pre- 
 cious promises of (iod was to get ourselves in line 
 with God's plan so that we may claim them as our 
 own. 
 
 As a husband, he was kind, helpful and indulgent. 
 He lived for those \vho knew him best, j-et he 
 never forgot his higher calling and the larger circle 
 for wdiom he li\-ed and labored. 
 
 As a preacher his discourses were forceful, logical, 
 fresh and interesting. Ble studiously avoided get- 
 ting into ruts, " studying to show himself an ap- 
 pro\-ed workman, rightly di\dding the Word." He 
 sought wider fields and newer pastures for his flock 
 to feed upon. To sit under his ministry was to feel 
 that you had been \\&\\ fed. 
 
 As a pastor he was a gentle shepherd. No lamb, 
 howe\'er erring, was dealt with harshly; personal 
 effort was generally effecti\-e. 
 
 Brother Parker was a man with a ^'ision of great 
 
152 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 things, jjcfiire the church had Suiiday-scliools he 
 l)clie\ed the time wutild come when they would he 
 enjoyed in e\'ery congregation. He saw and labored 
 for larger possibilities for our publishing interests ; 
 advocated church control and fostering care of our 
 schools, larger endowment for the schools and the 
 general missionary work ; a larger circulation and 
 more intelligent knowledge of our church work and 
 of her ministry by her laity — much of which he 
 lived to see as tlie consummation of his hopes. 
 
 He was an interesting con^'ersationalist, ready to 
 listen and always ready with a story or illustration 
 to fix the points he made. 
 
 Born, Ijaptized, married, called to the office of 
 deacon and in a short time to the ministry. Later 
 he was called to the eldership in the vVshland Church, 
 after wdiich he spent twenty years of his ripest and 
 best efforts in faithful pastoral and evangelistic 
 work in other fields, as traveling secretary for our 
 church papers, endowment solicitor for the general 
 missionary work and solicitor of funds for the sav- 
 ing of some of our schools. 
 
 -It was but fitting and natural that the Father 
 should lead him back home to the church and Dis- 
 trict of his youth as the evening shades of life were 
 so unconsciously closing the sable mantle about 
 him. Many said he was taken Ijefore his time. The 
 Lord knows all. Though liis years were few, as 
 men measure life, yet they were fruitful and a bless- 
 ing to the world. He gave liis l)est thought and 
 strength to the church that slie might be purer, 
 strcjnger and liolier for his ha\ing lived. 
 
 The end came May 21, 1910. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 153 
 
 MOUNT ZION. 
 
 Tliis congregation is situated a little to one side 
 of the main group of churches in the District. The 
 real beginnings of this body of belic\'ers the chron- 
 icler was unable to secure, because " they are not 
 left to tell the story." Their pioneer days were con- 
 temporary with other leading denominations, hence 
 quite a bit of commingling in their services. They 
 joined with them in union Sundaj-school work as 
 early as 1866, hence securing for themselves the 
 honor and pleasure of being the first in the Dis- 
 trict to engage in that most important service. 
 
 The church seems to ha^•e been fully organized 
 about 1874. There are about fifty members who 
 meet regularly every two weeks. It is no uncom- 
 mon thing for members to come on horseback fif- 
 teen and twenty miles to attend the ser\'ices and 
 enrich their souls in spiritual fellowship with each 
 other. 
 
 The ministers who were most instrumental in 
 breaking to this membership the Bread of Life were : 
 Elders Conrad Kahler, J, I\. Swinchart, Geo. V. 
 Ivollar, I'eter Ivollar and lulward I^oomis. All 
 the ministers and deacons of the church are re- 
 ported to ha^'e been very faithful to their calling. 
 Elder Geo. V. Ivollar was their first resident elder. 
 
 The Mt. Zicm house was purchased of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church along about 1868. It is 
 situated in West New Philadelphia. 
 
 The following contains some interesting reminis- 
 cences : 
 
 At the present time there are only three deacons 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 155 
 
 living: Da\-id Secrist, ilcnry I'aulus and lulward 
 Schwarm. 
 
 Hugh Kelley died o\er fifteen years ago. 
 
 Brother Adam Renneker, considering his age and 
 physical debility, is ciuite acti\'e in all lines of church 
 work. He is the oldest li\ing deacon. 
 
 Brother Paulus is Cjuite e.\emi)lary and faithful 
 in his official duties, but is not faxorably situated 
 to attend all the services of the church. 
 
 David Shi\'ely has 1jeen superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school for many years, is quite active and 
 faithful to his charge. He and his family are cjuite 
 active in missions, having contril)uted cpiite liber- 
 ally to the India work. 
 
 Brother David Secrist is prompt and regular in 
 attending church ser^'ices ; has shown commendable 
 zeal in Sunday-school work, is superintendent of 
 the New Philadelphia school, has lieen cjuite help- 
 ful in sacred song, and can adapt himself to the 
 young people better than many. He also is a lil:)eral 
 contributor to the Lord's work. It has Ijeen wisely 
 said, that when we are old we shduld cmisider we 
 were once young. 
 
 Sisters Amelia Boone, who died thirty years ago, 
 and Rachel Herstine, about six years ago, are much 
 missed in social life and our public services. Also 
 Sister Sarah Shix'el)^, of ]jleasant and precious mem- 
 ory, departed this life Dec. 1, 1914. 
 
 The mainstay nf this congregation has been Elder 
 Edward Loomis, wliose life is interestingly sketched 
 in his autobiograpliy. 
 
15(, CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The seed-sowing done in the territory of this 
 congregation constitutes a fruitful field for future 
 work. 
 
 Margaret Secrist. 
 1819-1907. 
 
 Margaret Kollar Secrist was born March 31, 1819, 
 in Fairfield Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. 
 Died Dec. 26, 1907, aged eighty-eight years, eight 
 months and twenty-five days. 
 
 Her husljand. Brother Elijah Secrist, preceded 
 her to the spirit world a little over forty-two years, 
 not only leaving her to mourn the loss of a devoted 
 and faithful husliand, l)ut greatly increasing her 
 care and responsibility. Wisely and faithfully were 
 these obligations met. What a wonderful debt of 
 gratitude do children owe a devoted, faithful 
 mother! 
 
 The school privileges enjoyed by the su1)ject of 
 this sketch were very inferior, yet she had a special 
 thirst for intellectual culture and the acquisition of 
 useful knowledge. She heeded the exhortation of 
 the wise man: " Remem))er thy Creator in the 
 days of thy youth." Ider profession was adorned 
 with a godly walk and a chaste conversation in pos- 
 session of a meek and quiet spirit, a very rich orna- 
 ment, which in the sight of Cod is of great price. 
 About seventy years of this noljle life were devoted 
 to the glorious work and blessed service of her di- 
 vine Lord and Master, appreciating \-ery highly the 
 one thing needful of which she could not l)e dis- 
 possessed, clicrishiiig the gladsome tjiought that 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 157 
 
 " Godliness is profitable unto all things, having 
 promise of the life that now is and of that which is 
 to come, believing none of our labor in the Lord 
 shall be in vain, that in due season we shall reap 
 if we faint not." 
 
 I think it not extravagant to say there was not 
 one woman in a thousand could quote from the 
 Sacred Record as readily and correctly as this de- 
 voted student of the Bible. Another reference to 
 this well-directed life was her ability to quote from 
 eminent prose writers, also from the sacred poets. 
 Another phase of this exemplary life is \vorthy of 
 mention — the promptness and regularity given al! 
 the public ser\ices of the church; her pew was in- 
 variably filled. This is to be regarded a hearty 
 response to the rich, inspiring promise, '' Where 
 two or three are gathered together in my name, 
 there am I in the midst of them." This consecration 
 also showed profound regard for Paul's exhorta- 
 tion: " Forsake not the asseml^ling of yourseh-es to- 
 gether, as the manner of some is." 
 
 Another commendable trait in this worthy life was 
 her ardent desire to have the last and probably the 
 greatest command of our divine Lord and Master 
 obeyed: " Go ye into all the world and preach the 
 Gospel to every creature." It is a pleasant reminis- 
 cence of the writer that in response to an appeal for 
 the Gospel to be preached ))eyond the sea, this 
 spiritually-minded mother in Israel gave nearly 
 $100, and was ever a liberal response to all worthy 
 calls. The sympathies and charities of this philan- 
 thropic sister were not confined to her own home or 
 
15,S CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 iireside. Many were the i)ii(ir ()r))hans and desti- 
 tute children whnm she helped td clothe and feed. 
 She freely responded to the sacred injunction : " Do 
 L;iiod unto all men, especially to them who are of 
 the household of faith." The unfed beggar tot- 
 tered not from her door. 
 
 It is gratifying and consoling to those who have 
 to surrender these saintly, loved and highly ap- 
 preciated ones that it is " gain to them that depart, 
 and to he with Christ is far better." " Though dead, 
 they yet speak," and " to li\'e in hearts we leave 
 behind us, is not to die." 
 
 I heard a \'oice from heaven, saying unto me, 
 W^rite, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord 
 from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
 rest from their labors: and their works do follow 
 them." How august, sublime and inspiring the 
 immortality of the influence of a godly life. It li\'es 
 on and on, lengthening and widening till the Angel 
 whom the Revelator saw " standing upon the sea 
 and the earth, swore by Him who liveth forex'er and 
 e\-er, wdio created the hea\-en, earth and sea and the 
 things that arc in them, that there should l)e time 
 no longer." 
 
 " Dear Mother and SLstcr, thy Iioly warfare is o'er. 
 
 The foes of righteousness and truth shall meet thee no 
 more. 
 
 With your dearest Lr)rd and the l)hTod\vaslied ever to 
 dwell 
 
 In that tiriHJit and happy clime where they never say fare- 
 well." 
 
 Written b\- iulward Loomis. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 159 
 
 George V. KoUar. 
 1821-1908. 
 
 George V. Kollar was l)orn Fel). 14, 1821, died 
 Sept. 14, 1908, aged eightj^-seven years and seven 
 months. 
 
 He was a man of far more than ordinary intellect. 
 His school privileges were \'ery meager; school- 
 houses were poorl}' constructed; terms of school 
 \'ery short and most of the teachers very incom- 
 petent. There were only two hoys in his father's 
 family who grew to manhood, and he being several 
 years older than his l^rother, and his father ha\-ing 
 a large farm, much of it heavil}^ timbered, the clear- 
 ing and cuIti\-ation of the homestead kept him at 
 home much of the time that these short terms 
 (about three months) were in session. His intellec- 
 tual attainments were commendable, considering the 
 obstacles that confronted him. The writer thinks 
 he never studied any textbook on the principles and 
 usages of language, yet he was more correct in the 
 use of language than many who had studied such 
 books. He was a careful and diligent reader, a deep 
 thinker and a close obserxer; his memory and rea- 
 soning faculties were far more than ordinary. 
 
 I think Brother Kollar was about forty years old 
 when elected to the Christian ministry. His dili- 
 gence and zeal in this high and holy calling were 
 quite commendable. I think he was ach-anced to the 
 second degree of the ministry about four years later, 
 and presume he was about fifty-five years of age 
 when ordained to the full ministry. His zeal and 
 
1(.0 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 faithfulness in these \ aried ministerial relations 
 were commendable. 
 
 His wife (Sister liliza) was truly a helpmate to 
 him in his g^reat and responsible work. Brother 
 Kollar said to the writer that he once had a certain 
 app(jintment assigned him. The circumstances as- 
 sociated with this ser\dce were of such a discour- 
 aging nature t.hat he felt he could hardly go and 
 fill it. y\t this critical juncture Brother Ivollar did 
 a wise thing: he unbos(jmed his troubles to his 
 wife, who was an important part of himself. He 
 said, " FA'iz'd, I don't see how I can fill that appoint- 
 ment." 
 
 " Why, George, I don't think I would be afraid 
 to go if I had such a Friend as you profess to ha\-e." 
 
 He had no trouble to interpret this reply. It 
 fathomed his blunder, that he had been leaning on 
 the pun}' arm of flesh, his faith not seeing the 
 Sa\'i(ir's all-sufficiency that sustained Paul, who 
 said, " I can do all things through Christ who 
 strcngtheneth me." The pnwer of an ( )mnipotent 
 Helper canmit l)c limited. 
 
 The subject of this sketch at one time was in 
 favorable circumstances financially. But being very 
 sympathetic and generous, and I might add com- 
 passionate and merciful, he could be readily touched 
 with the reverses, misfortunes and afflictions of his 
 felhiws. Tiiis led not a few to impose upon this 
 kind and generous Ijrother. He paid not a little 
 bail money, assumed tlie inde1)tedness of others, 
 made ]iresents to not a few -who were needy and 
 destitute. The \\'riter distinctlv rememlicrs liis con- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO K.l 
 
 tributing aljout $1,500 toward the erection of a 
 church in his own congregation. He also assisted in 
 building other churches in the Brotherhood and 
 helped other religious fraternities to build churches. 
 He donated the Brethren's publications to many 
 not able to buy ; contril^uted much to the support 
 of Br()ther Balsbaugh's pen ministry. 
 
 There was a prominent business man in New 
 Philadelphia, the county seat of Tuscarawas County, 
 ^^•ho was intimatel_y acquainted with " Uncle 
 George" (as he was familiarly called), who said to 
 us: "Your neighbor, George \'. Kollar, is more 
 like Jesus Christ than any man I ever met." It was 
 said of the Sa\'ior that " he became poor that we 
 through his poxerty might be rich." This truly 
 eminent man did a \'ast amount of ])hysical as well 
 as mental la1)or. This noble man adopted Paul's 
 motto, which was this: " For me to li\'e is Christ." 
 (July three days inter\'ened between the deaths of 
 this saintly pair. 
 
 Paul, in writing to his Thessalonian brethren, ex- 
 horted them not to lie ignorant concerning their 
 pious dead : that they need not sorrow as the hope- 
 less did, f(.)r " the Lord himself shall descend from 
 heaven with a shout, with the \xiice of the archangel 
 and the truni]) of God; and the dead in Christ shall 
 rise first. Then we which are alixe and remain shall 
 be caught up together with them in the clouds to 
 meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be 
 with the Lord." So may it be! . 
 
 Written by lulward Loomis. 
 
1(.2 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Peter Kollar. 
 1829-1913. 
 
 Brother Peter Kollar was born March 16, 1829, 
 in Fairfield Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio ; 
 died May 20, 1913, in the republic of Mexico, aged 
 eighty-four years, two months and four days. He 
 united in early life with the Church of the Brethren, 
 was elected to the Christian ministry in 1874, two 
 years later to the second degree and in two more 
 years to the full ministry, and took an active part in 
 the work of the church. For several consecuti\'e 
 years he superintended the Sunday-school and was 
 quite active in ministerial service in the home 
 church, and in adjoining congregations; also in dif- 
 ferent States. He was easy and fluent in his address 
 and quite sociable. 
 
 He was preceded to the spirit world several years 
 by his beloved wife, Sister Emma Kollar. To this 
 union were born four boys and five girls, all of 
 whom are still living. 
 
 Whilst the dear brother had gone beyond the 
 eighty-fourth milestone of his life, his death seemed 
 to be somewhat premature. Fie had a remarkable 
 use of both mind and body. He had not the stooped 
 form, the furrowed brow, the feeble tread and the 
 palsied hand so common to those of his advanced 
 age. He made a hand in the harvest the summer 
 before he went to far-ofT Mexico. His departure for 
 this far-away, southern clime was much regretted by 
 all his friends; yet it is \ery ]irobable he was sin- 
 cere and conscientious in this last and apparently 
 unfortunate undertaking. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 163 
 
 Brother Kollar had a remarkably good use of his 
 mental faculties. He could ciuote Scripture very 
 freely and readily; could refer to many e\'ents that 
 had fallen under his obser\'ation during his pro- 
 tracted pilgrimage. He was next to the youngest of 
 a family of ten children, and the last to depart this 
 life. 
 
 Written by lidward Lo(.imis. 
 
 Edward Loomis. 
 1839 . 
 
 I was born in Knox County, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1839. 
 Came with my parents to this county (Tuscarawas) 
 when about seven years old and have resided in the 
 last-named county ever since, with little exception 
 (about nine months in Indiana). I recei\'ed most 
 of my education in a common district school, a 
 few terms in New Philadelphia high school. Be- 
 gan teaching when in my twenty-second year ; was 
 thus engaged for about twenty years, mostly during 
 what was called winter terms, and taught only one 
 summer term. 
 
 Received ni)' first religious impressions from the 
 United Brethren Church, services being held close 
 to my father's home. United with this church in 
 my twenty-second year. Up to this time I had at- 
 tended the ser\ices of only three churches: the 
 United Brethren, Methodist Episcopal, aiid Luther- 
 an. The first of the three was then opposed to se- 
 cret orders, to slavery, and not a few of their con- 
 gregations practiced feet-washing; li(iwe\er, 1 was 
 informed that the observance of this rite was left 
 
1(.4 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 optional. I thought they were a plainer ])eo])\e 
 than either (jf the other two I referred to, hence my 
 choice. 
 
 In 1865 I wa.s married to Martha Jane Sechrist, 
 a member of the Brethren Church. I then Ijegan to 
 read their literature, frecpiently heard them preach 
 anfl also commenced to read the Biljle more care- 
 
 ELDKR KDWARD LOOMIS 
 
 fully, prayerfull}' and under.standuigly, which led 
 me to conclude that it would be a wise thing to 
 identify myself with the Church of the Brethren. 
 Yet 1 was loolish enough to light mv convictions; 
 it was not the least of the great conflicts of my re- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 1().S 
 
 ligious life ; the weighty interrogation of the Master 
 became irresistible : " Why call ye me Lord, Lord, 
 and do not the things that I say? " 
 
 I am glad my en\'ironments in early life were as 
 good as they were, but they might have been far 
 more favorable, for few of my associates were re- 
 ligious. I was ne\'er in a Sunday-school until past 
 ten years old. I think I was twenty-nine when I 
 united with the Brethren Church. 
 
 In 1874 I was elected to the Christian ministry 
 and think about two years later I was advanced to 
 the second degree and tw(3 or three years later to 
 the full ministry. (I kept no diary at this time and 
 hence cannot be so positi\-e as I would like.) My 
 ministerial life has l:)een somewhat busy, ])ut it does 
 not seem to be fraught with as fa\'orable results 
 as desirable. I never could think I was adapted 
 to re\'ivalistic or evangelistic work. I think I ever 
 tried to preach the Gospel. I belie\e I ha^'e held 
 series of meetings or helped in nearly all the con- 
 gregations of Northeastern Ohio. I have been with 
 the Maple Grove Brethren, but not in a series of 
 meetings, but entertain the high hope that I may 
 be with them in a short series this winter. I have 
 been with several congregations in Indiana, held 
 one series of meetings in Illinois and probably one 
 in Michigan and several in Northwestern Ohio. I 
 kept a diary jiart of the time; by consulting it I 
 find one year I traveled by rail about 3,000 miles; 
 tried to preach 185 times. This I think was one of 
 the liusiest years of my 'ministerial life. I have 
 solemnized not a iew marriages, ha\'e preached 
 many funeral discourses; a large proportion of 
 
loo CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 these have been for the Methodist Episcopal, United 
 Brethren, Lutherans and Presbyterians, yet I never 
 thought I was adapted to this kind of ministerial 
 labor. However, I always tried to go when prac- 
 ticable. 
 
 1 was witii one of our New I'liiladelphia editors a 
 few days ago wdio asked about my pending birth- 
 day — where I was ])orn and how long I had lived 
 in the county, if I was an ordained minister, and a 
 few other questions which I answered as best I 
 could. These answers furnished a few data for a 
 brief mention of my little life. He hastily penciled 
 a few notes and got a few things not cjuite right. 
 One of tlie slight mistakes is that at one time I was 
 pastor of a congregation of ours in New Philadel- 
 phia. If I ever was I still am, as I am the only min- 
 ister in our congregation at the present time. 
 
 The Seventy-fifth Milestone. 
 
 Last Saturday was the seventy-fifth birtliday anniver- 
 sary of Rev. Edward Loomis, who resides in Fairfield 
 Township, about six miles northeast of New Pliiladelphia. 
 Mr. Loomis was born in Knox Co., Ohio, but he removed 
 with his parents to Fairfield Township, Tuscarawas Coun- 
 ty, when he was but eight years of age, where he has 
 since been a resident. 
 
 Rev. Loomis is a farmer by vocation and he has always 
 supplemented his physical labor with thoughtful intelli- 
 gence. Having received a liberal education he has been 
 a student all his life. Many years since he was ordained 
 a minister of the Church of the P.rethren and for some 
 time was pastor of a church of that denomination in New 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Ftev. I^oomis has been so long such a careful, industrious 
 student of the tJible that there arc few, if anv, ministers or 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 167 
 
 laymen of his age who are so familiar with the wonderful 
 Book. He possesses a fine perception of what a Christian 
 should be; therefore, he practices what he preaches and is 
 the exemplification of living up to the teachings of the 
 " Golden Rule." 
 
 Aside from the weight of his years, which have stooped 
 his shoulders a little, and a slight defect in his hearing. 
 Rev. Loomis' other faculties are alert and vigorous. Be- 
 sides the great pleasure he gets out of the great truths in 
 the Bible, Rev. Loomis finds entertainment and an uplift 
 in reading the productions of the best writers of the world 
 in prose and poetry. He is also a great lover of nature. 
 He delights in pure, fresh air, green fields, trees, running 
 water, and the songs of birds. By indulging in nature's 
 gifts he has kept his heart young and full of cheer and his 
 mind filled with pure, ennobling thoughts. 
 
 The evening of Rev. Loomis' life is one of happiness 
 and contentment. His home life is beautiful and he finds 
 great pleasure in contributing to the joy of others, min- 
 istering to the sick and comforting the afilicted, and his 
 presence is very welcome in many homes. 
 
 The Advocate-Tribune felicitates Rev. Loomis upon 
 passing the seventy-fifth milestone in life's pilgrimage and 
 trusts the future has in store for him many years of happi- 
 ness and useful, helpful service. 
 
 WEST NIMISHILLEN CHURCH. 
 
 The chronicler of the events of this church has 
 found the following: This organization had its be- 
 ginning with Henry Browand as minister and 
 Thomas Hale, Isaac Moyler, Manasseh Holl, Cyrus 
 Witwer as deacons, these all living at that time 
 within the present church territory. A little later 
 William Murray moved into the church from Penn- 
 sylvania. In 1871 Michael Schrantz was elected to 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 169 
 
 the ministry and Samuel Sprankel, Humphrey Moh- 
 ler and David Shumake to the deacon's office. In 
 the spring of 1873 Samuel Sprankel was called from 
 the deacon's office to the ministry, and in 1881 
 Henry Young and Humphrey Mohler were elected 
 to the ministry. In 1886 Isaac Holl and John Eby 
 were elected deacons and soon after Alonzo Holl 
 and Abraham Horst were installed into the same 
 office. In 1901 the deacon's office was recruited by 
 the church calling Samuel J. Holl and Cyrus Young, 
 and a little later, Joseph Snyder and Edward Hane. 
 In 1908 Elder Reul)en Shroyer moved into this ter- 
 ritory from the Tuscarawas Church. In 1910 Sam- 
 uel J. Holl was elected to the ministry, and Aaron 
 Beltz and Theodore Myers as deacons. Between 
 1882 and 1885 some few older members went with 
 the Old Order Church, among whom were two of 
 its ministers: Henry Browand and Humphre)^ Mtih- 
 ler. After this small exit from the church Brother 
 Samuel Sprankel was placed in charge. 
 
 The meetings and love feasts were at first held in 
 the houses and barns of Michael Schrantz, Isaac 
 Mohler, Manasseh Holl, Jacob A\'itwer, Charles 
 Surbey, Cyrus A\'itwer, F.. T. \^'ise, Simon Young, 
 Jacob Huni])ert, Henr}' Sprankel, Samuel Young 
 and Benjamin Bolinger. 
 
 In 1877 the church and cemetery lot was pur- 
 chased and i)aid for by Simon Young and deeded 
 to the deacons of the church. A house of worship 
 was then built upon this ground three miles north- 
 east of New Berlin, ( )hio, with Manasseh Holl, 
 llenry Si)rankel and E. T. A\'ise on Ituilding com- 
 mittee. 
 
170 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 In 1880, when the Urrville Church was disorgan- 
 ized, some of that territory fell to this church with 
 half interest in the churchhouse at Sippo, four miles 
 west of Massillon, Ohio. Tliis additional territory 
 added two brethren to tlie deacon force of the 
 church, namely, Abraham Kittinger and Samuel 
 Martin. 
 
 The order and places of conducting meetings for 
 a number of years were according to the f(jllo\ving 
 program : The Pleasant Valley house every two 
 weeks; at Sippo every four weeks; at the Sande^'ille 
 schoolhouse every eight weeks, and at Pinogle, also 
 the Bolinger house, every eight weeks. 
 
 In the year 1887 tlie church elected its first clerk. 
 Prior to that time all of the records were kept in 
 the memory of the members. At this same meet- 
 ing it elected its first treasurer. Isaac HoU was the 
 first clerk and Daniel Reitter the first treasurer. 
 The properties of the church were first held by the 
 deacons ; later trustees were elected, to whom was 
 entrusted the care and keeping of its realty. The 
 first trustees were Manasseh Holl, Simon Young 
 and Henry S. Young, and in 1910, when the ceme- 
 tery was laid out in lots, Aaron and Christian Rudy 
 were added to the board of trustees. 
 
 The first Sunday-school was organized in the 
 congregation June 28, 1885, with K. S. Young as 
 superintendent, who was succeeded l)y Ft. S. Young. 
 At this time the attendance was se\"enty-fi\e. For 
 some years including the present time the su|)er- 
 intendency has been under the direction of S. J. 
 Moll, Aaron Beltz, Theodnre Myers. The interest 
 and attendance cc/mtinue good. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 171 
 
 The present nienibership of the church is eighty. 
 Its present ministerial force is inkier Samuel 
 Sprankel, Elder H. S. Young, Elder Reuben Shroyer 
 and S. J. Holl ; their colaborers in the deacon's of- 
 fice are Isaac Holl, Alonzo Holl, Joseph Snyder, 
 Aaron Beltz and Theodore Myers. 
 
 The organization of the Sunday-schi^ol was at- 
 tended with considerable difficulty. For two or 
 three years the Sunday-school proposition came up 
 in their council meetings, and in each case received 
 a majority of the votes present, but it was thought 
 best to postpone the forward mo\'e with the hope 
 that the minority part of the membership might 
 become reconciled to what they considered an in- 
 novation. Brother Sprankel and others did much 
 consulting with leading 1:)rethren. Finally the pres- 
 sure of the young people, and older ones, too, came 
 so strong that on one beautiful June day in 1885 
 Brother Sprankel anounced that at 2 : 30 P. M. they 
 would meet to organize a Sunday-school. A large 
 group of interested people came together, but they 
 found the church doors locked. A number of 
 l^enches were soon taken from their storage in the 
 sheds near l)y, and a most interesting hour was had 
 in organizing the work and studying the Book of 
 books. Two weeks later, at their next meeting, 
 they found the church doors open and the school 
 convened within the sacred sanctuary. The storm 
 cloud passed away and peace and harmony ha^•e 
 risen with healing in their wings to bring again a 
 reign of sweet fellowship among the members. The 
 Sunday-school has proven her worthiness to become 
 enrolled among the good works of the congregation. 
 
172 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Samuel Sprankel. 
 1840 . 
 
 The sun of Jacolj and Rachel I'ence Sprankel was 
 burn in Jacksun Tuwnship, Stark County, Ohio, on 
 the farm on which he now li\es. This farm was 
 purchased from the government in 1817 by his 
 grandfather, Michael Sprankel. In 1847 it became 
 the pruperty oi his father, Jaculj, \vhi3 in 1850 died, 
 leaving this earthly pussessiun to his mother, sister 
 and himself. 
 
 The school opportunities were \-erv meager; only 
 four or fi\'e months in the year were prox-ided for, 
 and then only in such subjects as reading, writing, 
 spelling, grammar and arithmetic. When his fa- 
 ther died, in 1850, the responsibilities fell quite 
 heavily upon this ten-year-old lad, hence the school- 
 ing had tu l)e dune when the home duties were not 
 ])ressing so hard. He had a special liking for what 
 was then called declaiming". His teachers seeing 
 this ga\e him much enccjuragement in that most 
 useful art which he found to be very helpful 
 in after life. As a side line from his schoul 
 and hume duties Samuel was fund uf hunting with 
 a l)uw gun, and C("illecting Indian relics. These 
 childish traits became stepping-stones to reach the 
 higher altitudes of his ministrations. 
 
 Six years after the death of the father another 
 hea\'y stroke fell upon this family in the death of the 
 only sister and daughter. The loss of the lo\'ing 
 sister fore\ er left its sting in the heart of the broth- 
 er, A\-lio at that age was beginning to look out into 
 the larger world. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 17,^ 
 
 The same yeai- his widuwed mother married and 
 mo\ed near Wabash, Ind. 'I'his opened up to Sam- 
 uel a Held of new experiences. The country was new 
 and many hardships were experienced incident to 
 the newness of the country. The schools were poor, 
 being taught for the most part by ladies and only 
 
 ELDER SAMUEL SPRANKEE 
 
 for three or four months during the winters. Out- 
 side of school hotirs the ax, maul and wedge were 
 the tools mostly used. These were made good use 
 of, for he could split as good a rail as Abraham 
 Lincoln could any day. Samuel made his acquain- 
 tance with North Manchester wdien but a few stores 
 
174 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 and dwellings and nu railroads marked the now 
 prosperous town. He made this trip on horseback 
 for some plow points. The trip brought him into 
 acquaintanceship with some of the Brethren li\ing 
 there. The long trips became more numerous, and 
 he sought e\'ery opportunity to meet tliese Brethren 
 and hear them preach. Under the preaching of such 
 men as the Metzgers, Myerses, Barnharts, Karnses 
 and Neffs his early religious impressions were 
 formed, which contributed in no small amount in 
 shaping the future of his life. 
 
 After four years in Indiana, in 1860 the subject of 
 our sketch returned to Ohio and lived with his 
 grandfather. The money system being such an un- 
 certain security at that time, the young boy gathered 
 up as much Ohio money as he could so he would not 
 be hindered in his journey when he would pass over 
 the State line. Prices were very low : wages fifty 
 cents per day, wheat forty-five cents per bushel, 
 pork three cents per pound, and other things ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 The Ci\'il AA'ar l^eing on and Samuel creeping up 
 to the age where enlistments were made, put him 
 into more serious thinking, hence he took to reading 
 the Bible as never before. The non-resistant princi- 
 ple taught there and the teachings of his loving 
 mother put him on the side of not going to war. 
 But the drafting of soldiers finally reached him. 
 He, v.dth others, was ordered to report at the re- 
 cruiting station at Mansfield, Ohio. When ])assing 
 througli Canton a riot almost occurred between 
 those who were favorable to war and those who 
 were not. ,\t this ])lace a man ste]iped up to this 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 175 
 
 twenty-one-year-old youth and asked him if he was 
 drafted, to which he responded that he was, where- 
 upon he offered to go in his stead. He accompanied 
 him to Massillon, their first camping point, where 
 the bargain was completed. 
 
 The war burden being rolled off, Samuel's heart 
 took seriously to the more noble things of life, not 
 however, without meeting occasional tests. One 
 day a war sympathizer met him and asked him, " If 
 some one would come in the night and try to get 
 into the house, what would you do?" 
 
 " I told him I could not sa)' what I would do, but 
 would advise him not to try it, though I had no de- 
 sire to hurt him, but I might he a little dangreous on 
 the spur of the moment." 
 
 In the winter of 1863 Brother Sprankel united 
 with the church under the preaching of John Hun- 
 sacker. The services were held in schoolhouses 
 and in the homes of the Brethren. Three meetings 
 were held at a place, and by the time the minister 
 got around fifteen souls were baptized. The winter 
 was extremely cold, and at the time of the baptism 
 it was so cold that ice would freeze on the clothes 
 of the baptized a few minutes after coming out of 
 the water. A new life was then opened up to him, 
 and he applied himself faithfully to the things that 
 count for time and eternity. 
 
 In 1864 he was married to Sarah KilHnger. After 
 two years he was elected to the deacon's office, in 
 which he ser\'ed for about three years, when in 1873 
 he was called to the ministry. He said he had no 
 Sunday-school advantages, very little day schooling 
 and only two qualifications: a good mind and a loose 
 
17(1 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tongue. Three weeks after his installation he was 
 left to fill an important appointment all alone. This 
 severely tested the young preacher. He thought of 
 the fate of Jonah and took courage. As the preach- 
 ing in those days was mostly in both the German 
 and English tongues, Brother Sprankel had most of 
 the English preaching to do for several years. He 
 was a faithful companion of the Bible and kindred 
 books. Ele was noted all along his life's work for 
 his punctuality upon all church services. For four- 
 teen consecuti^■e years he missed only two Sundays, 
 and on one of those his mother lay a corpse. He w^as 
 much called upon to conduct funeral services and 
 solemnize marriages. He conducted as many as two 
 funerals a day and some days it would be a funeral 
 and a marriage. His evangelistic work totals years 
 of warning to sinners to flee from the wrath to come. 
 Some winters he spent all his time in the fields 
 whitening to the harvest. He attended every Dis- 
 trict Meeting in Northeastern Ohio and forty-three 
 or forty-four Annual Meetings. He moderated 
 man}^ of the District Meetings, and was chosen on 
 the Standing Committee of the Meyersdale and 
 llarrisburg (Pa.) Annual Meetings. 
 
 Brother Sprankel's pleasure in serving his breth- 
 ren is seen further in his untiring efforts in getting 
 railroad rates to both District Meeting and Annual 
 Meeting. He has spent much time and money that 
 the trips to these meetings might be both pleasant 
 and profitable. He also did much for the ministry 
 of the District in the way of securing ministerial 
 railroad permits, when the Passenger Association 
 was about to cancel them for our Brethren on ac- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 177 
 
 count uf their Inning nllicr cinpluyinent than 
 preaching. 
 
 Brother Sprankel \\'as (.)ne of the pioneers in the 
 mission work of the District, fie was a member of 
 the board for a numl^er of years, and was treasurer 
 for about live years. He, with Brethren D. N. 
 Workman and Noah Longanecker, organized the 
 Lake Shore Church and made it a promising field 
 for some time. The care of the church soon fell to 
 Brother Sammy, as he is familiarly known. The 
 meetings were held in a Methodist church for some 
 time. He missed only two meetings in fourteen 
 years and three Sundays in twenty-one years. The 
 hrst love feast at that place attracted considerable 
 attention. Cleveland not being very far away from 
 his church. Brother Sprankel went into the city and 
 hunted up the members, as many of them as he 
 could find, and preached for them a number of 
 times in their homes. He found sixteen mem- 
 l)ers in all. Upon three occasions he was 
 called there to preach funeral sermons. At 
 a certain pdace in Geauga County he was called 
 to see a ver}' sick woman. Upon arriving he found 
 that the woman had known something of our peo- 
 ple in early life. She rerjuestecl to be baptized. 
 After preparations were made she was carried from 
 her sick bed to the sleigh and taken a short distance 
 to a stream, then the husband and Brother Sprankel 
 carried her down into the water to be baptized. 
 After baptism she walked out of tlie water to the 
 sleigh and returned home with joy in her heart and 
 renewed strength in her body. Upon another oc- 
 casion he was called upon to bai)tize a sister af- 
 
178 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 flicted with cancer. The woman was too weak to 
 sit up. A suitable place for baptism was prepared 
 in the yard. The water was heated and the woman 
 was then carried to the font and baptized. She 
 stood the baptism well, and after a few days went to 
 the glory world. 
 
 Brother Sprankel's work is shown also in his op- 
 position to the liquor traffic. Upon one occasion 
 he was called to preach the funeral of a man who 
 had been killed in a drunken stupor while crossing 
 the railroad near his home. The funeral was con- 
 ducted at a saloonkeeper's home. A large attend- 
 ance of sympathizers were there, and all were 
 pleased with his fearless and straight-forward ser- 
 mon. 
 
 In the county campaign (Stark) Brother Sprank- 
 el was a live wire, working both personally and in 
 public speech-making. He always based his tem- 
 perance speeches on the Bible. He was careful not 
 to abuse the men who were in the saloon's clutches, 
 but was not sparing with the Dutchman's vocabu- 
 lary in denouncing the traffic. 
 
 The date of Brother Sprankel's ordination the 
 chronicler failed to give, but he was ordained by 
 BretJiren D. N. Workman and Noah Longanecker 
 some time in the eighties. He was always at his 
 post of duty, doing the very best he knew at all 
 times. He served on many committees. He served 
 on the Annual Meeting committee to the Western 
 Pennsylvania churches for nine years. His was also 
 an o\'ersight of a number of churches, as many as 
 six at a time. He traveled in the interests of the 
 churi'h in most e\'ery State in the I^nion, and quite 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 179 
 
 a bit at his own expense, that he might be at charges 
 to no one for the sake of the Gospel. The most of 
 his work has been done in Northeastern Ohio. 
 Though he is creeping up in years at the present 
 time, yet he is full of zeal for the Master and the 
 prosperity of the churches. 
 
 SPRINGFIELD CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized in 1868 in what is 
 known as the old East Nimishillen churchhouse. 
 The elders present upon the organization were Dan- 
 iel Peck, Jacolj Snyder and Henry Kurtz. In the 
 early days the services were held every two weeks 
 in the following homes : John Royer, John B, Mish- 
 ler, Henry Young, Frederick Young, Solomon Rei- 
 ser, Joseph Mishler, Jacob Kurtz, and in school- 
 houses. 
 
 The following elders in their respective periods 
 were faithful shepherds of their flock : Joseph Mish- 
 ler, Jacob Garver, John B. Mishler, David Young, 
 George Carper, David F. Eby, Jacob Mishler and 
 James Murray. 
 
 The associate ministers elected by the church 
 were: John B. Mishler, David Young, George Car- 
 per, Jacob Mishler, William Bixler, M. S. Young, 
 S. A. Kreiner and Charles Kurtz, Their assistants 
 in the deacon's office were the following: Solomon 
 Kiser, Henry Young, Jacob Kurtz, Jacob Mishler, 
 Sr., Abraham Kurtz, Jacob Mishler, William Lutz, 
 S. C. Young, Eli Holl, Joseph Mishler, Samuel Car- 
 per, Henry Weaver, Reuben Young, Henry Kurtz, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 181 
 
 Alvin Hull, Alunzo Holl, Eli ITcrshljcrgcr, Jobn F. 
 Young, Ah'in Young, Eli Mishler and Harvey K. 
 Kurtz. A more substantial body of men, faithful 
 to their charge, can be found nowhere. The chron- 
 icler from this church has succeeded in linding bi- 
 ographies of some oi the principal ones that fig- 
 ured in the early and later work of the church. 
 
 Joseph Mishler, Sr., was born in Pennsyhania, 
 came to Ohio with his parents, living at New Ber- 
 lin a few years ; from there he and family went to 
 Dayton, Ohio. After several years he returned to 
 the Springfield Church. Ele served the church faith- 
 fully for a number of years as elder. His successor 
 in office was Jacob Garver, from ■ the Mohican 
 Church, who presided until 1875, when John B. 
 Mishler, son of Joseph Mishler, and David Young 
 were ordained and took charge of the church. 
 
 John B. Mishler was born in Ohio in 1825; he 
 and Brother Young were elected to the ministry in 
 1858; four years later they were advanced to the 
 second degree. Brother Mishler was a man of 
 excellent judgment, successful in a financial way 
 as well as in the faith of the church. These breth- 
 ren were pillars for many years. Brother Mishler 
 died in 1893. 
 
 David Young was born in Lancaster County, Pa., 
 in 1828. His education was somewhat limited, yet 
 he was known as an able speaker. He was in special 
 demand upon funeral occasions, being called upon 
 in various towns and surrounding communities to 
 ofificiate, giving comfort and spiritual direction to 
 those whose hearts needed comfort. He preached 
 
182 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Ijotli in the English and German languages, and for 
 several years has been identified with the Old Order 
 Brethren. 
 
 George Carper was born in Stark County, Ohio, 
 in 1838; was elected to the ministry in 1872; fi\-e 
 years later was advanced to the second degree. 
 Brother Carper was a successful farmer in Spring- 
 field Township. He was conscientious and a good 
 leader in the home church and for many years led 
 the song service. In 1896 he was ordained to the 
 eldership and faithfully served the church in that 
 capacity until Oct. 25, 1905, when he was suddenly 
 called home. This event was a great shock to the 
 church and his absence among the members was 
 keenly felt. 
 
 David Eby was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 
 1828, was called to the ministry in Illinois in 1873, 
 was advanced to the second degree the following 
 year, and in less than two years was ordained to the 
 eldership. While in that State he served on a num- 
 ber of committees whose duty generally involves 
 tlie unra\eling of knotty questions. In 1903 he with 
 his wife moved within the bounds of the Spring- 
 field Church. He followed the carpenter trade for a 
 li\ing, though in early life he engaged himself at 
 times in the teaching of \ocal music, and later be- 
 came a leader in sacred song, and edited the song 
 Ijook entitled " The Echo." In 1908, on account of 
 his failing memory, he resigned from active church 
 work. 
 
 Jacolj G. Mishler was Ixirn in 1843, in Suftield 
 Township, Portage County, Ohio, He followed the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 183 
 
 occupatiun of fanning during his early days. He 
 served the churcii as deacon for several years, after 
 which he was elected to the ministry ; was ad\-anced 
 to the second degree in 1896 and ordained in 1907. 
 He had charge of the church less than a year when 
 he was called to his reward. Elder James Murray, 
 of the Chipjjewa congregation, was then called to 
 the oversight, which duty he performed with fidel- 
 ity and untiring zeal. 
 
 In 1902 Brethren AN'illiam Bixler and Menno S. 
 'Young were elected to the ministry and advanced 
 in 1905. Brother Bixler's birth dates from 1848, 
 and a number of his early years were devoted to 
 teaching school. He enlisted in the war of 1861, 
 and since being called to the ministr}' has spent 
 some time in evangelistic work. He now lives with- 
 in the bounds of the Akron Church. Menno Young's 
 life dates from 1875 ; he united with the church at 
 the age of sixteen, and ser^-ed in the capacity of 
 Sunday-school superintendent for five successive 
 years. Spent fi^•e successi\"e years in school-teach- 
 ing. 
 
 Samuel A. Kriner was born at Mogadore, Summit 
 County, Ohio, in 1864. He had formerly belonged 
 to the Disciple Church. He united with the Church 
 of the Brethren in 1902, was called to the ministry 
 in 1906. For two years he served in the capacity of 
 Sunday-school superintendent, and was ad\'anced 
 to the second degree in 1909. He is a painter b}^ 
 trade, but at present is engaged in farming. 
 
 Charles Kurtz was born in 1889 in Portage Coun- 
 ty, Ohi(T, and united with the church when fifteen 
 
184 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 years old. He, too, served as Sunday-school super- 
 intendent for a few years. Fie was called to the 
 ministry in 1910. His occupation is farming. 
 
 The first churchhouse erected in this congrega- 
 tion was in 1871, aljout a mile southwest of Moga- 
 dore ; it was remodeled in 1910. In 1904 another 
 house was built in Kent, Ohio. This church at 
 present is composed of about 190 members. Until 
 recently the preaching was divided between the 
 English and German tongues. 
 
 The first Sunday-school was organized in 1887 
 with considerable opposition, so much so that it had 
 to be organized in the schoolhouse near by where 
 the exercises were conducted for some time. Broth- 
 er William Bixler was superintendent and Israel 
 Young assistant. Happily this opposition soon gave 
 way and the work of the school was admitted to 
 the church where it has been a potent factor in the 
 onward progress of the congregation in bringing its 
 young people into the fold of the Master. The 
 present enrollment of the school is 184. The Chris- 
 tian \\'orkers' Society of the church was organized 
 m 1910. 
 
 P. S. — The Sunday-school in the schoolhouse 
 across the road from the church was organized by 
 Brother Simon R. Carver before he was a member 
 of any church. He was teaching school at that 
 place, and after consultation with some members of 
 the church led out in its organization. Brother 
 Carver of course became its first superintendent. 
 The Lord can work in ^■arious ways to accomplish 
 his purposes. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 185 
 
 CHIPPEWA CONGREGATION, WAYNE 
 COUNTY. 
 
 (All records previous to the division of the old 
 Chippewa congregation are lost.) 
 
 Before the church was built the services were 
 held in pri\'ate houses, barns and schoolhouses. The 
 following are the names of some of the pri\ate 
 families : Daniel Correll, Adolph Pinkerton, Peter 
 tloff, Sr., Peter Hoff, jr., Andrew Yoder, Emanuel 
 Yoder, Thomas Abie, Manuel Martin and John 
 Smith, the members taking turns. 
 
 The first series of meetings were held in the house 
 of Rudolph Pinkerton for only a few days. 
 
 Jacob Kurtz was then the elder in charge of the 
 Chippewa Church which embraced a very large ter- 
 ritory. Geo. Irvin, John B. Shumaker, James Mc- 
 Mullen and William Murray ^vere colaborers with 
 the above-named elder. 
 
 Owing to the large territory and other conditions 
 it was thought best to di^•ide the field into three lo- 
 cal districts, the AVooster and Orrville forming the two 
 new districts. Said division took place May 29, 1877. 
 
 John B. Shumaker was gi\en charge of the Orr- 
 ville Church, Cyrus Hoo\'er of the Wooster and 
 Geo. Irvin of the Chippewa. 
 
 May 29, 1877, the division was made at the Union 
 meetinghouse. Paradise. 
 
 Elders present, Morgan Workman, Moses Weav- 
 er, Conrad Kahler, John Swihart and Samuel Gar\'er. 
 
 The old congregation was di\'ided into three parts. 
 The southeast part includes all that territory east of 
 Sugar Creek, following the branch of that creek 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 187 
 
 north of Smithville and south of the township line 
 road between Milton and Green Townships. 
 
 The Wooster congregation includes the territory 
 south of the center of Wayne Township and west 
 of Sugar Creek, and the New Chippewa congrega- 
 tion includes the territory north of the line passing 
 through Madisonburg, east and west .between the 
 Harrisville road and Sugar Creek and west of the 
 little branch of Sugar Creek and north of the town- 
 ship line between Canaan and Cireen Townships, 
 containing, on day of division, 131 members. Geo. 
 Irvin was the bishop, E. L. Yoder, minister in the 
 second degree ; David B. Hoff, Jacob B. Kofi", Si- 
 mon Winter, John Brenizer, Daniel Correll, Wm. 
 Lichtenwalter, deacons. 
 
 First council meeting held by the New Chippewa 
 congregation was at Beech Grove meetinghouse, 
 Wayne County, Ohio, August 18, 1877. 
 
 Geo. Irvin, elder in charge. The following officers 
 were chosen : Trustees, David Wieand, Lsaac Win- 
 ter and John Correll ; Treasurer, Samuel Smith ; Au- 
 diting Clerks, A. B. Lichtenwalter and T. B. Orr; 
 Recording Clerk, Eli L. Yoder. Also resolved to 
 call Brother S. H. Bashor to hold a series of meet- 
 ings at the Beech Grove house. 
 
 The Chippewa congregation has ever Ijeen ready 
 to engage in every good work for the uplift of its 
 members and the advancement of the cause of 
 Christ, as on Aug. 10, 1878, she decided unanimous- 
 ly to open the Beech Grove house for the first Sun- 
 day-school Convention in the District, and as early 
 as 1886 organized a Sisters' Aid Society. However, 
 owino" to the ruling of Annual Meeting, it v^'as dis- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 189 
 
 banded after a lew sessimis; }et, soon after Annual 
 Meeting ga\'e the permit, the work was reorganized. 
 
 She was in the hardest of the conflict when the di- 
 vision of the Brotherhood occurred. 
 
 Feb. 8, 1879, a request came from the Black River 
 congregation for a change of territorial lines, which 
 was granted. Instead of running north between 
 Canaan and Green Townships, the west line was ex- 
 tended north on the Harrisonville road to the coun- 
 ty line, thence east as far as the east line of West- 
 field Township, Medina County, and thence north. 
 
 The Orrville Church was disorganized May 6, 
 1880. Aug. 12, 1886, part was taken into the Chip- 
 pewa congregation and part into the Wooster con- 
 gregation. This made a change in the territorial lines. 
 
 The line running east and west through Madison- 
 burg was extended east to the county line and 
 thence north and east. 
 
 The last change was made Aug. 13, 1910, when 
 the Akron Mission was granted the privilege of or- 
 ganizing as the first Church of the Brethren and the 
 boundary line to be the county lines between Sum- 
 mit on one side and Medina and W'^ayne on the 
 other, and by this act ten memliers were transferred 
 to the Akron congregation. 
 
 The following were called to the office of deacon, 
 with time of installation : 
 
 May 10, 1879, Alonzo B. Lichtenwalter, David 
 Wieand and Eliza. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1883, Peter Smith and Phoebe, Jacob C. 
 Stucky and Nancy, Nov. 8, 1884, Simon Z. Griner 
 and Sarah, Solomon J. King and Mary, Nov. 2, 1886. 
 
 Tune 13, 1895, Miron C. Pichtenwalter and Anna, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 191 
 
 Hezekiah M. l-Juff and Flora 1., jacolj Miller and 
 Mariah, Urias C. Royer and Lizzie. 
 
 June 7, 1902, Daniel Shafer and Ida, Peter J. 
 Weighley and Minnie S., Clark M. Fletcher and 
 Sadie, James Miller and Lizzie. 
 
 To Ministry and Eldership. 
 
 Aug. 14, 1880. luhvard Mason, first degree. 
 
 Aug. 12, 1882, Da\id Lytle, second degree. 
 
 May 13, 1882, T. Cah'in Wieand, first degree. 
 
 Nov. 8, 1884, T. Calvin Wieand and k:ila M., Nov. 
 20, 1886, advanced to second degree. 
 
 Aug. 13, 1896, T. Calvin W'eiand, ad\'anced to 
 eldership. 
 
 Oct. 3, 1890, Frederick B. Weimer and Julie Ann, 
 eldership. 
 
 Nov. 11, 1893, All)ert C. Wieand, first degree. 
 
 Aug. 11, 1900, Cliarles A. Helm, second degree. 
 
 Nov. 14, 1903, Aaron Heestand and Fmmeline, 
 eldership. 
 
 May 13, 1905, James Murray and Susan, eldership. 
 
 May 13, 1905, David R. McFadden and Florence, 
 first degree. 
 
 Nov. 11, 1906, David R. McFadden and Florence, 
 second degree. 
 
 ■ Nov. 8, 1913, David R. McFadden and Florence, 
 eldership. 
 
 Oct. 26, 1912, Floyd M. Irvin, first degree. 
 
 Sept. 13, 1913, John B. Wieand and X'iola, Nov. 
 8, 1912, first degree. 
 
 No\'. 8, 1913, Simon A. Showalter and Nora, first 
 degree. 
 
192 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Places of Love Feasts Held in Barns. 
 
 June 12, 1878, at Brother David B. Hoff's. 
 
 May or June, 1880, at Brother David B. Hoff's. 
 
 May 9, 1882, at Brother Jacob Eshelman's. 
 
 June 15, 1883, at Brother Wm. Lichtenwalter's. 
 
 June 10, 1884, at Brother Geo. Irvin's. 
 
 The Beech Grove house was built in 1868. Elder 
 Geo. Irvin was the boss carpenter and David Lytle 
 with some others helped on the work of the build- 
 ing. 
 
 Aug. 9, 1884, a request was granted for a change 
 in Beech Grove house so as to make it convenient 
 for love feast purposes. Said change was made 
 during 1885, and Sept. 20, 1885, at 4 o'clock P. M., 
 was held the first love feast in the churchhouse. 
 Ever after the place has been the scene of many a 
 joyous feast till 1910. 
 
 Feb. 8, 1890, it was decided to built the East Chip- 
 pewa house and the following constituted the build- 
 ing committee : Jacolj C. Stucky, Urias C. Royer, 
 Andrew Yoder, and S. J. King as treasurer. 
 
 After the dissolution of the Orrville congregation 
 the brethren had meetings at what is known as the 
 Leisure Church, in Georgetown, to accommodate 
 the members living in that section, and this was 
 continued until the East Chippewa house was under 
 construction. At a special council, March 22, 1890, 
 it was decided to discontinue regular preaching at 
 the former place. 
 
 In 1910 necessity required that something be done 
 with the Grove house, as the old building was giving 
 way ; so a committee was appointed to investigate 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 193 
 
 the cost of remodeling or of building new. After 
 the report of the committee it was decided to build 
 new. 
 
 Feb. 11, 1911, a building committee of five was 
 chosen as follows: Samuel T. Baker, foreman, Hez- 
 ekiah M. HofT, secretary, A. Wesley Rennecker, 
 David M, Hartzler, Jacob Miller, and James Miller, 
 treasurer. 
 
 July 21, 1912, was set for the dedication of the 
 house, but the day was so rainy that it was post- 
 poned until July 28. Sept. 7, 1912, at 10 A. M., was 
 held the first love feast in the present building. 
 
 Elder Geo. Irvin requested that he be relieved of 
 the care of the church, whereupon Brother F. B. 
 Weimer was ordained as assistant elder Oct. 3, 1890. 
 April 23, 1892, lilder Geo. Irvin died, after which 
 Brother F. B. Weimer was elder in charge until 
 Dec. 12, 1913, when he also was called to his reward. 
 Fel). 14, 1914, Elder David R. McFadden was se- 
 lected to take the oversight of the Chippewa con- 
 gregation and Elder Jacob Murray assistant. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1914, the mem1)ership of the Chippewa con- 
 gregation was 212. 
 
 Elder George Irvin. 
 1816-1892. 
 
 George Ir\in, fifth child of a family of ten chil- 
 dren of George Irvin, Sr., and Rebecca (Kemper) 
 Irvin, was born April 1, 1816, in Ephrata, Lancaster 
 County, Pa. 
 
 Here, in this rich belt of country among these 
 plain people, he spent his boyhood days. 
 
I'M 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ^\'hen eighteen xxars of age he iiKn'ed with his 
 parents to near Berlin, Stark Ciiunty, Ohio. He re- 
 mained with them until twenty-one years of age, then 
 went to work at the carpenter trade with his brother 
 Da^'id, hiring for twelve dollars per month in sum- 
 mer and ti\'e in the winter months. The next year 
 
 Kl.riKR GIOORGE IRVIN 
 
 he continued the same trade in Medina County, and 
 the following year in Richland County, also Ashland 
 County, working with Brother Tracy until 1841, 
 when he was united in marriage to Lydia Carver, 
 daughter of David (larxer and wife. 
 
 The following year they united with the church 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 195 
 
 in the Mohican congregation. Later they moved to 
 Ashland County, thence to Cedar \'alley, AA'ayne 
 County. In the .'Spring of 1850 they located near 
 Golden Corners, and while living there he was elect- 
 ed to the office of deacon in 1853. During these 
 years he woil^ed at his trade in the summer and in 
 winter run a saw mill. 
 
 In the spring of 1854 he b(jught a cjuarter 
 section of land near Golden Corners, at which place 
 he resided till death. 
 
 In 1859 he was elected to the ministry. On March 
 4, 1864, his belo\'ed companion was called away, 
 leaving eight mc)therless children. He afterward 
 married Isabella Cjar\ er Ruse. In 1809 he was or- 
 dained as an elder. In 1870 he with Brother Da\'id 
 B. Floff made a prospecti\'e trip to California, but 
 returned satisfied to spend his remaining }'ears in 
 the field of his earlier acti\'ities. 
 
 He was \'ery ambitious, l)oth in temporal and spir- 
 itual affairs. Many nKjrnings in his younger da3''s 
 he was up at three o'clock and Ijy the aid of a tallow 
 candle lantern would work up endugh wood to 
 keep the family going until his return home on 
 Saturday e\ening. The Lord l^lessed the labor of 
 his hands so that he had a comfortal^le home. 
 
 He was a strong l5elie\er in the maxim, " Early to 
 bed and early to rise "; for vou would scarcely ever 
 find him in bed after 4 A. M., and 8 P. M. was his 
 regular time for retiring. 
 
 He would arise, Ijuild the fires and spend some 
 time in reading, of which he did a great deal. His 
 Bible was foremost, yet he did much reading from 
 other good books, Spurgeon being his favorite au- 
 
196 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 thor. He was well posted, also, on affairs of state, but 
 much regretted that his education was so meager, 
 and determined that his children should have a 
 better education than he. 
 
 This they did, yet in real executive ability he had 
 no child that could compare with him. 
 
 In church work he was counseled with a great 
 deal and was elder in charge of the Chippewa 
 Church from 1877 to the time of his death. His first 
 work in the ministry was begun in his home neigh- 
 borhood at the Golden Corners schoolhouse. From 
 the time he was first called to the ministry till 1868 
 the ser\-ices or meetings were held at the members' 
 h(_mies and schoolhouses. 
 
 He was the head carpenter of the first church 
 building in the Chii)pe\va congregation and also 
 gave liberally for the erection of the same. H^e was 
 a firm believer in missions and the first to open his 
 " purse strings " when a call was made. In his 
 broken way he often urged the members to respond 
 to the recjuests of the church, if they believed in her 
 doctrines. 
 
 Nothing sa^•e sickness ever kept him away from 
 the sanctuary, although he had five and one-half 
 miles to church. 
 
 Of a family of twelve children all united with the 
 church save one. 
 
 At times during the last years of his life he had 
 palpitation of the heart, which would hinder him 
 for a few days ; otherwise, he scarcely knew what it 
 was to be sick. Ten days jirior to his decease he 
 Contracted pneumonia and on April 23, 1892, passed 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 197 
 
 away, strong in the faith he had espoused in his 
 young manhood. 
 
 He will be rememljered in the Chippewa Church 
 as a man of strong character and sterling worth. 
 
 Flora I. Hoff. 
 
 Mother Irvin. 
 1833-1914. 
 
 Isabella Garx-er, fourth child of a family of eleven 
 children of Brother Joseph and Sister Jane Carver, 
 was born on a farm near Mt. Pleasant, Westmore- 
 land County, Pa., Aug. 16, 1833. 
 
 Here she remained in this mountain home until 
 she grew to womanhood. 
 
 It was only by the strictest economy that the 
 family was kept together. The mother did weaving 
 while some of the older ones would assist. Climb- 
 ing the mountains in search of herbs and roots for 
 the village phj^sician gave activity to limb and de- 
 veloped strong bodies for the children as well as 
 added a little to the support of the family. 
 
 On May 9, 1856, she was united in marriage with 
 Henry Ruse, of Bryan, Ohio. 
 
 To this union were born five children, four of 
 whom died in infancy, one surviving. Some time 
 after the decease of Brother Ruse she came to 
 Wayne County, Ohio, and on May 18, 1865, was 
 married to Elder George Irvin, of Golden Corners, 
 Ohio. 
 
 To this union were born four children, all sur- 
 viving. Besides these, in the home of Brother 
 Irvin, were eight children by a former marriage to 
 
198 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 be mothered. With all the family to see after she 
 was very neighljorly and when any one was ailing 
 in the community, Sister Irvin was sent for. Here 
 her early knowledge of herbs came in nicely. 
 
 She united with the Church of the Brethren in her 
 
 SIHTER ISABELLA IRVIN 
 AA'ife of Elder Geiir.^e ]r\'in 
 
 early teens, being" Ijaptized by Rider lames Ouinter. 
 in the Jacob's Creek Church, ( )ct. 28, 1847. 
 
 She was full of zeal for the Master from her youth 
 up, and was ever fortnd engaged in serving him. 
 Having inherited the gift of song from her mother, 
 she was well versed in nearly all the meters of our 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 199 
 
 old hymn Ijooks ; and if Sister Ir\in was in the 
 congregation when a hymn was announced, none 
 need fear another would have tt^ 1)e selected because 
 no one could " raise the tune," 
 
 In the morning worship around the family altar 
 the writer well remembers hearing Father Ir\'in an- 
 nounce such hymns as these: " liarly My (iod With- 
 out Delay," " Lord, in the Morning Thou Shalt 
 Hear," "Awake My Soul and \\'ith tlie Sun," and 
 while Mother Ir\'in, with her clear, str(.)ng \oice, 
 would lead the song the rest of tlie family would 
 join in, after which there was a season of j^rayer. 
 Thus was tlie day begmi and so were the days of 
 the years of their pilgrimage, on through twenty- 
 seven years, until the husband was called to his 
 reward. 
 
 She attended, with Brother Irvin. many Annual 
 Meetings, as well as District Conferences, and was 
 with him at all regular meetings as much as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 To be in the Sunday-school surrounded by the 
 primary class was her chief delight. She was a 
 ready talker and a lover of children, hence was often 
 called on to address the schools where she chanced 
 to be. After the death of Elder Irvin she remained 
 a few years at the old homestead near Golden Cor- 
 ners ; she then went to the home of her daughter, 
 Mrs. Hezekiah Hoff, near \\'ooster, Ohio. Here 
 she made her home, but visited much among her 
 children. She also spent many happy hours visiting 
 the members of the Chippewa Church, as well as 
 the surrounding congregations, where she was al- 
 
200 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ways received with much respect and treated as a 
 mother in Israel. 
 
 In August, 1913, she attended the series of meet- 
 ings conducted by Brother D. R. McFadden in the 
 home church, and frequently she led in prayer and 
 would go from place to place in search of lost ones, 
 praising God for health to yet he of service to him. 
 
 The last few months of her life were spent in fail- 
 ing health, and before the end came she called for 
 the elders and was anointed with oil in the name of 
 the Lord. 
 
 Dilatation of the heart with a complication of 
 diseases incident to old age caused intense suffer- 
 ing during the last few weeks of her life, but on 
 March 27, 1914, she peacefully fell asleep in Jesus 
 at tlie home of her daughter. Flora, at the ripe age 
 of eighty years, her husband having preceded her 
 nearly twenty-two years. 
 
 She will long be remembered by her kind words 
 and pleasant smiles. Flora I. Hofif. 
 
 Elder James Murray. 
 1855-1913. 
 
 On the afternoon of Jul}' 31, 1913, after an illness 
 of about a year and a half — but becoming alarming 
 only about five months before — the subject of this 
 sketch quietl)' fell asleep in Jesus. Bright's disease 
 had been stealthily de\'eloping, unknown until about 
 March 1, at which time he had a se\'ere attack, be- 
 ing bedfast for several weeks. He rallied from this 
 attack again about y\pril 15, and was able to be 
 aljout his home and do light choring. On June 18 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 201 
 
 he had sufficiently recovered so that he undertook a 
 trip to the Springfield Church to attend the District 
 Sunday-school and Christian Workers' Meetings 
 which were in session there. 
 
 This trip taxed his 
 strength se\'ercly, and 
 the writer will never 
 forget the deep impres- 
 sion of rapidly-failing 
 physical strength r e- 
 ceived that e \' e n i n g 
 when father stopped to 
 rest o\er night with his 
 "Akron children" on 
 his way hack home. It 
 was then plainly ap- 
 parent that the weak- 
 ened body would soon 
 succumb to the inroads 
 of the disease ; and so 
 when a few weeks later, 
 word was received that he had taken a cold which 
 was rapidly developing serious complications, we be- 
 gan to realize fully the meaning of the words passed 
 between the writer and his wife that last morning he 
 spent in our home, when we said, " Father will not be 
 with us much longer." And yet the end came even 
 sooner than any one expected. And though suffering 
 acutely much of the time, yet he bore it all with 
 patient fortitude, seldom making any complaint. 
 
 Tie was born March 19, 1855, in Greene County, 
 Pa. \\'hen about fourteen years of age, the family 
 
 ELDER JAMES MURRAY 
 
202 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 remo\ed to Northeastern Ohio, he and a friend mak- 
 ing the trip on horsebacl<. With the exception of 
 about four years spent in Iowa and Kansas in his 
 early manhood, tliis State and this District has Ijeen 
 his permanent earthly home. 
 
 On Thanksgiving Day, 1876, he was married to 
 Miss Luie Hess, of Fredonia, Kans. She died Aug. 
 4, 1879, leaving him with one son, who is now one 
 of the "Akron children " pre\'iously referred to. 
 Shortly after the death of his wife he returned to 
 Ohio, making his home with his parents for a num- 
 ber of years. In 1884 he was married to Miss Susan 
 Bechtel, of Blair County, Pa. To this union were 
 born four children — two sons and two daughters, 
 who, with their mother, half larother, two grandchil- 
 dren, a brother and two sisters, survive him. 
 
 Although but few educational advantages were 
 a\'aila])le in his time, he acquired sufficient in the 
 country schools, with a term or two at a Normal 
 academy located at Perrysville, Ohio, to enable him 
 to qualify as a teacher f(jr eleven terms. He was 
 very fond of reading, and this, with a good memory 
 and keen powers of observation, combined with nat- 
 ural tact and evenness of disposition, made him an 
 acknowledged leader of men. 
 
 He became a member of the Church of the Breth- 
 ren July 8, 1877, being bajitized by Elder Sidney 
 Hodgden, in Neoslia County, Kans. He was elected 
 to the ministry Oct. 11, 1878, while a memljer of 
 the Fredonia Church, Wilson Cnunty, Kans. After 
 returning to this State, he located in the Ashland 
 Church, Ashland County, where he was ad\'anced 
 to the second degree of the ministry Nov. 11, 1883. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 203 
 
 In the spring of 1892 he remo\ed to the bounds of 
 the Chippewa Church, AVayne County, where he re- 
 sided until his death. He was ad^'anced to the full 
 ministry Nov. 14, 1903. 
 
 Elder Murray was quite active in church work, 
 was well known throughout the District, and also in 
 se\'eral other sections of the Brotherhood. Until 
 compelled to stop on account of failing health, he 
 was active as an evangelist. From records he had 
 kept up to y\ugust, 1909, he had baptized forty-five 
 persons. Whether he baptized any since that date 
 cannot now be determined. His record also shows 
 that he had solemnized thirty-one marriages. The 
 District considered him especially efficient as a coun- 
 sellor, and he was frequently called to attend council 
 meetings in the various churches. He also served 
 several churches as elder in charge for a number of 
 years, and at his death still retained charg'e of the 
 Akron and Springfield congregations. He served 
 a number of times as moderator at District Meet- 
 ings, and represented the District on Standing Com- 
 mittee in 1906, 1908 and 1911. From statistics pub- 
 lished in the Gospel Messenger a few weeks prior 
 to his death, it appears that he is the first member 
 of the " Bicentennial Committee " to cross the river 
 of death. At the time of his death he was serving 
 his second term as a member of the District Mission 
 Board, of which he was the Chairman. The beauti- 
 ful Akron Church, pictured on another page of this 
 volume, will long remain a visible monument to his 
 interest in the missionary work of this District. Fie 
 had also been elected to represent the District on 
 the Committee of Arrangements for x'Vnnual Confer- 
 
204 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ence of 1913 at Winona, but because of his affliction, 
 was unable to take any active part in the work, 
 having been present at only the first meeting of the 
 committee. 
 
 Brother David R. McFadden conducted the fun- 
 eral services at the Beech Grove churchhouse in the 
 presence of a large concourse of sympathizing 
 friends and coworkers ; the ministers — David ^^'orst, 
 A. B. Horst, A. F. Shriver, M. S. Young, S. A. 
 Kreiner and Chas. Kurtz — of the churches in which 
 he had been the presiding elder, tenderly bore his 
 mortal remains to their last resting place beside his 
 father in the quiet cemetery near by. Text, Philpp. 
 1: 21. 
 
 Quietly sk'up, beloved one, 
 Kest from thy toil, thy labor's done; 
 Rest till the trump from th' opening skies 
 Cids thee from dust to glory arise." 
 
 Claude H. Murray. 
 
 Elder William A. Murray. 
 1824-1910. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette 
 County, Pa., March 12, 1824, and died in the Chip- 
 pewa Church, Wayne County, Ohio, April 14, 1910, 
 aged eighty-six years, one montli and two days. 
 In November, 1846, he was married to Miss Fliza 
 Jane McEiiteer, with whom he lived up to the time 
 of her death in June, 1900. To this union were born 
 ten children, six of wdiom ha\e preceded him to the 
 spirit world. The four survixing at the time of his 
 decease are James Murray, of Sterling, Ohio; Isaac 
 M. Murray, of West Salem, Ohio; Mrs. Susan HoU, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 205 
 
 of Payette, Idaho ; and Mrs. Lizzie Hiller, of Homer- 
 ville, Ohio. 
 
 In March, 1902, Elder Murray was married to 
 Mrs. Louisa Gore, of near Sterling, Ohio, with 
 whom he li\-ed until death called him home. Be- 
 sides those already named, four brothers — James 
 Murray, of Aleppo, Pa., aged ninety; Samuel Mur- 
 ray, of Jefferson, Pa., 
 aged eighty-eight ; Jer- 
 emiah M u r r a y, of 
 Boyd, Okla., aged 
 seventy-eight ; Jacob A. 
 Murray, of Smith\-ille, 
 Ohio, aged seventy-six ; 
 and three sisters — Mrs. 
 Peter Lohr, of Mt. 
 Pleasant, Pa., aged 
 eighty-two ; Mrs. Sarali 
 Otto, of Sterling, Ohio, 
 aged eighty; and Mi-s. 
 F. B. Weimer, of Ster- 
 ELDER WM. MURRAY ling. Ohio, aged sev- 
 enty, still sur\'i\'e him. 
 You will note that this is an exceptionally long-li\'cd 
 family. 
 
 Elder Murray united with the Church of the 
 Brethren in his youth and was soon called to the 
 ministry, in which he has been very active. He 
 spent much time in evangelistic work, attended a 
 number of Annual Meetings, and was a constant 
 reader of the church periodicals, having taken all of 
 
20(. CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 them, from tlic Cos/^cl i'isilor to the Gospel Mes- 
 senger. He spent nearly sixty years in the ministry, 
 preaching up to a few weeks before his death. He 
 found his greatest pleasure in being about his Mas- 
 ter's business. He came to the Northeastern Dis- 
 trict of Ohio shortly after the close of the Cix'il W'ar, 
 li\ing at various times in Stark, Richland, Ashland 
 and Wayne Counties, laboring with the churches 
 located in those counties. 
 
 He had been sick scarcely a day during his entire 
 life, and on the night of his death went to bed as 
 usual. Some time after retiring, his wife, hearing 
 a slight disturbance in his room, went to see what 
 it was and found that his spirit had flown. So in 
 life and in death he was spared a knowledge (in 
 experience) of that suffering through disease that 
 falls to the lot of many of us. 
 
 Appropriate burial services were conducted b}' 
 Brother D. R. McFadden. Text, 2 Tim. 4: 1-9. 
 His remains quietly await the last trump, reposing 
 in the Beech Gro\e cemetery near the church where 
 his final efforts in response to his Master's call t(i 
 ser\ice were put forth. Claude H^. Murrav. 
 
 David B. Hoff. 
 1819-1910. 
 
 Da\'id B. Hoff was born in Milton Township, 
 Wayne County, Ohio, June 17, 1819. died at Orr- 
 ville Dec. 25, 1910, aged ninety-one years, six months 
 and eight days. He was ])uried in Beech (lro\e 
 Cemetery, which lies just across the road from his 
 homestead, where he spent sixty years of a long and 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 207 
 
 useful life. His last illness, dating from an ac- 
 cidental fall in which he fractured a hip, lasted 
 eleven weeks. Pneumonia contracted during this 
 illness linally brought the end. 
 
 The history of Grandfather Hoff's life is the his- 
 tory of the settlement and growth of a community 
 from almost aboriginal wilds to the populous and 
 peaceful occupation of twentieth century ci\'iliza- 
 tion. His has been the fortune to have lived during 
 a progress such as the world at his natal day had 
 never dreamed. H.e was one of the last real pioneers 
 of AVayne County. 
 
 Two weeks after his father and mother, Peter and 
 Sarah Ploff (nee Blocherj, had found the spot in 
 JMilton Township where they decided to make their 
 home. Grandfather Ploff was hm-n. in a log cabin 
 hurriedly hewn out of the virgin forest. After a long 
 and dangerous journey from Pennsylvania they said, 
 " Here will be home." 
 
 And here Grandfather Idoft' resided with his par- 
 ents until the age of twenty-one, when he married 
 Susannah Shaft'er, a native of Pennsylvania. Just 
 across the line in Canaan Township he selected the 
 home for himself and his bride. It was A'irgin land. 
 The hand of civilization had not yet disturbed the 
 deep and fertile mold of its acres. James Monroe, 
 president of the United States, was the signer of the 
 deed, and the farm had never left his possession until 
 given by him a few years ago to his grandchildren. 
 
 Here he lived fifty-four years with his wife until 
 her death in 1896. After her death he continued to 
 live here six years longer, under the care of his 
 granddaughter, Mrs. Chauncey J. King (Irvin), 
 
208 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 making a total of sixty years. One child was 
 born to the marriage, Sarah, who married Rev. 
 D. M. Irvin. Her death occurred Jan. 18, 1874. 
 Grandfather Hoff'.s de.scendants from his marriage 
 are the children of Sarah Irvin, viz., Mrs. T. E. 
 Steiner, deceased; John Irvin, north of Wooster; 
 Mrs. Chauncey J. King and Dr. George H. Irvin, of 
 Orrville. Since the marriage of Mrs. King, Mr. 
 Hoff had resided with them — three years at Smith- 
 \'ille and eight years at Orrville. Two younger 
 brothers survive — John Hoff, of Los Angeles, Cal., 
 and Peter Hoff, of Dallas Center, Iowa. 
 
 Grandfather Hoff's early education was meager, 
 consisting of a few months of such schooling in the 
 winter as those early days afforded. But he was a 
 great reader, particularly of religious works, and an 
 extensive traveler in the United States. His edu- 
 cation and training was that obtained from mature 
 experiences, reading and travel ; it was useful and 
 served him well. He was a man of unswerving 
 character, a liberal giver to causes that appealed to 
 his sense of worthiness, governed by a religious 
 mind. His beneficence was always ruled with a 
 modest desire that it should be C|uiet, unaccom- 
 panied by display. 
 
 He accumulated a considerable fortune, and ac- 
 cording to his own statement at the time, becoming 
 tired of its possession gave it to his grandchildren 
 and his church, the German Baptist Brethren 
 (Dunkard). At his funeral, which was largely at- 
 tended, one of the ministers said: " No one can re- 
 member that Grandfather Hoff e\'er uttered an un- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 209 
 
 kind word, and it is certain that he never uttered a 
 profane one." 
 
 Grandfather Hoff's name is not written large up- 
 on the scroll of fame, l)ut now, as the mantle of im- 
 mortality is folded about him, at the gate where all 
 mortals are equal, his works in the eyes of Him who 
 is the arbiter of all deeds will weight great in the 
 balance, and now he will hear the words, " Well 
 done, my good and faithful servant, come up high- 
 er." 
 
 ORRVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized in the year 1877 from 
 the eastern division of the Chippewa congregation. 
 Within the territory there were two places of wor- 
 ship — Sippo and Leisure. Brother John B. Shu- 
 maker was the elder in charge. David Lytic, now 
 of Deshler, Ohio, was elected to the ministry, hi a 
 short time after the organization the elder in charge 
 moved to Michigan, and Brother Lytle to Deshler, 
 thus leaving this small group of members with- 
 out any ministerial help. Hence, in 1880, it was 
 deemed advisable to disorganize the church and 
 assign its membership to the adjoining congrega- 
 tions. West Nimishillen taking the Sippo Church, 
 and eastern part ; the Chippewa Church, the north- 
 western division ; and the Wooster Church, the 
 southwestern part. 
 
 This closes the short chapter of three years from 
 1877 to 1880 and may we ask, who can measure the 
 worth of these three years? Though the Orrville 
 
21U CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Church has been cut uut, yet light has caught new 
 radiance in its l)urning from the candle of adjoin- 
 ing churclics. 
 
 WOOSTER CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized in 1877, it l^eing form- 
 erly a part of the Chippewa congregation. The 
 elders assisting in the organization were Morgan 
 Workman, Conrad Kahler and John Swihart. There 
 were about 100 charter memljers, among whom were 
 two ministers, namely, Cyrus Hoover and D. M. 
 Ir^'in. Their place of worship was known as the 
 Union Paradise churchhouse. 
 
 In 1880 this church increased her membership ma- 
 terially through the disorganization of the Orrville 
 congregation. At the l)eginning the services were 
 held every four weeks ; from 1901 to 1907 the serv- 
 ices were increased to e\ery two weeks. From that 
 time the ser^aces were held three Sundays out of 
 each month (the River Brethren, who had an inter- 
 est in this house, using one Sunday each month). 
 Ser\'ices were held in the Moscow Baptist Church 
 once in four weeks for about two years, when in 1879 
 the church purchased their house of worship, which 
 was named the " Fountain Mill Church." Here 
 services were held every two weeks until the autumn 
 of 1906, when it was considered advisable to dis- 
 continue them, as the condition of the house was 
 such that it could not be heated comfortably for 
 ser\ices in the winter. The church did not think 
 it expedient to rebuild at that point, hoping that in 
 the near future a house of \\'orshi]) could be built in 
 
'4, -Z 
 
 I 5 
 
 
212 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the village of (Jrrvillc which wuulil accommodate 
 the members in this locality. 
 
 Many series of meetings have been held in the 
 congregation that have been very helpful and en- 
 couraging to the membership as well as adding 
 many to the fold. 
 
 Morgan Workman was the first elder called to 
 preside over the church. In 1879 Cyrus Hoover 
 was ordained and called by the church to take the 
 oversight, who efficiently served in that capacity 
 until his death in 1901, after which Eli Holmes was 
 chosen to preside and up to the present time is 
 faithfully discharging the duties of a shepherd. 
 
 The coworkers, as ministers of this organizatictn, 
 were D. M. Irvin, now residing in Canada, David 
 Smith, D. M. Brubaker, A. I. Heestand and R. M. 
 Moomaw, the latter Ijeing the only minister called 
 to the service of the church since its organization. 
 This feature will find its explanation in the fact that 
 a number of ministers moved into the church from 
 other congregations from time to time. 
 
 The deacons of the congregation merit special 
 mention in this particular: that perhaps no church 
 in Northeastern Ohio can claim such a faithful body 
 and of such executive ability as these play in the 
 organization of their work. 
 
 The present place of worship is one-half mile east 
 of Smithville station; was first built in 1841, a new 
 one built in 1873 and rebuilt in 1898. The present 
 house is commodious and -\'ery convenient for its 
 purpose. The congregation at present numbers 110 
 members ; this shows that they are stronger numer- 
 ically now than when they were organized. This is 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 213 
 
 commciidaljle when we think of so many other 
 churches that have closed their doors for the last 
 time. This congregation has supported a Sunday- 
 school from the time of its organization, and has 
 continued through the summer m"onths until the 
 year 1900; since that time it has become an ever- 
 green school. The work of the Sunday-school is 
 shown more particularly in this, that nearly all the 
 members that are baptized into the church come 
 through the Sunday-school. Of the Home and 
 Cradle Roll Departments of the school the chron- 
 icler failed to forward the data, but we understand 
 that they are wide-awake in pushing out into these 
 lines of Sunday-school work. 
 
 The Christian Workers' Society is doing com- 
 mendable work. Through its faithful and untiring 
 energy it is able to serve the church in materially 
 augmenting its spirituality as well as making the 
 unfortunates of society happy in congested popu- 
 lations with their various gifts. 
 
 The Sisters' Aid Society is another healthy auxil- 
 iary of the church. It enjoys the pleasure of meet- 
 ing at regular intervals, and the work done brings 
 joy to the workers, and new hope to the souls of 
 those benefited. Their work is an influence which 
 has already contributed richly to the missions of the 
 Brotherhood. 
 
 Wooster Church Supplement. 
 
 The June 12, 1843, Annual Meeting was held with- 
 in the bounds of what is now known as the Wooster 
 Church, in a barn at the home of Elder Jacob Kurtz, 
 East Union Township, Wayne County. 
 
214 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The brethren, on this occasion, came to the Con- 
 ference afoot, on h(.)rseback and in covered wagons, 
 "wending their way through dense forests, fording 
 streams, coming f<jr the most part from the east and 
 a few from the west, which was newly settled. Up- 
 on reaching the place of the Conference the hijrses 
 were all turned out into a twehe-acre field, leaving 
 them there to graze until the close of the meeting. 
 
 This meeting was preceded tlie evening Ijefore by 
 a lo\'e feast, when all the brethren and sisters from 
 different parts of the Brotherhood enjoyed a spirit- 
 ual reunion and fellowship that has ne\'er faded 
 from the memories of those who participated in the 
 same. AA'hen death sealed their careers here upon 
 earth, then the joy of eating again around that 
 throne where the Sa\'ior himself was pleased to 
 come forth and ser\'e them, made full their cup. 
 
 At this Annual Conference everything was free. 
 During the meeting lodging and board for them- 
 selves and Ijeasts of Ijurden were generously sup- 
 plied by the loxe of tlie Ijrethren. 
 
 Elder Cyrus Hoover. 
 1821-1901. 
 
 The early ancestors (if the following sketch were 
 of Swiss parentage, they lea\ing S\\'itzerland in the 
 days of persecution on account of their religious 
 con\'ictions. They first located near London, Itn- 
 gland, and after a short |)eriod of residence there, 
 decided to cnme to America \\'ith one of ^^'illiam 
 Penn's companies. This hardy family did much in 
 clearing u]) and impro\-ing I^ancaster County, Pa., 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 215 
 
 soil. Many of them caught the " go west " spirit 
 and took the newly-carved-out trail oxer the Al- 
 leghenies into fertile Ohio. 
 
 Elder Cyrus Hoover, representing one Ijranch of 
 the original Hoover family, was l)orn in Lancaster 
 County, Pa., Oct. 16, 1821. At tlie age oi nineteen 
 he moved with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, 
 locating on the farm where the .Vnnual Conference 
 was held in the year 1872, near Smith\-ille Station. 
 He lived at this place until the time of his death, 
 Jan. 8, 1901. He and his wife united with tlie 
 Church of the Brethren during the summer of 1853. 
 In a short time thereafter he was elected to the 
 deacon's office. In 1869 he was elected to the min- 
 istry, and in 1879 was ordained t(.) the eldership ; 
 serving the W'ooster Church in that capacity until 
 the time of his death. 
 
 In choosing their church home, Brother and Sis- 
 ter Hoover were somewhat at a loss to know what 
 to do, lie inclining toward the L'nited Brethren, and 
 she to the Mennonite faith. After due considera- 
 tion, they decided to unite with the Church of the 
 Bretliren, and ever thereafter their home near tlie 
 church became a lodging place for ministering 
 brethren and others who were pleased to come. 
 Elder Hoo\'er was not so widely known over the 
 Brotherhood, nor considered one of the most acti\e 
 elders, but he was noted for his gocid judgment, and 
 ability to lead. He was a cheerful gi\'er, a wise 
 cotmsellor, a loxer and leader of sacred song, and 
 ever at his place when the hour for pul^lic worship 
 came. The head, heart and life religion ran like 
 golden threads through the e^'eryday affairs of his 
 
2\h CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 life, llius wielding a blessed influenee over the lives 
 of others. He made his life and personal influence 
 more brilliant than his speeches. The controlling 
 moti\'e of his heart was to glorify God in every duty 
 of life. 
 
 Brother Hoover was not able to lie down for two 
 years before his death, and often during this time 
 at the midnight hour was he heard singing his fa- 
 vorite sacred hymns. 
 
 He bore his affliction without a murmur, perfectly 
 resigned to his heavenly Father's will. 
 
 He Avas buried in the Paradise cemetery near his 
 home. The world was made better by his having 
 li\-ed in it. 
 
 McMAHON CREEK CHURCH, BELMONT 
 COUNTY. 
 
 But \ery few Brethren of the District will know 
 there ever was a church in Northeastern Ohio by 
 the above name. The circumstances of its organiza- 
 tion and brief existence are interesting bits of history. 
 
 The beginning of this body of believers is traced 
 to Sister David Snyder (deceased, her husband now 
 living at Selma, Cal.). Sister Snyder, being a mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was called 
 to Somerset, Pa., August, 1873, to see her mother, 
 who was seriously ill. While there she became ac- 
 c|uainted with a num1)er of Brethren. Before re- 
 turning she requested her father-in-law. Elder Sny- 
 der, then living at that place, to send a Dunkard 
 e\'angelist t(i Belmont, Ohio, to do some preaching. 
 Elder Snyder carried the request directl)^ to the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 217 
 
 Missiun ISuard of Western I'cnnsylvania. The 
 Home Mission Board sent J. W. Beer, at that time 
 editor of the Christian Family Companion, pub- 
 Hslied at Meyersdale, Pa. Brother Beer was ac- 
 companied by Elder Adam Wise, of Green County, 
 Va., to Warnack, Ohio, Belmont County. 
 
 The first meetings were held in the Presbyterian 
 Church at A\'arnack, beginning the evening of Dec. 
 10, 1873. On Sunday, Dec. 13, preaching was con- 
 ducted in the home of Brother and Sister Snyder, 
 at which time both husl:)and and wife made appli- 
 cation to be baptized. After the usual instructions 
 were gixen that keen Sunday morning of Dec. 13, 
 their hearts full of sunshine and hope. Brother and 
 Sister Snyder, accompanied by Brother Beer and 
 Elder Smith and some few friends, could be seen 
 walking down through the fields to the McMahon 
 Creek (which ran through Brother Snyder's farm) 
 to be baptized. This truly was an impressive scene, 
 for two precious souls were to be born into the 
 Kingdom, a church to be organized, and the pure 
 Gospel preached. Perhaps the first time in the his- 
 tory of Belmont County, and McMahon Creek, was 
 prayer offered as on this occasion, when the silence 
 was broken only by the rippling waters and audible 
 voice of the administrator. 
 
 After Brother and Sister Snyder were baptized, 
 and Brethren Beer and ^^''ise felt they had to go 
 back home, they recommended the newly-born babes 
 of the Kingdom (then over a hundred miles from 
 any organized church of the Brethren) to the care 
 of the Home Mission Board of Northeastern Ohio. 
 The Board promptly responded by sending them a 
 
218 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 minister every four weeks, preaching three sermons 
 each time. All meetings were held in the home of 
 Brother and Sister Snyder, excepting the mifl-week 
 prayer meetings which were held in turn at the 
 members' houses during the lifetime of the congre- 
 gation. Bible reading was a prominent part of the 
 prayer ser\'ices. A Sunday-school and Bible read- 
 ing were conducted both morning and evening dur- 
 ing the short history of the church. The work pro- 
 gressed approvingly to the Home Mission Board, 
 and sometime between December, 1873, and 1875, 
 (jeorge Ir\in and wife, Cyrus Hoover and wife, 
 Samuel Gar\'er and Philip Brown were sent to Bel- 
 mont County to organize the members into a churcli. 
 After the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, the 
 organization was effected by calling Brother David 
 Snyder to the ministry. Brethren Joseph Daly and 
 Geo. AV-. Secrist to the deacon's office. Elder Geo. 
 Irvin was chosen housekeeper. After the installa- 
 tion services a lo\'e feast was prepared and all the 
 meml^ers, with the visiting l)rethren and their wives, 
 sat around the Lord's table and broke to each other 
 tlie manna of heaven. Only those who sat around that 
 table for the first time can tell of the joy of the soul. 
 The congregation was named after the creek in 
 which the first members were l)aptized. Twenty- 
 six in all were l)orn into this body of belie\'ers. 
 The oldest was eighty years old (ha\-ing Iseen a 
 member of the Mormons) and the voungest onlv 
 fifteen. All baptisms took place on the farm of 
 Brother Snyder. Besides the l)rethren already 
 named, wdio came to gi\'e spiritual nourishment, 
 the following named also gave the Belmont brethren 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 219 
 
 pastoral care: Gideon LloUingcr, lohn Mishler, John 
 Nicholson, Eli Yoder, Da\-id Ir\'in, Henry Jacobs, 
 George Kollar and John A\"ise, of Washington Coun- 
 ty, Pa. J. W. Beer came a second time from Penn- 
 sylvania to see how this new planting of the Gospel 
 was progressing. You will remem1)er that the Mc- 
 Mahon congregation was the lirst and only church 
 of the Brethren organized in Southeastern Ohio. 
 
 Brother and Sister Snyder, ha\-ing sold their farm, 
 moved to Ashland, Ohio, Apnl 4, 1880. This left 
 the infant church without a suitaljle place for meet- 
 ings ; a general exodus took place, and the last chap- 
 ter of that little volume of history, so beautifully 
 laegun, is closed. Not ended, for it still lives in 
 other parts of the Brotherhood., After Brother 
 Snyder's wife died at Ashland, Ohio, he sold out 
 and went to California. Pie is now eighty-one years 
 old and devotes all his time to church work. Brother 
 Daly, the first deacon of the McMahon Church, 
 went to Parsons, Kans., and from there to Arkansas. 
 He was zealous for the Lord as was Philip. There 
 being no congregation of the Brethren where he 
 moved, he refrained not from preaching tlie Gospel 
 and baptizing those who belie\'efl. Later the church 
 approved of his work. 
 
 BRISTOLVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 In the year 1837 or 1838, Mr. Henry Kagy, with 
 his family, moved from the Shenandoah Valley of 
 Virginia into what was then known as the " \\"est- 
 ern Reser\-e," where he located on a farm in Bristol- 
 ^'illc Township, Truml)ull County, Ohio. How 
 
220 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 many were in the party is not known, but among the 
 number was one (laughter named EHzabeth, who 
 had previously, while yet in Virginia, united with 
 the Brethren Church. She made the journey of 
 nearly 400 miles on horseback, and although now 
 isolated and away from the influences of the church, 
 "Aunt Betsey," as she was afterwards . called, re- 
 mained true to her profession, and became an im- 
 portant factor in the subseciuent work and organiza- 
 tion of the congregation. 
 
 Other families, bearing the names of Kagy, Barb, 
 Hoffman and others, soon followed and a small 
 community of A'irginians was established. The im- 
 portunity of this sister, who in the meantime had 
 married Isaac Barb, prevailed on the Brethren as 
 early as the sixties to come and hold some meetings. 
 Brethren Conrad Kahler, Lewis Glass and others 
 came to this settlement and preached the full Gos- 
 pel of salvation. By these efforts conversions were 
 effected which Ijecame the nucleus of the " Bristol- 
 ville Church." 
 
 But, as is usual under such circumstances, the 
 work progressed slowly. About this time Brother 
 John Strom, of sturdy Swiss descent, with his fam- 
 ily, mo\ed from the old " Sandy " Church, near 
 North Georgetown, Columbiana County. He be- 
 came a part of this community, and being a carpen- 
 ter by trade, was largely responsible for a house of 
 worship being" built — a " union " house, erected in 
 1868, which is still standing and is the present place 
 of worship. 
 
 In the year 1879, with nineteen members, an or- 
 ganizatiiin was elfet'ted, and ha\-ing no minister, the 
 
222 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ser\ices were conducted by ministers from the 
 Sandy, Canton and Mahoning Churches. During 
 one of the services an unusual sensation was created 
 in the neighborhood, which came about in the fol- 
 lowing manner : 
 
 An old, decrepit, helpless man, by the name of 
 Abraham Kagy, sorely afflicted with inflammatory 
 rheumatism, made application for membership. It 
 was accepted and arrangements were made for bap- 
 tism. The entire neighborhood was stirred, and ob- 
 jection was made that he would never stand such 
 an ordeal, the " would-be-wise " shaking their heads, 
 venturing to say, " He will come from the water a 
 corpse," " It will surely kill him." Notwithstand- 
 ing, preparations proceeded and Elders Conrad 
 Kahler and Lewis (Jlass carried him into the water 
 and baptized him without difficulty. Brother Kagy 
 came up from his baptism rejoicing, and lived his 
 allotment of days with peace in his soul. 
 
 The church grew and in 1881 reported twenty-six 
 members. Elder John Nicholson moved in and 
 took charge of the work. He thereby became the 
 only resident pastor the church ever had. The 
 membership increased to the probable number of 
 thirty-five, when the deplored 1882 division in the 
 Brotherhood occurred. Efforts for awhile ceased. 
 Deaths, removals and driftings occurred until in 
 1900 only ten members remained ; then two addi- 
 tions followed. Afterwards deaths and removals 
 occurred until eight remained. Later some have 
 moved in, plus a few by baptism, until there are at 
 present sixteen memliers, with meetings once a 
 month, the preaching being supplied from adj(iin- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 223 
 
 ing churches. Two of the brethren are in the dea- 
 con's office. A Sunday-school is being maintained, 
 using the Brethren's hterature. 
 
 Among those who have labored in this church are 
 the following: Elders Kahler, Glass, Garver, Shoe- 
 maker, Byers, P. J. Brown, D. N. Workman, S. 
 Sprankel, N. Longanecker and E. Loomis; Brethren 
 J. F. Kahler, J. Weirick, j. J, Hoover, Wm. Murray, 
 John Clement, D. M. Irvin and A. W. Harrold, who 
 is now elder in charge. Other elders in charge have 
 been P. J. Brown, J. Nicholson, D. N. ^^^orkman and 
 Ed. Loomis. 
 
 The church is dependent upon the District Mis- 
 sion Board and highly appreciates its help. 
 
 Efforts are being made to have a minister locate, 
 which is very much needed. Prospects for future 
 success augur well and it appears to be a promis- 
 ing field for mission efforts. While this body of 
 believers has ne\'er been very numerous, yet it has 
 kept the candle of faith burning, and has played its 
 part in a humble way to prepare young people to 
 do their very best in the larger world. Some few 
 of her members moved into other parts of the Broth- 
 erhood, and ably engaged themseh'es in the Master's 
 work. The Lord meets with little congregations as 
 promptly as He does with big ones. 
 
 FREEBURG. 
 
 Just across the western boundary of Columbiana 
 County, in Stark County, is the territory of the 
 Freeburg congregation. A commodious house of 
 worship ha^'ing been constructed some years before 
 
224 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 wliilc yet a part of the Sandy, near the village of 
 P'reeburg", it is the one place of worship with the 
 exception of some appointments filled at a school- 
 house known as Science Hill. 
 
 The time and manner of her birth is best related 
 by a resolution passed at a council of the " Sandy " 
 Church Aug. 17, 1901, with the proviso that a similar 
 resolution be adopted by the newly-created " Read- 
 ing " Church : " T(j whom this may concern in the 
 future, this is to certify that we, the German Baptist 
 Brethren Church, called the ' Sandy ' Church of 
 Northeastern Ohio, did, in council assembled on the 
 19th day of May, 1900, deem it best to divide the 
 congregation for the best interest of the church, 
 and on motion the following line was established 
 by a unanimous \'oice of the churches as follows : 
 All of the aforesaid congregation west of the Stark 
 and Columbiana County line to be called the ' Free- 
 burg ' congregation. Furthermore, be it resolved 
 that since the di\ision has been made, that we, the 
 mem])ers of the Freeburg congregation, do this 17th 
 day I if August, 1901, in council assembled, release 
 and con\-ey all of our right and title of all real 
 estate and church property east of aforesaid line, 
 to the Reading congregation. And we furthermore 
 agree that this resolution be signed by the old 
 trustees of the Sandy congregation, and by them so 
 doing, and a copy of these resolutions to be placed 
 on each church record, shall stand as a record that 
 there is no more a Sandy congregation." 
 
 Signed, 
 
 ■S. B. Stuckey, Moderator. 
 
 John R. Hoffman, Clerk. 
 
226 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Prior to the passage of the above resolution Elder 
 F. B. Weimer was elected to the oversight of the 
 church, the date gi\'en Nov. 24, 1900. He contin- 
 ued to look after the wants of the church until Nov. 
 26, 1904, when Elder Samuel Sprankel was called to 
 the oversight and is still serving in that capacity. 
 
 The church has accomplished much and is filling 
 her place among her sister churches of Northeastern 
 Ohio. Her membership in 1901 is given as 117, 
 and in examining her records we notice quite a 
 number of dismissals, due in part to the aggressive 
 work of the secret orders in that section. Among 
 the ministers assisting her are N. Longanecker, 
 John F. Kahler, R. R. Shroyer, \\^m. Bixler and 
 others. As the church thus launched out it enjoyed 
 the leadership of Simon Stuckey in the work of the 
 home ministry, ably assisted by his colaborer, M. 
 W. Elahn, of whom brief biographies are given in 
 the notes of " Sandy " Church. On May 25, 1901, 
 Brother D. F. Stuckey was called to the ministry, 
 and advanced to the second degree May 14, 1904. 
 He has, since his first installation, given his efforts 
 to the church and has filled her appointments \-ery 
 acceptably. Fie resides on a farm, is enthusiastic 
 in all his work and is faithfully ser\ing the church 
 in all her acti\'ities. 
 
 The names of the deacons, as found in her records, 
 are Samuel S. Stoufifer, Tobias Stuckey and Joseph 
 Shideler. The treasurer from the first has been 
 Emery Shideler, who still looks after her finances. 
 John R. Hofifman was elected church clerk in 1900 
 and was succeeded by H. E. StoufTer, who is the 
 present incumbent. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 227 
 
 The District Sunday-school convention was held 
 there June, 1903. The work of the church is well 
 supported by her members and especially by the 
 sisters, whose names are conspicuous upon her rec- 
 ords. A good work is being done, but " More 
 Work " is the motto, so that more may be accom- 
 plished for Christ and his Kingdom. 
 
 Elder Simon B. Stuckey. 
 1833-1904. 
 
 Brother Simon B. Stuckey, of Louisville, Ohio, 
 died Sept. 21, 1904, aged se\-enty-one years, four 
 months and twenty-six days. He was united in 
 marriage to Anna Summers April 24, 1856. To this 
 union were born three children, one of whom pre- 
 ceded him to the home beyond. He united with the 
 church in his youthful years and became an earnest 
 and devoted worker. In 1876 he was elected to the 
 ministry, and ordained to the full ministry May 26, 
 1901. He was not as fluent as some, yet in the spirit 
 of song he had few equals. Many times our audi- 
 ence was cheered and enthused by the help coming 
 through the great gift with which he was endowed. 
 He will be missed by hundreds of our dear brethren 
 and sisters in the Northeastern District of Ohio, 
 and especially in his home church where he was 
 elder for so many years. He was permitted to bap- 
 tize the majority of the members in his congregation 
 and officiated frequently at the marriage altar. He 
 was also called on to preach many funerals. 
 
 He was a member of a large family. His father, 
 Samuel Stuckey, when eleven years old mo\ed with 
 
228 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 his ])arents from Pennsyhania to Stark County, 
 Ohio. Many of our 1)rethren and sisters will read 
 with sadness these lines, but let us earnestly try to 
 meet in the beautiful home preijared for the children 
 of God. 
 
 Funeral serxices were conducted b\' Elder S. 
 
 8TMON B. STT'CKJ-n' AND WIFE 
 lJr(_ttliei' Stii('ke,\"'.'^ "was a si_'vyui- of .soni; for tin- IVlasU'r. 
 
 Sprankel and the writer. Fhe large, commodious 
 house at Freeburg, Ohio, was tilled A\ith brethren, 
 sisters and friends wh<i came to show their esteem 
 and mingle their tears with the nrnther and children. 
 Louisville, (Jhio, Sept. 29. J. F. Kahler. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 229 
 
 THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 
 AKRON, OHIO. 
 
 The ]\lissi(jn Boards of Northeastern Ohio have 
 been seeking for a number of years to locate in 
 cities. Ha\'ing visited a number, it seems the 
 Spirit finally led them to the city of Akron, having 
 a population of 69,000 people ; only 22,000 making 
 a profession at all, and 10,000 enrolled in the Sun- 
 day-schools. This seemed to l:ie a very needful lield 
 since a number of brethren and sisters migrated to 
 the city from country churches, which increased the 
 demand for church pri^'ileg■es and spiritual care and 
 keeping. 
 
 It seems that a num1)er of members in this city 
 had the true spirit in them, meeting in their own 
 homes for worship and calling in ministers occa- 
 sionally to give them spiritual nourishment. While 
 they were doing this they did not let the Mission 
 Board have rest until they decided to come and look 
 over the city and see what ])rospects could be dis- 
 covered that would indicate the leading of the Spirit. 
 Their findings were reported back to the District 
 Conferences, which gave prompt encouragement. 
 Thereupon the Board took up the work in earnest 
 and a canvass of the District was made in 1911 by 
 Brother G. A. Cassel, of Ashland, Ohio, under 
 whose direction and executi\'e ability the requisite 
 amount of funds was soon raised. 
 
 The steps leading up to the organizatii.m of this 
 church took tangible form on June 6, 1902, when 
 two members of the Mission Bciard, with several 
 members of the city, met at the home of Brother 
 
230 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 and Sister Hane for the purpose of organizing a 
 Bible study class. As a result of this little meeting, 
 which was replete with Bible reading, prayer and 
 interchanging of anxious wishes as touching the 
 church home, another meeting was appointed for 
 the following evening, June 7, to complete the or- 
 ganization of the class. At this meeting, Sister Sue 
 Dillman was chosen class leader. The private home 
 being inadequate to supply accommodations for the 
 class, later on a hall was rented on South Main 
 
 AKRON CHURCH. SUMMIT COUNTY 
 
 Street near Exchange. 'Jliis place not proving satis- 
 factory the class was discontinued after holding a 
 number of meetings ; whereupon the work was car- 
 ried on in the homes of the families again, but large- 
 ly in the home of Sister Phebe Smith. Many things 
 came in to hinder and discourage. The work was 
 finally dropped; however, the fire already kindled 
 could not be smothered out. 
 
 The Home Mission Board continued to make their 
 visits to this prospective field, to encourage the 
 members towards establishing a mission in the city. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 231 
 
 Workers were secured and a building rented, and 
 in the spring of 1909 the work was again set on 
 foot. It was a store room at 843 South Main Street, 
 on the corner of Main and Voris. On the first Sun- 
 day of April the Sunday-school was organized. 
 This building was leased for one year, and in the 
 meantime the Mission Board decided to purchase 
 the lot on which the present church Ijuilding was 
 erected. 
 
 This last effort proved to be very fruitful, result- 
 ing in the organization of the Mission Home, 807 
 Coburn Street, Sept. 8, 1910, from territory that 
 formerly belonged to the Springfield, West Nimi- 
 shillen and Chippewa Cliurches. Elders present 
 upon this organization were James Murray and 
 Samuel Sprankel. Fifty-eiglit charter members and 
 sixteen others who did not hold letters in the abo\-e- 
 named churches constituted the nucleus of the 
 church that has a large field and bright prospects of 
 accomplishing much for the enlargement of the 
 Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Officers of this church 
 are the following; James Murray as elder in charge 
 (now deceased), A. F. Shriver as pastor, William 
 Border and Simon Smith, deacons, Claude Murray, 
 clerk, Warren Kriner, treasurer, Harvey Kyle, Ed- 
 ward Shanafelt and \Villiam Border, trustees. 
 
 The Sunday-school seemed to be one of the chief 
 agents in giving encouragement to the organization 
 of the church. Its smallest attendance in the days 
 of rented rooms for services was nineteen ; before 
 the end of the year the average attendance was 
 sixty-four. Much credit for tliis growth should be 
 given to Brother and Sister Shively, Iva and Emma 
 
232 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Rohrer and Amanda Young, who did much personal 
 work in the homes, doing the Home Department 
 work and enhsting cliildrcn under Sunday-school 
 age to become members of the Cradle Roll. 
 
 This church now enjoys the pri\'ilege of worship- 
 ing in a home of her own, which was dedicated in 
 January, 1912. The building cost over $8,000 and 
 is well suited for the work that it is intended to ac- 
 complish. May this, the iirst tangible fruitage of 
 the Mission Board of Northeastern Ohio, throw an 
 inspiration to do like work in all the cities of the 
 entire District. 
 
 No one has done more praying f(.)r the success of 
 this work than Brother and Sister Shriver. Night 
 and day without ceasing they ha\-e been faithful 
 sentinels upon the walls of this new work. The 
 Akron proposition may be considered the first suc- 
 cessful city work of the District. 
 
 CANTON CITY. 
 
 A history of the Canton City Church dates back 
 to about the year 1850, then a part of the Canton 
 Center Church. Several families lived in Canton ; 
 among them might be named Goodenberger, Berger, 
 Snyder, Sprankel and others. Ser\'ices were held 
 at the appointed times in the Roland house in the 
 eastern end of the city — a union house. Conrad 
 Kahler, Josiah Keim and others did the preaching 
 for them as appointments were made. Services were 
 irregular and sometimes far apart. In 1887 John F. 
 Kahler, then lix'ing six miles northeast of Canton, 
 by request of the Canton members of the city and 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 233 
 
 the elder, Conrad Kahler, then li\ing in Canton 
 Center Church, took charge of the work. Services 
 were lield regularly e\'ery alternate Sunday. A 
 Sunday-.school wa.s .started in 1897, when J. F. 
 Kahler moved into the city. Sunday-school attend- 
 ance was from sixty to seventy and membership 
 from forty to fifty. When we say forty to fifty that 
 means in the city, a floating membership — they 
 come and go. At the time a good interest was 
 awakened, the members in the city cooperating with 
 the members in the country. The place of the 
 meetings was changed from the Roland house to a 
 more convenient one, the Bethel house on ICast 
 Tuscarawas Street. This house was owned by an- 
 other congregation, they having ser^•ices only as 
 their minister could come, and then only in the 
 afternoon on Sunday. So the Brethren had the i)ri\'- 
 ilege of using the house every Sunday morning and 
 evening. About this time Brother William Quinn 
 moved into Canton and assisted in the work both in 
 the city and country houses. Brother J. F. Kahler 
 had charge of the work in the city from 1887 to 1902, 
 having lived in the city only a part of that time. In 
 the year 1902 Brother E. S. Young moved from 
 North Manchester, Ind., into Canton. The District 
 and city were solicited to assist in Iniilding the 
 Canton Bible Institute building. It was hoped by 
 this means to ha\'e a permanent ])lace of worship. 
 Along with him came Brother Edson Ulery, who 
 also assisted in the preaching services. About the 
 year 190,i, at a council held in the Canton Center 
 Church, it ^vas decided to release that part of the 
 territory contained in the city of Canton, whereupon 
 
234 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the same became a mission of the Northeastern Dis- 
 trict of Ohio. The District supported the work in 
 part. Meetings were held in the Bethel house until 
 the chapel in the college building was ready to be 
 occupied. In 1904, the school being in progress, the 
 membership was increased and a good interest man- 
 ifested. About 1904 the Canton City Church was 
 
 CANTON CITY CHURCH, STARK COUNTY 
 
 organized and Brother E. S. Young was ordained 
 to the eldership. After about three years the church 
 ceased to be supported by the District. The Bible 
 School being disorganized in 1907, it became neces- 
 sary that some disposition of the school building 
 be made, and the same was sold by E. S. Young to 
 the city of Canton and is now used as the North 
 Canton High School. Tims Ijv this deal the Canton 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 235 
 
 City Church lost her place of worship. Faith will 
 not be defeated, hence a vacant dwelling-house of 
 six rooms, near the college building, was rented and 
 meetings and Sunday-school were held regularly. 
 In the spring of 1911 the church, feeling sorely the 
 need of a better place of worship, solicited among 
 her members, and $500 was raised to build a tem- 
 porary building. The size of this building was 
 forty-eight by thirty-six feet. The cut will show 
 the present building, the temporary tabernacle and 
 the Bible School building in the rear. The taber- 
 nacle, as it was called, answered the purpose well 
 in the summer months, but during the winter of 
 1912 the church met regularly and suffered much 
 during the cold weather. However, a regular at- 
 tendance in Sunday-school and preaching services 
 was maintained. In the spring of 1912 Howard 
 Helman moved to ^^'ooster. At the same time J. F. 
 Kahler moved into the city from the Redding 
 Church where he served as their pastor. In the fall 
 of 1912 Brother E. S. Young and family decided to 
 move to California. Letters were granted them and 
 the work was given into the hands of J- F. Kahler. 
 From September, 1912, to September, 1913, the 
 church increased in numbers and interest, the Sun- 
 day-school numbering from eighty-five to 100. Feel- 
 ing keenly the need of a permanent place of worship, 
 the church was again solicited. A considerable sum 
 of money was subscribed and an appeal to the Dis- 
 trict through the Home Mission Board was made 
 by the Canton City members. The same was con- 
 sidered by District Meeting, and the Home Mission 
 Board was instructed to cooperate with the Canton 
 
2M> CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 City nicnibers, tii gallier funds and lender assist- 
 ance. The organization of the Canton Cit}' church 
 at present is as follows : John F. Kahler, pastor and 
 elder; Conrad C. Bender, superintendent of Sunday- 
 school ; Elizabeth Sna\ely, superintendent of Prayer 
 Meeting Department : Robert L. Ehman, president 
 of Christian Workers' Meeting: trustees, Le\'i 
 
 
 
 mJ^ 
 
 :,-r ' V Z'\ ,.,^■., "••' 
 
 /,■' .' ^"^ ■'■■■■;,: 
 
 '. - ;;•;— ^ ^ ^^ ^„ _ ^^ 
 
 Temporary building in wl-iicli services were held before the 
 new cliurcliliouse was erected in the city of Canton. Tliis 
 structure was familiarly l<nown as the " tabernacle." Tlie 
 large building to the left was formerly the Bible Institute 
 and Canton College, now used as a citj- higli school. 
 
 Summers, C. S. Snyder and Cmirad C. Bender; dea- 
 cons, Ceorge Ci)Ughnour, C S. Snyder and \\ illiam 
 Lantz. 
 
 This little bit of history will show what triumphs 
 come to those who ha\'e a zeal for the cause of the 
 Master in human society. The city of Canton is a 
 great field and naturally more fruitful than any 
 other in the District. It enjoj's a national rei)ui 
 tion, due to tlie pul)lic spirited men who gave their 
 ]i\es for that wdiich they felt to be for the best in- 
 terests iif our great commonwealth. This asset the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 2o7 
 
 city enjoys will make clnircli \vni-k more fruitful 
 of good, because it is the general uplift idea in so- 
 ciety that helps a church into its larger possibilities. 
 The new churchhouse in the city of Canton is the 
 second one to be dedicated in the larger cities of 
 Northeastern Ohio. Brother W. D. Keller, of Ash- 
 land, preached the dedicatory sermon to a large 
 and interested audience. It is hoped that the tri- 
 umph of faith in the ^Vkron and Canton Cit}^ 
 Churches will soon rear, in the remaining large 
 cities of the District, edifices where precious souls 
 may find their supreme joy and be inspired to go 
 forth as concjuerors for the Master. 
 
 FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 
 ASHLAND, OHIO. 
 
 The Ashland City Church, which held its services 
 regularly in the college chapel, then owned by the 
 Church of the Brethren (German Baptist), was dis- 
 organized in 1882 and the city territory was re- 
 turned to the Ashland and Maple Grove Church- 
 es. The storm center of the division in the Broth- 
 erhood seemed to have gathered thickly in the 
 above-named congregation. Its seriousness is seen 
 when only two members (Elder I. D. Parker and 
 wife) stood up in council and signified their in- 
 tention to remain loyal to the main body of the 
 Brotherhood. A number of attempts were made in 
 later years, since quite a few members were mo\'- 
 ing into town, to reorganize the wiirk, but for the 
 want of sufficient encouragement all hopes were 
 blasted. Not till January of this year (1914) did 
 
238 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ASHLAND, OHIO 
 
 This church was purchased of the Evangelical people 
 
 In April, 1S14, by the Maple Grove and Ashland (Dickey) 
 
 churcties. Tlie building will he completely modernized 
 
 for Sunday-school and otlier religious services. When 
 
 completed the property will he worth from $15,000 to 
 
 $18,000, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 239 
 
 interest sufficiently focalize to call a meeting and 
 discuss the situation. About sixty members con- 
 vened in the home of Bro. (1, A. Cassel Jan. 9, and 
 there seemed to be such unanimity for a church 
 home for the Ashland city members that the neces- 
 sary committee was appointed to look into the ad- 
 visability of purchasing the Evangelical house of 
 worship, which was offered for sale. Their report 
 was submitted to the Ma]jle Grove and Ashland 
 (Dickey) Churches, and both encouraged the pur- 
 chase of the property if it could be gotten at a 
 reasonable price. 
 
 Not till the following April did the sellers and 
 buyers of the property come to an agreement. A 
 canvass of the churches was then made and in a 
 very few days was there money enough raised in 
 the two churches to buy the splendid property, 
 and quite a considerable more was given for im- 
 provements. The property is held jointly by the 
 two above-named congregations. 
 
 From this you will see that it has taken thirty- 
 two years for the members in Ashland to find a 
 place of worship which approximates only in a 
 measure what was lost in the heart-rending 1882 
 division in the Brotherhood. May this teach the 
 churches that it is their bounden duty to pull to- 
 gether rather than to pull apart. Also it shows 
 what can be done by two wide-awake congregations 
 when once they have put themselves to it. They 
 saw that the members residing in the city needed a 
 place of worship, that it was a very promising field, 
 that they were able to make it go, and by thus doing 
 they would increase the spiritual power of the 
 
240 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 helping congregations. More sermons would be 
 preached, more songs sung, more scriptures read, 
 more Sunday-school teachers, officers and scholars 
 would ]je at work, more pastoral work would be 
 done, and more souls saved. Don't you think this 
 would be a sufficient excuse for church extension? 
 
 The sisters of the city are doing excellent Aid 
 Society work. They in fact are the prime movers 
 in the work, not only in personal visitations, but 
 in those material helpfulnesses that tend to call the 
 minds of those who may be careless to the lofty 
 source of all their help. 
 
 Steps are already taken to install improvements 
 for communion and Sunday-school purposes. AVhen 
 once completed, another citadel of faith will have 
 l)een established to increase the services of the 
 Church of the Brethren in Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING OF 1822. 
 
 The incidents of this very remarkable Conference 
 seem well sealed up in the archives of the dead. 
 Those who now live, who were in some measure 
 connected in time with those who were the bone 
 and sinew of th(jse pioneer days when the faith of 
 the Brethren was taking root in the then western 
 soil, have \'ery faint memories of the fireside de- 
 scriptions of those who were in attendance. Per- 
 haps all that is of vital consequence has come on 
 down the road of time and has unconsciouslv woven 
 itself into the life of the present. 
 
 The 1822 Annual Meeting ^\'as the first General 
 Conference held west of the Allegheny Mountains. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 241 
 
 Tlie decisi(jn ni the |)rc\'iiius Cnnlercncc to Imld this 
 one in the then far west meant more to them, in 
 any way you ma_v wish to \-iew it, than when it was 
 finally decided to hold our first Conference on the 
 Pacific Coast at Los Angeles in 1907. It was a big 
 undertaking, l)ut there were interests of such mo- 
 ment, and the stream of emigration to the new coun- 
 try was so constant and considerable, that it was 
 finally decided to follow up the " go west " spirit 
 with a wholesome Annual Meeting, that proper pro- 
 tection and inspiration might ccime to those trans- 
 plantings from the eastern slopes. 
 
 This meeting was held about seven or eight miles 
 northeast of the city of Canton, at the home of a 
 brother by the name of Brown. To find the place 
 of the meeting was no easy matter, even for those 
 who were fairly well accjuainted with the country, 
 but for those from a distance it required much pa- 
 tience and perseverance. The roads in those days 
 followed the paths of least resistance, and in order 
 that the tra\-eler might not get lost in his journeys 
 from place to place, trees which stood out prom- 
 inently were blazed, so that the weary pedestrian 
 might know that he was mi the main line nf trax-el. 
 Walking and horse1)ack riding were the principal 
 means of transportation to this Conference. 
 
 The Conference Year Book shows that many vital 
 questions were up for consideration, which shows 
 that there was an earnest contending for a faithful 
 and pure church, and a freedom from the follies of 
 the world. 
 
 The fdllowing are some of the f|uesti(ins discussed, 
 
242 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN • 
 
 Irum which yuu can catch the spirit uf tlie Brother- 
 hood of th(.)se (hiys : 
 
 Members \vh(j were dismissed from the church 
 should be held in avoidance, that is, no dealings 
 should be had with them at all, not e\'en to eat with 
 them at a common meal. 
 
 A special regard was held for elders, elderly mem- 
 bers and any sufifering from bodily infirmities. 
 
 Interest should not be taken from brethren. 
 
 Any traffic in licjuors was placed under the ban. 
 
 Any living in adultery could not be received into 
 the church. 
 
 Brethren were admonished against going to law 
 under any circumstances. 
 
 Brethren could not assign their property to an- 
 other for the purpose of defrauding. 
 
 The use of tobacco was considered a sinful habit. 
 
 Peace and harmony were the golden gems sought 
 in all the deliberations. Read the following queries 
 and weigh their worth: 
 
 1822. 
 
 At the Yearly Meeting in Ohio, 1822, the cpiestion 
 was presented, whether such as were not members 
 could be present in our church councils. Consid- 
 ered, as it was at all times considered, that it could 
 not be allowed. 
 
 How shall the church conduct itself toward those 
 members that ha\-e been separated from the church? 
 Considered, first, when a member is separated from 
 the church as far as from the kiss, breaking of bread, 
 and church council, such ought to be diligently 
 exhorted according to the evidence of the apostle, 
 but could not be called a brother. But when such 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 243 
 
 would nut rcceixe the admonitiuii of love, and 
 should fall into more grievous sins, the churcli has 
 to put them in avoidance, and ha\'e no company 
 with them, according to the word of the apostle. 
 
 Whether a brother might be set forward to bap- 
 tize and break bread who does not wear his beard? 
 It was considered, that according to the image of 
 Cjod (in which man was created), and according to 
 the image of Christ, we ought to (leave our beard 
 undisturbed orj wear our beard (at least in part), 
 and that no brother should be so far advanced wdio 
 could not deny himself in this matter. 
 
 How far should a brother keep house without 
 counseling the church, or members without counsel- 
 ing the housekeeper? It was considered, that the 
 brother who is housekeeper should always act in 
 concert with the church, especially with his co- 
 laborers in the church, and just so his colaborers 
 should always counsel with their brother, and a 
 private brother should not undertake to teach or 
 serve until the church calls him to it. 
 
 Whether we might have two tables at love feast, 
 and also at other meetings ; that is, whether mem- 
 bers might prepare something warm for the old 
 brethren, and also elderly and weakly members, be- 
 sides what is served up for all in general. It was 
 considered, that members should be at perfect lib- 
 erty to show their love toward their old brethren or 
 weakly members, to set l)efore them what they like : 
 yet we would counsel in love that no bad distinction 
 is made, so that friends and well-wishers are pre- 
 ferred to those who are weakly. 
 
 Concerning breaking up in the morning after love 
 
244 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 feast, it was considered llial meniliers and their chil- 
 dren, who sta}' till morning', should not separate and 
 leave until prayer and thanksgiving unto ( iod is made. 
 
 AVith regard to distilleries (held or carried on by 
 members of the church), it was again testified that 
 it could not be permitted. 
 
 If a brother has a vendue, and gi\-es freely strong 
 drink, how is it considered ? It was considered that 
 no brother should give strong drink at his sale. 
 
 With regard to persons who Ii\'e in adultery, it 
 was considered that they could not be received into 
 the church as long as they li\-ed in such condition. 
 
 A\'hen a member is put in a\ijidance, how far is 
 his companion in wedlock to be held as a member? 
 It was considered that she may be held as a mem- 
 ber, yet so as not to break the bread of communion. 
 
 Whether a brother may take the liberty to go on 
 the muster ground or take part in the festivities of 
 Independence Da_y? Considered that no brother 
 should take the liberty to go to such p)lace. 
 
 A\'hether it is right for a brother to take the bene- 
 fit of the law? Considered that wdien a brother is 
 so imprudent that he falls under the power of the 
 law, he is not to ha^-e prixilege to take the benefit 
 of the law, but to seek counsel from the clnu-ch. 
 Yet it would be always best to seek counsel before 
 a member comes so far. 
 
 How is it \-iewed wdien a brother assigns his prop- 
 erty to another, wdth a ^■iew to defraud his neigh- 
 bors (creditors) ? It is considered that we cannot 
 hold them in fellowship. 
 
 AVhether it be right for a f()ll(n\'cr ni Jesus to 
 take interest? Considered that neither the law- nor 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 245 
 
 the (jdspel gi\es us such privilege, and that it sliould 
 nut be auKjiig the membership. 
 
 How is it considered, when members will not 
 heed the counsel of love of the brethren, with regard 
 to conforming to the world in clothing, etc.? It was 
 considered, for the third time in the Great Council, 
 that when a member has been admonished in love 
 once and again, we would not break bread with such. 
 But at this meeting it has been considered that 
 when they will not receive counsel in love, we could 
 not hold such mendjer in fellowship according to 
 the Gospel. ^Vlso such who permit those high 
 fashions in their children who are yet under their 
 control, and especially the bishops and ministers in 
 the church, should be examples of the flock. 
 
 Concerning the form or proposing oaths in order 
 to save one's conscience for the Gospel's sake, 
 whether we could answer with yea such a form, 
 "And this you do under the pains and penalties of 
 perjury?" It was considered, if a brother were 
 grieved herein, let him counsel whether there was 
 no other form for us. 
 
 AVhether a brother might serve in a worldly of- 
 hce or as a juryman. Considered that no follower 
 of Jesus can ser^'e in such, and if he could get re- 
 lieved with money (by paying a fine), he should 
 not serve therein. 
 
 Concerning the abuse of tobacco. This has been 
 1)efore the meeting already, and was always con- 
 sidered a shamefully bad habit (German, Untugend), 
 and everjrthing bad. says the apostle, is sin, and sin de- 
 fileth the body; and another ai)ostIe says, that your 
 bodies, together with soul and spirit, shall be holy. 
 
246 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 1834 ANNUAL MEETING. 
 
 This meeting was held one mile west of Freeburg, 
 Ohio, on the farm then owned by Elder Elias Dick- 
 ey, Stark County. The 1854 Annual Meeting was 
 also held on the farm of Elder Elias Dickey, then in 
 Ashland County. From this Brother Dickey be- 
 came twice honored and blessed. 
 
 The reader will note that this is the second An- 
 nual Meeting held within the territory of North- 
 eastern Ohio. A barn was sufficiently large then for 
 the auditorium. The people who attended were fed 
 and lodged free. Hospitality was an overflow to 
 both members and those who were not. The pri- 
 vate conveyance, and other simple means of travel 
 were improvised to make the journey. It was the 
 annual pilgrimage for many then as it is now to 
 meet in a great gathering, to join prayers, songs 
 and discussions on vital questions that the Church 
 of the Brethren may be kept unspotted from the 
 world, and that the unity of the faith might be kept. 
 A sacred past was to be preserved and an uncertain 
 future was to be fortified against, hence the faith 
 that overcame every obstacle that the Brethren 
 might come together in order that the work of God 
 on earth might be properly taken care of. 
 
 Since there were but few railroad facilities to 
 accommodate those members who were at a consid- 
 erable distance from the place of the meetings, the 
 business of the Conferences was largely discussed 
 and acted upon by local talent. C)n account of this 
 we give a gist of the Minutes of the Annual Meet- 
 ings held within the District, for they are an expres- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 247 
 
 sion in a large measure of the membership residing 
 in Northeastern ( )hio and not till some time later 
 was the \'oting confinefl to the delegate body, when 
 transportation facilities afforded a more represent- 
 ative attendance at our Annual Meetings. 
 
 The following is a brief summary of what the 
 faith, hope and lo\-e of the 1834 Annual Meeting 
 produced for the Brotherhood: 
 
 It was not considered prudent to sing while the 
 bread was being broken at communion occasions, 
 but quite proper while the cup was being passed. 
 
 Work on Sundays was considered cjuite out of 
 place, and a strong exhortation was given to keep 
 the day in stillness and in the fear of the Lord. 
 
 As to whether interest should be taken of a 
 brother, the sentiment was somewhat divided, but 
 it finally prevailed that we should be willing to 
 lend to the poor without interest. 
 
 Whether a person could be received into the 
 church who had been immersed once backward 
 without baptizing him again. It was considered, 
 though it had been done before, it was best and 
 the safest way to baptize them right, and here- 
 after it should not be done otherwise. 
 
 Whether a minister could be given a certificate 
 from one congregation to another without paying 
 his debts. In this case special advice was given, 
 but not noted. 
 
 A ministering brother being appointed as an ex- 
 ecutor of an estate cannot use the law without first 
 counselling with the church. 
 
 Concerning political offices, it was considered that 
 
248 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 lirctlircii shijuld kce^) thenisehes clean uf them as 
 much as possible. 
 
 Concerning high and fashionable clothing and 
 conformity to the world, it was considered a great 
 e\"il and should not be tolerated in the church. 
 
 It was considered proper for nnordained Ijrethren 
 to administer the communion when ordained breth- 
 ren are present. He should always ha\'e older ones 
 with him to assist in the work. 
 
 Whether a brother could ser\e on a jury when a 
 man is tried for his life. Considered that it can not 
 be done at all. (Note. — This shows that the Breth- 
 ren were oi)posed to capital punishment.) 
 
 Should a minister transgress and be relie\'ed i>f 
 his office, and membership, when he is reinstated he 
 may or may not be restored to his office, it all de- 
 pending upon the gravity of the case. 
 
 Concerning a sister preaching, it was disappro^'ed 
 on the ground that she would expose herself to 
 temptation, and cause discord and disputes among 
 other members. 
 
 By a careful study of the foregoing it can be easily 
 seen that the Brethren on Northeastern C)hio soil 
 were \ ery jealous of the purity and holiness of the 
 membership ; that untried methods of church work 
 should be recei\'ed ^\'ith caution, and that there 
 should be a distinct line drawn between the church 
 and the world. 
 
 After the last prayer was dffered and h_ymn sung, 
 lo\-ing good-byes were said, and the homeward 
 journey was taken, feeling that the}- had been in a 
 hea^'enly jjlace, and had drunk- deep from the ever- 
 lastincT fountains of eternal life. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 249 
 
 THE 1843 ANNUAL MEETING 
 Held Within the Bounds of the Mohican Church, Wayne 
 County. 
 
 This Conference was held on the farm of Elder 
 John Shoemaker, one mile southwest of where the 
 churchhotise now stands. The business sessions 
 were held in a big' barn forty-fi\-e by eighty feet. 
 The iVnnual iMeetings at that time were held liefore 
 Pentecost. The reader will remember that no rail- 
 
 BARN RI';P1..\CTNG THE ONE THE 3 8 13 ANNTAL 
 MEKTING WAS HELD IN 
 
 roads pierced this section of the countr_v, and but 
 very few within the State. Hence, pri\'ate convey- 
 ance was the only mode of travel ; many walked 
 great distances to the meeting. C)ur chronicler in- 
 forms us that those more remote from the place 
 of meeting started from their homes as much as ten 
 or tweh'e days before the time of the opening of the 
 Crjnference, that tliey might be there on tiine. This 
 
250 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 looks like Christian zeal, does it not? You will 
 remember that it took as long to go home as it 
 (lid in coming to the meeting. As was the custom 
 in those days, all the horses were turned out into a 
 held to graze while the meetings continued. The 
 attendance at the Conference was ^■ery large, and 
 on Sunday, to accommodate the people, preaching 
 services were held at three different places on the 
 
 RESIDENCE WHERE THE 184.5 ANNUAL MEETING WAS 
 
 HELD 
 
 The original hoii.se Avas destroyed. 
 
 farm: at the barn, the house, and in the orchard. 
 Brother Troxel, now eighty-five years old, states 
 that there seemed to be ncj end to the crowd of peo- 
 ple, and that he never saw so many horses together 
 at one time. 
 
 At the close of the meeting a lo\-e feast was held 
 where all the brethren and sisters from all parts of 
 the Brotherhood would participate, thus binding 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 251 
 
 more closely fraternal ties, with the hope that the 
 good Lord might give them many more like occa- 
 sions to consecrate their Ii\es anew for the Master's 
 use. Camp fires, and wells of living waters like 
 those that were had at the 1843 Annual Meeting, 
 played no small part in the further development of 
 the church. 
 
 An incident occurred at this Conference that will 
 be read with interest. On account of the big crowd 
 at the meeting, some hucksters from Wooster, think- 
 ing that this would be a good place to sell eatables 
 and liquor, pitched their tents a short distance from 
 the meeting grounds. As soon as it was known that 
 they were there selling liquor, some of the young 
 men of the community, not members of any church, 
 protested and ordered the traffickers in liquors to 
 leave the community. They, seeing that these young 
 men meant business, obeyed orders. This speaks 
 well for the kind of young men they raised in that 
 community, and the respect they had for meetings 
 of this kind. 
 
 Business of the meeting: 
 
 Annual Meeting Minutes. 
 
 When a large church, by common consent, has 
 been divided into several districts, and in one of 
 these districts it is found necessary to hold an 
 election for teachers and deacons, whether the mem- 
 bers of such district alone are entitled to vote, or 
 whether the members of the other districts have a 
 right to vote also? Considered that when such a di- 
 vision takes place by common consent, fur the great- 
 
252 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 er com cnicnce ol menibers and of meetings, we un- 
 derstand it that henceforth these several districts 
 are to form so many particular churches, though 
 the}' may be under the superintendence of but one 
 bishop, and that, consequently, when one of these 
 districts, or one of these particular churches, stands 
 in need of laborers and has to hold an election, it 
 would be as improper for the members of the other 
 districts to ^•ote at such an election as it would be 
 for members of other churches that never formed a 
 part of the old and large district. In case there 
 were no express word for such things, we think we 
 may safely follow the apostle Paul, when he says 
 (1 Cor. 11 : 14) : " Doth not nature itself teach you " 
 what is proper? 
 
 How it might be considered when, at an election 
 for teachers and deacons, absent members do send 
 their votes with other members? Considered that 
 since the promise of our Savior is given, " Where 
 two or three are gathered together in my name, 
 there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18: 20), 
 in such important church affairs this promise be- 
 longs only to those that are assembled, and not to 
 those that are absent; the Brethren generally lia\e 
 acted upon that ground, and not taken any vote 
 from absent members. 
 
 Is it agreeable with the Word of God for a deacon 
 (visiting brother) to stand up in public meeting and 
 exhort, when sufficient time has 1)een spent already? 
 Considered that, according to the Word of God, " all 
 things should be done decently and in order " : and 
 as teachirTg is the joroper office of the teachers, and 
 not (if the deacons, they ought not to go anv further 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 25o 
 
 than their caUiny re(iuires them, \\'here it is not 
 necessary, and it would not be advisable for a teach- 
 er to urge them (the deacons) any further than duty 
 calls them. 
 
 Whether the ordination of a brother can be frus- 
 trated, when the whole church is united on the suli- 
 ject, with the exception of one or a few members? 
 Considered that in case the ordination of a brother 
 is judged as necessary and proper by the church, 
 and the ordained brethren from a distance, and 
 there could be no weighty objection made by those 
 that are of another opinion in this matter, they 
 ought to accjuiesce in it, and the ordination might 
 go on according to the desire of the church. 
 
 Whether a teacher has a right, in his exhortation 
 to prayer, to gi\-e liberty to those wdio do not 
 choose to bow down with us, to rise up in prayer? 
 Considered that we are to exhort our hearers to hu- 
 mility in prayer, and as is generally the case, to 
 bow down on our knees ; but where there is no 
 room, or where the ground does not permit kneeling, 
 the brethren could see no wrong in permitting in 
 such, or another case of necessity, to rise to their 
 feet in prayer. 
 
 How is it considered, when one teacher commonly 
 consumes as much time as two, three and four hours 
 in one meeting, speaking continually? The unani- 
 mous opinion of the brethren was, that inasmuch as 
 God is a God of order, and such long-continued dis- 
 courses must needs be fatiguing, both to the teacher 
 and the hearers, cause disorder and deprive other 
 teachers of the opportunity to speak, to the edifi- 
 cation "f the church, this conduct is out uf all order. 
 
254 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 and ought not to be, and it would always be best not 
 to prolong our meetings beyond the usual time. 
 
 Whether a brother may refuse the kiss to a broth- 
 er who has committed a fault — for instance, getting 
 intoxicated — ere he has been brought and judged 
 before the council of the church ? Considered that 
 though a member could not be required to salute 
 a brother with the kiss while in the state of intoxi- 
 cation, it is still our duty, first, to tell the fault to 
 the church, and to await its decision, before we 
 withdraw ourselves from a member. 
 
 Whether members may take the liberty to go to 
 prayer meetings, etc., of other persuasions, to take 
 part in them, and to permit and invite ministers of 
 other persuasions to hold meetings in their (the 
 members') own houses? Considered that as we 
 have come into very perilous times, according to 
 the Word of our Savior (Matt. 24: 22-26), and of 
 his apostles (1 Tim. 4, and 2 Peter 2, etc.), and we 
 therefore have the greatest reason to be seriously 
 on our guard ; that prayer is an important part of 
 worship, which must be performed in spirit and in 
 truth, in order to be pleasing in the sight of God : 
 that consequently true inward union in prayer with 
 such that are not in one spirit and in the same truth 
 with us cannot be thought of; that, under these con- 
 siderations, it would be the safest course not to go 
 to such places, nor to take part in such exercises, 
 much less to invite or to receive teachers of whom 
 we may know beforehand that they will not bring 
 the whole apostolic doctrine, in order to hold meet- 
 ings in our houses. 2 John 10. 
 
 Whether a brother is put int(i ax'oidance, accord- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 255 
 
 ing to the wurds of Paul (1 Cor. 5), and his wife 
 and children, being members in the church, have 
 company with him, as it happens in a family, how 
 the church has to treat them, or whether there is a 
 difference between the wife and the children, who 
 are yet under the lawful age ; and how we are to 
 do when there is a difference of opinion about the 
 withdrawing of the hand from those that are in 
 avoidance? Considered, though we are always truly 
 sorry when such a case occurs, where we must put 
 a member into a\'oidance, and feel sincere compas- 
 sion for those that suffer immediately under it, yet 
 we cannot set aside this apostolic ordinance, and 
 do really believe that the more strictly it is observed 
 by all the members, and especially by the nearest 
 relations, the more powerful it would operate to 
 the salvation of the fallen member; but in case a 
 wife could not withdraw from fellowship with the 
 husband to be avoided, it was always considered 
 that such a member could not break the bread of 
 communion while so doing, and we do conceive that 
 children are in the same predicament, either to with- 
 draw fellowship with the parent in a-\'oidance or 
 not to break bread ; and in regard to withdrawing 
 the hand, it was considered that when the church 
 concludes to withdraw e\'en the hand, the members 
 should all unite in observing the same. 
 
 Standing Committee. 
 George Hoke, John Brower, John Hart, George 
 Shively, Henry Metzger, Joseph Showalter, Isaac 
 Beery, John Cable, Daniel Miller, John Shoemaker, 
 Tames Tracey, J-Ienry Kurtz. 
 
256 
 
 CHURCH OP THE BRETHREN 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING OF 1848. 
 
 It was on the 10th of June that the Brethren 
 asseml^led from the four winds in their Yearly 
 Meeting, as it was famiharly known. It was held 
 at the home of Brother Jacob Kurtz, five miles 
 
 DWELLING WHERE THE 1848 ANNUAL MEETING WAS 
 . HELD 
 
 s(.mth\vest of Orr\'ille, Ohio, in Wayne County, now 
 ill the hounds of the Wooster Church, 
 
 I'uhhc worship was conducted over Saturday and 
 Sunday, and the l)usiness sessions were convened 
 on Monday following. It is stated that the attend- 
 ance was cj,uite large, considering the difficulties of 
 trax-el in those days, since there were no railroads 
 in that i)art of the State. Besides those who came 
 to the meeting afoot and horseback, there were not 
 a few wh(j traveled in co\-ered wagons, which were 
 so ef|uii)]ied with food, cooking utensils and bedding 
 that thcv made them their homes while attending 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 l^/ 
 
 the meeting. The horses were all turned into a 
 twelve-acre field to make friends the best they 
 could, and for grazing. The local church entertain- 
 ing the meeting placed itself at the service of 
 the big crowd of people, lodging and boarding them 
 free of charge. Some few huckster wagons staked 
 
 THK BARN ]N WHICH THE 1S4S ANNUAL MEETING WAS 
 HELD 
 
 Located on the farm of Brother Jacrib Kurtz. Wa>'ne 
 C'oilnt.N', Ohio, witliin tlie territory of tlio Cliippewa Cluirch. 
 about .six miles soutlrwest of Orr\'iIle. 
 
 down along the lane leading to the place of meeting, 
 and relie\'ed the feeding situation somewhat by 
 furnishing lunches at a nominal cost. 
 
 The accompanying picture is the house, standing as 
 it was at the time of the meeting. It is twenty-eight 
 by forty feet, being built purposely for church serv- 
 ices. A kitchen ten feet wide is built to the west side. 
 The balance of the house, twenty-eight by thirty feet, 
 was devoted to church services, having a portable 
 partition through the center, as a convenience for 
 
23X CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 family use when iujI needed fi_ir public worship. 
 
 The house was preserved in its original architec- 
 ture till in 1907, when it underwent extensive re- 
 modeling on the inside. 
 
 It was at this Conference that a change was made 
 in holding the business sessions after Pentecost in- 
 stead of Ijefore. Reijresentation by delegates from 
 the various churches was here inaugurated. 
 
 At the parting meal Wednesday noon, it was pro- 
 posed and heartily responded to by all, to recom- 
 mend every Monday of all future Annual Meetings 
 as a day of general fasting and prayer. As you 
 read the following queries and their answers you 
 will be impressed how careful the Brethren were 
 to keep unspotted from the world, to live closer to 
 the teachings of the Master, and keep peace and har- 
 mony among the members. After singing and 
 prayer, the meeting was adjourned. The adjourn- 
 ment was only a prelude to the most tender and 
 jieart-searching part of the occasion, wdien the good- 
 byes were said, and the salutations of love were 
 planted, and the " (lod bless you and keep you '' was 
 uttered. Under some such showering of divine grace 
 the homeward journey was resumed, and in some 
 cases scA'eral weeks were recjuired before the old 
 home could be reached, and the loved ones who 
 were left in charge could be comforted in their long 
 and anxious waiting for their retvn-n. But they were 
 Sdon made to feel that their sacrifice of time and 
 niiiney was worth while \vhen the trip, the meetings, 
 the ])C()|)le and innumerable incidents were related 
 t(i litem. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 259 
 
 The following is some of the business that alj- 
 sorbed the attention of those in attendance, because 
 they had a faith to strengthen and a hope to bright- 
 en : 
 
 Annual Meeting Minutes. 
 
 Considered that this Yearly Meeting is as anxious 
 and unanimous in the desire of f(jllowing in the 
 track of the apostles (iVcts 15j as our belox'ed breth- 
 ren were eleven 3'ears ago, at the Yearly Meeting in 
 1837. We find, however, by experience, that the 
 change of the time of holding the council after pub- 
 lic meeting does work well — remo\'ing fr(im us the 
 great crowd of strangers. \\'e are also satisfied that 
 the sending of delegates or messengers from all the 
 churches is necessary and proper, as also that all 
 the elders, who come to us, ought to be members 
 of the meeting, whether sent or not. But, as to vot- 
 ing, we hold that it will be best to aim always at 
 unanimity, and dispose of business as hitherto. 
 Should the meeting not be able to agree on any one 
 point, let it be postponed to a future meeting. In 
 addition it was proposed that all the churches should 
 be admonished to use every diligence in sending, 
 every year, two delegates, or at all events, one, to 
 the Yearly Meeting. The abo\'e was unanimously 
 ado])ted. 
 
 Lastly, at the ])arting meal, A\^ednesday noon, it 
 was proposed and heartily responded to by all, to 
 recommend every Monday of our future Annual 
 Meetings as a day of general fasting and prayer, 
 not only ti) the members that may be gathered at the 
 place of meeting, but to all the members in every 
 
2o0 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 part of the Lord's vineyard, who yet desire to be 
 faithful, and to see all the household of faith con- 
 tinue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and in 
 fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. 
 
 Would it not be more consistent with the sim- 
 plicity of the Gospel ncit to use the word " dele- 
 gate " or " representati\e " in the Minutes? Con- 
 sidered, that as words convey ideas, we should use 
 such as shall l)est answer that purpose. 
 
 Ought not those queries which stand upon the 
 Minutes of 1846, and were considered and decided 
 by the elders in private committee, instead of public 
 council, be repealed? The fact was stated, by im- 
 partial witnesses, that the Council Meeting was 
 broken up prematurely, on account of the multitude 
 gathering in on Saturday, so that the elders had to 
 adjourn to a private room, in order that they might 
 give, as they were requested, their sense on queries 
 yet on docket. These queries were read, with the 
 answers given, before this Yearly Meeting, and all 
 were appro^'ed of, almost without a dissenting voice. 
 
 With regard to the printing of the Minutes of 
 the Yearly Meetings, it was concluded to have as 
 many printed, as to supply each church with two 
 copies, but that on no condition should they be sold 
 to such as are not members. 
 
 How is it considered when a part, say a minority, 
 of a church disowns the other part, or a majority of 
 the members, without taking a legal or Scriptural 
 course, and without gi\ing a legal notice to the body 
 of the church, and not showing or informing the 
 disowned member wherein they transgressed? 
 
 (The difficulties in this case occupied the greater 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 201 
 
 part of Monday and Tuesday, and lastly were post- 
 poned for decision until Wednesday morning.) 
 
 Is it right to admit, or invite, those who do not 
 belong to our church, iiito our council meetings? 
 Considered that it is not proper to admit, into our 
 council meetings, any person who is not a memlser 
 of the church. 
 
 About the laying on of hands on deacons, it was 
 unanimously considered, to postpone the discussing 
 of this subject indefinitely, until there is reason to 
 hope that it may be done calmly, and without prej- 
 udice. 
 
 AVhether the brethren in Annual Meeting could 
 not adopt a plan, that small churches, which seem 
 to be on a decline, could l)e better attended to? 
 Considered that such churches should call on the 
 neighboring churches, and these should attend to 
 them ; moreover, it is the achdce of this Yearly 
 Meeting, that every ordained Ijrother ought faith- 
 fully to perform his duty in this respect. 
 
 Whether a private brother has a right to speak 
 in public meeting? Considered, that, inasmuch as 
 there is a way appointed in the Gospel to enter into 
 the ministry, those who feel an inward desire or 
 call to preach, should patiently wait until the church 
 sees fit to appoint them to the public ministry. 
 
 \\diether we should gixe lilierty to jjrcachers of 
 other denominations to speak in our stated meet- 
 ings? Considered that it woukl not he allowed, ac- 
 cording to the Gospel. (See 2 John 9, 10.) 
 
 Can it be considered iirudent or profitaljle, for 
 members to frecjuent camp-meetings, or protracted 
 
2o2 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 meetings, from time to time? Unanimously con- 
 sidered not to be profitable for members to do so. 
 
 Can we recei\'e a member into the church by bap- 
 tism without a confession ; and if not, what is that 
 confession to be? Considered that we cannot re- 
 cei\'e a member into the church by baptism without 
 a confession. 
 
 Ought we to receive any person into the church 
 without baptism, ha\'ing Ijeen baptized by any other 
 order of people? Considered that this Yearly Meet- 
 ing advise to be very careful in this matter and give 
 it, as their unanimous conclusion, that it would be 
 better to admit no person into the church without 
 first being baptized by the Brethren. 
 
 Is tlie Lord's Supper observed by the Brethren 
 according to the Gospel, or does the Gospel recjuire 
 a supper in holding communion meetings? Con- 
 sidered that we have ample testimony in the Gospel 
 to enable us to conclude that a supper was eaten by 
 the Savior and his disciples in the same night he 
 instituted the communion. And the Apostle Paul, 
 after reproving the brethren at Corinth for their dis- 
 order, in observing the supper and speaking of it 
 as the Lord's Supper, expressly declares that he had 
 received from the Lord what he had delivered unto 
 them, telling them how to observe it in proper 
 order. 
 
 AVhether the Scriptures require that women, pray- 
 ing or prophesying, should ha\e any other covering 
 than the hair, and whether it includes alike married 
 and unmarried women? Considered, unanimouslv, 
 that they all should lun-e a co\ering on their heads. 
 
 If a sister marries a man, and gets to know, after- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 263 
 
 ward, that he had ah-eady a wife, and she immedi- 
 ately forsakes him, has she the liberty to get mar- 
 ried to another man, wiiile the first man is yet liv- 
 ing? Considered that we submit the case to her 
 own judgment, and advise her that she should, in 
 future, be cautious and take counsel of the church. 
 
 Whether brethren, and especially teachers, can, 
 consistentl}^ with the Gospel and our holy profes- 
 sion, attach themselves to the Freemasons, and the 
 society popularly called the S(_)ns of Temperance, 
 and if not consistent, how is the church to proceed 
 in such a case? The brethren have always l3elie\'ed, 
 and do still belie\-e, that it is not only unljecoming 
 and wrong, but highly dangerous, for brethren to 
 attach themselves to such secret societies, or any as- 
 sociation of this world, and if they should do so, 
 they should l)e \'isited in love (as the ad\ice was 
 forty-four years ago, in a Yearly Meeting at Pipe 
 Creek), and admonished to ^\'ithdraw themseh'es 
 from such. 
 
 How would it be considered if a man be put in the 
 county prison for safe keeping until court, and a 
 brother goes his security for appearance, and re- 
 leases him out of prison? Considered that a brother 
 ought not to meddle with such matters without 
 church counsel. 
 
 Standing Committee. 
 
 Geo. Hoke, Joseph ("lerber, John Hart, Henry 
 
 Kurtz, Philip Boyle, Peter Nead, John Kline, 
 
 , James H. Tracey, Michael Moyer, John 
 
 Metzger, John Molsbaugh, George Shi\'ely, Jos. 
 Showalter, Ben. Bowman, John Shoemaker, George 
 
204 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Rairigh, John H. Umstad, Jacob Meyer, 
 
 , David Shoemaker, Daniel Miller, John 
 
 Snavely, John Holsinger. 
 
 1848 Special Meeting. 
 
 George Hoke, George Shix-ely, Joseph Shovvalter, 
 H. Kurtz, Joseph Gerber, P. Xead, Dan. Cri])e, J. 
 Molsbaugh, D. Miller, J. Hart, H. Metzger, J. Metz- 
 ger, Jacob Brewer. 
 
 This seems to be a called meeting of the regular 
 Standing Committee for the completion of some 
 pending business. y\s to the place of the meeting 
 and the character of the business we were not able 
 to secure the information. It will be noticed that 
 only a part of the original Standing Committee was 
 in attendance, and two new names appear in the 
 list. 
 
 1854 ANNUAL MEETING. 
 Dickey Farm, Ashland County. 
 
 The 1854 Annual Meeting was held on the farm 
 of Elder Elias Dickey, about fi\e miles southeast 
 of y\shland. This is one of the most beautiful farms 
 in the State. The original buildings still stand, 
 with extensive improvements being made on the 
 barn. It will he remembered that transportation 
 facilities were quite primiti\-e at that time, no rail- 
 roads Ijeing closer than Mansfield, seventeen miles 
 away, and Wooster, twenty-two miles away. Some 
 few were met at these stations by the brethren, 
 siimc walked, and from e\ery direction great crowds 
 of people came on horses, in wagons, and most any 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 265 
 
 way that could be devised to make the trip. A 
 ten-acre field south of the barn was reserved for the 
 horses where they were turned loose to make 
 friends as they would. The lodging was free and 
 the farmhouses and barns were taxed to the utmost. 
 You will remember that the bare floor and a knit 
 shawl for a pillow did not bring as much complaint 
 as well-kept-up bedrooms do nowadays under sim- 
 ilar circumstances. The dining tent stood between 
 the house and the barn. All help was free as well 
 as all boarding was free. The sessions of the Con- 
 ference were held in the barn, a building about forty 
 by seventy feet. 
 
 The attendance at this meeting was somewhat 
 marvelous, for there is a tradition that stands un- 
 disputed that there were 20,000 people. Services 
 were also held in the Dickey churchhouse, about a 
 mile distant from the regular place of meeting. 
 This house was newly built. The road connect- 
 ing these two places was literally filled at times 
 with people going to and frc> to hear the speakers 
 of their choice. 
 
 Of all the memories of this meeting, the attend- 
 ance of Brother James Quinter seems to stand in 
 special prominence. He was perhaps one of the 
 youngest preachers in the Brotherhood at that time. 
 He was smooth-faced, ^•ery youthful in appearance, 
 wore a necktie and a high silk hat. The old breth- 
 ren in\ited him to do some preaching, which he 
 did with much favorable comment. 
 
 The business that was transacted at this meeting 
 has accomplished its purpose in giving wise direc- 
 tion to the future work of the church. The follow- 
 
2()6 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ing are .some of the items of ))usiness diseussed at 
 that Conference ; 
 
 Minutes of the Yearly Meeting of the Brethren, 
 
 Held at Brother Elias Dickey's, Ashland 
 
 County, Ohio, on Pentecost, 
 
 June 4-7, 1854. 
 
 Having again been permitted through the mercy 
 of God to meet in general council, on Monday morn- 
 
 TUB 1S5 4 ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD IN THIS BARN 
 Tlie dining: room was located between tlie liouse and barn. 
 
 ing the meeting was organized by appointing a 
 standing committee of twelve ordained elders, two 
 from each state (Penns3d^'ania, Maryland. A'irginia, 
 (Jhio, Indiana and Illinois) rei)resented, and a clerk, 
 who, having retired to a private room, recei\'ed the 
 messengers and papers sent from the diilerent 
 churches. Churclies represented 107, 1)y thirty-six 
 ordained elders, fift3'-eight ministers in the second 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 2r,7 
 
 degree and twenty-one in the first degree, forty dea- 
 cons and fifteen private members. Ten committeemen 
 were nominated to examine the papers, and report 
 them to the meeting, and on Tuesday morning the 
 council commenced. 
 
 The following queries were reported and disposed 
 of in the fear of the Lord : 
 
 I. Report of the committee, appointed last year, 
 on the subject of slavery. (See Minutes of 1853, 
 Art. 9.) The question ha\'ing been, How shall any 
 
 
 f- 
 
 
 
 HOUSE WHERE THE 1854 ANNUAL, MEETING WAS HELD 
 
 branch of the church proceed in case an individual 
 wishes to become a memljer, wdio is in possession 
 of slaves, and the law of the State in which they live 
 is such that they cannot manumit them in safety 
 without transporting them be3rond its limits? 
 
 "Agreeable to the ninth query of Y. M. 1853 con- 
 cerning slavery, the conunittee appointed to report 
 on the same have had this subject under serious 
 
2(.8 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 consideratiun in the fear of the Lord, and do report 
 as follows : 
 
 " First, Under no circumstances can slavery be 
 admitted into the church. 
 
 " Second, In all cases, where a holder of a slave, 
 or sla\'es, wishes to become a member of the church, 
 he be recjuired to manumit all his slaves before 
 baptism, upon the following conditions ; The males 
 to go out free at the age of twenty-one years, and 
 the females at the age of eighteen years. All those 
 over and above these ages, when manumitted, are 
 to be paid by their former owner such a sum, either 
 in money or goods, as may be judged right by the 
 church in which the case may occur, which is con- 
 sidered as the best judge, being acquainted with all 
 the circumstances, — as a compensation for their 
 services o\'er age. This will enable the manumitted 
 to migrate to a land of liberty, and will relieve the 
 conscience of the liberator from the burden of tak- 
 ing with him to the bar of (jod, the wages of op- 
 pression." 
 
 This re]>ort was adojjted after a lengthy discus- 
 sion by the meeting. 
 
 II. Whether it is contrar}' to the Ciospel for breth- 
 ren to lay out towns? 
 
 Considered, that it is not, but that we would at 
 the same time caution our brethren against all 
 schemes of extravagance. 
 
 III. Is it agreeable to the Gospel for a brother to 
 give ground for meetinghouses to such that do not 
 preach the Gospel in its purit}-, and if not, how is he 
 to be dealt with? 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 2r.y 
 
 Considered as positi\'ely inconsistent with tlie 
 Gospel, as appears from the following testimonies : 
 2 John 10 and 11; Eph, 5: 11, and 2 Cor. 6: 14-18. 
 And as regards the manner of dealing with such we 
 recommend, that they should be admonished and re- 
 quired to make acknowledgment. 
 
 IV. Brother Samuel Lehman was nominated as 
 agent for the Garber Legacy in Northern Illinois in 
 place of Joseph Emmert, resigned. Approved. 
 
 V. Brother Daniel Miller, of Preble County, C)hio, 
 was nominated as agent for the same fund in South- 
 western Ohio in place of John Brower, resigned. 
 Also approved. 
 
 VII. Can a person be reinstated to the church 
 after having been excluded for immoral conduct, 
 and when he holds the opinion that the sisters ha\e 
 voice in church council? 
 
 Considered better not to recei\e such as long as 
 they entertain \iews contrary to the order of the 
 church. 
 
 VIII. Is it expedient for a laboring brother to 
 give liljerty to a private brother to cvhort i >r bear 
 testimony at public worship? 
 
 Considered as not advisable ; brethren should Ije 
 cautious not to offend the church Ijy showing par- 
 tiality to individual members. 
 
 IX. If a brother is disowned in one church, and 
 moves to another at a distance, and there desires to 
 be received again, showing symptoms of repent- 
 ance, acknowledging his fault, and being willing to 
 make reparation as soon as he is able; this being 
 made known to the church from whence he came, 
 
270 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 repeatedly, hut nothing is dune, nor any answer 
 given hy said churcli ; — can he be received under 
 such circumstances by the church where lie lives, 
 or not ? 
 
 Considered, according to 2 Cor. 2: 6-8, that the 
 church, where a fault has been committed, should 
 act and answer the church where the disowned 
 member lives, without delay. 
 
 X. As there is some difference of opinion respect- 
 iiig' John 13: 5, the question arises, Whether one 
 and the same member shall perform the double act 
 of washing and wiping the saints' feet? 
 
 Considered in the same light as it was in 1849, 
 Art. 39, that the manner of feet-washing could not 
 be amended, inasmuch as the command is fully 
 obeyed m the way we obser\e it. 
 
 XI. If one or more churches would so choose to 
 come together in the e^■ening to observe the ordi- 
 nances of the house of God as delivered unto us 
 by the Savior, and continue public worship next 
 day, ];elieving that thereby some of the evils might 
 be olj\'iated, which too often accompany our lo\e 
 feasts, would it be considered a departure from the 
 Word ? 
 
 Considered, no. 
 
 XII. When a man who says he is very near the 
 Bretliren, l)ut yet linds fault with them, comes and 
 wants to hold meetings among us, what shall we do 
 with him and with such brethren who go with and 
 encourage such ? 
 
 Considered, that we ought not to receive such as 
 ministers, and brethren who encourage them should 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 271 
 
 be admonished as those who do not walk consistent- 
 ly with the Gospel. "A house di\ided against itself 
 cannot stand." 
 
 XIII. In case a leading brother in the ministry 
 (ordained or not ordained) would be reported as 
 having committed a gross public fault, and the or- 
 dained brethren of an adjoining congregation at ttie 
 request of some of the members of the church where 
 the fault has been committed, call a council in that 
 church and investigate the matter; have these or- 
 dained brethren done right? 
 
 Considered that in such case those ordained breth- 
 ren would have done right, inasmuch as the indi- 
 vidual church is, however large it may be, only a 
 branch or member of the body of Christ, and inas- 
 much as it is the duty of ordained elders to take care 
 of every branch of that body, especially when the 
 leading member is sick or unfaithful. 
 
 XIV. Is it consistent with the example and doc- 
 trine of Christ and his apostles when brethren write 
 and publish books, and afterward revise and re- 
 publish them, etc.? 
 
 Considered, that brethren should be careful in 
 their publications, and especially of other men's 
 books. 
 
 XVI. Is it allowed by the Gospel for a sister, after 
 her husband is dead, to be married to her stepson? 
 
 Considered not allowed according to the follow- 
 ing passages, 1 Cor. 5:1; Lev. 18: 8. Churches 
 should be watchful to purge out such a leaven from 
 among tliem. 
 
 XA'II. A request for a committee to visit llpper 
 
272 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Conewago Church, Pa. Granted, and Brother Ja- 
 cob Saylor, of Maryland; W'ilHam Boyers, of Frank- 
 lin; John Berkley, of Somerset; Isaac Myers, of 
 Union; and Jacob Hollinger, of Dauphin County, all 
 in Pennsylvania, nominated as such committee. 
 
 XVIII. Would it be more in accordance with the 
 Gospel to hold our love feasts on Thursday before 
 Easter? 
 
 Considered that the Gospel does not bind us to 
 any particular day. 
 
 XIX. Is it not the duty of each church to keep 
 their i)Oor, and not let them become a county charge, 
 or is it right to send a brother to the poorhouse at 
 the expense of the county? 
 
 Answer: See Minutes 1851 and 1852. 
 
 XXII. A rec[uest that the oldest bishop choose or 
 appoint twelve brethren to hold a communion or 
 love feast at the time (and place) of Yearly Meet- 
 ings, as a model to show us the right order according 
 to the Gospel. 
 
 Considered, that Christ with his apostles in that 
 doleful night when he (the Savior) was betrayed, 
 has given a model, and showed us the right order. 
 
 XXIII. A recjuest to reconsider cjuery 3 on the 
 Minutes of 1853 which reads thus, " Ha\'e we a right 
 to help in making the political government, and to 
 serve as officers, also to put the law in force against 
 any of our fellowmen in any case whate\er?" 
 
 Considered that this query was sufficiently and 
 correctly answered in 1852, .See Rom. ft: 5-8; John 
 18: 36. ' 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 273 
 
 XXIV. Is it more in unison with the Gospel to 
 use a lamb at our lo^-e feasts instead of beef? 
 
 Considered this query to be answered by the 21st 
 article of the Minutes of 1853. 
 
 XXV. Whether the 29th article of the Minutes of 
 1852 should not be readopted? 
 
 Considered to let it remain as decided last year 
 (Art. 2), with the understanding that each query 
 should be written on a separate paper. 
 
 XXVI. A request from Coventry Church, Chester 
 County, Pa., for a committee to examine grievances 
 and difficulties there existing. 
 
 The request was granted and the following breth- 
 ren appointed: Daniel P. Saylor and Philip Boyle, 
 of Maryland ; John Cline, of A'irginia ; and Samuel 
 Plarley, Jacob AN'enger and Christian Longenecker, 
 of Pennsylvania. 
 
 XXVII. A similar request for a committee to \isit 
 Lower Cumberland Church in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Also granted, and Brother Isaac Pfoutz, of Mary- 
 land ; Brethren Samuel Miller, Peter Long, Andrew 
 Spanogle and David Bosserman, of Pennsylvania, 
 were nominated for this committee. 
 
 With regard to next meeting at Aughwick it was 
 stated by letter from our dear Brother Andrew 
 Spanogle, that it will be held at their meetinghouse ; 
 that the nearest station on the railroad is Mount 
 Union, from whence it is seven miles to the meet- 
 inghouse, and to Brc5ther Samuel Lutz, who lives 
 near it. Letters addressed to Elder Andrew Span- 
 ogle, Shirleysburg, Huntingdon County, Pa., will be 
 attended to. 
 
274 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Signetl in behalf of the meeting and the Standing 
 Committee of elders : 
 
 George Hoke, George Shively, of Ohio. 
 
 John Kline, Joseph Arnold, of Virginia. 
 
 Philip Boyle, Daniel P. Sayler, of Maryland. 
 
 C. Longenecker, John Berkley, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jacob Miller, George Hoover, of Indiana. 
 
 Joseph Enimert, Christian Long, of Illinois. 
 
 By Henry Kurtz, Clerk. 
 
 The Clerk was charged to add an address on the 
 subject of Yearly A'leetings in general, and espe- 
 cially for the purpose to caution our dearly belo\-ed 
 members from increasing unnecessarily the crowd 
 and burden of the same ; but time and space failing, 
 something may appear in the Visitor hereafter. 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING OF MAY 21, 1872, 
 In Wayne County, Ohio. 
 
 Moderator, Henry Davy. 
 Reading Clerk, John Wise. 
 
 Here and there throughout the Brotherhood are 
 to be found historic places, because of the asseni- 
 l)ling of our conferences, and at these places history 
 is made. There, also, is brought about the energiz- 
 ing of those forces that are sui)posed to produce 
 more history in the meantime. 
 
 I presume about half of our present Brotherhood 
 was then unliorn, l)0th physically and spiritually, 
 and it may be of some interest to know how the 
 " Big Meeting " was conducted then, in comparison 
 with now. 
 
276 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Elder Cyrus Hoover and his wife, both now de- 
 ceased, surrendered all their earthly possessions for 
 the comfort, enjoyment and the spiritual well-being 
 of the church they so much loved. The Pennsyl- 
 vania Railroad stopped the trains near the meeting 
 grounds for the convenience of the passengers. 
 Half-fare rates over the principal roads were in 
 effect to the Conference. 
 
 The tabernacle was two hundred and twenty feet 
 long by eight)' feet wide. This big structure was 
 divided into two parts. One part was used for the 
 dining room and the other part for the auditorium. 
 The estimated attendance was 7,000. Lodging was 
 free. The boarding, three meals each day, was free 
 also. That was a day when long distances were 
 traveled by private conveyance, thus bringing to- 
 gether horses and vehicles too numerous to count. 
 These were all taken care of free of charge. 
 
 There were no real estate agents, nor colonizers 
 with stacks of advertising matter, beautiful and at- 
 tractive, specially suited to generate dreams and 
 visions in men's minds. Neither the trafficker in 
 jjatent rights, nor the dealers in merchandise were 
 found in booths, turning men's minds to carnal 
 things, when they came for spiritual good. Stocks 
 and dividends were not even mentioned. The breth- 
 ren and sisters seemed to have come together for 
 the purpose of laying the ground work for a larger 
 and more spiritual Brotherhood. 
 
 Turning to the year book we find some interest- 
 ing items, but will give only a few of them. The 
 meeting was organized in the usual manner. The 
 first query had reference to the expulsion of mem- 
 
278 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 bers. The use of tobacco was treated witli disai)- 
 probation. It was classed with other " vain and 
 useless things." Art. 5, " Is the Gospel a perfect 
 law to govern the church in all things necessary to 
 salvation?" Answer :" It is." The taking of illegal 
 interest on money loaned was dealt with more 
 severely than formerly. In some cases ministers 
 may be restored to their office after falling from 
 grace. No brother has a right to place another 
 brother, or an alien, under bond to keep the " peace." 
 
 It was a year of many calls for committees, — 
 nineteen in all were asked for and granted. There 
 were twenty-three delegates on that year's Standing 
 Committee. 
 
 The arm of the church that entertained the 1872 
 Conference is still in a growing condition. Many 
 children have been born into the kingdom since that 
 day, and many trained to do effectual service. The 
 present meetinghouse, just a few rods from the his- 
 toric grounds of the 1872 conference, is a structure 
 whose taste and comfort will atTord a pleasant meet- 
 ing place for some time to come. 
 
 Read carefully the following items of business 
 that were sent forth on their mission from this 
 Conference: 
 
 Annual Meeting Minutes. 
 
 Has the church a right to pass resolutions and 
 decisions, and enforce them to the expulsion of 
 members from the church without " thus saith " the 
 positive law of the Lord? Answer: The church 
 shall not expel any member without Gospel author- 
 ity. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 279 
 
 Has tlic cliurch the right U> enfoi-ce licr decisions 
 according to Matt. 18, in matters where the Gospel 
 is silent? Answer: There may l)e evils of sufficient 
 magnitude to require a resort to the extreme of the 
 course we are directed to pursue in Matt. 18, though 
 those evils for which members are dealt with may 
 not be specified in the Gospel, but at the same time 
 are clearly violations of the principles of the Gospel. 
 
 Is it right, according to the Gospel and rules of 
 the Brethren, for one arm of the church to delegate 
 to another arm the power of restoring to the church 
 a member who had formerly l)een disowned by the 
 arm first named above? Answer; It has the power, 
 by sending the charge with the testimony, in connec- 
 tion with the testimony where the member resides 
 
 Is it according to the order of the Brethren in 
 private council that there be a unanimous consent 
 of the " official brethren " concerning any matter 
 before it can come before the church? Answer: 
 The official brethren should not bring a matter be- 
 fore the church, if they are divided, until they ha\e 
 called the assistance of bishops of adjoining dis- 
 tricts. 
 
 Which is more in accordance with the Gospel 
 and example of Jesus and his disciples, to close our 
 love feasts in the e^•ening with singing or prayer? 
 Answer : This meeting thinks singing last is more in 
 accordance with the Gospel. 
 
 Are members justifiable in refusing to commune 
 with bishops of other churches, who tolerate pride 
 in their churches, when the Annual Meeting makes 
 it their duty to enforce plainness? Answer: Not 
 
280 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 until it is understood that the elders who are said 
 to ha\e tolerated the e\'il alluded to have been 
 admonished, and labored with, to get them in order. 
 
 What is to be done with a district of the church 
 that ttDlerates its members in taking illegal interest 
 for money loaned, after the Annual Meeting has 
 decided again and again that it is wrong to do so? 
 Answer: This Annual Meeting thinks that that 
 church should be visited by the elders of the adjoin- 
 ing churches, to set in order the things that are 
 wanting. 
 
 Is it according to the Gospel, and the order of the 
 Brethren, for members of the church to teach in- 
 strumental music in public schools, or elsewhere? 
 We desire the dear brethren, assembled in District 
 Meeting, to give us an answer on this subject. An- 
 swer : Whereas, we know of no direct Scripture on 
 the subject, we can only give our advice on the 
 cjuery. And as we believe instrumental music to be 
 of the world, and not of the true church of God, we 
 think members had better not engage in teaching it. 
 But we submit our answer to the Annual Meeting. 
 This Annual Meeting confirms the answer. 
 
 Whether a brother may go to the legislative as- 
 sembly, as a representati\-e of the people, agreeably 
 with the Gospel? Considered, that though we look 
 upon the higher powers of the world as being of 
 (iod, for the protection of the pious, etc., and de- 
 sire to be thankful to God for the benefit we enjoy 
 under our government, and feel it our duty to pray 
 fervently and dailv for the same, we cannot see 
 how a follower of the meek and lowlj' Savior can 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 281 
 
 seek and accept an office of this kind consistently 
 with the (iospel he professes. Answer: We re- 
 adopt the answer to the Minutes alluded to, and 
 consider that any brother Avho suffers himself to 
 be elected to such oflice as* that named, and to serve 
 in it, cannot be retained as a member of the church. 
 
 Can the church tolerate a member in the body 
 that is a member of the society or order called 
 Grange or Patrons of Husl)andry? Answer: No 
 brother or sister should have anything to do with 
 such an order, it being a secret-bound, and, from ap- 
 pearance, a political association ; and memliers who 
 have united with it, and persist in it, sliould l:ie 
 dealt with as transgressors. 
 
 Will this meeting allow brethren, and especially 
 ministering brethren, to engage in the banking busi- 
 ness? Answer: Not advisable for brethren to en- 
 gage in such business. 
 
 This Annual Meeting renews its disappro1>ation 
 of the use of tobacco, and especially at the time, 
 and in the place of di^'ine worship, and belie\-es it 
 should be classed with otlier vain and useless things. 
 
 Standing Committee. 
 
 H. D. Da\y. Jacob Carver, John Brown, D. I!. 
 Sturgis, Jacob Mctzger, R. H. Miller, Samuel Leh- 
 man, John Metzger, E. K. Beeghly, Christian Long, 
 Daniel Zook, W^m. Gish, Samuel Mohler. A. Mols- 
 bee, Ab. Naff', Solomon Garber, Martin Cosner, D. 
 Long, D. P. Sayler, Jacob Riner, Jos. Hanawalt, J. 
 Wise. ]. Ouinter. 
 
282 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING NOTES, NORTHEAST- 
 ERN OHIO. 
 
 In Ashland, 1881. 
 
 The Conference of 1881 was held in the city of 
 Ashland on the college grounds, then owned and 
 controlled by the Brethren. This was the year be- 
 fore the final rupture in the church, resulting in 
 what was known as the Conser\'ati\-e, Progressive, 
 and Old Order Churches. 
 
 This meeting was unusually large in attendance, 
 the weather was very inclement, and the business 
 meetings at times were turbulent. The auditorium 
 was a large tent seating perhaps three thousand 
 people. A severe storm blew it down one night, 
 which caused a delay of about a half day in the reg- 
 ular work of Conference. A large dining hall was 
 erected for the feeding of the multitude. The lodg- 
 ing committee, composed of I. D. Parker and H. F. 
 Hixon, was taxed to its utmost, due to the fact 
 that this was the first year charges were made for 
 lodging; some insisted on the old way. The charges 
 were ten cents per night. It is a fitting tribute to 
 the citizens of y\shland that they threw open their 
 doors free of charge with but few exceptions. The 
 meal tickets were fifteen for $1. The helpers in the 
 large dining room were from all parts of the Dis- 
 trict. Their services were free. 
 
 This l)eing the Conference immediatelv pre\ious 
 to the final ru]3ture in 1882, the questions for dis- 
 cussion for the most part had to do with the dis- 
 nrders in the BrothcrlK^od. The discussions were 
 quite heated at times. A redeeming feature of the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 2,S3 
 
 meeting was the urgent call frum the Denmark and 
 Sweden mission fields by Brother Hope. This call 
 was about to be set aside when Elder D. N. Work- 
 man, of the ^\sliland Church, came to its rescue. 
 He, without any formalities, sprang to the platform 
 and began to call for pledges, beginning with $100 
 ones. In a few moments pledges to the amount of 
 $3,000 were raised. The missions of Northwest 
 Europe were sa\'ed, and a new mission fire kindled, 
 lighting the Brotherhood into its present large mis- 
 sion fields. With what commendable features the 
 Ashland Conference has to its credit, the meeting 
 as a whole lowered the prestige the churches of the 
 Brethren had among the church people of the com- 
 munity, due to the fight spirit that broke loose in the 
 discussions at times, instead of the beautiful spirit 
 of peace and harmony that should adorn the assem- 
 blies of the people of God. The queries discussed 
 at this Conference were the following: 
 
 Inasmuch as Annual Meeting of 1876, Art. 8, for- 
 bids members who dress after the fashions of the 
 world to speak in public at our Conference, should 
 not churches and District Meetings be instructed to 
 send only such delegates who dress themselves and 
 wear their hair after the general order of the Broth- 
 erhood, and who try to carry out this decision? 
 
 Is it right, according to the Gospel and the order 
 of the Brethren, for an elder to get up in Annual 
 Council, and express himself that there are a num- 
 ber of decisions passed at Annual Council that he 
 does not regard at all, and then have such a one on 
 the Standing Committee? yVnswer: It is not right 
 to do so. 
 
284 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The Southern District of Illinois hereby petitions 
 Annual Meeting to send only such brethren on com- 
 mittees to settle difficulties in churches who are in 
 the general order of the Brotherhood in dress and 
 in the wearing of the hair. Answer: Agreed to l)y 
 the Annual Meeting. 
 
 Inasmuch as Annual Meeting has again and again 
 decided in favor of plainness and uniformity in dj-ess 
 for both brethren and sisters, and recommended to 
 the churches to enforce it, especially upon the min- 
 isters, and after all the counsel of the Annual Meet- 
 ing, there is a great lack of uniformity of dress on 
 the part of some members, ministers and deacons 
 who travel and move from place to place, and do not 
 regard the plain uniformity as recommended by 
 Annual Meeting: the c^uestion is, Is it right, accord- 
 ing to the Gospel and order of the church, especially 
 for official members, to get a certificate of member- 
 ship to move from one arm of the church to another, 
 and not observe the authorized decisions of Annual 
 Meeting? Answer: This Annual Meeting decides 
 that we cannot grant a good certificate to such mem- 
 bers, especially the officials. 
 
 As Paul, in giving the qualifications of a bishop, 
 does not say that he should be the oldest in office, 
 we petition Annual Meeting to repeal that qualifi- 
 cation, and confine the qualifications to Scripture 
 only. Answer: The Brethren ordaining elders, do 
 not overlook the qualifications of elders as given by 
 Paul, but the order of the church has been that when 
 ministers are eligible to oflice, and have about equal 
 qualifications, to ordain the oldest. Provision, how- 
 ever, has been made that, under certain circuni- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 283 
 
 stances, the voice of the church may be taken to de- 
 cide which of the ministers shall be ordained. 
 
 Is it right for elders to go out of their State or 
 State Districts, ordaining elders without the con- 
 sent of the adjoining elders? ^Vnswer: Not right, 
 and the general Brotherhood will not recognize sucli 
 proceedings. 
 
 What is to be done with a brother or elder who 
 goes a distance of ninety or one hundred miles to 
 preach in another arm of the church, which is under 
 the charge of Elder S., and gives liberty to disowned 
 members who were guilty of railing against the 
 counsel of Annual Meeting, and one who is guilty 
 of gross immorality, to take part in the meeting, 
 and to close the meeting with prayer ; although 
 Elder E. knew the circumstances and the relation 
 of said members to the church? Answer: It is 
 wrong for an elder to do so, and we send a com- 
 mittee to get him in order and settle the troubles. 
 And all elders, ministers or members disregarding 
 the council of a church in fellowshiping expelled 
 members, subject themselves to the council of the 
 church. 
 
 Brethren that have been called to the ministry, 
 and fail to give evidence of their usefulness after a 
 sufficient length of time, should they then be re- 
 lieved by the church when they repeatedly recjuest 
 it? Answer: We decide that the church in such a 
 case shall do as it judges best. 
 
 As the latter decision of Annual Meeting on the 
 subject of Sunday-schools has caused trouble and 
 confusion, we ask Annual Meeting to cijnsider all 
 its decisions on this subject since 1871, Art. 17, and 
 
2^1, CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 readopt the decisions of that year. Answer: We 
 adopt the decisions of 1871, Art. 17, as the best for 
 tlie peace of the church, but where there is a large 
 majority, or even a minority, who can hold a Sun- 
 day-school without interfering- with the peace and 
 union of the church, they may have the privilege of 
 such a school. 
 
 The Maquoketa Church asks Annual Meeting, 
 through the Middle District of Iowa, how to proceed 
 with a woman that was deceived by a man and aft- 
 erwards, to get rid of her and the law, he married 
 her by compulsion but ne\er lived with her. She 
 some time afterv\'ards made application and was re- 
 ceived into the church, and has lived a very con- 
 sistent life since, but finally made application for a 
 divorce and married another man. Under these 
 circumstances, can she be held as a member? Re- 
 member they never lived together as man and wife 
 after marriage. Answer : If such cannot decide 
 for herself according to Minutes of 1868 and 1880. 
 let her seek the aid of adjoining elders. 
 
 Inasmuch as the high schools are causing trouble 
 and confusion by their being called " Brethren's 
 Schools," we ask Annual Meeting to decide that 
 they shall not be called Ijy that name. Answer: 
 Whereas the name " Brethren's Schools " has given 
 offense to some, we decide that the name be avoided 
 as much as expedient, and that they be called after 
 the names of the places in which they are located. 
 
 Is it according to the order of the Bretliren and 
 ciders, or any other brethren, to hold secret or clan- 
 destine meetings for the purpose of circulating pe- 
 titions or an\' other purpose? Answer: No; and 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 2X7 
 
 Ijrethren (l(jing- as above stated should fall into the 
 judgment of the cliurch. 
 
 Standing Committee. 
 
 Enoch El)y, Moderator; James Quinter, A\'riting 
 Clerk ; John Wise, Reading Clerk ; Samuel Myers, 
 Doorkeeper ; J. S. Flory, C. C. Root, Robert Badger, 
 E. Forney, J. Rife, D. Sturgis, R. H. Miller, C^ G. 
 Lint, Samuel Harley, J. Trostle, D. B. Arnold. J. H. 
 Lemon, Lsaac Miller, A. Hutchison, J. Thomas, D. 
 E. Wolfe, D. Brower, Jos. Kauffman, Moses Miller, 
 D. P. Sayler, D. Stouffer, Isaac Long, G. C. Bow- 
 man and D. Hays, 
 
 HOME MISSION BOARD. 
 
 The first Llome Mission Board was organized in 
 1875. The history of this organization is somewhat 
 peculiar, changing its membership Cjuite freqtiently. 
 Home Mission work being practically a new field of 
 church activity, a number of years passed by with- 
 out any apparent progress being made in establish- 
 ing churches. A few attempts were made at dif- 
 ferent times, only to result in failure, yet these at- 
 tempts were not without their value because they 
 aftorded data sufficient to lead into better organiza- 
 tion of the work, and the adoption of better methods 
 of carrying forward and establishing churches in 
 new territory. The first concrete success in this 
 line which has taken on permanent proportions was 
 the y\kron City Mission which started with Imt 
 few names, and has now grown to an organized 
 church of upwards of seventy-fi\'e members. They 
 
288 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 now liold their services in a newly-built and well- 
 arranged house of worship, where the songs of Zion 
 are sung and the Word of God proclaimed. This 
 success has inspired the entire District and there 
 arc those who have expressed thir willingness and 
 e\'en their anxiety to pledge themselves for certain 
 amounts for a period of five years to build churches 
 in Canton, Youngstown, Cleveland, Orr\'ille and 
 Ashland. When we see the spirit of missions de- 
 \-eloping to that point of anxiety it becomes a fitting 
 climax to the work of the churches of the District 
 which has covered a period of upwards of a hundred 
 years. 
 
 Another feature of the work of Northeastern Ohio 
 worthy of consideration : that as its early member- 
 ship was made up of emigrants from churches in the 
 Eastern States, she herself in turn has become the 
 mother of a number of churches in the far west by 
 calling into the service young men and women, 
 training them in the faith of the Master, and inspir- 
 ing them with zeal to extend the Kingdom of the 
 I'^ternal Father. These have gone into pioneering 
 and the extension of the Kingdom among other 
 people ; some to the far west, resulting, through 
 their fidelity and earnestness and love for the Mas- 
 ter, in organizations which ha^'e grown to large 
 memberships and they in turn extending the work 
 still further. This line of travel and contribution to 
 the extension of the Kingdom of God, shows up the 
 work of the District with special significance. 
 
 May the reading of these brief and imperfect 
 sketches guide each earnest brother and sister to 
 fidelity and zeal, that we in these modern times. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 2S9 
 
 with modern conveniences, may not fall short of 
 our fathers and mothers in Israel who have set the 
 pace and marked out the lines of work that enable 
 the kingdom of God to become an institution for 
 the veritable uplift of humankind. 
 
 P. S. — For details of the Home Mission Board 
 work, see under the head of " District Meetings." 
 
 Sample Report. 
 
 Report of the District Missi(jnary Solicitor of 
 Northeastern Ohio, 1911. 
 
 To the District Meeting of Northeastern Ohio — 
 Greeting : By the favor of our leather and his bless- 
 ing upon our united efforts the work of gathering- 
 funds for the building and equipping of a Brethren 
 Church in the city of Akron, Ohio, has moved for- 
 ward in the past year in a way that insures the com- 
 pletion of a house of worship by the end of the pres- 
 ent year. 
 
 On account of sickness I was unable to visit the 
 following churches (though all extended a heart\' 
 invitation): Mt. Zion, Greenwood, Loudon\-ille 
 and Ashland (church unfinished j. 
 
 Miles trax'eled, 4,110; number of Sundays, twenty- 
 two; number of week days, se\'enty-se\-en ; total 
 number of days, ninety-nine. 
 
 Cost of travel, $ 75.50 
 
 Printing, postage and stationery, 11.85 
 
 Time, seventy-se\'en days (ai $1.25 96.25 
 
 Total expenditures, $183.60 
 
290 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The folluwing report will show the amount given 
 by the churches of the District, also amount pledged 
 at District Meeting of 1910. 
 
 Name of_Cliurcli 
 
 Jonathan Creek 
 
 Canton Center 
 
 West NiniishiUen, ... 
 
 Springfield 
 
 East Nimisliillen, . . . 
 
 W coster 
 
 Blacl< River 
 
 Owl Creek 
 
 Danville 
 
 Akron 
 
 Reading 
 
 Freeburg 
 
 Mohican 
 
 Cliippewa 
 
 Mahoning? 
 
 Chippewa Latei' 
 
 Sugar Creek 
 
 Canton City 
 
 A'^hland 
 
 Maple Grove 
 
 1'uscarawas 
 
 Mt. Zirin 
 
 Loud'onville, 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Primary Clas, Rena 
 
 Swartz 
 
 Northwestern Ohio, 
 Eagle Creek Sunila>' 
 
 school 
 
 J. J. Anglemyer 
 
 G. n. Wenrick 
 
 T). S. Earlv 
 
 W. F. England, Cal.. . 
 
 _Cash 
 32.76 
 42.66 
 6.91 
 ,S3.70 
 65.31 
 31.00 
 79.00 
 174.00 
 75.00 
 
 98.25 
 2',S.00| 
 39.2,S| 
 37.75! 
 153.56 
 52 00| 
 93.001 
 36.00] 
 22.75 
 3 L00| 
 27.001 
 
 Pledged __ 
 i " 92.00!$" 
 120.00 
 178.00- 
 891.50' 
 449.00 
 645.28 
 102.60, 
 224.00 
 432.00 
 700.00 
 124.50 
 263.00 
 
 66.00! 
 
 27.50 
 170.00 
 1 94.001 
 356.50 
 
 98.00! 
 100.751 
 274.001 
 
 42.50 
 
 Total Pledged 
 
 Grand 
 Total 
 
 1.00 
 5.00 
 
 124.75 
 162.66 
 184.91 
 975.20 
 514.31 
 376.28 
 271.50 
 398.00 
 507.00 
 700.00 
 222 75 
 291^00 
 
 95.28! 
 
 66.25 
 323.561 
 246.001 
 449.501 
 13 4.0-01 
 123.501 
 308.00 
 
 69.601 
 
 2.e<i\ 
 
 6.67!. 
 l.OOL 
 5.001. 
 
 36.00 
 
 25.00 
 
 40.00 
 
 25.00 
 
 25.00 
 
 210.00 
 
 135.00 
 
 135.00 
 
 90.00 
 
 130.00 
 
 20.00 
 
 50.001 
 30.00 
 
 155.00 
 
 35.00 
 160.00 
 
 10.00 
 5.00 
 6.00 
 
 .? 159.75 
 
 187.60 
 
 224.91 
 
 1,000.20 
 
 539.31 
 
 786.28 
 
 40.6.50 
 
 533.00 
 
 597.00 
 
 830.00 
 
 222.75 
 
 311.00 
 
 95.28 
 
 135.25 
 
 36 3.56 
 
 246.00 
 
 604.50 
 
 134.00 
 
 168,50 
 
 458.00 
 
 69.60 
 
 10,50 
 
 5,00 
 
 5.00 
 
 !$1.230.59!$6,661.031.$'6. 7S1. 7 21.$1.31 ! 
 
 1.00 
 
 5.00 
 
 10.00 
 
 5.00 
 
 .001$ST096.62 
 
 Cost for raising the $6,712.62 was 2.73 cents per 
 dollar. We found the missionary spirit over the 
 District at a high point, both brethren and sisters, 
 old and young, wishing a part in the great cause, 
 and expressing- their pleasure in having the privilege 
 of giving. It was rare, indeed, that we found a per- 
 son unwilling to help. 
 
 With the prayer that this may be a year of un- 
 usual l)lessing in the work of the District, and in the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 291 
 
 personal life of all the workers, the foregoing report 
 is respectfully submitted. 
 
 G. A. Cassel, Missionary Solicitor. 
 M(.)tion to accept adopted. 
 
 ASHLAND COLLEGE. 
 
 Located at Ashland, Ohio, one of the most beau- 
 tiful and enterprising towns of the State, and sur- 
 rounded with most luxuriant farming lands. 
 
 The launching of this institution of learning was 
 somewhat peculiar. The spirit for a center of 
 higher learning within the District seemed to be 
 somewhat spontaneous with a number of leading 
 members. Brother Asa Packer, of I^ouis\ ille, (Jhio, 
 was in a position to take the field as canvasser and 
 work up the school sentiment in general. The cen- 
 ter of greatest interest seemed to gather about ^Vsh- 
 land. An educational meeting was held in the 
 Maple (jro\'e Church in March, 1877. A remarkable 
 number of brethren and sisters came to the meeting, 
 some coming from the middle and eastern parts of 
 the District. Prof. J. E. Stubbs, a Methodist preach- 
 er and educator and resident of Ashland, being much 
 interested in the proposition, also attended the meet- 
 ing and made an excellent address, which aroused n(j 
 little enthusiasm in the l:)rethren to take hold of the 
 opportunity. Allow it to be said here that Professor 
 Stubbs, though belonging to another church, was 
 one of the most faithful and able leaders the school 
 had to pilot it through its f(.irmati^'e period. Upon 
 the resignation of Brother S. Z. Sharp as president 
 the middle of the second year. Professor Stubbs 
 
292 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 was placed in the presidency, which position he hehj 
 for two years, exercising his office at all times in 
 the highest interest of the student body, and the 
 church whose responsibility he was serving. He 
 allowed nothing that would militate against the 
 Brethren. The school sustained a great loss when 
 he was called to a larger field of service. 
 
 Soon after the Maple Gro\'e school meeting. 
 Brother Sharp, of Tennessee, was called into this 
 newdy-awakened field. A meeting of the citizens of 
 Ashland was called in the Old Town Hall to discuss 
 the propriety of taking hold of the proposition. 
 Brother Sharp \'ery ably presented the claims of 
 the new undertaking. As a result of this meeting 
 the citizens pledged themselves to raise $10,000 to 
 encourage the work. Their interest continued 
 through the first }'ears of the school, as was evi- 
 denced in their large attendance at the public gath- 
 erings in the college chapeL 
 
 The college was chartered in June, 1878. The 
 location originally comprised thirty acres of land 
 afif<3rding a splendid view of a large expanse of 
 country. Two large brick buildings were erected on 
 choice location.s — a college building costing $40,000, 
 and dormitor}^ costing $15,000. These buildings 
 when built were quite up to date in their architec- 
 ture. The \aluc of these buildings when completed, 
 with the grounds, was estimated at $75,000. 
 
 The departments of instruction were — College of 
 Liberal Arts, Academic, Normal Knglish, Commer- 
 cial and Music. 
 
 l'\jur men were graduated from the department of 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 293 
 
 liberal arts in the spring of 1881. These men took 
 excellent positions after their graduation. 
 
 The interest shown in education at that time, and 
 the reputation the college won even in the begin- 
 ning of its foundation, is seen in the large enroll- 
 ment of 105 students the first year and 220 the sec- 
 ond year. A summer normal for teachers was added 
 the second year, which also attracted considerable 
 attention. 
 
 Elder S. Z. Sharp, formerly frcim Maryville, Tenn., 
 was the first president. His splendid scholarship 
 and genuine educational enthusiasm were prime fac- 
 tors in launching this institution of learning. 
 
 The Board of Trustees were choice and able men 
 of the Northeastern District of Ohio. These men 
 were full of zeal for the Lord, and sought earnestly 
 to establish a safe institution for the education of 
 young men and women. 
 
 The first Board was made up of the following 
 brethren : 
 
 Austin Moherman, I. T3. Parker, Joseph Roop, 
 Alpheus Dickey, H. K. Myers, John Shidler, Rich- 
 ard Arnold and William Sadler, of Ashland, Ohio ; 
 Jacob Mishler, of Mogadore, Ohio ; George Irvin, of 
 Golden Corners, Ohio ; A. J. Hixon ; Josiah Keim, 
 of Louisville, Ohio. 
 
 While the college started out with bright pros- 
 pects and a general good will for its success, the 
 storm center of the 1882 di\'ision in the church swept 
 down upon this infant institution with an irrepar- 
 able destruction. A majority of the trustees having 
 once decided to cast their lot with the Progressive 
 branch, so changed the constitution and by-laws 
 
294 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 that the institution might Ije conducted under the 
 fostering care of the Progressive Brethren. Those 
 of the trustees who remained loyal to the original 
 church resigned their several charges, thus effect- 
 ing a peaceful surrender of the school property to 
 the church which still provides for its interests. 
 
 During the first four years an indebtedness of up- 
 wards of $18,000 had accumulated, which became 
 quite embarrassing during the years the division in 
 the church storm was on. While this indebted- 
 ness would naturally follow the institution into the 
 hands of its new ownership, yet five brethren of the 
 Board of Trustees, remaining loyal to the Church 
 of the Brethren, contributed upwards of ten thou- 
 sand dollars to wipe out the original indebtedness. 
 Their names are : 
 
 Austin Moherman and Elder I. D. Parker, of 
 Ashland, Ohio; Elder George Irvin, of Golden Cor- 
 ners, Ohio ; Elders Cyrus Hoover and Reuben Book- 
 waiter, of Smith\-ille, Ohio. 
 
 Some few pri\-ate donations were gi\-en also. 
 
 This detailed description is intended to show that 
 large interests were surrendered, involving large 
 financial considerations, to the present incumbents 
 without bitter contention among themselves, and 
 litigation in the courts. 
 
 This brief sketch of pioneer work in the field of 
 education in Northeastern C)hio is not intended to 
 chronicle a total failure. The experiences of the 
 brethren in launching this school, and the anxieties 
 attending its periods of infantile diseases were 
 fruitful sources of valualjle information for the es- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 293 
 
 taljlishment of schools later on. Besides, during the 
 short period of its management under the auspices 
 of the main body of the church, it became a powerful 
 stimulant in arousing the educational sjjirit within 
 the District. N(.)thing is a total failure that docs 
 somebody good. 
 
 BIBLE INSTITUTE AND CANTON COLLEGE. 
 
 In the summer of 1903, Elder E. S. Young se- 
 cured an option of certain heirs on upwards of 
 sixteen acres of choice land within the corporate 
 limits of the city of Canton, for the purpose of 
 launching a Bible School and such literary work 
 as would be needful for effectual Bible study. 
 
 During the life of the option a trial can\'ass was 
 made among the churches for the sale of lots wdiich 
 would not be needed for school buildings and cam- 
 pus, the profits from said lots to be used for the 
 erection of the necessary buildings and equipment, 
 with the understanding that the school should be 
 run under the fostering care of the Northeastern 
 District of (Jhio. The interest the brethren took in 
 the proposition was simpl)' marvelous. The option 
 was lifted, the sale of lots was carried forward with 
 success and the most beautiful spot of the entire 
 tract of land was staked oft" for iDuildings and campus. 
 By the fall of 1904 a large and well-arranged brick 
 building with tile roof was completed. Its interior 
 finish was in oak ; it was heated with steam, lighted 
 with natural gas, and la\-atories were on both dorm- 
 itory floors. 
 
 The first two years of the school were illumined 
 
296 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 with bright prospects in both local and remote pa- 
 tronage ; finally clouds began to gather, and their 
 thickness determined the closing of the school be- 
 fore the close of the third year's session. After the 
 lapse of three more years, the school property was 
 sold to the city of Canton and refitted for high 
 school purposes. 
 
 This closes another chapter of school work in the 
 District. Though this was a private school of 
 Brother Young, yet there was a genuine interest in 
 the District for its success, and many were the re- 
 grets that it had to go into other hands. The school 
 too was not a total failure to the District ; for the 
 three years of its life it was a rich stimulant to the 
 churches along lines of greater work for the Master. 
 Its many students have cast lots elsewhere, and are 
 making good in their several fields of labor. 
 
 PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 When we take up the work of sketching the print- 
 ing business in the District, the reader will be im- 
 pressed that his loved part of the Brotherhood takes 
 a unique position in the development of the great 
 general Brotherhood. Education and the issuing of 
 periodicals came to their birth about the same time, 
 and it was at the advent of these that the church 
 took on new life and expansion. Aside from the 
 dynamic force of education as a means for the uplift 
 of humanity, may it be understood that the revival 
 of printing has given to the church a new brother- 
 hood. It is a point of si)ecial interest to know that 
 the mammoth publisliing concern of the general 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 
 
 297 
 
 
 
 THE OLD SPRING HOUSE 
 The Gospel Visitor's First Home 
 
 This is the old spring" liouse where the publishing- inti-rests 
 of the Church of the Brethren were revived in 1851 by 
 Brother Henry Kurtz, of Poland. Oliio, the Gospel Visitor 
 being" the first paper printed. 
 
 The original spring house in which the printing: was done 
 is torn down, and the picture shown here was drawn from 
 memory by Irene Kurtz Suminers, granddaughter of Elder 
 Plenry Kurtz, and retouched by Mrs. F. E. Moherman, of 
 Ashland, Ohio. Those who saw the original pronounce tliis 
 one a very good duplicate. 
 
 The huildingr was twenty by twenty-four feet, built of 
 log's, two stories, and plastered un the outsid<'. Tlie spring' 
 was beneath the front entrance, and the approach to the 
 porch was a log which was long- enough to reach to a ' 
 steep bank to the front. The hill to the front and rear was 
 almost as iiigrh as the house. The roof was of clapboards. 
 Northeastern Oliin viin well look with pride to this small 
 beginning', which liad in it the life elements of such g:reat 
 growth. It is from an acorn to a g^reat oak proposition, and 
 the acorn is no less important than the oak. 
 
298 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Brotherhood had its birth in Northeastern Ohio, 
 near Poland, in a spring- house loft, Ajjril 1, 1851. Its 
 sponsor was Henry Kurtz. It was christened 
 the Gospel Visitor and it made its ap[)earance in 
 the homes of the brethren once a month. 
 
 Brother Henry Kurtz was a (jerman scholar of 
 rare ability. He felt if the church is to successfully 
 accomplish its mission the press must be commis- 
 sioned as an auxiliary of the pulpit for the dissem- 
 ination of truth. Brother Kurtz began the agitation 
 of the utility of the press as early as 1840, which 
 marks the beginning of a re\'ival of the publishing 
 interests of the church. ^Vt iirst there was great cau- 
 tion and fear, only a few giving encouragement; 
 hence it required consideral)le time, patience, and 
 ])erse^■erance to get the consent of Annual Meeting 
 to go ahead. In 1850 Brother Kurtz api)ealed to 
 Conference for the privilege to open up a publishing 
 house, but he was asked to wait another year. 
 When the next year came our dear brother was on 
 hand to ha\'e his long-cherished desire considered 
 again. This time (1851) Conference told him it 
 would not interfere with his going on with his ])a]5er 
 for one year, and if any one found anything printed 
 that was not sound they should file their objections 
 then. Ol)jections were filed at the 1852 Annual 
 Meeting, but that body, considering it a [irixatc 
 enterprise, decided it would not interfere. 
 
 As before stated, tlic Gospel I'isilor, the begin- 
 ning of our modern publishing interests, was sent 
 out fin its trial mission A])ri1 1, 1851. (Opposition 
 graduallv melted away, and tlie circulation grew 
 raijidly. .Since it was printed once a month, there 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 299 
 
 soon grew a tlemand fur an increase of issues. 
 Brother Kurtz's insistent idea of a church paper 
 pro\ed to be Ijetter than he knew. His was an 
 en\dable record. It was in his soul that the idea 
 was concei\'ed that made him the initial point of 
 one of the greatest mox'ements in the history of the 
 Brotherhood. \\ ho would not en\'y a like service 
 to his day and age ? 
 
 In 1856, Elder James Ouinter moved into the 
 District and identified himself with the Gospel J'is- 
 ilor as Associate Editor. Brother Quinter's com- 
 ing into ( )hio and identifying himself wdth the pub- 
 lishing" interests, became an epoch-inaking ex'ent to 
 both the District and the paper. New life was in- 
 fused into the churches and the paper. The circula- 
 tion grew rapidly. In 1864, because of the infirm- 
 ities of old age. Brother Henry Kurtz withdrew 
 from the activities of the publishing business. He 
 leased it to his son, J. H. Kurtz, and Brother Ouin- 
 ter. By this time the publishing interests gained 
 commendable momentum. Northeastern ()hio was 
 furnishing reading matter for multitudes of homes 
 all over the Brotherhood. In 1873 Elder J. H. Kurtz 
 sold out his interest in the Gospel Visitor to Elder 
 James Ouinter, whence it was moved to Hunting- 
 don, Pa. 
 
 The Gospel Preacher. 
 
 The first number of this paper was issued at 
 Ashland, Ohio, in January, 1879. It was a four-page 
 weekly at $1 per annum. Its first editors were 
 Elders S. Z. Sharp and S. H. Bashor. y-Vfter six 
 months FJder Sharp resigned and J. H. A\'orst iden- 
 
300 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 tilled himself witli the work as Associate Editor. 
 This paper had a wide circulation and was a faith- 
 ful supporter of Ashland College as well as of the 
 interests of the church in general The first issue 
 came out with a strong attack upon the Mourner's 
 Bench, which created no small stir among those 
 who were its patrons. The paper was continued up 
 till 1882, when it went out of existence as a periodi- 
 cal under the auspices of the Church of the Breth- 
 ren. 
 
 Our Sunday School. 
 
 The publishing house at Ashland grew to be a 
 considerable enterprise. When it took up the work 
 of supplying literature for young people, it opened 
 up one of the largest and most fruitful fields in the 
 Brotherhood. 
 
 The first number of the abo\'e-named paper was 
 printed March 26, 1879. Its editor and proprietor 
 was Elder S. Z. Sharp. Its purpose was to supply 
 a growing want for literature suited to young peo- 
 ple. Its success was marvelous, as seen by the 
 mailing list ; by the time of the sixth edition the cir- 
 culation reached almost two thousand copies. In 
 the fall of '79 Brother Sharp purchased the Chil- 
 dren at Work and merged it into Our Sunday 
 School. In October of the same year the Young 
 Disciple, published at Huntingdon, Pa., was brought 
 to Ashland and consolidated with Our Sunday School. 
 It remained at Ashland only iwo years, whence it re- 
 moved again to Tluntingdrin. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 301 
 
 The Brethren's Quarterly. 
 
 The first Sunday-school quarterly published in the 
 Brotherhood had its inception at Ashland, Ohio. 
 This new publication made its advent in 1879. It 
 sought to supply a great need and so it did, judg- 
 ing from the rapid demand for its helpful pages. 
 It only lived at Ashland about two years, due to the 
 1882 di\'ision in the churcli, whence it became 
 merged with the publishing interests remaining 
 identified with the main body of the Brotherhood. 
 
 From these facts concerning the publication of 
 Sunday-school literature, it appears that Northeast- 
 ern Ohio again occupies a unicjue position, prac- 
 tically at the beginning of Sunday-school literature, 
 a work which has grown to mammoth proportions, 
 supplying an army of workers, the most formidable 
 force in the ranks of the church for the extension of 
 the Kingdom. 
 
 Though these most useful auxiliaries of the church 
 ha\'e moved out of the District, yet it has the 
 pleasurable consciousness of having sown the seed 
 which is bringing a worthy harvest for the Mas- 
 ter's use. " One may plant, another water, yet the 
 increase comes from God." 
 
 WOMEN OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO. 
 
 The membership of Northeastern Ohio consti- 
 tutes a great and important link in the history of 
 the Brotherhood. Without the activities of faith 
 in this territory the historic outlines of tjie church 
 
302 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 would l)c a quite different chapter from what it is 
 ni.iw. 
 
 dliis hnk lias jjeen forged by both man and 
 woman, and we feel to assign our sisterhood as im- 
 portant a part as our brethren in the equation of 
 the extension (jf the Kingdom. liach has the di- 
 \ine im))rint, and for each the (iestiny is the same. 
 Though their lal^ors vary, yet in their intellectual, 
 social and moral ach-ancement they become one in 
 the work of the Master. Men and women rise or 
 fall together. No peojjle can, with impunity, 
 enslave woman, or hush her voice. In so far as 
 society advances in Christian culture, the veil that 
 has obscured wiiman's presence and worth has 
 been remo\ed, and we are permitted to see her 
 exercising in self-sacrificing devotion and love in the 
 things that pertain to the purity and uplift of both 
 church and state. She has unfalteringly come up 
 with man, cheering and comforting through all 
 the (irdeals incident to the establishment of churches 
 in new territory. 
 
 Feminine characteristics are conceded to be of 
 finer Ciuality than those wdiich are purely masculine. 
 Her tenderness and kindness show a bravery and 
 heroism outrivaling that of the battlefield. No 
 woman's \'oice was heard in the clamor for the life 
 of Jesus. A man betrayed him, one denied him, 
 nine more fled, a man pronounced the death sen- 
 tence and a woman begged to ha\'e his life spared. 
 AV'omen followed him to the cross, shedding tears of 
 sympathv, were the first lo the tomb, and the lirst to 
 greet him after the resurrection. 
 
 When wc scan closelv the? structure of the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 303 
 
 churches of Northeastern Ohio, we see just such 
 elements of true and tender womanhood as have 
 graced other periods of human history. Feminine 
 touches of beauty, strength and courage are every- 
 where to be seen in our church organism. With 
 what wonderful fortitude our sisterhood has sus- 
 tained the overwhelming reverses of society inci- 
 dent to pioneering expeditions ! Disasters that 
 break down the spirit of man and prostrate him in 
 the dust, seem to call forth all her energies, giving 
 intrepidity and elevation of character approaching 
 upon occasions e\-en to the sublime. 
 
 Nothing can be more significant than to behold 
 our sisters in Christ, whose sphere during all these 
 years has been one of obscurity, submission, and 
 dependence, rise suddenly into mental force and 
 spiritual power, to be more numerous than man in 
 the prayer meeting, to be teaching in the Sunday- 
 schools, to be man's comforter and supporter under 
 misfortunes, and abide with unshrinking firmness 
 the most bitter blasts of adversity. This has been 
 the nature of the reinforcement our brethren ha\e 
 received during the past hundred years in the or- 
 ganization of churches. 
 
 When we look for the names of notable women in 
 the District, they seem to be hidden as securely as 
 the names of the women in Bible times. She has 
 been willing that all her labors, sacrifices, joys and 
 successes be recorded under man's signature. She 
 is the silken thread which makes strong the warp 
 and woof of church extension. Allow a suggesti\-e 
 sketch of some details that became strong pillars 
 of support to the superstructure which so gracefully 
 
304 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 rose up in the person of the local congregations. 
 With men, the pioneer women were in direct con- 
 tact with the soil, with comparatively no equip- 
 ment standing between production and consumption 
 to lighten the drudgery of life. It would appear 
 that pioneering would fall heavier upon man than 
 upon woman, but it seems not to be the case. Man 
 has the freedom of outdoor life, the blue sky to 
 charm and kindle the imagination ; the sun with its 
 health-giving rays and an atmosphere filled with the 
 aroma of budding and blooming fields. But the 
 outlines of a pioneer woman's sphere is a little shack 
 with one or two rooms, not only a place to shelter 
 the human part of the family, but it is cheerfully 
 surrendered to anything else of domestic interest. 
 She cheerfully gives up space for the mending and 
 making of harness ; blacksmithing is done from the 
 kitchen stove, and implements for farm use are whit- 
 tled out by the old fireplace. Additional room is 
 surrendered for the storing of grain and seeds await- 
 ing the vision of higher markets. The starving lamb 
 and sick pig are brought to the house to have their 
 ailments attended to ; in short, anything of domestic 
 worth seems well pitched over against where the 
 wife and children stay. Yet the good wife through 
 it all kept the altar fires burning, and sang the 
 sweetest songs, looking steadfastly for the fulfilment 
 of her dreams of a larger and more quiet day. Not 
 only so, but she cheerfully gave room in her own 
 humble cottage for church purposes, spending anx- 
 ious days previous to the meetings that everything 
 might be in readiness, including even refreshments 
 for tliose who came from a distance. The appointed 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO .^05 
 
 day was full of felluwsliiii, e\ery one was made 
 to feel the warm breath of welcome, thus kindling 
 in them a desire to return again. The day of Chris- 
 tian fellowship finding a sweet repose in memory, 
 and the wife's heart rekindled by much well-wishing 
 and keenly conscious of having done God's pleasure, 
 she puts herself to the task of rearranging her house 
 for domestic purposes. This is the nature of our 
 pioneer sisterhood, who ha\-e made possible our 
 larger Brotherhood. The feminine elements of our 
 modern membership have drunk freely from pioneer 
 fountains ; the grace and beauty and unfaltering de- 
 x'otion of the women who adorned the beginning nf 
 our church edifice have been lively influences all 
 along the way. When we see the faithfulness of 
 the ministers in their long journeys to their ap- 
 pointments on horseback, and other primitive modes 
 of travel, we must see the ministers' wives bearing a 
 burden and responsibility ecpial to and even greater 
 than theirs in keeping the home together in their 
 absence. 
 
 Usually woman does not hold very much of this 
 world's goods in her own right, yet she is a philan- 
 thropist of the first rank ; she gi\-es more nearly than 
 man of what is in her possession to give. 
 
 In the " Go ye," our sisterhood stands first in 
 point of numbers now engaged in personal work. 
 She has caused the Star of Bethlehem to appear in 
 the horizon of many souls. She has carved her 
 name upon tables of memory, and her work al- 
 ready wrought is a perpetual invitation to sisters 
 of the faith to join in the work of God that shall 
 eventually fill the whole earth v\-i(!i his praise. 
 
o06 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 " Where the Spirit of (iod is tliere is liberty," has 
 ijrought our sisterhood remarkably to the front dur- 
 ing the i)ast decades. They are the ones who are 
 carrying forward with painstaking zeal our "Aid 
 Society " work, ever solicitous of the health, com- 
 fort and sustenance of those in need, and ambitious 
 to be an earning power, that they might be enrolled 
 as faithful gi\-ers to the philanthropies of Christ. 
 Our Home Mission Board is extending mission work 
 into city populations with commendable courage 
 and success since the personal worth of women has 
 been enlisted. In the Christian \\'orkers' and prayer 
 meetings her voice in song and prayer evinces a 
 leadership that reaches out after a larger millennium 
 of piety and grace. In the training department of 
 the church (the Sunday-school) our sisterhood has 
 captured the primary classes almost exclusively, 
 proving herself a teacher of adaptability and courage 
 in planting and cultivating the eternal Word, thus 
 giving over to the church a young and vigorous 
 membership. 
 
 As civilization is depending upon the kind of 
 homes that are being fostered, we see woman again 
 standing at the threshold of all progress. Within 
 our Fraternity she has with dignity maintained the 
 Christian home, the voucher of good men and wom- 
 en for the Master's service. Her thought is con- 
 stantly absorbed in the physical, industrial, moral 
 and religious welfare of those whom it is God's good 
 pleasure to gi\e into her bosom. At the altar of her 
 heart, sweet incense of lo\-e is perpetually burning, 
 thus gi\'ing tn nur race its sweetest thought. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 307 
 
 " Home, sweet home," the guarantee of a larger and 
 more aggressive Kingdom of faith. 
 
 May we not sum up the work of our sisters of 
 Northeastern Ohio, the past hundred years, by say- 
 ing, they have abhorred evil more, loved righteous- 
 ness more, journeyed more amid perils, suffered 
 more, prayed more, and wept more for Jesus and 
 humanity than their big, strong brothers of the 
 faith ? 
 
 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 
 
 Sunday-school work in Northeastern Ohio is an 
 interesting chapter, since all departures from the 
 usual customs of church work tend to arouse cjues- 
 tions of propriety and of right and wrong, all, how- 
 ever, in the spirit of sincerity. The Sunday-school 
 encountered its full measure of opposition in most 
 of the churches of the District. The usual argu- 
 ment produced was that it was a worldly move, and 
 that its sanction is not found in the Bible in so many 
 words. At some places the opposition was of such 
 deep conscientiousness that members would not 
 come into the church till after the Sunday-school 
 session was over, since in most places the preaching 
 services followed the Sunday-school hour. The 
 most remarkable thing of it all was that in not a 
 single church in the District did the contention over 
 the Sunday-school permanently impair the peace 
 and harmony of the members. Through singing, 
 prayer, the teaching of the Scriptures, godly li\'ing, 
 and lo\'ing fellowship of the adx'ocates of the Sun- 
 day-school with those who did not see it that way. 
 
308 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 was every \estige ul opposition soon overcome, and 
 at the present time the Sunday-schools of the Dis- 
 trict have the distinction of being front rank in the 
 Brotherhood. The peaceful solution of so diffi- 
 cult a situation is what we who are now living 
 should ever stri\e to make effectual in all of our 
 church work. 
 
 The Sunday-school made its ad\-ent into the Dis- 
 trict through the union school ; and in other places 
 through our Brethren's children attending schools 
 of other denominations, which soon became a drain- 
 age from among our own people. The latter part of 
 the sixties, and the seventies, became the period ot 
 great awakening on the Sunday-school question. To 
 organize a Sunday-school was a most difficult thing, 
 for the churches as a rule were not experienced in 
 organization work. The only models that could be 
 had were what was seen in the Sunday-schools of 
 other churches, and those could only be imitated 
 slightly. Aside from the Cjuestion of organization, 
 was the matter of teachers, how to teach, what to 
 teach, and that without any helps whate\'er, except- 
 ing the Bi]>le and the inspiring Spirit. Those were 
 days when Sunday-school institutes and Sunday- 
 school conventions were not even dreamed of. 
 There were no methods of teaching known except- 
 ing those in use in the day schools. No lesson helps 
 other than those published by other denominations, 
 which in a number of instances were adopted. The 
 beginners' classes in many instances were taught 
 from t1ie day school jirimer, and all others who 
 could read, from the New Testament; the lessons 
 for the most part being selected by the superintend- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 309 
 
 cut ami teachers. Dnision of classes according to 
 grades was yet a dream, hence it was c[uite common 
 to find classes ranging in years from ten to seventy- 
 live. Those were the good old days when both the 
 old and young sat down together and searched ear- 
 nestly for the truth. It was not uncommon to hnd 
 teachers with large classes who made no profession 
 at all. 
 
 During the first years Sunday-school work was 
 conducted only during the summer months, and not 
 until in the nineties did the evergreen contagion 
 take place. At the present time all the schools of 
 the District are in perpetual session. The largest 
 number of schools at any one time was thirty-six, 
 with a total enrollment of 3,600, and a corps of 
 teachers and officers numbering over 300. 
 
 Some time in the nineties Children's Meetings 
 were introduced. But at first the children took only 
 a small part in the programs, the other part being 
 rendered by elderly brethren and sisters. The idea 
 of bringing the children to the front in public pro- 
 grams brought new life into Sunday-school work, 
 because it was doing what the Master did when he 
 put children forward as examples to be imitated by 
 grown-ups. 
 
 Teachers' Meetings, Cradle Rolls, Home Depart- 
 ments, and Teacher Training are all products of 
 about the beginning of the twentieth century. Their 
 success is somewhat varying throughout the schools. 
 
 The first District Sunday-school conventions held 
 in the Brotherhood were probably convened in 
 Northeastern Ohio. Presumably in the )rear 1878 
 the first one was held in the Chippewa Church, 1879 
 
310 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 111 the Ashland Church, and 1880 in the Black River 
 congregation. The meetnigs were largely attended 
 by both old and young. The Brotherhood about 
 this time taking an ad\'erse attitude on the Sun- 
 day-school convention idea, no more District con- 
 ventions were held until in June, 1898. The first 
 District Sunday-school Meeting of 1878 being held 
 in the Chippewa Church, it is fitting that the re- 
 vival of this most essential feature of religious ac- 
 tivity should resume its pedagogical activities in the 
 above-named big-hearted congregation. Each year 
 since have assembled from all over the District the 
 young people, middle aged and old ones, too, to seek 
 out the best methods, secure the largest measures 
 of truth, and the greatest possible inspiration to do 
 the work of the Master. These annual occasions 
 have never failed in attracting large and interested 
 crowds. 
 
 Music and the discussion of pertinent Sunday- 
 school questions made up the principal features of 
 the programs. Recitations were woven in at times. 
 
 At the District Meeting of 1907 a petition was pre- 
 sented asking for an annual Sunday-school InsHtute 
 in which specialists along lines of Sunday-school 
 education should gi^-e instruction that would better 
 systematize the work of the schools, and cause the 
 teaching to be more educational. These institutes 
 in a measure have realized their purpose. 
 
 The finances of these institutes are kept U]i for 
 the most part by assessments from the various 
 schools of the District. As l(iiig as these institutes 
 keep within their appointed sphere, they prove to 
 be of great value. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO oil 
 
 In 1902 the Sunday-schools of the District assem- 
 bled in the Owl Creek Church and the missionary 
 spirit seemed to run so high that a move was put 
 on foot for the schools to sujjport a missionary in 
 some foreign field. Many speeches were made, an 
 offering amounting to something like $40 was lifted, 
 and resolutions were adopted asking District Meet- 
 ing to approve of the move. A committee was also 
 appointed to confer with candidates who may be 
 looking toward the mission field as their life's work. 
 The District Meeting responded with a hearty ap- 
 proval. The Sunday-schools at the present time 
 have on hand something like $1,200 for said pur- 
 pose, and are assisting a candidate in her education 
 for the foreign field. The time now seems short 
 till schools of Northeastern Ohio will be actively 
 engaged in the Orient through their representative. 
 It is needless to say that this missionary move has 
 greatly stimulated the schools. 
 
 In 1887 was the beginning of the District Sunday- 
 school Secretary idea. Brother John F. Kahler was 
 the first one who opened up that most useful field 
 of service. He was appointed by the District Meet- 
 ing. At first the Secretary did all his work through 
 correspondence, by gathering statistics and giving 
 occasional recommendations. The work proved 
 very unsatisfactory to the secretaries because of the 
 difficulty in getting reports from the schools, and the 
 want of accuracy in the reports: finally it was urged 
 that the secretary should ^'isit the schools and give 
 personal superintendence in their work. As a 
 result of this personal supervision, new schools 
 
312 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 ha\e been organized, nld ones reju^'enated, 
 modern and up-to-date methods used, auxil- 
 iary departments organized, more money is 
 being raised, more seholars attending and teachers 
 teaching, also more scholars are uniting with the 
 church. In the reports of the District Meetings 
 you will note the names of those who served as sec- 
 retaries. 
 
 Northeastern Ohio Sunday-School Report. 
 The following report, gotten up by Secretary G. 
 A. Cassel, of Ashland, will prove interesting, not 
 only for the present reader, but for future genera- 
 tions as well. The prominence given to the Sunday- 
 school in the churches of the District may be con- 
 sidered prophetic of the encouragement it will re- 
 ceive in the future. The District in her Annual 
 Conferences occupies but one day in the trans- 
 action of all the business that naturally comes to 
 it, but the Sunday-schools in their annual conven- 
 tion and institute fill three days full of busy work. 
 Not a few schools represent with delegates at the 
 State conventions. 
 
 (A sample report.) 
 
 Number of .scliools in .ses.sion 1- 1!M I IIIJO 
 
 niontlTs in year 2^i 29 
 
 Total number of .scliooLs in Di.strict ^^l 31 
 
 If not in .session 12 niontbs in >"ear cannot become Fr(.mt 
 
 Line School. 
 
 Scliool.s. mil 19111 
 
 Holding Children's Meeting.^ 11 1 7 1> .'l 
 
 Ob.ser\'inK" Deci.sion Day 3 2 G 1 
 
 Teaclier T'raining Classes S 7 G 1 
 
 IVIemljers of Training- Classes 1>1 tlo G 1 
 
 Teachers' iVleetings 7 7 G <* 
 
 Separate Room for Primaries .... 22 21 G 1 
 
 Having T^ibrarles 1-1 ] 1 G 2 
 
 Contriliiiting to Missions 17 17 
 
 Amount Contributed to Missions ..$ t',sr,.00 .$ 7ll,<;.i;f} L $2P..f>;i 
 
 Total OlTcring 2011. :!3 lf|.''il.71G SS.62 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 313 
 
 Niimlicr or OfllcfrH ami Teac'Iu-is .. :!Nl^ :;;j(l (1 ri2 
 
 NiinibtT Cradle Rolls -1 :; 1 <i 
 
 Enrollment Cradle Rolls IIT. in:; (J 1 1; 
 
 Number of Home Departments .... Ill i:i G i' 
 
 Enrollment Home Departments ... ::1.57 37n D \'j 
 
 Total Enrollment of Main Schools L'lSS 2 4711 G 1 r, 
 
 Total Enrollment all departments . SljoO 3601 G 'li) 
 
 Average Attendance iriSS 170« D 110 
 
 (Loss due to e.Klremely inclement 
 
 weather) 
 
 Total Membership of Congregations 2(100 2 145 G 101 
 Number of Conversions thi-ougli 
 
 Sunday-school 121 112 G 
 
 Our 1912 Sunday-School Standard. 
 
 1. School open all the year. 
 
 2. Statistics gi\'en promptly when called for. 
 
 3. Contributions for District work; (a) District 
 secretary, (b) Missionary. 
 
 4. Teachers' Meetings. 
 
 5. An active Cradle Roll. 
 
 6. A working Home Department. 
 
 7. A Teacher Training Class, or at least one stu- 
 dent or graduate for 1912. 
 
 8. One or more organized Adult Biljle Classes. 
 
 9. Average attendance not less than one-half the 
 enrollment of main school. 
 
 10. School rejiresented by delegates at District 
 convention. 
 
 AVe have in the District five Front Line Sunday- 
 schools, nine Banner Sunday-schools, eleven Star 
 Sunday-schools, and six of no standing at all. 
 
 If your school has not reached six points be sure 
 to ha^'e it do so by 1913. Whatever standard your 
 school may ha\'e attained do not fail to ha\'e it 
 also attain that high standard of spirituality neces- 
 sary in e\-ery school to reach the goal for which it 
 stands. 
 
314 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 I'l-inting, Postage and Stationery, $9.60. 
 
 May God bless you in what you have done for the 
 furtherance of the kingdom, and strengthen you in 
 what you will do this coming year, and help us to 
 do more for him in the future than we have in the 
 past. 
 
 " Yield thy poor best, and mark not liow or why; 
 Lest one day, seeing all aljout thee spread 
 A mighty crowd, and marvelously fed, 
 Thy heart break ont into a bitter cry, 
 
 I might have furnished, I, yea, even J, 
 The two small fishes and the barley Ijread '." 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 G. A. Cassel, General Secretary. 
 
 SISTERS' AID SOCIETIES. 
 
 It was along about 1894 that this style of organ- 
 ization made its ad^'ent into the District. From 
 the most relial:)le sources, it made its first appear- 
 ance in the Maple Grove Church, and the following 
 year in the Ashland Church. From this small 
 beginning it has become a leavening ])rocess in 
 nearly all the churches of the District. 
 
 This is the one organization of the church that 
 belongs exclusively to the one sex of our fraternity. 
 Our sisterhood has never been forward in the work 
 of the church ; but in the fullness of time her zeal 
 for doing great things for the Master soon form- 
 ulated itself into a society where her spirit could 
 find free expression in the doing of those little 
 things that liecome great accomplishments. 
 
 In her meetings they fashion useful wearing ap- 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 315 
 
 parel, make bed clothing and do some work for the 
 poor of the several communities, give gifts to the 
 needy, assist in building churchhouses, and con- 
 tribute liberally to both home and foreign missions ; 
 they talk about good things, read the Scriptures, 
 pray and plan for larger things for the Lord. 
 
 Through the medium of their work many homes 
 not of the church have been enlisted, which have 
 in many instances become real leaders in the work, 
 and whose enlistment has provoked some of our sis- 
 ters to join the busy bees in making honey for those 
 who have ne^'er tasted of the sweets of life. In not 
 a few instances have some of these identified them- 
 selves with the church, and through their fidelity 
 have become strong pillars in the kingdom of God. 
 
 The needy ones of any community are well taken 
 care of by these societies. The altar fires of the 
 church are rekindled by their personal efforts in 
 both material and spiritual things and homes are 
 made to enjoy a new inspiration of love, which the 
 Master bestowed so graciously upon the lost. 
 
 Statistics are not at hand to show how many Aid 
 Societies there are in the District. From what re- 
 ports are at hand it appears that the work of or- 
 ganizing in the several churches did not make 
 much progress till after 1900. 
 
 It appears that their work is in such beautiful 
 harmony with the Scriptures, their field of work a 
 veritable harvest field to be both S(i\vn and gathered, 
 their courage so invincible, that these organizations 
 have a bright future of possibilities. 
 
316 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The following form of organization will serve as 
 a fair sample of all the organizatifjns in the Dis- 
 trict. 
 
 SISTERS' AID SOCIETY OF ASHLAND, 
 OHIO. 
 
 Preamble. 
 
 Believing united effort essential in securing more 
 knowledge of missions, greater zeal for the Lord's 
 work and a fuller treasury for carrying on the work, 
 we, sisters of the Ashland (Dickey) Church, or- 
 ganize ourselves into a Society and adojjt the fol- 
 lowing Constitution and By-Laws: 
 
 Constitution. 
 
 Article I. — Name. 
 This organization shall be called the Sisters' Aid 
 Society of the Ashland (Dickey) Church. 
 
 Article II.— Officers. 
 
 Sec. 1. There shall be four officers of the Soci- 
 ety; a President. Vice-President, Superintendent, 
 Secretary and Treasurer ctimbined, all of whom 
 shall be meml^ers of the Brethren Church. 
 
 Sec. 2. The officers shall be elected by ballot at 
 a regular meeting of the Society, to ser\e a term of 
 six months. 
 
 Sec. 3. Vacancies can l)e filled at any regular 
 meeting of the Society. 
 
 yVrticle III.— Duties of Officers. 
 Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the President to 
 [(reside at all meetings of the Socictv, In preserve 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 317 
 
 order, to decide what the Hterary work shall be and 
 who the performers, and to do any other regular 
 duty that may pertain to her office. 
 
 Sec. 2. The Vice-President shall perform all du- 
 ties of the President in case the President cannot 
 serve. 
 
 Sec. 3. The Secretary and Treasurer shall record 
 the business of each meeting, collect and keep an ac- 
 count of all funds received, pay expenses when bills 
 are presented signed by the President and pre- 
 sent proceeds to such charital^le causes as the So- 
 ciety may direct. 
 
 Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent 
 with the advice of the President to make all pur- 
 chases, and to superintend all needlework at each 
 meeting. 
 
 Sec. 5. The President, Vice-President and Sec- 
 retary shall constitute an executive committee. 
 
 Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the executive com- 
 mittee to impose fines, and to provide for waiving 
 that By-Law which requires us to meet the first 
 Wednesday afternoon of each month. 
 
 Article IV. — Members. 
 Sec. 1. Anjr woman may become a member of 
 the Society by paying a membership fee of ten 
 cents and signing the constitution. 
 
 Article 5. — Quorum. 
 Sec. 1. Seven member of the Society shall he 
 necessary to form a quorum for the carrying on of 
 business. 
 
318 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Article 6. — Amendments. 
 Sec. 1. Any amendment may be made to this 
 constitution l)y a two-thirds \ote of all the mem- 
 Ijcrs. 
 
 By-Laws. 
 
 Article 1. — Meetings. 
 
 Sec. 1. The Society shall meet the first Wednes- 
 day afternoon of each month from one to four 
 o'clock. 
 
 Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called by the 
 President, at the written request of three members. 
 
 MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 This organization had its tangible beginning in 
 the following manner; A number of brethren were 
 informally gathered together at a certain place, and 
 of course the burden of the conversation would run 
 along church lines. The ministerial prol)lem seemed 
 to gain prominence over all others. What can be 
 done to improve our ministry? How can they be 
 l>est made acquainted with each other's work? 
 These and kindred queries were propounded. Some 
 one said, " \\^3uld it not be a good thing if we 
 would have a few ministerial meetings?" At this 
 point the sentiment began to focalize. In 1892 
 Brother John Kahler, of the Canton Church, drew 
 up a paper, presented it to his home church to ap- 
 prove its passage to District Meeting. The church 
 very gladly endorsed the proposition. The paper 
 simply called fur the liolding of a ministerial meet- 
 ing within ihc District. Without much discussion 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 319 
 
 the paper was approved by the District Meeting. It 
 was then decided to hold the first meeting in the 
 Wooster Church, Nov. 24, 1892. This first meeting 
 generated so much inspiration that it was decided 
 to continue them. The first meetings were held at 
 separate times from any other District gatherings. 
 Along about 1895 this child of the District attached 
 itself to the District Meeting, giving its program 
 the day before the sitting of the District Conference. 
 Sometime near 1900 this body of workers organized 
 into what is now known as the " Ministerial Asso- 
 ciation of the Church of the Brethren, of North- 
 eastern Ohio." 
 
 Roll is called each session of all elders and min- 
 isters. Memorials are drawn up and read of any 
 deceased during the year. A general good feeling 
 is built up through the efforts of this body. The 
 programs are practical and are discussed with com- 
 mendable ability. It is come to be known that in 
 this meeting the spirit of the brethren is fitted for 
 the weighty work that usually comes up in the 
 District Meeting the day following. 
 
 The officers are: Moderator, Assistant Moderator, 
 Reading Clerk, Writing Clerk and Treasurer. The 
 ministers of Northeastern Ohio are noted for the 
 peace and harmony of their work. 
 
 TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATION. 
 
 Along about 1907 Northeastern Ohio chose to or- 
 ganize more thoroughly to attack King Alcohol. It 
 is not to be understood that intemperance was creep- 
 ing into the membership of the se\'eral churches, 
 
320 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 lull lluit tlic inu\ c was inspired by a long-nourislied 
 cun\'iction tliat " my bruther's keeper " idea called 
 for every possible diligence that the sons of men 
 might be sa\ ed from the drink viper. The keeping of 
 the membership of the churches free from the pol- 
 lutions of the intoxicating cup has been a faithful 
 and successful effort through all the years of the 
 Church of the Brethren in this section of the State. 
 The general rule has been, through all the years, to 
 tenderly admonish any members who had been 
 tempted, and if they persisted in the habit they 
 would be dismissed from church fellowship. In this 
 way the church has ever maintained a solid member- 
 ship who were opposed to the drink habit. Thus 
 you will see that the church's energies were used in 
 keeping her membership pure, and through the 
 jjower of example in wielding a like influence upon 
 the world. But it was seen in the fulness of time that 
 example was not enough ; that the putting of this fine 
 example into the field of actual demonstrations and 
 attacks upon the alcohol demon was an effectual 
 way to nntltiply the power of example. AVhen the 
 District became convinced of this fact she was not 
 long in gi\'ing exer)^ legitimate encouragement to 
 her forces for a forward move. Hence it was a 
 happy day when the churches met in District Coun- 
 cil and unanimously decided to effect temperance 
 organizations in every church. 
 
 The committee appointed to do this work was 
 made up of young and wide-a-wake brethren. 
 
 Committee : Dr. H. IT. Lehman, Ashland, Ohio, 
 Chairman ; D. R. McFadden, Smithville, Ohio, Sec- 
 retary ; \V. D. Fisher, Baltic, Ohio, Treasurer. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 321 
 
 The conmiittcc soon bcyaii a serious study ol the 
 situation and settled on the following lines of pro- 
 cedure : First, to effect a tem[)erance organization 
 in every local church, by choosing a chairman, sec- 
 retary and treasurer. Second, that temperance pro- 
 grams be given Cjuarterly, special speakers be called 
 in upon occasions to give addresses, and that tem- 
 perance literature be freely distributed. Third, that 
 offerings be taken at these special meetings, sixty 
 per cent of which should be used by the home or- 
 ganization to further its work, twenty per cent to 
 be sent to the General Conference Committee, and 
 twenty per cent to be sent to the treasurer of the 
 District Temperance Committee to increase her 
 power to do more work. Y-Vlong these three channels 
 the work has grown, yet much remains to be done 
 in many places. Strong appeals have been sent out 
 at times to arouse the churches to an appreciation 
 of the supreme opportunities that were theirs to 
 accomplish telling blows against the great evil. The 
 following is a good sample of the kind of live wire 
 the committee is: In the fall of 1912 the State of 
 Ohio submitted to the ^•oters a number of amend- 
 ments to the State Constitution to be voted on Sept. 
 3. Here is the letter that was sent out to all the 
 churches : 
 
 " We urge that each church give at least one Sunday 
 before September 3 to the consideration of the proposed 
 hciuor license amendment. The Christian people and es- 
 pecially the voters of the Church of the Brethren should 
 stand to a man against the proposed amendment. It is 
 not a political question; it is a moral issue of great im- 
 portance, and needs the support of the whole Christian 
 church, lint if the good jjeople neglect their duty on 
 
322 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 September 3, wlitn this lukI other important questions are 
 to be voted upon, there may be added to our constitution 
 such amendments as will greatly hinder the advance- 
 ment of the temperance vvf)rk as well as other moral 
 problems. 
 
 " We have given your names and addresses to the Anti- 
 Saloon League of the State and asked that literature lie 
 sent you, which we hope you will study carefully, then 
 present the question to your congregations so that each 
 may see the great importance of his support in the elec- 
 tion on constitutional amendments September 3, for the 
 moral and spiritual welfare of the people of Ohio. 
 
 " It is also believed that the adoption of the woman's 
 suffrage amendment will greatly help in bringing about 
 temperance and moral reforms. Of course, the Church of 
 the Brethren should be unanimously in favor of abolish- 
 ing capita! punishment. 
 
 " P. S. Please do not forget this, but make it a matter 
 of importance." 
 
 The following are the churches now maintaining 
 effectual temperance organizations : Ashland 
 (Dickey), Maple Grove, Chippewa, East Nimishil- 
 len, Springfield, Mohican, Akron, ^^'ooster, Baltic, 
 Dan\'ille, Black Ri\er, Mahoning, Owl Creek. 
 
 Who can imagine the results of a perpetual stir- 
 ring at the forces of the se\'eral churches, to keep 
 them wide-awake on these live issues? W'hen pre- 
 cept and powerful doing get after the illegitimate 
 business in good earnest, then something will be 
 sure to happen. 
 
 DISTRICT MEETINGS. 
 
 When we scan the minutes of the District Con- 
 ferences, ^^■e l.iegin to realize we are taking the 
 l)ulse of the churches composing the District: wc 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 323 
 
 are made to feel also we are studying a very essen- 
 tial part of church work. It was at these meetings 
 that peace and harmony were made to become the 
 forces that have so gracefully held the churches in 
 the bond of union all these years. At these meet- 
 ings drooping spirits were made to rejoice in hope, 
 and take on new zeal for the Master. Expansive 
 measures were inaugurated also and sent to the 
 churches, that they might heed the Macedonian call 
 for help. These were ^'eritable feasts of love, and 
 not a few made their annual pilgrimages to these 
 holy shrines to bathe their souls in the pleasure of 
 renewed fellowships, in the forming of new ac- 
 quaintances and to listen anew to the story of the 
 Cross. 
 
 The proceedings of the first years of District 
 Meetings were never recorded. This was due to an 
 order of General Conference to the Districts along 
 in the sixties that District Conferences should not 
 publish their proceedings ; hence the first years we 
 are naturally anxious to know the most about are 
 closed chapters. The first District Meeting in North- 
 eastern Ohio was in 1864, and held in the barn of 
 Jacob Brumbaugh, northeast from Canton, in Stark 
 County. 
 
 The elders reported to have been present as wit- 
 nesses to said organization were: Henry Davy, 
 Jacob Garver, John P. Ebersole, Henry Kurtz, Con- 
 rad Kahler, Henry Bruml^augh, Henry Browand 
 and Samuel Gar^■er. 
 
 Just how the District was formally organized no 
 one remains to tell the story. Not until about 1874 
 were any attempts made to publish the records of 
 
324 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the meetings. It seems, howe\'er, that the first 
 meetings were hekl in barns, and tliat the multitudes 
 were fed free of charge. Not until about 1895 did 
 the free feeding of the multitude cease. Below you 
 will find a brief sketch of each meeting, omitting as 
 far as possible minor details. 
 
 1874. 
 
 This is the first meeting of the District, so far as 
 known, that attempted to record the proceedings of 
 the sessions. From the records we glean the follow- 
 ing: 
 
 " Convened in the Springfield meetinghouse Alay 
 13, near 10 o'clock A. M. ; opened by singing, prayer 
 and reading the first Psalm. Morgan \A'orkman was 
 then appointed moderator pro tem. He then ap- 
 pointed Jacob Carver moderator ; Joseph Ritten- 
 house, assistant; William Shidler, writing clerk; P. 
 J. Brown, assistant; E. L. Yoder, reading clerk." 
 
 The roll call of churches : Rush Creek, Jonathan 
 Creek, Delaware, Owl Creek, Danville, Loudon\ille, 
 Ashland, Maple Grove, Mohican, Black River, Chip- 
 pewa, Springfield, West Nimishillen, Canton, Tus- 
 carawas, Sandy, Mahoning. Sugar Creek and Co- 
 shocton, twenty in all, and they paid into the treas- 
 ury $62, to cover the expenses of the District fiir the 
 ensuing year. Two churches were represented b}^ 
 letter, and nine r|ueries on ^'arious problems were 
 l)resented. The following ma}^ be of interest: Is it 
 right for members to take part in temperance move- 
 ments? Answer: A\'e are a temperance jieople 
 and we teach the ("ios|)el of it. How aljout organ- 
 izing singing classes? AA^ould it not 1)C a good thinsf 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 325 
 
 to allow each church to send one or two delegates 
 to Annual Meeting and each District one elder on 
 the Standing Committee? Where churches have 
 two meetinghouses, should there be two sets of 
 trustees? Should a church pay the doctor bill of a 
 sister whose husband is not a member? Could not 
 some efficient plan be adopted for the spread of the 
 Gospel? 
 
 Brethren Glass, B3^ers and Clement were appoint- 
 ed a committee to procure a home for a minister in 
 the Trumbull County Church. Delegates also were 
 to solicit their home churches for said purpose. 
 
 Elder Jacob Garver was elected a member of 
 Standing Committee and Elder Conrad Kahler as 
 delegate. The Springfield Church gave excellent 
 entertainment. 
 
 1875. 
 
 In the Canton Church, Stark County, on May 5, 
 at 9 A. M. 
 
 The fifteenth chapter of Acts was read this time. 
 Jacob Garver was chosen moderator, Joseph Rit- 
 tenhouse assistant, P. J. Brown clerk, and William 
 Saddler assistant. 
 
 Sixteen churches were represented, with twenty- 
 seven delegates. Four not represented. 
 
 Paid into District treasury $19. 
 
 AVhy hold "ur council meetings privately, when 
 yVnnual Meetings are held publicly? Answer: Be- 
 cause our council meetings are more of a personal 
 nature. 
 
 Plow about peddling milk on the Sabbath? Not 
 right. 
 
326 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The use of what was called the " tune book " was 
 discussed and tabled. 
 
 An urgent request was made " for an organized 
 plan for having the Gospel preached throughout the 
 District." A board of managers was appointed as 
 follows: George Ir\'in, Joseph Rittenhouse and Ja- 
 cob Mishler. The former was to act as treasurer 
 and the last named as secretary. All requests for 
 preaching should be sent to the secretary at Moga- 
 dore, Ohio. Each member in the District is re- 
 quested to pay ten cents quarterly for this special 
 purpose. The reader will note that this is the be- 
 ginning of Home Mission Board work in the Dis- 
 trict. 
 
 Jacob Garver was elected to the Standing Com- 
 mittee and Conrad Kahler as delegate. 
 
 1876. 
 
 Held in the Danville Church, May 24, at 9 A. M. 
 Moderator, George Irvin ; assistant, P. J. Brown ; 
 Clerk, E. L. Yoder ; assistant, Josiah Keim. 
 
 Eighteen churches were represented ; three not 
 represented ; twenty-seven delegates were present, 
 and $22.75 paid into the treasury. 
 
 What should be done with a church that is inac- 
 ti\'e? Answer: Get it in order. 
 
 May the home mission fund be used for foreign 
 missions? Answer: No. 
 
 A resolution was adopted to zealously encourage 
 good singing, Sunday-schools, pra3'er, and series of 
 meetings, to be instant in season and out of season, 
 and to both publicly and pri\'ately ])ersuade sinners 
 to come to Christ. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 327 
 
 A query relative to saluting colored memljers was 
 sent to Annual Meeting. 
 
 A committee was sent to the Delaware Church. 
 
 George Irvin was chosen to represent on Standing 
 Committee and P. J. Brown as delegate. 
 
 1877. 
 
 In the Chippewa Church, May 9, at 9 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Morgan AA'orkman ; Assistant, Conrad 
 Kahler; Clerk, Noah Longanecker ; v-Vssistant, E. L. 
 Yoder. 
 
 Churches represented, seventeen; churches not 
 represented, four; money paid to treasurer, $31. 
 
 One new church appears on the calendar, \-iz., 
 Mount Zion. 
 
 Are we in fa\'or of District Sunday-schoijl con- 
 ^'entions? Deferred one year. 
 
 Resolution: " We desire that this District Meet- 
 ing institute vigorous measures to carry the mission 
 work into practical efTect." Also, " In place of pay- 
 ing ten cents per cjuarter as heretofore decided, let 
 every member be urged to pa}' as the Lord has pros- 
 pered him." 
 
 Conrad Kahler elected to Standing Committee and 
 Morgan Workman as delegate. 
 
 1878. 
 
 In the Mahoning Church, May 29, at 9. A. M. 
 
 George Irvin was chosen moderator; P. J. Brown, 
 assistant ; Noah Longanecker, clerk ; Josiah Keim 
 and E. L. Yoder, assistants. 
 
 Churches represented, nineteen ; represented by 
 letter, six. 
 
328 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Orrville, McMahon Creek and Bristolvillc appear 
 as new churches on the calendar. 
 
 Paid into District treasury, $26.50. 
 
 The District Sunday-school question was taken 
 up again and tal)led indefinitely. 
 
 Sisters were encouraged to exercise in public 
 prayer. 
 
 Brethren were admonished against talking against 
 the custohis of the church. 
 
 A change was made in electing members on the 
 Home Mission Board. One, two and three-year 
 terms were adopted. 
 
 The Flome Mission Board has a right to say when 
 a body of members should l>c organized into a 
 church. 
 
 Feasting at funerals was discouraged. 
 
 It is considered right for a sister to draw pension 
 from the Government. 
 
 The members are urged to contribute more liber- 
 ally to home missions. Quarterly giving was again 
 advocated. 
 
 1879. 
 
 Held in the Maple Grove Church, May 21, at 9 
 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Conrad Kahler : Assistant, George Ir- 
 vin : Clerk, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, E. L. 
 Yoder. 
 
 Twenty-one churches were represented; three by 
 letter. 
 
 Paid into District treasury, $43. 
 
 Ministers promising" sisters the pri\"ilege to wear 
 hats were admonislicd to cease such Icioseness. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 329 
 
 The minority ha.YC no right to oppose the majority 
 ill questions sanctioned by General Conference. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was again reorganized, 
 l)y having five meml^ers instead of three ; also evan- 
 gelists were to be sent out. They were to he in full 
 sympathy with the usages of the church. 
 
 It is not right for brethren to take ad\-antage of 
 the Homestead Law to avoid their creditors. 
 
 S. Z. Sharp was elected to represent on Standing 
 Committee and P. J. Brown as delegate. 
 
 1880. 
 
 In the West Nimishillen Church, May 5, at 9 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, P. J- Brown; Assistant, Samuel Car- 
 ver ; Clerk, Josiah Keim ; Assistant, E. L. Yodcr. 
 
 Twenty-two churches were represented; four by 
 letter. 
 
 One new church, \-iz., yVshland City, was added to 
 the calendar. 
 
 An orphanage antl old folks' home received favor- 
 able consideration. 
 
 A c|uery was sent to Annual Meeting asking that 
 sisters be allowed to wear plain hats. 
 
 Permission was given to instruct applicants for 
 membership before the entire congregation. 
 
 District Meeting to convene at 8 A. M. hereafter. 
 
 P. J. Brown elected to Standing Committee and 
 Samuel Carver as delegate. 
 
 1881. 
 
 In the Mohican Church, May 25, at 8 A. M. 
 Moderator, R. H. Miller ; Assistant P. J. Brown ; 
 Clerk, Noah Ponganecker; Assistant, E. L. Yoder. 
 
330 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Twenty churches were represented by delegates, 
 and six by letter. 
 
 Paid to District treasurer, $10.25. 
 
 Brethren calling meetings for a certain ])urpose 
 should not take up personal matters not contained 
 in the purpose of the call. 
 
 The District sent a paper to Annual Conference 
 asking for a change from the " double mode of feet- 
 washing to the single mode." 
 
 One church reported in fa^or of the " Orphanage 
 and Indigent Brethren's Home," and ten opposed. 
 
 Home Mission Board report: Spent $85.50; bal- 
 ance in treasury, $125.09. 
 
 This is the first report made to the District. 
 
 R. H. Miller and P. J. Brown were both elected 
 to Standing Committee on a tie ^■ote ; S. H. Bashor 
 sent as delegate. P. S. ; Standing Committee refused 
 to receive the tie delegates. P. J. Brown withdrew 
 in favor of R. H. Miller. 
 
 A new line was determined between the Southern, 
 Northwestern and Northeastern Districts of Ohio. 
 Said change threw the Hilliard Brethren of the 
 Scioto Church to Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 1882. 
 
 Tn the Tuscarawas Church, May 17, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Morgan A\ orknian ; .\ssistant, P. J. 
 Brown; Clerk, N(iah Ponganecker; Assistant, J. PL 
 AVorst. 
 
 Churches ])resent, twenty-three; represented by 
 letter, four. 
 
 Sci])i(j a])pcars as a new church on the calendar. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 0,1 1 
 
 At this cuiilereacc it was decided to limit the 
 speeches to ten minutes. 
 
 Decided that delegates only may \'Ote on ques- 
 tions. 
 
 A paper was passed asking Annual Meeting to 
 adopt the delegate system of representation. 
 
 It is all right for brethren to buy and ship stock 
 so long as they conduct their work honestly. 
 
 The District should be more cautious in sending 
 committees to churches. 
 
 All the churches should observe the National 
 Thanksgiving Day. 
 
 D. N. Workman was assigned as elder over the 
 Scipio Church, and the Home Mission Board was to 
 give financial aid. 
 
 The Delaware Church was entrusted to the Home 
 Mission Board. 
 
 George Irvin elected to Standing Committee and 
 Samuel Carver as delegate. 
 
 Received by District treasurer, $10.25 ; paid out 
 by Home Mission Board, $55 ; none received ; bal- 
 ance in treasury, $70.07. 
 
 1883. 
 
 In the Loudonville Church May 3, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker : Assistant, Conrad 
 Kahler ; Clerk, I. D. Parker; Assistant, W'm. Sad- 
 dler. 
 
 Churches represented, twenty-one : by letter, four. 
 
 The McMahon Creek Church was disorganized. 
 
 The Home Mission Board paid out $53.30. None 
 recei\'ed during the year. Balance in treasury, 
 $16.77. 
 
332 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Noah L(.inyaii(_'cker was elected tu Standing Com- 
 mittee. The usual delegate member was dropped. 
 
 1884. 
 
 In the Wooster Church, May 21, at 9 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; y\ssistant, Samuel 
 Carver; Clerk, Wm. Saddler; Assistant, J. A. Clem- 
 ent. 
 
 Churches represented, eighteen ; by letter, six. 
 
 Paid into the District treasury, $17.50. 
 
 A motion to unite the factions of the 1882 division 
 in the Brotherhood was lost. 
 
 Home Mission Board received $86.15. Paid out 
 $44.70. 
 
 The Ashtabula County churches were placed in 
 the hands of the Home Mission Board. 
 
 Noah Longanecker was elected a member of the 
 Standing Committee. 
 
 A vote of thanks was tendered the Wooster 
 Church for the excellent entertainment given. 
 
 1885. 
 
 In the Owl Creek Church, May 13, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, I. D. Parker; Assistant, Noah Longa- 
 necker; Clerk, Wm. Saddler; Assistant, Wm. Work- 
 man. 
 
 Churches represented, nineteen; not represented, 
 five. 
 
 Paid into District treasury, $19.50. 
 
 The Meigs County members were transferred to 
 Southern Ohio District. 
 
 The 1881 Ashland Conference deficit was raised. 
 
 yVssistance was gi\cn the Jonathan Creek Church, 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 333 
 
 to cu\ tr expenses in quieting tiic title un ehureh 
 property. 
 
 Brother Sprankel reports fifteen members in Ash- 
 tabula County. 
 
 Recei\'ed by Home Mission Board, $46.80, six 
 churches contributing; paid out $76.15. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was authorized to make 
 quarterly reports. 
 
 I. D. Parker was elected to Standing Committee 
 and Samuel Gar\er, alternate. This is the begin- 
 ning of the " alternate " delegate idea. 
 
 1886. 
 
 In the Springfield Church, June 2, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, I. D. Parker; Assistant, David Young; 
 Clerk, A\'m. Saddler ; Assistant, Edward Loomis. 
 
 Churches present, twenty; churches absent, four. 
 
 Paid into District treasury, $22.50. 
 
 The Delaware Church was placed in the hands of 
 the Home Mission Board. 
 
 A committee was sent to the West Nimishillen 
 Church. 
 
 The churches were requested to assist the Lake 
 Shore Brethren to the extent of the needed shingles, 
 hardware, plaster and paint for the repair of their 
 churchhouse. 
 
 Home Mission Board received $89.37; paid out 
 $72.25 ; ten churches contributed. 
 
 The membership of the Home Mission Board was 
 changed from five to three. 
 
 The Lake Shore Church was duly organized. 
 
 David Young was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
3,U CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 1887. 
 
 In the East Nimishillen Church, May 18, at 8 A. 
 M. 
 
 Moderator, I. D. Parker; Assistant, Wm. Murray; 
 Clerk, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, Jas. Murray. 
 
 A committee of tellers conducted the elections. 
 
 Churche- present, sixteen; churches absent, eight. 
 
 Paid to Eotrict treasurer, $39.50. 
 
 The Ashland Church asked for the appointment 
 of a District Sunday-school Secretary. John F. 
 Kahler was apixjinted. 
 
 The Rush Creek Church asked to be transferred 
 to Southern Ohio. Granted. 
 
 Members are not permitted to join the Grand 
 Army of the Republic. 
 
 Annual Meeting was asked to set aside Whit- 
 sunday as a fast day. 
 
 Received by Home Mission Board, $166.04 ; paid 
 out, $150.90. 
 
 Mission work during the year was carried on in 
 Ashtabula, Trumbull and Delaware Counties. Eld- 
 er Samuel Sprankcl \vas appointed as ETome Mis- 
 sion Board solicitor. 
 
 I. D. Parker was elected to Standing Committee. 
 
 1888. 
 
 El the Sugar Creek Church, May 9, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, I. D. Parker; Assistant, Noah Eonga- 
 necker; Clerk, T. C. AVieand ; Assistant, Samuel 
 S])rankel. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen ; churches absent, five. 
 
 The city of Clexeland was considered as belonging 
 t(i the Eakc Shore Church territorv. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO -^33 
 
 Each Sunday-school should hold one or two chil- 
 dren's meetings during each year. 
 
 Received by Home Mission Board, $124.92; paid 
 out, $168.90; churches contributing, fourteen; paid 
 into District treasury, $39.50. 
 
 D. N. Workman was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1889. -:t 
 
 In the Ashland Church, May 29, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, I. D. 
 Parker; Clerk, D. M. Irvin; Assistant, D. J. Yutzy. 
 
 Churches present, twenty ; churches absent, three. 
 
 Paid into District treasury, $30.25. 
 
 The Rush Creek Church transfer to Southern 
 Ohio was completed. 
 
 A query was sent to Annual Meeting asking if it 
 is allowable for a sister to act as delegate to Annual 
 Meeting. 
 
 Received by Home Mission Board, $126.60; paid 
 out, $125.77; balance in treasury, $0.83. 
 
 The local churches are to pay for the Annual 
 Meeting Minutes distributed hereafter. 
 
 Collected for general mission purposes, $175.57, 
 ten churches contributing. 
 
 The following is the first Sunday-school report 
 given; Schools reporting, fourteen; officers, nine- 
 ty; teachers, 116; scholars, 1,024. Average, offi- 
 cers, sixty-three ; teachers, eighty-two ; scholars, 
 seventy-three. Increase above last year: schools, 
 two; officers, fifteen; teachers, thirty-two; scholars, 
 117. A number of schools did not report. Several 
 
336 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 schuols held children's exercises. A unanimous re- 
 quest was received from the superintendents for a 
 Sunday-school convention. The official brethren 
 were urged to take an acti\'e part in Sunday-school 
 work. 
 
 J. F. Ivahler, secretary. 
 
 The delegates were requested to urge their home 
 churches to contribute more liberally to the home 
 mission work. 
 
 Noah Longanecker was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1890. 
 
 In the Mohican Church, May 14, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; Assistant, I. D. 
 Parker ; Clerk, Reuben Shroyer ; Assistant, James 
 Murray. 
 
 Churches present, seventeen ; churches absent, 
 five. 
 
 It was decided after much discussion to change 
 the time of holding District Meeting from spring 
 to the first Thursday in October. 
 
 A petition was sent to Annual Meeting urging 
 that the Brotherhood do not purchase the Brethren 
 Publishing Company's interests. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $189.65 ; paid out, 
 $185.62. General Mission receipts, $209; tract work 
 receipts, $28.89 ; District treasur}- receipts, $60.66. 
 
 A lengthy report was adopted to better facilitate 
 the raising of home mission money. 
 
 I. D. Parker was elected to the Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO .Vw 
 
 1890. 
 
 In the Chippewa Church, (Jet. 2, at 8 A, M. 
 
 Moderator, I. D. Parker; Assistant Samuel Spran- 
 kel ; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant, James Murray. 
 
 Churches present, twenty-three; churches al^sent, 
 three. 
 
 The churches were urged to represent by dele- 
 gates at Annual Meeting. 
 
 It was decided to locate a minister in the Lake 
 Shore Church, and also to start a mission in Youngs- 
 town. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $82.96 ; expenses, 
 $94.90. General Mission receipts, $64.05; District 
 treasury receipts, $47.24. 
 
 George Worst was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1891. 
 
 In Canton Church, Mt. Pleasant house, Oct. 1, at 
 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; Assistant D. N. 
 Workman; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; iVssistant, T. C. 
 Wieand. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen. 
 
 D. N. A\'orkman was placed in charge of the 
 Delaware Mission. 
 
 Canton Church requested that a Alinisterial Meet- 
 ing be provided for. Granted. 
 
 A. C. Wieand was appointed Sunday-school Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $199.89; expenses, 
 $173.73. District treasury receipts, $27.24; General 
 Mission receipts, $197.32; Book and tract receipts. 
 
338 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 $27.44; District treasury receipts (special), $34.25. 
 Edward Loomis was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1892. 
 
 In the Owl Creek Church, Oct. 6, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, I. D. 
 Parker; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant, Samuel 
 Sprankel. 
 
 Churches present, twenty ; absent, three. 
 
 W'ooster Church asks for a committee. Granted. 
 
 Queries for local councils should be signed. 
 
 Not advisable to pronounce the benediction at the 
 close of services. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $301.57; expenses, 
 $198.25 ; District treasury receipts, $34.25 ; General 
 Mission receipts, $293.73 ; book and tract receipts, 
 $80.82. 
 
 Sunday-school secretary's report shows only 
 twelve schools reporting. Both the Brethren's and 
 Cook's literature is used. Prizes were offered in 
 some schools for memorizing the Scriptures. Five 
 schools taught the alphabet and reading, instead of 
 Bible lessons. Penny collections were taken in all 
 schools. 
 
 Noah Longanecker was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1893. 
 
 In the Jonathan Creek Church, Oct. 5, at 8 A. \l. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant Edward 
 Lor)mis ; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant, R. R. 
 Shroyer. 
 
 Churches present, twenty; churches absent, three. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 339 
 
 Tlie Delaware Church was clisurgani^'.cd. The 
 members, eighteen in number, were assigned to the 
 Owl Creek and Dan\ille Churches. 
 
 Churches are to exercise their l)est judgment in 
 placing" their poor in the county infirmaries. 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows some improxe- 
 ment. Twenty-eight schools in all, total attendance, 
 1,490; teacher.s, 146: amount collected, $239.64. Do- 
 nated for missions, $80.57. Three schools are ever- 
 green, three in session nine months, most schools 
 only six months. There were twenty-six additions 
 to the church from the schools. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $282.95 ; expenses, 
 $166.88. District treasury receipts, $35.64; General 
 Mission receipts, $168.04; book and tract receipts, 
 $17.13. 
 
 Samuel Sprankcl was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1894. 
 
 In the Springfield Church, Oct. 4, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Samuel Sprankel ; iVssistant, Noah 
 Longanecker; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant Q. 
 Leckrone. 
 
 Churches present, twenty ; churches absent, two. 
 
 It was decided that an Old Folks' Home was not 
 needed at present. 
 
 The home mission work was boosted to the ex- 
 tent of the appointment of a District evangelist and 
 two elders to be added to the Bcjard ; the Home Mis- 
 sion Board to push their work, solicitors to be ap- 
 pointed in each church ; all members should pay a 
 
340 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 stated amount quarterly; mission sermons should 
 be preached quarterly. 
 
 Requested that a Bible school be held within the 
 District. 
 
 Lake Shore, Bristolvillc, Tuscarawas and Coshoc- 
 ton Churches were placed in the hands of the Home 
 Mission Board. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $158.22; paid out, 
 $149.50. General Mission receipts, $139.37; book 
 and tract receipts, $8.31 ; District treasury receipts, 
 $28.50. 
 
 The Sunday-schools show an improvement along 
 e-i'ery line. Five thousand one hundred twenty-two 
 verses were committed ; five schools are evergreen. 
 The Mt. Zion school at New Philadelphia is the old- 
 est in the District, organized in 1866 as a union school. 
 The older members are urged to take more interest 
 in Sunday-school work. 
 
 F. B. Weimer was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1895. 
 
 In the Danville Church, Oct. 3, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; Assistant, Ed- 
 ward Loomis ; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant, O. 
 Leckrone. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen ; churches absent, two. 
 
 Flome Mission Board receipts, $245.03 ; expenses, 
 $228.20. India fund receipts, $8.38; General Mission 
 receipts, $165.03; District freasury receipts. $39,25. 
 
 Sundav-schools, total enrollment, 1.566; teachers, 
 ninety; paid to missions, $71.99; ci ln^"ersions, nine- 
 t)' ; c\ergrcen schools, clc\'en. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 341 
 
 The Clencral Missionary Treasury was dispensed 
 with, all home mission money to be paid direct to 
 Home Mission Board, and General Mission money 
 to General Missionary Treasurer (Galen B. Rctycrj. 
 
 Tobias Hoo\'er was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee, 
 
 1896. 
 
 In the Sandy Church, Oct. 1, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Edward Loomis ; Assistant, Noah 
 Longanecker ; Clerk, Jacob Mishler; Assistant, 0. 
 Leckrone. 
 
 At this meeting the Histciry of the Credential 
 Committee begins. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen; aljsent, two. 
 
 Coshocton Church was transferred to the Sugar 
 Creek congregation. 
 
 More unity in church go\-ernment was urged. 
 
 A change was made in the terms of office on the 
 Home Mission Board. C)ne, two, three, four and 
 five-year terms were adopted. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $163.09; expenses, 
 $170.19. District treasury receipts, $38.25; expenses, 
 $40.75. 
 
 There are now thirty-three schools, attendance, 
 1,850. Larger contriljutions are given for missions. 
 One teachers' meeting. Tlie largest school has 155 
 scholars, and the smallest, eight. Eight report no 
 discouragements. Sunday visiting is a hindrance. 
 Lena Wieand moving out of the District, Geo. Cul- 
 ler was elected .Sunday-school secretary in her stead. 
 
 Edward Loomis was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
342 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 1897. 
 
 In the West Nimishillen Church, Oct. 7, at 8 A. 
 M. 
 
 Moderator, Tobias Hoo\'er; Assistant, Noah 
 Longanecker ; Clerk, 0. Leckrone; Assistant, Ja- 
 cob Mishler. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen ; absent, two ; dele- 
 gates, thirty-three. 
 
 The Ashland Church petitioned for the appoint- 
 ment of an annual Sunday-school meeting. Re- 
 cjuest granted. Note ; This will be the first Dis- 
 trict Sunday-school meeting since in 1880. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was again overhauled 
 with a number of resolutions. 
 
 A committee of five elders was appointed to set 
 churches in order, which were varying from the 
 usual customs in dress. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $183.92; expenses, 
 $121.15. District treasury receipts, $34.75; expenses, 
 $36.75. 
 
 The Sunday-schools show a slight falling ofif. 
 Samuel Sprankel was retained as railroad agent. 
 
 Henry Keller was elected to Standing Committee. 
 
 1898. 
 
 In the Sugar Creek Church, Oct. 6, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Tobias HooA'er ; Assistant, Noah 
 Longanecker; Clerk, Q. Leckrone; Assistant, R. R. 
 Shroyer. 
 
 Churches present, nineteen; absent, two; dele- 
 gates, thirty-three. 
 
 The Ashland Church asked the District Meeting 
 to allow churches to charge for meals served during 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 343 
 
 the \ariou.s meetings of the District. The sum to 
 be. not less than five cents, nor more than ten cents. 
 Any balance to be turned o\er to the Home Mission 
 Board. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $435.34; expenses, 
 $167.07. District treasury receipts, $35.75 ; ex- 
 penses, $34.75. 
 
 The Sunday-schools show some impro\'ement o^•er 
 last year. 
 
 Schools reported, eighteen; scholars enrolled, 1,- 
 286; teachers, 136; average attendance, 923; col- 
 lections, $252.39 ; expenses, $260.59 ; mission collec- 
 tions, $86.83 ; additions to the church, 108. 
 
 M. H. Shutt was elected to Standing Committee. 
 1899. 
 
 In the Maple Grove Church, Oct. 5, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, F. B. 
 Weimer; Clerk, Q. Leckrone ; Assistant, R. R. 
 Shroyer. 
 
 Two churches \vere absent, leaving nineteen, rep- 
 resented by thirty-one delegates, to do the business. 
 
 An attempt was made to disorganize the Lake 
 Shore and Bristohille Churches, but failed. 
 
 A Cjuery was sent to Annual Meeting asking that 
 the General Conference send a committee to the 
 Landmark publishers and ask them to discontinue 
 their publications. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was authorized to take 
 out incorporation papers, and proceed to raising an 
 endowment for the furtherance of mission work in 
 Northeastern Ohio. 
 
344 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 More safeguards should Ije thrown around the 
 Sunday-school conventions. 
 
 A mission point was opened up at Gamljier, Ohio; 
 also some work done at Friendsville, Ohio. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $183.85; expenses, 
 $181.35. District treasury receipts, $38.50; expenses, 
 $35.75. 
 
 Sunday-school report; Scholars, 1,363; teachers, 
 123; collections, $305.87; for missions, $151.02. 
 
 Thirteen schools are evergreen. Four schools 
 have teachers' meetings. 
 
 The secretary reported that he meets with more 
 encouragements than discouragements. 
 
 Noah Longanecker was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1900. 
 
 In the East Nimishillen Church, Oct. 4, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Tobias Hoover; Assistant, F. B. Wei- 
 mer; Clerk, AV. F. England; Assistant, R. R. Shroy- 
 er. 
 
 Thirty-three delegates were present, and two 
 churches not represented. The delegates paid $49 
 for District purposes. 
 
 This meeting was interesting from the number of 
 queries and requests that were turned down 
 
 A paper asking for the organization of a Breth- 
 ren's Insurance Company was returned. 
 
 A motion to have the delegates' credentials passed 
 upon in open council was lost. 
 
 A uniform method for handling adultery cases in 
 the churches was tabled. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 345 
 
 A paper asking for free meals at I3istrict gather- 
 ings was returned. 
 
 A paper asking District Meeting to request An- 
 nual Meeting to say who shall lia\e the benefits of 
 the Railroad Ministerial Permits, was respectfully 
 returned. 
 
 The above would indicate that departure from 
 that which was established is a difficult matter. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $180.72; expenses, 
 $188.19. 
 
 No Sunda3r-school report was given. 
 
 S. M. Friend was chosen as Sunday-school cor- 
 respondent. 
 
 Tobias Hoover was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 The Gambler Mission was discontinued. 
 
 1901. 
 
 The minutes of this year are omitted from the 
 minute book. 
 
 1902. 
 
 In the Jonathan Creek Church, Oct. 1, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Tobias Hoo\'er; Assistant, W. F. En- 
 gland; Clerk, Reuben Shroyer; Assistant, E. S. 
 Young. 
 
 Twenty-nine delegates present from twenty 
 churches; three churches not represented. 
 
 The Sunday-school meeting asked the District 
 Meeting to approve of its raising funds and support- 
 ing a missionary in the foreign field. Request was 
 heartily granted. 
 
 The Danville Church asked District Meeting to 
 urge that the ministers de\-ote more of their time 
 
346 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 to the work of the ministry, and that the churches 
 should render support for their services. The re- 
 quest received commendable support. 
 
 An attempt to join with Southern Ohio in estab- 
 lishing an Orphanage and Old Folks' Home failed. 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows that sixty-two 
 per cent of the enrollment is in regular attendance; 
 fifty-eight brethren are officers, thirty-two sisters, 
 and one not a member. Fifty-one brethren against 
 forty-two sisters are teachers. One teacher a mem- 
 ber of another church, and one no member of any 
 church. Fifty-two scholars were added to the 
 church during the year. Fifty-three per cent of the 
 scholars are members. 
 
 An apportionment system of paying into the Home 
 Mission treasury was adopted. The valuation of 
 the membership of each church was estimated, and 
 an assessment was to be made from said valuations 
 to replenish the Flome Mission treasury from time 
 to time. The plan worked with considerable difii- 
 culty. 
 
 The Akron Missi(jn appears for the first time on 
 the mission calendar. 
 
 The Canton City Mission is growing to consider- 
 aljle importance. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $552.78 ; expenses, 
 286.75; District Meeting treasury receipts, $66.50; 
 expenses, $35. 
 
 The present greatest need to carry on mission 
 work in Northeastern Ohio is a few houses for wor- 
 ship in the cities. 
 
 \\ . F. England elected to Standino- Committee. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 347 
 
 Edward Culler was chosen Sunday-school Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 Samuel Sprankel continued as railroad agent. 
 
 1903. 
 
 In the Black River Church, Oct. 1, at 8 .V. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker ; Assistant, W. F. 
 England ; Clerk, J^. S. Young ; Assistant, Edward 
 Shepfer. 
 
 The churches were represented b)^ thirty-one dele- 
 gates. 
 
 The Old Folks' Home idea was considered im- 
 practicable. 
 
 The Sunday-school Secretary's report shows a 
 shrinkage in most every department. This seems 
 to be due in some measure to the indifference of 
 superintendents to forward their reports. 
 
 The Canton City Mission appears on the calendar 
 as an organized church. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $341.21 ; expenses, 
 $216.60. District treasury receipts, $33.45 ; expenses, 
 $68.17. 
 
 C. J. AVorkman was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 .S. M. Friend elected as Sunday-school Secretary. 
 
 1904. 
 
 In the Chippewa Church, Oct. 6, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, A\\ F. England ; Assistant, Tobias 
 Floover ; Clerk, Edward Shepfer; Assistant, T. S. 
 Moherman. 
 
 Thirty delegates answered to the roll call. 
 
 Four churches were not represented. 
 
 The District asks for the 1906 .Vnnnal Meeting. 
 
.^4H CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The buundary lines between Northeastern Ohio, 
 Southern Ohio and Northwestern Ohio were 
 finally adjusted. Beginning at the northeast corner 
 of Franklin County, follow the east county lines of 
 Licking, Perry, Morgan and Washington ; and the 
 west lines of Fairfield, Hocking and Athens to the 
 Ohio River. 
 
 The District Meeting voted adversely to Annual 
 Meeting changing the church name. 
 
 The Black River Church petitions District Meet- 
 ing to authorize a Christian Workers' Meeting to 
 be held in connection with the Annual Sunday- 
 school Meeting. Granted. 
 
 Fuller reports from the Sunday-schools were 
 called for. 
 
 More suitable Sunday-school literature was asked 
 for our young people. Petition sent to Annual 
 Meeting. 
 
 The J-Jome Mission Board asks for the privilege 
 to employ an evangelist to do work in the District 
 during the year. 
 
 New Philadelphia is placed on the mission calen- 
 dar. 
 
 Flome Mission Board receipts, $351.30; expendi- 
 tures, $427.17; balance in treasury, $690.49. 
 
 There are thirty-fi\'e churchhouses and forty-one 
 preaching places. 
 
 Sunday-school enrollment, 1,688; teachers, 158; 
 collections, $737.80; for missions, $524.10. 
 
 This is a big improvement o\er former years. 
 
 AV. L. Descnberg was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 349 
 
 1905. 
 
 In the Springfield Church, Oct. 5, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, ^V. F. England; Assistant, Samuel 
 Sprankel ; Clerk, T. S. Moherman; iVssistant, Ed- 
 ward Shepfer. 
 
 Thirty-four delegates were present to transact the 
 business ; four churches not represented. 
 
 Motto: " Workers together with God." 
 
 It was deemed not prudent to join with North- 
 western Ohio in maintaining an Old Folks' Home. 
 
 The Home Mission Board, District Sunday-school 
 Meeting, Ministerial and Christian Workers' Meet- 
 ings may present matter to District Meeting with- 
 out first ha\ing to secure the sanction of a local 
 church. 
 
 The Sunday-school Secretary was authorized to 
 visit the schools of the District at least once each year. 
 
 A committee was appointed to look into the ad- 
 visability of building a house of worship in Akron. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $325.35; expenses, 
 $412.82; balance in treasury, $527.15. 
 
 District Treasury receipts, $57; expenses, $56.26. 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows an increase in 
 most every phase of the work. 
 
 lames Murray was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1906. 
 
 In the Sugar Creek Church, Oct. 4, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; Assistant, W. F. 
 England ; Clerks, Edward Shepfer and T. S. Moher- 
 man. 
 
 Motto: "Onward and Upward." 
 
350 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 Thirty-tive delegates were present and five 
 churches were absent. 
 
 The Sunday-school Secretary's expenses in visit- 
 ing the schools are to be co\ered by collections from 
 the schools visited. Any surplus is to be turned over 
 to the Home Mission Board. Any deficit is to be 
 paid by the District treasurer. 
 
 The committee on the Akron churchhouse prop- 
 osition reported fa\orable to building, and offered 
 plans for raising the money. 
 
 Credentials of delegates to District Meeting to be 
 the same as those to Annual Meeting. 
 
 District Meeting asks Annual Meeting to drop the 
 medical ads from the church publications. 
 
 An annual Sunday-school institute was authorized 
 and a committee was appointed to effect the organ- 
 ization. 
 
 Committee: Jas. Murray, H. H. Helman and G. 
 A. Cassel. 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows an enrollment of 
 2,023; collections amounting to $937.76; scholars 
 recei\'ed into the church, 118. 
 
 The Ashland Sunday-school is the banner school 
 in enrollment, Canton in average attendance, and 
 Maple Grove in collections. 
 
 Number of teachers' meetings are increasing and 
 five Home Departments are organized. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $269.71 ; expenses, 
 $468.83. District treasury receipts, $61 ; expenses. 
 $51.30. 
 
 Noah I^onganccker was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 351 
 
 1907. 
 
 In the \\'ooster Clnirch, Oct. 3, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, W. F, Juigland ; Assistant, Jas. Mur- 
 ray ; Clerks, H. H. Helman and D. R. McFadden. 
 
 Delegates, twenty-seven ; churches represented, 
 twenty-two ; aljsent, two. 
 
 The Lake Shore Church was disorganized. 
 
 The Ministerial Distribution Committee was 
 urged to locate ministers in the weak churches. 
 
 The ai)pointment of a District Missionary Sec- 
 retary was authorized, whose duty it shall be to 
 visit all the churches and stir them up along mission 
 lines. 
 
 The Sunday-schools show a little falling oft in 
 attendance, but are above the thousand dollar mark 
 in their collections. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $239.41 ; expended, 
 $224.68; District treasury receipts, $lf)2.81 ; expend- 
 ed, $150.70. 
 
 Jas. ;\Iurray was elected to Standing Committee. 
 
 (}. A. Cassel was elected Sunday-school Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 1908. 
 
 Held in the Canton Church, Oct. 3, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Jas. Murray; Assistant, Noah Longa- 
 necker; Clerks, H. H. Helman and D. R. McFadden. 
 
 Thirty-four delegates were present ; f(jur churches 
 were absent. 
 
 All District officers are to be elected by ballot in 
 the future. 
 
 A committee was appointed to (le\-ise plans for 
 
352 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 the purchase of the Bible Institute and Canton Col- 
 lege of E. S. Young. 
 
 Committee : A. W. Harrold, Quincy Leckrone 
 and G. A. Cassel. 
 
 The committee reported later that it was unable 
 to make faA'orable progress. 
 
 The Mohican Church asked for a committee to 
 assist it in settling some local difficulties. 
 
 The Sunday-schools show growth in e^-ery line of 
 W(irk. Enrollment, 2,239; collections, $1,217.20. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $555.72; expenses, 
 $248.42. District treasury receipts, $58.08; expenses, 
 $61. 
 
 Xoah Longanecker was elected delegate to An- 
 nual Meeting. 
 
 1909. 
 
 In the Mahoning Church, Oct. 7, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Jas. Murray; Assistant, Noah Longa- 
 necker; Clerks, G. S. Strausbaugh and D. R. ^IcFad- 
 den. 
 
 Thirty-two delegates were present and three 
 churches not represented. 
 
 The Dan\-ille Church petitioned Annual Meeting 
 through District Meeting to receive candidates for 
 membership who have been baptized by trine im- 
 mersion and for the remission of sins, without re- 
 baptism. The petition was heartih' supported by 
 District Meeting. 
 
 Non-resident elders should not be chosen to the 
 o\'ersight of churches for a longer period than three 
 years at a tinne. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 353 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows a total enroll- 
 ment of 3,248. Teacher Training and Cradle Roll 
 ilcpartments are new additions to the work. Col- 
 lections for the year reached $1,372.76. This is over 
 four times as much as the churches have been con- 
 tributing for home missions. 
 
 Aaron Shriver and wife were chosen to take 
 charge of the Akron City Mission. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $1,392.57; expend- 
 itures, $895.48. District treasury receipts, $70.33; 
 expenditures, $92.72. 
 
 A. S. Workman was elected to the Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 1910. 
 
 Held in the Owl Creek Church, Oct. 6, at 8 A. M. 
 
 ]\Ioderator, jas. Murray; Assistant, T. S. Moher- 
 man ; Clerks, D. R. McFadden and G. S. Straus- 
 baugh. 
 
 Thirty delegates present and six churches not 
 represented, the largest number of absentees in the 
 history of the District. 
 
 The local churches were permitted to represent 
 bv delegates even though they have not paid then- 
 Annual Meeting assessments. 
 
 A committee was appointed to write and publish 
 a history of the churches of Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 Committee : T. S. Moherman, Simon Carver and 
 Albert Harrold. 
 
 A paper was sent to Annual i\Ieeting asking that 
 non-resident elders' oversight of churches should 
 be limited to not more than three years at a time. 
 
354 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The Sunday-school report of this year will be 
 seen on another page in its complete form. 
 
 The Akron Mission is doing excellently. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $2,915.52; ex- 
 penses, $4,419.29. District treasury receipts, $59.65 ; 
 expenses, $73.47. 
 
 A very interesting wave of enthusiasm was stirred 
 at the close of the meeting to raise the necessary 
 money to build the Akron City churchhouse. In a 
 very few moments $1,335 was pledged. 
 
 G. A. Cassel was chosen to raise $6,000 more to 
 complete the amount needed. Brother Cassel took 
 hold of the proposition with an invincible determin- 
 ation and soon had the churches wakened up to the 
 amount needed. 
 
 A District Temperance Committee was appoint- 
 ed to bring the churches to front-line efficiency in 
 that all-important question. 
 
 Committee : Dr. H. H. Lehman, D. R. McFad- 
 den and W. D. Fisher. 
 
 James Murray was elected to Standing Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 1911. 
 
 Held in the East Nimishillen Church, Oct. 5, at 
 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, A. S. AVorkman ; Assistant, James 
 Murray; Clerks, D. R. McFadden and H. H. Hel- 
 man. 
 
 Thirty-three delegates were present; four 
 churches not present. 
 
 The committee on ministerial help to the churches 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 355 
 
 ^\'e^e directed to the Annual Meeting decision on 
 ministerial distribution. 
 
 Program committees of Ministerial and Sunday- 
 school Meetings of the District should be more 
 careful as to whom they assign duties on said pro- 
 grams. 
 
 The Canton City Church asked District Meeting 
 to assist them in building a house of worship. The 
 request was referred to the Home Mission Board. 
 
 Jriome Mission Board receipts, $8,096.72. 
 
 This amount was raised for the most part by spe- 
 cial solicitor G. A. Cassel. 
 
 Total expenses, $4,400.15. 
 
 District Meeting decided to raise another $4,500 
 to complete the Akron City Church, and G. A. Cas- 
 sel was unanimously chosen to complete the work. 
 
 District treasurer's report shows a deficit of $63.66. 
 
 The first temperance report in the history of the 
 District was gi\'en at this District Meeting. Organi- 
 zation of temperance work in each church was 
 urged, and temperance literature to be freely cir- 
 culated. Collections for the work should be taken 
 at frecjuent intervals. 
 
 A temperance offering was taken, amounting to 
 $17.82. 
 
 James Murray was appointed member of Annual 
 Meeting committee of arrangements. 
 
 Xoah Longanecker was elected to Standing Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The Sunday-school report shows a total enroll- 
 ment of 3,601, and total ofiferings, $1,954.71. Schol- 
 ars added to the church, 112. 
 
356 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 1912. 
 
 Ill the Chippewa Church, Oct. 3, at 8 A. M. 
 
 Moderator, Noah Longanecker; Assistant, G. S. 
 Strausbaugh; Clerks, W. D. Keller and S. S. Shoe- 
 maker. 
 
 Thirty delegates answered to roll call and six 
 churches were absent. 
 
 The ministerial committee seemed to have a 
 great deal of difficulty in getting results from its 
 work. 
 
 The Sunday-school Secretary was authorized to 
 secure the total membership of the churches of 
 Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 A caution was urged as to the fitness of repre- 
 sentatives who appear on the District Sunday-school 
 programs. Only those who are in full sympathy 
 with the order of the church should appear on 
 programs. 
 
 The Ashland Church petitioned District Meeting 
 to elect all officers and delegates by a majority ^•l:lte 
 of all delegates present. Request granted. 
 
 The rebaptism question was again sent to Annual 
 Meeting for consideration. 
 
 Home Mission Board receipts, $5,337.88: ex- 
 penses, $7,474.92. District treasury receipts, $118.50; 
 expenses, $111.56. 
 
 The Temperance Committee gave an excellent 
 report. Seven churches to date have organized tem- 
 perance committees. 
 
 A. F. Shriver was appointed as missionarj' solici- 
 tor for the ensuing year. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was reduced from five 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO .^57 
 
 meml^ers to three. Note: the remodehng of the 
 Home Mission Board has taken place a numl:ier of 
 times in its history. 
 
 Sister Cora Keller was appointed Sunday-school 
 Secretary. 
 
 R. R. Shroj'er was elected to Standing" Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 A petition was sent to the State Legislature, ask- 
 ing for the privilege of reading the Bible in the 
 public schools. 
 
 This closes the description of the District Meet- 
 ings. The 1913 District Meeting is not recorded as 
 yet. 
 
 What are the inferences to be drawn from the 
 proceedings of these annual gatherings where the 
 paramount issues of the churches were formulated 
 into queries, motions and decisions? By tracing 
 the tendencies that run through the series of years 
 we notice development along some lines, a letting 
 loose on others, and a wavering in some that would 
 prove beneficial. In the list of names that appear, 
 we infer that certain ones have been leaders, though 
 many others have done constructive work in the 
 rank and file of the membership. Considerable busi- 
 ness of the meetings was done through committees. 
 
 The first j^ears of the District Conferences the 
 business took on the nature of better government in 
 the churches, and a strict adherence to the usages 
 of the church fathers. 
 
 When Sunday-schools and mission work came, 
 interest tended to shift from quibbling over queries 
 of onl}' local importance to the development of the 
 more important matters of the kingdom. 
 
358 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 The " order uf the church " issue was a closely- 
 scrutinized and guarded question all through the 
 years. 
 
 The churches whose habit was not to represent at 
 District Meeting tended to remain weak, and in 
 most cases ceased to exist. 
 
 Peace and harmony was a striking characteristic 
 through all the years. 
 
 The Home Mission Board was a peculiar phe- 
 nomenon. Many attempts were made to reconstruct 
 it in order that better results might obtain. A\'hen 
 the Board took to locating a minister and supporting 
 him, and began to ad\'ocate the building of houses 
 of worship, and to actually spend money freely for 
 the extension of the Gospel, the churches wakened 
 up and poured freely into the District treasury. 
 
 The Sunday-schools soon outdistanced the 
 churches in the amount of money raised each year. 
 
 The amount of money handled by the District 
 treasurer shows a slow increase. This money went 
 to paying the expenses of printing the minutes, 
 sending of delegates to Annual Meeting, and in some 
 cases the expenses of committees to churches. 
 
 A notable e\'idence of the good spirit prevailing 
 in the District is seen in the ^'ery few committees 
 that were sent to the churches. 
 
 The business of the last years' District iVIeetings 
 was mostly taken up with mission and Sunday- 
 scho'il work, and occasional queries asking Annual 
 Meeting to adopt more constructixc methods in 
 church work. 
 
 The greatest growth in the District A\-as had 
 tlirnusj'h the medium iil the Sunday-schools. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 339 
 
 The 1882 di\i.sion in the Brotherhood fell quite 
 heavily upon Northeastern Ohio. Some of the 
 churches were a long time reco\'ering". 
 
 The delegate sent to Annual Meeting in connec- 
 tion with the one elected to the Standing Commit- 
 tee seems to be in accordance with the rule which 
 obtained before the more modern delegate system 
 was adopted. His seems to have l)een a role of as- 
 sociated ser\ice with the one chosen on the Stand- 
 ing Committee. This no doubt grew^ out of tlie 
 Gospel idea of sending the Brethren forth two and 
 two ; which custom pre^■ailed universally in the 
 earlier days of the Brotherhood, when testimony 
 needed to be corroborated, since no minutes were 
 kept of the coimcils. 
 
 Three clerks were always elected to do the clerical 
 work of the District Meetings. The one called the 
 assistant reading clerk is omitted in this writeup, 
 because the office seems to ha^e been more orna- 
 mental than useful. 
 
 Future District Meetings will make history as 
 truly as the past ones have, and it behooves them to 
 stud}- Avell the mistakes and successes of the past, 
 and e\'er seek to carrj' the interests of the Kingdom 
 of ( lod along lines of fundamental principle, that the 
 greatest possible growth may come to the Citadel 
 of G^'Jd. " Peace " and " harmony " are the two 
 greatest factors in associated church work, and when 
 the,-e obtain in e\'ery forward move, who can meas- 
 ure the results? 
 
 P. S. — John \'. Ebersole, Henry Da\y and Jacob 
 Gar\er were appointed as first committee to de- 
 termine the Northeastern ()hio boundary lines. 
 
360 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 CALENDAR DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH- 
 EASTERN OHIO. 
 
 (Organizations.) 
 
 1775 to 1800 — Earliest immigrations of Brethren to 
 Northeastern Ohio. 
 
 180-4 — Or near this date the Nimishillen Church, 
 Stark County, was organized, the first 
 church of the Brethren in Northeastern 
 Ohio. 
 
 1808— Or soon after, the Mill Creek Church, in ^la- 
 honing County. Reorganized into the Ala- 
 honing congregation in 1842. 
 
 1817 — Jonathan Creek Church, Perry County. 
 
 1805-20 — Somewhere between these dates the Sugar 
 Creek Church was organized. 
 
 1822 — Danville Church, Knox County. Fourteen 
 charter members. 
 
 1820-25— Reading Church. 
 
 1822 — First Annual Meeting held west of the Ohio 
 Ri^•er. Held within the bounds of the 
 Nimishillen Church. (Note: There were 
 perhaps only five organized churches \\'ith- 
 in the District at that time.) 
 
 1823 — Owl Creek Church, Knox County. 
 
 1825 — Canton Church organized from the Nimishil- 
 len congregation. Stark Count}'. 
 
 1830 — Mohican Church, ^Va3a^e County. 
 
 1834 — Annual Meeting near Freeburg, Stark County. 
 
 1835-40 — Tuscarawas Church. 
 
 1843 — Annual Meeting held within the bounds of 
 the Mohican Church on the Shoemaker 
 Farm. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 361 
 
 1848 — .-Vimual Meeting held fi\-e miles southwest of 
 Orr\ille, on the farm of Jacob Kurtz. 
 
 1851 — Beginning of church publications by Elder 
 Henry Kurtz, in a springhouse loft, Ma- 
 honing County. 
 
 185-1 — Annual Meeting, within the bounds of the 
 Ashland Church, five miles southeast of 
 Ashland, on the Elias Dickey Farm. 
 
 1855 — Black Ri^•er Church, Medina Comity, was 
 organized from the Mohican congregation, 
 Wayne County. 
 
 1856 — Loudonville Church, Ashland County. 
 
 1860 — Maple Grove Church, Ashland County. 
 
 1860 — Ashland Church, Ashland County. 
 
 1864 — Northeastern District of Ohio, Church of the 
 Brethren, one and one-half miles southwest 
 of Hartville, on the Jacob Brumbaugh 
 Farm, Stark County. 
 
 1866 — Mt. Zion Sunday-school, Tuscarawas County. 
 (Note: This was the first Sunday-school 
 organized within the District — a " union " 
 school.) 
 
 1868 — The Nimishillen Church was organized into 
 the East Nimishillen, West Nimishillen and 
 Springfield congregations. 
 
 1868 — Jonathan Creek Sunday-school. Discontinued 
 a few years. Reorganized in 1885. 
 
 1868-9— Black River Sunday-school. 
 
 1869 — Mohican Sunday-school. 
 
 1870 — North Bend Sunday-school. 
 
 1870 — Owl Creek Sunday-school. 
 
 1872 — Annual Meeting held within the AVooster 
 
362 
 
 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 congregation, on the Cyrus Hoover Farm, 
 
 near Smithville. 
 1872 — Ashland Sunday-school. 
 1873 — Maple Grove Sunday-school. 
 187-1 — Paradise Sunday-school, within the Wooster 
 
 congregation. 
 187-1 — Mahoning Sunday-school. 
 1875 — Beginning of the Home Mission Board. 
 1877 — Mt. Zion Church, Tuscarawas County. 
 1877— Orrville Church. Disorganized in 1880. 
 1877 — Wooster Church, Wayne County. 
 1877 — Wooster Sunday-school. 
 1877-8 — Sugar Creek Sunday-school. 
 1878 — McMahon Creek Church. Disorganized in 
 
 1883. 
 1878 — First District Sunday-school Con\ention held 
 
 in Northeastern Ohio, within Chippewa 
 
 Church. 
 1878— Ashland College chartered, Ashland, Ohio. 
 1878 — Chippewa Sunday-school. 
 1878— Bristolville Church, Trumbull County. 
 1878— Ashland City Sunday-school. 
 
 ( Note : 1878 was a busy year within the 
 
 District.) 
 1879 — Tuscarawas Sunday-school. 
 1879— Ashland City Church, .Vshland, Ohio. Dis- 
 organized in 1882. Reorganized in 1914. 
 1881 — Annual Meeting held within the bounds of 
 
 the Ashland City Church, on the college 
 
 grounds. 
 1881 — Eden Sunday-school, \\ithin the bounds of 
 
 the Tuscarawas Church. 
 1885— Tune 28, A\'cst Niinishillen Sundav-school. 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 363 
 
 1886 — Chippewa Sisters' Aid Society. Discontinued. 
 
 1886 — Lake Shore Church, Ashta1)ula County. Dis- 
 (_)rganized in 1907. 
 
 1887 — Beginning of District Sunday-school Secre- 
 tary work. 
 
 1887 — Springfield Sunday-school. 
 
 1889 — Rush Creek congregation transferred to 
 Southern Ohio. 
 
 1890 — East Niraishillen Sunday-school. 
 
 1890^— District Meeting changed from spring to fall. 
 
 1891 — Beginning of District Ministerial Meetings. 
 
 1893 — Bristolville Union Sunday-school. 
 
 1893 — Delaware Cliurch disorganized, Delaware 
 County. 
 
 1894 — Maple Cirove Aid Society. 
 
 1895 — Ashland (Dickey) Young People's Society. 
 
 1895 — Ashland (Dickey) Aid Society. 
 
 1895 — General Missionary Treasury dispensed with. 
 
 1896 — Beginning of the District Credential Com- 
 mittees. 
 
 1896 — Coshocton Church transferred to the Sugar 
 Creek congregation. 
 
 1890 — Canton City Sunday-school, East Tuscarawas 
 Street. 
 
 1897 — Chippewa Christian Workers. 
 
 1898 — Chippewa Aid Society reorganized. 
 
 1902 — Beginning of the Akron City Mission. 
 
 1902 — Black River Missionary Reading Circle — later 
 changed to Christian Workers' Society. 
 
 1902 — Canton Christian Workers. 
 
 1902 — Mahoning Aid Society. 
 
 1903 — Canton City Church, Canton, Ohio. 
 
 1903- -Tuscarawas Christian Workers. 
 
364 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 190-1 — Beginning of District Christian AA'orkers' 
 Meetings. 
 
 1905 — Kent Sunday-school. 
 
 1905 — Canton City Christian Workers. 
 
 1905 — Mahoning Christian Workers. 
 
 1905 — Owl Creek Christian Workers. 
 
 1906 — Beginning of Sunday-school Institutes. 
 
 1906 — Sugar Creek Aid Society. 
 
 1907 — Wooster Church Aid Society. 
 
 1907 — Kent Christian Workers. 
 
 1907 — Jonathan Creek Aid Society. 
 
 1908 — Danville Christian Workers. 
 
 1908 — Jonathan Creek Christian Workers. 
 
 1909 — Springfield Christian Workers. 
 
 1910 — Beginning of District Temperance Commit- 
 tee work. 
 
 1911 — East Nimishillen Christian Workers. 
 
 1912 — Canton City Aid Society. 
 
 1913 — Sugar Creek Christian Workers. 
 
 1913— Owl Creek Aid Society. 
 
 191-1 — Canton City Church dedicated. 
 
 191-1 — Ashland and Maple Grove Churches bought 
 the E^•angelical churchhouse and organized 
 work in the city of Ashland. 
 
 CONFESSION OF FAITH. 
 
 The churches of Northeastern Ohio have always 
 lieen known and read of all men, as believing in 
 the C)ne and Eternal God, Maker of heaven and 
 earth and all life contained therein; and Jesus 
 Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Eather, 
 will I came to redeem and sa\-e fallen man; and the 
 
NORTHEASTERN OHIO 365 
 
 Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Illuminator of men's 
 
 soul;. 
 
 And baptism into the name of the Father, Son, 
 and the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins, and 
 the answer of a good conscience ; the " washing of 
 the saints' feet " in imitation of the example of the 
 Savior, and for the development of the grace of 
 humility in each soul; the " Lord's Supper" for the 
 strengthening of the bonds of fellowship and good 
 will among the membership of Christ, and for the 
 hope that is set before them ; the partaking of the 
 " bread and cup," for the renewal of the inner man, 
 by memorializing the emancipation Jesus Christ 
 wrought in his sufferings and death for the souls of 
 men : the salutation of the " holy kiss " as a natural 
 and fit expression of the highest type of love that 
 should characterize the children of the Master; the 
 " anointing with oil, and the laying on of hands " 
 fcir the raising of the sick ; that war, and all forms 
 of conflict, are inconsistent with the message of 
 " peace and good will toward men," as given by the 
 angels upon the advent of our Savior into the world ; 
 that worldlyism in all its forms is repugnant to the 
 will of God and a direct impediment to human prog- 
 ress ; that plainness of attire, and a proper adorn- 
 ment of the inner man is the recjuirement of the 
 Holv Scriptures ; that secret and oath-bound so- 
 cieties are unscriptural, and work an evil in society 
 bv retarding the growth of the spirit of universal 
 brotherhood among mankind ; that the church of 
 Jesus Christ should preach the Gospel to all peoples, 
 and liring all opposing forces under the power of 
 the Kingdom of the Eternal God ; and that the 
 
366 CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN 
 
 will of Heaven is that all souls in Christ sliould 
 faithfully seek to save all souls who are out of 
 Christ, and to Iniild up souls who are in Christ.