ford, near a country post-office called Osceola, whither several fam-
ilies had moved from Texas who were members of the Evangeli-
cal Association. The families who composed the first class were
Carl Horst, Sr., Karl Horst, Jr., and Ludwig Klein. Brother H.
W. Hartman was pastor. Ludwig Klein was chosen class-leader,
and a Sunday-school was started with Karl Horst, Sr., as super-
intendent. The following year, under the pastorate of J. Kurtz,
a small church was built, which, for many years, was used for
Sunday-school and preaching services. Many precious meetings
were held in the little room, prized so highly by those early settlers
in their great poverty.
Repeated crop failure has retarded the development of the
country and progress of church work in this particular part of
Oklahoma.
DOVER, OKLAHOMA
The work at Dover was begun by Rev. S. A. Burgert, who was
the pioneer missionary of the Evangelical Association in Okla-
homa. In the month of September, 1890, Rev. J. Wuerth, presid-
ing elder of Newton District, made his second visit to Oklahoma,
and on this occasion, in company with Brother Burgert, visited
Dover, where he preached for the first time in the village in the
Rock Island depot. During the week he also preached at Clear
Creek, Stillwater, Beaver Creek, Lyon Valley, Union school house,
Cimarron, and Fair View. These were all points where they found
isolated members of the church. Brother Burgert preached at a
point just east of Dover during the summer, but later a class
was organized in town with the following members: B. F. Mauk
and wife, David Clark and wife, D. X. Williams and wife, and
daughter Gertrude, Mrs. Henry Hill, Mrs. Robert Bolton and Mrs.
Henry Martin. B. F. Mauk was elected class-leader and was the
219
1891
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
principal figure in church activities until the time of his death,
several years later.
Rev. Burgert was succeeded by J. R. Nanninga in 1891, who
organized a Sunday-school, of which D. X. Williams was superin-
tendent and Mrs. David Clark, assistant. A church was also
built during the year 1892, which was dedicated by Rev. H. J.
Bowman, who, at the time, was pastor of Oak Street Church,
Kansas City, Mo.
Brother J. R. Nanninga writes: "I arrived at Dover on the
18th of April, 1891, and at once proceeded to acquaint myself
with the work and the people. I changed the Jack Oak appoint-
ment, four miles east of Dover, to town, and held the services in
the Odd Fellows Hall the first year. The following year we built
the church, which was the first church building in Dover. I also
started the Pleasant Valley appointment, southwest of Orlando,
where I held a meeting in which 34 souls were converted.
"I also held a meeting at Lyon Valley appointment in 1892,
where the second church in Oklahoma was built. In this meeting
64 souls bowed at the altar, of whom many were converted. Many
of the people at this point lived here temporarily until the Chero-
kee Strip was opened, when they rushed into the new country for
homes, deserting this community in consequence, of which the
work suffered. In later years the point was abandoned and the
building sold."
In the spring of 1892 Dover was taken from Orlando Mission
and formed into a separate field of labor. This was not supplied at
Conference, but was cared for by Rev. J. R. Nanninga, in connec-
tion with Orlando. The following year it was supplied with H. E.
Bower.
In 1901 the church building was destroyed by fire, but at once
rebuilt under supervision of Rev. H. B. Vennum, who was pastor
at the time, at a cost of $1,500.00, and dedicated by Rev. J. H.
Tobias, presiding elder.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
1892
TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSION
The 28th session of Conference was held at Coal Creek, four
miles north of Valley Falls, Jefferson County, Kansas, beginning
March 17, 1892, with Bishop S. C. Breyfogel as chairman for the
first time. P. Schumann was again appointed secretary.
At the opening of the session it was announced that death had
invaded the ranks during the past year, calling away two import-
ant workers, namely J. G. Pfeifer and L. Wenger, also John Leus-
ler, a local preacher.
J. Maurer withdrew from the church, and A. Yoder and C.
Apel moved from the bounds of the Conference.
S. H. Dunkelberger, J. B. Miller and J. R. Hashinger were
reported as having "irregularly withdrawn" from the church dur-
ing the year.
D. E. Hoover, having left his charge in a manner which Con-
ference could not justify, and not appearing at Conference this
spring, nor even sending his reports, was declared having with-
drawn from the church.
Wm. Daeschner received credentials to the Texas Conference,
whither he contemplated moving.
The brethren C. Linge, H. Toedman, C. E. Platz, J. W. Reiser
and G. Sorg were retained in the itinerancy without appointment.
H. E. Bower, P. G. Nuffer, W. R. Currier, John Brand, B. B.
Shore and H. B. Vennum were licensed to preach.
G. M. Brumm was received from the Methodist Episcopal
Church and placed on the list of local elders.
David Jones and S. A. Burgert received deacons' orders, and
with John Beck were admitted into the itinerancy, while A. Rode-
wald, I. H. Hauptfuehrer, C. E. Platz, J. R. Nanninga, C. Meeder,
M. J. Steinmetz, H. E. Meyer and C. H. Hartman received elders'
orders.
B. Hoffman who, in 1873, left the church, after dividing the
congregation at Holton, Kansas, in consequence of which the con-
gregation suffered for many years, sent a letter to Conference, ex-
pressing regret for his deeds of the past, asking to be again re-
instated. Conference offered to pardon freely, but deemed it un-
wise to reinstate him in the Conference body.
221
1892
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
A. Brunner, J. H. Tobias and C. F. Erffmeyer were elected
presiding elders, and stationed as follows : Holton District, A.
Brunner ; Kansas City District, J. H. Tobias ; Newton District, J. J.
Kliphardt; Abilene District, C. F. Erffmeyer.
J. Wuerth was elected Conference trustee for five years, and
M. C. Platz, statistical secretary for one year.
MISSION DEBT
Again the missionary treasurer was authorized to borrow
money sufficient to pay the appropriations. The debt continued
to increase so that a committee was appointed, consist-
ing of the treasurer J. Schmidli, M. C. Platz and C. W. Stauffer,
to provide a way by which the same might be liquidated. In due
time the following plan was submitted, which was also adopted :
"Inasmuch as a debt of $1,600.00 rests upon our missionary treas-
ury, therefore we would recommend that each preacher obligate
himself to raise 28 cents per member on his field of labor within
the first six months of the Conference year, for the liquidation
of said debt and send the amount to the treasurer of the mission-
ary society. Furthermore each preacher shall report as to how
nearly he has complied with the instructions given."
By the foregoing plan $1,115.26 was raised and paid on the
mission debt during the ensuing year, as reported at the follow-
ing session.
The committee appointed a year ago relative to the Topeka
church building project reported that they were unable to do any-
thing in the matter of building because of lack of funds. It was
decided to defer the matter of building for two years.
Atchison reported a church debt of $2,675.00 and asked Con-
ference to cancel a note for $800.00 which she held against it. The
request was granted and the note canceled.
Falls City built a church the past year at a cost of $3,500.00,
upon which there was still $1,200.00 unprovided for, and asked
for assistance. After commending the society for what she had
done the pastor was authorized to collect on Holton District for the
payment of the debt.
A committee was appointed to purchase Rev. J. H. Keeler's
interest in the Hutchinson church and transfer the property to
the Kansas Conference trustees.
222
1892
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Abilene reported that the old church building had been moved
on the present church lots and converted into a parsonage and
asked for annual appropriations until the debt should be paid.
A committee consisting of C. F. Erffmeyer, J. K. Young, C. W.
Stauffer and J. J. Kliphardt, was appointed to make provisions to
organize a Young People's Alliance Conference Branch, and hold
a convention during the year.
The following action was taken relative to the Woman's Mis-
sionary Society: "Resolved, That we plege our co-operation with
the sisters in organizing local auxiliaries, and also recommend the
organization of a Conference Branch of the Woman's Missionary
Society."
BOUNDARIES
District Changes
a. Hiawatha Circuit and Hiawatha Station shall be taken
from Abilene District and added to Holton District.
b. Swede Creek and Leonardville shall be transferred from
Holton to Abilene District.
Neivton District
a. Hennessey, Dover and Lyon Valley shall be taken from
Oklahoma Mission and formed into a new mission called Dover
Mission.
b. The remaining part of Oklahoma Mission shall be called
Orlando Mission.
c. Humboldt and Golden Valley Missions shall be consolidated
and called Humboldt and Golden Valley Mission.
d. Prairie Queen appointment shall be taken from Cambridge
Mission and added to Derby Circuit and the latter changed to a
mission.
e. Clay Circuit shall be changed to a mission.
MISSIONS
At the close of the session the mission debt amounted to
$1,456.39. During the past year $7,568.35 was raised for mis-
sions in the Kansas Conference, and $8,520.00 appropriated for the
ensuing year. Toward this the general treasury appropriated
$1,850.00.
J. Wuerth was elected delegate to the Board of Missions and
the following officers elected for the Conference Missionary So-
223
1892
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
ciety: A. Brunner, president; C. F. Erffbeyer, secretary, and J.
Schmidli, treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 471 ; accessions, 581 ; membership, 5,685 ; itine-
rant preachers, 59 ; local preachers, 28 ; Sunday-schools, 102 ; schol-
ars, 5,091; officers and teachers, 1,123; catechetical classes, 38
catechumens, 512; Young People's Alliances, 13; members, 323
churches, 77 ; parsonages, 40 ; Botschafters, 883 ; Messengers, 665
Magazins, 603; Epistles, 37; Epistles and Teachers, 37; total for
missions, $7,520.72.
/
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE
For the first time allusion is made in the statistics to the
work of the Young People's Alliance. 13 Alliances are reported
with a total membership of 323. A deep interest was mani-
fested in the work among the young people from the beginning
of this movement. Not only were over a dozen local Alliances
organized up to this time, but steps were taken to form the local
organizations into a Conference Branch in order to facilitate the
progress of the work, and to foster the spirit of unity among the
young people in the Conference and the church.
In line with the interest in the young people's movement,
greater activity was also aroused at this time in the Woman's
Missionary Society. Plans for the formation of the auxiliaries
which had thus far been organized within the bounds of the Con-
ference into a Conference Branch of the Woman's Missionary
Society were taken up. These auxiliaries had been carrying on a
local work for several years, having first been brought to the notice
of Conference at its session in 1883. The beginning of the work
was hard. There were many discouragements because of indiffer-
ence and even direct opposition on the part of some members of
the church. This was largely due to the conservatism which usu-
ally characterizes the introduction of new movements in ecclesias-
tical circles. However, the movement was born to prosper and
kindle with enthusiasm a church which would otherwise stagnate
and die. Both the Woman's Missionary Society and the Young
People's Alliance mark an epoch in the history of the church for
developing the latent powers of the young people and applying
them to service.
224
1892
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District — A. Brunner, P. E.
Holton, F. Harder.
Leavenworth, D. R. Zellner.
Atchison, S. Mueller.
Atchison Circuit, D. Swart.
Falls City, A. Mattill.
Preston, P. Schumann.
Bern, I. H. Hauptfuehrer.
Westmoreland, J. M. Fricker.
Hiawatha Station, J. K. Young.
Hiawatha Circuit, F. M. Peek.
Eudora, T. R. Nanninga.
Osage, C. Meeder.
Topeka, J. Wuerth.
Kansas City District — J. H. Tobias,
P. E.
Kansas City, Oak St., H. J. Bowman.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., C. W.
Stauffer.
Kansas City, Kansas, to be supplied.
Oregon Circuit and Mission, M. Wal-
ter.
Platte River, J. F. Schreiber.
Shelby, A. Solt.
St. Joseph, J. Neuffer.
Glasgow, J. Beck.
Warrensburg and Windsor, H. W.
Hartman.
East Lynn, Omer Butler.
Winston, H. E. Meyers.
Carthage Circuit and Mission, D.
Jones.
Denver, to be supplied.
Newton District — J. J. Eliphardt, P. E.
Emporia, A. Rodewald.
Peabody, E. A. Bruner.
Newton, G. J. Schumacher.
Yates Center, C. Brandt.
Humboldt and Golden Valley, B. J.
Fehnel.
Dennis, M. J. Steinmetz.
Cambridge, B. H. Hobbs.
Derby, L. E. Becher and P. G. Nuf-
fer.
Halstead, W. F. Schuerman.
Hutchinson, J. H. Keeler.
Alden, J. S. Miller.
Ellinwood, E. Brown.
Offerle, S. A. Burgert.
Dover, Okla., to be supplied.
Orlando, Okla., J. R. Nanninga.
Kingman, to be supplied.
Abilene District — C. F. Erffmeyer, P. E.
Abilene, A. E. Flickinger.
Alida and Clay, J. Kurtz and H. B.
Vennum.
Marion, H. S. Bower and W. R. Cur-
rier.
Canada, W. F. Wolthausen.
McPherson, C. S. Steinmetz.
Rosette, C. H. Hartman.
Lincoln, C. C. Bruner.
Osborne, J. Paulin.
North-west, A. J. Spencer.
Jewell, M. C. Platz.
Concordia, H. E. Bower.
Washington, R. R. Brand.
Leonardville, J. Schmidli.
Swede Creek, M. Manshardt.
MEMORIAL
J. G. Pfeifer
Rev. J. G. Pfeifer entered the Kansas Conference at its sec-
ond session in 1866, at Leavenworth, Kansas, after having spent
a number of years in the active work in the Pittsburg Confer-
ence. For many years he was a leader in the Conference and
helped lay a good foundation for the Evangelical Association in
the Western territory.
During his ministry of 27 years in Kansas and Missouri he
served three terms as presiding elder, two terms on Missouri Dis-
trict, and one term on Kansas, later called Holton District. He
was elected delegate to General Conference in 1871, 1875, 1879
and 1883. He was the first delegate to the Board of Missions
225
1892
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
elected by Conference from her members, which occurred in 1867,
after which he was repeatedly chosen to this position.
He was affectionate and considerate in his relation to the
brethren whose esteem and confidence he held in a remarkable
degree. In his pulpit ministration he was sound, in strict harmony
with the Word of God and the doctrine of his church. His sermons
were clear and powerful, making deep and lasting impressions
upon his hearers. He spent his life for the church of his choice,
never shrinking from duty, though that duty might be ever so
unpleasant and difficult. His life was a blessing to many with
whom he came in contact, and his individuality was stamped
Upon the Conference in which he served for nearly three decades.
He passed away September 1, 1891, at his home near Bloom-
ington, Mo., at the age of 69 years, leaving an aged companion
and four children to sorrow over his departure, but ever to cher-
ish the memory of his godly life and influence. His body rests
in the little cemetery near Bloomington, where he awaits the
final summons when the Lord comes to make up his jewels.
Rev. L. Wenger
Rev. L. Wenger was born in the State of Pennsylvania in
1846. He was licensed to preach at the session held at Nickels
Grove, Holt County, Mo., under the chairmanship of Bishop R.
Yeakel in 1872, and stationed on Jewell Mission in Western Kan-
sas. He was the first pastor of Jewell appointed by Conference
after the same was constituted a mission. He served this work
three years, after which he was transferred to Americus Mission in
Lyon County, Kan. In 1879 he was chosen presiding elder and
stationed on Southwest District, which was composed almost ex-
clusively of frontier work. After serving his term on the dis-
trict he again entered the ranks of the pastorate and served St.
Joseph three years, when he was assigned to his last field of labor.
In 1879 he was also elected delegate to General Conference.
Brother Wenger was a devoted Christian and a minister of
the Gospel. He exemplified in his own life the doctrine he preached
to others and led many souls to Christ through his ministry. He
was blessed with unusual judgment and business ability which he
applied to his work. Through his death his brethren lost a wise
counselor and a conscientious co-worker.
While attending Conference at Canada, Kansas, in the month
of March, 1891, he sustained a hemorrhage of the lungs, which left
226
1893
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
him in a prostrated condition. The weather being stormy and cold
added to his affliction, and it was with difficulty that he was able
to leave the place of Conference. He still manifested the invinci-
ble spirit which characterized his whole life, and while his breth-
ren advised him to retire from active work for rest, he insisted
that his affliction was only temporary, and in a short time he
would be well again. He was thus assigned to Concordia Mis-
sion, but never reached his field of labor. With difficulty he reached
the home of his mother in Emporia, Kan., after Conference, where
he broke down completely and in a few weeks answered to the roll-
call above. His wish was granted. He died in the harness. Just
in the prime of life, at the age of 46 years, the Lord called his
servant up higher, for reasons known only to Himself. He left
a sorrowing companion, two sons, one daughter, a mother and
sister.
Rev. John Leusler
Rev. John Leusler was born in Hesse, Germany May 2, 1807.
Coming to America in 1831, he settled in the State of Pennsyl-
vania, where he was led to conversion through the labors of G.
Hummel, well-known throughout the church at that time. In
1852 he moved to Ohio, where, in 1869, he received license to
preach from the Ohio Conference. The same year he moved to
Kansas, and settled near Washington, where he continued to re-
side till the time of his death, Aug. 25, 1891.
Brother Luesler was never in the active work, however, he led
an active life in the service of his Master, and was always ready
to preach the Gospel wherever opportunity presented itself. He
frequently held protracted meetings and was successful in soul-
winning. He was largely instrumental in starting the work of the
Evangelical Association in and around Washington, where he lived.
1893
TWENTY-NINTH SESSION
Conference met March 16, 1893, at Swede Creek, Riley Co.,
Kan., to hold her 29th session. Bishop Wm. Horn, who, for the
first time, officiated at the Kansas Conference, failed to arrive
until the second afternoon of the session, in consequence of which
Rev. A. Brunner was chosen chairman pro tern. P. Schumann
was again appointed secretary.
227
1893
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
A. J. Spencer was called home the first day of the session on
account of sickness in his family, and J. M. Fricker was excused
for the same reason.
Rev. A. W. Berry, a local preacher, Mrs. Susanna Wenger,
Mrs. C. C. Bruner and Mrs. M. Walter died during the year.
B. B. Shore, C. W. Snyder and David Jones withdrew from
the church during the past year, the latter under charges. Rev.
J. A. Hetner was reported as having "irregularly withdrawn" from
the church.
W. H. Davis moved out of the bounds of Conference, and hence
his name was stricken from the list of preachers.
F. W. Voegelein and H. J. Bowman received credentials, the
former to the newly formed Japan Conference, and the latter to the
Des Moines Conference.
J. Kurtz, J. W. Keiser and D. R. Zellner were retained in the
itinerancy without appointment.
W. H. H. Isgrigg, J. F. Oyer, Robert Stauffer, John Nicode-
mus and Charles Schmidli received license to preach, and Joseph
Latimer was received as a local elder from the Wesleyan Metho-
dist Church.
A. Solt received deacon's orders, and B. H. Hobbs, J. S. Miller,
J. M. Fricker and C. S. Steinmetz elders' orders.
A. Brunner was elected Conference trustee for five years, J.
J. Kliphardt, trustee for North-Western College for three years,
and M. C. Platz, statistical secretary for one year.
The committee appointed a year ago relative to the Pawnee
Rock Church reported that the building was sold during the year
to the Christian Denomination for $500.00.
The missionary treasurer reported that the appropriations
were paid in full and the old debt reduced $1,200.00 by the 28
cents per member plan adopted a year ago. The amount of
$1,115.26 was raised on the plan and the debt which had burdened
the missionary treasury for years was now reduced to $220.05.
The brethren who failed to raise the amount of missionary
money required from them during the past year were given an
opportunity to state he reasons for their delinquency before Con-
ference. Some of the brethren seemed to furnish satisfactory rea-
sons for their failure, while others could not clear themselves of
apparent neglect. The rule of the former year that each minister
shall raise at least $1.00 per member missionary money during
228
1893
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
the year was renewed for the ensuing year, and the presiding
elders were urged to see to it that missionary meetings were held
at all appointments at a suitable time.
LANGUAGE
For some time the language question had been agitated on
some works where the transition from German to English was con-
sidered imperative, frequently resulting in contention, and injury
to the work. Because of this existing condition, which was rap-
idly growing acute, the following action was taken: "Inasmuch
as we are convinced that in congregations where the English lan-
guage should be introduced, great care should be exercised, and
all things connected with the matter carefully considered that it
may tend to the prosperity of the work, we believe that Confer-
ence should adopt measures by which this matter may be regu-
lated. Therefore resolved, that the presiding elder and preacher
in charge of such societies, where a change of language may seem
necessary, with three other preachers chosen by them, shall con-
stitute a committee to act in such cases during the year. If at
least one-half of the members of a society present a petition to
the preacher in charge for the introduction of English the matter
shall be referred to this committee, and the decision of the com-
mittee shall be binding until the next session of the Annual Con-
ference, which shall take action in the matter."
Atchison requested Conference to assume possession of their
church property and relieve them of the heavy financial obligation
which they were no longer able to carry. Conference, not being
prepared to comply with their request, appointed a committee to
take such action during the year as they might find necessary.
BOUNDARIES
District Changes
a. Leavenworth shall be taken from Holton District and
added to Kansas City District.
Kansas City District
a. Carthage Circuit and Carthage Mission shall be consoli-
dated and called Carthage Mission.
b. Windsor Mission shall be added to Warrensburg Mission.
229
1893
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
c. Denver Mission shall be added to Winston Mission.
d. Holden appointment shall be taken from Warrensburg
and added to East Lynn Mission.
Newton District
a. Enterprise appointment shall be taken from Alden Mission
and be added to Hutchinson Mission.
b. Alden and Ellinwood shall be consolidated.
c. Kingman Mission shall be consolidated with Hutchinson.
Abilene District
a. Wilson and Blood Creek shall be taken from Ellinwood
and added to Rosette Mission.
b. Randolph shall be taken from Swede Creek and be added
to Leonardville Mission.
c. Huscher shall be taken from Washington and be added to
Alida.
d. Reiter appointment shall be taken from Washington and
added to Concordia, the same to be called Wayne Mission.
MISSIONS
The amount raised for missions in the Kansas Conference
was $7,736.65, leaving a deficit of $220.25. The appropriations
for the ensuing year were $9,000.00, of which amount the general
treasury assured $2,000.00. J. Wuerth was elected delegate to the