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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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G3lH
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
2250313
history'^
OF TICK
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IN GERMANTOWN, OH^O, '
BIOGRAPHIES'.
PASTORS AND FOUNDERS,
BY THE REV. J. P. HENTZ, A. M.
DAYTON, O.:
CHRISTIAK PUBLISHING HOUSE PRINT,
1882,
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PREFACE,
ZZ50313
This little volume has been prepared for the
special use and benefit of the members of the
congregation whose history it records. To preserve
and perpetuate among them and their descendants
and successors the knowledge of the first planting
and early history of their congregation, has been the
main aim and end of the writer.
But he has also had another object in view. He
has long cherished the hope that the time might
speedily come when some one, competent for the
task, would undertake the work of writing the
history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in this
western world. Fully aware that this can not be
done unless the material for the history be first
collected, and be furnished ready to the hand of the
historian, he has written this account as a small
contribution toward a general history.
The Lutheran Church in the United States has
attained to dimensions, is exerting an influence, and
gives promise of a future, that seem to the writer to
demand that her history be speedily written, both
for the information of her own children, and the
Christian public at large. In point of numbers she
holds the fourth place, probably the third, among
the Protestant churches of our land, embracing
iv PREFACE. ■
within her fold nearly one million of communicants. ■
Her growth is more rapid than that of any other ;
denomination. /Her accessions, which she receives
mainly by immigration from European countries, are
truly colossal and are without a precedent or parallel
in the history of any other church. It is estimated
that in the year 1881, two hundred thousand souls,
holding her faith, landed on the shores of our country ;
and the year 1882, it is supposed, will bring over of
the same people three hundred thousand more. F'rom
these figures it is easy to foresee that, ere many more
years shall have passed by, the Lutheran Church will
be the largest Protestant body in this country, as she ^
now is in the world ; and that as such she is destined
to become an important factor in the ecclesiastical ;
and civil affairs of our country and nation.
In view of these facts it is unquestionably a matter
of the utmost importance, and of most urgent
necessity, that steps be taken, and means and meas-
ures be devised, for the recording and preserving of
her past and present history. The work of gathering
the material for it ought to be entered on at once.
Facts and data can be obtained yet, which will not
much longer be available. They are stored away in :
the memory of the aged people of the church, in con-
gregational records, and in other equally perishable
receptacles. With the decease of the former and
the decay and the destruction of the latter, these ;
sources of information will be closed up, and much .
that may be of great value will be lost beyond
PREFACE. V
recovery. A great deal, indeed, of most precious
material has already perished in consequence of not
earlier steps having been taken for its preservation.
If every Lutheran pastor in the land were to take
this matter in hand, collect all material to be found
in his charge, and write out the history of his parish —
which he would find to be neither a painful nor a
very laborious task — and furnish the same to some
person or party, previously appointed as custodian,
within a few years at the longest all needed material
would be gathered in, and a history could be written
full, complete, and satisfactory, such as would prove
an honor and a blessing, not only to Lutherans but
to all Christian people in our land. Synods should
take steps looking toward the accomplishment of
this end.
In the preparation of this account the writer has
labored under some disadvantages. But few written
or printed documents have been at his disposal for
information. For the most of his material he has
had to depend on the recollections of the aged
members of his congregation as they were drawn out
piecemeal in mutual conversation around their family
firesides. This is a method slow in progress, and
often unsatisfactory in result. On his own memory the
writer could not draw for much, his pastorate among
these people extending over too short a space of
time, the period of nine years. With his predecessors
in office, whose biographies he has attempted to give,
he had no personal acquaintance. Much of the
VI PREFACE.
material embodied in this account he has had to
glean from the inscriptions on tombstones, from old
and faded baptismal certificates, from obituary
notices culled from newspapers, from records of
family Bibles, and the like sources — here a little, and
there a little, an item one day and another the next.
That under such circumstances the work produced
be but fragmentary and imperfect, is to be expected.
Accompanied by the earnest hope that it may
accomplish the object in view for which its prepara-
tion was undertaken, this little volume is hereby
given to the public by its writer. J. P. H.
Germantown, Ohio, August, 1882.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Preface • 3
Germantown 9
Relation Between the Lutheran and Reformed
Congregations 10
Constitution of the United Congregations of
German Township 12
Disposition Made of Joint Property 18
The Lutheran Congregation 25
Rev. John Caspar Dill 29
Rev. Andrew Henkel 39
Rev. Julius L. Stirewalt 67
Rev. John P. Hentz 80
The Sunday School 80
A Few Noteworthy Facts 83
The Pioneer Fathers and Founders of the
Congregation 86
The Emericks . 87
John George Kern 90
George Peter Kiester 91
Jacob Bauer 91
Conrad Eisele 91
John George Beyer 92
Henry Christ * 92
The Stumps 92
The Stoevers 93
The Lindamuths 94
George Coleman . 95
The Kimmerlings 95
Mrs. Catharine Schaeffer 96
IIISTOE,"^-
EVPGELICAL LUTFJERp CONGREGi^TION
0-erm.a<3n.to-^7;7-2n., OiLio.
G ei'nianiown
Is a pleasant and attractive village, beautifully sit-
uated on Twin Creek, a branch of the Miami River^
in the south-western part of Montgomery County,
Ohio, and has a population of about eighteen hun-
dred. The first settlement in its vicinity was effected
about the year 1798, by a people who came here
from the State of Kentucky. But they were squat-
ters, and did but little toward the improvement of
the country. In the year 1804 arrived here the first
immigrants from Pennsylvania — about a dozen fami-
lies — all from the counties of Berks and Center.
These bought out the Kentuckians, and in a few
years' time the Pennsylvanians alone were left as the
owners and occupants of the soil. After this emi-
gration set in at such a rapid rate that by the year
1810 the country was already thickly settled, and
10 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
land sold at from twenty-five to fifty dollars per acre.
There were a few arrivals from Maryland and Vir-
ginia, but the larger portion of the incoming popula-
tion were from the eastern counties of Pennsylvania.
In the year 1805 one of their number erected a mill
on Twin Creek. Near this mill, soon after it had
been built, a few dwelling-houses, a store, and some
shops were erected. To these, as time advanced,
others were added, and thus.originated and grew up
the town. Its site, however, was not regularly laid
out for a town until in the year 1814. In the latter
year Philip Gunckel, the proprietor of the mill and
of the tract of land adjoining it, had a survey made,
streets set apart, and building-lots apportioned.
From this time the place began to grow rapidly in
population, and has continued doing so up to this
time. It received the name of Germantown from
the fact that the people in and around it spoke the
German as their vernacular tongue.
Relation Between the Lutheran and
Reformed Congregations.
The people who settled here from 1804 to 1810
were, with few exceptions, either Lutherans or
German Reformeds, the Lutherans having the pre-
ponderance of numbers. A friendly and fraternal
feeling existed between them. It was then the
almost universal custom of these two denominations,
wherever they lived in the same community, to build
IN GERMANTOWN. 11
union churches, and to worship in tlie same sanctu-
ary. And this they often did when they possessed
sufficient wealth and numbers ^o erect separate
churches and maintain themselves as separate con-
gregations. Influenced by this custom the Luther-
ans and Reformeds of Germanton early formed a
union, held property in common, and worshiped side
by side in the same church for many years. As
early as the year 1805 they were numerous enough
to organize themselves into congregations, build a
church, and call and support pastors. But this they
did not do at that time. Most likely they were too
much occupied in making homes for themselves, to
give church and school much thought. Or perhaps
they were unable to secure teachers and pastors, as
they were then but few in number. Previous to the
year 1809 there was no regularly organized congre-
gation in Germantown, nor did any regularly called
minister labor here. There was occasional preach-
ing performed by traveling or visiting ministers, and
held in private houses. Pastoral work, such as the
baptizing of the children and the burying of the
dead, was also performed, but only by the same class
of men.
In the year 1809 the two denominations, for the
first time, decided to purchase ground for a grave-
yard and church-lot and erect on it a house of wor-
ship, to be the joint property of both denominations.
To this end they framed articles of agreement, and
bound themselves mutually by them. These articles
12 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
V
they call " Kirchenordnung," or " Constitution of
the United Congregations of German Township,
Montgomery Couji^y, Ohio." It is a document de-
serving of preservatioD, and therefore there is here
subjoined a translation of it into the English lan-
guage.
Constitution of the United Congrega-
tions of German Township,
In the name of the Author of our being, whom
we pray to guide us so that that which we are about
to do may be done in harmony and peace and for
the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We, the undersigned, members of the Evangelical
Lutheran and of the Evangelical Reformed congre-
gations of the township of German, the county of
Montgomery, and the State of Ohio, together with
others of the same faith residing in adjoining town-
ships and counties who accept the articles of this
constitution, hereby enter into an association for the
purpose of erecting a common house of worship on
a tract of land containing one acre of ground, situ-
ated in the aforesaid township and county, and hav-
ing been purchased of Philip Gunckel; and we
hereby establish the following articles of agreement,
to-wit :
1. Both congregations — viz.: the Evangelical
Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed — agree to
contribute toward the erection of a house of worship,
IN GERMANTOWN. 18
on the above-named one acre of ground, in the pro-
portion of the valuation of the property of each
individual member of either congregation, and to
pay their contributions to the Building Committee,
who have been ciiosen by a majority of the members
of each congregation, viz. : Philip Gunckel, William
Emerick, Leonard Stump, and Jacob Weber, and to
continue paying at the same rate until the building is
complete and paid for.
2. Trustworthy men have been appointed as
trustees of the said property, viz. : Casper Stcever,
Lutheran, and Peter Recher, Reformed, to whom
the said one acre of ground has been deeded, with
this provision, viz. : In case either of them be re-
moved by death or otherwise, or in case they prove
themselves unworthy of their trust by any dishonest
or immoral act, the congregation which has lost its
trustee shall, by a majority of the votes of its mem-
bers, elect another person in his place, who shMl
possess and exercise the same power as his prede-
cessor.
3. After the house of worship is finished the
expenses of its repairs and improvements shall be
equally apportioned between, and be equally borne
by, each congregation ; but in case one congregation
becomes much stronger than the other, the stronger
shall not employ compulsory measures against the
weaker in the discharge of this requirement.
4. An altar or table shall be provided, and shall
be so constructed that the communion and baptismal
14 THF I.UTHKRAN CHURCH
vessels can be kept in it under lock, the key to
which shall be put in the keeping of one of the dea-
cons, and shall by him be delivered up to the pastor
of each congregation whenever said vessels are re-
quired for the use to which they are designed.
5. All articles needed for the performance of
divine worship, and the administration of the sacra-
ments, shall be purchased by equal contributions
from both congregations, and, after purchase, shall
be the equal property of both.
6. The said house of worship Is never to be used
except to preach the divine word in it, or to hold in
it meetings which have for their object the extension
of the gospel.
7. The said house of worship shall be locked up,
and the key shall be delivered for safe keeping to a
person appointed for that purpose by the officers of
the congregations, and shall, on demand, be always
at the service of each congregation.
8. No man shall have permission to preach or
perform any other ministerial act in said house of
worship unless he be a member of either the Re-
formed or Lutheran synod, or come recommended
by the same, except in case of funerals. In that
case the relatives of the deceased person may make
choice of any minister of good character, who shall
be permitted to officiate on the occasion.
9. Both congregations, as soon as they have se-
cured regular pastors, shall be entitled to the same
portion of time in said house of worship. One shall
IN GERMANTOWN. 15
hold its service on one Sunday and the other on the
Sunday following.
10. The union between both congregations shall
be one of equal rights; and unless it be by the
consent of the majority of the members of both
congregations no strange minister shall be allowed
to officiate in said church, with this exception i
When one of the congregations invites a minister
with the view of calling him as its pastor, in that
case the other congregation shall not interfere.
11. All persons, without distinction of religious
creed, residing in this section of country, are per-
mitted to bury their dead in the grave-yard to which
a portion of the above-named one acre of ground
has been devoted, provided they previously obtain
the consent of one of the trustees from both congre-
gations. Suicides and like criminals shall not be
buried in this grave-yard.
12. The said grave-yard shall be kept in good
order by both congregations, and all expenses in-
curred in doing so shall be equally borne by both.
13. Both congregations obligate themselves to
pay their collections to the Building Committee
v'hich has been chosen to attend to repairs and im-
provements. Said Building Committee shall render
an account of its doings whenever called upon to
do so by the officers of the congregation.
14. The above articles of agreement having been
carefully considered and approved, we hereby pledge
10 THK LUTHERAN CHURCH
ourselves to their faithful observance. In testimony
whereof we attach hereunto our names.
Done this the 30th day of July, A. D. 1809.
Casper Stoever, Sen., Peter Recher, Leonard
Stump, William Emerick, Michael Emerich, George
Boyer, Frederick Stoever, Christopher Emerick, John
Emerick, Martyn Shuey, Casper Stoever, Jr., Philip
Gunckel, Conrad Eisele, Jacob Baur, Jacob Schwank,
John Stoever, George Gener, Jonathan Lindamuth,
William Emerick, Jr., John Gunckel, Henry Holler,
Michael Gunckel.
In reference to the above articles of agreement, it
remains to be added that they were carefully ob-
served as long as the congregations worshiped in the
same place. The church was built in the manner
agreed upon. It was a log structure, and cost the
sum of five hundred dollars. It stood a few yards
to the south-west of the present Lutheran church,
and was completed in the year 1810. In the con-
duct of the public worship and in the keeping up of
the repairs all was done as the above agreement
specifies. ,
The one acre of ground was deeded by Philip
Gunckel to Casper Stoever, Sen., and Peter Recher,
trustees, to be held by them and their successors in
•office in trust for the Lutheran and Reformed con-
gregations. Nothing is said in the deed as to the
«se to be made of the ground. It is a deed in fee
simple, acknowledges the receipt of full value agreed
IN GERMANTOVVN. 17
Upon, and hence the piece of land may be sold or
be used for any purpose whatever. This statement
is here made because it has been said that the said
one acre of ground was donated by Philip Gunckel
for a special purpose, and if ever perverted from
that purpose would revert back to the Gunckel heirs.
A transcript of said deed can be found in the re-
corder's office in Dayton, year 1809, Book B, pages
21)8 and 269.
During the first few years after the church was
built the congregations were supplied with word and
sacrament by various men, who were mere supplies
and not regular pastors. In the year 1815 the Lu-
therans called to their pastorate the Rev. John Cas-
per Dill ; and the Reformeds, about the same time,
called the Rev. Thomas Winters. PVom that time
to the present both congregations have been regu-
larly served by pastors of their own creed and
choice. Although worshiping in the same church
and holding property in common they lived together
in peace. No trouble ever rose up between them to
disturb their harmony. This was owing to several
causes — chiefly to their carefully drawn-up constitu-
tion. Both people and pastors were then too busy
to give very close attention to distinctive denomina-
tional doctrines. They had no time for doctrinal
controversy, and hence there were no mistrusts and
alienations arising from this source. That bone of
contention, proselyting from one another, had not
yet come into practice. Of that the fathers of these
18 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ^
i
two churches knew nothing until the MethodisticI
sects made their appearance among them. Thew
children generally connected with the church on
their parents. In case both parents did not belong^
to one and the same church, the sons usually attached!
themselves to the church of the father, and the daugh.|
ters to the church of the mother. This rule, if itj
had no other good in it, prevented, at least, a good|
deal of strife and bad feeling. This union between.^
the two congregations continued uninterruptedly for^
the space of about twenty years. On one Lord's- ]
day the Lutherans held service and on the next the;^
Reformeds ; but the audiences were always the same, j
the Lutherans attending the Reformed services and ^
the Reformeds the Lutheran. ?
Disposition of Joint Property. \
In the course of time, as the population increased i
and with that the membership of the churches, the ,^
house of worship erected in 1810 became too small, t
It was found necessary either to enlarge it or else to I
build a new one in its place. To meet the demand J
for increased room Judge Philip Gunckel, the pro-|
prietor of the town and a member of the Reformed |
congregation, undertook, in the year 1818, to erect, |
at his own expense, a large and commodious brick -
structure, at the west end of Market Street, of which !
he sold one half to the Reformed congregation and
the other half to the Lutheran congregation, lo be |
■i
IN GERMANTOWN. 1^
used and occupied by them as a church. This
building, however, was not completed until the year
1828. In this year the two congregations abandoned
the old log structure and moved into the new house.
It stood on nearly the same site occupied by the
present Reformed church. Here the congregations
worshiped under the same roof for two years longer.
But at the end of this time, in the year 1830, owing
to some difficulty between Philip Gunckel and the
Lutheran congregation, the latter abandoned this
church and went back to their old place of worship,
and soon thereafter erected a new church. By this
act the two congregations were finally and forever
separated so far as \yorship was concerned ; but they
still held in common the one acre of ground pur-
chased «f Philip Gunckel for grave-yard and church
purposes. And this joint ownership continued up
to the year 1879. In this year the Lutherans pro-
posed to the Reformeds to buy them out. They
desired to have sole control of the property for ob-
vious reasons. For more than twenty-five years the
old grave-yard had been abandoned as a place of
sepulture, a public cemetery having been laid out
outside of the town. The property wore a neglected
appearance. The fences were decaying and out of
shape, the grave-stones were leaning over and falling^
down, and the graves, were overgrown with weeds
and briars. The L'utheraa congregation were the
only party interested in the place. It adjoined their
20 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
church-lot, and they had to pass over it to read
their own place of worship. Its dilapidated anc
neglected appearance made their church-propert}!
look bad. Negotiations were entered on, and, aftei
giving the matter a thorough investigation, an under'
standing was arrived at and the Reformeds trans^
ferred their property-rights to the Lutherans. ^
• The negotiations and investigation resulting in the
disposition of the one acre of ground, as just men^
tioned, revealed facts and led to conclusions which
are thought of sufficient importance to embody theni!
in this record.
The Lutheran congregation maintained that they
had a just claim to one half of the church propert^
of the Reformed congregation, having purchased
the same of Philip Gunckel and paid hin> for it,-
They owned that they had no deed or other writing
by which to prove their claim legally valid — Mi
Gunckel, in consequence of a dispute about th(
terms of payment, having refused to make them a
deed, notwithstanding their having paid him the suni
agreed upon — but that their claim nevertheless w;
right and should be acknowledged. They said to
the Reformeds, ** If you will give us a quit-claim foi
your part of the grave-yard we will give you a quit-^
claim for our part of your church property." Toi
this the Reformeds replied that they owed the Lu^
therans nothing; that the purchase and payment of
one half of their church property was a transaction
IN GERMANTOWN. 21
in which they were not concerned; that that was a
matter resting between PhiHp Gunckel and the Lu-
theran congregation, and that they insisted on being
paid the full value of their share in the grave-yard.
Inquiry being made, the following information was
obtained :
Under date of February 16, 1830, Philip Gunckel
conveyed by deed one half of the church property
at the west end of Market Street to the German Re-
formed congregation. In that deed there is the fol-
lowing provision : *' Subject also to the following re-
strictions and reservations, to-wit : To suffer, allow,
and permit the Lutheran congregation of German-
town aforesaid, who are the owners of the undivided
one half of the land above described, to use the
same as a place of public worship, according to the
true intent and meaning of certain articles of associ-
ation entered into and ratified and concluded by and
between the said German Reformed Church and the
said Lutheran Church, at Germantown, on the 30th
day of October, 1818, and recorded in the chuxclf-
book of each of said churches." -^
From this extract it appears that their own deed
requires the Reformed congregation to " suffer,
allow, and permit the Lutheran congregation to use
the Reformed church as a place of worship." That
provision remains to-day unaltered, and always will
remain so. It was inserted because Judge Philip
Gunckel had sold the other half of the same projv
22 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ' ':
J
I
erty to the Lutheran congregation. The latter,j
however, never received a deed for their one halfJ
The deed was written, and properly signed and at^
tested, but was never delivered, the reason of which'
was this: The Lutherans were to pay six hundred-
■dollars, but found that they were unable to collect
that much. They raised five hundred and twenty-j
five dollars. They stated their case to Mr. Gunckel,^
and he agreed to throw off seventy-five dollars, andi
give the deed on the payment of five hundred and.
twenty-five dollars. This sum was paid over to him.]
At this point he pretended to take offense at some4
thing the Lutherans had said or done, refused ta
Abide by his last agreement, and fell back upon the
first, and demanded the payment of six hundred doli
lars in full. Both parties now grew angry, and
<:harged one another with unfair dealing, dropped-
the matter, and left it in this unfinished and unsatis-^
factory condition. As the Lutherans did not pay-
the lacking seventy-five dollars, Mr. Gunckel gave^
them no deed, and retained the five hundred and
twenty-five dollars paid him — a transaction the lik^
of which never seems to have troubled his easy con^
science. *
In his last will and testament Mr. Gunckel inserts
the following article: **I desire that my executor^
dispose pf my interest (being the undivided end
half) in St. Johns (German Reformed) Church ot!
Germantown, Ohio. One half of said church be^
IN GERMANTOWN. 2H
longs to the German Reformed congregation. I
made a conditional sale of my half to the Lutheran
congregation (the agreement of said sale being in
the hands of Charles O. VVolpers), made a deed for
the same, and placed it in the hands of John
McClure, Esq., who I directed should not give up
or deliver said deed until the payment mentioned in
said agreement were first fully complied with, which
was not done. Said deed is null and void, as I
made no delivery of the same.''
Several facts now become clear: First. The Lu-
theran congregation lost the five hundred and twen-
ty-five dollars which they paid to Philip Gunckel as
a part of the purchase money of the one half of the
church at the west end of Market Street, known as
the Reformed church. Second. The Lutheran con-
gregation never held a deed for the one half of said
property, and are consequently cut off from all own-
ership in the same. Third. The Reformed congre-
gation did not receive any of the money (five hun-
dred and twenty-five dollars) paid by the Lutheran
congregation to Philip Gunckel, and hence are under
no pecuniary obligation to the said Lutheran congre-
gation. Fourth. The Reformed congregation does
not yet own the part once sold by Philip Gunckel to
the Lutheran congregation. Said one half is at
present the property of the Gunckel heirs. Fifth.
The Reformed congregation, by their own deed, are .
required to permit the Lutheran congregation to
worship in their (the Reformed) church.
24 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ;
Now it is true that the present house of worship '{
occupied by the Reformed congregation is not the l
same which is referred to in Mr. Gunckel's will — ]
the old house having been taken down and a new |
one erected in its stead — but it is also true that this j
new house stands in part on the lot the one half of 1
which was once sold to the Lutheran congregation,
and at this time belongs to the Gunckel heirs. What
change the rebuilding of said church, or the article
of Mr. Gunckel's will above cited, make in that pro-
vision of the Reformed congregation's deed, requir-
ing them to "suffer, allow, and permit the Lutheran,
congregation to use the Reformed church as a place
of worship," the writer is not prepared to say. That
probably would, even for an expert jurist, be a diffi-
cult question to decide. Thus, then, the case stood
in the year 1879 when thorough inquiry was made
into it. Fortunately an agreement was arrived at in
the spring of this year. The Lutheran congregation "
agreed to pay to the Reformed congregation the sura ,
of one hundred dollars for their one half of the.
grave-yard and to give them, in addition, a quit-claim'l
of any right or privilege which they might have in*
the Reformed church property.
This act constituted the final dissolution of all]
union and partnership between the German Reformed'
and the Lutheran congregations of Germantown.
IN GERMANTOWN. 25
The Lutheran Congregation,
In our account of the relation between the Re-
formed and the Lutheran congregations we have
come down to the year 1879. In taking up the
separate history of the Lutheran Church it will be
necessary to go back again to the time of its organi-
zation.
This congregation dates its origin to the year
1809. It is one of the oldest Lutheran congrega-
tions in the State of Ohio. Its founders and fathers
were, with probably one or two exceptions, natives
of Pennsylvania, mostly from the county of Berks,
and the township of Tolpehocken. They came
from a portion of country where had labored the
early fathers, Muhlenberg and his cotemporaries and
associates. They therefore brought with them some-
thing of the spirit of these noble men. They cher-
ished a profound regard for religion, and were ex-
tremely desirous to plant the church of their fathers
in their new home. The first of them arrived here
in the year 1804. As is the case in all new coun-
tries, a few years had to be spent by them in severe
pioneer labor — the clearing of the soil and the
erection of dwellings. During the first few years of
their sojourn here they were, therefore, unable to
give church and school much thought and attention.
But busy as they were, they did not suffer their work
and secular business to make them forget the cause
3
26 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
of religion and education. Of these they always
felt their want, and just as ^oon as circumstances
permitted they made every effort to secure their
benefit. They were early visited by traveling mis-
sionaries — perhaps during the second or third year
of their settlement. From among the names of this
class of men who are said to have been here are
preserved those of Paul Henkel, Markert, Forster,
Mau, and Simon. They remained here a shorter or
longer time — some of them a few weeks or months,
others but a few days, and the last two settled here
permanently.
Pai^l Henkel was the father of Andrew Henkel, j
and lived and labored mainly in Virginia. He very *
early penetrated the western wilderness — of which }
Ohio formed then a part — to visit distant settlements; i
but the year in which he visited for the first time ]
the Miami and Twin valleys the writer has not been ^
able to learn. Of Markert nothing is known but 1
the name. When he was here, or how long he ^
remained among this people, has not been ascer- j
tained. As the same name appears in the early-l
annals of the Lutheran Church in Indiana, it is ]
likely that he went from here to that state, and lived, \
labored, and died there. George Forster was one.;
of the first missionaries in Ohio. Rev. Spielman, in j
his history of the Ohio Synod, speaks of him as l
being in Fairfield County in 1805. It is probable 1
that he was the first Lutheran minister who visited •
the Lutherans in the Mianci and Twin valleys. Rev. .
IN GERMANTOWN. 2i
Spielman relates of him the following incident .
*' For a time this robust and energetic father trav-
eled and preached in the extensive field, embracing
Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, and other counties.
When a later missionary visited and preached on the
same territory, Forster lodged complaint against him
before a special conference, accusing him of inter-
f erence in his pastorate. The conference dissented
from him, and desired to know what constituted his
pastoral district. Upon this the tall and still vigorous
man arose, and extending his arms, exclaimed, 'The
whole north-west is my mission-field, and no one else
shall be permitted to enter and interfere in it.' The
conference, of course, was of a different opinion,
and endeavored to bring the good man over to their
own view." He died a few years after this, and is
sa id to have been buried about six miles north of
S omerset, near Zion Church, which he had been
instrumental in organizing. S. Mau was a native
Penns ylvanian, and came here at a very early period.
He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary army,
a nd was a somewhat eccentric character. Several
ti mes he changed his church relations, but confessed
himself a Lutheran before his death. After his
a rrival here he supported himself by teaching school.
He is said to have been the first school-teacher in the
Twin Valley. His education was limited, and his
preaching abilities were very deficient. When, in
1818, the Ohio Synod was organized, in Somerset,
Ohio, Rev. Mau was present, and took an activ e
28 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
part in the organization. He lived to a high old
age, and died about the year 1830, Rev. Andrew]
Henkel officiating at his funeral. Andrew Simon is
the last of all the forenamed. He officiated as
pastor to the congregations in German and Miami-
townships for a number of years —probably up toj
about the year 1812. He, too, was present at the
organization of the Ohio Synod in f^l8, and became|
one of its founders. Greatly lacking the gift of
language, and scarcely able to give expression to his;
own thoughts, he was not very popular, nor very
successful as a preacher, and very wisely abandoned^
the ministry, and turned his attention to the practice
of medicine. He went from here to the State of|
Indiana, where he closed his life, in what year is not^
known.
After Simon gave up his labors in the Germantown
congregation there was a vacancy here of several^
years' duration, during which the people were
entirely destitute of the means of grace. They had
grown tired of the sort of men who had been serving^
them as supplies. In Pennsylvania they had enjoyed^
the ministrations of learned and pious pastors, andj
such a one they desired also here for themselves.^
They wanted a man regularly and well trained forv^
his calling, and ordained by an orthodox Lutheran?
synod. Such a man was at that time not easily toj
be had in this then far-off western country. There^
were then not a dozen Lutheran ministers in thel
whole State of Ohio. But they at last found the
IN GERMANTOWN. * 29
man they wanted in the person of the Rev. John
Caspar Dill.
Rev. John Caspar Dill
May be said to have been the first pastor of the
Lutheran congregation of Germantown. There were
those who preceded him here, but they were mere
supphes. He was a native German, born in
VVertheim, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, on the
second day of February, 1758. His parents were
honest. God-fearing people, and were both members
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His father
was a tawer by occupation, preparing buckskin for
wearing apparel. In his day buckskin pants, vests,
and gloves were worn, and the trade of a tawer
was quite respectable and remunerative. Rev. Dill's
father was a successful business man, well to do in
the affairs of this world, and highly esteemed by his
fellow-townsmen. He was a man of more than
ordinary intelligence, and was frequently called to
municipal offices, to fill positions of trust and
responsibility.
John Caspar was early sent to school, and here, as
well as at the home of his parents, he was instructed
in the doctrines and precepts of the Christian
religion, and m the rudiments of a common-school
education. From the common school he was pro-
moted to the high school, or academy, of his native
;own. After completing thus his elementary educa-
30 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
tion, he was sent to the university, there to enter
upon a thorough course of scientific study. The
university of which he made choice was that of
Giessen, in Hesse, at that time one of the best of
Germany's institutions, and attracting students from
all pans of Europe. At this ancient and renowned
seat of learning John Caspar came in contact with
men of world-wide fame -men who were eminent in
learning and in piety. There Is in possession of
one of his descendants an autograph album, having
belonged to Pastor Dill, in which are found the
names of quite a number of his fellow-students, some
of whom, later, attained to great celebrity for their
learning and scientific attainments. This album also
shows that the University of Giessen was then visited
and patronized by students from far and near.
Here, then, the subject of this biography enjoyed
every advantage of the highest intellectual, moral,
and social culture, which he seems to have well
improved.
Having passed through the usual university
curriculum — which seems to have been about the
year 1786 — he concluded to emigrate to America.
He returned to his home in Wertheim, there to
complete the necessary arrangements, and from
thence to enter upon his voyage to the new world.
An elder brother had preceded him to the United
States, and it was in consequence of this brother's
influence and persuasion that Rev. Dill decided to
take this step. He embarked in Amsterdam , in
IN GERMANTOWN. 31
Holland, which was at that time the chief seaport
of Europe. After a lengthy voyage he landed in
Baltimore, Md., on the 4th of September, 1792.
Here he remained a few weeks, and then proceeded
to Philadelphia, where his brother was engaged in
mercantile pursuits. In this city he tarried for some
time, probably intending to make it his home, and
enter into partnership with his brother. But if this
was his plan it was soon thwarted. It was in the
year 1792 that the yellow fever raged furiously in
the city of Philadelphia, and carried off a large
portion of its population. Among the victims of
this scourge were Rev. Dill's brother and his wife.
This loss, and the fearful ravages made by the pesti-
lence, had so depressing and discouraging an effect
on Mr. Dill that he determined to return again to
his native country. But he found kind friends who
interested themselves in his behalf, and through their
persuasions he was influenced to remain and make
this western world his permanent home.
From this lime until the year 1802 — a period of
about ten years — Mr. Dill's occupation and place of
residence are hot well known. But as in this year
he was ordained to the gospel ministry in the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, it may be rightly inferred
that a part of this time was spent by him in preparing
for the pastoral work. It may also be that he had
been in the ministry some years before his ordination.
For at that time the license system prevailed m the
Lutheran Church, and not unfrequently men remained
32 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
licentiates for a period of from five to ten years. '
Thus these ten years may be nearly, if not entirely,
accounted for.
Pastor Dill was ordained to the Christian ministry^;
by the Synod of Pennsylvania — which was then con- •!
vened in Reading, Pa. — on the IGth of June, 1802. '
In his ordination certificate mention is made of the
fact that he was, at the time of his ordination,
incumbent of the pastoral charge consisting of the
congregations on the Jordan, Union, Egypt, and
Trexlers, all of which were in Lehigh County, Pa,
The officers of the synod, by whom his ordination
papers are signed, are Frederick Schmidt and
Frederick Schreffer, the former being the president
and the latter the secretary of the synod. These,
and other congregations in the same locality. Pastor
Dill served until he removed from the State of
Pennsylvania to the State of Ohio, including a period
of at least about thirteen years During this time —
at what precise date is not known — he was joined
in marriage to Miss Ann Maria Seiberling, a family j
name which is still familiar to the Lutheran Church
in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Seiberlings to whom
Mrs. Dill belonged were then living in Wiesenberg
Township, Northampton County.
The removal of Mr. Dill to Ohio was brought
about in the following manner: In the year 1814 the ;
Rev. William Dechant, a minister of the Reformed
Church, in Pennsylvania, came to Ohio, and visited
Germantown and Miamisburg, and was very favorably
IN GERNfANTOWN. 33
impressed with the country in the Miami Valley.
The Lutherans of Germantown made inquiry of him
as to their chances of securing a pastor for their
congregation from Pennsylvania. He informed them
that he thought he could aid them in the matter, and
recommended to them Rev. Dill as a suitable man.
Thereupon they addressed a letter to Mr. Dill,
inviting him to become their pastor. Rev. Dechant,
also, on his return to Pennsylvania, encouraged Mr.
Dill to move to Ohio. In reply to the letter addressed
to him, and as a result of the representations of Rev.
Dechant, Mr Dill sent a communication to the
Lutherans of Germantown, and this in turn was
answered by a formal call. Pastor Dill arrived in
Germantown in the fall of the year 1815, and imme-
diately took charge here, in connection with a
number of other points, where, later, congregations
were organized.
Pastor Dill's field of labor was very extensive,
embracing several counties He occupied, in his
day, the frontier position among Lutheran pastors.
All the territory west of him was unexplored mission
ground. He therefore not only attended to the
wants of his own large field, but made frequent
visits to Indiana, to look after the interests of the
church in that state. The labor which he performed
was attended by peculiar hardships. During a great
part of the year the roads were bad ; the streams
were many and deep, and being without bridges,
they were dangerous to ford. The settlers lived
34 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
great distances apart, and when reached, the
accommodations which they had to offer were of the
simplest and plainest kind. Their log cabins gen-
erally contained but one room, answering the
purpose of kitchen, parlor, and bed-room. The
table-fare consisted principally of bread and bacon.
Coffee and tea were luxuries in which few of them
had the means to indulge. Mr. fJill's traveling was
all done on horseback. A great portion of his time |
was spent in the saddle, hunting up the scattered 4
members of his church, baptizing their children, and ^
preaching whenever and wherever an opportunity ^
offered itself. From these facts we may form some -|
idea of the situation in which he was placed. Had |
he kept an accurate written account of his trials and |
adventures, his long and fatiguing journeys, his poor %
fare and poorer lodgings, his preaching in all sorts ]
of places, the heat and cold which he endured, and |
the many incidents which occurred around the |
fireside by the big log chimney — such an account 1
would at this time prove most intensely interesting, t
and constitute a most entertaining chapter of history. |
But it would also reveal a life of labor, privation, ^
and suffering such as we of the present day can i
not easily form any conception of. The work ;
of pastor and missionary, as performed by Rev. ^
Dill, was no play ; nor was there much pleasure in it ^
except such as arose from the consciousness* of doing i
good.
IN GERMANTOWN. 3&
Mr. Dill preached at from probably six to ten
places; but his main and strongest congregations
were in Germantown and Miamisburg. He may
with propriety be called the father of Lutheranism
in and around these two places. The church in
Germantown in which Mr. Dill preached was the
log structure erected in the year 1810. Here his
associate on the Reformed side was the Rev. Thomas
Winters. The two got along with one another pretty
peaceably — much more so than one would look for
from so close a relationship as they held. Yet there
was an occasional crossing of lances, and the hum
of war and clash of arms was heard between the twa
ecclesiastics. But to the honor of both be it said,
scenes of contention between them were very rare.
Pastor Dill was a thoroughly orthodox man,
affected neither by rationalism on the one hand,
nor by fanaticism on the other. He was firmly
persuaded of the truth and the divine inspiration of
the Scriptures and of their sufficiency as a rule of
faith and practice. He was also a true Lutheran,
firmly attached to, and vigorously advocating th e
doctrines of his church as set forth in her variou s
confessional writings. A number of his sermon s
have been placed in the writer's hands for examin a-
tion. They are sound and thorough expositions of
the divine word, and exhibit a spirit of true an d
devout pi^yon the part of. their author. Their style
is terse and concise, and their language dignified and
elevated, showing the accomplished scholar and
36 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
perfect master of his native tongue. He was also a
man of attractive social qualities, gifted with a large
share of wit and humor. At synod he would draw
around him a crowd, and entertain his audience by
anecdote and the recital of adventure. Synodical
meetings in his day partook more largely of the
nature of social gatherings than they now do. Pastors
then were so isolated from one another that they
rarely saw or heard of each other. When then they
met at synod, there were true and heart- felt greetings
and pleasure, and the spirit of cheer and joyousness
was kept up during their convention. In their social
circles Pastor Dill was always the central figure, as
youthful and as happy as during his student life at
the university. He was, moreover, a man of varied
acquirements, well read in the ancient and the
modern classics, a close and logical thinker, and a
refined and chaste writer. As a speaker he was
clear, practical, and impressive. Located as he was
in a new country, with a superabundance of pastoral
labor on his hands, there was neither incentive in his
surroundings, nor time at his disposal to attempt
authorship or to distinguish himself by literary per-
formance. But had he lived at another time, and
been placed amidst more favorable circumstances, he
would doubtlessly have attained to some fame as a
scholar and an author. He certainly possessed the
natural talents, and the culture by education, for
literary work. He was, besides, something of an
artist, quite an adept in drawing, in painting, and
IN GERMANTOWN. 37
in carving, and a skillful performer on a number of
musical instruments. During the latter part of his
life, when waning physical strength confined him
more closely to his home, he spent much time in
these diversions.
He was connected with the synod of Pennsylvania
until the year 1818, though unable to meet with it
during his residence in Ohio. In this year was
organized the synod of Ohio. Pastor Dill was pres-
ent on the occasion and joined the organization, and
thus became one of the founders of the first synod
in Ohio. Subsequently he held different official
positions in this body.
Rev. Dill lived and died a poor man. He owned
a little home, consisting of an humble dwelling with
a few acres of ground around it, but that was all he
ever possessed, and did not exceed a few hundred
dollars in value. His parishoners were mostiy
farmers, who were new beginners, and were struggling
hard for the necessaries of life. They had no good
market for their produce, and were sadly in want of
money. Such a people are not able to pay their
pastor a large salary. Hence Father Dill accumulated
nothing in the way of worldly possessions, and when
he died, he left his family litde else than God's
blessing, and his own worldly poverty. He departed
this life in August, 1824, at the age of sixty-six years
and five months. His wife, who was his junior in
age, survived him by many years. The remains of
both rest side by side in the Germantown cemetery.
38 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
After the death of Father Dill the congregation
-ex perienced some difficulty in securing another pastor.
Lutheran ministers were at that time still scarce in
Ohio. Their number did not exceed from twelve to
fifteen in the whole state. Further east the churchy
was somewhat better supplied with pastors, but those
who lived there, when they desired to make a change,
were reluctant to come to Ohio, which state was then
regarded as "the far West.'' And in reality to
remove from Pennsylvania or Maryland to Ohio was,
at that time, a great undertaking. It occupied as
much time, and was attended by as many hardships
as does now a trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Nor
were congregations in Ohio able to hold out pecuniary,
or other flattering inducements. They had nothing
to offer but hard work, privation, and small pay.
Hence it happened that after Father Dill's decease the
Lutheran congregation in Germantown was without
a pastor for a period of two years. In the year 1826
they succeeded in securing the services of the Rev.
Andrew Henkel, of Somerset, Perry County, Ohio,
whose biography we shall now proceed to give.
IN GERMANTOWN. 39
Rev. Andrew Henkel
Came of a distinguished ancestry, and was descended
of a long line of Lutheran ministers. The founder
of the family in this country was the Rev. Gerhart
Henkle, who immigrated hither at a very early period.
In the Fatherland he had occupied the position of
court chaplain, but the earnestness with which he
presented the truth, and especially in one of his
sermons, greatly offended his sovereign, and to save
himself all the trouble which this occurrence threat-
ened to occasion him, he decided immediately to
resign and emigrate to America. He arrived in
Philadelphia in the year 1840, and located in
Germantown, Pennsylvania. Here he assisted in the
erection of a Lutheran church, but did not live to
see it completed, being called away by death soon
after his arrival. The son and grandson of Rev.
Gerhart Henkel, from whom in direct line Andrew
Henkle derives his descent, were Justus and Jacob
Henkel. The latter was the father of the Rev. Paul
Henkel, and he the father of Andrew Henkel.
Paul Henkle, born on the 15th day of December,
1754, and departing this life on the 17th day of
November, 1825, occupies a prominent place in the
early history of the Lutheran Church in this country.
After preparing himself for the pastoral work under
the instructions of the Rev. Krug, of Frederick,
40 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Maryland, he entered the ministry at an advanced^
period in life, being ordained by the Ministerium of]
Pennsylvania in the year 1792.- Animated by a^
truly apostolic spirit, he threw himself into his work^:
with a zeal, self denial, and perseverance equaled hyi
but few men since the days of the apostles. Amidst^
dangers, and the severest hardships, he made exten--|
sive mission tours, penetrating into the wilderness oC
the south and the west to its furthest limits, hunting;
up the scattered members of the Lutheran Church,;
baptizing their children, supplying them with books |
of devotion, organizing the people into congregations,^^
and exhorting them to fidelity to their Maker andj
their church. He traveled in his own wagon, his
wife, animated by the same missionary zeal, accom-:«
panying him, and both all the while defraying their
own expenses. The means required came from the j^
proceeds of a farm, which was cultivated by hfs 1
sons. He was instrumental in organizing the synods ~
of North Carolina and of Ohio. Of his six sons he^
trained five for the gospel mmistry. . Yet, amidst so i
busy a life he managed to perform some literary
labor. He published a collection of his own poems, 1
a work on baptism, translated Luther's Smaller J
Catechism into the English language, and issued two ^
Lutheran hymn-books — one in the German and the
other m the English language. How this man, who
had in his youth received but a common-school
education, and who entered the ministry at the
advanced age of thirty-eight years, was able to do
IN GERMANTOWN. 41
SO many things, and do them so well, is almost
beyond comprehension.
Of this man, and his wife Elizabeth, Andrew
Henkel was the fourth son. He was born in New-
market, Virginia, on the 21st day of October, 1790.
Being the child of such parents, his early training
and education were of a truly Christian character.
Great pains were taken, early to instill into him the
truths of the Christian religion and to develop within
him a spirit of earnest piety. And these parents
were not disappointed in their efforts and expecta-
tions. Andrew was a child of high animal spirits,
full of life, and somewhat mischevious; but, with
all that, he was devoutly religious. In later years he
traced the beginning of his Christian life and ex-
perience back to his earliest childhood, and ascribed
it, under the blessing of God, to parental training
and instruction. When yet quite young, he learned
the art of printing under the direction of his brother
Ambrose. After serving a short apprenticeship in
this occupation he began the study of theology un.
der the supervision and instruction of his father and
his brother Philip. He entered the ministry quite
early in life — when in his twenty-first year. He was
licensed sp preach the gospel in the year 1811 by
the Synod of Pennsylvania.
Shortly after his entrance into the ministry he ^nd
his brother -Ambrose set out on a visit to Ohio, trav-
eling the entire distance on horseback. As a result
of this trip Mr. Henkel, in the following year, viz. :
4
42 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
in 1812, came to Ohio to remain, taking charge of -
congregations in Perry, Muskingum, Morgan, andj
other counties. His field of labor was very large,^
extending over a district of probably ten countiesj
He even went into Western Virginia and organized^
and supplied congregations there with Word and'^
Sacrament. In this field he continued for the space-
of about fourteen years, during all of which time he'"
resided in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio.
In the year 1815 he was united in marriage to'
Margaret Trout, daughter of George and Margaret
Trout, of Somerset, Ohio. The Synod of Ohio was"?
organized in the month of September, 1818. The'
meeting at which the organization was effected wasj^
held in Somerset, in Mr. Henkel's charge, and hej
was one of the chief movers in the formation of this:
body. The pastors present were seventeen in num-
ber. Their names are as follows: J. Stauch, PauL
Henkel, G. H. Weygandt, M. Steck, Sr., J. C. Dill,l
Leist, Reinhardt, Huet, A. Henkel, M. Steck, Jr.,|
Schneider, Weyer, Mohler, A. Simon, S. Mau.|
Charles Henkel, and M. Wachter were licensed at|
this meeting. Andrew Henkel remained a licentiate,
for at least ten years. This unusual length of time is
owing to two facts. Previous to the organization of
the Synod of Ohio, candidates laboring in this stale
were required to appear in person before th^ Synod
of Pennsylvania when they desired ordination. Mr.
Henkel possessed probably neither the means, nor
had the time at his disposal, to do this. After the
IN GERMANTOWN. 43^
year 1818 he might have been ordained in Ohio, but
he had in the Rev. Stauch a formidable opponent,
who, for some reason, resisted his ordination, and,
being a man of great authority in the synod, was
successful in his opposition to Mr. Henkel. In what
year Pastor Henkel received ordination is not known
to the writer, but it can not have been later than the
year 1824.
During his residence in Somerset Mr. Henkel
trained a number of young men for the Lutheran
ministry, among whom are J. Wagenhals, Samuel
Kemmerer, and James Manning. Manning was the
first, and for a number of years the only Lutheran
minister in Ohio, who exclusively officiated in the
English language. He was drawn into the ministry
in rather a peculiar manner.
Manning was a boatman by occupation, and in
character about the same as men of that pursuit
usually are. Rev. Henkel was giving instructions to
a class of catechumens, of whom the sister of James
Manning was one. James, at best, disliked preach-
ers, but he had a special grudge against Mr. Henkel
because he had "turned the. head" of his own sister.
His resolution was quickly taken. He was going to
break up this business of catechising. The day for
catechetical instruction came around, and James
Planning took his seat in the rear part of the church.
Mr. Henkel began his instructions and Mr. Manning
began to interrupt and to contradict him. Henkei
grew neither angry at the young man, nor did he
44 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
reprove him, but in a kind manner requested him to
tarry until after the close of the services. In the
interview which followed, Mr. Henkel, by his gen.
iality and suavity of manner, so won upon the heart
of the young boatman that he was utterly conquered
and subdued. He went away with his eyes cast
down, and ashamed of his conduct. When the
time for the next meeting for catechising came Man-
ning again made his appearance, slowly came up to
Mr. Henkel, and with a good deal of embarrassment,
requested the privilege of attending his instructions.
Saul had become Paul The request was cheerfully^
granted by the young pastor. From this time for-j
ward Manning became a diligent student of the:
Scriptures, soon united with the church, and thenl
began his preparations for the Gospel ministry.
This incident well illustrates some of the peculiar^
characteristics of these two remarkable men. Hen-^
kel had his temper under perfect control, and evenj
when much displeased could assume an air of un^
disturbed quiet, and exercise the utmost urbanity and
■civility. He could take an affront with apparent
good nature, and at the same time treat th© offender-
with the greatest cordiality. Manning, on the otherj
hand, was impulsive, quick and irate, pugnacious,]
and ready at all times to resent an offense offered to]
his person. But he was a man, also, of warm andl
tender heart, appreciative of kindness, and mostl
susceptible to its influence. He could never bej
driven or forced, but could be pursuaded and led'
with ease.
IN GERMANTOWN. 45
The fourteen years which Mr. Henkel spent in his
first charge were years of severe trial and arduous
labor. But being gifted with a cheerful mind, and
favored with a vigorous physical constitution, he per-
formed his work and bore his hardships without any
visible effects on his health. He accomplished a
great deal of good in this field by organizing congre-
gations, confirming the people in the faith of their
church, instructing the young, and laying the founda-
tion of his work broad and deep. And to this day
he is still remembered in that locality, and spoken of
with affection and reverence.
In the year 1826 Rev. Henkel received a call from
the congregations of Germantown and vicinity which
he deemed it his duty to accept, especially as he was
assured that the- charge which he had hitherto served
would find a very acceptable pastor in the person of
his brother Charles. In the fall, therefore of this
same year he moved to Germantown, and entered
upon the field of labor in which he spent the re-
mainder of his life. Here, as in his former field,
the presence of his hand was soon felt, and the
effects of its guidance and force soon became visible.
Hitherto the people had worshiped in the German
language exclusively. There had been a demand
for English services during the ministry of Father
Dill already, but not being sufficiently conversant
with the English language he was unable to comply
with the demand. Henkel, being equally proficient
in both the German and the English tongues, at once
I
46 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
introduced English services into all the churches of
his charge. In this he was opposed by a few of the
older members, but their opposition found but little
sympathy, and hence exerted no perceptible effect-
In Germantown, at his first confirmation, from sixty
to seventy persons, mostly young people, presented
themselves at the altar to renew and assume for-|
themselves their baptismal covenant
A few years after his arrival the congregation in |
Germantown, by his pursuasion and under his lead, .^
built a new church, a brick edifice, which, at the
time of its erection, was regarded as one of the best
churches in this part of the country. The attendance
on the divine services increased, the membership
grew larger, and the congregation enjoyed general
prosperity and peace.
Not only in the church, however, but also in the
community at large, did Mr. Henkel's talents and
influence make themselves felt. By means of his
sagacity and practical tact he became at once one of
the leading citizens of Germantown. He was con"
suited and called to office and public position when
important enterprises were about to be entered on
and when weighty interests were pending, and was
always zealous in the promotion of any useful public ^
improvement. He also became prominent by means
of his business operations. For, although his pas-
toral charge was very large, con sisting-^of from eight -%
to a dozen congregations and preaching p>oints, t
scattered over several counties, he yet- found time to
IN GERMANTOWN. ,47
engage in secular pursuits. By this means he came
in contact with men of all classes, and his name be-
came extensively known beyond his immediate sphere
of action.
Another means which gained him j. widespread
popularity was his connection with the order of Free
Masons. Of this order he was a prominent member
and an active propagator. He held high official
positions in it, and traveled much in its interests,
organizing and establishing lodges in various places,
and giving instructions in the mystic arts and ritual
of the order.
But that which gave him greatest prominence was
his skill and talent in controversy. Around him
were the uneducated preachei-s of the minor sects —
men who relied on a supposed inspiration, instead of
on study and education, in the work of preaching
the Word. They were men who gloried in their
ignorance, because they regarded ignorance as a
virtue, and because ignorance was about all they
could boast of. They held in contempt all book
learning and book knowledge, and spoke of two
kinds of religion — a book religion and a heart relig-
ion — of the latter of which they claimed to hold a
monopoly. These men, for the building up of their
own churches, were largely depending on Lutheran
material. To be the more successful in their efforts,
they often deemed it expedient to assail Mr. Henkel
personally, as also to cry down and misrepresent the
doctrines of his church. Some of therasher sort of
48 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
these men would even have the temerity to challenge
him to debate, but in these contests the poor fellows ij
usually came away so badly worsted that they never %
offered a second challenge, nor made a second as* J
sault. ' ■ ]^
There was a time when almost the entire Lutheran '^
Church in this country had fallen away from the
doctrines of the Reformers, when rationalism had
seized upon and led away some, and fanaticism
others, and when both faith and practice had become
corrupt. Under the name of Lutheranism all sorts
of men were preaching all sorts of doctrines, and
introduced practices which were foreign to the policy
of the historic Lutheran Church, in conflict with her
doctrine, and subversive of her distinctive life and
faith. It seemed then as if the church of the Refor-
mation were about to lose her identity in this country.
There remained, of course, a leaven of true faith, a
few faithful confessors and teachers. To these be
longed the major portion of the pastors of the Synod
of Ohio, who, amidst this widespread apostacy,
remained true to the ancient land marks of their
church. They were firmly pursuaded that the con.
fessions of their church enibodied the truth of God's
word, and still more firmly pursuaded were they that
the so called new measures, which were sought to be
introduced, were subversive of the true faith, of
good order and morality. Among the men in the
Ohio Synod, who continued thus faithful, Andrew
Henkel was one of the staunchest and foremost.
IN GERMANTOWN. 49
lie was, on the points in dispute, a Lutheran without
evasion or mental reservation, and ready to defend
his faith regardless of consequences And he did so
defend it, was compelled to defend it by word and
by pen. But to do so required at that time no small
degree of courage and moral firmness.
The men who then openly confessed and defended
the Lutheran doctrine, and upheld Lutheran usage,
were cried down as symbolists and formalists, as men
of no experimental piety, and as semi-Romanists»
Methodists, Baptists and others joined pseudo-Luth-
erans in their crusade against them. Especially was
this the case at the time when the church in Ohio
began to grow in influence and importance. As
long as the church in this state was weak, and had
nothing to offer but hard work and poor pay, Mr.
Henkel and the men who believed and taught as he
did had the field all to themselves, but when wealth
took the place of poverty, and respectability the
place of obscurity, men crowded in from eastern
states and sought charges in Ohio. Some of these
had abandoned the faith of the church whose name
they had assumed, and were hostile to all that was
distinctively Lutheran. They talked of an Ameri-
can LutheranXhurch, 'and American Lutheranism, as
a church and a ^system of doctrine difi*erent in spirit
and in essence from the church and doctrine of the
Reformers, and an improvement on them. They
advocated, and practically adopted the revival system
of the Methodists, laid little or no stress on the
50 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
sacraments as means of grace, and either openly op-
posed or else quietiy neglected the instruction and
catechization of the young previous to confirmation. ,
They connected at first with the Synod of Ohio, but
soon it became apparent that between them and the^
class of men represented by Rev Andrew Henkelj
there could be no harmonious co-operation within
the same body. Conflicts arose and disputes sprang
up, which caused bitterness of feeling and total
alienation, and resulted in the organization of new
synods. Thus the lines were sharply drawn between
the new and the old measure parties. But with this
the controversy and trouble -did not stop, but only}
grew in warmth and in bitterness. The new-measur^l
men were unsparing in their denunciations of the',
old-measure men, and felt the stronger because
encouraged and urged on by other denominations,'
and by a general tendency of the Lutheran Church^
in the same direction. It was a dark and sorrowful;
time to the few faithful ones. They, of course, didj
All in their power to stem the current that seemed to^
■carry the church down to the gulf of destruction;^
Hence from pulpit and in papers was heard the cry;
•of war, and the contest raged tfercely. Congrega-;
tions became divided, and pastoral charges were rent^
in sunder. With controversy and aggressive interfer^
ence in congregation and charge came the exhibition^
of carnal passion. There were acrimonious disputes,
criminations and recriminations, personal character
and reputation were assailed and defamed, and
IN GERMANTOWN. 51
among the laity, always less restrained than the
clergy, it often came to blows and other acts of
violence.
Pastor Henkel, being one of the firmest, ablest,
and most outspoken men on the side of old measures,
came in for a full share of the anathemas of the other
party. At him more than at any one else were aimed
their attacks. Around his head the storm raged
most fiercely. But he stood as firm and immovable
as a rock amidst storm and waves, and never for one
moment wavered in his position, or doubted the final
triumph of his cause. He not only encouraged his
associates to fidelity and firmness, but freely responded
to the calls of the people who, from every direction,
came and applied to him to come to their assistance
and defend them against their enemies. In the con-
flict, thus inaugurated, he wielded a vast influence,
and achieved great things for the church. There is
a great debt owing by the Lutheran Church to this
stout-hearted, brave, and fearless man.
The men of the new theology and new measures
had, in many instances, more zeal than discretion.
They foolishly thought it to be their duty, to go
among Mr. Henkel's parishioners, and in their
presence charge him with heresy, and thus stir up
revolt and rebellion against hira at home. Several of
them, to carry out this purpose, visited Germantown
and challenged. him to public debate. The first, who
thus made his appearance, was the Rev. Zerfass, a
man who was as ignorant as he was presumptuous
52 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
and conceited. He came to Germantown during ilie
year 1840. Mr. Henkel and his congregation threw
wide open the doors of their church to this champion^
of a new Lutheranism. His declared object was to-
prove that Mr. Henkel was no Lutheran. He en-|
tered the church in a very pompous manner, bringing
with him a large chest, which was carried in by two'
men, and which he caused to be believed was full ofj
books and authorities, by the aid of which he would
carry his point and annihilate Mr. Henkel, but which
turned out to be as empty as his own head. A large
concourse of people had collected to listen to the
debate. Zerfass opened the discussion, and Henkel
followed in reply. The contest proved itself a very
unequal one. Zerfass was weak in argument, con-
fused in his ideas, and hesitating in speech. Henkel,
on the other hand, on this as all similar occasions,
was calm and self-possessed, and perfect master of
himself. He was thoroughly conversant with the
doctrines and history of his church, and always read/^
to express himself in the happiest manrver. This
time he proved himself fully master of the situation
In a speech of some length he so completely used
up his opponent that the latter abandoned the contest
at once and left the town as speedily as he was ^abh
to get away from it. And the sentiment of the'
entire community at the time was ** served him;
right." -|
The chief and most active of the new measure
men of that day were Abraham Reck and Solomon
IN GERMANTOWN. 53
Ritz. They were the apostles of the new gospel, a
sort of ecclesiastical freebooters, entering uninvited
and uncalled peaceable charges and congregations,
creating schisms and strife, and carrying on their
work with a high hand. As Henkel was a strong
man on the one side, and Reck on the other, it was
proposed to have the two meet, but Reck could
never muster sufficient courage to challenge Henkel
to public debate. But when, in the year 1844, Mr.
Henkel removed from Germantown to Goshen,
Indiana, where he remained two and a half years,
Mr. Reck quickly took advantage of the former's
absence, and the vancancy of the charge, and came
to Germantown, bringing with him several families
which were to form the nucleus of a new-measure
Lutheran congregation, and were finally to assimilate
to themselves all the Lutherans in the town and its
vicinity. It was a cunningly devised scheme, and
circumstances seemed to favor its success. The
people were as sheep without a shepherd. Their
pastor had left them, and they knew not whether he
would ever return again, or where to look for another
man to take his place. Reck was a good preacher,
and a zealous and persevering man, and made friends
and followers wherever he went. Anywhere else
almost his plan would have succeeded; but in Ger-
mantown his mission proved a complete failure.
New ^leasurism was to the people here nothing but
Methodism introdu^d into the Lutheran Church,
and with that they were too familiar to receire it
54 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ^^^ 2
as anything difTerent from what it was. But above '^
all it was owing to Mr. Henkel's instructions and |
influence that Mr. Reck, notwithstanding that he
made the most strenuous efforts, during a period of
three years did not even make one disciple from
the Lutheran Church of this place. The people^
were too well-rooted and grounded in the doctrines'!
and usages of their church, to follow Reck or anyj
one of his party. Hence, when Mr. Henkel returnedj
from Goshen, which was in the year 1847, Mr. Eeck?^
abandoned the field in despair, and went away. j
Mr. Henkel resided a year or two in Lewisburg^*
whilst he was pastor in Germantown. Here he was
drawn into a public discussion with the Rev. W. C/
Barnett, another champion of new measures. Thisi
debate lasted three days, and attracted an immense J
concourse of people. The whole doctrinal contro-i
versy, which has grown out of the subject of the ^
so-called new measures in the Lutheran Church, and'^
that has ever since been agitating her, and is not fully J
settled yet, was gone over by these two men on this
occasion. And it is remarkable how clear, correct,
and far-reaching were the views of Pastor Henkel,
set forth by him on this occasion. This debate took'
place in 1849. The two men were pretty evenly
matched, and both claimed the victory over the other.
The substance of this debate is given in the Lutheran 1^
Standard, to which the interested reader is referred. 7^-
Rev. Henkel was a party to many other contro- •
versies and discussions beside those mentioned above.
IN GERMANTOWN. 55-
but as they related to the same or kindred subjects
as these, it is deemed unnecessary to make any
extended allusions to them. But there is one more
subject of this kind which demands mention, and
this is the secret society controversy. This arose
within the Joint Synod of Ohio, of which Rev. Henkel
was a member. It was in the year 1652 when this
matter was made a subject of deliberation and action.
The synod passed a series of resolutions relative to-
secret and other unchurchly societies, to one of
which Mr. Henkel took exception. This became
the occasion of a prolonged and bitter contest.
Year after year, the matter was discussed at the'
meetings of the synod, resolutions were passed,
reports adopted, complaints made, charges and
countercharges preferred, investigations had, cen-
sures expressed, etc. Mr. Henkel wrote, published,!
and circulated, three different controversial tracts, in
which he defends his position as a member of two
secret orders, those of Free . Masonry and Odd '
Fellowship. This controversy occasioned Mr.
Henkel a vast amount of trouble and vexation, and
alienated from him some of his warmest and life- long
friends. It began during the latter part of his life,
and continued to the hour of his death, and proved
a bitter drop in the cup of his declining days. But !
as the writer has In course of preparation a treatise, •
in which he expects to present and extended account;
of the entire secret society agitation in the Lutheran .
Church, and which he intends, at no distant day.
56 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
to give to the public, he here drops this mattei
without any further allusion to it.
We will now present some particular phases oi
Rev. Henkel's life and character.
As a preacher he was more instructive than ek
quent. His sermons were faithful delineations oi
scriptural truth. They were addressed to the intel^
lect and the heart alike. He never aimed at undu(
excitement of feeling, which is transitory and evaa*
escent in its effects. His was the calm, argumentaj
tive, and closely syllogistic mode of preaching. Hi^|
sermons were systematic, presenting his thoughts
logical succession, and were faithfully textual. Hi<
ideas were clothed in language which was dignifie(
and elevated, and yet so plain and simple that
discourses were adapted to the humblest as well as]
the strongest intellect. His instructions did not only..^
produce deep and firm conviction, but they also had-^
this peculiar excellence — that they were easilyg
remembered. He generally spoke without manu-^J
script or notes, and was never in want of ideas or f
words to express them in. In the pulpit he was.j;
perfectly self-possessed, and always serious and*,
earnest He was always ready. On one occasion 4
a conference of ministers convened in his own
church. The speaker for the occasion did not make
his appearance, and none of the rest present were
willing to take his place. Henkel ascende.d the
pulpit, and, without previous preparation or time for
reflection, preached a sermon that elicited the admi-
IN GERMANTOWN. 57
ration of all present. He shunned all attempts at
show, seemed entirely to forget self whilst speaking,
and aimed only at instructing the mind and edifying
the heart. Whatever else may be said of Mr.
Henkel as a man — and there are those who would
disparage his character — as a preacher he proved
himself one of the most efficient and useful men of
his day. His pulpit labors and influence are still
felt. Those to whom he ministered in his youth and
later years are distinguished for their intelligent
apprehension of doctrine, and their warm attach-
ment to their church and its usages. Some may call
them Henkelites, but they are Lutherans, ** dyed in
the wool."
As a writer and an author Rev. Henkel does not
occupy a first place. But his talents in this depart-
m ent are respectable. Among his literary productions
may be mentioned his three controversiaj tracts
treating of secret orders. Viewing them simply in
their literary aspect, we find their subject matter
logically arranged, and systematically treated. The
arguments in favor of the position therein assumed,
are as strong and as clearly stated as the subject
admits of, and the language employed is dignified
and expressive. These tracts exhibit a well
disciplined mind and vigorous thinker on the part of
their author.
Another of Mr. Henkel's productions is a treatise
on Infant Baptism, written in the form of a dialogue.
In reference to this work a committee of his synod,
• 5
58 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
of which Rev. D. Worly was chairman, say : ** VVeJ
hail with pleasure this little book which we doubtj
not will find a welcome place in all our Englisl
families. It is emphatically, in its contents and style,
so far as we have had time to examine it, a book for|
the times and for the country in which it is our lot tal
labor. Written in an easy and popular style, it can']
not fail to please and interest the reader : scriptural^
and truthful in its representations, it will guide th(
earnest inquirer aright; meeting the popular and|
dangerous objections to the doctrine ot baptism,
held by the church, ably and convincingly, it will b(
a strong weapon of truth against error in the hands ofj
the humble Christian. We, therefore, heartily
recommend it to our pastors and people. "
In connection with a collection of his father's!.^
poems Mr. Henkel published some of his own poet-''^
ical productions which make up a very readable and
entertaining volume. This book bears the significant ^^^
title of Zeitvertreib.
There is, moreover, extant among Mr. Henkers..'
writings, in finished manuscript, a little treatise ont^
the 45xious Bench. This, if printed in the ordinary S
pamphlet style, would make a tract of from sixty to.^
seventy pages.
As a business man Mr. Henkel bore an unblera-^f
ished reputation. He was generally successful in hisi
enterprises. His business ventures were varied. In 'i
some of them^he realized large profits. He was at 'I
one time possessed of a large amount of property.
IN GERMANTOWN. 59
but before he died he had become very much reduced
in means. Of this part of Pastor Henkel's life, the
writer can not approve. His charge was sufficiently
large to claim all his time, and was able to furnish
him a competent support. His secular pursuits could
not but have a secularizing effect on his own mind,
and unfavorably influence his parishioners. But it
was then the order of the day in this western country,
that ministers followed secular pursuits in connection
with their sacred calling. With some this became a
necessity in order to supplement their meager salary.
This was doubtlessly the case with Mr. Ilenkel
during the earlier years of his ministry. But when
the habit is once formed, it is often continued after
the necessity has ceased, and that is the effect it had
on h'm.
As a controversialist Mr. Henkel obtained a repu-
tation not enjoyed by any of his cotemporaries. He
had trained himself for controversy from early youth,
and delighted in it. What gave him the pre-eminence
and success over most of his opponents was his perfect
self-possession. In debate he never suffered himself
to become angry, excited, or confused. With a
strong nervous constitution, and a digestion that was
absolutely perfect, he was able at all times to hold his
temper under perfect control. He was also a very fair
man, never resorting to sophistry, or otherwise taking
undue advantage of an antagonist, in order to carry
his point Personality he avoided as much as
possible. The only exception he is known ever to
60 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
have made in this was, when he spoke of the errors
and follies of some of the sects. On such occasions
he would sometimes suffer himself to become some-
what personal, and be unsparing of his lash. He
was a bitter enemy to the anxious bench and all
that pertains to it, and whenever he happened to get
on this subject, he would lay it on his adversary thick
and fast. But even then, he would not suffer himself
to lose his temper. If he happened immediately
after to meet the man whom he had handled so
roughly, he would extend his hand to him and treat
him with the greatest cordiality. He was a man of
great resoluteness and firmness, adhered to his
convictions with the utmost tenacity, and no matter
to what subject they pertained, religion, politics, or
anything else, never shrank from avowing and
defending them both in private and in public.
In the matter of discipline, whether in his own
family, in the congregation, or in the synod, Mr.
Henkel was exceedingly indulgent and forbearing, t
He rarely ever reproved or punished a child of his, ^
and was very reluctant to proceed with rigor against r
an offending church-member, holding that the f
preaching of the Word was the most efficient means \
of correcting wrongs. If it was at all possible he ^
would speak kindly of the dead. Fault has been;
found with him for . this. It has been said, that he '
eulogized men whose lives and examples called for
censure and warning rather than for praise and
approval. Doubtlessly, his kindliness of heart
IN r.ERMANTOWN. Gl
betrayed him into unwarranted extremes on this
point. When spoken to on this matter, as he some-
times was, lie would reply, that he would rather go
too far on the side of mercy, than on the side of
condemnation. It is even said, that he went so far
in this, as to lay himself open to the charge of
universalism.
In his synod he was for many years the most
towering figure, exercised a commanding influence,
and was largely mstrumental in shaping its policy
and directing its course. Again and again was he
called to preside over its deliberations. When
important measures were pending, he was frequently
made chairman of the committee, to whom the
matter was entrusted for adjustment. He was one
of the founders of the Synod of Ohio, and bore a
chief part in its organization. He was also one of
the prime movers in the organization of the Joint
Synod's theological institution, for a number of
years, was identified with it as a director, and gave
it his warmest support until his relation with it was
disturbed by the secret society agitation. His coun-
sel was sought by his brethren in synod upon all
questions of ecclesiastical interest, and his advice
was usually followed. He enjoyed the utmost respect
and confidence of his associates.
As a Christian, Pastor Henkel was devout and
earnest, free from all ostentation and cant. His was
a cheerful, open piety, having very little of the
severe and nothing of the ascetic in it. He did not
bZ THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
make the kingdom of God to consist in eating and
drinking, and did not carry his rehgion in his
clothes. On mere externals he laid no stress, and
in diet and wearing apparel claimed and exercised
all the freedom which by Divine right belongs to the
Christian. Having had pious parents, by whom he
was brought up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord, his Christian faith began its development
in him from earliest childhood, and grew up in him
with the growth of his years, steadily and contin-
uously, until Christian childhood and youth merged
into the full and mature stature of Christian manhood.
He knew no particular time to which he might point
as the period of his conversion. His Christian faith
and life ran back so far, that to him there was no
conscious beginning of them, but were lost in the
dim and unrecalled period of his earliest childhood.
A spiritual life thus begun and nurtured is usually
succeeded by a Christian manhood that has more of
the settled than the doubting, more of the calm and
meditative than the fervid and the impulsive, and
this effect exhibited itself as a controlling element in
the Christian life and labors of Pastor Henkel.
In personal appearance, Andrew Henkel is said to
have resembled his father, Paul Henkel; tall, nearly
six feet in height, and as straight and erect as an
Indian. His step was firm, and his bearing dignified.
His health was almost perfect. Of indigestion,
rheumatism, and the like ailments, he never knew
anything from personal experience. He bore to the
IN CERMANTOWN. 63
last the extremes of heat and cold without much
discomfort. He dressed always with neatness and
taste, and paid much attention to his personal
appearance.
As a friend, companion, and pastor, Mr. Henkel
was genial and affable. Gifted with wit an humor,
and always cheerful, his company was sought and
proved pleasant and agreeable. He had many
very warm friends. He did not do much pastoral
visiting, owing to his many engagements in and out
of the church, but whenever he called on any of his
parishioners, he was a most welcome guest. He was
a decidedly popular man wherever he was known.
During the latter part of his life, owing to the posi-
tion he assumed on political questions during the
war of the Rebellion, he incurred the ill will and
displeasure of a few, yet even they could not go so
far as to show active enmity toward him.
Mr. Henkel was a man of varied talents. He
spoke English and German with equal fluency. He
was equally at home in various handicrafts, any tool
almost coming ready to his hands. He wrote poetry
and painted landscapes. He understood the printing
and binding of books. He often changed his secular
pursuits, following in turn merchandizing, farming,
milling, and was at once at home in his new pursuit,
and generally successful. HThere remains now only
to be told the story of the last years and of the
closing scene of Mr. Henkel's life.
With the evening of his day, came shades and
64 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
clouds that obscured his hitherto clear and sunny
horizen. The ^tasonic question occasioned him a'
vast deal of annoyance and grief. Schisms occurred
in the Joint Synod, in which himself was an actor,
and for which he received his share of blame. His
political course made him enemies and lost him
support. His financial condition was not one of
prosperity. His wife was attacked by disease, and
was laid on a bed of sickness on which she lingered
for many months, and finally, in June 1866, was
taken away from his side by death. He himself was
beginning to feel the infirmities of age, and found
himself compelled to curtail his labors.
In the year 1865 he proposed to the vestries of his
charge, that they call an assistant. Their choice
fell on his son-in-law, Rev. J. L. Stirewalt. The
charge consisted then of three congregations —
Germantown, Farmersville, and Slifers, all of which
required services in both the English and the
German languages. Eev. Henkel, from this time
on, attended to the German, and Rev. Stirewalt to
the English services, and thus these two men labored
on until death called them away.
In August 1869, Rev. Henkel entered into a
second marriage, making choice for his companion
of Mrs. Elizabeth Schwartzle, a widow lady of
excellent character. With her he lived in wedded
life only eight months. Just two weeks before his
death he removed from Germantown to Farmersville,
and soon after he took his bed, from which he was
IN GERMANTOWN. 65
destined to rise no more. He moved on
Tuesday, preached his last sermon in Germantown
on Sunday following, took his bed on Thursday of
this week, and died on Saturday of the week follow-
ing, departing this life on the 23d of April, 1870,
having attained to the age of 79 years, 6 months, and
2 days. " His death," says the writer of his obituary,
"was calm and triumphant. The faith which
he had preached to others gave him consolation and
comfort in his last hours. On Monday, April 25th,
his mortal remains were brought to Germantown,
attended by a large number of parishioners and
friends, where appropriate services were held in the
Lutheran Church by Pastors G. W. Busby, W. A.
Bowman, and C. Albrecht. His body was then
conveyed to the cemetery near the town, and com-
mitted to the grave."
Mr. Henkel was the father of eleven children, six
of whom are still living at this date of writing. He
labored in the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of .Ohio, fifty-eight years, forty-four of which
were spent in the Germantown charge. He was in
union with the Joint Synod of Ohio, until' the year
1867, when with his district, the English, he united
with the General Council. During his ministry in
his last field he performed 1,003 baptisms, 877
confirmations, 495 marriages, and officiated at 683^
funerals.
If now we once more look back upon the life and
labors of this servant of God, we feel constrained,.
€6 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
in view of what he was and of what he has done,
to bear him an honorable testimony. He was a great, ;
a good, and a useful man. Mistakes he may have
made, errors he may have committed, faults and
infirmities he may have had, but it is not too much to ^
say, that such were his many virtues, and his great z
excellencies of character, such his industry and the
eminent services which he has rendered the church /j
and the cause of Christ, as to overshadow and out-,
weigh all his defects Ilis memory deserves to be
cherished, and his name to be handed down tO|
futur-e generations as a missionary and an apostle, as..;
a pioneer and a founder of the Evangelical Lutheran .
Church in the State of Ohio.
The death of Pastor Henkel left his associate sole ,
incumbent of the Germantown charge. As the
field was large, and sufficiently wealthy to sustain
two pastors, the subject of a division was agitated,
which resulted in the formation of two pastorates out .
of the one, the Farmersville and the Slifer's congre-^
gations constituting the one, and the Germantown
congregation the other. The former called the Rev.
Amos Poorman as their pastor, and the latter retained ^
the Rev. J. L. Stirewalt.
IN GERMANTOWN. G7
Rev. J, L. StirewaU
Was the second son of Rev. John N. Stirewalt,
and his wife Hannah, and was born in Waynesboro,
Augusta county, Virginia, April 12, 1832. His
mother was the daughter of Rev. Paul Henkel, and
the sister of Rev. Andrew Henkel. Being, on his
mother's side, descended of the Henkels, he came
of a long line of Lutheran ministers, and of a very
worthy ancestry. He lost his father when quite
young, and was early left to the sole training and care
of his mother. There were left to this mother three
children, all sons, Paul, Julius, and Spener. These
their father by his own prayers before his death, had
consecrated to the work of the gospel ministry, and
on his deathbed had communicated his desire con-
cerning them to his wife. The early advantages,
however, for education, possessed by these children
outside of their home, were exceedingly
limited. But they had a mother of rare excellencies,
and she, remembering her husband's dying wish, by
her diligent, faithful, and self-denying labors, sup-
plied to her sons what was lacking them in the
schools, with a view of preparing them for the sacred
calling of the gospel ministry. Accordingly allu-
sions are made in the diary of the subject of this
sketch, of three boys gathering every evening
around the candlestand with their books, and a firm
and loving mother for their teacher. This was the
C8 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
foundation of their education. And this pious mother
lived to see all three of them educated and inducted
into the sacred office in which their father had laid
down his life. Yea, more, she lived to see them all
laid down in honored and peaceful graves. She her-
self, however, did not long survive the death of her
last, her son Julius. She now rests by the side of
the latter, and of her brother Andrew in the Ger-
mantown cemetery. On the 7th of May, two days
after her death, on a quiet and lovely Sunday^
morning, after service in the Lutheran Church,
conducted by the writer, we gently laid away hef
earthly remains in the grave.
From 1845 to 1847 Julius was employed as a dryi
goods clerk in Winchester, Virginia. During these]
two years he attended divine service in the Lutherani
Church of that town, then under the pastoral car6-
of Rev. C. P. Krauth, now of Philadelphia, Penn-^
sylvania. From 1848 to 1849 he attended school aXl
the New Market Academy, Virginia. While in^
attendance at this school he confirmed his baptismal!
covenant, and became an active member of th<
church of the place. The time had now come whenl
the great question of his future calling was to bc;
decided. He began the study of medicine, but sooa^
abandoned it, and gave his attention to law. This-
also becoming distasteful to him, he decided to ented
upon the study of theology. He went to Columbus, ■
Ohio, where he spent the years 1851 and 1852 in'
the college and seminary of the Joint Synod. He|
IN GERMANTOWN. G9
left Columbus, in 1853, his health having failed him,
and returned to New Market, Virginia, where he
completed his theological studies under the direction
of his uncles, Revs. Ambrose Henkel and Jacob
Stirewalt. In 1854 he was ordained a deacon by the
Tennessee Synod with the right to preach, to cate-
chise, baptize, etc., but not to perform the acts of
confirmation and marriage. His first labor in the
ministry was that of an assistant to his uncle in his
large and laborious charge. On the 11th of Septem-
ber, 1854, he was married to Vandalena, daughter
of the Rev. Andrew Henkel, of Germantown, Ohio.
Soon after his marriage he was elected principal of
the New Market female seminary for one year. In
this position he was assisted by his wife The school
prospered under his management. His labors at
this time were truly arduous. After the duties of the
school-room during the week, he preached regularly
on every Lord's Day. This labor proved too great
a task for his feeble constitution. Accordingly he
resigned his principalship after one year's service,
and in 1855 accepted a call from the East German-
town charge, in Wayne county, Indiana. Here he
entered upon a sphere of labor more congenial to
his tastes, and better adapted to the exercise of his
peculiar gifts, for, Providence had endowed him in
an eminent degree with those talents which so well
fitted him for the office of preacher and pastor.
With characteristic earnestness and zeal he entered
upon his work. He found the field somewhat
70 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
divided, but soon succeeded in restoring harmony anc
peace. The congregations grew in numbers, ii
faith, and in charity.
In the • year 185G he was fully ordained to the
gospel ministry. In 1858 he accepted a call" to the
Lima charge where he succeeded his brother Paul
who had been removed by death. Here he soor
won the hearts of the people, and the respect an
esteem of the entire community. But in one year
his health failed to such an extent as to compel him
to resign and undertake an agency for the Lutheran
Standard in the Southern States. During this time
he was a regular contributor to the columns of the
Standard^ in which he first exhibited his ability as
descriptive and humorous writer. But this change
also did not improve his health, and he resigned his
agency and retired to his mother's farm in Virginia.
Whilst engaged in farming, the war of the Rebel-
lion broke out. The part which he acted during-
this trying time is most creditable to his head and
his heart. He was opposed to the secession of his
state from the Union, and clearly foresaw that the
act could only bring with it suffering and disaster.^
He did all he could in his humble sphere to prevent
the consummation of the act, but did not assume an
openly hostile attitude to it, knowing very well that,;
in the excited state of feeling then prevailing, that"
would be foolish and dangerous. He, however, wa^
and remained during those few years of fratricidal:
strife a decided Union man, and patiently shared in
IN GERMANTOWN. 71
the sufferings, to the infliction of which he had
contributed nothing, nor was in the lieast degree to
be held responsible, or to be blamed for. And
these sufferings were great. He sustained the loss
of property, endured fear and anxiety of mind, and
was subjected to constant disturbance and annoyance.
The locality in which he lived, the Valley of the
Shenandoah, was the ever repeated scene of conflict
between the armies of the two sections. At one
time it was occupied by the Northern, and at another
by the Southern army. When the Union army held
possession Southern sympathizers were oppressed
and punished, and when the Rebel army gained
possession Union men were made to suffer. Hold
to what side they would, the people were persecuted.
Their position was therefore a most trying and painful
one, and attended by innumerable evils. Mr. Stire-
walt labored faithfully for the alleviation of the
suffering of this time, without partiality to friend or
bitterness to foe. He attended to the sick and
wounded soldiers of both armies, comforted, fed,
and nursed them as opportunity presented itself. At
the close of the war he was for awhile engaged in
the laudable work of collecting money to provide
artificial limbs for maimed and crippled soldiers, and
succeeded in gathering a large sum for this purpose.
Referring .to this period, one of his most intimate
friends says : ** His cheerful, hopeful, and believing
spirit never forsook him. Even amid the clash of
arms, and the tumult of war, his desire to do good
72 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
to the souls and bodies of men manifested itself in;
the self-sacriKcing spirit with which he devoted'
himself to works of charity and mercy. "
The war closed after a period of four years, but its
rigors were felt long after, in the effects which it had]
wrought. The beautiful and fertile valley of the^^
Shenandoah was one vast field of destruction an(
devastation. Fences were gone, houses and barnsj
lay in ashes, and cattle and horses had disappeared.i_j
Our brother had lost all his earthly possessions and^
desired to turn away from the place where every^S]
object recalled events which brought pain to his^
heart and tears to his eyes. .'M
In the month of August, 1865, the English District^
of the Joint Synod of Ohio, held its annual sessions^
in Germantown, Ohio. Eev. Stirewalt was present^
as a visitor. Rev. Henkel was entering on hist|
declining years. The attention of the congregation |=
was called to Mr. Stirewalt, and they concluded to^
call him as associate pastor. In the month of^
November of the same year he moved to German- J
town, to divide with Rev. Henkel the labors of the |
charge. Here his efforts were crowned with great "I
success. Large classes of catechumens were instructed,
and confirmed by him, and others who, during the
many years of Mr. Henkel's ministry for one cause
and another, had become alienated from the church, ^
returned and renewed their membership. In 1867 'I
the church which had been built in 1830 was %
partially taken down, was rebuilt and enlarged, and l
IN GERMANTOWN. 73
made quite an attractive place of worsliip. In the
execution of this undertaking the main burden rested
on Mr. Stirewalt. He overlooked and superintended
the work, and secured the money to pay for material
and labor.
In 1869 the General Council appointed him as
its Home Missionary, to travel and labor chiefly in
the State of Indiana. To this work he devoted one
half of his time, giving the other half to his charge.
This appointment he filled for several years with
commendable industry and success. Whilst engaged
in this work, he wrote a series of letters, which were
published in the Lutheran and Missionary, in which he
gave the result of his observation and experiences,
over the signature of ** Indiana." They were highly
entertaining and amusing, as well as instructive. He
was a close observer, a good judge of men, was
gifted with a large share of ready wit, and had a
keen sense for the ridiculous. His quick and pene-
trating eye would detect what others would pass by
unnoticed, and would extract a laugh from events
and objects, in which others saw nothing to interest
or to amuse. These gifts and peculiarities he exhibits
in a marked manner in his " Indiana" letters. For
this reason they were received with great favor by
the readers of the Lutheran.
If there was one passion more largely developed
in him than any other, it was his desire to be well
thought of by everybody. He had an intense
craving for the esteem and good will of all men. As
6
74 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
this had always been an absorbing element of hi
nature, he had made it his lifelong study to pleasi
men, and^vin their friendship and affection. In thi
effort he was successful. In the art of captivating
people of all classes, insinuating himself into theic
affections, and winging their confidence, he ha^
acquired a readiness and a skill, peculiarly his owij
and rarely ever seen in any other man. It was thil
principle of the man that accounts for many of hi|
acts. Wherever there was a man of mark within
convenient distance of him, he was determined on|
and always succeeded in, making a friend of hin^
He disregarded the conservative policy of his synodS
attended all sorts of meetings, and fraternized with
different Christian people. He paid not the least
attention to the so-called " Akron Rule " of the
•'I
General Council, that Lutheran pulpits are foj^
Lutheran pastors only and that Lutheran altars are
for Lutheran communicants only. He invitee-
Christians of all denominations to his communioi
and exchanged pulpits with preachers of varioi
creeds. And himself found access to pulpits t]
which no Lutheran pastor of his synodical conneS
tion had ever been admitted. Whilst by means ol
this peculiarity he made many friends, he also made
a few enemies. Some of his ministerial brethren
accused him that he was making conscious efforts to
win for himself, and alienate from them the esteem'
and confidence of their own people, of which*!
however, he was doubtlessly innocent.
IN GERMANTOWN. 75
-Rev. Stirewalt was a rather prolific writer, but
confined his literary eflbrts to minor productions.
Some of these owed their origin to local conditions
and events. Germantown is situated between the
cities of Dayton and Cincinnati, in both of which,
especially the latter, exists a great deal of infidelity,
and of laxity in matters of religious faith and
practice. As is always the case with smaller towns
in the vicinity of large cities, Germantown is affected
by these same elements^of its populous neighbors.
Rev. Stirewalt, being very fond of attending all
sorts of meetings and conventions, and determined
never to lose the opportunity of making a speech,
necessarily often tame in contact with men of the
** baser sort." As they delight in nothing so much
as putting ''knotty questions" to preachers, he soon
became involved in disputes and discussions with
them. These attacks made on him became the
stimulating cause of the publication of several excel-
lent tracts. There are some three or four of these
extant treating of different subjects, and strongly
controversial. Like his newspaper articles, they
show him a facile and pleasing writer. The ideas
and facts which they set forth are systematically
arranged, and are expressed in chaste language.
The productions of his pen are many, and range
over a large scope of subjects, sermons, addresses,
biographies, essays on theological subjects, poetry
and fiction. If they were all collected, they would
76 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
make up several volumes, and would commenc
themselves to all intelligent readers.
Rev. Stirewalt excelled especially as a pastor-
He was possessed of fine social qualifications, a.n<^
had in an eminent degree acquired the art of pleasingj
To say, that he was welcome to the homes ancfi
hearths of all his parishioners, is not telling half theS
truth. His people were delighted with his visitsj
Their affection and admiration for him rose to enthoi
siasm. The feeble condition of his health requiring'^
constant light exercise, he spent the greater part oQ
his time in pastoral visiting and personal communica^
tion with his parishioners. He would pass froi
house to house, conversing on the subject of religioi
and the interests of the church, and often relating
anecdotes and pleasing incidents by the hour. Thi
communicant membership in the town, exclusive o^
those in the country, is about two hundred. On alt|
of these it seems he called every few weeks, and oi§
some of them every week. By some it may b(
thought that he carried this matter to extremes. Buj
let it be remembered that this was a necessity to hii
Disease had for many years been preying upon hisi
vitals. Had he confined himself closer to home an(
study, he would have much sooner fallen its victimJl
The buoyancy of mind and cheerfulness of spirit
which he cultivated and maintained by hfs socia^
habits, prolonged his life by many years. If an)^
harm has been done by his course in this particulail
matter, the writer probably, as his successor, is itsi
IN GERMANTOWN. 77
greatest sufTerer. His people demand an amount of
pastoral visiting, pleading the precedent of Rev.
Stirewalt, which, if complied with, will preclude all
study, self-improvement, and preparation for the
pulpit.
When we consider the feeble condition of tl^is
brother's health, we are amazed at the amount of
labor which he performed. For twelve years he was
afflicted with a distressing cough, the paroxysms
occasionally becoming so violent that it seemed as if
they would result in instant death. He was, more-
over, subject to frequent hemorrhages, sick headache,
dyspepsia, and other ailments. And yet he performed
an amount of work that would have taxed the
strength and endurance of a man of the soundest
health and the most robust constitution. Nor did
his suffering affect in the least degree his light and
joyous spirits. In the midst of greatest suffering,
his good humor bubbled over ; and even when on the
verge of the grave and expected every day to die, he
would make the friends, who came to take a last look
at him, laugh until the tears would run out of their
eyes. He exhibited not the least fear of death.
The grave had no terror to him.
Says one of his most 'ntimate friends: •* Amidst
all his afflictions, his faith, zeal, and cheerfulness,
did not forsake him. His was a living faith, and his
love was active; hence he found his soul's delight,
his highest joy, in laboring for Christ and his church.
In season and out of season, in joy and in sorrow, in
78
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
health and in sickness, he lived and toiled for on(
great end — the glory of God and the welfare of man.^
Such a life of faith and self denial could have but one^
ending. His was peace, and glorified the Lord ii
whom he trusted. He calmly, yet longingly awaitedj
the summons from on high. All doubts wert
removed, and all clouds dispelled. He could saya
with the apostle : ' I know in whom I have believe(i|
and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which^
I have committed unto him against that day.'"
Another says of him : " His faith ripened mtoj
assurance and holy love. He embraced ever^
opportunity to preach Christ. He suffered intensely
for many months, but was never impatient He ha(
a word of exhortation or encouragement for evei
one who visited him during his sickness."
He lingered long on the verge of the grave. For
many months it seemed as if he could not live fromj
one day to another, but still death delayed hi
coming. At last, however, the hour of his releas^
from the bonds and toils of earth arrived andl
terminated his labors and sufferings.
'* His end," says one, *' was a grand and glorious
triumph. He set his house in order, and bade his
devoted wife and afflicted mother "an affectionate
adieu, and, admonishing once more those aroundj
him, he composed himself to rest, and giving hi^
spirit into the hands of God, he was at home."
•'He admonished," says another, ** those who]
stood around him to be faithful, to revere and obeyt
IN GERMANTOWN. 79
the word of God, and then calml/ and sweetly passed
away into that rest for which he so ardently longed."
As the tidings of his departure spread, there was
great sorrow and gloom, not only among his parish-
ioners, but wherever his name was known, and
throughout the church, of which he had been an
honored and useful minister. The congregation to
whom he had mmistered thought his loss irreparable,
and wept as those who had been bereft of their best
earthly friend.
Rev. Stirewalt's death occurred on the 16th of
June, 1872, at the age of 40 years, 2 months, and 4
days. His funeral services took place in the Luth-
eran Church on June 18th. A vast concourse of
people assembled to pay him the last respect of earth.
So great was their number, that many of them could
not find standing room. At the house the services
were conducted by Rev. A. S. Bartholomew, of
Lima. In the church Rev. S. L. Harkey, of Dayton,
delivered an appropriate discourse in German, and
Kev. G. W. Busby, of Lewisburg, followed in an
English discourse. Rev. J. H. Hunton, of East
Germantown, Indiana, closed by a brief address,
and Rev. W. A. Bowman, of Alexanderville, con-
ducted the services at the grave. The benediction
was then pronounced, and the large assembly slowly
and with sad hearts dispersed.
After the death of Pastor Stirewalt the congrega-
tion remained vacant about one year, but having
occasional preaching by neighboring pastors. In the
80 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
fall of 1872 the church council cast about for anotherl
minister. Their attention was directed to the writer,^
and they entered into correspondence with him with^
a view of securing his services. He visited the-
congregation in the fall of this year, and they gave^
him a call! This call he accepted, and he took'
charge of the congregation in April, 1873. -'^
Rev. J. P. Eentz
1
Was born May 5, 1832, in the village of Beuern,'||
which is about six miles distant from the city of^
Glessen, in Hesse Darmstadt. He came to the
United States in 1852, entered Pennsylvania College-
in 1856, graduated in 1861, and entered the theolog-
ical seminary of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the
fall of the same year, was licensed to preach by the
Allegheny Evangelical Lutheran Synod in 1862, was
married to Cecilia A. Nicodemus, of Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, in 1863, preached, and served con-
gregations successively in Indiana, West Newton^ <
and Somerset, all in Pennsylvania, and in Adamsville/|
Ohio. From the latter place he removed to Ger-
mantown, where he still resides.
The Sunday School.
This was organized in the year 1828, mainly
through the exertions and by the agency of Mrs.
Melasina Ayers and Mrs. Elizabeth Rohrer. They
IN GERMANTOWN. 81
constituted themselves a committee and called a
meeting, at which officers were elected, and the school
called into existence. As it was for awhile the only
Sunday-school in the town, it combined all the
religious elements of the community, and had no
very distinct denominational character. ' After the
school was organized Mrs. Ayers and Mrs. Rohrer
went to work to secure the necessary books. They
called on the public for contributions toward this
object, but met with small success. The people at
that time knew but little of Sunday-schools, of their
character and their aim. They feared that this new
movement might prove some innovation in the
church, by which to pervert its faith and usages, and
to turn the minds and hearts of the children fronrt
their fathers. Hence it was, that they looked uporv
this effort with suspicion, and treated it with coolness.
Their mistrust received some confirmation from the
fact that the first superintendent, whose name was
John Pearson, was a very zealous Methodist The
school did not flourish. It did not lack scholars and
teachers, but it wanted the support and encourage-
ment of the community at large. Its life was short.
After an existence of about two years, it was
discontinued. This occurred in the year 1830.
From this time until the year 1844 no Lutheran
Sunday-school existed, but in the latter year it was
revived and reorganized by an agent of the American
Sunday School Union. The school then organized
has continued uninterruptedly up to the present time.
82
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
But, although conducted in the Lutheran Churchy
and nominally Lutheran, it had for many years very^
little about it to make it Lutheran. What system of*
doctrines was taught in it, no one seems at present to^
be able to tell. Doubtlessly all sorts of doctrines were,
taught by all sorts of people, orthodoxy by one and
heterodoxy by another. For this is the manner of. -|
teaching in all so-called union or undenominational;
Sunday-schools, and even in some of those who
claim to be denominational. The superintendents
in this school, up to the year 1865, when Rev. Stire-.
wait became pastor of the congregation, were mosdy :^
men who did not belong to the congregation — but:
few of them were Lutherans. Pastor Henkel never-
gave the school any attention, partly because he did
not find time to do so, and partly because he knew
the school did not want him. That with this state of
things this school must have been a very inefficient
institution, is but a natural and necessary inference.
In 1865 Mr. Peter Dechant was elected superintend-
ent who was a member of the church, and a very
energetic and efficient man. Peter Dechant was
succeeded in the superintendency by David Eminger.
From that time on began a process of change, which
has continued to the present. The school is now
exclusively Lutheran. The teachers are, with very
few exceptions, confirmed members of the congrega-
tion, General Councils > publications are in use in
teaching, and nothing is allowed to be taught which
does not accord with Lutheran doctrine or usage.
IN GERMANTOWN. 83
The founders of this school, Mrs. Ayers and Mrs.
-Ro'irer, are both still living, and still among its most
faithful and earnest workers. For more than fifty
years they have taught in it, and exerted themselves
for its upbuilding and welfare, have clung to it
through all its vicissitudes, in its adversity and pros-
perity. Both are approaching fast on four score
years, but they are rarely absent on Sunday, or from
the teacher's meeting on Wednesday night. Scores
of young men have gone forth from their classes to
enter the church and to become useful members of
society. And many, we doubt not, in the day of
judgment will rise up and call them blessed. May
their noble example find many imitators from the
ranks of the younger men and women, both of the
present and future generations. Leonard Dechant is at
present superintendent, and has been during the past
eight or nine years. The number of scholars and
teachers varies from 200 to 250. The papers read by
the school are the Busy Be& and the Sunday School
Herald, the former a General Council, the latter a
General Synod publication. They take the place of
a Sunday-school library, and are much to be preferred
to the trashy tales, of which Sunday-school libraries
are, in a large part, made up.
A Few Koteworthy Facts
Demand mention yet. The congregation has never
lost a minister by dismissal or removal. From 1815
to 1872 it has enjoyed the ministrations of three
84 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH >^
■-3
pastors, all of whom have died here. It has never |
wavered in its loyalty to Lutheran doctrine and Luih-:i
eran usage. Though surrounded by people of all 4
sorts of creeds, and during the new-measure excite- .|
ment fiercely assailed, and even invaded by pseudo- |
Lutheran pastors, who made every effort to turn its ;'
members from the truth, it yielded to no adverse ;^
influence, but remained firm in its adherence to ..%
Christian faith and practice as laid down and con- ;
fessed in the standards of its denomination. The -
practice of instructing the young previous to confirma- j
tion it has never suffered to fall into decay or neglect. ^
It has ever frowned down upon contention and strife, ^^
and as a consequence peace and harmony have |?
almost uninterruptedly prevailed in its midst. The 'i
introduction of the English language in its public ;
worship caused no serious disturbance, as it did in =
many other congregations. Three of its early supplies,
Simon, Mau, and Paul Henkel, and two of its pastors, :
Dill and Andrew Henkel, were among the founders •
of the first synod in Ohio. The Joint Synod, and its j
districts, have frequently met in its midst, and have •;
always been most kindly and most hospitably ]
entertained. From 1809 to 1826 it worshiped in the :
German language exclusively. Since the latter year
its German and English-speaking members have
enjoyed equal rights and equal privileges. At
present about four fifths of the members prefer the
English language in ' public worship, and about one
fifth still adhere to the German. Not many years
IN GERMANTOWN. 85
hence no more German will be required. At the
time of its organization it was in union with the
synod of Pennsylvania. In 1818 it became a part
of the Ohio Synod. It remained in connection with
the same when that body was divided into districts,
and assumed the name of Joint Synod of Ohio. At
first it held to the Western District, but when the
English District came into being, it attached itself to
that, and when the latter, in 1867, entered the
General Council, it became a part of that general
body, and thus it has remained up to this time.
In the month of July, 1867, was laid the corner
stone of the present house of worship. Besides
Pastors Henkel and Stirewalt there were present on
the occasion Rev. Daniel VVorley, of Canton, Ohio,
and Rev. Solomon Denius, of the Reformed Church.
By December 15th of this year the new building
was so far completed as to enable the congregation to
worship in the basement room. The church was
dedicated on May 15th, 1870. Rev. W. H. Roth
preached the dedication sermon, and Revs. C.
Albrecht and W. A. Bowman assisted in the services.
The dimensions of this church are 44 by 70 feet. It
has a basement room for Sunday-school and lecture
purposes. Its tower is 140 feet high The latter
was not completed until 1880. Recently the audi-
ence room has been refurnished, and is now in very
good condition. The congregation is entirely free
from debt, and has at present a communicant
membership of about 400.
86 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
This congregation, by means of its steadfast^
adherence to the truth of God's Word, and by its?
general conservative character, never suffering itself^
to be carried away by the ephemeral and unscriptural;
reform movements that have from time to time, like"
soap bubbles, risen upon the surface of society, has
proven itself a great blessing to the community
in which it exists. It has exerted a sedative influence^^
on feverish religious excitements, has stemmed thel-S
current of infidelity, has often calmed the storms that 'g;
threatened to carry with them disaster, and has been a,^
preservative and health-begetting leaven to the entire;^
Christian public of its locality. For all this it has oftenj
been soundly berated, been charged with being oldi
fogyish, formal, and destitute of experimental pitty,|
etc., etc., but the time will come when its usefulness k*
will be acknowledged. It has subserved a noble
mission in the past, and has a great work before it |
in the future. No greater calamity could befall the,
cause of religion in Germantown than the extinction!
of this congregation. But of this there need be na;
fear. She has God's truth ; and where his truth is,
there is his presence ; and where his presence is,
there is safety and life.
The Pioneer Fathers and Founders of\
the Congregation,
This history would be incomplete without a par- '\
ticular account of the fathers and founders of the
I
IN GERMANTOWN. 87
congregation. We will therefore return once more
to the period of its organization, and give life sketches
of those who are known to have been instrumentaJ
in calling the congregation into being, who laid its
foundation, gave it their prayers, and devoted to it
their time, talents, and means, during the infancy of
its existence.
The EmerickS'
There were four brothers of them, Michael,
William, John and Christopher ; and George, who
was a near relation of these four.
Michael, the oldest, born in Berks County, Penn-
sylvania, February 10, 1756, came here in 1806, and
purchased the land on which at present stands
Conover's Mill, on which he lived until removed by
death, which event took place October 14, 1820.
He was a man of means, and purchased at once
land for those of his children who were grown up to
years of maturity. Himself a strict and consistent
member of the Lutheran Church, he brought up all
his children in his own faith. Two of these, Mrs.
John Stump and Mrs. John Stoever are still living
— the others have gone to their final rest. He
frequently held official position in the congregation,
and contributed largely to its support
William, the next in age, born July 1, 1761, in
Berks County, Pennsylvania, immigrated hither in
1804, He bought land to the west of German town,
88
THE LUTHERAN CI{URCH
of James Porter. The site of his dwelling is
present occupied by the residence of Christian^
Dechant. Here he hved all his days. He diec
February 10, 1842. He was a very zealous supporter^
of the church, and a warm and lifelong friend ofy
Pastor Andrew Henkel. He reared a numerous and^
very respectable family, and some of his descendants-
are still among the most active of the members of^
the church in Germantown.
John was the third in age of these brothers, but^
as his grave is unmarked, the writer has not been.r
able to ascertain either the date of his birth or of his:3
death. (John Emerick is said to have been boriij
August 24, 17G2, and died September 2, 1845.) Hef
survived the rest of his family, was never marriedj,
and always lived in Christopher's family He had^
all the eccentricities usually ascribed to bachelors,^!
jovial, londof company, and the friend to everybody.
He helped to build the first Lutheran Church, and^
was an active and lifelong member of the congrega^
tion.
Christopher, born in Berks County, Pennsylvania^!
January 23, 1771, was the youngest of the four,'^
Among his acquaintances he passed by the name ofj
Stoffel Emerick, and as such he is spoken of yetj
He came here in 1804, in company with his brothers^
William and John. He entered government land on
Shawnee Creek, adjoining the village of Sunsburg,-
on which he lived to the hour of his death, which
event occurred January 26, 1837. Of his children
IN GERMANTOWN. 89
but three survive, William, Mrs. Christian Rohrer,
and Mrs Christian Eshelman.
Stoffel and John were good musicians, and per-
formed on a number of instruments. They brought
with them the first pipe organ ever seen in the Twin
Valley, and manufactured a number of similar
ones, some of which are still in good repairs, and
sacredly preserved as heirlooms in the family. On
account of these accomplishments, and their clever
social qualities, their residence became a place of
resort and diversion to our pioneer fathers. Here
they often met in social intercourse, conferred with
one another, and discussed matters of family, church,
and state.
Christopher often held office in the congregation,
and remained an earnest supporter of it as long as
he lived, and brought up his children in his own
faith. He was also frequently called to hold civil
trusts, such as county and township commissioner.
George Emerick lived on the farm adjoining Ger-
mantown on the north. He was born in Daughin
County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1789. In what
year he came to the Twin Valley is not known, but
from some facts known it appears that it must have
been before the year 1810. He was a prominent
member of the Lutheran Church, and particularly
warmly attached to Rev. Henkel. He was married
twice, and reared a large family. His children are,
with one or two exceptions, members of the church
of their father, some of them zealous in its cause.
90 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
His mother, who came with him to this place,
died here in her ninetieth year, had in her infant
been carried away by the Indians. They attempt©
to drown her, but an elder sister interfered ai
rescued her from a watery grave. She remained^
captive for some years, and had a heart-rending sto^,
to tell of her sufferings during her captivity, hi^
George Emerick died April 12, 1859. /^
The Emericks are a very numerous connectiQO;;
Those in German township, and probably all .in.
Montgomery county, are descended from the fiv|
gentlemen above spoken of.
John George Kern.
Mr. Kern was a native of Berks County, Pei^
sylvania, and came to Ohio in 1804. He resid^:
for two years in Cincinnati, and arrived in the T^ ' '
Valley in 1806. He was a millwright by trade, tjj
turned his attention to farming after his arrival hei
He entered a quarter section of land, about a mi
south of Germantown, where from this time he My}
to the hour of his death. He aided in the organi
tion of the church at Germantown, and ever a^
continued a faithful member of it. He was a
of quiet habits of life, honest and faithful in
calling. His son William is the owner and occupj
of his father's homestead. He was born Februj
8, 1775, and died in January, 1857.
IN GERMANTOWN. 91
George and Peter Kiester,
These two were brothers, both members of the
church in Germantown, and were natives of Berks
County, Pennsylvania. George came here in 1804,
and Peter some years later. The first finally moved
to Darke county, whilst the latter remained. Of him
the Kiesters of German township are descended.
He had been a revolutionary soldier, had been taken
a prisoner, and had endured great sufferings. He
was a very inoffensive and hard-working man, honest
in word and in dealing.
Jacob Baiter.
This gentleman, whilst living here, was looked
upon as the first man in the church He came from
Center County, Pennsylvania. His wife was the
daughter of Rev. George Ilgen, a Lutheran minister,
who served congregations in and about Aaronsburg,
Pennsylvania. Mr. Bauer, after some years of
residence here, moved away, since which time his
name has entirely disappeared from this locality.
Conrad Eisele.
Eisele was a native German, came here in 1798,
was a Lutheran, lived where now lives Mr. D.
92 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Rohrer, resided here many years, but finally left thij"^
country, since which time his name no longer exist^
He aided in the organization of the congregation.
John George Boyer.
Mr. Boyer was a native of Berks County, Penn|
sylvania, but had for some years previous to his.
removal to Ohio resided m Center County, Penn-J
sylvania. He came to the Twin Valley in 18051^
He lived east of town, on Little Twin Creek. Hi^
descendants are not very numerous. They adherj
generahy to the Lutheran Church. He died March;
2, 1855, at the age of 75 years, 1 month, and 9 da
His remains and those of his wife lie buried in fro
of the Lutheran Church, a substantial marble
monument marking their resting place.
Henry Christ.
Born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, this gentle-
man immigrated to our country in 1805, was
farmer and a skillful worker in iron, lived where his
descendants still reside, was a faithful member of the
Lutheran Church, and bore a good character. Date
of birth and death unknown.
The Stumps.
The Stumps are a prominent family in the Luther^
Church of this place. The founders of the fam//y
IN GERMANTOWN. 93
were three in number, all brothers, Leonard, George,
and Michael. They were all natives of Berks County,
Pennslyvania.
George and Michael came here in 1810. They
were members of the Lutheran Church, but beyond
this fact nothing is known of them to the writer.
Leonard arrived in the Twin Valley in 1805, and
was then a man of family. He bought the land
adjoining Germantown on the west. His two sons,
George and John, became later active and prominent
members in the church. George married a daughter
of the Rev. Dill, and followed farming. John
became a prominent business man, engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits and in banking operations, and died
in a high old age. Leonard Stump was born January
1, 1767, and died July 29, 1811.
The Sioevers.
This family claim to be lineal descendants of the
Rev. John Casper Stoever, a pioneer Lutheran
minister, who came to this country from Germany in
the year 1728, and labored mainly in Lancaster and
Lebanon counties, Pennsylvania. The patriarch of
this family in our township was John Caspar Stoever,
.said to have been a grandson of the reverend of the
same name. He was born in Swatara township,
then in Daughn, but now in Lebanon County, Penn-
sylvania. He came to .the Twin Valley in 1806, and
was then already an old man. There came with him
94 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
his three sons, Frederick, Casper, and John, wh(
were all of them heads of families. They all settle(
near Germantown, and all of them took an active part
in the organization of the Lutheran congregation.^
John especially, called by his associates Hannaj
Stoever, acted for many years a leading part in all il
affairs. The dates of birth and death of any of them'i
are unknown to the writer. The Stoevers are many,^^
but not a single one of them is known to the writer, "f
who is not either a coummunicant or a nominal'^
member of the Lutheran Church. They are si.^
family who will be neither coaxed nor driven fromV^
the church of their fathers.
The Lindamuths.
There is a numerous connection of this name, all
descended of these two, Jonathan and Thomas
Lindamuth. Jonathan came to the Twin Valley in
1806, in company with his father-in-law, Michael
Emerick. He secured land one mile west of Ger-
mantown, on which he lived and died. He reared a
large family, consisting of nine sons and two daugh-
ters. Two of the former moved to Darke County/-
Ohio; the rest all settled about Germantown. He
was one of the founders of the Lutheran congrega-
tion at this place, to which most of his descendan!s
still adhere.
Thomas arrived much later, in 1824. Lived on
't.
Big Twin Creek several miles to the northwest of 1
I
IN GERMANTOWN. 95
Germantown. Was an excellent man, and an
exemplary member of the Lutheran Church.
George Coleman.
This gentleman, it seems, was here on a visit in
180G, entered land, and returned to Pennsylvania.
In 1809 he brought his family out and settled on the
land previously entered, situated about one mile to the
northeast of Germantown. He had seven children,
all of whom are still living. They are one of the
best families in this valley, and adhere faithfully to
the church of their fathers. Mr. Coleman, before
coming to Ohio, was a resident either of Somerset
or Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
The Kimmerlijigs.
Frederick Kimmerling, sr., resided, previous to
his removal to Ohio, near Tanytown, Frederick
County, Maryland. He came to German township
in 1808 with his family, consisting of his wife and
four children, bought, and lived on land, adjoining
Kr. Coleman's farm on the west. His son Frederick
inherited his place, and lived on it until the few last
years of his life. Both father and son were honored
members of the Lutheran Church. The latter, after
a life adorned by every Christian virtue, died in
peace; February 15, 1880, at the age of 76 years.
Among those who came here at a later period, and
96 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
in their time acted a prominent part in the affairs o{§:
the congregation, may be mentioned Charles O,
Wolpers, Jacob Eminger, George Rowe, the Schwartzi
family, Dr. M. Trout. The present church council^
consists of the following : ^'
Elders. — Leonard Dechant, Henry Moses, Georgejf
Eckhart, Daniel Shaeffer. ^
Deacons, — Adam McCallay, John P. Shuey, Tobiasi
Kuhnle, Charles Bohme. j'
Trustees.— X)\. M. Trout, Lewis Huber, D. g
Schriver, David Eminger, William R. Kern. '^
Secretary. — Charles Eminger. ^^
Treasurer. — H. Wolpers. %.
We will conclude this history by giving a condensed-
account of the adventures and life of a most remark-"|
able female, who, during the latter part of her life,
became identified with the Lutheran congregation in-
Germantown.
Mrs. Catharine Schaeffer.
This lady has a most romantic history. Her
maiden name was Lorisch. Her father's given namej
is no longer known. Her parents were farmers, and^
lived in Berks County, Pennsylvania. When she]
was a child about seven years old, somewhere]
between the years 1750 and 1760, it happened one day,1
when the whole family were in the harvest field, that^
they were surprised by hostile Indians. The mother, ;|
offering resistance, was instantly killed, and the
IN GERMANTOWN. 97
Others were made captives. There were three of
them — Catharine, her father, and an infant sister.
They were immediately started westward. Their
way lay over high mountains and took them through
dense forests and across wide and deep streams.
For three days they had nothing to eat, and nearly
perished from fatigue and starvation. The infant
cried incessantly, which annoyed the Indians, and
they determined to make an end of it. They took
the child and threw it into a stream, to drown it, but
Catharine pleaded for its life. An old squaw inter-
fered in her behalf, and she was permitted to rescue
her sister from a watery grave. Just then a female
deer, which had just been killed, was brought into the
camp. It had had young, and being still warm,
Catharine milked it, and with the milk nursed her
little sister. After that they were supplied with food,
and Catharine devoted herself particularly to taking
care of this child. This infant became later
the mother of Mr. George Emerick, already spoken
of, moved from Pennsylvania to Germantow^, Ohio,
aied here, and lies buried in the huth^r<aLXij^X^3LTd.
The Indians, who held Catharme capd^^Cpn-
tinually shifted their place of -eQ<::^j)m^|^t^d^
wandered^ over vast areas of forestl^-iDijwr'larJIttfTv
where they went, she was afterward ur
But, when late in life, she moved
recognized some of the localities where she H:l
during her captivity. Among others, she clainte. _^_
have been in the Twin Valley, on the very spot, ' -
98 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ^
which is now occupied by our town. Catharine*s4
father and sister were, after some time, given up, andCI
returned to their former home; but with Catharine ^
the Indians were unwilling to part, and for seven '^j
long years she remained in captivity Being a rather '■
handsome maiden, of regular features, dark and .
brilliant eyes, fair complexion, and long auburn hair, .
all of which her captors admired, they were anxious '
to retain her, and watched and guarded her with
jealous eye.
The years of her captivity were to her years of ^
sadness and sorrow. She witnessed scenes that she ^
was never able to erase from her mind, and the 1
thought of which would always cause her to shudder. ^
The Indians often brought white captives into their I
camp, whom they would slowly torture to death, j
amidst the intensest sufferings. They would first strip i
their victims to the skin, then they would make •
incisions into the flesh all over their bodies, and into ]
these they would thrust sharp-pointed ragged-edged ^
sticks^ until ibicy would bristle all over with them. "I
Then^tfaey^woidi set fire to these sticks, and slowly ^i^
roast th^^elfdcss victims, until after hours of most ^
v^aaj|^a^:^igbny death would kindly come to thein^
yr^ef::^4+|(|^t^children of white parents who had' J
bse^(£pl;^m, they would suspend by the armsj and^ i
""^^^ — ^ ^'iver a fire until life became extinct Such %
^"horror would cause Catharine nearly to die 3
fetror. But great as were her sorrows, she bore- 1
•^th^Jralall with remarkable patience. She had learned';^
IK CERMANTOWN. 9^
enough of the Christian reh'gion from her parents, to
prove to her a source of consolation and hope. Her
parents were members of the Lutheran Church and
had taught her to pray, and she prayed every day of
her captivity to her Savior for protection, and for her
restoration to her friends and her home.
She was assigned as servant to an old chief, who-
was no longer able to engage in the chase, or to
accompany his tribe in their various excursions. She
prepared and set before him his food, and ministered
to his general comfort, as a child would to a parent.
She soon learned to speak the Indian language with
fluency, which she never again forgot. The Indians
at last ceased to mistrust or to watch her. She was
often left quite alone with the aged chief, and suffered
to go into the woods to gather herbs and roots and
firewood. Pronjpted by curiosity she would
frequently wander off great distances. It thus hap-
pened that one day, having gone away a greater
distance than usual, she came to a river bank, where
she saw^white men engaged in building a large river
boat, perhaps a ferry boat She entered into conver-
sation with them, and they discovered that she was a
white captive. She went there again, and the white
men learned other particulars of her former history
and present situation. As after this they saw nothing
more of her, they determined to enter the Indiani
village in which she lived, during the absence of the
men, and steal her. Their plan succeeded. Whea .
the^ old chief heard and saw what was being done.
100 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
^he called Catharine to him and bade her affectionately |
good-by, made her many presents of trinkets such as ^
Indians prepare with their own hands, and wept like v^
a child, an exhibition of sorrow quite unusual to an -^
Indian. The trinkets Mrs. Schaeffer kept to the end t
of her life, and always esteemed them as very J
precious mementos.
The locality where this took place is not accurately -
known at present. By some it is supposed to have ";
been in the vicinity of Wheeling, West Virgmia. But '
this is mere conjecture. It is more likely that it was -J
JO North-eastern Ohio, along the shores of Lake Erie; A
inasmuch as at that time various Indian tribes had 1
•here permanently established themselves, and lived "^g
more securely than they did in the southern and I
south-eastern part of what now constitutes the State-'J
•of Ohio. i
After her liberation Catharine lived in the family '^
■of one of her liberators. This man would have ;i
liked to adopt her as his own daughter, but she -J
•anxiously longed for home and parent. She at last ,^
•discovered the locality of her childhood's home, andii
"^'as soon thereafter restored to her father. There-
must have been great joy when, after so many years
•of separation, and after so many dangers and trials,,
father and daughter met once more. The father had ■
believed his daughter lost to him forever, and as,]
Jacob of old often wept over his son Joseph, so he
had often wept for his captive child. And she, as the
loiig years of her captivity passed by, had begun to 3
IN GERMANTOWN. 101
give up all hope of ever agafn meeting her kindred.
The greater was now their gladness, and ail past
sorrow was forgotten in their present transport of joy.
She married Peter Schaeffer and became the
mother of eigh ^ children, five sons and three
daughters. Her husband died in Berks County,
Pennsylvania. After this she lived with her daugh-
ter, M rs. George Boyer. When the Boyers moved /
from "^erks to Center County, she accompanied ;
them, and when from there again they immigrated to
Ohio, she went with them to the same state. She
came to the Twin Valley in 1805, and remained here
until removed by death, which took place August 16,
1818, in the seventy-third year of her life. V ^
Mrs. Schaeffer was a member of the Lutheran
Church and a devoutly pious Christian lady. During,
the dozen of years that she lived in Germantown, by
her kindness in word and in deed, she endeared
herself to all with whom she came in contact.
During her captivity among the Indians she had
acquired some knowledge of the medicinal proper-
ties and uses of roots and herbs. As physicians in
her day were not very numerous, she was often
applied to for advice and assistance in cases of
sickness. It thus happened that by degrees she got
into quite an. extensive medical practice. She was
especially skillful in midwifery, and those who knew
her had the utmost confidence in her as a reliable
physician. She thoroughly understood the Indian
character, and always retained a dread of the red
102 THE LUTHERAN CHURCH \f
man. She declared the Indians to be a treacherous, "
vindictive, and cruel people, with very few redeem- J-
ing qualities about them. During the first few years -
of her residence in Ohio, the Indians were still ',
numerous in this state. They soon learned who she
was, and after that she was frequendy favored by
their visits. They would hang around her for days,
encamp in the woods near by her residence, and
visit her day after day. She conversed with them in
their own tongue, and treated them kindly, not so
much from a feeling of kindness for them, as from
fear of them. And there was real danger for her.
They claimed her as one of their own race, and had '
they thought it safe to do so, they would have carried :
her off, old as she was. Knowing this, she would ;:
always rather hide from them than meet them. '
The number of descendants of this lady are at this
time to be counted by the thousand. All her eight
children settled in and about Germantown. They -
all reared large families. These and their descend- t
ants have intermarried with other families in the 4
community, until almost every family is in some way t
related to her. For this reason, as also on account '<
of her strange experiences of life, and her own 1
peculiar characteristics, she is deserving of the t
extended notice hereby given her. Her remains lie !]
buried in front of the Lutheran Church, and it is to ^
be hoped that some day an enduring monument will j
be erected over them, so as more effectively to per- i
petuate her memory.
411^
HECKMAN
BINDERY INC.
JUL 84
N. MANCHESTER,
INDIANA 46962
