Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 10

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 10.

Later in upper forties and fifties, Linden Wenger served as pastor, living in the community.

In the 60's Harley Good was the pastor. (The upstairs was remodelled for class rooms, oil furnace (beaded - - word crossed out) was)

{{In her sister Minnie's handwriting - - not sure she may got confused}}

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 9

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 9.

there was not adequate space for the classes in the main church -

There were indoor rest rooms, so for the purpose of sanitation it was necessary to have indoor rest rooms for (word for lined through) and more space for class rooms. It seemed desirable to sell this property and relocate (below the word relocate are the words build elsewhere, both lined through) elsewhere.

Land was purchased 4 miles north of the W Va State line along route 259 and work wa begun in early 1973 on the new church under the director of Pastor Good.

On Sunday AM April 15 (or 16, the number is written over and hard to read), 1973, the last meeting were held at Mt. (Mornin - - lied out) Hernan, and from then on services were held at the new Mathis Menn. Ch.

The congregation is a merger of two churches, Buchhorn and Mt. Herman.  The new church was dedicated on Sun. Sept. 16, 1973.

This new stone building includes a sanctuary, that seats 300, a downstairs assembly room - - s. school rooms, kitchen, nursery, and pastor's study.

The new church was built at a cost of 47,459.17.  There was 5000 man hrs. donation.  The stove and labor were donated from the local community

On the debt of the church on Sept. 16, 1973 was $13000.  The offerings that day were $818.  Labor and funds were from the two congregations & David Auysburge spoke at the dedicatory services.

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 8

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 8.

all varnished, and large windows on either side, when looking to the east, the North Mt. rose to mind with its beautiful oaks arrayed in colors of henna and brown.  On the right was the vale below with Ball Knob coming to view, ranges of the (Branch, word lined out) Shenandoah Mts.

No more school house with their oily floors and unpainted walls. What a change.

At this dedication, unlike other dedications there was no call for money.  Rev. Showalter announced there was no indebtedness - - everything was paid off.

Meetings now were held each Sunday in this school -  with Rev. Lewis Showalter as the pastor - - later followed in 50 or 60's by Linden Wenger who lived in the community, then  later by Harly Good. As the Sunday school grew, (The following words were all lined through:  Sund School rooms were made upstairs) the upstairs for remodelled for class room, and an oil furnace was (added to the - all lined out) installed in the church but with the expansion of the Sunday School.

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

.

Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 7

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 7.

after it was sold to my father David Halterman by the Rockingham School Bd. Then (words lined out) about this time schools were being consolidated and the one room schools in VA were being discontinued.

There was a slight decrease in addendence about 1928-1930 - when some of the members like Shipes and Herters moved to Gaithersburg, Md. and about the same time some of the people who attended these meetings moved to Martinsburg W. Va. After the school houses were being sold out due to consolidation, the need for a church became more urgent. Now the services in the school houses were being discontinued where the people knelt in prayer and sang prayers to God.

Around about 1956 - the Showalters saw where they could buy a lot from Moses Halterman for a church.  In the spring of 1937 under the direction of Rev. Lewis Showalter with the financial help of his brother, Mark, work was begun on a new church, called Mt. Herman, about 1 1/2 mile of W. V. along route 259.  A lot of free labor was donated and well as materials.

The church was completed by Nov. 1937.  On that beautiful balmy sunny Sunday of the 15 Nov. 1937, the church was dedicated. How beautiful and grand to walk into a new church all newly painted, hard floors and pews

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 6

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 6.

young people became converted to the Mennonite faith.

At this time there was talk of having a Sunday school in the school houses at (XXX)  near the state line, then Beny Moved to Broadway and it was not until about 1920 or 1921, Timothy Showalter with the help of his family, Paul, Mark, and Lewis started the first S. School beginning in April and continuing until October.  Some of the classes were held by the children sitting on the zig zag rails under the many spreading walnut trees.  Then one class was held on the front porch of a residence across the highway.

This was the hey day of the Model T Ford - - then the Sunday School teacher travelled by car although the road was bad in places.  Not until 1934 was the (good - - lined out) road under construction completed.

The Sunday School progressed and grew under the direction of the members of the George Showalter family assisted by many others, like John Algers, Dewey Emswiler and some from Park View.  There was talk all the while of a church, especially by Rev. Lewis Showalter who preached frequently in these school house.  Seemingly it was difficult to decide on a location.  For awhile Lewis Showalter had in mind enlarging the Capon Run School House

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 5

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 5.

effective that it had a great drawing power.  In all there were about 72 converts, some (many lined out) of whom were baptized by Bishop Lewis Shank (pouring) in the nearby Capon Run   {{In the handwriting of Geneva's sister, Minnie:  my father was convert at Berkeys revival) }}

A few days after these meetings closed, the head lines in a July 1914 flashed the new in large bold letter that a powder key had exploded in Europe, the worse war of mankind and the many leading nations would become involved.  Austria - and Germany united against France, England, Russia, and other nations.  It looked as though the U.S. would become involved and in several years they were.  Several young who sat under Rev. Berkeys sounding voice previously were called into military training to be later sent over seas.  One of these three was killed on the battle front in France (All lined out:  This  These youngmen) Their attendance at Rev. Berkey's meetings was the first they had had the word of God preached to them.  Oh!  what a grand and glorious revival this was as it touched the hearts of so many - was just like the pouring out of the Holy Spirit - - That young men may see visions, and old men may dream dreams -

In the summer of 1916 Rev. Gurber, I believe from the Waynesboro area held one week's meet at the Capon Run School and one at the school house in the Upper Cove.  Several

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 4

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 4.

different, especially during floods and heavy summer rains.

By 1930 the road was completed to the Bergon cut off - two miles south of the West Va. line - In Nov. 1933 work was begun for its completion and by March 1934 - with bulldozers and steam shovels the (work - - lined out) road was completed to the W. Va. line - there it connected with W. Va., route 259.

The Capon Run Bridge was built and the new road was greatly widened. -

Now going back to the church activities. In July 1914, the Rev. E. J. Berkey from Fauquier Co. Va. came 2 hold a week's revival at the Capon Run School just south of the W Va. state line. This house since (below is written to-day which is lined out) has been converted into a dwelling. He stayed in the community at night, usually in my parent's home, the David Haltermans.

Instead of preaching 1 week he preached 3 weeks. He was a very fluent speaker, and people came for miles to hear him speak. Never had they heard anyone preach so ably - and eloquently as he. They came from the by-ways, hollows, Hunters Gap, Crab Run, Criders, the Upper Cove. Benches were (built - - lined out) placed around the sides and through the middle aisle - Then the school house was crowded to overflowing with many standing outside at door and windows. Never had they heard the word of God so well proclaimed. His teaching was

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 3

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 3.

there was preaching at the Capon Run School house, on Sunday morning at the Old Moyer School House, and then on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. preaching at the Capon Run School House. Reverends Hop Turner, Joseph Genl (?), Persy Shank, Joseph Shank, and George Showalter, each would take turns, one one month, and so on. In the winter when the weather was extremely bad, the Rev. George Showalter would come without fail. No matter how bad the weather, there was always meetings at these school houses without fail. Rev. Showalter always braved the hail, sleet, and snow. Often the streams of water would overflow. Since he rode horse back he managed to go through the swollen streams. The ministers spent Saturday night and ate Sunday dinner with friends and members of the community as this was horse and buggy days.

In 1905 the pike was begun under the Supervision of Adam Turner at Broadway coming toward the W. Va. line. with pick and shovel, the work advanced slowly often only 1/2 mile per year. It was very winding often following the old dirt road to economize farm land. In places the old narrow dirt road was almost impassable, especially in the early spring. There were big ruts near the ooze factory now on the Harley Good Farm. The main travel was wagons. Several 4 (or 6? written over) horse mule teams drawn each by 6 mules hauled Hyd (lined out) hides from Broadway to Lost City. At the ooze factory - - chemicals were extracted for use for tanning leather.

Near (lined out) the state line, the Capon Run spread over the narrow dirt road, and this made travel very

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

.

Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 2

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 2.

church under Abram Shank. From 1899 to 1909 my mother was the only Mennonite member in this community. In 1909, her sister, Minnie Whitmer Mathias from Mathias W. Va. moved to adjoining farm of my mother. Then she was the second Mennonite Member in this community until 1910, About time Benj. Moyers, a travelling salesman, then, often spent the night with Bishop Lewis Shank at Broadway, and he became converted to the Mennonite Faith. In 1910 - 11 the Capon Run School House was built on his property.

Then about this time the Rev. Joseph Gent, who lived several South of Broadway held one week's revival meeting, at the old Moyers School House about 3 miles north of the State line. This was an unpainted school house with wide plank flooring, home made benches, probably was built in the 1880's and served as a school house until 1914, when a new two room painted building was built and school was held there until 1953 -

In these series of meetings the Rev. J. Gent visited some elderly people (DeLawders) in the Delawder Hollow. As a result of that week's meetings in all 8 people were converted to the Mennonite faith. Two were too elderly to attend the night meetings.

Now in 1911 there were in all 11 persons in this community of Mennonite faith.

At this time there was monthly meetings at these school houses. On Saturday evening

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

.

Aunt Geneva Writes, Page 1

Copyright 2017, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As genealogists go, I have been a pretty lucky one.  I have had great helpers, genie angels, and my great-aunt Geneva Halterman was interested in this sport and contributed our lines to several family books.  I am also lucky enough to have copies of 10 pages of history she wrote.  In a series of 10 posts, I will share them.  Images and my attempts at transcription of them.  Here is page 1.

The First Mennonites in the area at West. Va.,Va. state lines along or near Route 259

My Grandfather, Daniel Halterman who was born at the state lines on the Hardy County side, worked in the valley for Abram and Samuel Shank, Mennonite Ministers. They owned large farms south of Broadway and immediately after the Civil War, a lot of the work in the hay fields and harvest fields was done by hand. Then my grandfather while working in the hay fields for these brethren became converted to the Mennonite faith. In 1871 grandfather was married to Barbara DeLawder of the Upper Cove. They lived in Hardy County one mile east of the state line and continued to live there until about 1898. Revs. Abram & Samuel Shank would go to the Upper Cove several times a year to visit my grandmother, Sarah Basye from Shenandoah County who married Sellesteen Whitmer in May 1866. She then came to the Cove to live. She was a member of the Mennonite Church in Shenandoah Co. before marriage. Enroute to the Upper Cove these ministers would spend the night at grandfather Haltermans and then on Sunday morning proceed to the Upper Cover thru Hunkerson's Gap about 6 miles. Along with them my grandfather Halterman and grandmother would go with them, on horseback to the Cove where they had preaching for grandmother Whitmer and some of her relatives.

In 1898 grandfather Halterman moved to Criders, Va. about 8 miles distant. My father remained on the farm near the state line and was married to Ida Whitmer in August 1899. Then my mother was a member of the Mennonite Church having joined that

If you see errors in my transcriptions, please notify me.  Thanks to all my helpers and the family researchers that came before me.

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