A church was built the same year, which was dedicated by Rev.
C. F. Erffmeyer in the month of May, 1904.
Ebenezer Class
The church building erected in 1894 at the Ebenezer appoint-
ment was destroyed by fire in 1909, but immediately rebuilt by
the energetic people of the congregation and community, under
the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Russell. This was dedicated by Rev.
D. Swart, presiding elder of the district, Feb. 25, 1910.
BUTLER CIRCUIT
The principal appointments of Butler Circuit were originally
connected with Wichita Mission in 1880, and later Derby Mission
and Circuit, until 1904, when Zion and Emanuel appointments
were taken from Derby, and in connection with the Wing
appointment of Cambridge Mission, formed into Butler Circuit.
296
1904
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
The early history dates back to the year 1879, or perhaps ear-
lier, when the families of Fred Unger, Sr., and Geo. Weber lo-
cated about five miles south-east of Eldorado, Butler County,
Kan., and Wm. Litzke, ten miles south of these brethren. Occa-
sionally the minister from Derby, which was 40 miles west of
there, would preach for those families, but not regularly. About
this time F. F. Bartells moved from Americus, Kans., where he
was connected with the Evangelical Association, to Eldorado, and
got acquainted with the scattered families living in Butler County.
Brother Bartells sent to Cleveland, got some Sunday-school song
books and literature, and started a Sunday-school in the Weber
and Unger neighborhood, of which he was elected superintendent,
and Geo. Weber assistant superintendent. This school seemed to
meet with favor in the community and considerable interest was
manifested. At this time, 1880, Brother H. Toedman, who was
serving Wichita Mission, began to preach regularly at this point,
and during the fall of this year a protracted meeting was held at
the Weber appointment, which resulted in the conversion of quite
a number of souls and the organization of a class of which F. F.
Bartells became class-leader, and Geo. Weber exhorter. Unfortu-
nately many of the converts were only renters and hence transi-
tory; they soon changed location and a new class of people came
in their place, which prevented the appointment gaining stability.
However, in spite of this drawback, the work advanced, and in
later years, during the pastorate of H. E. Meyer, a neat church
was erected and dedicated as the Emanuel Church of the Evan-
gelical Association.
Inspired by the revival effort put forth at this place, Sister
Wm. Litzke, who was a zealous worker in the cause of her Re-
deemer, requested the pastor to hold a meeting in her neighbor-
hood, ten miles south of Emanuel. She also urged the Christian
friends of Emanuel to come over and help them in a meeting.
This was done with the result that a number were converted and
a class organized in the Litzke community, where later the Zion
Church was built, which was the first Evangelical church building
in Butler County.
In the eastern part of the county, near Leon, lived the Semisch
family, who entreated the co-operation of the Christian people at
the two appointments named, to hold a meeting in their communi-
ty in the Prairie Queen school house. Here a third class was or-
ganized, and, later, during the pastorate of M. J. Steinmetz, a
297
1905
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
beautiful church erected, which was dedicated as the Bethel
Church.
The work on Butler Circuit was of a rural character, which
always implies a heavy giving off of membership to city and other
charges, but prevents local development on a large scale. Yet
many souls are saved, and a vast amount of good is accomplished.
1905
FORTY-FIRST SESSION
Conference met March 16, 1905, at Yates Center, Kansas, to
hold her 41st session with Bishop Thomas Bowman in the chair
and P. Schumann, secretary.
H. Cover, a local preacher, and Mrs. C. Meeder, died during
the past year.
G. A. Manshardt and T. J. Cox received credentials.
H. B. Vennum, at his request, was placed on the list of super-
annuates, and J. H. Kiplinger on the list of supernumeraries.
M. J. Steinmetz, L. E. Becher and P. G. Nuffer were retained
in the itinerancy without appointment.
The brethren L. A. Branson, C. B. Willming, Ezra Evans, E.
S. Spangler, C. F. Hartman and Roy Mathews received license.
E. J. Feitz, E. F. Boehringer, Wm. Russell, John Haber, Wm.
Pittker and C. F. Harder received deacons' orders and were, with
the exception of the last named, received into the itinerancy. C.
L. Sorg and J. S. Stamm received elders' orders.
F. H. Draeger was received from the Minnesotat Conference
and H. M. Schuerman from the Wisconsin Conference, both as
elders in the itinerancy.
J. H. Tobias was elected Conference trustee for five years, B.
H. Hobbs statistical secretary for one year, and A. Brunner Con-
ference treasurer for one year.
The Young People's Alliance, through its annual Branch con-
vention, sent a request to Conference to assign them a special mis-
sion for support as the Young People's Alliance Mission. Their
request was adopted and has been continued ever since.
Rev. D. Swart purchased a house in Abilene, Kansas, during
the past year, which he now offered to Conference for a district
house for the consideration of $1,600.00. His offer was accepted,
298
1905
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
and the presiding elder of Abilene District was instructed to col-
lect the amount on the district.
The brethren C. F. Erffmeyer and W. F. Wolthausen offered
to transfer to the trustees of the Kansas Conference a lot 67x157
feet on the corner of Mersington and 25th Streets in Kansas City,
Mo. Also a chapel 24x40 feet, erected at a cost of $781.25. Con-
ference accepted the offer and instructed the Conference trustees
to pay for the same out of the proceeds of the old Oak Street
Church property.
BOUNDARIES
Holton Dstrict
a. Mina appointment shall be taken from Westmoreland Mis-
sion and added to Granada Mission.
Kansas City District
a. Willow Springs shall be taken from Eudora Circuit and
added to Deer Creek Mission on Holton District.
b. Benton shall be taken from Oregon Circuit and added to
Oregon Mission.
c. Oregon Circuit shall be changed to Mound City Circuit.
Neivton District
a. A new mission shall be located in Tulsa, Indian Territory,
to be called Tulsa Mission.
MISSIONS
During the past year $9,682.67 was raised for Kansas Con-
ference missions, and $11,010.00 appropriated for the next year.
Toward this sum the General Treasury appropriated $1,300.00.
C. F. Erffmeyer was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and
the former officers were re-elected for the society for the ensuing
year.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 504 ; accessions, 610 ; membership, 6,309 ; itin-
erant preachers, 63 ; local preachers, 34 ; churches, 101 ; parson-
ages, 51; Sunday-schools, 113; officers and teachers, 1,301; schol-
ars, 7,492; Young People's Alliances, 71; members, 2,038; Wom-
an's Missionary Society, 37; members, 634; catechetical classes,
41; catechumens, 617; Botschafters, 782; Messengers, 774; Maga-
zins, 528; Missionary Messengers, 353; Missionsbote, 203; Her-
alds, 439 ; Bundesbote, 95 ; total for missions, $16,243.16.
299
1905
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District — A. Brunner, P. E.
Holton, C. E. Platz.
Preston, J. R. Nanninga.
Hiawatha Circuit, A. Solt.
Hiawatha Station, J. S. Miller.
Coal Creek, Geo. Schrenk.
Atchison, D. R. Zellner.
Topeka, P. Schumann.
Falls City, M. Manshardt.
Granada, L. A. Branson.
Bern, H. E. Bower.
Deer Creek and Vassar, H. Steenbock
and E. F. Boehringer.
Westmoreland, H. S. Bower.
Camp Creek, A. Rodewald.
Kansas City District — C. F. Erff-
meyer, P. E.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., C. Linge.
Kansas City, English, S. Breithaupt.
Eudora, C. Meeder.
Leavenworth, J. J. Kliphardt.
St. Joseph, J. Schmidli.
South St. Joseph, D. F. Honstedt.
Platte River, L. Hanne.
Mound City, G. W. Weidemeier.
Oregon Mission, B. H. Hobbs.
Glasgow, W. H. Manshardt.
Shelby, I. H. Hauptfuehrer.
Warrensburg and Holden, E. J. Feitz.
Winston, C. Underkoffler.
Newton District — M. C. Platz, P. E.
Newton, J. K. Young.
Emporia, H. M. Schuerman.
Yates Center, W. F. Wolthausen.
Humboldt, J. M. Fricker.
Dennis, Wm. Russell.
Derby, C. J. Eiselein.
Butler and Peabody, F. M. Peek and
Ezra Evans.
Halstead, T. R. Nanninga.
Hesston, C. L. Sorg.
Hutchinson, J. A. Spencer.
Alden, W. C. Johnson.
Offerle, I. B. Miller.
Orlando, Wm. Pittker.
Waukomis, Wm. Daeschner.
Dover, F. H. Draeger.
Weatherford, H. W. Hartman.
Sweetwater, J. Haber.
Woodward, to be supplied.
Tulsa, to be supplied.
Abilene District — D. Swart. P. E.
Abilene, J. H. Tobias.
Swede Creek, C. F. Iwig.
Leonardville, C. Brandt.
Jewell, B. Barthel.
Canada, C. F. Kliphardt.
Marion, F. U. Moyer.
Alida, H. Huscher.
Washington and Fancy Creek, M. W.
Plettner and F. C. Dissinger.
Concordia, G. J. Schumacher.
Lucas, E. A. Bruner.
McPherson, S. A. Burgert.
Osborne, C. H. Hartman.
Industry, J. W. Keiser.
Lost Springs, J. H. Parmer.
Colorado Springs, C. S. Steinmetz.
Ordway, to be supplied.
MEMORIAL
Rev. H. Cover
Rev. H. Cover came to the Kansas Conference as a local
preacher prior to 1886. He never entered the active work, but
was ever ready to render assistance to the cause wherever oppor-
tunity presented itself. He died during the past year at an ad-
vanced age, after spending a life in the cause of his Redeemer.
Mrs. C. Meeder
Again death invaded the home of our brother and co-worker,
C. Meeder, during the year, talking away a faithful companion,
and plunging the home in sorrow. Sister Meeder was a noble
Christian woman, with excellent ability, which she placed at the
300
1905
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
disposal of her Heavenly Father for service in his cause. Her life
and influence reached out as a benediction to all with whom she
came in contact.
WEATHERFORD
Weatherford Mission originally embraced the appointments
Hamburger, nine miles south of Weatherford ; and Osceola, 40
miles north-west of Weatherford, with all intermediate points.
During the year 1904 an appointment was taken up in the town
of Weatherford by Rev. H. W. Hartman and a class organized with
five members, consisting of August Kaiser's family, who immi-
grated from the State of Minnesota, settling one mile north of
Weatherford. A Sunday-school was organized at the time with
August Kaiser, superintendent. Preaching services were held in a
small church of the Methodist South denomination, when not in
use by them. Thus the society began on a very small scale indeed,
but the loyal charter members held on and were soon reinforced
by others who identified themselves with the little band. Brother
Hartman was succeeded by J. Haber in 1906, who, during the sum-
mer, held a grove meeting near the town, at which several souls
were saved, and the work became better known.
In 1909 a neat church was erected during the pastorate of J.
Haber at a cost of $3,000.00, and was dedicated by C. E. Platz,
presiding elder of Newton District. A Young People's Alliance
was organized in 1911, with the following officers: Mrs. L. E.
Becher, president; Beulah Harrouf, vice-president; A. B. Becher,
secretary, and Almon Kaiser, treasurer. A Woman's Missionary
Society was organized in 1912, with Mrs. L. E. Becher, president;
Mrs. E. E. Meyer, vice-president; and Mrs. Almon Kaiser, secre-
tary.
MOUND CITY CIRCUIT
Mound City Circuit was formerly called Oregon Circuit, until
1905, when the name was changed by Conference. The principal
appointments were Ebenezer, Calvary and Benton. Later an ap-
pointment was taken up in town which was subsequently formed
into a mission and served in connection with the circuit. This ac-
tion was taken in 1906, but the city work never developed suffi-
ciently to separate it from the circuit. The following data con-
cerning the beginning and development of the various appoint-
ments have been obtained :
301
1905
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Ebenezer Class
As early as 1869 John Beck, then serving Oregon Mission,
began to preach in the community where the Ebenezer church now
stands. The following year, 1870, S. W. McKesson organized a
class with the following charter members : Henry Smith and wife,
Wm. Smith and wife, Peter Werle and wife, Charles Anselman
and wife, John Berger, John Bucher and Lydia Dunkelberger.
Most of the parties named had been members of the Evangelical
Association in the East. The class developed and on various occa-
sions successful revivals were held in which many souls were
saved.
In 1884, during the pastorate of C. W. Snyder, a neat coun-
try church was built at a cost of $2,000.00, and dedicated by Bishop
T. Bowman. A Sunday-school was organized in 1877, which was
placed in charge of Charles Anselman as the first superintend-
ent. During the pastorate of A. J. Voegelein in 1887 a Wom-
an's Missionary Society was organized with Mrs. A. J. Voegelein
as president.
Calvary Class
In 1876 J. H. Kiplinger took up an appointment north and
east of Ebenezer, where he preached regularly, and where, two
years later, E. Evans organized a class, of which the first mem-
bers were: Charles Allen, Herman Allen, N. Anderson and wife.
This exceedingly small class was placed in charge of N. Anderson,
as the first class-leader. In 1895 a church building was erected
during the pastorate of A. E. Flickinger. This cost $1,400.00, and
was dedicated by Rev. S. P. Spreng, of Cleveland, Ohio, then edi-
tor of the "Evangelical Messenger." The same year that the
church was built a Sunday-school was also organized with Henry
Allen as superintendent. A Woman's Missionary Society was
started in 1901, with Anna Wells as president. In 1914 a Young
People's Alliance was organized by Rev. A. F. Rice, with A. Shaw
as president.
Benton Class
Rev. E. Evans was the path-finder in this community. In
1882 he organized a class with the following charter members:
Charles Noris and wife, Hans King and wife, Minnie King, Eddie
King, Fannie Noris, Gilbert Murry, Judd Kelly, Wm. Fields, Wash-
ington Hutton, A. Morgan and wife, and Brother Manifee. Bro.
302
1906
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Manifee was elected class-leader and Sunday-school superintend-
ent. A church was built in 1882, at a cost of $1,500.00, and dedi-
cated by Bishop T. Bowman.
1906
FORTY-SECOND SESSION
The 42nd session of Conference was held in the Coal Creek
Church, Jefferson County, Kans., beginning March the 15th, 1906,
with Bishop S. C. Breyfogel in the chair and P. Schumann sec-
retary.
J. M. Dreisbach died during the year, also Ida Linge, daugh-
ter of Rev. C. Linge, and Minnie, daughter of Rev. M. W. Plettner.
H. B. Vennum and W. D. Morga withdrew from the church.
L. A. Branson returned his license.
The following brethren were retained in the itinerancy with-
out appointment : D. F. Honstedt, I. H. Hauptfuehrer, C. J. Eise-
lein and E. A. Bruner.
Credentials were issued to J. S. Stamm.
L. E. Becher was placed in the superannuate relation.
The brethren E. W. Petticord, August Hoch, E. E. Erffmeyer,
Andrew Hoerrman and C. E. Huscher received license to preach.
J. E. Moyer, a local probationer of the Indiana Conference,
was received, also S. E. Meyer of the California Conference on
condition that he present his credentials to his presiding elder.
A. Mattill was taken from the supernumerary list and placed
in active service.
H. Mattill, who, for 16 years, had been absent from the Con-
ference, during which time he served as a general church official
at Cleveland, Ohio, in the capacity of assistant book agent in the
Publishing House, was received into the Conference with a hearty
welcome, and the ardent wish that his health might be fully re-
stored.
Deacons' orders were granted to C. F. Kliphardt, George
Schrenk, H. Huscher and I. B. Miller, who were also received into
the itinerancy, while W. H. Manshardt and G. W. Weidemeier re-
ceived elders' orders.
M. C. Platz was re-elected Conference trustee for five years,
B. H. Hobbs, statistical secretary, and A. Solt, Conference treas-
urer.
303
1906
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
During the past year the church and parsonage at Peabody
were sold for $1,192.50. The whole work at Peabody, which had
been carried on since 1886, never prospered, and in late years quite
a few of the members moved away, discouraging the remaining
ones, so that, by mutual consent, the work was abandoned and the
property sold.
The Conference trustees, with the pastors of South St. Joseph
and St. Joseph Missions, were authorized to purchase lots and
build a church in South St. Joseph, providing they deem it ad-
visable. The Kansas City and Holton Districts were opened for
solicitation for funds.
Miss Edna Erffmeyer, under appointment as missionary to
Japan, was present and addressed Conference relative to her call
and future work. She was listened to with interest and assured
of the prayers of Conference in her mission to the heathen world.
BOUNDARIES
Holton District
a. Worden shall be taken from Deer Creek and constitute
Worden Mission.
Kansas City District
a. Mound City appointment shall be taken from Mound City
Circuit and form Mound City Mission, and shall be served with the
circuit.
b. Kansas City English Mission shall be known as Kansas
City Mersington Heights.
Newton District
a. Potwin shall be taken from Peabody Mission and with
Zion appointment of Butler Circuit constitute Butler Mission.
b. Peabody Mission shall be discontinued.
c. Cambridge shall be taken from Dennis Mission and added
to Derby Mission.
d. Osceola and Foss in Oklahoma shall be taken from Sweet-
water Mission and added to Weatherford Mission.
e. The appointments Caddo, Sicklers, Lookeba, East Lynn,
Swan and Fern shall be taken from Weatherford Mission and
form Caddo Mission.
f . Woodward Mission shall be called Blackwell Mission.
304
1906
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
g. The Emanuel appointment of Dennis Mission, formerly
Carthage, shall be abandoned.
h. Offerle Mission shall be changed to a circuit.
Abilene District
a. Calvary shall be taken from Jewell and added to Con-
cordia.
MISSIONS
During the past year $11,861.95 was raised for missions in
the Kansas Conference and $12,350.00 appropriated. The Gen-
eral Treasury appropriated $1,500.00 for the work in Oklahoma
and Colorado. C. F. Erffmeyer was elected delegate to the Board
of Missions, and the former board of officers were re-elected.
STATISTICS
Conversioins, 542; accessions, 847; membership, 6,487; itin-
erant preachers, 67 ; local preachers, 36 ; churches, 100 ; parson-
ages, 51; Sunday-schools, 110; officers and teachers, 1,332; schol-
ars, 7,292; Young People's Alliances, 71; members, 1,950; Wom-
an's Missionary Societies, 40; members, 797; catechetical classes,
38; catechumens, 585; Botschafters, 800; Messengers, 873; Maga-
zins, 492; Missionary Messengers, 404; Missionsbote, 218; Her-
alds, 500; Bundesbote, 85; total for missions, $18,694.05.
For the first time in the History of the Conference the num-
ber of Messengers exceeded the number of Botschafters. This
was not due to a decrease in the number of subscribers to the Bot-
schafter, but rather to the increase of the English language in the
Conference.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District — A. Brunner, P. E.
Holton, C. E. Platz.
Preston, J. R. Nanninga.
Hiawatha Station, J. S. Miller.
Hiawatha Circuit, A. Solt.
Coal Creek, Geo. Schrenk.
Atchison, D. R. Zellner.
Topeka, P. Schumann.
Falls City, M. Manshardt.
Granada, C. E. Huscher.
Bern, H. E. Bower.
Deer Creek, E. F. Boehringer.
Vassar, H. Steenbock.
Westmoreland, H. S. Bower.
Camp Creek, A. Rodewald.
Worden, P. G. Nuffer.
305
Kansas City District — C. F. Erff-
meyer, P. E.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., C. Linge.
Kansas City, Mersington Heights, S.
Breithaupt.
Eudora, J. J. Kliphardt.
Leavenworth, C. F. Iwig.
St. Joseph, J. Schmidli.
South St. Joseph, A. Mattill.
Platte River, L. Hanne.
Mound City Circuit and Mission, G.
W. Weidemeier.
Oregon, B. H. Hobbs.
Glasgow, W. H. Manshardt.
Shelby, S. E. Meyer.
Warrensburg and Holden, E. J. Feitz.
Winston, C. Underkoffler.
1906
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Newton District — M. C. Platz, P. E. Blackwell, to be supplied.
Tulsa, H. W. Hartman.
Newton, J. K. Young.
Emporia, H. M. Schuerman. A&itewe District— D. Swart, P. E.
Yates Center, W. F. Wolthausen. Abilene, J. H. Tobias.
Humboldt, J. M. Fricker. Swede Creek, T. R. Nanninga.
Dennis, Wm, Russell. hraa- Leonardville, C. Brandt.
Derby, F. M. Peek. Jewell, B. Barthel.
Butler Circuit, M. J. Steinmetz. Canada, C. F. Kliphardt.
Butler Mission, E. S. Evans. Marion, F. U. Moyer.
Halstead, C. Meeder. Alida, H. Huscher.
Hesston, C. L. Sorg. r -Washington and Fancy Creek, F. C.
Hutchinson, J. A. Spencer. Dissinger and A. Hoerman.
Alden, W. C. Johnson. Concordia, G. J. Schumacher.
Offerle, I. B. Miller. j / Lucas, J. H. Parmer.
Orlando, to be supplied — Q. B. Roth. McPherson, S. A. Burgert.
Waukomis, Geo. Barthel. , Osborne, C. H. Hartman.
Dover, F. H. Draeger Industry J. W. Keiser.
Caddo, Wm. Pittker. i Lost Springs, Emory W. Petticord.
Weatherford, John Haber. Coloi'ado Srpings, M. W. Plettner.
Sweetwater, Wm. Daeschner. >, Ordway, C. S. Steinmetz.
MEMORIAL
/. M. Dreisbach
J. M. Dreisbach was born in Seneca County, Ohio, Jan. 6,
1843. He was a son of Rev. A. E. Dreisbach, and grandson of
Rev. J. Dreisbach, one of the noted early ministers of the Evan-
gelical Association. Brother Dreisbach was converted at the age
of fourteen years, and united with the Evangelical Association.
He was married to Miss Sarah Wonder in 1864, with whom he
shared life's joys and experiences until June, 1901, when she was
called from his side by death. In 1868 he moved to Kansas with
his family and settled in Nemaha County, near Bern.
In 1877 he was licensed by the Kansas Conference, and was
stationed on Nemaha Circuit, in Richardson County, Neb., with
J. F. Schreiber. He served the following charges: Nemaha Cir-
cuit, 1 year ; Carthage, 2 years ; Americus, 2 years, and West-
moreland, 2 years. He reports that during this short ministry
he was instrumental in leading over 400 souls to Christ. He was
serving his local class as leader at the time of his death. In 1902
he was married to Mrs. Mary Grosenbacher. To this union was
born one child, and to the former union three children.
On Oct. 3, 1905, he fell gently asleep in Jesus in his home at
Bern, Kans., at the age of 62 years, 8 months and 27 days. Short-
ly before his death he called upon his family to kneel at his bed-
side, while in broken sentences he asked God's blessing upon them.
306
1906
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Ida hinge
Miss Ida Linge, the oldest daughter of Rev. and Mrs. C. Linge,
grew to young womanhood in the home of an Evangelical preacher
where she enjoyed every blessing of a Christian family. She gave
her heart to Christ when young and led a Christian life among
her associates. Being possessed with a cheerful disposition, she
readily made friends wherever she went. She was called to her
heavenly home so early in the morning of life, when just bloom-
ing out into young womanhood with so much promise for a long
and useful career. We cannot understand why the Master should
take her away so soon, but He, who doeth all things well, hath
need for her in that better world above.
Minnie Plettner
Little Minnie was the eldest child of Rev. and Mrs. M. W.
Plettner, and was carried home to the bosom of the Shepherd dur-
ing the time that Conference was in session. Though the home
has been plunged into sorrow, and darkness has settled down upon
the family circle, yet a ray of light bursts through the clouds, for
Jesus has only taken little Minnie home to be with Himself.
WORDEN MISSION
Worden was originally a part of Lawrence Mission, which
contained the first organized class in the Kansas Conference, even
before the Conference was organized. For many years it was
known as the Willow Springs appointment of Lawrence Circuit,
and enjoys the distinction of having entertained the Annual Con-
ference sessions in 1886. The class was organized by S. W. McKes-
son in 1859, with the following charter members: Charles War-
ner and wife, Rev. D. R. Zellner and wife, Conrad Pippert and
wife, Daniel Heffner and wife, Mother Pippert, Mother Fager and
C. Long and wife. D. R. Zellner was the first class-leader, and