Dickinson County Family Histories--Hoon Journal-Rev. T. F. Stauffer Family
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THE REV. THOMAS FLEMING STAUFFER FAMILY
From Mary Ellen Hoon's Journals
Wm. Lang’s “History of Seneca County (Ohio)” lists a T. F. Stauffer as the 5th minister of Olive Chapel in Jackson Township. The Church was built in 1862. This was in a listing of the Reformed/ Lutheran and Reformed Churches of Seneca co.
Mary E. Hoon lived when a girl with her parents about one year in Fastoria, Seneca Co., Ohio. v2.p22
Moved to Apollo, Armstrong Co., Penn in 1866 or 67. v2.p22
Lived in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co. Penn. from 1867 or near that time till 1 June 1871. v2.23
1 July 1871 moved to St. Paul's Orphan Home at Butler, Butler Co., Penn. v2.p23
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1883 History of Butler County - page 167
St. Paul's Orphans Home
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held in Grace Reformed Church,
Pittsburgh, Penn., November 21, 1876, Rev. T. F. Stauffer was elected to
the office of Superintendent, urged to accept the same, and entered upon
its duties April 5, 1877. He continued his management until the annual
meeting of the board in June 1882, when he resigned, his resignation taking
place September 5, 1882. During his term of office, many improvements were
made to the buildings. A new school building and a new north wing were
erected, so that the buildings are sufficient for the accommodation of a
large number of children.
There is quite a discussion of the building, its management, and various
directors, along with a drawing of the orphanage.
In November 1884 he (Rev. Thomas Fleming Stauffer) came west with his family as a missionary under the Reformed Church Mission Board and Located at Abilene, Dickinson Co., Kansas and preached at Enterprise, Kansas six miles out of Abilene and at Chemister's ?? school house 12 miles north of Abilene. He built the Grace Reformed Church in Abilene, Kansas. v2.p7
I (Mary Ellen Stauffer) came west with my parents in Nov. 1884 and located at Abilene, Dickinson Co. Kansas where my father became pastor of the Reformed church. v2.p23-24
The congregation at Abilene gave Rev. Stauffer a gold watch at Christmas while he was pastor there. v2.p7
Rev. T.F. Stauffer was Pastor at Emporia, Kansas for nine years. v1.p12
In January 1890 Rev. Stauffer moved to Lincoln, Lancaster Co. Nebraska, and was pastor there for eight years. v2.p8
Rev. Stauffer's Wife Hannah Stauffer died at their home in Lincoln, Neb. 24 April 1895, aged 58 years 6 months and 8 days after a lingering illness. She was buried in the family plot in Greensburg, Penn. alongside two of their children. v2.p8
Rev. T.F. Stauffer and Sarah J. (Wehlley ?) were married in Lincoln, Neb. 23 May 1896. v1.p6.
Rev. Stauffer and Mrs. Sarrah Jane Heffly of Lincoln, Neb. were married 23 May 1896 at the home of his daughter Mrs. Grant Hoon, (Mary Ellen (Stauffer), by the Rev. Edmond Erb of the Reformed Church. v2.p8
He (Rev. Thomas F. Stauffer) was a charter member of Simcol? classes and also of the Synod of the interior of the Reformed Church. He was State Clerk of the Synod for many years. He remained till 1898. v2.p7
In 1909 he (Rev. T.F. Stauffer) moved with his family to Emporia, Kansas and was a member of the Wichita classes. He served the Emporia charge nine years 1 July 1918. v2.p9
After 54 years of active pastoral work in the ministry of his chosen church, he retired from active work. v2.p9
Father bought the silver water pitcher that I have in Abilene, Kansas at auction for $8.77, and the silver coffee pitcher that Russell got was given father by Mr. Seedley a gentleman in Pitts (Pittsburgh, Pa.) when we lived there. v1.p78
A letter from Rev. Stauffer to Nellie Hoon Austin (one of Mary Ellen’s daughters) in California:
Addresses as follows:
Return on envelope: 3414 Mitchell Ave. Saint Joseph, Mo.
To: on envelope: Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Austin, 421, 8th St. Marysville Calif.
Reverent T. F. Stauffer
3414 Mitchell Ave.
St. Joseph, Mo.
June 30/23
Dear Nellie and All:
Your card came yesterday P.M. We were glad to hear from you and that all were well and that you liked San Francisco. Hope your vacation will benefit you. We were awaiting a letter from you and I was about to write you when your card arrived.
Cousin Arthur Briggs died Thursday A.M. at the home of his sister Mrs. Nora Boyer. She wired us; but neither of us could go. He was buried Friday P.M. She will write us the details of his death and burial later on. I presume you have heard of our attending the Meeting of Classis and W.M ? in Sioux City. We enjoyed being there. Your mother and the girls as well as other friends entertained us real well. Wish you folks could have been there also. We surely missed you all.
On our way home we visited Cousin Nora and family in Omaha and Grandma visited Mrs. Heanlin who has been ill for weeks past. Paralyzed. She is some better now, but her final recovery cannot be expected, and yet she may live for some years more. Mother and Nora visited her together for a day.
Grandma finished canning cherries yesterday. We had very fine cherries this season; but for the plums, apples, and pears there will be but few altogether. Our grape crop will be fine and large. We have a fine garden this season. Grandma also has many roses and some other kinds of flowers.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker have not been very well for sometime past. He thinks that he must soon retire from RR clerical work as it is too hard for him now. Anna?? his wife is very little better if any.
We are having a cold rain, and Grandma has made a fire in the stove to take the chill off the rooms and the day is dark and I have the light turned on to finish this letter. Grandma had new potatoes for dinner on June 1st and they were large, and each time she dug them since they are larger.
Strawberries were large this year. I never saw better ones. Our gooseberries were all we wanted, although they were not of the large varieties.
Well, here comes the second rain for this forenoon. Hence the fire counts for a good deal today and we are shut-ins because of the thunder, electric display and rains.
Harlan Myers, your Aunt Hallie's son of Abilene, graduated from Abilene High School this last commencement with honors and is helping a Kansas farmer now. This fall he expects to enter the University of Lawrence Kansas, taking administration through business law.??? The farmer offers to pay all his expenses for him to take the full course. This is splendid. He is an exceptionally a fine young man. aunt Hallie still resides in Abilene.
Charles Faust of Emporia of our church graduated from the high school with high honors and membership in the highest graded society of the High School of Emporia and may enter either the Teacher's College or the Emporia College this fall.
Well I close. We unite in Love to you all and would like to hear from you all. Tell Betty we want a good long letter from her. I think she owes us one.
Lovingly Yours
Grandpa Stauffer
(3414 Mitchell Ave. St. Joseph, Mo.) You addressed your letter 3404 which is incorrect
Thomas F. Stauffer died 10 Oct. 1923 at Mays Hospital, St. Joseph Mo.
From a copy of a newspaper clipping hand dated Oct. 9, 1923:
Rev. Thomas F. Stauffer was already a veteran home missionary when we served our apprenticeship in St. Joseph, Mo. under Rev. D. B. Shuey’s superintendency. Mr. Stauffer was then holding services for our English Mission in Lincoln, Neb., where a hastily improvised tabernacle or “shack” housed his mission. He was born near Greensburg, Pa. and upon his death in St. Joseph, Mo. on 9 Oct, he had attained the age of 84 years, 9 months, and 14 days. In the seminary at Mercersberg, Pa. he was the room-mate of the sainted Rev. Dr. D.S. Fouse- both sitting under the instruction of Revs. Dr. John Nevin, Philip Schaff and Prof. Higbee. His love for and skill in music made young Stauffer a popular student. He served for a time as Dr. Schaff’s secretary. He served his first churches - after licensure in 1865- at Apollo, Wilkinsburg and Butler, Pa. At the last named place he was also for a time sup’t of our St. Paul’s Orphan Home. He was one of Western Pennsylvania’s pioneer Reformed preachers. In 1884 he began his work as a western missionary- at Abilene, Kas., Lincoln, Neb., Sioux City, Ia., and Emporia, Kas. Four years ago, after 54 years in the active pastorate, Bro. Stauffer retired, residing thereafter in St. Joseph. But he continued supplying pulpits and at last regularly served our church at Imogene, Ia. His intellect retained it’s alertness almost to the last, and he loved to proclaim Christ crucified, risen, and glorified-a complete Savior. Besides his widow, Bro. Stauffer leaves a son in Cleveland, Russell and a daughter in Sioux City, Mrs. Mary Hoon. After a brief and intense illness he died in Ensworth Hospital. After his pastor, Rev. J. B. Bloom had conducted services in the Stauffer home, the body was taken to Sioux City for interment, where also a fitting service was held, attended by many to whom Bro. Stauffer had ministered. The following tribute by A. J. Johnston of Sioux City was read:---
Rev. T. F. Stauffer retired from the active ministry at Emporia, Kansas 1 July 1918 and moved to St. Joseph, Missouri the same year. v1.p12
Rev. Stauffer and wife celebrated their silver anniversary 20 May 1919 at St. Joseph, Mo. v1.p12
Mrs. T.F. Stauffer celebrated her 71st birthday at St. Joseph, Mo. 19 Feb 1920. v1.p12
Father & Mother came to Sioux City from St. Joseph 3 Sept. 1920 to attend the Reformed Church rally. They were entertained Saturday noon at A,J, Johnson’s, Sat. evening at Maggie Johnson’s, Sunday noon at the Vanshrese, Sunday evening at the Wilma Metzgers and Mrs. David Christy Of Sioux City at the home of the brides Grandfather Mr. May Sunday evening dinner at Mr. Edmondson's, Monday noon at Ralph Austin’s, and evening at the reception in the church, Twesday evening at Mamie and Sadie Weiss. Then left for Omaha, Nebraska 8 Sept and from there home. Rev. Krause and wife of Pittsburgh, Pa. were also present for the rally on Sunday and Rev. J.L Horning for the reception in the church on Monday evening for all the visitors and the canceling of the mortgage on the church property. Father preached Sunday morning and Rev. Krause that evening. v1. p22-23
In 1909 he moved with his family to Emporia, Kansas and was a member of the Wichita classes. He served the Emporia charge nine years 1 July 1918. v2.p9
31 August 1915 at Emporia, Kansas marked the fiftieth anniversary of Rev. Stauffer's ordination to the ministry and thirty one of those years spent in the Kansas, Lincoln, and Wichita classes and the Emporia Synod. v2.p9
After 54 years of active pastoral work in the ministry of his chosen church, he retired from active work. v2.p9
Jennie Stauffer left a small estate, insurance policy and a home in St. Joseph, Mo. The will was read 16 Jan 1934; one hundred dollars to her brothers A.G.? Kimmel of Berlin, Penn., a diamond ring to Martha Walker a niece. Two parts of the estate to her sister Mrs. Walker and the other two parts are to Russell Stauffer of Cleveland, Ohio and one part to Mary Stauffer Hoon in Sioux City, Iowa. The administrator was James Walker a nephew in St. Joseph, Mo. Floral pieces were given by the aid society of St.. Marks Reformed Church and 18 of the neighbors. The estate was settled and closed in Feb. 1935. A marker put on her grave in May of 1934 v2.p18
Father & Mother came to Sioux City from St. Joseph 3 Sept. 1920 to attend the Reformed Church rally. They were entertained Saturday noon at A,J, Johnsons, Sat. evening at Maggie Johnsons, Sunday noon at the Vanshrese, Sunday evening at the Willma Metzgers and Mrs. David Christy Of Sioux City at the home of the brides Grandfather Mr. May Sunday evening dinner at Mr. Edmondson's, Monday noon at Ralph Austin’s, and evening at the reception in the church, Twesday evening at Mamie and Sadie Weiss. Then left for Omaha, Nebraska 8 Sept and from there home. Rev. Krause and wife of Pittsburgh, Pa. were also present for the rally on Sunday and Rev. J.L Horning for the reception in the church on Monday evening for all the visitors and the canceling of the mortgage on the church property. Father preached Sunday morning and Rev. Krause that evening. v1. p22-23
Mary E. Hoon was born near Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn. in her grandfather Scheibler’s home 2 Jan 1863, and then
(1)moved with her parents to Fostoria, Ohio, where she lived one year
(2) then on to Apollo, Armstrong Co., Penn.
(3) Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co. Penn.
(4) Butler, Butler Co., Penn. & St. Paul's Orphan's home 1 April 1877.
(5) Greensburg Seminary at school in Greensburg, Pa. March 1881-June 1883
in Butler town June 1882, Sept 1884
(6) Abilene, Dickinson Co. Kansas Nov. 1884.
(7) Lincoln, Lancaster Co. Neb. 1 June 1891
(8) Sioux City, Woodbury Co. Iowa 1 June 1900. v1.p76-77
Frank Bayer and Elenor Briggs both of Omaha, Neb. were married in Sioux City, by Rev. T.F. Stauffer 21 august 1907. v1.p41
William Scheibler's daughter Florence McEntyre visited the Stauffers at their home in Emporia, Kansas in November 1912, on their way from a visit to relatives in Calif. Mary E. Stauffer; a niece also visited at Emporia at the same time. v2.p96
John S. Scheivley and Mary Green both of Abilene, Kansas were married in the Baptist Church, by Rev. Dr. Welcher/Melcher? the pastor, a reception was held at the home of the groom's sister, Mrs. Rev. Stauffer in 1888 or 1889. v2.p97
John S. Scheivley of Abilene, Kansas and Halhe?? Myers of near Greensburg, Penn. were married in the home of Rev. Stauffer in Emporia, Kansas in 1912 or 13. v2.p95
Dear Joe:
Here is some peripheral information I obtained from Mercersburg Achieves.
In the Winter at six and in the Summer at five o'clock in the morning, all the students were aroused from their slumbers by the noise of a Chinese gong in the hands of the tutor, which waxed louder and louder, as it went from corridor to corridor, until it passed the door of each student's room, when their was a truce to all sleep.... We then all of us assembled in the place of prayer. In the Winter, the hall was without any fire and as cold as a barn... After our early prayers we were supposed to be engaged with our lessons until breakfast, after which we could do what we thought best, walk or talk, until nine o'clock when our recitations began. At each succeeding hour the gong called us from one class-room to another until twelve o'clock, which was then considered the work of one-half day. The other half was finished between the hours of two and four or five, when we were called once more to prayer, the faculty all being in attendance. This was the order of life to which the!
students voluntarily subjected themselves during there, four or more years, that they might acquire a collegiate education.
In the 1860's the students were required to furnish their rooms with everything save bedsteads and tinplate stoves. The bedding, heating, carpeting when this could be enjoyed, the buying of the cord wood, sawing it and carrying it upstairs, the securing of water from a well on the campus, the ringing of the bell for lecture hours, etc., was the task of the students. But notwithstanding these unfavorable conditions, the faulty and students labored together harmoniously.
the only recreation for the students consisted of excursions on foot to the tops of the mountains, west and north, the climbing of Parnell's Knob, the last being a strenuous feat, the visiting of a small cave east of the Seminary campus, and walking to and fro on the stone porch of Main Hall. There were during those days none of the modern ball and other games. During the rainy days and when the earth was covered with snow and ice. there was no place or time to indulge in outdoor sports. There were long and dreary days; but they were none the less beneficial for they taught us lessons of sociability and patience.
Thomas Fleming Stauffer's Graduation Ceremony - reprinted from a Century of Education at Mercersburg
The Board of Visitors of the Theological Seminary met at Mercersburg, on Monday evening the 15th of May 1865 to attend the examinations and the closing exercises in the Seminary.
There were present, Rev. B. Bausman, J. W. Santee, P. S. Davis, F. A. Rupley, I. G. Brown, W. E. Krebs, and T. G. Apple. Examinations were held on Tuesday, in the morning by Dr. Harbaugh two classes in Dogmatics, and one class in the afternoon two classes in Church History, by Prof. Higbee, and one in Hebrew, by Tutor Kerschner.
The number of students in the Seminary during the past year is twenty-none.
The regular Theological Commencement, which the Board and Faculty have been laboring for several years to establish, was inaugurated on Tuesday evening. The following was the order of exercises:
Music.-----Introductory
Prayer, by Prof. E. E. Higbee Historical Essay, by T. F. Stauffer, Greensburg, PA.
Subject The Council at Nicea
Music
Theological Oration, by D. W. Gerhard, Lancaster, PA.
Subject --The First and Second Adam.
Music
Seminary Address, by Charles G. Fisher, Philadelphia, PA
Music.
closing Address, by Dr. H. Harbaugh.
Music---Gloria Patri
Benediction.
The Commencement exercises were held in the German Reformed Church. A large and appreciative audience were in attendance.
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Joe:
Steve and I drove to Mercersburg on Sunday - didn't get there in time for church but did find it. A great example of mid 19th century architecture. The town hasn't changed since the description - very small, isolated, at the foot of Tuscarora Mountain and not far from President Buchanan's birthplace. We want to get back during the summer and see if we can find where the cave etc was. The Old Main Hall and Front Porch are still standing and there is a great restaurant on campus.