BRETHREN-L Archives

From:
Subject: Re: Bryan, Ohio
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 19:11:29 EDT

In a message dated 8/23/2005 6:00:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
No 5 of your list would refer to the Lick Creek COB which is still in
existance. The Brown family was one of the main families of that congregation.

Actually it it a reference to two different churches. In a later artile
in that issue, as well as one in the next newspaper, it clearly defines two
churches. I quote from the July 10 issue page 28:
"Dear Brethren:--
I attended a council meeting June 30, at the Berkeybile meeting-house,
about 30 miles south-east from where I live. The council business began at 2
P.M. The principal business was to elect one to the ministry, and two to the
deaconship. This church has suffered a serious loss in the ministry. They lost
four of their speakers at one time. Bro. Horn going with the Progressives, Bro.
Brumbaugh to the Old Orderites, Bro. Aaron Berkeybile, moving to the far West,
and old Father Stutzman, their Elder, had a stroke of the palsy, so he is in
his bed perfectly helpless, but thanks be to the Giver of all good, he has not
lost his speech or his good mind, but his eye-sight is injured much.-- The old
brother was anointed by Eld. John Brown, of Bryan, Ohio, and myself. He seems
very hopeful, strong in the faith, and prays God to grant him his speech and
right use of his mind to the last. His children and brothers and sisters are
very kind toward him.-- There were only two speakers left in this church, able
to work, namely, David Berkeybile and Perry McKimmey. The church keenly felt
the need or more help, hence, had an election. The choice fell on Bro. William
McKimmy, for minister, and John Reganole and George Hall, for deacons. These
three brethren are all married and their companions are all members. All three
are under thirty years of age. Strong in body and I trust, also, strong in
faith. I think are all well gifted to fill their station. It was a heavy blow to
Bro. McKimmy and wife.-- May God help them, and give them grace to bear their
cross. The crown will be obtained beyond the cross. They were all installed
into their office, but one of the deacon's wives was not present at the council,
hence could not be installed. Your unworthy servant did the instructing and
installing, assisted by Bro. Brown.
The church decided to have a Feast in September, the Saturday nearest the
full moon.
Jacob Shaneour."

Further quoting from page 20 and 21 of the same issue:
"AMONG THE CHURCHES.
BY THURSTON MILLER
Pursuant to previous arrangements I left hom June 14, 1883, to attend a
Love-feast, which took place at the Bryan meeting-house, Williams Co., O. ... This
(Lick Creek) church is presided over by by Eld. John Brown, assisted by Eld.
Jacob Brown, and, in the preaching of the word by Simon Long and Christian
Krabill, both in the second degree of the ministry. ...
Here I met Eld. Jacob Shaneour, of Silver Creek church, located some
twenty miles north in the same county; whither we proceeded on the following day.
...
The matter was then referred to to the church, which quickly responded
that both should be installed. Accordingly, the next morning, at 9 o'clock, the
installation service was administered; the lot falling upon Bro. Eli
Rittenhouse and Bro. Geo. Mauller; both in the deacon's office. ...
Eld. Jacob Shaneour has this church in charge, assisted in the ministry
by brethren Joseph Moore, Jesse Long, and another whose name I cannot know
recall; all, I believe, in the second degree. These, with the two new additions in
the ministry, and seven deacons, constitute the official force in this
congregation. ...
Monday morning, returned to Bryan.-- Tuesday, preached the funeral of old
Bro. Henry Brown, at 10:30 A.M. Boarded the west-bound train at 1 P.M.
Stopped at Waterloo, De Kalb Co., Ind., and with Eld. Jno. Brown started, on foot,
for the Love-feast in Eld. Michael Shotts' church, eight miles distant; no one
being apprised of our visit to this church. ..."

I could go on with several other references pertaining to Bryan, Ohio,
but will not for brevity's sake. Yes the reference in the July 3 issue can be
taken either as the Bryan church or the Lick Creek church but according to the
Brethren Encyclopedia entry that Gale Honeyman located for me there was two
congregations with one in the town and one outside of town. The July 10 article
clarifies it somewhat.
The Michael Shotts mentioned was a problem as well. He is mentioned as
having been an Elder in the newspaper but is not listed at all in Winger's
Indiana COB history book. The entry in BE gives a record as him being an elder in a
church(can't remember the name just now) in Indiana. But when you check the
newspaper article and follow Thurston Miller's trip you discover by using the
map in Winger's book that the church accredited to Michael Shotts was the Cedar
Lake church.
I just Love this Stuff.

Wayne
Brethren Roots Newsletter Editor
Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists: Homepage
Visit my web site at:
Montgomery County, Ohio Research Services

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