The Patriarch of the Evangelical Association Finishes His Race Here Below.
Father John Dreisbach left his "Earthly house of this tabernacle" for "A house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens", on August 20, 1871, in Circleville, Ohio, after he had been about eighty three years "a pilgrim and a stranger" on the Earth.
Bro. Dreisbach was born June 5, 1789, in Northumberland Co., Pa. His parents were Martin and Sabina F. Dreisbach. John often praised God for such good parents, who led a religious, prayerful life, and trained their children in the fear of the Lord. But the youthful John, nevertheless, strayed away into sin, until he reached his 17th year, when the Spirit of God reproved him sharply, whereupon he began earnestly to repent. He prayed, read the Holy Scriptures, and sought forgiveness of his sins, until one day he apprehended Christ by faith, and the love of God was shed abroad into his heart, for which he praised God from the bottom of his heart. This took place in November, 1806.
On Whitsuntide, 1807, he received a preacher's license at the hands of Rev. Jacob Albright, and on November 6, 1807, he left the parental home and journeyed to the first conference, which was held at the house of Samuel Becker, in Muelbach (now Kleinfeltersville), Pa, where he was received into the itinerancy and assighned an appointment. In the beginning of his itinerant lavors he traveled frequently in company with Albright, who gave him much good advice and encouragement. In 1814 he was elected the first presiding elder in the Association and in that capacity traveled over the entire territory of the Association - about 300 miles in length and 100 miles in width, guiding the work with a skillful but also a strong hand. But the severe hardships and privations connected with the itinerant service at that time, and especially with the labors and administration of the presiding elder's office, broke down his health and in great part his constitution too, so that he was obliged to take another relation in 1822 and never afterwards became able to do much service as an itinerant. But he assisted the work a great deal in other respects and sometimes became a temporary supply in time of need on fields of labor. He was also a fruitful correspondent of the Church papers, composed many hymns both German and English, also served as Editor of the Evangelical Messenger from October 25, 1854 until march 18, 1857. He was a member of General Conference almost without interruption from 1816 until 1867 and his advice was highly appreciated by those important assemblies. He was, as it were, the patriarch of the Evangelical Association. His presence was everywhere acceptable and his cooperation and influence was channels of blessings.
As a preacher, he stood near the front ranks in the earlier days of the Association. He preached soundly and often so powerfully that sinners fell to the earth and cried for mercy, and the entire audience would be shaken and moved. As editor, he rendered the Church and the readers valuable assistence and service. As to his character and conduct he was indeed an unalarmable and exemplary Christian; and was justly very highly esteemed by Preachers, members, neighbors and all sensible people, both in Pennsylvania where he lived until 1831 and afterward in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived during the balance of his life. In Pennsylvania he was nominated and was triumphantly elected to the legislature of that state, whilst he was a local preacher, and served during the years 1828-1829 with credit to himself and the State, at the same time honoring Christianity by his conduct and influence.
His personal appearance was quite favorable. His tall person, a countenance indicating a full, rounded character, his large clear earnestness, and when he spoke to the "weary and heavy laden" softly beamed with sympathy and tenderness, contributed much to increase his influence and made the impression that he was a highly favored patriarchal man of God.
Finally he arrived at the end of his earthly career, peacefully and blessedly laid down the cross and took up the crown.
*Copied from "The History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties"
Father John Dreisbach left his "Earthly house of this tabernacle" for "A house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens", on August 20, 1871, in Circleville, Ohio, after he had been about eighty three years "a pilgrim and a stranger" on the Earth.
Bro. Dreisbach was born June 5, 1789, in Northumberland Co., Pa. His parents were Martin and Sabina F. Dreisbach. John often praised God for such good parents, who led a religious, prayerful life, and trained their children in the fear of the Lord. But the youthful John, nevertheless, strayed away into sin, until he reached his 17th year, when the Spirit of God reproved him sharply, whereupon he began earnestly to repent. He prayed, read the Holy Scriptures, and sought forgiveness of his sins, until one day he apprehended Christ by faith, and the love of God was shed abroad into his heart, for which he praised God from the bottom of his heart. This took place in November, 1806.
On Whitsuntide, 1807, he received a preacher's license at the hands of Rev. Jacob Albright, and on November 6, 1807, he left the parental home and journeyed to the first conference, which was held at the house of Samuel Becker, in Muelbach (now Kleinfeltersville), Pa, where he was received into the itinerancy and assighned an appointment. In the beginning of his itinerant lavors he traveled frequently in company with Albright, who gave him much good advice and encouragement. In 1814 he was elected the first presiding elder in the Association and in that capacity traveled over the entire territory of the Association - about 300 miles in length and 100 miles in width, guiding the work with a skillful but also a strong hand. But the severe hardships and privations connected with the itinerant service at that time, and especially with the labors and administration of the presiding elder's office, broke down his health and in great part his constitution too, so that he was obliged to take another relation in 1822 and never afterwards became able to do much service as an itinerant. But he assisted the work a great deal in other respects and sometimes became a temporary supply in time of need on fields of labor. He was also a fruitful correspondent of the Church papers, composed many hymns both German and English, also served as Editor of the Evangelical Messenger from October 25, 1854 until march 18, 1857. He was a member of General Conference almost without interruption from 1816 until 1867 and his advice was highly appreciated by those important assemblies. He was, as it were, the patriarch of the Evangelical Association. His presence was everywhere acceptable and his cooperation and influence was channels of blessings.
As a preacher, he stood near the front ranks in the earlier days of the Association. He preached soundly and often so powerfully that sinners fell to the earth and cried for mercy, and the entire audience would be shaken and moved. As editor, he rendered the Church and the readers valuable assistence and service. As to his character and conduct he was indeed an unalarmable and exemplary Christian; and was justly very highly esteemed by Preachers, members, neighbors and all sensible people, both in Pennsylvania where he lived until 1831 and afterward in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived during the balance of his life. In Pennsylvania he was nominated and was triumphantly elected to the legislature of that state, whilst he was a local preacher, and served during the years 1828-1829 with credit to himself and the State, at the same time honoring Christianity by his conduct and influence.
His personal appearance was quite favorable. His tall person, a countenance indicating a full, rounded character, his large clear earnestness, and when he spoke to the "weary and heavy laden" softly beamed with sympathy and tenderness, contributed much to increase his influence and made the impression that he was a highly favored patriarchal man of God.
Finally he arrived at the end of his earthly career, peacefully and blessedly laid down the cross and took up the crown.
*Copied from "The History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties"
The Patriarch of the Evangelical Association Finishes His Race Here Below.
Father John Dreisbach left his "Earthly house of this tabernacle" for "A house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens", on August 20, 1871, in Circleville, Ohio, after he had been about eighty three years "a pilgrim and a stranger" on the Earth.
Bro. Dreisbach was born June 5, 1789, in Northumberland Co., Pa. His parents were Martin and Sabina F. Dreisbach. John often praised God for such good parents, who led a religious, prayerful life, and trained their children in the fear of the Lord. But the youthful John, nevertheless, strayed away into sin, until he reached his 17th year, when the Spirit of God reproved him sharply, whereupon he began earnestly to repent. He prayed, read the Holy Scriptures, and sought forgiveness of his sins, until one day he apprehended Christ by faith, and the love of God was shed abroad into his heart, for which he praised God from the bottom of his heart. This took place in November, 1806.
On Whitsuntide, 1807, he received a preacher's license at the hands of Rev. Jacob Albright, and on November 6, 1807, he left the parental home and journeyed to the first conference, which was held at the house of Samuel Becker, in Muelbach (now Kleinfeltersville), Pa, where he was received into the itinerancy and assighned an appointment. In the beginning of his itinerant lavors he traveled frequently in company with Albright, who gave him much good advice and encouragement. In 1814 he was elected the first presiding elder in the Association and in that capacity traveled over the entire territory of the Association - about 300 miles in length and 100 miles in width, guiding the work with a skillful but also a strong hand. But the severe hardships and privations connected with the itinerant service at that time, and especially with the labors and administration of the presiding elder's office, broke down his health and in great part his constitution too, so that he was obliged to take another relation in 1822 and never afterwards became able to do much service as an itinerant. But he assisted the work a great deal in other respects and sometimes became a temporary supply in time of need on fields of labor. He was also a fruitful correspondent of the Church papers, composed many hymns both German and English, also served as Editor of the Evangelical Messenger from October 25, 1854 until march 18, 1857. He was a member of General Conference almost without interruption from 1816 until 1867 and his advice was highly appreciated by those important assemblies. He was, as it were, the patriarch of the Evangelical Association. His presence was everywhere acceptable and his cooperation and influence was channels of blessings.
As a preacher, he stood near the front ranks in the earlier days of the Association. He preached soundly and often so powerfully that sinners fell to the earth and cried for mercy, and the entire audience would be shaken and moved. As editor, he rendered the Church and the readers valuable assistence and service. As to his character and conduct he was indeed an unalarmable and exemplary Christian; and was justly very highly esteemed by Preachers, members, neighbors and all sensible people, both in Pennsylvania where he lived until 1831 and afterward in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived during the balance of his life. In Pennsylvania he was nominated and was triumphantly elected to the legislature of that state, whilst he was a local preacher, and served during the years 1828-1829 with credit to himself and the State, at the same time honoring Christianity by his conduct and influence.
His personal appearance was quite favorable. His tall person, a countenance indicating a full, rounded character, his large clear earnestness, and when he spoke to the "weary and heavy laden" softly beamed with sympathy and tenderness, contributed much to increase his influence and made the impression that he was a highly favored patriarchal man of God.
Finally he arrived at the end of his earthly career, peacefully and blessedly laid down the cross and took up the crown.
*Copied from "The History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties"
Father John Dreisbach left his "Earthly house of this tabernacle" for "A house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens", on August 20, 1871, in Circleville, Ohio, after he had been about eighty three years "a pilgrim and a stranger" on the Earth.
Bro. Dreisbach was born June 5, 1789, in Northumberland Co., Pa. His parents were Martin and Sabina F. Dreisbach. John often praised God for such good parents, who led a religious, prayerful life, and trained their children in the fear of the Lord. But the youthful John, nevertheless, strayed away into sin, until he reached his 17th year, when the Spirit of God reproved him sharply, whereupon he began earnestly to repent. He prayed, read the Holy Scriptures, and sought forgiveness of his sins, until one day he apprehended Christ by faith, and the love of God was shed abroad into his heart, for which he praised God from the bottom of his heart. This took place in November, 1806.
On Whitsuntide, 1807, he received a preacher's license at the hands of Rev. Jacob Albright, and on November 6, 1807, he left the parental home and journeyed to the first conference, which was held at the house of Samuel Becker, in Muelbach (now Kleinfeltersville), Pa, where he was received into the itinerancy and assighned an appointment. In the beginning of his itinerant lavors he traveled frequently in company with Albright, who gave him much good advice and encouragement. In 1814 he was elected the first presiding elder in the Association and in that capacity traveled over the entire territory of the Association - about 300 miles in length and 100 miles in width, guiding the work with a skillful but also a strong hand. But the severe hardships and privations connected with the itinerant service at that time, and especially with the labors and administration of the presiding elder's office, broke down his health and in great part his constitution too, so that he was obliged to take another relation in 1822 and never afterwards became able to do much service as an itinerant. But he assisted the work a great deal in other respects and sometimes became a temporary supply in time of need on fields of labor. He was also a fruitful correspondent of the Church papers, composed many hymns both German and English, also served as Editor of the Evangelical Messenger from October 25, 1854 until march 18, 1857. He was a member of General Conference almost without interruption from 1816 until 1867 and his advice was highly appreciated by those important assemblies. He was, as it were, the patriarch of the Evangelical Association. His presence was everywhere acceptable and his cooperation and influence was channels of blessings.
As a preacher, he stood near the front ranks in the earlier days of the Association. He preached soundly and often so powerfully that sinners fell to the earth and cried for mercy, and the entire audience would be shaken and moved. As editor, he rendered the Church and the readers valuable assistence and service. As to his character and conduct he was indeed an unalarmable and exemplary Christian; and was justly very highly esteemed by Preachers, members, neighbors and all sensible people, both in Pennsylvania where he lived until 1831 and afterward in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived during the balance of his life. In Pennsylvania he was nominated and was triumphantly elected to the legislature of that state, whilst he was a local preacher, and served during the years 1828-1829 with credit to himself and the State, at the same time honoring Christianity by his conduct and influence.
His personal appearance was quite favorable. His tall person, a countenance indicating a full, rounded character, his large clear earnestness, and when he spoke to the "weary and heavy laden" softly beamed with sympathy and tenderness, contributed much to increase his influence and made the impression that he was a highly favored patriarchal man of God.
Finally he arrived at the end of his earthly career, peacefully and blessedly laid down the cross and took up the crown.
*Copied from "The History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties"
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Salome Eyer Dreisbach Bookwalter
1812–1891
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Eliza Eyer Dreisbach Steely
1813–1891
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Rev Abraham Eyer Dreisbach
1818–1876
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Isaac Eyer Dreisbach
1819–1897
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Catherine Dreisbach Einsel
1820–1905
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Sophia Dreisbach Loose
1821–1904
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Jacob E. Dreisbach
1823–1909
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Martin Eyer Dreisbach
1826–1911
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Susan Dreisbach Kamp
1828–1906
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John Eyer Dreisbach
1830–1864
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Fannie E. Dreisbach Spickler
1832–1914
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Martha Eyer Dreisbach Gildersleeve
1834–1907
